Abstract: An arterial blood filter assembly (10) for removing undissolved gases and foreign bodies, particles, clots, etc., from blood flowing through the assembly (10) includes a housing (34) having an inlet (38) and outlet (44) and a vent (48) for venting undissolved gases from the housing (34). A filter media (60) is supported within the housing (34). The assembly (10) includes a blood flow dividing mechanism disposed between the inlet (38) and filter media (58) to divide blood flow from the inlet (38) into a plurality of spaced inlet streams flowing over and down the outer boundary of the filter media (52) into the tapering space between the media and housing wall, which causes the streams to spread sideways and meet, forming upward-flowing streams which carry the entrained bubbles upward, to the channels in the housing top (80) which direct the air bubbles to the vent (48).

Abstract: A skin opening and closure device for surgical procedures incorporates elongated flexible locking strips having elongated locking means formed thereon which is adapted to be placed in interlocking assembly and capable of being separated and relocked, as desired. A plurality of half staples are provided, each of which is partially embedded within respective ones of the locking strips to thereby define staple assemblies. The half-staples incorporate curved, hook-like skin penetrating elements which retain the locking strips in positive hooked assembly with the skin to prevent inadvertent staple separation when the locking strips are separated. The half-staples are adapted to be bent intermediate the extremities thereof to establish a secure skin retaining relation with the skin of the patient to provide a secure closure at the surgical incision. In use, the half-staples of the device are brought into engaging assembly with the skin of the patient at the site of the intended incision.

Abstract: A needle support is disclosed for supporting a needle inserted into a body part of a patient. The needle support is a frusto-conical member formed from a pair of semiconical halves which are joined at a common hinge edge with the halves presenting opposing flat surfaces which may be pivoted to a closed position with the surfaces opposing and abutting one another. The needle support 50 is formed of a material which is sufficiently rigid to support a needle disposed between said conical halves yet deformable about a rigid needle with deformable portions defining a needle receiving channel. A support base is provided secured to the body portion and sized to cover a part of a patient's skin and adhesive is provided on a skin abutting surface of the support base.

Abstract: A medical instrument having a path for receiving a bar-like member and a combination of valves provided in the path. The combination of valves comprises a first disc-like valve having a first slit open only to one of the end faces thereof and a second slit open only to the other of the end faces thereof, the first and second slits crossing each other to form a distance of intersection inside the first valve, and a second disc-like valve disposed in parallel to the first valve and having a slit opening to both end faces thereof. The slit of the second valve crosses the intersection point of the first valve so that the bar-like member passes through the slit of the second valve as well as the intersection of the first valve when it is inserted.

Abstract: An improved endotracheal tube apparatus (10) comprising an endotracheal tube unit (11) and an injection site adjunct unit (12) wherein the tube unit (11) is provided with a primary endotracheal tube passageway (14) in communication with a respirator (100), and a lumen side port (16) formed in the wall (15) of the primary tube passageway, wherein the lumen side port (16) is in open fluid communication with the injection site adjunct unit (12) and the interior of the passageway (14) whereby liquid medicants may be introduced into the passageway.

Abstract: YA hand-operable dispenser for fluid medicaments is provided in a form which is suitable for implanting same within a human body which permits controlled and convenient dispensing of fluid medicament to a desired somewhat remote location within the body. Propelling assemblies and blocking assemblies are provided and positioned so that they cooperate with each other along a medicament flow channel within the device in order to provide a controlled dispensing of a unit dose of medicament to the desired remote location. The medicament flow channel includes a blocking assembly at its downstream end.

Abstract: A closure top for a phlebotomy needle disposal container is rotatably mounted in the container for rotating about its axis and includes a hub wrench for engaging the hub of the needle on the syringe body and rotating the needle upon rotation of the closure for unscrewing the needle and removing it from the syringe body.

