Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a particulate hemostatic agent to living tissue are disclosed. The apparatus includes a particulate hemostatic agent source (22) and a continuous gas source (14). A continuous gas stream from the continuous gas source is turbulently combined with the particulate hemostatic agent within the hemostatic agent source from a finely dispersed fluid stream of the particulate hemostatic agent in the continuous gas stream. An outlet conduit (34) extends from where the gas and particulate hemostatic agent are combined through an outlet (36) of the conduit, whereby the fluid stream is conducted through the outlet conduit and is discharged from the outlet conduit onto proximate living tissue, thereby applying the particulate hemostatic agent o the living tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing wide skin defects may be used with two long interdermal needles configured for insertion underneath skin close to margins of a skin defect. The skin closing apparatus may include two retaining members (70, 71) configured as a flange connecting two legs (20) and forming a U-shaped profile. Each of the legs may include either a sharp book (23) or a blunt skin insertion element at the end of the leg adapted for percing the skin and engaging one of the long interdermal needles. Alternatively, the retaining members may include topical engagement elements for engaging portions of the interdermal needles which are located above the skin surface. A contracting mechanism such as a screw (82) may connect the retaining members and approximate the interdermal needles, while bringing the skin margins together until final closure of the skin defect results.

Abstract: One or more devices for stretching skin to close a wide skin defect may be used with two long interdermal needles which are inserted underneath the skin along margins of the wound. The skin stretching device may include a pair of needle shafts each having a hook or needle at a distal end for engaging one of the interdermal needles, and a contracting mechanism provided for drawing the opposing needle hooks toward one another, thereby approximating the opposing margins of the wound.The skin stretching device may also include a control knob for limiting the amount of force applied by the device, and a tension indicator for indicating the amount of force applied by the device. Each elongated shafts may also exhibit a retaining member about which a swivel platform rotates, and to which two or more needles are attached. The skin stretching device may further include elongated shafts which, at their distal ends, angle away from the body of the shafts, each exhibiting a single needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing wide skin defects may be used with two long interdermal needles configured for insertion underneath skin close to margins of a skin defect. The skin closing apparatus may include two U-shaped retaining members configured as a flange connecting two legs and forming a U-shaped profile. Each of the legs may include a sharp hook at the end of the leg adapted for piercing the skin and engaging one of the long interdermal needles. Each retaining member may include a pivoting platform that pivots up to 20.degree. from an initial position indicated by a detent mechanism. A contracting mechanism such as a screw may connect the retaining members and approximate the interdermal needles, while bringing the skin margins together until final closure of the skin defect results. The skin closing apparatus may also include a clutch mechanism configured to disengage the screw from a knob or handle, when a predetermined force is met or exceeded.

Abstract: Solutions of sodium hyaluronate in physiological saline with a kinematic viscosity of from 45,000 to 64,000 cSt. are found to effect a smaller increase in post-operative intra-ocular pressure following use as an aid in opthalmological surgery, when the weight average molecular weight of the hyaluronate is within the range of from 1 to 2 million Daltons.

Abstract: Improved overall yields of hyaluronic acid are obtained by controlling the oxygen available for metabolism by a hyaluronic acid producing microorganism. Relatively high oxygen concentrations are made available during the initial exponential growth phase of the cultivated microorganism, until a predetermined growth has been reached. At this time, the available oxygen is limited to stimulate a disproportionately larger production of the desired hyaluronic acid.