Abstract: A nasogastric suction catheter is disclosed consisting of a long, slender, flexible tube member having independent suction and vent lumens, both lumens being open at both the proximal and distal ends of the long, flexible tube member. The open proximal end of the suction lumen of the long, flexible tube is adapted for coupling to the conventional suction pump. The open distal end of the long, flexible tube is provided with a short, soft, hollow distal end member securely bonded thereto. The short, soft, hollow distal end member is provided with a number of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending ridges located upon its outer surface, with the space between adjacent, parallel ridges forming longitudinally extending troughs. A number of spaced-apart suction apertures are located between the parallel, extended ridges and through the bottom of the troughs into the short, hollow distal end member.

Abstract: A flexible, cylindrical endotracheal tube is disclosed employing an axially slidable, hollow, cylindrical connector concentrically mounted upon the outer surface of the endotracheal tube near its proximal end. The proximal tip of the endotracheal tube is provided with an annular flange having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the hollow output section of the slidable connector and smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow input section of the connector. A breathing circuit connector may be attached to the hollow input section of the slidable connector for coupling to the hoses of a conventional anesthesiology machine. The slidable connector is axially positionable over the outer surface of the proximal end portion of the endotracheal tube without loss of the airtight seal. The annular, flanged tip of the endotracheal tube may pass into and through the bore of the breathing circuit connector during positioning of the slidable connector.

Abstract: An orthopaedic device is disclosed for mechanical intercoupling between selected vertebrae of the human spine and an elongated surgical rod. The device includes a block-shaped member having upper and lower surfaces, front and rear surfaces, and left and right side surfaces. A central cylindrical bore extends through the block-shaped member between the upper and lower surfaces. A longitudinal slot extends between the upper and lower surfaces, and from the front and one side surface of the block member into the central bore. The central bore and longitudinal slot serve as a yoke into which a section of the surgical rod may be placed, the width of the slot being slightly larger than the diameter of the rod. A short, hollow, cylindrical sleeve member, with internal diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the rod, is adapted for slidable movement over the rod and into the central bore of the block-shaped member to provide capture of the surgical rod.

Abstract: An orthopaedic device is disclosed for secure mechanical coupling to an elongated surgical rod. The device consists of a T-shaped member having a short, hollow, cylindrical sleeve portion and a threaded rod portion extending perpendicularly midway between the ends of the hollow sleeve portion. The hollow sleeve portion is adapted for slidable positioning over the cylindrical surface of the surgical rod. A narrow slot is provided through the center of the threaded rod portion, bisecting this rod portion, and through the wall of the hollow sleeve portion. The device further includes a block-shaped member having a central cylindrical bore extending between upper and lower surface and at least one U-shaped cutout extending from the middle of one side through the block into the central bore. A longitudinal slot extends between the upper and lower surfaces and from the front surface through the block into the central bore.

Abstract: A breathing circuit connector for intercoupling between the flexible hoses of an anesthesiology machine and the input connector of an endotracheal tube is disclosed. The breathing circuit connector consists of a hollow body of relatively rigid material having a cylindrical male input section and a cylindrical female output section. A cylindrical bore within the hollow body extends between the cylindrical input and output sections. The bore within the cylindrical output section consists of a series of two or more cylindrical portions having different internal diameters. The internal diameter of the first bore portion adjacent the output end of the cylindrical output section is slightly larger than the internal diameter of the bore portion situated within the cylindrical output section. The breathing circuit connector may be formed as an elbow with the longitudinal axis of the bore of the cylindrical output section being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the bore of the cylindrical input section.

Abstract: A unitary surgical screw is disclosed for the internal fixation of an acromio-clavicular separation by mechanically maintaining the clavicle in a fixed position with respect to the coracoid once the separation has been reduced. The surgical screw includes a short, cylindrical head; a smooth, cylindrical shank portion; and a helically threaded distal end portion. A transverse slot is recessed partially into the top surface of the head of the screw. One or more inclined holes extend through the head of the screw from the bottom of the transverse slot to the underside of the head. After the separation has been reduced and the screw properly installed, a locking pin is inserted through one of the inclined holes and staked to the clavicle to prohibit rotation of the screw. The surgical screw may include an axial bore, concentric with the longitudinal axis of the screw, for receiving an elongated guide pin for aiding the axial alignment of the screw prior to its installation.

