Abstract: A disposable hemostatic curette includes a handle, at least one scraping implement, and a crushable applicator. The handle has a first end, a second end, and a length. The cross section and length of the handle are sized to facilitate easy manipulation with a thumb and forefinger. The first end of the handle is tapered to a smaller diameter which is connected to a scraping implement. The scraping implement is preferably round in shape with a shallow bore. A scraping edge of the scraping implement is a sharp edge which is formed from the inner wall of the shallow bore and a tapering outer wall of the scraping implement. A deep bore is formed in the second end of the handle, and is sized to firmly receive the outside diameter of a crushable applicator. The crushable applicator includes a transparent flexible housing, an applicator swab, and a crushable ampule containing a hemostatic solution. At least one crush window is disposed at the second end of the handle.

Abstract: An optical surgical device includes a detachable, disposable semi-flexible sheath for insertion into a patient's body. The sheath is provided with plurality of channels. One of the channels receives an endoscope for optical examination of an operative site within the patient. The remaining channels may be used for suction, drainage or irrigation of the operative site. The disposable sheath provides a significant improvement in the efficiency and sterility of internal surgical procedures.

Abstract: A corneal surface marker is used to improve centration of surgical laser instrumention and repositioning of a corneal cap or flap in corneal surgery, particularly lamellar corneal surgery. The marker has inner and outer concentric rings with marking radials extending off the rings to provide adequate reference points for marking indicia to be placed on the corneal surface. The method involves positioning a patient's head with direct light thereby fixating and centering the laser instrumentation over the visual axis of the eye, preoperatively marking the corneal surface with a plurality of radial lines spaced about the visual axis, and aligning a reticule of a surgical laser instrument over the radial lines thereby permitting anatomic centration of the instrument over the visual axis for subsequent accurate surgical reshaping of the cornea.

Abstract: A disposable comedone extractor for use in dermatologic surgery fabricated of a synthetic resin reinforced with natural or synthetic fibers. It has been found that the use of a reinforced synthetic resin ensures that the extractor of the present invention is fully disposable, and thus far less expensive to manufacture and use, as compared to conventional extractors fabricated from metals. In addition, the use of a synthetic resin allows greater control of the flexibility of the extractor as compared to rigid metal extractors.

Abstract: A disposable ear cleaning device comprising a handle and a structure on one end of the handle, for engaging, capturing and extracting ear wax located in an ear canal in an ear of a person. The structure on one end of the handle is a bulbous banded cage with different round shapes in various embodiments. In one embodiment a cotton swab is mounted on the opposite end of the handle.

Abstract: A fluid jet surgical cutting instrument having a pressure generating mechanism disposed within the housing of the instrument. The pressure generating mechanism includes a piston member which is reciprocatingly movable within the housing by alternately supplying gas to the distal end of the piston and the proximal end of the piston. The gas is supplied in an alternating manner through the provision of a novel actuator mechanism which includes a plurality of passageways which permits charging of gas to the pressure amplifying mechanism as well as venting of gas from the pressure amplifying mechanism to permit reciprocating movement.

Abstract: A curette including a cylindrical handle, having a longitudinal axis, and a shaft, having a longitudinal axis. The shaft is attached to the cylindrical handle at a first end of the shaft, such that the longitudinal axis of the shaft is parallel to, but not collinear with, the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical handle. A tip is included in a second end of the shaft.

Abstract: An improved curette is disclosed having a spoon-shaped scoop attached to an elongated tapered handle. Substantially the entire periphery of the scoop is sharpened, allowing the curette to be used in a lateral or rotating motion to remove and collect tissue samples. The new curette also has a sharpened interior edge on its forward end allowing curetting when drawing the instrument backward. Small drainage holes through the bottom of the scoop allow the curette to efficiently capture more tissue.

Abstract: The Humble Wax Remover.TM.--a safe ear wax extractor is composed of two parts; a safety stopper (10) and a loop curette wax extractor (26), whereby the second part is inserted into the first part thereby making a functional unit. The entire unit is then placed into the ear canal (FIG. 4). Once the unit is inserted into the canal, the handle (20) is rotated, wax is caught in the loop and then the unit is extracted from the canal. Wax is thereby safely extracted from the ear canal. Reinsertion is done until all wax is extracted. Readjustment of depth of insertion is accomplished by changing position of safety stopper with the loop curette wax extractor. Wax is thereby extracted without visualization of ear drums and thereby can be accomplished by lay persons.

Abstract: A surgical device has a longitudinally extending cannula formed to define an interior channel. The cannula is attached to a conduit piece that defines first, second, and third passageways in fluid communication with the interior channel of the cannula. A surgical knife is positioned within the interior channel of the cannula so that its cutting edge extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Abstract: An improved ring currette for the removal of pathological body tissues is disclosed.

Abstract: An earwax curette includes a light beam localizing device connected to a curette body by a connecting ring to localize an incident light beam to the spoon-shaped hook of the curette body for illuminating the external auditory canal as the earwax curette is inserted in the external auditory canal to remove the earwax.

Abstract: A medical device for removing tissue from a body cavity includes a tubular shaped handle securely connected and in communication with an elongated hollow tubular probe. The probe includes a spherical tip and an open area with a notch. The open area includes a cutting edge for removing tissue. The handle has a visual and tactile indicator in the general shape of a raised arrow. The raised indicator is axially aligned with open area of the probe. Accordingly, the user can feel or see the raised indicator and know the exact orientation of the open area when the cutting edge of the device is in the body cavity.

Abstract: A disposable dermal curette for scraping lesions from the surface of a patient's skin, comprising a generally cylindrical plastic handle having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a mid-section portion with a flattened section recessed relative to the proximal end and distal end portions, and a generally circular or loop-shaped working element, with at least one cutting edge, attached to the proximal end portion. The distal end portion is provided with a textured surface and, for maximum control and proper balance, additional textured surfaces may be provided on the mid-section and proximal end portions.

Abstract: In combination with a surgical hand instrument applied by a pushing action to place the instrument against human tissue, followed by a pulling action along the tissue, the improvement consisting of an adapter apparatus to limit the pushing action of the instrument against the tissue to a predetermined force, the adapter being inoperative during the pulling action of the instrument. The adapter may advantageously include a biasing spring, which may be adjustable to set the level of the maximum force to be applied.

Abstract: An endocervical curette is disclosed which has a detachable tip portion which includes a scraper for removing tissue from the cervical canal and a well for retaining the tissue. The tip portion is secured to a shaft portion when in use to collect tissue and then detached from the shaft before being sent to a laboratory for analysis of the collected tissue.

Abstract: Radially expansible, helically configured wire loops are employed to grip and shear arteriosclerotic deposits from the lumen of an artery wall. Shearing action is achieved by pulling the loops through the artery by means of a handle which is freely rotatable to avoid the application of torsional forces to the loops. A shear force gauge may be provided to measure and limit the pulling force applied to the loops.