Abstract: The multi-plane corneal incision form of this invention includes a frame member in the shape of a segment of a hollow sphere that fits over a patient's cornea. The inner surface of the frame member includes a protuberance that distorts the cornea when the frame member is placed against the patient's cornea. The frame member also includes an aperture adjacent to the protuberance to allow a surgical blade to pass therethrough. By carefully configuring the protuberance and aligning the aperture, a physician can insert a surgical blade into the aperture and through the distorted cornea in a planar fashion that results in a multi-plane incision in the cornea once the frame member is removed from contact with the patient's cornea.

Abstract: A combined spinal epidural needle set of the present invention includes an epidural needle with an overall length, an open distal end and a proximal end with a hub. The epidural needle has a hollow bore therethrough having an inside diameter. The set of the invention includes a spinal needle with an overall length greater than the length of the epidural needle, a pointed distal end, a proximal end with a hub and a hollow passage therethrough. The spinal needle has an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of the bore of the epidural needle. The spinal needle is slidably disposed for movement within the epidural needle between a position wherein the distal point of the spinal needle is substantially coincident with the open distal end of the epidural needle and at least one position wherein the distal point of the spinal needle projects beyond the open distal end of the epidural needle.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes an elongate needle with a proximal end, a distal end and a passageway therethrough. The assembly has a needle hub with a proximal end, a distal end and an outside surface. The hub has an axial opening therethrough to receive and hold the proximal end of the needle with the distal end of the needle projecting distally axially. The assembly includes an elongate shield with an open proximal end, a closed distal end and a sidewall that has an elongate opening on one side extending from the closed end to the open end. The shield of the invention is movable between an open position, in which the needle is exposed for use by passage through the elongate opening and a latched position, in which the shield is substantially prevented from movement to the open position and the shield substantially obstructs access to the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a coating to an object includes a pair of reciprocating members which each include a porous resilient pad mounted for movement toward and away from each other. The apparatus includes a coating supply system for supplying coating to the resilient pads. The pads have a movement sequence from an initial rest position where the pads are spaced apart from one another to a coating loading position where the pads are in physical contact and have a degree of compression with each other to load the coating onto the pads, then the pads are moved to an intermediate rest position with the pads spaced apart an the object to be coated is moved between the pads. The sequence then includes a coating delivery position where the pads are in physical contact with each other and the object so that the pads have a degree of compression with each other and the object thereby applying the coating to the object.

Abstract: An assembly for collection of a sample of a body fluid from a subject's body of the present invention includes a hollow tube defining an axis with an open end and a closed end. The hollow tube defines a chamber therewithin for receiving a sample of a collected fluid from a subject. The tube has a resilient closure disposed in the open end to close the chamber and to form a seal capable of maintaining a pressure differential between atmospheric pressure and a pressure less than atmospheric pressure within the chamber. The chamber contains an aliquot of an aqueous additive for treating the fluid sample. The chamber also includes a matrix formed from a fibrous material having capillary spaces therein for absorbing the aliquot of the aqueous additive and an aliquot of a water immiscible liquid with a density greater than about 1.07 grams per milliliter to encapsulate the aqueous additive absorbed on the matrix.

Abstract: An electrolocation apparatus is provided for locating a nerve to which anesthesia may be delivered. The apparatus includes a needle assembly having an electrically conductive needle cannula non-conductive tube secured over the needle cannula, and a conductive plating on the tube. The conductors are connected to a stimulator that generates alternating high and low charge pulses with a constant low current level. The high charge pulses generate noticeable muscle twitches immediately after insertion of the needle into the patient. Muscle twitches responsive to the high charge pulses will peak in magnitude, and muscle twitches responsive to the low charge pulses will become observable as the needle approaches the targeted nerve, and will be indistinguishable from the muscle twitches responsive to the high charge pulses when the needle is in a position for administration of anesthetic.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a coating to an object includes a pair of reciprocating members which each include a porous resilient pad mounted for movement toward and away from each other. The apparatus includes a coating supply system for supplying coating to the resilient pads. The pads have a movement sequence from an initial rest position where the pads are spaced apart from one another to a coating loading position where the pads are in physical contact and have a degree of compression with each other to load the coating onto the pads, then the pads are moved to an intermediate rest position with the pads spaced apart an the object to be coated is moved between the pads. The sequence then includes a coating delivery position where the pads are in physical contact with each other and the object so that the pads have a degree of compression with each other and the object thereby applying the coating to the object.

