Abstract: A device for plucking out hairs by utilizing heat generated by the application of high frequency waves but which prevents the transfer of the heat to the skin. The device comprises a main body substantially in the form of a letter U including a pair of elongated legs and a curved portion which has a certain degree of flexibility. One of such elongated legs is connected to a high frequency wave generator. A pair of hair clamping members formed as hair clamping tongs is connected to the other elongated leg. A link mechanism is arranged in the two legs and coupled to a set lever for moving the tips of the hair clamping members from a position in which they are in engagement with each other, to a position in which they are out of engagement with each other by utilizing the flexibility of the curved portion of the main body so that the hair clamping members can nip, transmit heat to and pluck out a hair in one operation.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a castrating device comprising a first arm, a first jaw plate carried by the first arm, a second arm, a pivotal mounting for the second arm, a second jaw plate, means connecting the second jaw plate to the second arm for movement therewith, and means for guiding the second jaw plate so that, when it moves with the second arm, it does so along a rectilinear path towards and away from the first jaw plate, and means for displacing the pivotal mounting of the second arm to enable slackness to be taken up.The second arm can be pivotally mounted on a tensioning bar which extends longitudinally of the first arm.

Abstract: This invention relates to surgical instruments such as probes or forceps which are heated from an external current source, and more particularly to such instruments which are used, for example, for laparoscopy.The invention consists in the provision of a switch in the circuit of a heating element, a settable electronic control means for closing said switch for an adjustable length of time and means for automatically opening said switch for a length of time equivalent to the cooling-off period for the appropriate part of said instrument.

Abstract: This ocular decompression process is a surgical procedure and a physical therapy for the alleviation of glaucoma. The invention contemplates a surgical operation on the eye, at which a metallic implant is introduced through the sclera into or adjacent to the anterior chamber of the eye. The extra-cameral portion of the implant, fashioned into a loop, is buried under fibrous and epithelial tissue. After the surgical incisions have healed, the coil of a tuned radio-frequency circuit is brought into the field of the implant by being positioned exterior to the eye. The implanted wire acts as the secondary of a radio-frequency transformer and generates heat sufficient to create a tract from the anterior chamber to the subconjunctival tissue. This tract serves as a drain through which the aqueous humor flows from the inside of the eye to its surface, thereby reducing the pathologically elevated intraocular pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for piercing earlobes which comprises a pair of elongated, hand-held, parallel bars that can be moved towards and away from each other while an earlobe is positioned between the bars adjacent an end thereof. At that same end, one of the bars mounts an axially movable plunger to which an earlobe piercing stud can be attached. A compression spring drives the plunger and therewith the stud towards the second bar for piercing the ear. First and second levers are positioned for actuation by the same hand holding the piercing apparatus for retracting or cocking the plunger and for releasing it to pierce the earlobe. The second bar includes a recess into which a clip can be inserted which has an aperture for frictionally engaging the stud and retaining the stud to the earlobe after the latter has been pierced.

Abstract: A piercing assembly adapted to facilitate the piercing of an earlobe and provide sterilized storage and handling of the piercing earring is provided. The assembly includes a piercing earring having an enlarged portion and a piercing pin extending therefrom and a cartridge configured to receive the earring. The cartridge includes a first elongated opening partially supporting the pin and a second opening in longitudinal alignment with the first opening. A cartridge housing includes at least one chamber for receiving a cartridge. A plunger device is adapted to longitudinally displace a plunger and to receive said cartridge housing. The cartridge housing aligns the cartridge openings with the plunger, whereby the plunger enters the second cartridge opening, contacts the piercing earring and effects a forcing of the enlarged portion of the piercing earring through the first elongated opening.

Abstract: A nasal hemostat, adapted for insertion into a nasal cavity, is composed of contracted material adapted to expand into a porous tampon upon contact with a fluid. The contracted tampon is in the form of an elongated cylinder. Upon expansion, the tampon assumes a domed shape, having a linear bottom wall, a convex top wall, and two parallel side walls. A substantially rectangular tongue continuous with the bottom wall protrudes from the posterior end of the expanded tampon. Two elongated recesses are formed longitudinally in one of the side walls. Upon expansion, these recesses receive the inferior and middle conchae of the nasal cavity lateral wall so that the expanded tampon will apply hemostatic pressure to substantially all parts of the nasal cavity. The rearwardly extending tongue, when in operative position, preferably terminates short of the pharyngeal orifice of the auditory tube. An elongated breathing tube extends longitudinally through the contracted tampon from the anterior end to the posterior end.

Abstract: The spherical welded tip end of a cryosurgical probe is prevented from separating and projecting from the remainder of the probe tip due to fluid pressure in the tip by a lanyard, one end of which is welded to the tip end and the other end of which is secured to a point on the main body of the probe away from the probe tip.

Abstract: Hair is implanted in skin by stitching the hair in a manner to form loops which pass through the subcutaneous tissue and to leave a length of hair protruding from each point of entry of the hair into the skin and a length of hair protruding from each exit point of the hair from the skin. A length of hair from one such stitch is tied to a length of hair from a second such stitch. A novel frame comprising a plurality of spaced posts is suggested for holding loops of hair during the stitching. A novel needle has a diameter of about 0.003-0.006 inches and is provided with a hole for threading at its pointed end.

Abstract: Method and device for catheterizaton within human ducts so as remove concretions, plaques or sclerotic clots, including generating exteriorally of the human body a series of high voltage pulses of sufficiently low amperage to avoid harm to human tissues, directing said pulses within an insulating medium into the human ducts to the situs of said concretions and selectively discharging sid pulses radially outwardly in order to impact across the surface of said concretions. A liquid may be flowed peripherally of discharging and against the concretion so as to achieve a hydroelectric cavitation. A suggested apparatus includes a pair of flexible electrodes insulated one from the other and co-terminating at the situs of the concretion. The positive electrode is positioned coaxially of the encircling negative electrode, such that the electrical discharging is radially outwardly from the positive electrode to the encircling surface of the negative electrode.

