Abstract: A suture passer includes a stylet and a cannula having an open distal end defining a cannula outer diameter. The stylet has a proximal segment configured for receipt within the cannula and including a suture retention notch, and a distal segment having an expanded outer diameter substantially matching the cannula outer diameter. The distal segment of the stylet terminates at a distal cutting edge. The suture passer includes a retracted position in which the proximal segment of the stylet is received within the cannula through the open distal end and a shoulder defining a transition between the proximal segment and the distal segment abuts the open distal end of the cannula, and an extended position in which the suture retention notch is distally disposed relative to the open distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: A reamer includes a shank, a washer, a ring and a blade. The shank is a polygonal rod and includes an annular groove made in a periphery and a bore made in an end. The washer includes a slot. The ring includes a circular opening. The blade includes an insert inserted in the bore through the slot and the circular opening. The circular opening is made of a diameter larger than a width of the blade to allow the blade to rotate relative to the ring.

Abstract: An awl for use with a reciprocating device. The awl includes a mounting portion for operably engaging the reciprocating device. The awl also includes a shaft portion with an end for forming an awl feature on a sheet of material. Furthermore, the awl includes a mass portion for increasing the inertia of the awl when reciprocated by the reciprocating device toward the sheet of material.

Abstract: A needle useful in the dispensing of plastic fasteners. In one embodiment, the needle includes a shank portion and a base portion, the shank portion having a front section shaped to define a spoon-shaped tip. The tip has a blunt point with a radius approximately twice that of conventional needles. The distance from the point to where the tip reaches full diameter is approximately 80% of the distance typically found in conventional needles, and the full diameter of the tip is less than that in conventional needles. The side profile of the top edges of the tip are flat or downwardly-curved as opposed to being upwardly-curved in conventional needles. The distance across the tip at its widest point between opposing top edges is less than that in conventional needles.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying sutures including an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end, means associated with the distal end of the elongated housing for carrying at least one needle, the needle carrier means being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, at least one needle positioned on the needle carrier means, and means associated with the needle carrier means for moving the needle carrier means to the extended position to deploy the at least one needle such that upon movement of the needle carrier means by the moving means, the needle carrier moves from the retracted position to the extended position whereby the at least one needle is caused to travel through a tissue engaging path in one continuous motion.

Abstract: A laparo-suture needle and method for use thereof. A medical suturing instrument employs an outer, hollow shaft having a laterally-disposed, elongate handle at a proximal end and an elongate, inner shaft disposed within the outer shaft. The inner shaft has a cutting edge at the distal end and extends out of the outer shaft at the proximal end, terminating in a spring-loaded push button. A lateral notch is formed in the inner shaft proximal of the cutting edge. The spring forces the inner shaft rearwardly so as to pull the notch within the outer shaft. By gripping the handle and placing pressure on the push button, the inner shaft is moved forward so as to expose the notch. A suture may then be placed in the notch so that the instrument grips the suture between the outer shaft and the inner shaft when the push button is released.

Abstract: A needle for carrying out operation with flexible cords, roves or threads, for fabricating armatures by a multi-directional weaving, the needle having an elongated body having a free end of the body, and an eye being a closed loop which extends outside the body of the needle and which is shaped and disposed relative to the body so as to avoid laterally projecting beyond the space defined by the width of the elongated body. The loop is delimited by two parallel side walls which extend transversely relative to the elongated body from a side of the elongated body and by a pin for guiding the cords, roves or threads which interconnects the two side walls.

Abstract: A fish bait applicator that has a finger grip with a light reflective, textured surface and has a attachment port to attach the applicator to the equipment or clothing of the user. The fingergrip also causes the applicator to float in water. There is a shaft with one end connected to the fingergrip. The shaft has on the other end a hook with a sharpened leading edge. There is a latch means that pivots over the hook to restrict access to the hook and to reduce the change of a leader loop from being dislodged from the hook when the applicator is being pulled back through the bait. There is a recess in the shaft to receive the latch means when the latch means is not in place over the hook. There is a latch means port into which the latch means is pivotally mounted.