Abstract: A regulating device for variably regulating the length of a combined spinal epidural needle and the method of practicing same is disclosed. In one variant, the regulating device features a pair of substantially concentricity disposed sliding members to which each of the epidural needle and spinal needle may be separately fitted. A spring element is provided to selectably engage the spinal needle. The spring element includes one end fixed to the sliding member securing the epidural needle, a free end manipulable by a user, and at least one passage or opening disposed between the fixed and free ends through which the spinal needle passes. The opening is configured to permit either gripping or free sliding of the spinal needle depending on the practitioner's actuation of the spring element. By actuation of the spring element, the practitioner may control axial movement between the sliding members, thereby regulating the extension of the spinal needle relative to the epidural needle.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is telescopically mounted inside the blade handle and includes a deflectable top wall portion that holds a detent pin or that defines a radially extending flange. This detent pin or flange engages a slot having upturned ends formed in at least one side wall of the blade handle. The detent pin or flange is biased upwardly into the upturned ends of the slot to hold the guard in the retracted or extended position. The blade can include a tang having a notch formed therein. The distal end of one sidewall of the guard can be formed with a complementary notch such that when the distal end of the sidewall of the guard engages the proximal end of the blade, forward movement of the guard forces the blade off of the scalpel.

Abstract: A disconnect device for placement in a medical tubing set of the present invention includes a first portion with a first passageway therethrough that has a first valve therein. While the first valve is biased in a normally closed position to close the first passageway, it is operative to an open position. The disconnect device of the invention has a second portion with a second passageway therethrough that has a second valve therein. The second valve is also biased in a normally closed position to close the second passageway and it also is operative to an open position. The second portion is releasably attached to the first portion, connecting the first and second passageways in fluid communication, to overcome the bias of the first valve and the second valve, to open the valves and to allow a fluid flow through the device.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device for accessing fluid from vials and ampoules includes a cannula assembly that defines an axis. The cannula assembly includes a cannula with a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough. The cannula assembly also has a hub fixedly attached to the proximal end of the cannula that has an open proximal end in fluid communication with the lumen. The fluid transfer device has a filling straw with a proximal end, a distal end and a passageway therethrough and a housing with an outside surface that is fixedly attached to the proximal end of the straw. The housing has a cavity therein to coaxially receive at least a portion of the cannula assembly to form a fluid path between the open proximal end of the hub and the distal end of the filling straw. The fluid transfer device also has a removable shield with an open proximal end, a distal end, an outside surface, and a sidewall that defines a receptacle therein.

Abstract: A user activated iontophoretic device of the present invention includes an electrode assembly, an electrode reservoir and at least one drug reservoir. The device is divided or otherwise separated into at least two portions, with one portion containing the electrode reservoir and the other containing the drug reservoir, which may include a medication in a dry form. In one embodiment, the two portions are each contained in separate compartments of a pouch. In another embodiment, the portions are contained in a single compartment and divided by a barrier. A method of activating the device includes causing the two portions to come into electrical conducting contact with one another to at least partially hydrate one of the reservoirs. This can be accomplished, for example, by either folding the device to bring the two portions into contact with one another or simply by removing the barrier dividing the two portions.

Abstract: Non-aqueous emollient iodophor formulations for use as a skin washing agents, comprising non-ionic surfactants, coconut oil, mineral oil, iodine, sodium iodide and an organic base solvent. The non-aqueous formulations substantially do not irritate the skin and will provide antimicrobial effectiveness to the skin.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is telescopically mounted inside the blade handle and includes a deflectable top wall portion that holds a detent pin or that defines a radially extending flange. This detent pin or flange engages a slot having upturned ends that is formed in at least one side wall of the blade handle. The detent pin or flange is biased upwardly into the upturned ends of the slot to hold the guard in the retracted or extended position. The blade can include a tang having a notch formed therein. The distal end of one sidewall of the guard can be formed with a complementary notch such that when the distal end of the sidewall of the guard engages the proximal end of the blade, forward movement of the guard forces the blade off of the scalpel.

