Abstract: A surgical instrument including a cutter for removing objects from the body of a human or animal in vivo, such as the lens in the eye, in which a rotatable cutter is used having a shield through which irrigation fluid is applied to the eye and also through which material severed from the object can be removed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a spiral groove is formed as part of the cutter to produce an evacuation of removed material alone or in a suspension. The cutter also has a burr which is coated with an efficient cutting material such as diamond dust and can also include a coating of a non-sticking lubricant.

Abstract: A self-contained vacuum aspirator system is disclosed which comprises a container having a vacuum applied therein; a valve assembly secured to said container for selectively allowing the passage of fluid into said container; a curette in communication with an aperture in said valve assembly; and an air permeable collection means supported within said container by the aforementioned valve assembly in communication with an opening in said valve assembly for accumulating matter collected by said currette when the valve assembly is operating to establish communication between the aforementioned aperture and opening.

Abstract: A dermatome having a handle and a replaceable, flexible cutting blade arranged over a T-shaped guide bar and support, both the blade and the support being adjustably secured to one end of the handle, providing an instrument for controlled, even depth removal of a graft from the donor site.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for sterilizing women by the ligation of the fallopian tubes comprises a probe having tongs with gripper means for engaging the tubes and means for directing a coolant to the vicinity of the gripper means for freezing of the tubes including a heater for subsequently heating the tubes. The probe advantageously includes a hollow central tube with a flared outer end at the probe tip and has an interior portion defining an evaporation chamber in which a coolant is evaporated to reduce the temperature at this end. A so-called Semm tongs extends through the tube and includes gripper elements at the flared end of the tube which may be moved outwardly to grip the fallopian tube of a woman to withdraw it into the flared end of the hollow tube where it may be frozen. The tip also includes a heater for reheating the frozen tubes.

Abstract: A multi-cuff endo-tracheal tube which minimizes the irritation to the trachea by alternately inflating one or the other of two cuffs. A short period of time after one cuff is inflated the previously inflated cuff is deflated. This removes the possible source of irritation on the trachea at the point of contact with the second cuff. After the first cuff has been in operation for a predetermined period of time, the second cuff is inflated and after another short interval, the first cuff is deflated. A control system alternately and sequentially inflates and deflates the cuffs in the proper sequence, automatically. The control system is fail-safe in that, in the event of cuff rupture, overpressurization, or electrical failure, one or the other of the cuffs remains inflated to seal the endo-tracheal tube and the control system alerts attendant personnel.

Abstract: An adjustable oral airway comprising a superior section and inferior section joined at their inner ends by a hinge member, and slidably secured relative to each other at the mouthpiece end, as by a tongue and groove slidable joint. The superior and inferior sections may be spaced a greater or a lesser distance from each other by means of sliding the upper and lower sections of the mouthpiece to improve ease of insertion and removal and to expand or reduce the pharynx, lifting the epiglottis and improving the breathing ability of an unconscious patient.

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.