Abstract: An optical measuring device having multiple optical paths between one or more light emitters and one or more light detectors and/or providing at least two sets of wavelength of light along at least one path, with a final measurement being produced as a combination of measurements of the sets of wavelengths of light taken along one or more of the optical paths.

Abstract: A disposable uterine manipulator including a pivotable tip support at the distal end of an elongated insertion rod for carrying a manipulator tip assembly, the tip support being rotatable by a manual drive at the proximal end of the insertion rod via a drive linkage to effectuate a range of rotation of the tip support of at least greater than 90.degree. anteversion and at least greater than 30.degree. retroversion. The manual drive may be an articulated linkage, a belt drive, or an axle drive. Several designs for a manipulator tip assembly including a balloon and a dye injection passage are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multipurpose linkage protocol for procedural calls between compiled program objects permitting a calling program to call a single named entry point in another program at one of several different offsets each corresponding to a different linkage convention. This multipurpose linkage technique permits introduction of new program linkage conventions while retaining linkage compatibility With previously compiled program objects, without compromising either compatibility or the efficiency of the new convention. Every program object supporting this multipurpose linkage protocol may be entered at one of a set of defined offsets from any named entry point. Entry by the calling routine at a particular offset indicates a specific type of call, such as a normal entry by a call to a mainline routine.

Abstract: A disposable uterine manipulator including a pivotable tip support at the distal end of an elongated insertion rod for carrying a manipulator tip assembly, the tip support being rotatable by a manual drive at the proximal end of the insertion rod via a drive linkage to effectuate a range of rotation of the tip support of at least greater than 90.degree. anteversion and at least greater than 30.degree. retroversion. The manual drive may be an articulated linkage, a belt drive, or an axle drive. Several designs for a manipulator tip assembly including a balloon and a dye injection passage are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical loop comprising an insulated shaft with an electrical contact at its proximate end and a pair of extending insulated prongs at its distal end. The extending prongs are configured to give the loop a "Y" shape and each end of a thin wire are connected to each prong to provide a wire loop. Disposed over the shaft in longitudinal sliding engagement is a depth gauge comprising a clasp, a longitudinal intermediate portion, and a transverse cross bar. The clasp may be retrofit to an existing electrosurgical loop and permits the removal of the depth gauge from the loop, if desired. The transverse cross bar is wider than the breadth of the wire loop and has a transverse slot oriented in the same plane as the wire loop through which the wire loop passes as the depth gauge is adjusted for various cutting depths. Disposed on the insulated shaft are markings serving as depth indicators to which the depth gauge may be moved slidably to effect cut depth control for the loop.

Abstract: The flooring structure of this invention controls electrostatic charges. The normal presence of moisture will not affect the floor structure's ability to control electrostatic charges. A moisture detector circuit will, however, indicate the presence of moisture, and can activate means for drying this moisture. The resistance of the flooring structure can be adjusted so that electrostatic charges are dissipated at different rates. Multiple floor structures with different resistance values can be placed side by side. Improper grounding of the flooring structure can be detected and corrected, and the resistance of the flooring structure system can be determined.

Abstract: This invention provides a locking wedge assembly capable of exerting a predetermined pressure in at least one direction. Such assembly removably secures a male connection member to a female connection member of an articulated coupling arrangement. Such articulated coupling arrangement used to secure one end of a first railway car to an adjacent end of said railway car in a semi-permanent fashion. The assembly includes a wedge-shaped member having a surface engageable with a surface located in an opening in a side wall portion of a cavity at an outer end of the female member and another surface engageable with a surface on a shaft member of a spherical bearing carried by such male member. An aperture is formed through such wedge-shaped member along a longitudinal axis thereof. A bolt member is disposed through this aperture and an aperture formed through a bottom wall on the outer end of such female member adjacent the side wall opening.

Abstract: The flooring structure of this invention controls electrostatic charges. The normal presence of moisture will not affect the floor structure's ability to control electrostatic charges. A moisture detector circuit will, however, indicate the presence of moisture, and can activate means for drying this moisture. The resistance of the flooring structure can be adjusted so that electrostatic charges are dissipated at different rates. Multiple floor structures with different resistance values can be placed side by side. Improper grounding of the flooring structure can be detected and corrected, and the resistance of the flooring structure system can be determined.

Abstract: A male connection member utilized in an articulated coupling arrangement is provided by this invention. Such male connection member includes a first end portion engageable with and connectable to one end of a railway car to be connected in a semi-permanent manner. This male connection member has a second end portion formed integrally with such first end portion and disposed axially opposite thereof. The second end portion includes an outer end surface configured such that it will ensure that no contact will be made between such outer end surface and any other component of such articulated coupling arrangement. An aperture is formed through such second end portion to receive a bearing assembly therein. Such aperture has a longitudinal axis disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of such male connection member and is in a substantially horizontal plane. A portion of such second end is adapted to enable securing such bearing assembly within such aperture formed in such male connection member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bearing assembly for use in an articulated coupling apparatus which connects one end of one railway car to an adjacent end of a second railway car in a semipermanent manner. Such coupling apparatus includes a male connection member, a female connection member, and a device for securing such bearing assembly to the coupling apparatus.