Abstract: An adapter assembly is provided for fluid communication and mechanical connection between a catheter and a syringe. The adapter assembly includes a generally tubular nose having opposed proximal and distal ends. A wall is disposed at the distal end and includes an aperture dimensioned for receiving the catheter therethrough. A compressible plug is received in the open proximal end of the nose and seats against the wall. The plug includes an axial passage for receiving the catheter. Outer portions of the plug are tapered near the proximal end. The assembly further includes a hub having opposed proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the hub includes luer projections for threaded engagement with a luer collar of a syringe. The distal end of the hub is threadedly engageable in the opened proximal end of the nose. Internal portions of the hub adjacent the distal ends are tapered and dimensioned to gradually compress the plug into fluid-tight engagement against the catheter without generating occlusion.

Abstract: A body fluid collection assembly includes a tube having an outside surface, an open end and a closed end forming a chamber having an inside wall for holding a body fluid, the tube has a raised annulus at the open end. The assembly includes a closure with a shield having a top, an opening therethrough and a cavity for receiving the open end of the tube. The cavity has an inside surface having at least one protuberance projecting inwardly from the inside surface so that when the open end of the tube is in the cavity, the protuberance engages said annulus retaining said shield on the tube. The assembly includes a sealing element having a top surface and a lower flange and a gas barrier member bonded to the lower flange to form a primary seal with the inside wall of the tube and a secondary seal at the open end of the tube. The assembly further includes a plug housing having a passage and a resilient plug mounted in the passage, and elements for releasably mounting the plug housing on the shield.

Abstract: A preparation tray for use in a medical procedure involving a solution and one or more swab implements for applying the solution to a patient. The preparation tray, which may be held in the hand or supported on a surface, may be formed as a removable component of a surgical kit. The preparation tray includes a relatively planar sheet having a pair of opposed sides and various embossments for retaining medical implements such as swabs and solution utilized in the medical procedure. A digit opening may be provided on an opposed side of the sheet to accommodate a user's fingers as the tray is held in the hand. The tray further includes a pressing surface formed between two opposed sides of the sheet that communicates with a basin embossment that holds a quantity of the solution. A user may compress the swab implement against the pressing surface to remove excess solution absorbed by the swab, which is returned to the basin embossment.

Abstract: A catheter designed for improved patency characteristics under forces normally exerted upon the catheter during use. The catheter features an inner wall having one or more protuberances running lengthwise in a manner parallel with the central axis of the catheter. The protuberances include a tip, a root defined along the inner wall, and a pair of sidewalls extending between the tip and the root. The roots of adjacent protuberances are spaced from one another. A fluid path is established between the inner wall and the opposed sidewalls of adjacent protuberances. The opposed sidewalls can be straight. Alternately, at least one of the opposed sidewalls includes a non-linear portion along its length. In response to a force normally exerted upon the catheter during use, the spacing between adjacent roots and, if so provided, the non-linear portion of an opposed sidewall prevents the opposed sidewalls from entering into total contact with one another, thereby preventing occlusion of the fluid path.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is telescopically mounted inside the blade handle and includes a deflectable top wall portion that holds a detent pin or that defines a radially extending flange. This detent pin or flange engages a slot having upturned ends that is formed in at least one side wall of the blade handle. The detent pin or flange is biased upwardly into the upturned ends of the slot to hold the guard in the retracted or extended position. The blade can include a tang having a notch formed therein. The distal end of one sidewall of the guard can be formed with a complementary notch such that when the distal end of the sidewall of the guard engages the proximal end of the blade, forward movement of the guard forces the blade off of the scalpel.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes an elongate needle with a proximal end, a distal end and a passageway therethrough. The assembly has a needle hub with a proximal end, a distal end and an outside surface. The hub has an axial opening therethrough to receive and hold the proximal end of the needle with the distal end of the needle projecting distally axially. The assembly includes an elongate shield with an open proximal end, a closed distal end and a sidewall that has an elongate opening on one side extending from the closed end to the open end. The shield of the invention is movable between an open position, in which the needle is exposed for use by passage through the elongate opening and a latched position, in which the shield is substantially prevented from movement to the open position and the shield substantially obstructs access to the needle.