Abstract: The present invention discloses an appliance for administering medical treatment to a person, as well as methods of using the appliance. In various embodiments, the appliance may be comprised of a medical device, an electronic processor, an electronic display (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD)), an audio output device (such as a piezoelectric speaker/microphone), electronic controls for controlling the operation of the electronic processor, and an electronic input receptacle (such as a DVD drive or USB port) adapted to receive and electronically access an electronic storage device (such as a DVD or flash memory device). The electronic processor or electronic storage device or both have information related to use and operation of the medical device digitally stored therein, so that the user of the appliance has ready access to instructional materials. Thus, the appliance includes an internal system for instructing the user in the use of the medical device.

Abstract: A compressed digital signal converter device. The converter is a device that converts an analog or digital source signal to a compressed digital signal. It preferably includes memory for storing the compressed digital signal for transferring it to a compressed digital file storage device, such as a MP3 or a MPEG-4 storage and playback device.

Abstract: A wound treatment appliance is provided for treating all or a portion of a wound. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an impermeable flexible overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the covered portion of the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the wound in the area under the flexible overlay. In yet other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of the wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, the appliance may include a suction drain. In other embodiments, the appliance may include a collection chamber to collect and store exudate from the wound. In yet other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an impermeable overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound.

Abstract: A collapsible scaffolding tower having four uprights arranged in two pairs, wherein each of the uprights is formed of three or more telescopically collapsible sections and rigid horizontal bars extend between the sections of the uprights in each pair to form two telescopically collapsible ladder structures, which rest directly on the ground when the tower is in use.

Abstract: A wound treatment appliance is provided for treating all or a portion of a wound. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an impermeable flexible overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the covered portion of the wound. In other embodiments, the impermeable flexible overlay comprises suction assistance means, such as channels, which assist in the application of reduced pressure to the area of the wound and removal of exudate from the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the wound in the area under the flexible overlay. In yet other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of the wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, the appliance may include a suction drain.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for treating a wound on the body of a patient. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an overlay, which is further comprised of cup members that may be detached or cut away from the overlay so that the overlay can be adjusted in size and shape. Also, in some embodiments, the overlay is further comprised of a pressure venting valve to maintain a predetermined level of reduced pressure at the site of the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the site of the wound in the volume under the overlay. In yet other embodiments, the treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an overlay that covers the wound.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for treating a wound on the body of a patient. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises a cover, which is further comprised of a top cup member and an interface member. The interface member comprises flow control means, which permit exudate from the wound to flow through the flow control means into the volume under the cover, but not in the opposite direction. Also, in some embodiments, the top cup member is further comprised of a lid member, a cup body member, and lid attachment means to removably attach the lid member to the cup body member. In some of these embodiments, it is possible to access the wound for monitoring, treatment and other purposes without removing the cover from the body. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the site of the wound in the volume under the cover.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for enclosing and providing reduced pressure treatment to a portion of a body of a patient. The reduced pressure treatment appliance may be used to treat wounds and other conditions, such as lymphedema, varicose veins, venous insufficiency and stasis, and other infirmities. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an enclosure that encloses the portion of the body to be treated for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the enclosed portion of the body. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the portion of the body to be treated in the volume under the enclosure. In yet other embodiments, the treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means.

Abstract: Breastpumps and methods for use in extracting breastmilk, which can be used to generate, among other things, both a letdown or stimulation phase and a milk expression phase, are disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a wound treatment appliance is provided for treating a wound, which appliance comprises a semi-rigid or rigid wound covering device and a vacuum system to provide a supply of reduced pressure to the wound covering device for treatment of the wound. In some embodiments, the wound covering device is comprised of an impermeable overlay, a stopper, and a suction drain, which allow medical staff to attend to the wound without removing the wound covering device. In other embodiments, the wound covering device is comprised of an impermeable overlay and a suction drain. In yet other embodiments, the wound covering device is comprised of an impermeable overlay that has at least one channel that is a part thereof, wherein the at least one channel is used to provide reduced pressure to the wound and may remove fluid aspirated from the wound. In still other embodiments, the vacuum system is comprised of at least a vacuum pump or a suction bulb, or a combination of the same.

Abstract: A flexible, resilient incompressible seal for a butterfly valve is disclosed formed from a loop having a perimeter mounting surface and a perimeter sealing surface with first and second oppositely disposed axial surfaces extend between the perimeter sealing and mounting surfaces. Channels are positioned in the axial surfaces in spaced relation around the seal. The channels extend from the perimeter mounting surface toward the perimeter sealing surface and provide fluid communication to the perimeter mounting surface allowing fluid trapped against the perimeter mounting surface to escape when compressed by the closing of the valve. A void space is positioned in the perimeter mounting surface in the form of grooves or dimples allowing the perimeter sealing surface to deform under compression when the seal is captured within the valve and substantially restrained from deforming.

Abstract: A seal for use with a knife gate valve is disclosed, the seal having a loop to which is attached an axially facing sealing lobe. A sealing surface is positioned on the sealing lobe, the sealing surface having an axially projecting leading edge and flanking annular sealing surfaces oriented angularly. Axial and inner channels extend around the loop and provide space for the loop to deform when the sealing lobe is compressed. A reinforcing band is encapsulated within the loop to stiffen it against buckling when compressed by forces acting across the leading edge. The seal is used in facing pairs with the sealing lobes being compressed against one another to form a radial seal when the valve is open. The seal is made from a flexible, resilient elastomeric compound; the band is metal.

Abstract: A collapsible scaffolding tower having four uprights arranged in two pairs, wherein each of the uprights is formed of three or more telescopically collapsible sections and rigid horizontal bars extend between the sections of the uprights in each pair to form two telescopically collapsible ladder structures, which rest directly on the ground when the tower is in use.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder comprises telescopically collapsible sections, and latch mechanisms in each of the rungs for automatically locking the sections relative to one another when the sections are extended. The latch mechanisms are arranged to release the sections when a rung is collaped against the next lower rung.