Abstract: A support device adapted to be attached to a side rail of a bed frame for providing support to assist a person to get into and out of bed. The device includes a circular metal disk adapted to be attached to the side rail and an elongate handle of adjustable length pivotally connected at one end on a pivot pin which is anchored in and projects horizontally from the disk. The handle may be positioned either with vertical orientation in which it can be grasped by and provide support for the user, or with horizontal orientation alongside the side rail, out of the way and out of sight when not needed, by cooperation between a protrusion formed on the handle and detent slots formed in the disk.

Abstract: A disposable washcloth, in one embodiment, is formed by impregnating a sheet of non-woven paper with a cured formulation of water activated polyurethane gel, a sudsing detergent, and an aqueous solution of a medicated cleansing agent, and in another embodiment is made by bonding a sheet of non-woven paper to a sheet of non-woven fabric composed of randomly oriented spray bonded synthetic fibers with the above-mentioned cured formulation. In both cases, the polyurethane dissolves at a slow rate when wetted and controllably releases the detergent and the cleansing agent with modest sudsing.

Abstract: A modular hand tool system in which a tool piece is detachably secured to a handle has an elongated planar handle having a centrally located rectangularly-shaped cutout extending inwardly from one end. The tool piece, which may take a variety of forms, has a shank portion of substantially the same shape and size as the cutout and is received therein with a tight sliding fit. The tool piece is detachably secured in the cutout by a screw mechanism including an elongated rod supported within and anchored at one end to the handle at a point displaced from the tool piece and which at its other end threadably engages a threaded opening formed in the shank portion of the tool piece.

Abstract: A virus-infected body fluid is decontaminated as it is being collected, before it has had an opportunity to clot or thicken and before attending personnel are exposed to it, by introducing a suitable viricidal into the tubing through which the fluid is transported from the fluid source to a collection receptacle in an amount and concentration sufficient to substantially reduce the virus population in the collected fluid. In applications where suction is used to pull the fluid through the tubing, a venturi is used to draw a metered amount of liquid viricidal from a container into the tubing, and in cases when the fluid is transported by gravity, an in-line filter containing a suitable viricidal is connected in line with the tubing, the viricidal being leached from the filter by the fluid flowing through it. In both cases, the viricidal is thoroughly mixed with the fluid and continues to act on the collected fluid until its disposal.

Abstract: A scrub pad, particularly suitable for medical uses, comprises a flattened laminate consisting of an initially compressed-in-thickness sheet of cellulose sponge material which upon absorption of washing fluids expands in thickness to approximately six times its original compressed thickness to which is bonded a sheet of mildly abrasive non-woven fabric formed of randomly oriented spray bonded synthetic fibers. In one embodiment the sponge and fabric layers are bonded together by a non-toxic heat- and pressure-sensitive acrylic resin. In another, presently preferred, embodiment the layers are joined by a cured formulation comprising selected proportions of a water activated polyurethane gel, an aqueous solution of a liquid detergent and crystalline iodine which, when wetted, releases the antiseptic detergent while retaining the bond between the sponge and fabric.

Abstract: A fixator for externally anchoring broken bones including a pair of generally planar members each having a plurality of openings adapted to receive a respective group of bone pins inserted in respective pieces of bone. The pins are clamped to the planar members with respective headed screws, and the members are held in adjustable end-to-end relationship by a lead screw anchored at one end in one of the members and engaging a threaded bore in the other member. In an embodiment useful for the treatment of comminuted displaced fractures of the distal radius and ulna, the said one member consists of two articulated sections arranged for angular and rotational adjustment.

Abstract: A saw blade adapted for attachment to a power operated surgical saw having teeth disposed along at least a portion of its periphery and having a centrally located saw connector receiving opening and at least one elongated slot disposed between the central opening and the cutting teeth. A cutting depth stop is releasably secured to one side of the blade and extends perpendicularly outwardly therefrom to be movable to desired adjusted positions along the length of the elongated slot. Adjustment of the position of the stop can be performed without tools and even when the saw blade is hot.

Abstract: Perforated closed cell polyvinyl chloride foam padding material useful with an immobilizing orthopedic cast, said material being capable of transporting moisture along the surface thereof in contact with the human skin and of passing moisture such as water and perspiration from the human skin therethrough by vapor transmission, and being conformable and elastic in the longitudinal direction of the padding material.

Abstract: A mechanically operated cutter assembly adapted to shear bar or rod stock, such as bone pins, even though both ends of the rod are fixed, along a plane perpendicular to its axis, includes a body member having an elongated interior channel within which a rod carrier and cutting plug are slidably mounted, the body having a slot disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of and intersecting the interior channel for permitting access of the rod to the cutting plug. The cutting plug has a transverse passageway contoured to fit a portion of the periphery of the rod to be sheared which, in a first longitudinal position is aligned with the rod-receiving slot. The cutting plug is adapted to be moved to a second longitudinal position at which the passageway is out of registry with the slot, whereby a rod carried in the passageway is severed.

Abstract: A knife particularly adapted for use in removing the semilunar cartilages from the knee has an elongated handle-engaging shank and two cutting blades fixed forwardly thereon. A first of the blades is flat transversely and concave longitudinally in extension of the shank with a curvature generally conforming to the curvature of the outer surface of the meniscus, and has a cutting edge at its front end. The second blade is integrally joined to the first blade along one edge thereof and is disposed at a right angle to the concave side of the first blade, and tapers rearwardly from its forward cutting edge toward the shank. A guide member projects forwardly from the point of intersection of the cutting edges of the two blades.

Abstract: A total ankle prosthesis having a tibial component implanted in the prepared distal end surface of the tibia and a talar component implanted in the prepared proximal end surface of the talus which cooperate to provide an articulated ankle joint, is provided with malleolar components which function as interpositioned membranes for preventing the fibula from rubbing against the bone on the outer side of the talus and/or the talar component and the medial malleous from rubbing against the bone on the inner side of the talus as well as the talar component of the prosthesis. These malleolar components, or shields, are described as associated with a prosthetic device including a distal tibial implant having a convex surface facing the talus, and a proximal talar implant having a convex surface engaging and cooperating with the convex surface of the tibial component, which permits flexion, rotation and sliding movements substantially reproducing the movements of the normal human ankle.

Abstract: A positive-locking surgical clamp has a first channel-shaped handle provided with a stationary elongated gripping jaw, a movable elongated gripping jaw pivotally mounted on the first handle in cooperative relationship with the stationary jaw and also pivotally joined to one end of a second channel-shaped handle, and a lever disposed within the confronting channels of the two handles and pivotally joined at one end to the second handle and at the other end engaging an adjustably positioned block supported in the channel of the first handle to provide a toggle action which develops a locked grip of large even pressure when the handles are squeezed into engagement with each other. The grip of the clamp is easily released by a thumb-actuated lever disposed alongside one of the handles which operates a cam pivoted within the channel of the handle in a position to engage the lever and force the handles apart.