Abstract: A needle protector device includes a mount, to which a needle subassembly is fixed, and a protective cover for the needle telescopically coupled to the mount against the biassing of a compression spring. The protective cover is coupled to the mount by a pair of protruding lugs which engage a pair of channels in the mount. The channels each include an entrance portion adjacent the lower end of the mount and an elongated portion extending at an angle toward the upper end of the mount. When the lug is in the entrance portion, the cover is in a locked needle protection position in which the needle tip is covered. To operate the device, the device is placed against a needle-receiving surface and the mount is simultaneously pushed toward the surface and rotated with respect to the cover, causing the lug to move out of the entrance portion to unlock the cover and travel along the elongated portion of the channel. Upon removal of the needle, the compression spring biases to move the cover back over the needle.

Abstract: A hand-operated apparatus for applying an image on a person's fingernail consisting of a base having an upper surface defining a first cutout. A stop is provided to establish a reference point. An image creating plate is received in the first cutout for creating an image composed of an image defining coating material. A digit positioning member having a V-shaped groove receives and positions a person's digit relative to the location of the created image. An orientation surface is defined by the base against which the free end of the person's digit bears to establish, in cooperation with the V-shaped groove, the appropriate orientation relative to the reference point. A transfer member is mounted on the base movable over the upper surface for transferring the created image from the image creating plate to the person's nail. A method for applying an art image on a person's nail in which a reference point is established.

Abstract: A laparoscopic irrigation system and bottle pump for controlling a source of gas pressure driving a source of irrigation solution that includes a monitor for monitoring the source of gas pressure and indicating when the gas pressure falls below a predetermined value. Also, the liquid level of the source of irrigation solution is monitored via infrared radiation and when the level falls to a predetermined value it is detected, a visual and an audible signal is actuated and an alternative source of irrigation solution is selected. Further the level of gas pressure driving the source of irrigation solution is controllable with an electronic circuit containing a stepping motor mechanically connected to a pressure regulator.

Abstract: An irrigation set for use with a laparoscopic and/or hysteroscopic irrigation pump includes a bottle cap having an open mouth, closed-end cup shape threaded on the inside surface and defining a region just inside the closed end provided with an undercut and an opening defined in the closed end. A disk assembly is composed of a disk received in the region and retained therein by the undercut. The side of said disk inside the cap defines a depending skirt. The disk defines a first opening aligned with the depending skirt, a check valve cartridge and draw tube secured to the depending skirt. A first tubular projection on the disk is aligned with the first opening and projects through the opening in the closed end. A second tubular projection on the disk is aligned with the second opening and projects through the tubular opening in the closed end. A gas tubing is secured at one end to the second tubular projection, and a gas fitting is secured to the other end of the gas tubing.

Abstract: A laparoscopic irrigation system and bottle pump for controlling a source of gas pressure driving a source of irrigation solution that includes a monitor for monitoring the gas pressure and indicating when the gas pressure falls below a predetermined value. Also, the liquid level of the source of irrigation solution is monitored and when the level falls to a predetermined value it is detected and a visual and an audible signal is actuated. Further the level of gas pressure driving the source of irrigation solution is controllable.

Abstract: A sterile internal organ fastening device comprising a staple and a receiver. The legs of the staple have a tapered portion terminating in a sharp point with the taper having a specific configuration to minimize penetration forces and reduce trauma and with the receiver protecting the surrounding tissue from the sharp point.

Abstract: A device is provided for applying flexible fasteners to tissue to close a wound or incision. The device has a front housing mounted for rotation relative to a rear housing. A needle projects laterally from the front housing. The needle is curved, hollow, and slotted for receiving a portion of a fastener. The device has a flexible pusher member and means for moving the flexible pusher member into the hollow needle to eject a fastener from the needle and into the tissue.

Abstract: A pair of parallel, hollow needles are provided for receiving a tissue fastener of the type having at least a fastening member with a pair of legs joined by a link. Each needle has an internal passage extending from a fastening member receiving end to a discharge end. Each needle also has a slot extending along its length in communication with the passage and facing the slot of the other needle. A leg of the fastening member is placed in each needle with the fastening member link extending through the needle slots between the needles. The instrument has an anvil for being located on one side of the tissues opposite the needles. The needles are inserted through the tissues towards the anvil. Then the fastening member is pushed through the needles by a drive member so that at least a portion of the fastening member link lies against one side of the tissues and so that at least a portion of each of the fastening member legs is located and secured on the other side of the tissues.

Abstract: A fastener is provided to hold together separated portions of mammalian tissue and includes an open loop fastening member and a receiver adapted to receive the legs of the fastening member. The legs of the fastening member are then deformed to effect engagement of the fastening member and receiver. An instrument is provided for holding the receiver on one side of the tissue portions and for inserting the fastening member through the tissue portions and into the receiver. The instrument also (1) deforms the legs of the fastening member to effect the engagement of the fastening member with the receiver and (2) severs the protruding portions of the legs.

Abstract: A fastener is provided to hold together portions of mammalian tissue and includes an open loop fastening member and a receiver adapted to receive the legs of the fastening member. Each fastening member leg has two oppositely facing rows of resilient, hemispherical, convex members to cooperate with a bore in the receiver to effect engagement of the fastening member and receiver.

Abstract: A structure is provided for accommodating the rotation of a front housing of an instrument to a selected position relative to the rear housing of the instrument to permit an operating member in the front housing to be located in a desired orientation. The front housing has an annular portion in which a cylindrical portion of the rear housing is received to permit the two housings to be rotated relative to each other about a common longitudinal axis. The front housing annular portion defines a plurality of bores arranged at selected azimuthal locations about the axis of rotation and the rear housing carries a reciprocative engaging member adapted to be moved partially into one of the bores to lock the two housings in a selected relative orientation.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism is provided for a hand-operated surgical instrument having at least one operating member. The operating member is engaged by or extends from a flexible pusher member wound at least partially around the circumference of a drum and secured thereto. A pinion is connected to the drum for rotation therewith and is driven by a gear segment on a handle that is pivotally monted to the instrument. A full stroke compelling mechanism is associated with the drum for preventing return of the handle to the unactuated position unless and until the operating member has been moved through the full design range of movement.

Abstract: A one-piece, self-locking, molded plastic staple useful as a tissue fixation device in surgical procedures. The staple has opposed, pointed, L-shaped legs secured to a horizontal bridging member. Each leg has an extension which is engaged by a locking bar extending between the extensions when the staple is closed by forcing the legs through a 90.degree. arc. The staples may be extruded or molded of absorbable or nonabsorbable polymeric materials.

Abstract: A resectoscope electrode assembly having a non-cylindrical bearing tube formed of electrically non-conductive plastic material for slidable mounting upon the endoscope stem of a resectoscope. An electrode extends through a separate passage in the same bearing tube and is in direct electrical contact with that tube. One section of the electrode takes the form of a pair of spaced parallel arms projecting forwardly from the front end of the tube and terminating in an electrode tip, commonly in the form of an arcuate cutting loop. Another section of the electrode comprises a lead which extends from the rear end of the tube and which terminates in an offset connecting portion for engagement with and retention by the connector of the resectoscope. The lead and arms are encased in insulating sleeves, such sleeves being buried in and sealed to the bearing tube to prevent arcing between the bare electrode within that tube and the metal endoscope upon which the bearing tube is slidably supported.