Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of absorbent material comprising entangled fibers. The sponge has an elongated radiopaque element in the sheet, with the fibers being fluidentangled about the element to retain it in place in the sheet.

Abstract: A collection system for body fluids comprising, a receptacle having a collection chamber for retaining the body fluids, a first container having a supply chamber for retaining a bactericide, and a second container having a holding chamber, with the holding chamber being located above a lower portion of the collection chamber, and the supply chamber being located above a lower portion of the holding chamber. The system has a first valve member permitting the passage of bactericide from the supply chamber into the holding chamber, and a second valve member permitting the passage of the bactericide from the holding chamber into the collection chamber.

Abstract: An exercising device for the foot comprising, an instep portion for covering an upper portion of the foot having a pair of flexible sheets defining a closed chamber to receive a weight medium, with the instep portion extending from a location adjacent the toes to a location adjacent the ankle, and having a pair of side portions extending around opposed sides of the foot and defining a pair of opposed side edges, with the instep portion having a pair of opposed ends extending toward the ankle on opposed sides of the foot. The exercising device has a closable access associated with the instep portion to place a weight medium in the chamber. The exercising device has a sole strap extending between the opposed sides of the instep portion for placement beneath the foot, with the instep portion and sole strap defining a first opening to receive the toes, and a second opening to receive the heel.

Abstract: A urine meter comprising, a container having a cavity for collection of urine, and a drainage tube for draining urine from a patient. The urine meter has a receptacle having a chamber, with the drainage tube communicating with an upper portion of the receptacle for passage of urine into the chamber. The urine meter has a conduit of flexible material communicating between an upper portion of the receptacle and an upper portion of the container, with the conduit having a curve from the container to the receptacle, an outer corrugated wall, and an inner smooth wall. The receptacle is releasably supported on a front side of the container.

Abstract: A nephrostomy catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen extending along the shaft and a distal end, and a formed tip bonded to the distal end of the shaft and having a distal opening communicating with the lumen to receive a guide wire.

Abstract: A protective headgear comprising, a shell for receiving a wearer's head, and a cup to receive the wearer's chin. The headgear has a strap connecting the cup to the shell, with the strap having a first strap segment with one end fixedly attached to the shell and extending to the cup, and a second strap segment having one end releasably attached to the shell and extending to the cup.

Abstract: A tamper discouraging device in a liquid drainage system comprising, an elastic catheter having an elongated shaft, a connector adjacent a proximal end of the catheter, and a drainage lumen extending through a major portion of the catheter and the connector. The device has a hollow drainage tube having a hollow adapter at an upstream end of the drainage tube, with the adapter being received in the catheter connector. The device has a circumferential band being heat shrunk against the catheter over the connector and adapter.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen extending through the shaft, and a hollow connector removably connected to a proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A connecting rod or similar machine component comprising an assembly of two seperable parts having a spherical or cylindrical bearing surface provided therebetween. The parts comprising the assembly are manufactured from a ductile material, i.e., brass, aluminum or any alloy thereof. The two seperable parts are aligned by providing the confronting surfaces of the respective parts' first and second sides with intermeshing serrations extending in generally linearly, angularly disposed paths. When the parts are assembled, the intermeshing serrations on the parts' first side coact with the serrations on the parts' other side to create a wedging relationship therebetween whereby preventing lateral and lengthwise displacement of the bearing parts relative to each other.

Abstract: A presser foot comprising, a hub having a hollow guide, a plunger having a guide member slidably received in the guide, and a lower portion carrying a sole, with the guide member being biased outwardly in the guide. The presser foot has a guide part secured to the hub guide and having a lower leg directed toward the plunger. The leg and plunger cooperate to prevent rotation of the plunger.

Abstract: A humidifying device comprising, an annular cylinder, and a heating device for heating an outer surface of the cylinder. The humidifying device has an annular absorptive column disposed against an inner surface of the cylinder, with the column having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The humidifying device has a reservoir containing a sterile liquid, and a conduit connecting the reservoir with the cylinder.

Abstract: A dispenser comprising, a container having a chamber for retaining a flowable material, and a nozzle defining an outlet orifice. The dispenser has a device for pumping the material through the orifice. The dispenser has a cap having an outwardly directed tab having an opening to receive a toothbrush. The dispenser has a spool rotatably received in a hollow lower base of the container, and an elongated strand of floss wound upon the spool and extending through an opening in the base.

Abstract: A looper throw out mechanism is provided for bodily moving sewing machine loopers from their normal operative position to a servicable position and back. The looper throw out mechanism includes a looper carrier pivotally arranged on the looper drive shaft, a fork like member attached to the looper carrier, a control disc disposed in operative combination with the fork like member for defining the angular displacement limits of the looper carrier, and a manually operated locking device for releasably securing the looper carrier to the looper drive shaft. When looper servicing is desired, the locking device is released by the operator permitting the looper carrier and the loopers to be pivoted to a serviceable position removed from their operative position.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising, an elongated catheter having a lumen, a distal end for placement in a patient, and a proximal end. The system has a retaining assembly comprising, a base plate for placement adjacent the patient, and an upright wall extending substantially peripherally around the base plate and having an opening, with the base plate having an aperture to receive the catheter and an upright retaining member having a groove extending from the aperture to receive the catheter in the groove. The catheter is wound in at least one coil inside the wall and extends toward the wall opening.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen, and an expansive hollow connector extending from a proximal end of the shaft, and defining a continuation of the drainage lumen.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising, a receptacle having a chamber to receive the liquid, and a support member adjacent an upper portion of the receptacle. The system has a support hook having an outwardly directed first bar, and a downwardly directed second bar extending from an outer portion of the first bar. The system has a device for pivotally connecting the hook to the support member such that the hook is movable between a first position generally perpendicular to the support member and a second position generally aligned with the support member.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprising, a sheet of absorbent material comprising entangled fibers. The sponge has an elongated radiopaque element in the sheet, with the fibers being entangled about the element to retain it in place in the sheet.

Abstract: A nephrostomy catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen extending along the shaft and a distal end, and a formed tip bonded to the distal end of the shaft and having a distal opening communicating with the lumen to receive a guide wire.

Abstract: A ureteral stent comprising, a catheter having a hollow elongated generally straight body portion, a retaining portion for retaining the catheter in the kidney of a patient adjacent a distal end of the body portion, and a proximal end portion extending proximally from the body portion, with the end portion being formed in a serpentine configuration which may be cut to length depending upon the length of the patient's ureter.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising, a flexible base sheet having adhesive on a front surface thereof, and a back surface. The dressing has an absorbent pad. The dressing also has a flexible film defining a chamber to receive the pad, with the chamber overlying the back surface of the base sheet, and with the dressing having an opening extending through the adhesive and base sheet and communicating with the pad inside the chamber.