Abstract: A coupling element system for an ostomy bag including a bag-side coupling element having a stomal orifice surrounded by a channel shaped member, a body-side coupling element having a stomal orifice surrounded by a rib-like member which can make snap-fit engagement with the channel shaped member, and a locking member. The latter member has radially inwardly deformable arms and is rotatable relative to the body-side coupling. The deformable arms are shaped and positioned so that upon rotation of the locking member in one rotary direction relative to the body-side coupling element they are deformed radially inwardly and over-lie a portion of the bag-side coupling element.The locking member may be generally annular with the arms arcuate in shape each with a blade portion and a leg portion which connects the blade portion to the remainder of the locking member.

Abstract: A surgical stapler, preferably in a single use disposable form, comprises a combination of a staple feeding mechanism and a staple forming mechanism secured in a frame and an actuating trigger functionally connected to both the stable feeding mechanism and the staple forming mechanism, wherein the staple feeding mechanism includes a rail to guide contained staples serially to a staple forming position and a shuttle in association with the rail as a movable staple retaining cover, the shuttle being functionally connected to the trigger for movement in the same direction and the same time as the staples. The rail includes a pair of spaced apart flexible members which support the next staple to be deformed but which flex to move out of the staple path at the onset of deformation. The staple after formation is positioned between the members so that there is no interference between the rail and the deformed staple.

Abstract: A one-piece molded plastic clamp provided with a guiding lug for engaging a channel to prevent twisting of the arms of the clamp as they are compressed, while simultaneously enabling the clamp to be molded in a simple, clam-shell mold. The clamp includes a pair of parallel toothed members extending inwardly from one arm of the clamp and intended to engage a locking hook extending inwardly from the other of the arms. The teeth on the parallel toothed members are alternatingly spaced so that while the teeth are uniformly spaced within the plane of the clamp, they are staggered within a transverse plane so they unobstructedly face away from the plane of the clamp.

Abstract: A dual, stereoviewing operating microscope including a single objective lens adapted to provide a collimated beam of light which is intercepted and transversely redirected by a pair of reflecting prisms into two oppositely directed stereoscopic optical paths. Each stereoscopic optical path is provided with a pair of viewing eyepieces each of which has a zoom lens assembly. Each pair of eyepieces is independently operable of the other. The microscope also includes an aperture between the redirecting prisms intercepting the light from the objective lens in order to provide, through this aperture, a direct optical path between the objective lens and a camera or other recording device. A separate zoom lens assembly is inserted in this latter optical path and a mechanism is provided by which all zoom assemblies are simultaneously operable.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bag for containing liquid, the bag provided with an outlet tube. The method entails seam welding the outlet tube between two superposed bag walls, placing the bag and tube combination between the blocks of a mold, each block having confronting recesses of a particular shape and then injecting molding plastic material to fill these recesses. The injected material forms a collar which completely surrounds the tube and adjacent bag material. The bag film material on either side of the tube is melted to itself and to the tube wall and the collar is thereby securely attached in an encircling configuration thereby to preclude leakage. The tube may be a part of tap or other outlet fitting such as a push pull tap.

Abstract: An introducer sheath assembly having an improved valve assembly including at least three elastic disc shaped membranes. A first membrane has a circular hole through the center to sealingly receive a catheter while a second membrane has a center hole smaller than the hole in the first membrane to sealingly receive a guidewire. The second membrane also has at least one slit through the hole to accommodate passage of the larger catheter through the second membrane. A third membrane contains at least one slit through its center to seal the valve assembly in the absence of a guidewire or catheter.

Abstract: A multiple compartment flexible package having a receiving compartment adapted to contain one or more liquid impermeable, rupturable containers, a dispensing compartment containing an absorbent material and a passageway interposed between the compartments. Upon the application of pressure to the receiving compartment, the inner liquid container is ruptured and the liquid bursting from the inner container is directed by the passageway to the absorbent material within the dispensing compartment. The liquid contents of the inner container are absorbed by the absorbent material and dispensed therefrom at a rate depending upon the application of the package. The dispensing compartment may have a portion thereof permeable to the liquid contents or may have one or more apertures in one surface thereof adjacent the absorbent material.

