Abstract: A blade separation fixture (300) is disclosed. A wafer (130) is positioned on the fixture (300). This wafer (130) includes a plurality of cutting blades (56) that are initially spaced above the fixture (300). Blade handles (24) will typically already have been mounted on each of the various cutting blades (56) at this time. In any case, each of the various cutting blades (56) are separated from the wafer (130) by applying an appropriate downwardly directed force. Separated blades (56) in effect pivot into an inclined position against the fixture (300) without having their corresponding cutting edges (80) contact the fixture (300).

Abstract: A subcutaneous tunnelling device, a dilator and a method of forming a subcutaneous tunnel are provided. The device includes a trocar having a front end with a point configured for piercing skin, and a dilator which has a front end removably attached to the rear end of the trocar. The dilator is for dilating a section of a subcutaneous tunnel and includes a dilating section having a maximum diameter sized for dilating an interior surface of a subcutaneous tunnel for seating a catheter stabilizing cuff in the subcutaneous tunnel. The method of forming a subcutaneous tunnel includes the steps of inserting a trocar through a first location on a cutaneous surface and moving the trocar through subcutaneous tissue to form a subcutaneous tunnel. The trocar is at least partially removed and a front end of a dilator is attached to the trocar. A section of the tunnel is dilated by moving the dilator partially through the tunnel until the front end of the dilator reaches a first subcutaneous location in the tunnel.

Abstract: A safety needle instrument for penetrating a wall of an anatomical cavity to gain access to the anatomical cavity includes a needle having a sharp distal end for penetrating the anatomical cavity wall, a distally biased safety member having a distal end movable between an extended position protecting the sharp distal end of the needle and a retracted position exposing the sharp distal end of the needle, a handle for manually moving the safety member to the retracted position and a locking and releasing mechanism for locking the safety member in the retracted position and releasing the safety member to return to the extended position in response to distal movement of an operating member upon penetration of the safety needle instrument into the anatomical cavity, the operating member being preferably carried by the needle.

Abstract: A combined lighter and cutting device includes a fixed handle, a cutting seat, a movable handle, a lighter device and a blade unit. The fixed handle has a pair of arms extending downwardly and frontwardly from one end thereof. The cutting seat is mounted between the distal ends of the arms of the fixed handle. The movable handle is connected pivotally to the fixed handle and has a horizontal support plate that extends forwardly from the hollow member to a space between the two arms of the fixed handle above the cutting seat. The movable handle is moved toward the fixed handle so as to move the support plate toward the cutting seat.