Abstract: A device for removing fluids from a wound includes a housing and a passive bellows inside the housing. The bellows can be collapsed and retained in a collapsed or activated state. Upon release from its activated state, the bellows is expanded so as to provide a substantially constant level of negative pressure whereupon fluids from a wound are automatically drawn into and collected within the bellows at a substantially constant rate of suction throughout the range of evacuation. Preferably the bellows is expanded by a constant force ribbon spring which provides a constant force of expansion. Additionally, the housing is preferably transparent with graduations etched thereon permitting the visible inspection and measurement of the fluids removed from the wound.

Abstract: A sensor and method are disclosed for measuring electrokinetic effects across a double layer formed at the boundary between a solid wall and an ionic liquid flowing through a channel. In one embodiment, a passive electrode is located in a cavity forming a tee section with the channel through an orifice of approximately the same size as the channel. A passive second electrode in electrical communication with one side of the double layer is placed on the other side of a porous plug which is located in a second cavity directly opposite the orifice and which is flush with the channel walls. The double layer being investigated is formed on the flush portion of the porous plug. Thus both electrodes are out of the flowing liquid. An electrokinetic potential, labeled the K-effect potential, was measured by the two electrodes.

Abstract: A suture package is provided comprising an outer sealed package and an inner sterile suture containing package. The inner suture containing package comprises pairs of heat sealed plastic sheets which form a series of pockets which are open at one end. Each of these pockets is adapted to contain a pre-reeled suture disposed within an envelope. Two rows of pockets are sealed together so as to be offset both laterally and vertically to provide a pair of rows of suture containing pockets which are offset with respect to each other for easy access. A portion of the suture within each envelope extends outwardly of the end of the envelope so that the suture may be grasped and withdrawn from the envelope.

Abstract: A method of determining the volume flow of a fluid through a conduit usable with a single crystal, whereby at least one of the fluid and the conduit have energy-scattering interfaces. The method in one embodiment includes transmitting a known, uniform sound field through the fluid which illuminates the entire cross-sectional area of the conduit, obtaining the Doppler signal from the received signal such that the sampling region is normal to the direction of propagation of the sound field; and obtaining the integral of the power over this surface. A known volume of fluid totally within the conduit is then sampled for the reference power return therefrom and this reference power return is divided into the first moment of the power to produce a signal proportional to the volume flow of the fluid through the conduit.

Abstract: A sensor and method are disclosed for measuring electrokinetic effects across a double layer formed at the boundary between a solid wall and an ionic liquid flowing through a channel. In one embodiment, a passive electrode is located in a cavity forming a tee section with the channel through an orifice of approximately the same size as the channel. A passive second electrode in electrical communication with one side of the double layer is placed on the other side of a porous plug which is located in a second cavity directly opposite the orifice and which is flush with the channel walls. The double layer being investigated is formed on the flush portion of the porous plug. Thus both electrodes are out of the flowing liquid. An electrokinetic potential, labeled the K-effect potential, was measured by the two electrodes.

Abstract: A catheter probe flow meter and method of determining the volume flow of a fluid through a conduit, at least one of the fluid and the conduit having energy-scattering interfaces. The method in one embodiment includes trasmitting at least two and receiving at least one or transmitting at least one and receiving at least two sound beams through the fluid, resolving the Doppler vectors into an average velocity vector for each transmitting/receiving combination, and resolving the resolved velocity vectors into their component parts.

Abstract: A stoma drainage appliance having a fluid collecting pouch constructed of sheets of flexible material with two internal sheets sealed together at spaced intervals to provide a valve across the center of the pouch precluding upward flow of fluid between the two internal sheets. There is at least one unsealed space between the seals located so as to provide a direct, straight path from an inlet opening of the upper section of the pouch to the lower section of the pouch. The stoma drainage appliance further includes an outlet spout connected at the lower section of the pouch. The spout has a tapered opening with an inlet neck section of oval cross-section and an outlet end section of circular cross-section. The spout is made of flexible material for clamping along the neck section to close the spout and includes a cap for attachment to the end section thereof.

Abstract: A novel closure means for an opening of a body eliminations or secretions collection appliance is disclosed. Said closure means comprises a semi-rigid strip securely affixed adjacent to one of the walls of the collection appliance. The opening is closed by lap folding the extremity of the collection appliance upon itself and then tucking the folded extremity into a gap between said strip and said wall. The novel closure means is particularly well suited for releasable closure of the drainage opening of an ostomy collection appliance.

Abstract: A novel knee prosthesis is disclosed comprising a femoral component and a tibial component adapted respectively to be secured to the adjacent ends of the femur and tibia, with each component comprising a spaced pair of bearing portions for articulation of the knee in the sagittal plane. A first guiding surface carried by the femoral component cooperates with a second guiding surface carried by the tibial component to induce posterior movement of the contact area of the femoral bearing portions upon the tibial bearing portions with increasing flexion of the knee. The two guiding surfaces are preferably located in the intercondylar region. The prosthesis may also be adapted for use in other joints, e.g. the elbow.

