Abstract: A hand operated device for manipulating a pair of relatively movable cooperating tools is disclosed, having particular utility as a disposable surgical device for operating shears, forceps, hemostats and the like. The device is preferably molded of resilient plastic material and includes a pair of juxtaposed tool holding arms which are interconnected at one set of ends by a bowed portion and which are provided with a guiding device to keep the arms aligned and to limit their parting movement.

Abstract: A thorn tweezer includes a generally U-shaped member, mounting means on the U-shaped member, and a needle slidable in the mounting means between an extended position in which the needle extends beyond the U-shaped member to facilitate dislodging of a thorn or splinter and to a retracted position in which the needle is safely retained within the U-shaped member.

Abstract: An elongated shaft is adapted to be connected at one end with a breeching bar transversely engaging the rump of a cow and having a windlass connected with its other end. Friction grip means transversely surrounds the shaft intermediate its ends and projects laterally therefrom. A remote end of the grip means is connected with one end of a flexible obstetrical member adapted to be connected at its other end with an unborn calf. A windlass is connected with the grip means adjacent the shaft so that when tension is applied to the line and obstetrical member the grip means is slidable relative to the shaft and frictionally grips the shaft in a binding action upon release of tension on the line or obstetrical member.

Abstract: A soothing teat consisting of a resilient teat nipple, a relatively rigid clamp member, a mouth-plate and an optional holding element wherein the clamp member is of an unique configuration with a plurality of positioning protrusions, and a neck portion of the teat nipple includes a correspondingly arranged and matingly shaped plurality of positioning ridges, the positioning protrusions and ridges adapted to interconnect the teat nipple, the clamp member and the mouth-plate.

Abstract: Three improvements to a prior art bioptome are disclosed. The prior art bioptome comprises: tongs, an elongated flexible spiral wire catheter attached to the working end of one of the legs of the tongs; an elongated wire that is rotationally jointed to the working end of the other leg of the tongs and extends axially through the catheter; seals between the inner surface of the catheter and the wire at both ends of the catheter; a pair of hinged jaws one of which is fixed and attached to the end of the catheter and the other of which is movable and is attached to the end of the wire; and a heat-shrunk plastic sleeve about the catheter that sealls the radial exterior surface of the catheter and prevents the catheter from substantial axial expansion. The basic improvement is a heat-shrunk plastic inner sleeve about a segment of the catheter that together with the main sleeve forms a double sleeve about said segment, the inner sleeve having an end that is bias-cut.

Abstract: A tracheal tube that may be constructed for either oral or nasal use is preformed as a flexible integral unit from flexible material having a memory so as to return to preformed shape following flexure. The tube has a proximal or machine end portion and a distal or patient end portion interconnected along the length of the tube by an intermediate portion and an abrupt bend portion. The distal or patient end portion and the adjoining intermediate portion merge into each other along the length of the tube and include curvature such that they will positionally conform to the shape of a patient's posterior pharynx and trachea and extend therealong when the tracheal tube is installed for use. The abrupt bend portion interconnects the proximal or machine end portion and the intermediate portion along the length of the tube at an angle substantially no greater than 90.degree.

Abstract: To withdraw pleural effusions from between the visceral and parietal pleurae, which accumulate due to metastatic carcinoma of the breast, a catheter is inserted into the fluid accumulation which is withdrawn through the catheter by a suction device. The catheter has a weighted end which can be magnetically manipulated. The catheter is provided with specially shaped and located openings to take into account the fluid's high content of insoluble, coagulable strands of fibrin.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a constricting device for increasing pressure in umans and animals which includes an elongated member of flexible material looped upon itself to disposed ends thereof adjacent each other after passage through a fastener housing having clamping means therein, and the housing having an opening of a size to preclude the simultaneous passage therethrough of the ends. Preferably a first of the ends is received in a socket of a size and configuration to freely pass through the opening while a second end is received in another socket having a tongue projecting in a direction toward the housing and away from the end to which it is attached to preclude the latter from being drawn through the housing upon the removal of the device from use.

Abstract: A clip member of substantially a figure "eight" shape is detachably attached to an instrument body. The instrument body has an outer flexible tube, an actuating tubular member inserted into the outer tube, and a wire inserted into the actuating tubular member. A holder is detachably mounted through a guide member to the forward end portion of the actuating member. To the forward end of the wire is secured a hook member for anchoring the clip member. A pair of clamping portions of the clip member is opened by forcefully engaging a pair of offset portions of the clip member with the inner surface of the holder, and closed by forcefully engaging a pair of intersecting portions with the inner surface of the holder. As a result, any affected portion of a body cavity of a human being is clipped by the clip member associated with the holder. The clip member, together with the holder, is left within the body cavity with the clamping portions thereof closed.