Abstract: A shroud apparatus is provided to substantially minimize detrimental foreign matter entering into a predetermined portion of a cavity disposed at the outer end of a female connection member that receives therein the outer end of a male connection member of an articulated coupling arrangement used to connect adjacent ends of a pair of railway cars together in a semi-permanent manner. Such shroud apparatus includes a plate-like member that is positionable above and engageable with the articulated coupling arrangement in a location which will substantially prevent such foreign matter entering such cavity. The plate-like member has a predetermined size and shape such that when such shroud apparatus is viewed from the top of such articulated coupling arrangement all openings to the predetermined portion of such cavity will appear to be covered.

Abstract: An apparatus which provides versatility in securing an articulated coupling arrangement to a center sill member of a railway car is provided. Such apparatus includes a bottom wall portion which matingly engages a bottom wall of such center sill member and a top wall portion which matingly engages one of a top wall of such center sill member and a bottom surface of such railway car. A pair of vertically disposed side wall portions are disposed between such top wall portion and such bottom wall portion. Each of such pair of side wall portions have a predetermined configuration which provides such enhanced versatility in securing such articulated coupling arrangement to such center sill member.

Abstract: An electrosurgical unit which combines an electrosurgical power generator and a filtered smoke removal system into a single compact instrument comprising an electrosurgical generator module and a smoke removal module. The electrosurgical generator module is designed specifically to accommodate an electrosurgical tool during LEEP or LLETZ procedures. The electrosurgical generator module provides power to the electrosurgical tool at a predetermined level. The smoke removal module removes and filters smoke from the site of the electrosurgery. A switching circuitry activates the smoke removal module substantially simultaneous to the activation of the electrosurgical tool so that the smoke removal module is activated automatically whenever the electrosurgical tool is activated. The switching circuitry also delays the deactivation of the smoke removal module for a predetermined amount of time after the electrosurgical tool has been deactivated.

Abstract: This invention provides a connecting pin member which facilitates a rotatable connection being achieved between a female connection member and a center bowl portion of a bolster. Such connecting pin member has a substantially round rod-like member which is tapered at each outer end thereof. A groove-like portion carrying a resilient member is disposed in an outer surface of such rod-like member. The present invention further provides a method of producing such connecting pin member as well as an improved center plate member for use with such connecting pin member. Such center plate member incorporates an arrangement for the removal of such connecting pin member if it should be accidently sheared off during service.

Abstract: The present invention provides an articulated coupling apparatus which connects one end of one railway car to an adjacent end of a second railway car in a semipermanent manner. Such coupling apparatus includes a male connection member, a female connection member, a bearing assembly, and a device for securing such bearing assembly to the coupling apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strengthening mechanism for a female connection member used in a articulated coupling arrangement. Such female connection members include a first end portion configured for connection to one end of a railway car center sill member and a second end portion formed integrally with such first end portion. A cavity is formed in such second end portion and is defined by a bottom wall portion, a rear wall portion and a pair of side wall portions. Such cavity being open adjacent the front and top surface thereof. An opening is formed through a portion of each of such side wall portions. Each such opening includes a slot-like portion and a generally arcuate portion spaced below such slot-like portion.

Abstract: A noninvasive system and method for monitoring arterial oxygen saturation levels which may also be used to continuously and noninvasively monitor blood pressure, including generating a continuous blood pressure waveform. The apparatus of the described embodiment includes a red LED and an infrared LED which are positioned to direct their respective light beams into, or reflected by a patient's body part. A phototransducer device is positioned to receive the light beams which are transmitted through the body part. A pressure cuff surrounds the body part and the LEDs. During calibration periods, pressure is applied to the body part and the systolic and mean blood pressures are determined and the arterial oxygen saturation level in the body part is determined.

Abstract: Provided is an articulable spherical connection for a railway coupling arrangement. The connection includes a male connection member having a spherical connection portion secured to one end of a body portion and a female connection member having a split body portion. Each body portion of such femal connection member having a spherical cavity formed therein to receive a portion of the spherical connection portion of the male connection member therein. A securing device is provided to secure such split body portion together around the spherical connection portion of the male member.

Abstract: An assembly mechanism is provided for removably securing a bearing assembly carried by a male connection member to a female connection member of an articulated coupling system. Such assembly mechanism includes at least one vertically disposed lug member secured to an outer surface of a vertically disposed side wall of a cavity formed in one end of such female connection member adjacent an opening formed in such side wall portion. There is at least one horizontally disposed lug member secured to such outer surface adjacent another portion of such opening in such side wall portion. A locking member is engageable with each of such vertical lug member and such horizontal lug member and a portion of a shaft-like member extending outwardly from such bearing assembly. The locking member removably secures such shaft-like member against rotation in such opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an articulated coupling apparatus which connects one end of one railway car to an adjacent end of a second railway car in a semipermanent manner. Such coupling apparatus includes a male connection member, a female connection member, a bearing assembly, and a device for securing such bearing assembly to the coupling apparatus.