Abstract: A surgical retractor frame that is easily reconfigurable and self-maintaining in a desired position. The surgical retractor frame is formed from first and second rigid frame portions that are easily adjusted to various desired configurations. The first and second portions cooperate to define a support adapted to surround a surgical field and operable to releasably receive a plurality of surgical stays for temporary retraction of tissue during a surgical procedure. A malleable connector secures the first frame portion to the second frame portion, and permits the frame portions to be moved relative to one another to permit adjustment and proper positioning of the frame relative to the surgical field. The connector is a preferably a plastic coated wire that is adhesively affixed to the first and second frame portions.

Abstract: A gastrostomy device having a tubular portion, first and second fingers, a rod member, and a suture member. The rod member and suture member cooperate to releasably retain the fingers in a first or installation configuration for insertion through a patient's stoma. Following insertion, the rod member and suture member release the fingers to permit the fingers to move to a deployed configuration. In the installation configuration the fingers are generally in line with an axis of the tubular portion while, in the deployed configuration, the fingers are generally transverse to the tubular portion axis.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an implantable subcutaneous access device for performing an endoscopic operative procedure, and the method of using the subcutaneous access device. The subcutaneous access device is comprised of a portal sleeve, the portal sleeve preferably being angulated to provide an angulated port of entry for a surgical device through cutaneous layers of the body. A subcutaneous flange is connected to the portal sleeve in order to secure the subcutaneous access device under the cutaneous layer. An access flange which may function as a surgical mat is also connected to the portal sleeve. The method of using the subcutaneous access device consists of forming a transdermal incision, inserting the subcutaneous access device into and through the incision, and inserting and manipulating a surgical device through the port of entry to thereby perform a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A measuring device and method for determining the length of an incised tract or passage into which gastrostomy appliance is about to be installed. A trocar needle is used to incise a tract or passage extending from the outside surface of a patient's skin into the stomach through the abdominal and stomach walls. The measuring device is positioned in the patient's stomach via a previously endoscopically installed guidewire extending through the patient's mouth, down the esophagus and through the incision. The device is pushed along the guidewire outwardly through the incision until a distal end of the device containing scale indicia is visible. A stop on the device engages the inner wall of the patient's stomach to limit outward movement of the device through the incision, so as to establish an inner stomach wall reference point for the scale indicia.

Abstract: A low profile or skin level gastrostomy device for initial endoscopic placement in an incision provided through the stomach and abdominal walls of a patient has a collapsed resilient end portion packaged and compressed within a shroud that allows the end portion of the device positioned within the stomach to easily pass from the inner to the outer end of the incision. The shroud is pulled or pushed outwardly through the incision until the device is properly positioned therein. Subsequent to device placement, the shroud is removed and discarded, allowing the now external end portion of the device to expand to its normal position so as to engage the outer surface of the abdominal wall to maintain the device in position. Such a gastrostomy device package and method of placement avoid the need for establishing a fistulas stoma tract before placement of a low profile gastrostomy device, as is the usual case.

Abstract: A pair of biopsy forceps for capturing, by remote operation, a sample of tissue from an internal location in a patient. The device includes a flexible sheath with a control wire extending therethrough, a pair of jaws movable by the control wire to capture a sample of tissue, and a manual operating means connected at the outer end of the sheath for extending and retracting the control wire. The jaws are mounted at the ends of tongs pivotally mounted in an end housing for movement between open and closed positions. The control wire is connected to lever arms at the rearward end of the tongs by means of two cable lengths connected between the wire and the rearward ends of the lever arms in such a way as to form an effective extension of the respective lever arm.

Abstract: A fluid injection device for an intravenous delivery system that has an access port for insertion of liquid medication. The access port is sealed with a resilient, compressible closure element adapted to be forced into the port into a sealing condition. The closure element has a preformed central passage formed therein and is adapted to have a normal uncompressed condition and a sealing condition wherein the element is pressed into the access port to compress it sufficiently to close the passage. An elongated, hollow injection probe is used to penetrate the closure element through the preformed passage. The injection probe has a relatively blunt forward end so that when the probe penetrates the seal element, fluid to be administered may be delivered to the sterile interior through the probe.

Abstract: A vessel occlusion device has a base with a generally flat surface against which a vessel may be positioned. One end of a strap is fastened to the base. The other end of the strap is adapted to be removably attached to the base with the vessel between the base and the strap. The strap is provided with a plurality of attachment holes for selectively attaching the end of the strap to the base at any one of a plurality of adjustable positions. The vessel occlusion device provides a traumatic occlusion with multiple vessel occlusion adjustments.

Abstract: A vessel approximator for use in anastomosis has a pair of opposed arms, each adapted to fit within the end of a vessel segment to be anastomosed. The tips of the arms are tapered to assist in placing an end of a vessel segment onto the arm. A stem extends from the junction of the arms to form a T shape. The stem is substantially thinner than the arms to permit the ends of the vessel segments placed over the arms to be proximate to each other to be sutured together. A ring on the end of the stem allows the device to be sutered in place in the surgical field. A notch at the junction of the arms opposite the stem permits the arms to collapse together when the device is removed from the vessel segments by pulling on the stem.

Abstract: A gastrostomy device that may be placed either endoscopically or percutaneously is disclosed. The catheter is a resilient tube with a resilient T-bar at one end. One wing of the T is provided with a pocket for the tip of an obturator rod. By inserting the rod in the pocket and orienting the rod along the tube, the bar is forced to a position in-line with the tube. The catheter may then be easily inserted into an established stoma. When the rod is removed, the bar returns to its orthogonal position, thereby retaining the catheter within the stomach. The device may be provided with a cup-shaped bolster whose mouth engages the skin about, but not adjacent to, the stoma to hold the bar snugly against the stomach wall. By providing the bolster with air vents, healing of the stoma is encouraged. By providing the device with two diametrically opposed pockets in the T-bar, a forked obturator may be used to fold both wings into a forward oriented, small axial cross section configuration for insertion into a stoma.

Abstract: Device includes a flexible, hollow tube portion having a resiliently deformable mushroom shape tip at the inner end thereof to retain the tube in the stomach or other viscera of a patient and provide an enlarged internal chamber for the mounting of a one-way flapper valve therein and the seating of the flapper valve against the inner end of the tube portion to prevent reflux of gastric contents while permitting the influx of fluids into the stomach or other viscera of the patient through the tube portion. A pair of oppositely extending, relatively short, flat wings are integrally molded on the outer end of the tube portion to make the tube portion self-retaining and flush up against the skin. The wings are relatively narrow in width, whereby the tube portion may be rotated a part turn to bring the wings into contact with different areas of the skin if irritation should occur.

Abstract: The testing apparatus is for measurement of ions in body fluids. The apparatus has a plurality of sample cups for containing fluids to be tested, a movable door for controlling access to the sample cups, and a plurality of measuring electrodes for immersion into the fluid to be tested. There is a hand operated device for moving the electrodes and the cups with respect to each other to alternately put the electrodes in a first position permitting access to the cups and in a second position in which the electrodes are immersed in the fluids to be tested contained in the cups. Means for mounting the cups in the testing apparatus are engaged with means for oscillating the cups independently of the electrodes. The oscillation fully exposes the electrodes to a representative sampling of the fluids within the cups and thus enhances the accuracy of the test being performed.