Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing a 2-hydrazino-1,3-diazacycloalk-2-ene hydrohalide. The process comprises reacting a one molar proportion of either tautomeric isomer of a 2-nitroamino-1,3-diazacycloalk-2-ene represented by the following formulas: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 hydroxyalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxyalkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, benzyl, or substituted benzyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl and substituted aralkyl, and n is an integer from 0 to 3 with about an equimolar proportion of an ammonium halide or hydrazonium halide, and about a 1 to 2 molar proportion of hydrazine hydrate in a composition selected from a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 aliphatic alcohol, water or a mixture thereof, at a temperature from about ambient to the reflux, and isolating the end product as a monohydrohalide.

Abstract: A non-contacting volume determination method for use on wounds, having a known pattern of lines optically projected onto the volume to be determined. The image of the projection viewed from an angle other than the projection axis, along with the image of a reference volume located near the volume to be determined, are used to accurately determine the unknown volume.

Abstract: The physical properties of structural surgical elements which are made from bioabsorbable materials having a glycolic ester linkage can be controlled so that the rate of strength loss and degradation in vivo is altered to achieve disintegration into fragments suitable for removal from or passage through the body without the need for waiting until the material is absorbed. This is achieved by a method of modifying the element through various chemical and/or physical treatments, preferably irradiation, or combinations thereof, with the result that bioabsorbable structural surgical elements are made more controllable in their strength loss and degradation pattern.

Abstract: A surgical stapling control means has been invented. The control means comprises a handle; a trigger pivotally attached and on compression internal to said handle; a staple forming means contained in the forward portion of said handle; a pad contained on the rearward portion of said handle; a retainer attached to the rearward portion of said trigger to coordinate with said pad; at least one guide pin attached to the initial end of said retainer; and guide means adjacent the rearward portion of said handle to coordinate with and provide tension to said guide pin.

Abstract: Poly(glycolic acid)/poly(oxyalkylene) ABA triblock copolymers having the following formula: ##STR1## and wherein x and y have values which correspond to a total polyglycolide content of about 75 to 95 weight percent and a total polyoxyalkylene content of about 5 to 25 weight percent. The copolymers are useful for manufacturing fibers possessing a sufficiently low modulus of elasticity to permit their use as absorbable sutures having the requisite flexibility for use in monofilament form. A process of preparation involves purifying the hydroxyl-ended poly(oxyalkylene) and allowing it to react with glycolide to produce an ABA triblock copolymer of extrusion grade in which A represents a polyglycolic acid block and B represents a poly(oxyalkylene) block.

Abstract: Multiblock copolymers having the following general formula: ##STR1## where R represents alkylene and Ar is an aromatic group, are obtained by transesterification of poly(glycolic acid) and an hydroxyl-ended poly(alkylene glycol) such as poly(oxyethylene) in the presence of a catalyst with the degree of polymerization of the copolymer being increased by the subsequent addition of an aromatic orthocarbonate such as tetra-p-tolyl orthocarbonate. The copolymers find use in the manufacture of surgical articles, particularly absorbable monofilament sutures possessing the desired characteristics of flexibility, resulting in good handling properties, and biodegradability.

Abstract: A triblock copolymer having a proportion of units having the formula: ##STR1## as the end blocks, and the formula (I) randomly combined with a proportion of units having the formula: ##STR2## as the middle block finds particular advantageous use in manufacturing absorbable monofilament sutures and other surgical articles. A surgical article is manufactured from a synthetic absorbable copolymer formed by copolymerizing glycolide with 1,3-dioxan-2-one (trimethylene carbonate) wherein a combination of the monomers is substantially completely polymerized before the addition of the other monomer in the presence of a difunctional initiator at or below about 180.degree. C.; glycolide is added and the temperature increased up to about the melting point of poly glycolide to form a triblock copolymer with a proportion of units having the formula: ##STR3## as the end blocks, and the formula (I) randomly combined with a proportion of units having the formula: ##STR4## as the middle block.

Abstract: An improved direct dispensing surgical suture package has been invented. The package comprises a center panel; a foam receptacle affixed to said panel; a single-armed surgical suture with the needle engaged in the receptacle; and at least a first flap adjacent and placed onto said panel allowing said receptacle to be visible. The improvement comprises a grid on the exterior package surface, whereby said suture can be dispensed from said package by disengaging and then pulling said needle, and said suture can be oriented and measured by placing it on said grid.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising a handle and a trigger pivotally attached and on compression internal to the handle has been invented. The forward portion of the handle contains: a track; a plurality of staples loaded and staple advancing means carried on the track; a track cover mounted onto the track; and an anvil surface mounted and a first bias means movably mounted on the cover. The anvil surface terminates in a perpendicular flange. The forwardmost staple is adjacent the anvil surface. A retainer spring supports the staple and separates it from the perpendicular flange. The staple is formed on the flange.The forward portion of the handle also contains a guide block which is mounted on the track cover adjacent the anvil surface. A forming blade and a second bias means are movably mounted on the guide block. The forming blade and the trigger have coordinating surfaces.

Abstract: A surgical suture package comprises a center panel. At least one foam receptacle is affixed to the panel. A plurality of cards are placed onto the panel, adjacent to the receptacle. A plurality of sutures are singly contained in a non-tangling configuration on a major portion of each card.A first flap is placed onto the cards. A means is provided for attaching the first flap to the cards and to the panel. A second flap is foldably attached to the panel, and is placed onto the receptacle and the first flap.The package is useful for singly containing a plurality of sutures with at least one end of each suture contained by a receptacle.

Abstract: A surgical stapling control means has been invented. The control means are contained in a surgical instrument comprising a handle; a trigger pivotally attached and on compression internal to said handle; and staple forming means contained in the forward portion of the handle.The control means comprise a mult-toothed ratchet on the rearward portion of the trigger; at least one guide pin attached to the initial end of the ratchet; a nonpivoting pawl attached to the rearward portion of the handle to coordinate with the ratchet; guide means adjacent the rearward portion of the handle to coordinate with and provide tension to the guide pins.On partially compressing the trigger, the guide means provide tension on the guide pins and the ratchet engages the pawl. On completely compressing the trigger, the guide pins cross over the top of the guide means causing the ratchet to be disengaged from the pawl.

Abstract: A locking means for a threaded container and closure has been invented. The locking means comprisesA. a container having a neck portion; and on the external surface of said neck portionI. a continuous first thread;II. a ring adjacent the terminal end of said thread;III. and at least one lug havinga contacting surface diagonally aligned with said first thread; an upper surface adjacent to or lower than said ring; and a height and radial thickness greater than said ring;B. a closure havingI. a radially flexible inner flange, the terminal end of said inner flange coordinating with the internal surface of said neck; andII. an outer flange havinga continuous second thread coordinating with said first thread; and at least one tab adjacent the initial end of said second thread whereby said closure is threaded onto said container, said tab passes onto said contacting surface and is then engaged by the terminal surface of said lug.

Abstract: A process is disclosed whereby acrylonitrile and diacetone alcohol are reacted in at least 93% sulfuric acid to form a novel intermediate reaction product which is recovered as a crystalline solid, washed with an organic solvent to remove colored oily impurities along with sulfuric acid, and hydrolyzed to produce diacetone acrylamide, a reactive monomer useful for preparing polymeric components of photographic films and adhesives. The intermediate reaction product is identified as 5,6-dihydro-6-hydroxy-4,4,6-trimethyl-2-vinyl-1,3(4H)-oxazine sulfate (1:1).