Abstract: The embodiments of the invention include an ergonomic, hands-free apparatus for carrying service animals, emotional support animals, other animals, groceries and/or other objects. The apparatus includes a pouch configured to accommodate the animal, the pouch being designed to fit securely against a user's body, while still allowing ample room for the animal to be comfortably carried for long periods of time; a wide, flat strap extending from the pouch, the strap configured to be positioned over one of the user's shoulders in a cross-body fashion; a custom, self-contained buckle system that adjusts in length to fit different body types without any dangling straps; a beverage holder, a smart-phone/ID card holder; and a plurality of storage pockets positioned on an outer surface of the pouch, the plurality of storage pockets configured to accommodate personal items and animal supplies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lighting control system with a motion sensor unit that electrically couples to a load circuit through a latching relay or load controller for turning on and off lights. The motion sensor unit is configured to power down to draw zero power after a time delay, when motion is longer detected within the work space by the motion sensor unit. The lighting control system further includes a control circuit that reinitiates or turns the motion sensor back on through a switch device.

Abstract: An apparatus for the efficient provision of directed illumination to a subdermal surgical field that is attachable to or completely forms a surgical retractor blade. The surgical illumination system may include a retractor having a proximal handle portion and a distal portion adapted for insertion into a surgical field and retraction of body tissue, and a light guide disposed on the retractor.

Abstract: A surgical illumination system includes a retractor having a proximal handle portion and a distal portion adapted for insertion into a surgical field and retraction of body tissue, and a light guide disposed on the retractor, said light guide having a distal surface adapted to face the surgical field when in use in retracting body tissue away from a surgical field, and a proximal aperture adapted to receive light from a light engine or other light source wherein a portion of the distal surface adapted to face the surgical field is faceted with a plurality of facets, ridges, steps or shoulders, wherein the distally oriented surface of said facets, ridges, steps or shoulders are angled relative to the axis of the light guide and the location of the surgical field such that light passing through the light guide is emitted and directed toward the surgical field.

Abstract: An apparatus for the efficient provision of directed illumination to a subdermal surgical field that is attachable to or completely forms a surgical retractor blade.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lighting control system with a motion sensor unit that electrically couples to a load circuit through a latching relay or load controller for turning on and off lights. The motion sensor unit is configured to power down to draw zero power after a time delay, when motion is longer detected within the work space by the motion sensor unit. The lighting control system further includes a control circuit that reinitiates or turns the motion sensor back on through a switch device.

Abstract: An electro-acupuncture device for controlling nausea. The device includes a wristwatch like housing, circuitry for generating electro-acupuncture stimulus disposed within the housing, and a strap for securing the housing to the wrist. The device also includes a pair of D-shaped electrodes disposed on the bottom outer surface of the housing. A gasket made of an electrically non-conductive material is applied to the bottom outer surface of the housing. The gasket has apertures which are sized and shaped to receive the D-shaped electrodes. When the device is strapped to a patient's wrist, the electrodes contact the wrist and provide electric stimulation to the wrist.

Abstract: An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semi-transparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.

Abstract: The illumination system described below comprises an arthroscope, endoscope or other suitable surgical tool and an attachable cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field. The surgical field is thus illuminated through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise by used for the optics of the arthroscope. The arthroscopic illumination system further comprises one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location.

Abstract: An apparatus for the efficient provision of directed illumination to a subdermal surgical field that is attachable to or completely forms a surgical retractor blade.

Abstract: A device for controlling the discharge of a battery supplying an intermittent load, such as a nerve stimulation device. The device includes a controller which operates a switched inductor to feed a capacitor with numerous small pulses from the battery, thereby building up the charge and voltage on the capacitor, and occasionally discharging the capacitor to a load. The capacitor discharge is at higher current than the small pulses from the battery, so the battery is drained at small instantaneous discharge rates compared the too high instantaneous discharge current from the capacitor.

