Abstract: A cartridge for storing and retaining a plurality of medical ligating devices such as hemostatic clips and surgical staples, the cartridge having a movable device retaining member situated in each device chamber. The retaining member is adapted to frictionally engage the legs of an open C-shaped device and is further adapted to be displaced away from engagement with the device when it is engaged in the jaws of a forceps-type applier. In one embodiment, the retaining member is adapted to fit between the legs of an open hemostatic clip and is further adapted to be displaced downwardly away from the clip when the clip is engaged by a clip applier. The disclosure further includes a method of storing hemostatic clips in a cartridge, the method incorporating retaining the clip within the cartridge by a separable member which is displaceable from engagement with a clip when the clip is engaged by a clip applier.

Abstract: A flexible, elongated suture passing device or shuttle capable of advancing monofilament or multi-stranded suture material to a remote work site. The suture shuttle is formed of a plurality of woven or braided fiber strands which are coated, over all but a central portion of the strands, with a material having a flexible exterior surface. A part of the central portion of the strands is formed into an eyelet for receiving a suture therethrough. A method is disclosed wherein one end of the suture shuttle is advanced to a work site until the eyelet passes through the tissue at the work site. This enables suture to be passed through the eyelet so the shuttle may be withdrawn to pass the suture back through the tissue to be sutured. Repeating this process brings any desired number of suture leads through the tissue so a knot may be tied.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical procedure and instruments are disclosed for the treatment of transverse carpal ligaments and similar anatomical structures. The procedure enables the release of the carpal ligament under endoscopic control and through only a single incision. A uniquely shaped grooved cannula is provided to enable access to the carpal tunnel while also stabilizing instruments used in the procedure. The procedure involves the insertion of the cannula into the carpal tunnel through a single incision. The cannula has a longitudinal groove which is positioned to face or abut the ligament and which axially receives an endoscope through its proximal open end and obliquely receives a knife which is then positioned to cut the ligament from the side where the scope is placed.

Abstract: A flexible, elongated suture passing device or shuttle capable of advancing monofilament or multi-stranded suture material to a remote work site. The suture shuttle is formed of a plurality of woven or braided fiber strands which are coated, over all but a central portion of the strands, with a material having a flexible exterior surface. A part of the central portion of the strands is formed into an eyelet for receiving a suture therethrough. A method is disclosed wherein one end of the suture shuttle is advanced to a work site until the eyelet passes through the tissue at the work site. This enables suture to be passed through the eyelet so the shuttle may be withdrawn to pass the suture back through the tissue to be sutured. Repeating this process brings any desired number of suture leads through the tissue so a knot may be tied.

Abstract: A holder for storing and retaining a plurality of hemostatic clips. The holder is produced as an integrally molded unitary piece having a plurality of longitudinally spaced chambers, each having a central post to support a clip and integrally formed guiding means for guiding the jaws of an associated forceps-type clip applier by which a clip within a selected chamber may be removed from the cartridge. A pair of opposing projections are formed in the walls of each clip chamber at a point spaced above the central post, the projections serving to loosely retain a clip in the chamber between the projections and the central post.

Abstract: A drill guide is disclosed in which a cylindrical guide tube is secured to a handle so that it may not be easily longitudinally moved in either direction without the user engaging a thumb activated locking mechanism. The cylindrical guide tube passes through a conically tapered cylindrical bore within the drill guide handle and a similarly tapered split collet is interposed concentrically between the exterior of the cylindrical guide tube and the interior of the bore. The collet is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending lobes which are sufficiently resilient that movement of the collet to its proximal-most position causes the lobes to squeeze inwardly against the cylindrical guide tube. Frictional engagement between the collet lobes and the guide tube prevents the latter from moving until the collet is moved distally to release pressure on the lobes.

Abstract: A retractable surgical or other instrument is provided with a locking mechanism automatically actuated by sliding an operating element forward to extend it from a protective sheath. The locking mechanism operates by the cooperative action of a plurality of abutment means integrally molded into the interior of the instrument handle and a plurality of transverse bends forming a substantially closed loop profile in the proximal end of the elongated support shaft of the operating element. A longitudinally slidable actuating pin engages the proximal end of the support shaft to move it longitudinally in a selected direction. A portion of the proximal end of the shaft is biased to exert a radially outward force on the inner wall of the instrument handle thereby assuring positive engagement between the support shaft and an abutment surface which prevents rearward motion of the surgical element once it is placed in an extended position.