Abstract: An embroidering tool comprising first (18), second (23), third (25), and fourth (30) longitudinal and generally cylindrical elements coaxially arranged and each with a longitudinal bore-like cavity (22, 17, 13, and 36) extending therethrough with the first (18) and second (23) elements threadably engagable with each other with the second element (23) comprising a hypodermic type needle (10) and a threaded needle hub (16) with the hypodermic type needle (10) having its proximate end secured in the bore (17) of the needle hub and with the threaded needle hub (16) threadably engagable with a threaded first end (15) of the first element (18), and the third element (25) coaxially surrounding a portion of the first element (18) and being threaded on its inner (31) and outer (33) surfaces beginning at a tapered, compressible first end (48) thereof to allow compression of the third element (25) against the first element (18) to lock the third element (25) against the first element (18) to prevent relative movement be

Abstract: A method of extracting a portion of one or more insulated wires from within a shielded cable with a minimum of damage to the wire insulation. A predetermined length of outer insulation covering one end of the shielded cable is removed, exposing a portion of the braided wire shield beneath which is then pushed back against the edge of remaining outer insulation causing a portion of the braided wires to distend and loosen. The loosened wires are separated to form an aperture in the shield thereby exposing a section of the insulated wires. The shielded cable is bent back at the aperture to further expose the insulated wires. Then the rounded tip of an elongated tool is inserted between the insulated wires and the shield causing the insulated wires to separate from the shield. Preferably the elongated tool has an arcuately-shaped tapered head with a substantially elliptical tip portion to distribute the load bearing forces on the insulation.

Abstract: A mechanical needle carrier is provided which can grasp and carry a surgical needle through a cannula, position the needle and set a stitch at the remote location and then release the needle and be withdrawn from the cannula.

Abstract: A rug hooking implement in which a needle is longitudinally moveable within the confines of the longitudinally oriented body of a handle. Such movement is brought about so as to adjust the projection of the needle forwardly of the body. This is accomplished by the interaction between a threaded needle shank and an adjustment wheel. The adjustment wheel is mounted upon the threaded shank and in effect captured by a rear portion of the body. A longitudinally oriented body slot enables a pin to radially inwardly extend through the slot and in contact with the needle so as to prevent rotation of the needle and its threaded shank. As the slot opens through the outer surface of the body, it forms the means by which the forward and rear movement of the needle is regulated as well as an indicating device as to the exact position of the needle with respect to the body.

Abstract: A device for threading strings or the like through bores of an anchoring part consisting of a tube detachably secured to a handle with a stylus extending from the handle and being received within the tube. The free tip of the stylus projects beyond the forward end of the tube. The device is inserted within the bore, the handle and stylus are subsequently withdrawn, and the tube remains in the bore. A thread is then inserted in the tube. This is followed by removal of the tube leaving the string threaded within the bore.

Abstract: A tool for hand embroidery work. The tool is specifically designed for loop embroidery where a pattern is constructed of loops of thread or embroidery floss formed on the opposite surface of a background fabric from the surface in which the needle is inserted. The loops may be cut or left uncut to form the finished texture and pattern. The tool includes an elongated hollow, open ended body with a hollow needle at one end thereof. The open interior of the needle openly communicates with the hollow body interior. The pointed end of the needle is similar in configuration to a hypodermic needle, having its point formed by a beveled surface. An aperture is formed through one side of the needle wall adjacent to the pointed tip thereof. A thread or floss section may extend through the overall length of the body and hollow needle, with the free end of the thread protruding through the aperture rather than through the point of the needle.

Abstract: A rug pointer for looping material-yarn through the apertures of backing in checkerboard pattern, and comprised generally of a manipulatable body with an adjustably extended probe and a retractile stop; the probe having a concaved notch at its lowermost terminal end adjustable to project a determined distance from the lowermost terminal end of the body; the stop having a stop shoulder and points depending therefrom in spaced relation to the probe to engage over a member of the backing to lock the yarn in position for the full extension of the loop being formed by projection of the probe with the lowermost terminal end of the body stopped against the back of the loop thus formed.