Abstract: A quick-release ratcheting holder for a surgical retractor which includes a spring detent to keep the holder from coming off the ring member when the retractor is relaxed.

Abstract: A completely disposable, permanently assembled drill for perforating bone structures, which includes a generally annular drill body. A primary drill member is slidably and rotatably received in the distal end of the drill body. A driver is slidably and rotatably received in the proximal end of said drill body. A pin and slot-type spring biased clutch is disposed on the confronting surfaces of the drill member and driver. The pin of the clutch projects through the triangular openings and the sidewall of the drill body so as to limit the throw of the clutch and to link the drill body and drill member together. The interaction of the pin against the triangular side of the slot in the drill body produces a component of force which tends to urge the clutch apart. When the drill is placed against the bone structure with a force sufficient to overcome the spring bias, the clutch will engage and the driver and drill member and the drill body will rotate together.

Abstract: A biopsy specimen collector for use with a vacuum source includes a closed receptacle having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The outlet opening is adapted to be connected to the vacuum source. A removable cover provides access into the interior of the receptacle. A fluid channel tube inside the receptacle has one end connected to the outlet opening, with its other end being open and being positioned substantially at the geometric centroid of the receptacle to facilitate operation of the collector without regard of its orientation during use.

Abstract: A surgical retractor assembly includes a support post having a lower portion and an upper portion, with the lower portion having an adjustable clamp for attaching the post to a rail provided on a surgical operating table. This clamp is capable of attachment to the rail over a flexible surgical drape. A screw mechanism is associated with the clamp so that the clamp can be attached and adjusted by the operator in an area above the rail on the surgical table. An extension rod is adjustably connected to the post and is adapted to extend in a direction generally over a patient on the operating table. A rigid ring member is connected to the extension rod for positioning a plurality of retractor blades for use on a patient. At least one retractor blade is mounted on the ring member.

Abstract: An improved battery charger of the type having a housing with a source of electrical energy therein suitable for recharging units capable of being electrically recharged. The housing includes a plurality of cavities each arranged to accommodate a unit to be recharged, and each cavity has electrical contacts which are positioned to contact the terminals of the unit inserted into each cavity for delivering electrical energy to that unit. The improvement comprises a switch in each cavity which is activatable by insertion of the unit therein, the switch being separate from and free from direct contact with the electrical contacts, but electrically connected to the energy source which, in turn, energizes the electrical contacts for recharging the unit upon activation of the switch.

Abstract: A quick connect-disconnect electrofluidic junction assembly for simultaneously transferring fluid and electrical energy from respective sources of supply. The assembly includes a female terminal with an internal receptacle one end of which is open and surrounded by a peripheral wall. An electrical contact is positioned inside the housing and spaced apart from the open end. A fluid passage extends through the housing and communicates with the receptacle. A male terminal includes a hollow connector body which is adapted to be push-fit into the receptacle through its open end, with an electrical contact on its forward end adapted to mate with the electrical contact in the housing. A sealing element is located around the periphery of the body for providing a fluid-tight seal between the body and the interior wall of the housing when inserted therein.

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: Method for fixation of prostheses to bone with sterile non toxic polymers such as polycaprolactone which are formable viscous liquids or putty-like solids at temperatures within the range of 45.degree.-75.degree. C. and hard, rigid solids at temperatures below about 42.degree. C., and to a sterile package containing such polymers.

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.