Abstract: The invention features a needle and a housing having a proximal inner surface and a distal inner seat leading to and defining a lumen, wherein the needle is slidable through the housing to occupy the lumen. The housing contains and is cooperable with a valve shaped so as to sealably fit against the housing distal inner seat, the valve including a hole alignable with the lumen. When the needle slidably occupies the housing, the valve hole, and the lumen, the valve is prevented from sealably fitting against the housing distal inner seat. The housing also contains an outward biasing means biased against the valve. Upon removal of the needle from the housing, the outward biasing means urges the valve sealably against the housing distal inner seat so as to prevent flow of fluid or air through the lumen.

Abstract: The invention features a low friction syringe which includes a plastic barrel having a circumferential inner surface defining a chamber, a plastic plunger having a distal end received in the barrel chamber, and an elastomeric gasket positioned at the distal end of the plunger and received in the barrel chamber. The gasket comprises a body with forward and rearward ends and first and second annular flanges positioned circumferentially at the forward and rearward ends of the body. The forward flange permits injection to occur. The rearward flange permits aspiration to occur. The flanges are separated by an annular space intermediate the body portion and the barrel inner surface. The gasket also includes an annular projection extending from each flange.

Abstract: The invention features an aspirating syringe which includes a plastic syringe barrel having an exterior wall and an inner surface, and leading and trailing ends. The inner surface and ends define a hollow interior chamber and a predetermined volume. The leading end of the barrel has an opening extending through a hub and the trailing end terminates at an outer rim. The syringe also includes a plastic plunger slidingly operative in the barrel. The leading, i.e., sealing, end of the plunger helps to define the hollow interior chamber and the predetermined volume. The plunger extends longitudinally within and beyond the barrel trailing end and is movable in the barrel inwardly toward the leading end and outwardly away from the leading end, thereby varying the predetermined volume of and pressure within the barrel interior chamber. The plunger also has a sealing end receivable inside the barrel to substantially seal the hollow interior chamber and a thumb-receiving end outside the barrel.

Abstract: An eight ply surgical wrap used for wrapping over and around a bandage to secure it in place, after it has been applied to a patients limb. The surgical wrap is formed from a single ply gauze fabric which is first bleached and washed, then folded into a four ply and then the fabric is overfed into a hot bath which agitates the fabric to make the yarns absorbent, fluffy, and elastic. The fabric is then passed through embossing rolls. The hot bath and the embossing roll causes the yarns to distort into an oblique and serpentine arrangement. The four ply fabric is then folded in a series of folds to create an eight ply fabric, that is highly absorbent, and because of the manner in which the fabric is folded, the surgical wrap is free of exposed selvege edges eliminating any chance of the selvege edges forming or causing a binding effect in the wrap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a urodynamic catheter having a fill lumen for filling the bladder with liquid; at least a first pressure-sensing lumen having an opening adapted for being positioned within the bladder for obtaining pressure readings of the bladder; and preferably also a second pressure-sensing lumen having an opening adapted for being positioned within the urethra while the opening of the first pressure-sensing lumen is within the bladder, the opening in the urethra being for obtaining pressure readings of the urethra.Each pressure-sensing lumen has a radio-opaque element fixedly seated therewithin in close proximity to and distal to the opening in the lumen for determining proper placement of the catheter within the patient.

Abstract: A compression device for applying compressive pressures against a patient's limb through means of a flexible, pressurizable sleeve which encloses a limb. The compression device has a pressure control apparatus which includes a microprocessor, a driver circuit and a flow control valve having a stepper motor attached thereto. The microprocessor is programmed to control pressure to the sleeve in conjunction with the driver circuit and the flow control valve by actuating the stepper motor. The microprocessor compares a signal generated by a pressure transducer to a preselected pressure value, it then generates an electrical signal to a driver circuit which in turn sends pulses to the stepper motor to automatically adjust the flow control valve, thus, controlling the flow of fluid therethrough so as to maintain a preselected pressure applied to the limb by the pressure chamber of the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention includes a dual lumen catheter which is a unitary, elongated, flexible catheter tube that is substantially circular in cross-section. The catheter tube has an outer wall member forming a tube having a proximal end and a distal end portion adapted for insertion within a vein or artery of a patient. The outer wall member defines first and second coaxial lumens that are separated by an inner common support wall which is substantially circular and joins the outer wall. The first lumen extends longitudinally between the opposed distal and proximal ends of the catheter tube and terminates coextensive with the distal end portion of the catheter tube. The second lumen extends longitudinally from the proximal end of the catheter tube and terminates proximal to the distal end portion of the catheter tube. The second lumen is crescent-shaped in cross-section and substantially surrounds the first lumen. The cross-sectional areas of the first and second lumens are approximately equal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catheter package and delivery system which is directed to the problem of the catheter, or any position of it, inadvertently tumbling out on withdrawal from its package for use and accidentally contacting a nonsterile surface. The catheter is packaged in a coiled manner such that the distal tip is removable through a first hole in the package and the catheter may then be uncoiled and ultimately removed through a second hole in the package as the catheter is threaded through a needle for introduction into the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual lumen catheter for insertion within a blood vessel of a patient. The dual lumen catheter has an elongated flexible tube with three conduits contained therein. The first and second conduits are connected together by an opening in the common wall therebetween, which opening extends through the wall of the catheter tube. The third passageway forms a second lumen. Each of the lumens has means adapted for placement of the lumen in fluid communication with a source of liquid to be administered to the patient through the catheter, to means for withdrawing a blood sample or to means for monitoring blood pressure.

