Abstract: A spray vaccination apparatus using a positive-displacement peristaltic pump to deliver vaccinating liquid to the spray nozzles. The vaccinating liquid is contained in a plastic bag similar to an IV bag, and a flexible plastic tube extends from the bag to the spray nozzles. A peristaltic pump engages this tube for positive-displacement pumping. The pump is actuated for a predetermined increment of time, whenever a tray of baby chicks is inserted into the spray vaccination apparatus, thereby spraying the chicks with vaccinating liquid for a predetermined interval. The spray nozzles preferably are equipped with valves which open only while the pump operates, providing a relatively abrupt onset and termination of spray. All elements of the liquid delivery system remain closed and sealed from the atmosphere, thereby maintaining a sterile condition throughout. These components preferably are disposable, eliminating the need to cleanse the system components periodically.

Abstract: A portable infusion pump for delivering medicine to a living body has a roller pump for infusing solutions by use of a motor, a driving circuit for driving the motor in response to a control signal, and a flow rate control for generating the control signal. The flow rate control includes a manual operating unit for manually setting a value of a speed of the motor, a speed setting unit for generating a digital signal associated with the value set by the manual operating unit, and a control signal output unit for generating the control signal associated with the digital signal delivered from the speed setting unit. Accordingly, the flow rate thus set clearly corresponds to an actual flow rate, thus facilitating the control of the liquid flow rate.

Abstract: A mesh or fabric, having zero to variable stretch, is made from absorbable or partially absorbable fibers. The mesh or fabric can be either knitted or woven. The fabric is useful in surgical repair.

Abstract: An autotransfusion device for a chest drainage unit is provided that includes a collapsible blood collection and reinfusion bag assembly that includes a collapsible bag with pliable walls and stiffener members, and a holder which receives the assembly. The holder maintains compressive forces on the sides of the stiffener members so they bow outwardly and, in turn, maintain the bag assembly in an expanded conditions for collecting blood while suction is applied to the bag during drainage operations. The collapsible bag assembly can be removed from the holder for reinfusion of the collected blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catheters and like devices for passage into a body cavity.In the invention the device has a stem portion comprising at least a first tube disposed within a second tube, the tubes being joined at one pair of ends by a flexible member covering the opening of the passage formed between the inner tube and the outer tube. The flexible member is arranged such that the tubes are movable relative to each other and by movement of the inner tube away from or towards the one end of the outer tube the flexible member respectively either can be drawn within the adjacent one end of the outer tube to be enclosed within the outer tube or pushed outside the adjacent one end of the outer tube to expose a balloon. The balloon can be inflated within the body cavity using a fluid under pressure supplied to the balloon from outside the body through said passage.This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 918,506, filed Oct. 14, 1986, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No.

Abstract: An autoclavable to and fro washing system and method of operation for use in extracapsular cataract surgery with and without infusion. A hand-held, motorized pump unit includes a reversing peristaltic pump for moving an IV solution back and forth through a hollow probe tip keeping the anterior chamber of the eye filled with fluid and safe from collapse, while the cortex of the cataract is emulsified using to and fro washing through the hollow probe tip and then flushed from the eye by the IV solution. Infusion and to and fro washing flow and pressure rates are proportionally varied by a switch on the hand held pump unit, or alternatively by a foot switch. An alternative embodiment includes a smaller and lighter hand piece, including a peristaltic pump and motor located remote from a hand piece and probe tip.

Abstract: A dissector device to be incorporated into the anvil-jaw of a ligation and division stapler to facilitate its use. Such device is inserted with ease through a relatively small opening in the neighboring tissues of the blood vessels to be ligated and divided. By using the dissector device the surgical operation is easier, faster and safer than when using the prior art ligation and division stapler.

Abstract: A totally subcutaneously implantable infusion reservoir and pump system includes a variable capacity reservoir for receiving and storing fluid medication for delivery to a catheter which directs the medication to a specific infusion location in the body. In a preferred form of the invention, a control assembly is interposed between the reservoir and the catheter to facilitate and control the transfer of the medication from the reservoir to the catheter in a safe and efficient manner. This control assembly includes a normally closed valve and a pump, both of which are manually actuable by percutaneous pressure when subcutaneously implanted, and defines a portion of a fluid flow conduit between the reservoir and the catheter. Moreover, the control assembly is constructed to prevent the backflow of fluid from the catheter to the reservoir, as well as the unrestricted flow of medication through the control assembly when the normally closed valve is opened.

Abstract: There is disclosed a winged infusion apparatus for use with patient implantable access ports. Essentially, the apparatus includes a composite disc housing which is circular in configuration and has integrally formed therewith two winged sections which overlie arcuate apertures in the sides of the disc. A cannula is embedded within the internal body of the disc, and via a right angle bend the cannula emanates from the bottom surface of the disc at a central location. The winged members are operable so that they can be grasped by a user and placed in an upright position via integral hinges associated with each winged member. In this manner the user can then insert the cannula into an axis port which is implanted in a suitable body cavity of a patient and which has an output aperture on the patient's skin.