Abstract: A penetration-resistant surgical glove is disclosed which consists of a thin latex of synthetic rubber foundation glove having a front surface overlay of thin, pliable and limp material composed of a large number of tightly interlaced fibers or filaments of high strength adhesively attached to the face or palmar surface of the foundation glove. The surface overlay of thin, pliable and limp material is shaped to conform to the thumb, fingers and palm of the foundation glove and serves to prevent penetration of the glove by a sharp object. The foundation glove with its protective overlay of penetration-resistant material may be provided with an over-coat of rubber in the form of a second glove, as by dipping in liquid latex, drying and vulcanizing in the conventional manner.The over-coat of latex rubber provides a hermetic seal over the surface of the foundation glove and its protective overlay.

Abstract: A trailer hitch is disclosed for providing coupling about three independent axes between a towing vehicle and a trailer. The hitch includes a first U-shaped yoke member having a base plate adapted for attachment to the towing vehicle and having a pair of spaced-apart arms receiving and supporting a first hinge pin extending along a horizontal, transverse axis. A second U-shaped yoke member having a pair of spaced-apart arms supports a second hinge pin about a vertical axis. The first and second U-shaped yoke members are intercoupled by first and second hollow cylindrical sections joined together in the form of a cross, the first hollow cylindrical section being supported upon the first hinge pin and the second cylindrical section being supported upon the second hinge pin to form a universal coupling.

Abstract: A soft, inflatable introducer, having a closed, rounded, distal-tipped sheath, is disclosed for insertion into the open proximal end of and through a hollow, cylindrical catheter. The closed, rounded, distal-tipped sheath protrudes partway beyond the open distal end of the catheter. The introducer includes a long, hollow, pliable tube having an open proximal end and having a distal end portion enclosed by the round, distal-tipped sheath. After insertion and placement of the introducer with sheath adjacent the distal end of the catheter, the sheath is inflated by applying air under pressure to the open proximal end of the hollow, pliable tube. A clamp or valve means closes and seals the proximal end of the hollow, pliable tube to maintain the sheath in its expanded, inflated condition while the catheter is being intubated. The inflated sheath, protruding partway beyond the distal end of the catheter, enhances the ease with which the catheter may be intubated into the passageway of a patient.

Abstract: A self-adjusting foot holding structure for embracing the back of the leg and the top of the foot is disclosed for use with a tiltable body exerciser. The foot holding structure includes left and right laterally displaced U-shaped leg embracing pads supported, respectively, near the upper end of a carriage member. The carriage support member is slidable mounted along the lower end of the elongated, central frame member of the tiltable body exerciser. Left and right laterally displaced inverted U-shaped pads for embracing the top of each foot are slidably mounted, respectively, upon the upwardly extending section of an inclined bracket member. The base portion of the inclined bracket member is either rigidly or slidably attached to the upper surface of the carriage member near its lower end.

Abstract: An elongated, semi-rigid tie mount is disclosed, composed of polymer material and having a central, rectangular, U-shaped cross-sectional portion. A square or circular disk-shaped head is integrally formed at one end of the tie mount. A thin, rectangular tip portion, or tongue, is integrally formed at the other end of the tie mount. The trough, or bottom, of the central, rectangular, U-shaped portion is provided with a longitudinally extending array of serrated teeth projecting partially upward from the bottom of the trough. A slidable, apertured disk retainer, having a set of downwardly projecting, mating teeth, is disclosed for passage over the tip portion of the tie mount in a direction toward the head of the tie mount. An abrupt step is situated at the junction of the tip portion and the U-shaped cross-sectional portion to provide a stop. The stop serves to prevent the slidable, apertured disk portion from being incorrectly advanced onto the U-shaped cross-sectional portion.

Abstract: A two-position pivot support structure is disclosed for enabling a tiltable body exerciser to be tilted about a first or a second horizontally extending pivot axis, the first and second horizontally extending pivot axes being laterally spaced apart. The support structure includes an A-frame stand having left and right pairs of leg members mechanically intercoupled and mounting left and right trunion supporting plates. A first pair of left and right U-shaped trunion receiving slots and a second pair of left and right U-shaped trunion receiving slots are located, respectively, in the left and right trunion supporting plates. A stop member is mechanically joined between the front legs of the A-stand. With the left and right trunions of the tiltable body exerciser positioned, respectively, in the first pair of left and right trunion receiving slots, the tiltable body exerciser is operable to tilt the human body in an inclined, inverted and unlocked body position.

