Abstract: Surgical retractor elements and assemblies are described for holding open a surgical incision to expose the surgical area and to keep uninvolved tissues away from the surgical area without causing undue trauma to the engaged tissues. A self-retaining form includes a ring frame and a plurality of paddle assemblies angularly spaced about the ring for engaging and holding back uninvolved tissues. The paddle assemblies have arms that slide radially through a slot in the ring frame. Each of the retractor assemblies includes a paddle of a soft, resilient flexible material for flexing to prevent stress concentrations. The paddle members have a flexural modulus of elasticity between 1,000 psi and 75,000 psi. One form of paddle is provided to slidably fit over the existing blade of a hand-held retractor. Another form of assembly includes a soft, resilient paddle mounted to a hand-held handle frame.

Abstract: A process and device is described for therapeutically treating hemorrhoids extending from the anal canal wall of a patient. The device includes a stable, anal canal suppository appliance for intimately contacting the anal canal wall and hemorrhoids. The appliance has sufficient length to extend from the anus to the rectum and sufficient diameter to intimately contact the wall tissues without overly stretching the sphincter muscles. The appliance contains an internal electrical resistor for generating heat in response to the application of electrical energy. The device has a portable case containing an electrical energy storage battery and a control circuit for controlling the application of the electrical energy to the resistor to maintain the temperature of the appliance above body temperature and below 45.degree. C.

Abstract: A disposable noise reducing hearing attachment provided for covering the sound inlet of a hearing aid to reduce the amplitude of random noises such as wind noises and to prevent dirt and moisture from entering the sound inlet. The attachment includes a flexible open cellular noise filter that is covered by a thin sheet of tightly woven material to form a wind and dust screen on the top surface of the noise filter. A stretchable bottom ring layer of nonporous sheet material is attached to the bottom surface of the noise filter in which the bottom ring layer has an aperture that is greater than the cross section of the sound inlet. The top wind screen layer and the bottom ring layer are secured to opposite sides of the noise filter layer by rings of adhesive that have diameters greater than the cross-sectional diameter of the sound inlet of the hearing aid so that adhesive does not interfere with the sound transmission through the attachment and into the hearing aid through the sound inlet.

Abstract: A disposable noise reducing hearing aid attachment is provided for covering the sound inlet of a hearing aid to reduce the amplitude of random noises such as wind noises and to prevent dirt and moisture from entering the sound inlet. The attachment includes a flexible foam pad having an aperture formed therethrough for alignment with the sound inlet. The pad is supported by a backing having a coating of adhesive for removably supporting the attachment to the hearing aid. A wool filter is associated with the pad aperture to reduce the random noise, and dirt and moisture from entering the sound inlet.