Abstract:
A food chopper includes a body part having a body tube, a cap assembly slidably attached to a first side of the body tube for sliding movement with respect to the body part, a shuttle slidably attached to a second side of the body tube for helical sliding movement with respect to the body part, a plunger rotably attached to the cap assembly and the shuttle for sliding movement with respect to the body part and rotational movement with respect to the cap assembly and the body part, and a blade attached to the plunger. Pushing the cap assembly down enables the blade to slide down with respect to the body part. Releasing the cap assembly enables the blade to slide up with respect to the body part and allows the blade to rotate with respect to the body part and the cap assembly.
Abstract:
The disk storage case is composed of a circular setting portion for setting the disk-like member such as a compact disk thereon, a disk holding portion for holding the disk-like member vertically and annularly arranged at a center of a setting face of the setting portion, and a through hole provided at inner side of the annular holding portion. The disk storage case has a simple structure and a lightweight. A plurality of disk storage cases storing the compact disks and others can compactly be stacked and packaged, and by insertion of the cylindrical rod into the through hole and by packing with film, it may easily be packaged without tilting, and the package of a plurality of the disk storage cases can be produced simply and effectively.
Abstract:
A cursor control device having particular application to a computer display system is disclosed. The cursor control includes a unitary frame, having a domed portion substantially surrounding and retaining a ball which is free to rotate. X-Y position indicating means are provided, such that rotation of the ball provides signals indicative of X-Y positions on the display system. The ball is free to "float" in the vertical direction within the dome, and thereby maintain good surface contact. X-Y positions are established by movement of the control device over a surface. A display system and method is disclosed for use in conjunction with the cursor control device, which permits a user to select command options simply by movement of the displayed cursor over a "pull-down" menu bar.
Abstract:
The present invention includes apparatus and method for image transfer onto one of a plurality of a pad medium pages while the pages are aggregated together. A preferred embodiment for a printer includes a housing; a print engine, within the housing, for transferring an image to a transfer medium when the transfer medium is located at a print position; and a transfer medium registration system, coupled to the print engine, for positioning a pad including a plurality of transfer media releasably secured to one another, wherein the print registration system locates one of the transfer media at the print position. The method including positioning a pad at a print position of a print transfer engine, the pad including a plurality of transfer media releasably secured to one another; and transferring an image to one of the transfer media positioned at the print position.
Abstract:
A storage case for compact disks rotatably mounted inside a housing. The cradle preferably comprises a base, an outwardly angled side wall extending upward from the base, and at least one lobe extending upward from the opposite side of the base. A slot is formed between the lobe and the side wall for storing the disk. The tabs, preferably located within the lobe, secure the disk inside the cradle, preventing the disk from inadvertently falling out of the cradle.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures, such as impinged lateral recesses and pathologically narrowed neural foramen. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space through an epidural needle. Once the sharp tip of the needle is in the epidural space, it is converted to a blunt tipped instrument for further safe advancement. A specially designed epidural catheter that is used to cover the previously sharp needle tip may also contain a fiberoptic cable. Further embodiments of the current invention include a double barreled epidural needle or other means for placement of a working channel for the placement of tools within the epidural space, beside the epidural instrument. The current invention includes specific tools that enable safe tissue modification in the epidural space, including a barrier that separates the area where tissue modification will take place from adjacent vulnerable neural and vascular structures. In one variation, a tissue abrasion device is provided including a thin belt or ribbon with an abrasive cutting surface. The device may be placed through the neural foramina of the spine and around the anterior border of a facet joint. Once properly positioned, a medical practitioner may enlarge the lateral recess and neural foramina via frictional abrasion, i.e., by sliding the abrasive surface of the ribbon across impinging tissues. A nerve stimulator optionally may be provided to reduce a risk of inadvertent neural abrasion. Additionally, safe epidural placement of the working barrier and epidural tissue modification tools may be further improved with the use of electrical nerve stimulation capabilities within the invention that, when combined with neural stimulation monitors, provide neural localization capabilities to the surgeon. The device optionally may be placed within a protective sheath that exposes the abrasive surface of the ribbon only in the area where tissue removal is desired. Furthermore, an endoscope may be incorporated into the device in order to monitor safe tissue removal. Finally, tissue remodeling within the epidural space may be ensured through the placement of compression dressings against remodeled tissue surfaces, or through the placement of tissue retention straps, belts or cables that are wrapped around and pull under tension aspects of the impinging soft tissue and bone in the posterior spinal canal.
Abstract:
In general, the present invention provides a novel whisking device having independent wire movement accomplished via a non-crossing wire pattern. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the whisk comprises a handle having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of whisk elements coupled to and extending outward from the second end of the handle. The plurality of whisk elements have a first region and a second region, wherein the plurality of whisk elements in the first region form a generally conical shape, and wherein the plurality of whisk elements in the second region are non-crossing and form a generally hemispherical shape. In one embodiment, the non-crossing whisk elements in the second region have a generally hemispherical shape whose terminus comprises a generally circular gap between the whisk elements.