Abstract: A cardiovascular catheter for use particularly in situations requiring varying forms of cardiopulmonary bypass. The catheter which can be introduced percutaneously has an expandable section in proximity to drainage inlets. In one form of the invention the catheter is introduced percutaneously with the expansion means collapsed after the cannula has been introduced percutaneously through the vein into the right atrium the expansion means is employed to prevent the atrium from collapsing around and possibly impeding flow through the cannula, for instance during percutaneous initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass or other venous drainage application.

Abstract: A nasal cannula apparatus supported by a headband is disclosed for use by sleeping and by those desiring a comfortable arrangement. A pair of cannula tubes, having a connection to a supply of the gas to be administered, is led to a cannula junction supported by a headband. One tube of the pair extends on each side of the head of the wearer. The cannula junction may be positioned within the headband where the headband is tubular. In this case the tubes would extend through the headband. At the cannula junction the tubes may merely be secured, or they may terminate to sockets in the junction. From the cannula junction the tubes, or new separable tube ends, descend on either side of the wearer's nose and against the wearer's face, as directed by grooves in the cannula junction. The tubes are then curved more than 180 degrees to provide a biased grip to the ala of the nostrils, and then recurve a lesser amount so that the tube ends are not against the nostril tissues.

Abstract: A method for bending a staple closed in living tissue so that its pointed ends pierce the tissue, and for subsequently opening the staple by bending the central portion of the staple to generally a U-shape so that the staple end portions retract from the tissue through the use of a staple remover. The central portion of the staple has a crank-like structure adapted to receive jaw members of the staple remover, and in reponse to pressure from the jaw members to first orient the staple at a predetermined position with respect to the jaw members, and to then maintain that orientation as the staple is bent open.

Abstract: The present catheter employee a series of axial slits adjacent to its tip. The slits act to increase the flexibility of the catheter adjacent the tip thereby providing pressure relief in the event of blockage of the lumen at the tip. In addition, by forming the slits as slots, i.e. by removing material from the slits, it is possible to provide a catheter having flow through the sides adjacent to the tip for any desired purpose.

Abstract: A therapeutic suction device includes an operating vacuum chamber connected to a motor operated pump to create a vacuum pressure therein and a pressure controlling means to maintain a predetermined pressure in the vacuum chamber. The vacuum pressure in the operating vacuum chamber can be pre-arranged so as to provide a suction force by a pressure difference even when there is a shortage of electricity.

Abstract: A section of a vein to be used for example in aorto-coronary bypass surgery, is harvested by making two incisions severing the vein at opposite ends of the section to be removed. A plastic guide is inserted in one incision, passed through the length of the vein section and out the other incision. A plastic tube having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the vein to be harvested and having two knife blades at its leading end is inserted into one of the incisions and slipped over the end of the vein section to be removed. The tube is pushed in over the vein section, while rotating the tube to sever vein branches by the knife blades and heating the knife blades electrically to cauterize ends of the severed branches, until the leading end of the tube reaches the other incision. The tube is then withdrawn with the vein section inside it.

Abstract: Low profile dilatation catheter having an elongate flexible tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and with a flow passage extending therethrough. An inflatable balloon is mounted on the distal extremity of the elongate flexible tubular member so that the balloon has its interior in communication with the flow passage in the tubular member. A flexible tip is secured to the distal extremity of the balloon. A core wire extends through the elongate flexible member and has proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity of the core wire is tapered and extends through the balloon and into the flexible tip. The distal extremity of the core wire is secured to the flexible tip. A rotator is provided for rotating the proximal extremity of the core wire for causing rotation of the flexible tip. Self-venting means is provided for venting the balloon to ambient. An adapter is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongate tubular member.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated tube having a size and shape adapted to be inserted into the cardiovascular system that is composed of a material having a modulus of elasticity providing stiffness to enhance catheter torque control, and a sheath coaxially disposed over and bonded to the tube that is composed of a biocompatible material having a modulus of elasticity providing softness to reduce catheter trauma to the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: A system for implanting a solid marker in an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an entrance and an exit opening. A support is provided for supporting a hollow tube. A plunger is slideably disposed between a first position and a second position within the support. The plunger cooperates with the support and the tube. The plunger engages the marker proximate to the entrance opening of the tube, and ejects the marker through the tube when the plunger is moved from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A lens folding and insertion apparatus for use in insertion of an intraocular lens through an incision in an eye. The lens folding and insertion apparatus includes a lens folding jaw arrangement having a first trough shaped jaw and a second rod shaped jaw which hingedly folds an intraocular lens upon itself into a U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A back pressure sensor comprising a flexible beam having a pivot end with a pivot pin and a drive connector end with a means for engaging a pump drive. A pump actuator is connected to the flexible beam at a position intermediate the ends and connects with a positive displacement pumping member. A sensor beam is attached to the flexible beam at a connecting point spaced from said pivot end. A first capacitor plate is mounted on the flexible beam at a point which is spaced from the connecting point. A second capacitor plate is mounted on the sensor beam in a position facing and spaced apart from the first capacitor plate at a distance therefrom which permits formation of a capacitance coupling therebetween.