Abstract: A high-top, form-fitting shoe is disclosed for suspending the human body in an inverted position. The shoe includes a re-enforcing member located in the heel-arch area of the shoe. An inverted U-shaped member, spanning the top portion of the shoe, is pivotally attached to the re-enforcing plate on each side of the shoe adjacent the arch area. The under side of the U-shaped member is spaced apart from the top portion of the shoe to prevent physical contact therewith. A hook member is rigidly attached at the apex of the inverted U-shaped member. The hook is held in front of the leg of the user by a holding means such as a strap. When inverted, the user is suspended from the shoe, the weight of the user being carried from the shoe into the re-enforcing plate, to the inverted U-shaped member and onto the hook. The hook is removably attachable to a horizontal supporting bar.

Abstract: A measuring attachment for use with a variety of sizes of esophageal stethoscopes is disclosed for enabling the measurement of a number of patient body conditions while monitoring a patient's body sounds in the region of the esophagus. The measuring attachment includes a coupling adapter having an input opening for coupling to the open end of an esophageal stethoscope, an output opening for coupling to an acoustically-responsive instrument, and a central bore extending through the coupling adapter between the input and output openings for the passage of the patient's body sounds. A lateral passageway is provided from an outside surface of the coupling adapter and through the adapter for entry into the open end of the stethoscope. The lateral passageway enables a pair of electrically-conductive wires to slidably pass from the outside of the coupling adapter through the adapter to an adjustably-positionable sensing probe.

Abstract: An improved connector is disclosed for coupling the output breathing circuit connection from a conventional anesthesiology machine to the open proximal end of a conventional endotracheal tube. The connector includes a cylindrical input section, a central flange portion, a cylindrical output section, and a bore extending concentrically therethrough. The input section is provided with a stepped outer cylindrical surface for coupling to the breathing circuit connection. The flange portion is provided with sides or faces to facilitate manual gripping of the connector between the thumb and fingers. Openings are provided through a part of the flange portion to permit the connector to be physically tied to the breathing circuit connection. The inner cylindrical wall of the bore of the cylindrical output section is provided with a narrow ridge or annular ring projecting radially inward.

Abstract: A lower body supporting structure is disclosed for slidable adjustment along the lower end portion of an elongated central frame member of a tiltable body exerciser, the exerciser including an upper body supporting portion secured to the upper end of the central frame member. The lower body supporting structure includes an inverted U-shaped carriage member mounted upon and slidable along a substantially square central frame member. A step or foot rest laterally attached to the lower end of the carriage member is adapted to extend under each foot. A pair of laterally-extending ankle-area embracing members are adjustably attached to the carriage member. A manually releasable locking means, pivotally mounted to the lower end of the carriage member about the axis of the foot rest, includes a locking pin for insertion into and removal from a selected aperture within the central frame member.

Abstract: A coupling adapter is disclosed for coupling a remotely-located fluid circulation device and a fluid filter to the fluid reservoir of an engine, transmission unit or other hydraulic system in place of a standard spin-on fluid filter. The adapter consists of a disk-shaped body having first and second spaced-apart end surfaces. First and second cylindrically-shaped cavities extend partially into the disk-shaped body, respectively, from the first and second end surfaces. A plurality of concentric ridges intersticed with concentric grooves is provided in the first end surface surrounding the first cylindrically-shaped cavity. A central wall section within the disk-shaped body separates the first and second cavities. A central bore extends coaxially through the central wall section for receiving and supporting a hollow nipple adapted to align and secure the coupling adapter to the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A universal coupling adapter is disclosed for attachment to the fluid reservoir of an engine, transmission unit, or other hydraulic system in place of a standard spin-on fluid filter. The coupling adapter consists of a disk-shaped body having a first end surface provided with a plurality of concentric ridges intersticed with concentric grooves. A centrally-located threaded bore extends into the disk-shaped body from the first end surface. A cylindrically-shaped cavity located between the innermost concentric ridge and the centrally-threaded bore extends partially into the disk-shaped body from the first end surface. An inlet port, with passageway interconnected with the centrally-located bore, and an outlet port, with passageway interconnected with the cylindrically-shaped cavity, extend from the second end surface of the disk-shaped body.

Abstract: A sterilized medical appliance is disclosed, consisting of a preassembled catheter or endotracheal tube with connector, guide, stop, and handle, packaged within a sealed envelope and ready for immediate use in case of emergency. The assembled and packaged appliance is gas-sterilizable within the sealed envelope. The guide positioned within the endotracheal tube serves to provide structural support and protection for the endotracheal tube during handling and shipping. The endotracheal tube surrounding the guide serves to reduce the risk of penetration of the sealed envelope by the distal tip portion of the guide. The envelope is composed of a tough, flexible, transparent, plastic material to permit visual inspection and to enable the manual configuration of the endotracheal tube, with guide inserted, into a desired shape for intubation without danger of rupture of the envelope and without loss of sterility.