Abstract: An adjustable resilient pad is disclosed that is used in conjunction with an orthopedic external fixator as means for supporting a patient's extremity during therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: A collapsible container of a synthetic resin foil for receiving liquid substances, especially dialysis concentrates and having a filling fitting, a discharge fitting and at least one grip in which one or both of the fittings can be integrated.

Abstract: A fluid collection bag is disclosed which has a corrugated foam opening support. The foam support is placed continuously around the opening to automatically keep the fluid collection bag in the correct open position. The corrugations on the foam support allow for continuous fluid accumulation and/or drainage. A solid foam bar is also utilized as an opening support. The foam bar is specifically shaped to continuously force the fluid collection bag into the proper open position. A pressure sensitive adhesive layer is placed on the bottom of the bag to keep the fluid collection bag in the proper positon on the patient, and to maintain a fluid imprevious seal between the surgical site and the patient and/or medical staff.

Abstract: A container for use in retaining laboratory or hospital samples with an upwardly biased and centered inner container or insert and a spring applicable for use with such a container.

Abstract: A rigid abdominal pad is disclosed as an accessory for a conventional weight lifters belt or the like and which when held against the abdomen to provide a bearing surface therefor reduces the risk of back or spinal injury arising from lifting heavy objects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multimodal method and apparatus for extracorporeally treating certain blood borne infections, such as the infection of T-lymphocytes with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The method and apparatus of the invention includes (a) hyperthermic, (b) mechanical shear inducing, and (c) irradiation treatment modalities. These three treatment modalities may be carried out separately, in any order, or simultaneously, in any combination. The irradiation treatment mode preferably includes methods and means for subjecting at least a fraction of the blood to ultraviolet and/or x-ray and/or laser radiation. Before the blood is withdrawn from the human subject a chemical agent such as heparin may be administered to the subject for purposes of inducing lymphocyte migration from the lymph system into the circulatory system.

Abstract: A sterile fluid mixing reservoir for storing premeasured quantities of fluids for subsequent combination is disclosed. The reservoir has a flexible outer bag which fully encloses one or more inner containers. The inner containers have self-opening mechanisms thereon which are manipulable through the outer bag. The bottles can be manufactured from a flexible material which facilitates intermixing of the fluids contained within the bag and inner containers.

Abstract: Blood bag system for separating whole blood into upper, middle, and lower components which can then be isolated from each other in an automated manner. The system comprises a primary or main blood bag having first and second outlet ports. The first outlet port communicates via tubing with a first satellite bag. The second outlet port communicates via tubing with a second satellite bag at one end and at the other end communicates with a tubular member extending into and toward the bottom of the main bag. In use whole blood is drawn into the main bag through an inlet port and centrifuged to form an upper, less dense plasma portion, a lower, more dense red blood cell (RBC) portion and an intermediate portion of buffy coat (including platelets). Pressure is then applied to the bag with the first outlet open and the second outlet closed to express all of the upper plasma through the first outlet port after which the first outlet port is closed and the second outlet is opened.

Abstract: A surgical stapler which closes a staple during the downstroke of the former and strips the closed staple during the upstroke of the anvil by pressing the crossarm of the closed staple against a bevelled cam surface.

Abstract: A disposable, low cost autotransfusion device for suction assisted drainage of fluids from a body cavity of a patient, purification and collection of the desired liquids within said fluids, primarily blood, for reinfusion into said patients said device comprising a) a housing comprising an accumulation chamber, inlet means, in fluid connection with said cavity, through which said fluids enter the chamber, the discharge stem of which terminates in a one-way valve to prevent backflow of gases from said chamber to said cavity in the event the pressure within the cavity becomes less than that within the chamber, filter means to remove unwanted materials, such as debris, from the draining fluids, disposed between said one-way valve and inlet stem and the chamber, first outlet means in fluid connection with a vacuum source through which suction is applied to said chamber and second outlet means in fluid connection with b) an autotransfusion bag comprising outlet means comprising a break seal for connection to the p

Abstract: This invention is a switch bag type blood-gathering set used for transfusing blood gathered from a blood donor to the same blood donor again, and for newly gathering predetermined amount of blood from the blood donor. This switch bag type blood-gathering set comprises a liquid transferring member for introducing a physiological saline solution into the blood-gathering set, a blood transfusing member for introducing blood from a blood bag into the blood-gathering set, a blood-transfusing and gathering member for supplying blood to or gathering blood from the donor, a washing solution storing member for containing a waste liquor after priming in the blood-gathering set, and a blood storing member for storing blood gathered from the donor, and these constituents are connected by connecting tubes so as to not contact with the air outside.

