Abstract: An introducer tool for a screw-in endocardial lead includes a plunger housing which is connected to the connector of the endocardial lead. The plunger housing is shiftable in a locking tube between retracted and advanced positions. A stylet is insertable through the plunger housing and through the lumen of the lead for shifting the helix assembly of the lead from a retracted to an advanced position. Clamping elements on the plunger housing engage the stylet to clamp the latter against movement when the plunger housing is in the advanced position. The lead may then be rotated relative to the introducer tool about the stylet to fix the helix assembly into the endocardium.

Abstract: A stylet and introducer tool is used with a screw-in electrode which is adapted to attach living tissue to a pulse generator, such as a pacemaker or the like. The stylet has a knob at its proximal end and extends through the introducer tool and coiled conductor of the lead to engage a helix assembly positioned within the hollow electrode of the lead. The stylet is adapted to urge the helix of the helix assembly into contact with the living tissue. The knob of the stylet engages in a slot in the introducer tool to lock the stylet to the introducer tool and permit the screw-in lead to be rotated around the stylet so that the helix will penetrate the living tissue.

Abstract: A tear-away introducer tool for a disposable introducer set used in introducing a catheter into a blood vessel comprises an elongate sheath having a pair of opposed splits in the proximal end thereof to define a pair of tabs. A handle is secured to the sheath and includes a pair of handle members, each comprising a pair of clamping elements which clamp the tabs of the sheath therebetween. The handle has opposed weakened portions which facilitate the tearing of the sheath along axial lines and the handle also facilitates manipulation of the introducer tool during the catheter introduction procedure.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for breaking railroad rails into small pieces of predetermined length includes a trailer having an infeed conveyor mounted on the bed thereof. A rail breaker device is mounted on the trailer bed adjacent the discharge end of the infeed conveyor, and a stop member is positioned downstream of the discharge end of the infeed conveyor and in obstructing relation with respect to rails moved by the infeed conveyor. The rail breaker device includes a hydraulically operated clamping and scoring member which is operable to clamp the end of the rail against the anvil plate, and to simultaneously score and cut the rail. An hydraulically operated impact member is positioned between the clamping and scoring member and the stop member, and is operable to break the rail along the score line whereby rails moved by the infeed conveyor may be continuously broken into pieces of predetermined length.

Abstract: An intravenous drip rate control device includes a control valve having horizontally oriented valve members each provided with valve elements arranged in interdigitating relation with respect to each other. A drip rate sensor senses each intravenous drip and produces an electrical signal in response to each drip. A microprocessor unit compares the sensed drip rate to a preset drip rate and controls operation of an actuating unit which causes one of the valve members to shift toward and away from the other valve member. When one of the valve members is shifted toward the other valve member, a horizontal portion of the drip tube is progressively stretched to narrow the opening through the stretched portion of the tube and thereby reduce the drip rate. When the valve member is shifted away from the other valve member, the tension on the stretched portion of the tube will be progressively released, thereby increasing the opening in the tube and increasing the drip rate.

Abstract: A rotary fluid pressure actuator device includes a housing comprised of a pair of housing members interconnected together for relative movement therebetween. A vane rotor assembly is positioned in the housing and is rotationally reciprocated in response to the direction of flow of fluid to and from the interior of the housing members. The housing members are provided with internal stops which are adjustable with respect to each other to permit the rotational stroke of the vane rotor assembly to be variously adjusted. Rotary movement of the vane rotor assembly is transmitted directly or through a shaft to another device for actuation thereof.