Abstract: A thread control device comprising, a rotatable disc assembly for controlling a thread and having a rotational axis. The device has a knife located on at least one side of the disc assembly and having a cutting edge disposed generally parallel to the rotational axis of the disc assembly.

Abstract: A tamper discouraging system comprising, a catheter having an elongated shaft and a hollow connector at a proximal end of the shaft. The system has a drainage tube having an adapter at an upstream end of the drainage tube, with the adapter being received in the connector. The system has a first semi-annular shell for placement over the connector, and a second semi-annular shell for placement over the connector. The system has a hinge connecting one end of the first shell to one end of the second shell, and a locking device for locking the other end of the first shell to the other end of the second shell.

Abstract: A method of performing a nephrostomy procedure comprising the steps of inserting a catheter into a patient's body until a distal portion of the catheter is located in the renal calyces, inflating a sleeve of the catheter in the renal calyces, removing a proximal connector and valve of the catheter, and inserting a sheath of a scope over a shaft of the catheter.

Abstract: A nephrostomy catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen extending through the shaft, an inflation lumen extending through a wall of the shaft, and an opening extending through the wall of the shaft and communicating with the drainage lumen adjacent a proximal end of the shaft. The catheter has an elastic sleeve secured to a distal portion of the shaft in circumferential zones, with the sleeve defining a cavity communicating with the inflation lumen. The catheter has a connector removably received in sealing relationship in the opening with the connector communicating with the drainage lumen, and an inflation valve secured to the proximal end of the shaft. Communication is established between the valve and the inflation lumen to inflate the sleeve.

Abstract: An article retaining device comprising, a sleeping bag having a pair of padded panels with one of the panels overlying the other panel. The panels have a first end portion, a second opposed end portion, and a central portion therebetween, with the panels being folded to a configuration of reduced length and having a pocket to receive articles for storage in the pocket. The device has a cover for the sleeping bag comprising, a pair of flexible sheets with one of the sheets overlying the other sheet, the sheets having a pair of opposed end edges and a pair of opposed side edges connecting the end edges. The sheets have an opening along at least one of the edges to receive the folded bag, and the sheets define a cavity sufficiently large to receive and cover the folded bag.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising, a container having a cavity to receive the liquid. The system has an associated light emitter and light detector being changeable between a first state with the light from the emitter impinging upon the detector, and a second state with the light from the emitter passing away from the detector dependent upon the presence of liquid in the container between the emitter and detector. The system has a device for moving the emitter and detector vertically along the container.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, a first distal shaft section having a first distal drainage lumen extending therethrough, and a first inflation lumen extending through a wall of the first shaft section. The catheter has an elastic sleeve bonded to a distal portion of the first shaft section in circumferential zones defining a cavity beneath the sleeve communicating with the first inflation lumen. The catheter has a proximal portion comprising a second proximal shaft section having a second drainage lumen extending therethrough, a hollow connector defining a continuation of the second drainage lumen, a side arm having a valve, and a second inflation lumen extending through the side arm from the valve and through the second shaft section to a distal end of the proximal portion. The catheter has a device for locking the first shaft section to the proximal portion while establishing communication between the first and second drainage lumens and between the first and second inflation lumens.

Abstract: A kit for performing a medical procedure comprising, a procedure tray having a plurality of recesses to receive procedural components. The kit has a prepping tray having a plurality of recesses to receive prepping components, with the prepping tray being disposed in a side-by-side relationship with the procedure tray. The prepping tray has an outwardly directed upper transparent flange which is sufficiently large to cover the procedure tray.

Abstract: A sleeping bag comprising, first and second panels, with one of the panels overlying the other panel and with the panels having a lower portion, an upper portion, and side edges. The bag has a first closing device for closing the side edges of the first and second panels, with the upper portion of the panels being inverted and tucked between the adjoining portion of the panels to define a pocket and an opening communicating with the pocket to receive and stow articles. The bag has a second device for closing the opening.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising, a urine meter comprising a first container having a compartment to receive the liquid, and a second container having a cavity alongside the first container, with the first container having an opening adjacent an upper portion of the first container communicating between the compartment and cavity to permit passage of liquid between the compartment and cavity. The system has a receptacle having a chamber supported below the urine meter, a first conduit communicating between the compartment and receptacle chamber, and a second conduit communicating between the cavity and the receptacle chamber. The system has a device for simultaneously opening and closing the first and second conduits to empty the contents of the compartment and cavity into the receptacle chamber.

