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 staple 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. This structure provides a reliable surgical stapler in which staples are not likely to jam the staple feeding mechanism.

Abstract: A skin clip applier for placing skin clips to close a wound comprises a handle assembly including an actuating element and a cartridge assembly adapted to be affixed to said handle assembly and including skin clip-deforming jaw elements which are actuated by operation of the handle assembly to place and deform preformed skin clips, delivered individually to said deforming jaws, to close a wound.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip cartridge is formed of a base and cover to contain a plurality of pre-formed U-shaped hemostatic clips in a column which is spring-biased to move along a track in the base and toward a delivery station which is shaped to make individual clips available to a hand held forceps type clip applier.

Abstract: An automatic transfer mechanism is provided which is particularly useful in automatically collecting, indexing, orienting and transferring individual uniform-sized pieces, such as pieces of chewing gum or candy in the form of blocks from a single piece wrapping machine to a package overwrap machine. The mechanism includes transfer pocket indexing means having a plurality of pockets for automatically receiving, indexing and orienting individual pieces, means for automatically loading individual pieces into the pockets while the pockets are disposed at a first position, drive means for moving the pockets first vertically and then horizontally to a second position where the individual pieces contained therein are indexed to an attitude 90.degree. from their attitude in the original first position, and further including means for removing the pieces from the pockets while maintaining their orientation and conveying them to a package overwrap machine.

Abstract: A receptacle for storing radioactive material includes three concentric cylindrical casings of radiation shielding material, a container of radioactive material being received within the innermost casing, and a cover member or members forming a closure for the casingswhich are open at the top. Two of the casings and the cover member or members are of non-transparent radiation shielding material, such as lead, and the third casing is of transparent radiation shielding material, such as leaded glass. One of the non-transparent casings is movable with respect to the other non-transparent casing so that windows in each of the non-transparent casings can be aligned by the relative movement therebetween to permit the viewing of the material level within the container.