Abstract: An external pipe covering apparatus is provided for coating exterior surfaces of uncoated longitudinal, helical and girth weld joints of a pipe to provide protection against corrosion, to minimize the weld projection by filling in any voids on either side of a weld, and to further provide a uniform smooth surface for a later applied tape. The apparatus is moved along a pipe by a crane or similar mechanical device. The apparatus has a carriage to which is attached wheels, a reservoir attached to the upper frame of the carriage for holding liquid resin, a circular member having at least one sensor therein attached to the lower frame of the carriage, a microprocessor attached to the upper frame of the carriage, a circular dispenser for dispensing liquid resin having at least one nozzle and at least one solenoid valve attached to the lower frame of the carriage for dispensing resin from the reservoir, and a pump for delivery of liquid resin to the nozzle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preheating an optical instrument prior to use thereof in a medical procedure, wherein the optical instrument includes an elongated optical shaft portion. The apparatus includes a casing for receiving the optical shaft portion therein and a heater mechanism in the casing for heating the shaft portion. The method includes the steps of assembling the shaft portion in the casing and leaving it therein until the shaft portion has been heated to at least the normal body temperature of a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are microbore catheters for spinal anesthesia having one or more side ports provided by a laser beam.

Abstract: An adapter is disclosed for converting devices for applying compressive pressure to the legs by means of a compression sleeve around the leg wherein compressed air is delivered to the sleeve through multiple conduits to like devices wherein a single conduit is utilized to supply compressed air to the sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a package and dispenser for a per se known finger bandage comprising an elongated backing carrying an adhesive layer on one surface thereof with an absorbent pad seated on the adhesive layer substantially intermediate the ends of the bandage, the free ends of bandage on either side of the pad being folded inwardly to significantly reduce the size of the package, the bandage being contained between opposed top and bottom sheet materials lightly adhered together around their common periphery to enclose the bandage, the bandage having release sheets covering the adhesive layer on either side of the pad, the release sheet on side of the pad being secured at its end furtherest from the pad to one of the sheet materials and the release sheet on the other side of the pad being secured at its end furtherest from the pad to the other sheet material, whereby stripping apart of the two sheet materials will also remove the release sheets from the bandage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a splittable needle device adapted for use in administering epidural anesthesia. The needle has guide means to facilitate insertion of the needle into the peridural space, contained on a splittable hub assembly.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed for protecting keratin-containing substances in the body, e.g. skin, nails and especially hair, from damage and for helping to restore the damaged keratinous material to a healthy state. In one embodiment the compositions will comprise a liquid fatty acid vehicle containing at least a long chain alkane for bonding hydrophobically to keratin.

Abstract: A disposable pad having leak proof longitudinal sides formed from water impervious barriers disposed longitudinally thereon, between the top sheet and the absorbent pad, and extending to the longitudinal perimeter. A centrally disposed longitudinal section of the top sheet permits entry of fluid into the absorbent pad. The barriers provide envelopes to prevent that fluid from leaking out the sides of the absorbent pad, onto a wearer thereof.

Abstract: A vented wound dressing is disclosed comprising a thin conformable sheet material at least a portion of the surface area of which is intended for placement as a dressing over a wound, which portion carries a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating on one surface thereof for adhering the dressing to skin, the coating being applied to provide repeating areas of the sheet material containing no adhesive, at least a portion of the repeating areas of no adhesive having slits extending through the thickness thereof to permit transfer of wound fluids through the sheet material unimpeded by presence of adhesive material which can clog the slits and thereby inhibit fluid transfer therethrough.