Abstract: A boot for the treatment of an ulcer wherein the boot is comprised of at least 80% by weight of closed cell polyethylene. The boot comprises a single article and covers a foot and lower part of the leg of a person. An interior surface of the boot is vacuum and heat molded to the foot and lower leg of the person, and a cut out is formed to surround the ulcer of the person. This off loads the weight of the person from the site of the ulcer, and the custom molding minimizes any slipping and shearing forces on the ulcer. The boot is lightweight, easy to put on and take off, and less expensive than other healing boots available.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating skin has a console with a user input device and a handpiece assembly. The handpiece assembly is configured to treat skin. A fluid line provides fluid communication between the console and the handpiece assembly. A manifold system is coupled to the console and controlled by the user input device. The manifold system is configured to hold releasably a plurality of fluid sources and deliver fluid from at least one of the plurality of fluid sources to the handpiece assembly.

Abstract: A growth factor delivery system for use in connection with microdermabrasion includes a source of growth factors. The growth material may be dry and thus mixed in with the abrasion media. The dry growth material would therefore be applied to the target skin area simultaneously with the abrasion media by a single handpiece. The growth material may comprise a fluid to be delivered by a separate handpiece. The fluid source may be within the handpiece or external thereto. The fluid source may be contained in a removable cartridge adapted to fit within the handpiece. Thus, a method and system is provided for using disposable cartridges of growth fluids.

Abstract: A method is provided for information extraction and classification which combines aspects of local regularities formulation with global regularities formulation. A candidate subset is identified. Then tentative labels are created so they can be associated with elements in the subset that have the global regularities, and the initial tentative labels are attached onto the identified elements of the candidate subset. The attached tentative labels are employed to formulate or “learn” initial local regularities. Further tentative labels are created so they can be associated with elements in the subset that have a combination of global and local regularities, and the further tentative labels are attached onto the identified elements of the candidate subset. Each new dataset is processed with reference to an increasingly-refined set of global regularities, and the output data with their associated confidence labels can be readily evaluated as to import and relevance.

Abstract: A microdermabrasion handpiece includes a supply lumen and a return lumen in fluid communication with an abrasion chamber. A window formed at a distal end of the handpiece is off-centered from the supply lumen. The supply lumen directs a flow of abrasive particulate in a first direction. A supply nozzle adjacent to the distal end of the handpiece directs the flow of abrasive particulate at the window in a second direction different from the first direction. Methods for performing microdermabrasion are also provided.

Abstract: A human growth factor delivery system for use in connection with dermabrasion includes a source of human growth factors in fluid. The growth factor fluid may be applied to the target skin area simultaneously with the step of abrading the skin by a single handpiece. Furthermore, the fluid is caused to penetrate by a combination of the abrasive elements, a vacuum, and a positive pressure applied in bursts, which produces a massaging effect. The fluid source may be contained in a removable cartridge adapted to fit within the handpiece. The fluid is drawn from the cartridge by the vacuum. The vacuum also draws a portion of target skin into a space of the handpiece for contact with an abrasion element. The vacuum furthermore draws excess fluid and removed skin cells into a disposable or reusable canister.

Abstract: Microdermabrasion and suction massage apparatus are included in a single unit and alternatively connectable through a mode switch to a source of vacuum. The microdermabrasion section of the unit includes a crystal pick up station operating with a venturi effect to draw crystals through a hole into an air stream. The size of the hole is variable to control crystal density. A bleed valve is provided to control crystal velocity without controlling crystal density, while a bypass valve is provided to control crystal density without controlling crystal velocity. In an associated method, a microdermabrasion procedure is performed on the skin of a patient at an operative site. The mode switch is operated to activate the suction massage apparatus within the unit. This step is followed by performing a suction massage procedure at the operative site in order to promote healing of the abraded skin. The unit can be back flushed by connecting various portions of the unit to a pressurized output of the source of vacuum.

Abstract: Microdermabrasion and suction massage apparatus are included in a single unit and alternatively connectable through a mode switch to a source of vacuum. The microdermabrasion section of the unit includes a crystal pick up station operating with a venturi effect to draw crystals through a hole into an air stream. The size of the hole is variable to control crystal density. A bleed valve is provided to control crystal velocity without controlling crystal density, while a bypass valve is provided to control crystal density without controlling crystal velocity. In an associated method, a microdermabrasion procedure is performed on the skin of a patient at an operative site. The mode switch is operated to activate the suction massage apparatus within the unit. This step is followed by performing a suction massage procedure at the operative site in order to promote healing of the abraded skin. The unit can be back flushed by connecting various portions of the unit to a pressurized output of the source of vacuum.

Abstract: A method is provided for information extraction and classification which combines aspects of local regularities formulation with global regularities formulation. A candidate subset is identified. Then tentative labels are created so they can be associated with elements in the subset that have the global regularities, and the initial tentative labels are attached onto the identified elements of the candidate subset. The attached tentative labels are employed to formulate or “learn” initial local regularities. Further tentative labels are created so they can be associated with elements in the subset that have a combination of global and local regularities, and the further tentative labels are attached onto the identified elements of the candidate subset. Each new dataset is processed with reference to an increasingly-refined set of global regularities, and the output data with their associated confidence labels can be readily evaluated as to import and relevance.