Abstract: A method of molding a blister for a display package wherein there is provided a plurality of mold units, each mold unit having a base, a first surface extending from the base, a second surface adjacent to the first surface and forming with the first surface an angle less than 90.degree., providing a planar plastic sheet and orienting the mold unit so that the first surface is essentially normal to or forms an angle about equal to or less than 90.degree. to the plane of the plastic sheet, with the proviso that the angle formed by the plane and the second surface is less than 90.degree.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail system and method for providing the capability of creating intramedullary nails of any desired length by a combination of a small number of base nail members adapted to be joined to any one of a variety of hollow extension nail members. Any selected extension nail member may be axially connected to any selected base nail member in order to prevent axial separation of the members. Additionally, each extension nail member is provided with transverse openings adapted to receive a bone screw to secure the intramedullary nail within the bone to be repaird. The extension nail member is infinitely rotationally adjustable about the axis of the base nail member in order to enable the fixation of the extension member with any desired degree of anteversion prior to final assembly of the base nail member with the extension nail member.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip applier is disclosed showing improvements which enable the user to selectively trigger the feeding of a clip to the jaws of the applier when desired. A cantilevered trigger button is integrally formed with the housing of the applier so as to be depressible by the user. The trigger button is provided with an internal cam surface which cooperates with a pawl and ratchet mechanism to release the pawl at a selected point in the cycle of operation of the applier and thereby feed a clip to the applier jaws.

Abstract: An automatic hemostatic clip applicator is disclosed wherein the jaws, cartridge assembly and jaw housing move together in a single direction to crimp a clip resulting in a perception of little or no motion by the jaws when the applicator is activated. Camming surfaces in the jaws are brought into contact with camming surfaces on the distal end of the stationary body of the applicator as the jaws are moved proximally.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved leg members joined at their proximal end by a reduced thickness hinge portion and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces which are substantially parallel when the clip is closed. The first leg member has a concave inner surface and a hook portion at its distal end curved toward the second leg member. The clip includes a sharp distal tip on the end of the hook portion and a sharp pointed penetrating member on the outer surface of the distal end of the hook portion. The distal end of the second leg has a longitudinal groove through which the sharp pointed penetrating member and then the sharp distal tip passes when the legs are closed. The second leg member further comprises a pair of sharp penetrating member attached to each side of the distal end on either side of the groove.

Abstract: A tubular arthroscopic sheath having improved irrigating fluid flow characteristics and having a quick coupling socket adapted to quickly connect to and disconnect from an associated arthroscopic tool provided with a mateable, generally cylindrical plug member. The fluid flow is enhanced by centering projections on the sheath interior and by turbulence minimizing fluid ports. The socket comprises an open ended cylindrical housing provided with a plurality of annularly spaced, cylindrical locking pins slidable within throughbores in the housing wall, the throughbores extending radially from the housing axis and axially skewed with respect thereto. Each pin is provided with a notch in its cylindrical surface adjacent the most radially outward end of the pin. A pair of slidable coaxial cylindrical actuating members is adapted to engage all the notches and capture the pins. Moving the slidable actuating members away from the open end of the housing causes the pins to slide radially outwardly in the throughbores.

Abstract: A bobbin or spool type hair curler having a cylindrical hair roller portion formed between a pair of opposing parallel flanges and provided with a pliable, integrally formed, cup-shaped closure member. The closure member is axially aligned to one of the end flanges of the spool shaped hair roller portion. The wall of the cup-shaped closure member extends away from the spool shaped portion and, after the hair is wound upon the spool shaped portion, the wall may be flipped substantially 180.degree. about its point of attachment to its corresponding flange in order to place the rim of the cup-shaped closure member proximate to the other flange to thereby retain the hair around the spool shaped portion. The invention additionally includes a method for curling hair with the aforementioned device and, in one embodiment the hair curler is provided with an axial throughbore and the invention further includes a method for heating same.

Abstract: A manually operated gauge for the simultaneous measurement of two orthogonal diameters of a spherical member. The gauge comprises four uniquely shaped bars all pivotably connected together about four parallel pivot axes, the bars arranged to enclose a measurement or work space into which the spherical member to be measured may be brought. Two main arms are pivotably joined at one end and each is provided with a pair of orthogonally oriented contact surfaces at the other end, the contact surfaces adapted to arcuately move with their respective arms about the arm-pivot in order to capture a spherical member between them. A scale member is pivotably connected to the free end of one of the arms and an indicator member is pivotably joined to the free end of the other of the arms.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved leg members joined at their proximal end by a reduced thickness hinge portion and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces which are substantially parallel when the clip is closed. The first leg member has a concave inner surface and a hook portion at its distal end curved toward the second leg member. The clip includes a sharp distal tip on the end of the hook portion and a sharp pointed penetrating member on the outer surface of the distal end of the hook portion. The distal end of the second leg has a longitudinal groove through which the sharp pointed penetrating member and then the sharp distal tip passes when the legs are closed. The second leg member further comprises a pair of sharp penetrating member attached to each side of the distal end on either side of the groove.

Abstract: A holder for retaining a plurality of hemostatic or ligating clips. The holder retains a single clip in each chamber and is intended to be used with a forceps-type clip applier, the jaws of which may be inserted into a desired chamber to retrieve a clip therefrom. Each individual chamber is formed of a pair of facing transverse walls and a central post which loosely supports a hemostatic clip. Each transverse wall has at least one resilient flap extending downwardly and inwardly in such a way that the bottommost portion of the resilient flap contact the side of the body of the clip in the chamber. The holder is ideally suited to retain plastic or polymer clips and may be made as an assembly of discrete components or in a single, molded integral form.