Abstract: As an article of manufacture an improved drain tube which is flexible and pliable for use after surgical operations and which includes a plurality of ribs arranged in such a fashion about the interior of the column of the tube so that the tube cannot be collapsed and which at all times promotes drainage of body fluids as healing occurs.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for controlling the operation of a three-stage staple-carrying cartridge adapted to ligate, suture and divide organic tubular structures such as blood vessels. The instrument also operates in three-stages to positively control the ligating, suturing and dividing operations of the cartridge. The cartridge actuating mechanism takes the form of three saddles which are in turn controlled by the operating mechanism of the instrument. A two-link mechanical toggle positively controls the operation of two of the three cartridge-actuating saddles. The third saddle is, in turn, controlled by a shifter dog mechanism. The instrument is also equipped with a mechanism which ensures the completion of a ligating, suturing and dividing cycle to avoid jamming the staple-carrying cartridge.

Abstract: The identification tag is in the form of a flexible plastic disc having a fastening portion in the shape of an inverted T, the stem of the T extending from a peripheral portion of the disc. A U-shaped strip of metal serves as an inserting tool and is arranged to straddle the disc, a first arm terminating in a square end and the second arm being longer than the first arm and terminating in a point. The arrangement is such that the inverted T-shape can be flexed towards an upright position so that the square end of the first arm can be received between the stem and cross portion of the T with the second arm holding the underside of the second cross portion of the T and stem in their flexed positions. A cow's ear is then pierced by the point on the second arm, the first arm urging the T-shape through the cut opening. Withdrawal of the U-shaped arms then permits the T-shape to flex back to its normal position to secure the tag to the cow's ear.

Abstract: A vacuum curet of novel design having a central portion which is tapered and an internal lumen which is preferably also tapered. This provides a curet which is rigid over its central and proximal end (i.e. the end that fits into a vacuum source) and maximal flexibility and small external diameter at its distal end portion. Further advantages of this arrangement are reducing the possibility of perforation (due to the flexibility of the distal end portion), better "feel" (due to the rigidity of the central and proximal end portion), and decreased trauma due to the thin wall thickness of the proximal end portion and a corresponding reduction in outside diameter for a given or required lumen diameter. The lumen of this design may also be mass produced. In an additional embodiment, there is a novel design on the tip openings at the distal end, which further minimizes the possibility of perforation.

Abstract: A bandage to prevent local hematoma adjacent a puncture site on a patient comprising, pad means for placement over the puncture site, with the pad means being expansible responsive to contact by liquid. The bandage also has means for securing the pad means over the puncture site and for applying pressure with the pad means to the site.

Abstract: An instrument is provided for applying an occlusion clip on an anatomical tubular structure such as a fallopian tube. An elongated housing can be inserted through a narrow incision, and carries at its forward end a pair of jaw means for applying a clip which is composed of a bendable material. The jaw means are movable relative to one another with the bendable clip disposed between them. Longitudinally reciprocable actuating means extends along the length of the elongated housing, so that the jaw means may be operated from the rearward end of the elongated housing. The jaw means have forward ends which are movable toward and away from each other to close and to open the jaws, and the jaw means have rearward ends which are always spaced apart from each other throughout the closing and opening movement of the jaws, to provide controlled pressure on the tubular member without completely crushing it.

Abstract: By electrically fusing a pin between the outer elements of a box hinge, and thereafter performing the hardening step, stresses which tend to cause instrument failures after a period of use are eliminated. Even if the pin fractures during use, the fact that it is fused to the outer elements of the box hinge prevents broken-off parts of the pin from falling out of the instrument.

Abstract: A suction device for medical purposes which enables diseased tissue, such as brain tumor tissue, to be removed. No mechanical action is involved in the use of the suction device and therefore no blood vessels or healthy tissue is damaged.

Abstract: An oscillatory saw wherein a motor is provided with an output shaft driving a multi-lobe cam having an uneven number of cam lobes in excess of two and wherein a pair of opposed cam followers engage the multi-lobe cam in such a manner that one of the followers may be adjacent to a lobe of the cam while the opposite cam follower bearing may be adjacent to an area of the cam between a pair of the cam lobes thereby providing for oscillatory motion of the cam followers and the saw blade connected thereto. The disclosure also relating to a novel arrangement of a cam follower yoke having opposed cam follower bearings and a saw blade pivoted on a common pivot with the yoke and having an arcuate row of openings into which a trunnion of the yoke fits so as to drive the blade. The disclosure also relating to means on the yoke for engaging teeth at the periphery of the blade for driving it.

Abstract: Ultrasonic instrumentation for the removal of unwanted tissue material from an animal, such as a human, and more particularly, adapted for the removal of cataracts, in surgical operations. The ultrasonic instrumentation includes a hand-held instrument adapted to have a vibrating tool to reduce the volume of the cataract and thereafter, through the simultaneous introduction of a fluid and creating a flow, the cataract mass exits through the incision around the vibrating tool until all of the unwanted tissue forming the cataract is removed. The cataract may be removed substantially intact or by forming a plurality of masses.

Abstract: A small, self-contained, disposable cryosurgical probe has a pencil-like housing with a refrigerant-containing cartridge in the housing and a hollow tip projecting from the housing. A small diameter capillary tube has one end in the housing opposite the cartridge and its other end extending into the tip with the intervening length of the tube formed into a multi-turn coil. The refrigerant is conducted from the cartridge through the tube to the probe tip and the temperature of the refrigerant is stabilized so as to maintain a substantially uniform mass flow rate of refrigerant through the tube to the tip.