Abstract: The disclosed air filtration system filters both entering and exiting air. A primary structural element of the air filtration system is the unitary helmet member, which fits over the user's head. The unitary helmet member includes both a front aperture near the user's forehead and a rear aperture near the upper rear portion of the user's head. The unitary helmet member is blow-molded and therefore simple in construction. An interior channel connects the front aperture to the rear aperture, and a fan located over the rear aperture circulates air between these two apertures. A hood filter and a face shield fit over the unitary helmet member. The hood filter filters air passing through the rear aperture, and further filters air passing through a rear portion of the hood filter. Only the single fan is needed to draw air into the hood filter and remove air from the hood filter.

Abstract: A trap for a laying hens nest movable by the hen when entering the nest to a closed position obstructing the front entrance to prevent another hen from entering, and when leaving the nest to an open position to permit another hen to enter the nest. The trap is pivotably mounted to an intermediate position at the top of the nest between its front entrance and the back wall, and comprises a front member pivotably mounted to the intermediate position at the top of the nest, a back member mounted to the upper end of the front member, and an over-center spring connection between the two members.

Abstract: A target-entrapped drug comprising three chemically joined components(1) the active drug component;(2) a linking chain; and(3) an activatable group;the activatable group on exposure of the drug to activation liberating components (1) and (2) so that the drug component (1) is bound to a selected target site through the linking chain (2). The drug is administered and then activated by exposure to electromagnetic radiation or other energy such as thermal energy at the anatomic target site.

Abstract: A fluid distributor system is described comprising a circular distributor plate formed with a central opening connected at one side of the plate to a fluid inlet pipe, and a plurality of outlet openings arranged in a circular array around the outer periphery of the distributor plate and each connected at said one side of the plate to one of a plurality of outlet pipes. A rotary distributor arm is rotatably mounted on an axis passing through the center of the distributor plate and in spaced relationship with respect to its opposite side. The distributor arm is formed with a passageway having an inlet at its center aligned with the inlet opening, and an outlet at its end selectively alignable with one of the peripheral outlet openings according to the selected rotary position of the distributor arm.

Abstract: Each stage of the transmission includes a composite ring gear for operatively connecting spaced coplanar drive and idler gears on engine and idler shafts, respectively. The ring gear comprises a plurality of rotationally offset element assemblies, each of which includes first and second ring gear sectors, each mounted on a different end of a rotatable element. In this manner, as one gear sector engages the drive gear, the other sector engages the idler gear. Means operably connected to each element assembly of the composite ring gear are provided for varying the position of the axis of rotation of each of the assemblies relative to the drive and idler gears so as to change the ratio of the distances between the axes of rotation of the element assemblies and that of the drive and idler gears, respectively, and thus the speed transfer ratio of the stage.

Abstract: The engine includes a housing defining a spherical cavity therein. A cylindrical member, rotatably mounted within the cavity, is driven by a drive member movably mounted within the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member, the drive member and the internal wall of the cavity define an expansion-compression chamber. Steam intake and steam exhaust manifolds are provided in the housing at spaced positions adjacent the cavity. The cylindrical member is provided with a steam passage therein which, in at least one rotational position of the cylindrical member, operatively connects the expansion-compression chamber to the intake manifold and in at least one other rotational position thereof operatively connects the expansion-compression chamber to the exhaust manifold. An output shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing and connected to the cylindrical member to be driven thereby.

Abstract: Means are provided for forming an anti-friction pressure seal between a surface and an element movable relative to that surface such that a fluid containing compartment may be divided into zones of different pressures. The seal includes a roller bearing, at least partially received within a cavity in the element, and a spring deformable to be positioned within the cavity between the roller bearing and the walls of the cavity. The spring has a first surface surrounding at least substantially half of the circumference of the bearing to retain the bearing in the cavity. The first surface, when the spring is inserted into the cavity, contacts the roller bearing substantially at only a single location between, but not including, the end sections thereof and substantially all other portions of the first surface are spaced from the roller bearing to minimize contact between the surface and the bearing.

Abstract: The joint includes first and second parts, each of which is operatively connected to a different one of two shafts. The parts are relatively movable about a given point in accordance with the angular movement of the shafts relative to each other and are rotatable in accordance with the rotation of the shafts. Each of the parts comprises a pair of radially spaced arcuate fingers which mesh with the corresponding fingers of the other part. One of the fingers on each part is provided with a slot. The slots align radially when the fingers mesh. A pin is provided, extending through the slots to connect the parts for simultaneous rotation and to permit relative movement between the pin and the parts, respectively. The other finger on each part is provided with a gear rack. A beveled idler gear, mounted on the pin, meshes with the gear racks simultaneously and is rotatable as the parts and thus the racks are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: The rotary engine includes a casing having a spherical cavity, or working sphere, therein and an engine shaft rotatably mounted in the casing. A driven cylindrical member, or drum, having four combustion chambers therein is rotatably mounted within the casing bisecting the spherical cavity, and said driven member is connected to the engine shaft. A hollow driving circular member, or plate, operatively connected to the driven cylindrical member by passing through the center thereof and is mounted within the spherical cavity, or working sphere, of the casing. The intersection of the driven cylindrical member by the driving circular member forms four spherical wedge-shaped variable volumes referred to as "compression-expansion" chambers, within the working sphere. It is the expansion of the ignited gases within the compression-expansion chambers that drives the circular member, or plate, which in turn rotates the driven cylindrical member, or drum, that drives the engine shaft.