Abstract: A catheter introducer comprises an elongated sheath having a bore to receive a percutaneous needle therethrough. The proximal end of the sheath is secured to a head element having angularly spaced wing portions and defining two opposed parallel planar surfaces. The percutaneous needle has a transversely disposed U-shaped element secured to its proximal end which is snugly engagable with the planer sidewalls of the head portion and is secured thereto through a rib and slot interengagement of the arms with the planar surfaces. The sheath and the entire head portion are provided with diametrically opposed scorelines to permit the ready separation of the introducer through the application of a separating force to the wing portions. Such separation cannot, however, occur so long as the needle is fully inserted within the introducer due to the restraining action of the arms of the U-shaped element.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing a catheter into a patient's vein comprises a tubular housing having an axially extending guide slot extending from a point adjacent the forward end of the housing to a point adjacent the rear end of the housing. A tubular transparent mount for a hollow hypodermic needle is slidably mounted in the tubular housing with the sharpened end of the needle projecting forwardly. The overall length of the needle mount and needle is less than the length of the housing. A locking element rotatably mounted on the needle mount projects through the elongated slot and is selectively engaged with recesses provided in the forward and rear end wall portions of the elongated slot, by rotation relative to the needle mount, to lock the needle mount in an operative position with the needle projecting out of the housing, or an inoperative position with the needle retracted into the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a catheter into a selected vein and to a selected position within such vein comprises a tubular sheath mountable in surrounding relation to a percutaneous needle to permit the distal end of the tubular sheath to enter the vein penetrated by the needle. The tubular sheath is rigidly bonded in the bore of a hub portion of an operating element and has a pair of diametrically opposed, longitudinal score lines. The hub element is longitudinally divided by longitudinal slots aligned with the sheath score lines except for two thin walled integral connecting sections having score lines aligned with the sheath score lines. A pair of diametrically opposed, manually graspable wing portions are integrally formed on the hub element intermediate the hub score lines to permit the longitudinal severance of the hub and sheath to remove same from a catheter traversing the bores of the hub element and sheath to enter the selected vein after the needle is removed.

Abstract: A prosthesis for protecting the palate of a small infant from injury by airway or other tubes required to be maintained in the throat of an infant patient for extended periods, comprises a thin mass of injection molded, soft, resiliently deformable plastic having an upper surface contoured to conform to a normal palate of a healthy infant of approximately the same size as the patient. The plastic mass incorporates an integral, downwardly opening passage for an air way tube, thus disposing the plastic mass between the tube and the palate of the infant patient.

Abstract: A self-contained hand held medical aspirating device having a piston-grip type handle for holding in one hand with a standard connector for connecting to a catheter and a vacuum line for connecting to a vacuum source and a removable specimen container for receiving body fluids and a fluid barrier means to prevent body fluids from getting into the suction source.

Abstract: A catheter for injecting a contrast medium in the biliary tract as part of the surgical procedure in gallstone removal and related procedures. The cholangiogram catheter utilizes a small section of plastic tubing to which is attached a stainless steel conical tip. To the opposite end of the plastic tubing is secured a syringe adapter for receiving the tip of an injection syringe frequently utilized by doctors and nurses. In assembling the device, a ligature gap is created adjacent the flare of the conical tip to facilitate an effective closing of a duct adjacent the conical tip and plastic tubing.