Abstract: A device for clamping and then cutting an umbilical cord in separate and distinct clamping and cutting steps. Two parallel clamps are held together by two bridges held between the blades of a pair of scissors. As the blades move towards each other, the umbilical cord is first clamped, and then the scissors are removed from the bridges, and thereafter the scissors sever the umbilical cord. The bridges are then removed from the clamp affixed to the portion of the umbilical cord attached to the newborn child.

Abstract: A drum shaped infant's teething device consisting of a soft non-toxic rubberlike hollow toy having thick walls and generally toroidal rims about the size of teething rings which rims are integral with the drum shaped toy and yet stand out from the drum for teething purposes.

Abstract: A surgical knife which is particularly adapted to achieve a more precise incision for cataract extractin includes a handle having at one end cutting means in the form of a projecting planar shoe member which is spaced from a pair of projecting ski members, and wherein the cutting blade is disposed perpendicular to the plane of the shoe member, and extends from said shoe member to the space between the ski members. In use, during a cataract operation, the shoe is introduced in the angle created by the iris and the cornea, and is operative to prevent the cutting means or razor blade which is attached perpendicularly to the shoe from encountering the iris and the lens. The spaced skis are positioned outside the eye so as to act as a guide and prevent the surgeon from inadvertently pushing the shoe into the iris or the lens.

Abstract: A photocoagulator using a gas discharge lamp and a mirror for forming a double image of the luminous plasma region of the lamp in a photocoagulation area adjusted for size by interchangeable field stops is improved for easier adjustability when field stop sizes are changed. A manually operable screw ring moves the lamp axially relative to the mirror to adjust the separation of one image from the other relative to the size of the field stop, and the side of the field stop facing toward the coagulation area is illuminated for brightening the environment of the coagulation area for easier observation.

Abstract: Defective or unwanted tissue is removed such as from the lens of an eye by directing a pulsating high velocity liquid jet onto the defecting tissue to disintegrate the tissue and sucking the liquid entraining the disintegrated tissue from the area adjacent the tissue by a suction conduit. A control system is provided to insure the proper amount of suction. The control system also monitors the suction conduit and in response to a sudden change in pressure resulting from a clogging condition, the sucking action is reversed causing pressure to be forced through the conduit. Salt crystals can be added into the liquid stream of the pulsating liquid to improve the cutting action.

Abstract: An integral one-piece plastic extraction device for extracting food or other articles from a blocked larynx or windpipe which includes an elongated handle portion and at least one ribbed bowl spoon portion at one free end thereof which is configured, arranged and dimensioned to permit removal of food dangerously lodged in a larynx or windpipe.

Abstract: A surgical towel and drape clamp having opposed jaw members connected to and opened and closed by the action of pivotally interconnected shank members having finger loop members and locking ratchet members is provided with tip means on one of said jaw members having a blunt distal end portion, the other of said jaw members being provided with tip means having a concave distal end portion which has a peripheral blunt edge. Upon placing a surgical towel or surgical drape between the tip means of said jaw members and manipulating the finger loops to close the jaw members and bring the locking ratchets into interengagement with each other, the surgical towel or surgical drape is trapped between the blunt distal end portion of one of the tip means and the concave distal end portion of the other tip means.

Abstract: A surgical milling tool includes a body having a hemispherically-shaped outer surface and defining an internal cavity. Cutting blades carried at spaced locations on the outer surface are operative to mill tissues of a joint socket when the tool is introduced and rotated in the socket. Holes are formed through the outer surface and communicate with the internal cavity to channel cut-off tissues into the cavity as the tool is rotated. A tool support is releasably connected to the tool body to assist in positioning and rotating the body. The support includes a cover which releasably closes the body cavity to retain cut-off tissues within the cavity. Several related tool body and tool support embodiments are described which include structures for releasably drivingly connecting the tool body and the tool support. Some of the embodiments include movable latching elements for securing connections formed between the tool bodies and the tool supports.

Abstract: A cryogenic apparatus including a highly versatile probe with a deformable tip, and cryogen supply systems for delivering cryogen to the probe. The probe includes a tubular stem with a resilient mass of porous material such as copper mesh positioned adjacent one end of the stem. A thin cryogen impervious membrane such as latex or silicone rubber extends around the porous mass and around the adjacent stem end region. The membrane and the porous mass together form a deformable tip which can be shaped to almost any desired configuration. Cryogen introduced into the stem penetrates the porous mass but is confined by the membrane so it does not come in direct contact with selected surface areas being treated. A dispenser bottle cryogen supply system is provided for introducing cryogen into the probe stem. Alternate continuous flow cryogen supply systems are provided which permits probe use in any attitude of inclination.

Abstract: A method of treating substances in an ambient environment with a cryogenic material is disclosed comprising a barrel having a plunger mechanism movably mounted therein and having a valve on the lower end thereof. The valve normally closes the lower end of the barrel but the plunger may be moved relative to the barrel to permit cryogenic liquid such as liquid nitrogen to by-pass the valve and to move upwardly into the interior of the barrel. The valve has a tip portion at the lower end thereof. The barrel is removably positioned in a guard so that the tip portion extends outwardly through the bottom of the guard and so that the upper end of the plunger is exposed above the guard. The tip portion has a lower end portion which is extremely thin so that the cryogenic liquid will be positioned closely adjacent the skin but not in actual contact therewith when the tip portion is placed into contact with the patient's skin. The method of charging the device is disclosed as is the method of using the same.