Abstract: An infusion device is disclosed having an improved valving apparatus with the valving apparatus being configured to substantially preclude formation of volumetric dead spaces. The valving apparatus is typically utilized to allow introduction of one or more secondary fluids, such as drugs, into a patient during normal infusion of the primary fluid into the patient, with such insertion being effected through a secondary conduit connected to the primary infusion conduit through the valving apparatus. The valving apparatus includes a movable element that is positioned adjacent to the inner wall of the primary conduit so that the movable element forms a one-way valve thereat.

Abstract: One step manually activated injection apparatus capable of injecting multiple pre-measured doses of liquid medicaments without visibility of needle. It is composed of cylindrical housing unit with small aperture at bottom and removeable manual plunger unit at the top, and within housing unit there is a syringe unit composed of a piston, ampule with pre-measured liquid medicament, needle covered with sterile sheath and clip apparatus attached onto the ampule. The injection apparatus is placed in ready position by contacting the bottom of housing unit against a skin surface. One forward manual push on manual plunger unit performs two distinct functions. First, the manual plunger unit engages the clip apparatus attached to syringe ampule, permitting forward movement of syringe unit within housing unit, allowing needle to pierce sheath and pass externally through aperture of housing unit without visibility into the skin.

Abstract: Cutting-suctioning instrument having an elongated support and first and second, opposed distal jaws, at least one of which is pivotable about a transverse axis and adapted to be closed by an actuator, and a suction throat defined between proximal portions of the two jaws. Preferably, a sliding inner tube, which defines the suction passage, serves as actuator to move the pivotable jaw. As a cutter for meniscal cartilage, a hollow tube defining a tissue-fragment transport, suction passage is arranged to communicate through the open throat with the region between the jaws to receive cut tissue while suction is associated with the proximal end of the instrument for enabling tissue to be drawn from between the jaws, through the throat and thence through the transport passage while the instrument remains in situ for repeated cutting. Preferred embodiments of the instrument are especially useful in arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: A method and device effective for inhibiting the contracture of scar tissue following breast implantation, comprising a pair of pivotally coupled arms for contacting the breast on opposite sides and applying static pressure thereto. Each arm includes a curved bottom portion that extends around the lower surface of the breast means and includes means for adjusting the pivot point of the arms in relation to the size of the breast. The upper ends of the arms extend above the breast and means connect the arms to adjust the pressure of the side portions against the breast.

Abstract: An urinary receptacle having an inlet connection for connection with a feeding duct and an outlet connection that can be closed with at least one container arranged in the receptacle and to be opened from the outside of the receptacle and containing a material having an effect on the urine. The container is made from a fragile synthetic resin, which may be broken to introduce the material into the urine. The material may be a disinfectant or a diagnostic agent, to reveal the presence of protein for example.

Abstract: An intubation device is disclosed for use with a light source for the reconstruction of the lacrimal ducts of a patient. The device comprises a first and a second base each being suitable for attachment to the light source. A first and second probe each having a proximal end and a distal end comprise light conducting means to permit the transmission of light along the interior length of the probes between the proximal ends and the distal ends. The proximal ends of the first and second probes are respectively connected to the first and second bases to permit entry of light from the light source to the proximal ends of the first and second probes. A flexible translucent tubing means having a first and a second sheath portions and an intermediate portion enables the first and second sheath portions to removably encompass the first and second probes.

Abstract: A stylet 2 for stiffening a pliable infusion tube 38 comprising a wire 4 extending between a proximal and a distal end, a coiled spring 22 providing a flexible tip to the distal end of the stylet 2 for more easily feeding the stylet 2 through a convoluted infusion tube 38, a reduced diameter portion 26 of the coiled spring 22 telescoped over the distal end 20 of the wire 4 and bonded thereto, an enlarged end 32 of the coiled spring 22 for preventing the wire tip from exiting from the tube 38 through the tube wall or through openings 58, 60 in the tube 38, and a crimped coil 68 in the spring 22 for limiting the position of the distal end of the wire 4 in the spring 22, a connector 40 mounted on the tube proximal end, a bolus 50 mounted on the tube distal end, a connector 10 mounted on the proximal end of the wire 4, spring 22 being adapted to be seated in the bolus 50, wire 4 being longer than tube 38, whereby when proximal end connector 40 of the tube abuts the proximal end connector 10 of the wire 4, the bol

