Abstract: An improved continuous crumbing machine for recycling rubber tires and other materials such as polyethylene containers, gypsum, hardboard, tin cans, glass jars and bottles. The device comprises a pair of rotating rolls having negative rake teeth of interlocking sprocket design formed on the outer periphery of each roll. The materials to be fragmented or crumbed are fed between pairs of rotating rollers having negative rake teeth. A plurality of stages of rotating rollers are placed in series to obtain the desired particle size.

Abstract: A rotational surgical instrument including a working head connected to a rotatable, pencil-like handle. The handle includes a casing with distal and proximal end caps, an elongated outer member extending into the casing, and a actuation link extending from the distal end cap through the casing and elongated member to the working head. An actuating mechanism is positioned distally from the distal end cap about the proximal portion of the elongated member for slidably actuating the working head between and open and closed positions. A compression spring is included in the passageway of the casing around the actuation link between the proximal end cap and the proximal end of the elongated member to return the working head to the nonactuated position. Keyed surfaces are included within the passageway of the casing and attached to the distal end of the casing and the proximal end of the elongated member for preventing rotation of the elongated member with respect to the casing and actuation link.

Abstract: A percutaneously insertable, needle-sized retractor and system for grasping and retracting tissue in a cavity of a patient. The system comprises a needle-sized trocar sheath having an outside diameter in a range from 10 to 22 gauge, a pointed distal end stylet insertable into the trocar sheath, and a tissue-grasping retractor also insertable through the trocar sheath. The stylet is inserted through the trocar sheath with the pointed distal end extending therefrom. The trocar sheath and stylet are then inserted through a patient's skin and subtending tissue and organs into a desired cavity. When the trocar sheath is inserted, the stylet is removed and the tissue grasping retractor inserted through the sheath and into the cavity. A retaining cap at the proximal end of the sheath fixedly positions the retractor with respect to the trocar sheath while a retention flange positioned around the outside surface of the sheath fixedly positions the sheath with respect to the patient.

Abstract: A surgical trocar access sheath having a laterally expandable retention mechanism for percutaneous insertion through a body cavity wall. The expandable retention mechanism is positioned about the distal end of the sheath for retaining the access sheath within the body cavity. The access sheath has an inner elongated member cannula and an outer elongated member tube having a slick surface for ready insertion through a puncture site. The laterally expandable retention mechanism includes a plurality of strips extending and formed longitudinally in the outer tube. The retention mechanism has an expanded state and a retracted state. In the expanded state, the longitudinal strips extend radially from the outer elongated member tube to engage the interior surface of the body cavity wall. The expandable retention mechanism is actuated by sliding an actuating mechanism hub attached to the distal end of the outer elongated member tube against another hub fixedly attached to the inner elongated member cannula.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument is disclosed for percutaneously debulking tissue through an access sheath commonly used in minimally invasive laparoscopic or endoscopic surgical procedures. The cutting instrument includes a inner rotary member tube having a cutting edge at the distal end thereof for cutting and slicing tissue. The distal end of the cutting member tube extends from the distal end of a stationary sheath which prevents tissue from wrapping around the inner cutting member tube. The inner cutting member tube includes a hollow passageway for suctioning and aspirating tissue and fluid through the tube and into a collection chamber or out through a vacuum or suction line attached thereto. The instrument further includes an outer safety shield having a rounded distal end for preventing the puncture of a surgical tissue bag or from unintentionally cutting tissue by the attending physician.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument is disclosed for percutaneously debulking tissue through an access sheath commonly used in minimally invasive laparoscopic or endoscopic surgical procedures. The cutting instrument includes a inner rotary member tube having a cutting edge at the distal end thereof for cutting and slicing tissue. The outside surface of the rotary inner cutting member tube and outer sheath annularly close about the distal ends thereof for preventing perforation of the surgical tissue bag in which the tissue is contained. The inner cutting member tube includes a hollow passageway for suctioning and aspirating tissue and fluid through the tube and into a collection chamber or out through a vacuum or suction line attached thereto. Vacuum or suction control ports are included at the proximal end of the inner cutting member tube and stationary sheath for also controlling the amount of vacuum or suction applied to the tissue.

Abstract: Echogenic medical devices and methods of fabrication and of use are disclosed. The devices are adapted to be inserted into a patient. The device includes an elongated member including a material having an acoustic impedance different from that of the surrounding medium. The medium includes surrounding biological tissue or fluids surrounding the member when inserted into a passageway of the patient. The acoustic impedance of the elongated member is sufficiently different from the surrounding medium for enhancing an image produced in response to a sonic beam produced from imaging equipment. The elongated member also includes an interface layer of a high density metal of which the deposition on the base material of the member is ion beam assisted. The interface layer includes an outside surface having a plurality of particulate-type, discontinuous curved surfaces of partially spherical indentations formed therein or spheres extending therefrom.

Abstract: A rotational surgical instrument including a working head connected to a rotatable, pencil-like handle. The handle includes a casing with distal and proximal end caps, an elongated outer member extending into the casing, and a actuation link extending from the distal end cap through the casing and elongated member to the working head. An actuating mechanism is positioned distally from the distal end cap about the proximal portion of the elongated member for slidably actuating the working head between and open and closed positions. A compression spring is included in the passageway of the casing around the actuation link between the proximal end cap and the proximal end of the elongated member to return the working head to the nonactuated position. Keyed surfaces are included within the passageway of the casing and attached to the distal end of the casing and the proximal end of the elongated member for preventing rotation of the elongated member with respect to the casing and actuation link.

Abstract: Echogenic medical devices and methods of fabrication and of use are disclosed. The devices are adapted to be inserted into a patient. The device includes an elongated member including a material having an acoustic impedance different from that of the surrounding medium. The medium includes surrounding biological tissue or fluids surrounding the member when inserted into a passageway of the patient. The acoustic impedance of the elongated member is sufficiently different from the surrounding medium for enhancing an image produced in response to a sonic beam produced from imaging equipment. The elongated member also includes an interface including the outside surface of the member and a plurality of partially spherical indentations therein. Alternatively, generally spherical particles are attached to the surface of the member for producing the image in response to the sonic beam. Materials such as stainless steel, plastic, and glass are utilized in the manufacture of the medical device.