Abstract: An anastomotic device and method for receiving the free ends of anatomic tubular structures to be anastomosed, the device having a pair of ring members for securement to the free end of each of the tubular members to be anastomosed and the ring members having annular connecting structure which mate with each other to connect the ring members. Novel securement structure is associated with the annular connecting structure to enable the securement of the ring members in a fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from each other. Structure is provided to connect each tubular member free end over a ring member so that the free ends are positioned contiguous to each other around the connecting structure to enable the ends to grow together in an atmosphere outside the flow path of the tubular members to be anastomosed and approximate the outer surface of the tubular member.

Abstract: A surgical closure device having two mating members is disclosed. The first member comprises a plurality of pins, an indentation ajacent the proximal end of each pin, and at least one synthetic tissue compatible first fiber connecting the distal end of each adjacent pin. The second member comprises at least one synthetic tissue compatible second fiber having a plurality of knots essentially equal in number to the plurality of pins. A method of closing a wound of living tissue using the surgical closure device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical suture coating comprising a random copolymer is disclosed. The copolymer has about 25 to 75 weight percent of glycolic acid ester linkages. The remaining linkages comprise at least trimethylene carbonate. The copolymer has a glass transition temperature at or below ambient temperature.

Abstract: A rising stem expanding gate valve including an improved metal-to-metal stem backseat seal assembly. An axially slidable seal ring is press fit onto the valve stem and is adapted to seal against a counterbored bonnet seat portion to provide a secondary metal-to-metal stem to bonnet seal. The seal ring is allowed to move a limited axial distance on the valve stem such that upon upward axial movement of the valve stem. The seal ring is repositioned in an axially downward direction about the valve stem and, consequently, is firmly sealed against the bonnet seat portion. Upon subsequent downward movement of the valve stem, the seal ring is repositioned in an axial upward direction about the valve stem such that the seal ring is in its original position about the valve by a repositioning means.

Abstract: An improved heat responsive backseat for gate valves which includes a rotating valve stem (50) carried by a bonnet assembly (14) for actuation of a gate member (40). A fusible stem ring (126) supports the valve stem at an outer portion thereof (68) within a roller bearing chamber (56) of the bonnet assembly. The valve stem (50) moves axially outward from the valve chamber (20) when the fusible stem ring (126) melts due to an external fire condition to bring a valve stem backseat portion (64) into sealing engagement with a bonnet seat portion (54). The valve stem (50) moves axially outward from the valve chamber (20) independently of roller bearings (74, 76) contained within roller bearing chamber (56) such that the roller bearings (74, 76) remain axially fixed with respect to the bonnet assembly before, during and after the shifting of the valve stem.

Abstract: A crossover seal assembly (44) for sealing the annulus between a well casing (16) and tubing head (22). The assembly includes spaced pairs of upper and lower metal seal rings (60 and 72, 108 and 120) having matching frusto-conical wedging surfaces (70 and 74, 118 and 122) which interact when an axial compressive force is applied to thereby effect a controlled radial expansion of the seal rings to sealingly engage the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces (48, 47) of the tubing head (22) and well casing (16). The axial compressive force is mechanically applied by a plurality of holddown lock screws (90) which interact through tapered conical tips (94) to energize the crossover seal assembly (44).

Abstract: A pressure energized mechanically preloaded packing assembly (48, 68) of a high pressure gate valve (10). The packing assemblies are positioned in an annular space about the valve stems (36, 64) for sealing between the valve stems and bonnet (38) or valve body (12). The packing assemblies include an energizer ring (78) which is positioned within the annular space having an outwardly facing precision cut frusto-conical end surface (82) relative to the flow passage (16, 18) of the valve. A plurality of Belleville springs or spring washers (98) with a generally frusto-conical shape are positioned adjacent and in concave relation to the outer end (82) of the energizer ring. The cone angle of the spring washers are smaller than the cone angle of the energizer ring. The packing assembly further includes at least one packing ring set positioned outside the spring washers (106, 108) which includes a stack of plastic packing elements (110) which are sandwiched between a pair of retainer rings (112, 114).

Abstract: A high pressure in-line test valve (42) is positioned to block off a first fluid pressure source (10) acting on a control valve means (32 and 34) and to provide communication with an alternate test fluid pressure source (138) for testing the control valve means. The test valve (42) has a central bore (70) in which a depressible piston (78) is positioned for longitudinal movement between a seated extended position (FIG. 2) blocking the first fluid pressure source and simultaneously communicating test fluid to the control valve means, and an unseated retracted position (FIG. 3) re-establishing communication between the first fluid pressure source and the control valve means and simultaneously blocking the alternate fluid pressure source (138) with a dual sealing means.

Abstract: An improved plug mechanism for use with a wellhead tool for removing and replacing valves on an operating wellhead under pressure including an elongated housing with a fluid coupling on one end for connecting to the outlet end of a wellhead valve and a plug mechanism extending from the housing through the valve into the wellhead where it seals fluid flow to the valve. The plug mechanism includes an expandable sealing element and an improved latch mechanism including a plurality of ball bearings which are extendable and retractable from the plug mechanism to secure it solidly within the bore of the wellhead upstream of the valve to be removed. The housing is equipped with an operating mechanism to expand and retract the sealing member and to engage and release the ball bearings. The plug mechanism further includes an improved self-alignment feature to ease attachment of the operating mechanism to the plug mechanism once the plug mechanism has been secured within the bore of the wellhead.

Abstract: A ball valve structure (10) having a valve seat assembly (46) positioned in annular seat pockets located in a flow passage (14) on opposed sides of a ball valve member (18). Each valve seat assembly is mounted for limited longitudinal movement toward and away from the adjacent ball valve member (18) and spring means (54) are placed within the seat pockets behind the valve seat assemblies to urge the assemblies toward and into intimate contact with the ball valve member. The valve seat assembly includes inner and outer annular concentric seat rings (48, 50) with a resilient sealing ring (52) secured therebetween. The inner annular seat ring has a flared end (64) which fits inside the outer seat ring and energizes or deforms the sealing ring (52) held therebetween, thereby, securely retaining the sealing ring between the seat rings and preventing the introduction of line pressure behind the sealing ring to possibly extrude the sealing ring from its position within the seat rings.