Abstract: An ascites shunt is described in the form of an implantable, anti-reflux, fluid displacement, compression pump-catheter system. The system includes a double chambered multi-micro-orifice ascites collection device, an anti-reflux, anti-backdiffusion tubular compression pump, and an anti-reflux, anti-backdiffusion, non-thrombogenic catheter, all connected in series by flexible tubing. The shunt is used to transfer fluid from the peritoneum to a blood vessel to prevent accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. The pump and intravascular catheter include check valve tips of particular design to prevent both reflux and diffusion of blood components into the system.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a fluid imbibing, self-regulating, skin patch drug delivery system is disclosed which includes a fluid imbibing, preferably osmotic, pump comprising a reservoir for a drug or, drug formulation or other fluid to be dispensed to the skin, 10 at least one wall of the reservoir comprising a fluid permeable membrane which is permeable to an external activating fluid. The external fluid is imbibed through the membrane at a predetermined rate thereby causing the drug to be pumped through one or more passages provided in the reservoir structure and 15 into contact with the skin. The device includes an impermeable exterior wall member which covers and extends outwardly from the fluid imbibing pump terminating in an edge portion adapted to be secured, as by adhesion, to the skin.

Abstract: An apparatus for the autotransfusion of blood or similar body fluid. The apparatus includes a container which is an evacuable, vacuum-stable container having a bottom part and a cover part. The container also includes an inlet opening for the body fluid arranged in the cover part. An outlet opening for the body fluid is arranged in the cover part with a screen covering the outlet opening. An opening is arranged in the bottom part for the production of a gas flow connection to a chamber with a gas pressure different from that of the inside of the container. A membrane deformable by pressure, and through which the body fluid cannot pass is held at the edge between the bottom and the cover parts. The membrane divides the container into a gas-filled bottom chamber and a cover chamber sealed off from the latter to receive the body fluid. A float seals off the outlet opening.

Abstract: A catheter system is provided for the introduction and placement of a flexible catheter into the lumen of an artery or vein. A guide wire is provided and is kept in a sterile condition within a flexible bag-like enclosure attached to the hub of a needle. The needle is hollow and is sharpened in the usual manner and is secured in a hub to provide a needle assembly. This hub is provided with a skirt and extends through this hub and into flow communication with a "flashback" chamber. In one embodiment, the needle is connected to a tubular member having a transverse hole near its interior end, and in another embodiment the needle's inner end is in flow communication with a channel or annular groove in a centering plug. In every embodiment, there is a centering plug which provides a guideway for the guide wire which is positioned in this guideway to prevent fluid flow.

Abstract: A unique manipulative/grasping assembly adapted for use in conjunction with endoscopic instruments in disclosed herein. This assembly comprises an elongated tool having an elongated shaft with resilient, flexible fingers on the distal end thereof. These fingers can be biased in a spaced apart relationship. The tool of the shaft is housed within the channel of a first tubular sheath, and a second such tubular member concentrically surrounds the first tubular member, although somewhat shorter in length than the first tubular member. In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the proximal end of the tool and the second tubular member are cofixated to a stationary platform conveniently located along with the other controls of the endoscope. The proximal end of the inner tubular sheath is attached to a moveable, or sliding platform within this common control mechanism.

Abstract: A vascular dilating device for performing a coronary angioplasty procedure that includes a tubular barrel defining a reservoir for containing a supply of actuating fluid and having a plunger and connected piston reciprocially disposed within the reservoir. The outlet of the reservoir is connected to a valve assembly having an outlet to which a balloon catheter is connected. The valve assembly includes a control valve and a unidirectional valve which are co-operatively associated for directing fluid from the reservoir to the balloon catheter in one direction only when the control valve is disposed in a balloon inflating position and the handle is actuated to advance the plunger. A by-pass is also provided in the valve assembly to reverse the fluid flow from the balloon catheter to the reservoir when the control valve is disposed in a second or balloon deflating position.