Abstract: A surgical tool comprises a slidable member having a passage therethrough such as a substantially cylindrical hollow tube. The distal end of the slidable member serves as a first jaw component. An elongated member is positioned in the passage and has a second jaw component on its distal end adapted to oppose the first jaw component. A handle is connected to the slidable member for sliding the same over the elongated member to change the spacing between the first and second jaw components and to apply force to the object held between the jaw components.

Abstract: A load-stabilizing prosthetic joint is comprised of three basic components. A first component is adapted to be associated with a first bone and has an arcuate bearing surface and a shank terminating in a headed member. A second component is adapted to be associated with a second bone adjacent the first bone and has a terminal portion with rigid walls defining an open ended socket. A third component, for connecting the first and second components, has an internal cavity and a passage communicating therewith. The third component is sufficiently flexible to permit the headed member to be passed through the pasage into the cavity to connect the first and third components. The rigid walls of the second component embrace the third component providing support therefor, and prevent the headed member from passing outwardly of the passage in use.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint is comprised of three basic components. A first component is adapted to be associated with a first bone and has an arcuate bearing surface at one end thereof. The first component is constructed such that it may pivot on its bearing surface. A second component is adapted to be associated with a second bone adjacent to the first bone. The second component has a terminal portion at one end facing toward the bearing surface of the first component and has rigid walls defining an open-ended socket. The walls of the second component are connected to the first component in a manner to allow pivoting of the first component with respect to the second component. A third component has an arcuate bearing surface mating with the arcuate bearing surface on the first component. The third component is located in the open-ended socket with its walls embracing the same so that the mating bearing surfaces cooperate to carry the loading forces of the joint in use.

Abstract: A canister for a removable battery comprises a receptacle for receiving the battery therein. The battery is insertable so that its electrical terminals are upwardly facing and exposed for contact. A cover is provided for enclosing the battery in the receptacle and electrical contacts are associated with the cover for contacting the battery terminals when the cover is positioned over the receptacle with the battery inside. An electrical connector is electrically connected to the electrical contacts inside the cover and provides means on the outside of the cover for an electrical connection in order to derive voltage from the battery.A battery pack unit in combination with the canister comprises a plurality of batteries electrically connected to each other and has electrical terminals in contact with the electrical contacts in the cover. The terminals are electrically connected to the batteries in order to provide a source of electrical current from the pack unit.

Abstract: An improved artificial sphincter for occluding a duct. The basic sphincter includes means to increase the occlusive force about the duct and means to control the increase of such occlusive force. To protect the duct from excessive or damaging occlusion the basic sphincter is improved by including means for preventing increase of the occlusive force about the duct beyond a predetermined position. An additional improvement includes means for adjusting the occlusive means after the sphincter has been implanted in a human or animal body to account for variations in fit about different ducts.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for removing a clip member having arms foldable about a midsection into clamping engagement about opposite sides of a tubular member. The device has a pair of jaws pivotally mounted for movement toward and away from one another. One jaw has an anvil on the tip thereof facing the other jaw and a shoulder is provided on the anvil to act as a stop for the midsection of the clip member. The other jaw has a clip deforming element facing the anvil and when the jaws are moved toward one another the element contacts the anvil at a location spaced from the shoulder. To remove a clip, the clip midsection is positioned on the anvil against the shoulder and the clip deforming element is moved toward the anvil with the clip midsection therebetween. The clip arms are thereby opened by the resultant deformation that occurs in the area of the midsection facing the tubular member.

Abstract: A protective garment for use with a body exhaust helmet has a hood adapted to cover the head of a wearer and the hood is provided with a fenestration in the vicinity of the eyes of the wearer. A transparent plastic sheet is secured around the periphery of the inside of the fenestration and tabs extend beyond the area of securement on opposed sides of the sheet to attach the hood to a portion of the body exhaust helmet.

Abstract: A light inclining accessory for a slit lamp includes a multi-faceted mirror having a top segment for receiving an illumination beam from the slit lamp and directing the illumination beam horizontally toward a focal point coinciding with the eye of a patient and a plurality of additional mirror segments having varying angles relative to each other, and a light directing device pivotally mounted on the slit lamp to be positioned to intercept the illumination beam and selectively adjustable to direct the illumination beam toward the additional mirror segments such that the illumination beam can be directed toward the focal point at various angles of inclination.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus for a slit lamp includes a photographic camera adapted to be mounted on one ocular of a binocular microscope of the slit lamp and a light sensing device positioned adjacent an objective of the microscope for providing a signal corresponding to light at the objective to an automatic exposure control mechanism in the camera, the other ocular of the microscope being free to permit viewing of an object being photographed.