Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument having elongate inner and outer tubular members with distal ends cooperating to cut bodily tissue and aspirate the cut bodily tissue through the inner tubular member includes a coating of titanium nitride formed on the inner tubular member by physical vaport deposition to extend from the distal end of the inner tubular member to the proximal end of the inner tubular member such that the titanium nitride coating forms an elongate bearing surface extending along the length of the surgical cutting instrument preventing cocking or skewing of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member while also preventing galling and possible seizure by distributing or dispersing heat along the surgical cutting instrument.

Abstract: A method of suturing tissue in the body particularly useful in arthroscopic surgery requiring only small incisions or portals for insertion of diagnostic and surgical instruments includes the steps of inserting an instrument in the body having a distal end carrying relatively movable jaws with openings therein, manipulating the jaws to penetrate the tissue to be sutured and to move the jaws to positions adjacent each other with the openings therein aligned, feeding suture material through the openings in the jaws, securing ends of the suture material to form a knot and moving the knot to a position adjacent the tissue.

Abstract: A method of performing cataract surgery on an eye to prevent posterior capsule clouding after the surgery includes injecting a cell-killing substance between the capsule and the natural lens prior to removing the natural lens from the eye. The cell-killing substance is preferably water having a salinity less than 0.9%, with a preferred salinity range of from 0 to 0.6%. A syringe for injecting the cell-killing substance also aspirates any cell-killing substance escaping from the capsule.

Abstract: Purified ice pieces of a size suitable for use in drinks, and purified liquid water, are derived from unpurified liquid water by directing a stream of the unpurified water over areas of at least one freezing surface. As ice forms at the freezing surface, impurities in the water are washed away by the stream which may be collected so that the unpurified water may be recirculated as part of the freezing process. The freezing surface areas are periodically heated to detach the ice, the detached ice being collected in a bin. Ice at the bottom of the bin is melted by selectively heating the bin to provide purified water that is collected in a container. Controls are provided to automatically initiate bin heating and thereby maintain a predetermined amount of purified liquid water in the container.

Abstract: A method for repairing in vivo torn cartilaginous or other bodily tissue, particularly torn meniscus tissue during arthroscopic surgery, employs a repair tack of biodegradable material chosen to have a degradation time in excess of the required healing time for the tissue. The repair tack has a shaft portion with a longitudinal bore and a grip portion adapted for releasable engagement by a hollow applicator. In one embodiment the grip portion of the tack is a cross bar, at the proximal end of the shaft, which fits into an open-sided slot at the forward end of the applicator. A needle passes through the hollow applicator and tack bore to project from the distal end of the tack shaft. With the tack supported in the slot and the needle passing through the stem, the needle and tack can be inserted into the joint cavity through a portal in the skin or through an insertion cannula.

Abstract: A license plate holder for providing a weather-proof and tamper-proof enclosure for a vehicle license plate includes a backing plate adapted to be secured to the vehicle license plate mount and to have the license plate secured thereto. A cover frame is secured to the backing plate by means of tamper-resistant screws secured between the backing plate and frame without passing through the license plate or a transparent pane held against the license plate by the frame. Gaskets provide weather-proof seals between the frame and pane and between the license plate and pane. The tamper-resistant screws are received in cylindrical female-threaded fasteners which are crimped in place to determine the spacing between the frame and backing plate. The backing plate is provided with four mounting apertures corresponding to four standardly spaced mounting holes in the vehicle license plate mount.

Abstract: A suturing instrument for use in arthroscopic surgery includes a hollow needle for penetrating tissue to be sutured within the body while the tissue is clamped between relatively movable jaws, and a suture feed mechanism for feeding suture material through the hollow needle such that the jaws can be opened and the suturing instrument withdrawn from the body pulling the free end segment of the suture material with the instrument. A knot can be tied in the suture material externally of the body and the knot moved back into the body at a position adjacent the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing determinations of immune reactants (e.g., antigens, antibodies) in bodily fluids includes multiple test units having respective elongated rods with transversely-expanded tips at their distal ends. The tips are each coated with respective immune reactants (e.g., allergens of the type which react in a known manner with respective allergen-specific or allergen-binding antibodies in human serum. The test units are color-coded. By correlating the color code to a chart, the specific immune reactant (e.g., allergen) coating can be easily identified. The supporting strip for the test unit has through-holes which frictionally engage the proximal ends of the test unit rods with a spacing that permits all of the supported test units to be simultaneously inserted into an assembly of reaction containers arranged in a linear array.