Abstract: A modem utilizing a DAA having line side circuitry including a telephone network interface and system side circuitry including a host system interface. The line side circuitry and the system side circuitry are separated by a high voltage isolation barrier. In accordance with the invention, the high voltage isolation barrier and other DAA circuitry are configured such that data and control information may be communicated between the system side circuitry and the line side circuitry using a serialized digital communication protocol. In one embodiment of the invention, the line side circuitry of the modem includes detection and measurement circuitry that is programmable to measure or establish electrical characteristics (e.g., tip/ring voltage and loop current) of the telephone line interface connection. Command information for the programmable circuitry is multiplexed with data communicated across the high voltage isolation barrier.

Abstract: A circuit board capacitor structure operable as a high voltage isolation barrier in communication circuitry. Capacitor electrodes form a capacitive structure directly on a printed circuit board's opposing sides. The PCB substrate intermediate the electrodes functions as the capacitive structure's dielectric material. The capacitor electrodes are sized such that the electrodes' area and the substrate's dielectric properties create the desired capacitance. Alternatively, a multi-layered PCB may be utilized where layer(s) is/are used to form the capacitive structure. The circuit board capacitor may couple communication circuitry located on the PCB's various sides. The circuit board capacitor operates as a high voltage isolation barrier in data access arrangements, separating line and system side circuitry. Further, the high voltage isolation barrier may include multiple circuit board capacitors to realize differential communications and/or multiple datapaths.

Abstract: A D.C. voltage altering device includes at least one spark induction power conditioner including a first electrode connectable to a high voltage D.C. power source and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode and forming a discharging gap therebetween. The second electrode is connectable to a predetermined section of a physical separator and at least one of the electrodes is selectively positionable for altering spatial distance between same. The power conditioner induces a predetermined large amplitude, high frequency current ripple to the second electrode for creating a fluctuating voltage and fluctuating electrostatic field and maintaining continuous current flow through the gap without reversal of polarity. The spark induction power conditioner further includes a dielectric base for housing the electrodes and a plurality of fastening members threadably positionable through the base and engageable with the electrodes so that the discharging gap between the electrodes can be selectively adjusted.

Abstract: A washing liquid distribution system includes a spiral separator having a plurality of flights, each flight including at least one receiving cup for distributing liquid onto the flight. A directional outlet nozzle is mounted in cup for providing a horizontal outlet stream of a liquid. The nozzle is both rotatably and releasably mounted in a recess at the bottom of the cup. One or more outlet openings in a variety of geometric shapes to provide the desired outlet stream of wash liquid.

Abstract: A modem utilizing a DAA having line side circuitry including a telephone network interface and system side circuitry including a host system interface. The line side circuitry and the system side circuitry are separated by a high voltage isolation barrier. In accordance with the invention, the high voltage isolation barrier and other DAA circuitry are configured such that data and control information may be communicated between the system side circuitry and the line side circuitry using a serialized digital communication protocol. In one embodiment of the invention, the line side circuitry of the modem includes detection and measurement circuitry that is programmable to measure or establish electrical characteristics (e.g., tip/ring voltage and loop current) of the telephone line interface connection. Command information for the programmable circuitry is multiplexed with data communicated across the high voltage isolation barrier.

Abstract: A modem utilizing a DAA having line side circuitry including a telephone network interface and system side circuitry including a host system interface. The line side circuitry and the system side circuitry are separated by a high voltage isolation barrier. In accordance with the invention, the high voltage isolation barrier and other DAA circuitry are configured such that data and control information may be communicated between the system side circuitry and the line side circuitry using a serialized digital communication protocol. In one embodiment of the invention, the line side circuitry of the modem includes detection and measurement circuitry that is programmable to measure or establish electrical characteristics (e.g., tip/ring voltage and loop current) of the telephone line interface connection. Command information for the programmable circuitry is multiplexed with data communicated across the high voltage isolation barrier.

Abstract: A device for controlling the discharge of a battery supplying an intermittent load, such as a nerve stimulation device. The device includes a controller which operates a switched inductor to feed a capacitor with numerous small pulses from the battery, thereby building up the charge and voltage on the capacitor, and occasionally discharging the capacitor to a load. The capacitor discharge is at higher current than the small pulses from the battery, so the battery is drained at small instantaneous discharge rates compared the too high instantaneous discharge current from the capacitor.