Abstract: A machine for plasma exchange treatment, plasma donation, and cytapheresis such as platelet apheresis, having control means (24) for admixture of a liquid to flow of blood passing through a connection (25) between a pump (10) and a reservoir (15) for blood cells, associated with a separating means (14) for separation of blood by filtration into various components. The invention also relates to a method in operating such a machine, and a method for cytapheresis such as platlet apheresis, wherein said liquid is admixed to blood being drawn from a donor/patient and/or being returned from the separating process to the donor/patient.

Abstract: A soft goods appliance formed as a unit to be worn about the torso of a male user for eliminating crotch itch. Comprising the appliance is an elastic waistband from which a center strap extends downward from the rear and then toward the front between the user's buttocks in crotch contact. The front distal end of the center strap forms a concave pouch in which to receive the scrotum intervening between the scrotum and penis while maintaining separation between the scrotum and thighs. Vertically oriented side straps on the front of the appliance secure the pouch to spaced apart front portions of the waistband and cooperate with the center strap to define leg openings by which the unit can be drawn up in a wearing relation.

Abstract: A personalized sock self made by a patient for relief of foot discomfort and which includes a plurality of corrective components each having a shape formed for a specific correction, a sock which has a surface that contains a plurality of shapes each disposed for a specific correction and each shape of the plurality of shapes that are contained on the surface of the sock are substantially component of the plurality of corrective components, hooks and loops for affixing the plurality of corrective components to the surface of the sock so as to allow the patient to modify the sock by affixing a corrective component for the specific correction of the plurality of corrective components to a substantially equivalent shape of the plurality of shapes that are contained on the surface of the sock so that a personalized sock can be self made by the patient for the relief of foot discomfort.

Abstract: The invention relates to a correction and supporting apparatus. Such an apparatus is in particular used for stabilizing an injured spinal column. For allowing an easy adjustment of the vertebrae to be stabilized and a later readjustment four screws are provided each having a threaded shaft portion 7 and a receiver member 8 joined thereto. A first pair of threaded rods 45, 46 is provided for connecting a respective rod with two of the screws at the receiver member thereof forming a first connecting point, and a second pair of threaded rods 29, 30 is provided for connecting a respective one thereof with two of the screws at a second connecting point which is offset with respect to the first connecting point towards the threaded shaft portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a hemodialysis apparatus with a hemodialyser (10), which on the blood side has a blood pump (30) to convey blood from a patient to the dialyser (10) and on the dialysis solution side has a dialysis solution pump (20) to convey dialysis solution to the dialyser. The hemodialysis apparatus has a control device (100) whereby a signal derived from the magnitude of the blood flow is fed to the said device on the input side and whereby the said device gives a signal on the output side as a function of the blood flow in order to adjust the dialysis solution flow. With an automatic control device of this type dialysis concentrate, prepared water and energy can be saved. The predetermined control function can be a linear function.

Abstract: A medical drip-feed bag for dispensing fluids made of polyolefin polymer having flexible walls defining therein a collapsible space for storing said fluids, said bag comprising a sealable inlet for introducing fluids into the bag and an outlet for dispensing said fluid, said outlet comprising hermetically sealed connector means sandwiched between said walls, the connector means comprising a substantially lenticularly shaped body with integral nipple, said connector means further comprising a bore going through the body and nipple and forming a channel for fluid to flow out of the bag.

Abstract: The resectoscope apparatus of this invention is provided with an electrode resecting or coagulating tissues within a body cavity by using a high frequency curent, a sheath in which at least a part of a hollow tube part inserting the electrode is formed of an electric insulating material, an operating part making the electrode operatable from outside the body, enclosing the electrode together with the sheath and formed of an electric insulating material and an endoscope inserted through the sheath to be able to observe the body cavity interior.

Abstract: A port and closure assembly for a container is provided. The port and closure assembly includes a port having a tubular portion that extends from a base and terminates at an end including an opening. The tubular portion is divided into an upper and lower section by a pierceable membrane. The upper section including an end that terminates at the opening and including a resealing injection site. A closure member for removably surrounding at least a portion of the end of the port including the opening is provided. The closure includes a sleeve that circumscribes at least a portion of an outer surface of the upper section of the tubular portion. The sleeve is so constructed and arranged as to cause portions of the upper section to contact the resealing member during a sterilization step that softens the portions and further causes the portions of the upper section to retain the resealing injection site within the tubular portion after the portions have hardened.

Abstract: This disclosure sets out a catheter for bodily insertion. The catheter tip supports an elongate hollow housing with a window for occlusive material cutting, a cutter head on the interior rotates, driven by a drive wire in the hollow catheter tube. In addition, the cutter head reciprocates or oscillates to cut on its back edge, the edge trimming material entering through the window. The window and optional slots admit the unwanted material and enable trimming for a vacuum removal through the catheter tube. The window is urged into contact by a pair of flexed wires, the wires moving the housing into operative contact.