Abstract: A liquid collection system comprising, a drainage container having a chamber for collection of liquid therein, and a flexible tubular section communicating with a lower portion of the chamber. The system has a clamp on the tubular section for releasably closing the tubular section. The system also has an antiseptic device secured to an outer end of the tubular section, with the device having an annular wall defining a cavity, at least one well for capturing liquid adjacent an outer end of the cavity, and a pocket for capturing liquid adjacent an inner end of the cavity. The device has a capsule in the cavity containing an antiseptic agent.

Abstract: A scrub sponge comprising, a packet having a rupturable wall and a closed chamber containing a liquid scrub agent, and a cover of foam material having a cavity to receive the packet and enclosing the packet. The sponge has a puncture member intermediate the cover and the packet and having a pair of generally aligned and spaced arms on opposed sides of the packet beneath the cover, and hinge means connecting the arms adjacent one end of the packet. The puncture member has at least one sharp projection on each of the arms directed toward the packet to pierce the wall when the arms are pressed toward each other to release the scrub agent into the cover, and an opening extending through the arms adjacent each of the projections.

Abstract: An ultrasound acoustical coupling pad comprising, a retaining member comprising a sheet having a front surface, a back surface, and a cut-out. The pad has a doppler transducer received in the cut-out, and a strip of acoustical gel covering at least a substantial portion of the front surface of the retaining member. The pad has a backing member comprising a sheet secured to the retaining member and having an edge portion extending outwardly from the retaining member and strip, with the edge portion having adhesive on a front surface thereof to secure the pad to the skin of a patient.

Abstract: A device for patient therapy in the use of wet dressings comprising, a device for generating heated moist air, and a sheet of substantially air impervious material to cover the wet dressing. Spaced portions of the sheet are secured to the patient. The generating device is coupled to the inside of the sheet intermediate the sheet and the patient to permit passage of the heated moist air onto the wet dressing.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising, a receptacle having a chamber for collection of liquid therein. The system has a housing secured to an upper portion of the receptacle and having opposed ends. The housing has a pair of opposed elongated flexible handle members extending from the housing ends, and a device for interlocking the outer ends of the handle members together to serve as a handle for the receptacle.

Abstract: A scrub sponge comprising, a packet having a rupturable wall and a closed chamber containing a liquid scrub agent, and a cover of foam material having a cavity to receive the packet and enclosing the packet. The sponge has a puncture member intermediate the cover and the packet and having a pair of generally aligned and spaced arms on opposed sides of the packet beneath the cover, and hinge means connecting the arms adjacent one end of the packet. The puncture member has at least one sharp projection on one of the arms directed toward the packet to pierce the wall when the arms are pressed toward each other to release the scrub agent into the cover, and an opening extending through the one arm adjacent the projection.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising, a receptacle having a chamber to receive liquid, and a depending annular wall in an upper portion of the receptacle. The system has a valve comprising a cup-shaped member of elastic material having a lower wall extending across the cup-shaped member, an upper annular wall extending from the lower wall, with an upper portion of the valve annular wall being snugly received on a lower portion of the receptacle wall, and a hinge member extending outwardly from the cup-shaped member at one side of the lower wall. The cup-shaped member has a slit extending through the cup-shaped member to the hinge member at a location slightly above the lower wall. The slit defines a valve seat above the lower wall with the lower wall serving as a valve element which may sealingly engage against the seat, with the hinge member connecting the lower wall and valve annular wall.

Abstract: An esophageal probe comprising, a shaft assembly including an elongated shaft, and a sound conducting medium extending from a distal location of the shaft assembly to a proximal location of the shaft assembly. The probe has a vibration detection device adjacent a proximal portion of the medium to detect sounds transmitted by the medium.

Abstract: A therapeutic stocking comprising, a first circumferential segment for placement on the leg below the knee, with the first segment extending from the ankle to a point slightly below the knee. The first segment exerts a compressive pressure on the wearer's leg gradually decreasing from the ankle to said point below the knee. The stocking has a second circumferential segment for placement on the leg above the knee, with the second segment extending from a point slightly above the knee to the upper thigh.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising, a receptacle having a chamber to receive and collect the liquid. The system has a drip chamber having a vent with a bacteria filter covering the vent, and an annular wall having a lower edge defining a valve seat, with the seat being disposed at an acute angle relative to the horizontal when the receptacle is in an upright position. The system has an anti-reflux valve comprising a sheet of flexible material extending across the drip chamber such that the sheet is sufficiently large to engage against the seat peripherally around the drip chamber. The system has a device for retaining an upper portion of the valve against an upper portion of the seat, such that a lower portion of the valve flexes away from the seat when the receptacle is placed in an upright position, and the lower portion of the valve flexes against the seat when the receptacle is disposed in a horizontal position.