Abstract: A novel dental surveyor for use in analyzing and working upon dental models is disclosed. The surveyor contains one or more vertical tools, such as marking tools, wax relieving tools and tapered tools. Rotation of a spindle received within a sleeve about its longitudinal axis, combined with horizontal sliding of tool housings upon tool support means attached to said spindle, allows the tools to contact the entire surface of a dental model while always remaining oriented in the vertical direction. The surveyor may also be equipped with e.g. a grinding or drilling tool and means for locking such a tool against horizontal movement while in use.

Abstract: Means for affixing the scapular component of a shoulder prosthesis to the bony structure of the shoulder includes a T-shaped stem extending from a flange on the device. The stem has a substantially narrow or thin web having one side longer than the other, which disposes the base at an acute angle relative to the flange, such as approximately 15.degree.. The elongated base and the web are inserted through the bony structure with the flange in contact with outer regions. The base and web are cemented within the bone to securely anchor the prosthesis to the bone between them and the flange.

Abstract: A hip fracture nail device includes a telescopic nail for fixing the broken hip joint portions of the femur together and a retaining plate to which the nail is angularly secured in longitudinal sliding relationship at an angle of approximately 150.degree. by a slanted bushing. The retaining plate has strong triangular prongs which engage within corresponding grooves in the sides of the bushing, which facilitate retention, removal, and sliding adjustment between them. The retaining plate is affixed to the shaft of the femur by a row of bone screws. The nail is manipulated by a tool connected to the inner end of the nail inserted through an aperture in the retaining plate. The nail is maintained at an adjusted distance from the bushing and plate by frictional engagement of a C-shaped retaining spring disposed between the outer wall of the nail and the inner wall of the bushing.

Abstract: A prosthesis for an artificial bicentric joint comprising a cup member encased in a metallic outer shell member, the cup member having an inner surface adapted for receiving the male prosthetic member of the articulating joint and an outer surface comprising a spherical zone terminating at its base in a right cylindrical zone, the altitude of the spherical zone being less than the spherical radius, and having an annular groove approximately at the junction of the spherical and cylindrical zones, the shell member having an outer surface adapted for implantation in a skeletal cavity and an inner surface, substantially congruent with the outer surface of the cup member, having detent means for engaging the annular groove of the cup member to permanently secure the cup member within the shell member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for non-invasively detecting the location of a constriction in a vessel through which a conductive fluid is flowing by externally measuring the streaming potentials generated by the flowing fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention detects the location of atherosclerotic lesions in human arteries through which the blood is being pumped in a pulsatile manner. The lesion creates a turbulent flow in the blood which in turn results in a significantly larger streaming potential being generated. The apparatus comprises two closely spaced apart, passive electrodes, which can be relatively movably mounted on a housing and a voltage detecting device, such as an oscilloscope, coupled to the electrodes.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting body fluid utilizes a condition of negative pressure in a chamber for drawing body fluid from an area of a wound at a relatively constant flow rate. The apparatus includes a piston assembly movable in a housing from a first to a second position under forces of atmospheric pressure acting on the piston assembly. The apparatus further comprises an assembly for enabling operation of the piston assembly including at least one cylinder and piston movable therein by pulling on a hand gripping element attached to the piston to develop a partial vacuum in the cylinder. The piston assembly includes a diaphragm which is movable for maintaining the chamber sealed except through a port adapted for receipt of a tube connecting with said wound. The evacuator apparatus may be reused by emptying body fluid from the chamber and reenabling the piston assembly.

Abstract: A lockable box has a tray and cover hinged together at the open rear end of the cover and locked at their opposite ends. A pair of detent spring fingers extending upwardly from the end of the tray lock over shoulders within the unhinged end of the cover. The detent spring fingers are released to open the box by inserting key lugs through holes in the lid of the cover in line with the spring detent fingers to disengage them from the cover. The cover and a tray are hinged together by a pair of elongated combination slide and hinge pins extending out from the rear midportions of the sides of the tray, whose longer dimension rotatably engages within hinge sockets at the rear ends of adjoining longitudinal grooves within the sides of the cover.

Abstract: A stoma drainage appliance having a fluid collecting pouch constructed of sheets of flexible material with two internal sheets sealed together at spaced intervals to provide a valve across the center of the pouch precluding upward flow of fluid between the two internal sheets. There is at least one unsealed space between the seals located so as to provide a direct, straight path from an inlet opening of the upper section of the pouch to the lower section of the pouch. The stoma drainage appliance further includes an outlet spout connected at the lower section of the pouch. The spout has a tapered opening with an inlet neck section of oval cross-section and an outlet end section of circular cross-section. The spout is made of flexible material for clamping along the neck section to close the spout and includes a cap for attachment to the end section thereof.