Abstract: A cannula for use in laparoscopy is provided which includes an elongated shaft with a lumen along its longitudinal axis and a tip having a lumen and a conical member for engaging the cervix. The tip includes a distal end portion which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The cannula includes a tenaculum clamp coupling which is movable along at least a portion of the shaft within a plane through the shaft. Means are provided for attaching the tip to the shaft with the transverse distal end portion being fixed at any desired location rotationally about the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, means are provided for aligning the transverse distal end portion with the plane of movement.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes first and second body members pivotally and detachably connected to each other, each having an elongated jaw to grip tissue therebetween to be stapled together. The instrument further includes a toggle joint pivotally connected on one of said body members and adapted to engage the other body member to lock the body members together. Various latching mechanisms are provided to releasably latch the proximal ends of the body members together prior to locking the jaws about the tissue to be stapled.

Abstract: A torque testing apparatus for use with threaded closures, the apparatus enabling the use of a manually operated torque tester, such as the industry standard Owens-Illinois torque meter, while simultaneously eliminating many of the variables normally inherent in any determination of application or removal torque by the human operator. The apparatus incorporates a standard torque meter to hold a container having a threaded closure to be tested and includes a closure rotating motor, the output shaft of which rotates at a substantially constant speed and is parallel to and in line from the axis of the closure. A closure-holding lever arm is secured to the closure and a motor lever arm is secured to the motor.

Abstract: A calendar type dispenser is provided in association with a separable indicia means, the combination comprising a reminder system for reminding users when a particular dosage of medicament must be taken. The medicament container comprises a blister pack dispenser wherein a plurality of blisters are linearly arranged, in one or more groups, each group having a predetermined number of blisters. Each group has associated therewith a means for retaining a separable overlying planar sheet member provided with a plurality of apertures corresponding to the number of blisters in a selected group. Suitable indicia are marked on the sheet member in associating with each aperture thereof thereby identifying the particular dosage in each blister with the time when it should be taken.

Abstract: An air freshener in the form of a unitary, molded container having a first partial enclosure and a second partial enclosure integrally formed with a hinge therebetween, the partial enclosures having complementary shapes and adapted to be folded about the hinge and sealed together to form a generally flat, hermetically sealed container. The sealed container is adapted to retain an active, vaporizable substance bearing member. One portion of the sealed container is provided with an integrally formed tear-away tab adapted to be removed by a user prior to use of the air freshener.

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: The invention relates to a float controlled dispenser capable of segregating active ingredients and dye and selectively releasing a predetermined amount of each into the tank of a toilet. The dispenser comprises a float operated dispenser having the fluid disinfectant in the main body of the dispenser and the dye in a separate portion of the dispenser. A mixing chamber communicating with the tank water is provided beneath the float so that, on the upstroke, water rising in the chamber serves to dissolve the dye and raise the float. A solution of dye and water is retained in the mixing chamber. During the flush cycle, as the float is lowered on the downstroke due to a decreasing water level in the tank, a measured amount of disinfectant is released from the body of the dispenser into a metering chamber on the float. As the float rises with the water level and seals the dispenser orifice, this measured amount is transferred to the surrounding tank.

Abstract: A system and method for pumping liquid fluorocarbons and the like from a pressurized supply container to another container. The system compensates for the inherent vapor pressure drop occuring within any pressurized container of fluorocarbons as the fluorocarbons are pumped out. A phase conversion apparatus is provided to recirculate a portion of the liquid being pumped from the downstream side of the pump, through a phase conversion chamber into the supply tank in a vapor phase. This prevents a vapor pressure drop in the supply tank and avoids the flashing of the liquid into a gas at the discharge connection of the supply container. The invention also comprises an improved fluorocarbon gear pump and pressure regulation means. The gear pump utilized offset gear axes and porous gears to form a liquid film over the gears to prevent deleterious contact in the pump and extend useful pump life.

Abstract: The invention relates to self-supporting, vertically free-standing display packages for displaying a product. More particularly, the invention relates to a blister pack display package having a preformed product closure attached to a paperboard back and provided with a unitary support structure. Another aspect of the invention concerns its manufacture by molding a plastic sheet into said blister package in such manner as to advantageously strengthen said unitary support structure along the edge of its contact with the surface on which it stands.