Abstract: A fish lure, simulating an earthworm or other annelid, includes a clitellum disposed intermediate its ends and eccentrically weighted relative to its central longitudinal axis such that the underside of the lure is weightedly-biased to face downward whenever the lure is in a body of water causing it, when falling to assume a U-shaped, life-like position. A paddle at the tail end of the lure causes the lure to move with a life-like wriggle as it drops through water. A lip proximate the head end of the lure likewise imparts a wriggling motion to the falling lure. The lip may be replaced with a medusa-like collar that opens and closes as the lure is drawn through water by a fishing line that is alternately pulled and relaxed.

Abstract: A picture frame is formed by folding a unitary blank along pre-formed fold lines and includes front, intermediate and rear panels. The intermediate panel is folded behind the front panel, which is apertured, to form a three-sided pocket for retaining a picture to be viewed through the aperture. A pocket seal is effected by the rear panel which is folded over the intermediate panel and is also folded out of plane to present a convex rear frame surface. A resulting curved lower edge of the rear panel cooperates with the lower edge joining the front and intermediate panels to provide a stable support for the frame. The front panel is provided with flaps which overlie the intermediate panel to close the sides of the pocket. Slots are defined in the flaps to receive tabs on the rear panel to secure the rear panel in its folded configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing in vivo torn cartilaginous or other bodily tissue, particularly torn meniscus tissue during arthroscopic surgery, employs a repair tack of biodegradable material chosen to have a degradation time in excess of the required healing time for the tissue. The repair tack has a shaft portion with a longitudinal bore and a grip portion adapted for releasable engagement by a hollow applicator. In one embodiment the grip portion of the tack is a cross bar, at the proximal end of the shaft, which fits into an open-sided slot at the forward end of the applicator. A needle passes through the hollow applicator and tack bore to project from the distal end of the tack shaft.

Abstract: A non-toxic shotgun pellet having ballistic characteristics similar to those of lead shot is made up of particles of a first alloy, containing primarily ferrotungsten, suspended in a matrix of a second alloy, containing primarily lead. The relative amounts of lead and ferrotungsten are selected to minimize cost while keeping the overall lead content to forty percent or less, by weight, to avoid toxicity. The first alloy is formed by diluting the ferrotungsten with iron or steel and carbon at temperatures on the order of 1800.degree. C. in an inert gas environment. The alloy is quenched and then crushed into particles over which is poured the second alloy comprising lead, tin and antimony in order to suspend the first alloy particles in the second alloy mixture.

Abstract: A fiber optic illuminator for use in surgery includes an adapter having a barrel to be received in a socket adjacent a light source, a body with a conical bore therein and a light conducting rod mounted in the barrel, an interconnector having as conical end received in the conical bore of the adapter to position a proximal end of a fiber optic element adjacent the light conducting rod, a support hub having a distal end mounting a cannula, and a length of flexible tubing connecting the interconnector and the support hub, the fiber optic element passing through the tubing, the support hub and the cannula and having a distal end positioned at the distal end of the cannula such that light from the light source is conducted to the distal end of the cannula via the light conducting rod and the fiber optic element. The fiber optic illuminator is designed to efficiently transmit light with little loss and to be economically disposable.

Abstract: Detecting and locating leaks in building service lateral sewer pipelines is accomplished under remote control by inserting a lateral inspection television camera into the lateral pipeline from a main sewer pipeline. The lateral inspection camera is stored in a generally cylindrical launcher mechanism having a camera port opening through which the lateral camera may be projected and retracted using a hollow elongated and flexible push rod. The launcher is moved longitudinally in the main pipeline, along with a main television camera, until an entrance opening to a service lateral pipeline is viewed via the main camera. The launcher mechanism may also be rotated in order to properly align the camera aperture with the entrance to the lateral pipeline. The lateral camera can be propelled into the lateral pipeline by means of motor driven pinch rollers in the launcher mechanism pushing the push rod.