Abstract: A replaceable head toothbrush is described having a handle, a brushhead and a collar. The handle is formed with a cavity within which the collar is insertable. The brushhead at an end thereof is formed with a neck having a coupling anchor for engaging a complementary disengaging mechanism within the collar.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes a staple cartridge that may be loaded with surgical staples, an anvil mounted to confront the staple cartridge for deforming staples driven theretoward, and advancer for advancing the staple cartridge from an open position toward the anvil to a closed position for clamping tissue to be sutured therebetween, and a driver for driving the staples from the cartridge toward the anvil through tissue clamped between the cartridge and the anvil. A trigger for operating the driver, and a safety mechanism linked to the advancer preventing the trigger from operating the driver when the cartridge is in the open position but permits the trigger to operate the driver only when the cartridge is in the closed position. In addition, a coupling mechanism can removably mount a head assembly and a handle assembly, with each assembly containing a portion of the advancer and driver.

Abstract: A valvulotome for rendering venous valve leaflets incompetent includes a rigid support comprising a fluid supply tube and, molded thereon, a dilator, and first and second valve disrupting heads. Each of the disrupting heads has a plane of symmetry, wherein the planes of symmetry of the two disrupting heads are relatively rotated by about 90.degree.. A fluid emitting end of the fluid supply tube communicates with an irrigation port in a disrupting head so that fluid emitted through the irrigation port, during use, applies pressure to the valve leaflets to be disrupted. The other end of the fluid supply tube is swaged onto a catheter which in turn is coupled to a fluid supply source for the purpose of supplying fluid to the irrigation port.