Abstract: A motor driven reciprocating surgical file apparatus and method for trimming and shaping hard body materials. A small file is detachably mounted on the distal end of a reciprocating offset arm. The offset arm allows the file to be inserted and manipulated in a surgical site. The file is comprised of a slender elongated upward extending arm and an adjoining lower file portion. A plurality of teeth surround the file portion and are arranged to shape and trim bone and cartilage in a direction which is substantially parallel to the reciprocating motion of a motor's output shaft. A coupling is provided on the reciprocating arm for detachably mounting optional files. A control circuit allows a surgeon to vary the rate at which the file reciprocates. In a first aspect of the invention, the reciprocating file is driven by a battery operated electric motor. In a second aspect of the invention, the reciprocating arm is driven by an AC motor.

Abstract: A method of making a surgical incision comprising power driving a rotating scalpel blade and drawing the blade across an area and along a line where an incision is required. When the blade is circular, the circumferential speed of the blade relative to the tissue at the incision is maintained above 4 centimeters per second and is preferably between 10 and 25 centimeters per second, i.e. approximately 18 centimeters per second, for example. Further in accordance with the invention, the scalpel blade may be pushed or pulled across the area in which an incision is required. Also, the circular scalpel blade may be driven in a direction such that the periphery thereof at the incision travels in either a direction opposite to or the same as the direction of movement of the blade drawn along the line where the incision is required.

Abstract: High incision velocity vibrating scalpel structure and method comprising motor means including a motor having a drive shaft rotatable on energizing the motor, an eccentric fly wheel secured to the drive shaft for rotation therewith and scalpel blade support structure rigidly secured to the motor, all resiliently mounted in a elongated hollow body member, to which motor means a scalpel blade may be secured and vibrated on energizing of the motor means to rotate the fly wheel and alternating or direct current means for selectively energizing the motor. A resilient pivot may also be provided for the motor means and a resilient boot is provided over one end of the body member between the body member and motor means for sealing the one end of the body member. In use, on energizing the motor means, the motor means, scalpel blade support structure and scalpel blade are caused to vibrate at a high velocity to incise tissue with the scalpel blade.

Abstract: Power assisted gripping structure and method comprising a surgeon's rongeur including two elongated relatively axially moveable members having at one end thereof structure for gripping, cutting or crushing material, handle means for manually moving the elongated members axially relative to each other, electrically actuated power assist cylinder structure connected between the elongated members for assisting in producing relative movement between the elongated members on actuation thereof and switch structure for actuating the power cylinders in multiple stages. In different modifications, the structure for gripping, cutting or crushing material may be a Kerrison or Leksell rongeur tip. Alternatively, the structure for gripping, cutting or crushing may be adjustable wrench, spreader, prier suction cup or lifter structure and the power assisted gripping structure may be used in industry such as in robotics as well as in medical applications.

Abstract: A method of and structure for separating tissue. The method comprises the step of directing a fluid medium under pressure from a tissue separator including a floating tip at the tissue while floating the tip of the separator on the fluid medium. The tissue may be living tissue and in accordance with the method of the invention may be separated along natural cleavage planes. The fluid medium may be a gas or liquid and may be regulated in pressure and formed in pulses. It may be passed around and/or through the floating tip. The tissue to be separated may also be nudged by the floating tip. The fluid medium may be treated water from a municipal water supply or separate container and may be passed over a high surface to fluid interacting soap-like, replaceable cartridge made of at least one of an abrading, cleansing, polishing, and geriocidal material within the tissue separator structure prior to being directed at the tissue to be separated.

Abstract: A pair of spectacles which enable a forward facing user to view objects behind the user. A pair of swing arms is rotatably attached to the forward portion of the spectacles' temples. The swing arms are thin narrow members whose shapes are similar to the temples. A rear vision member is connected by a spherical joint to one end of each swing arm. The swing arms are individually rotatable in one direction for positioning the rear vision members at operative positions ahead of the spectacles' eyepiece and rotatable in the opposite direction for storing the swing arms and rear vision members behind the eyepiece. At the stored positions, the swing arms and rear vision members are adjacent to the outer surface of the temples and aligned with the temples. The spectacles have the appearance of a conventional pair of spectacles when the swing arms and rear vision members are at their stored positions.

Abstract: A locking device for releasably securing a first member to a second member which second member has an opening therein for receiving a portion of the first member, a groove in the portion of the first member within the opening, a cylindrical pin in the second member extending across the opening in the first member and in the groove in the second member in one angular position thereof, a portion of which pin is removed so that in another angular position the pin does not extend into the groove in the first member. In one modification, the pin is bowed slightly to provide spring like interference to movement thereof. In another modification, the central portion of the pin is eccentric whereby the central portion of the pin extends into the groove in the first member in one rotated position of the pin, and is completely out of the groove in another rotated position. In a further modification, the second member includes a cylindrical selecting part and a rotatably mounted securing part.

Abstract: Surgical separator structure comprising an elongated shaft having a handle at one end and a stem with controlled flexilibity at the other end and a tissue separating tip secured to the other end of the flexible stem. The shaft may have a separate handle part and stem part secured together centrally of the shaft. The tip is preferably spherical and may be constructed to snap on the end of the stem and may also be retained by adhesive or the like. Alternatively, the other end of the stem may be molded into the tip to secure the tip to the stem. In the method of manufacture of the surgical separator, the handle and stem may be separately produced and secured together by a threaded connection while the tip may be snapped over the end of the stem and/or secured thereto with adhesive. Alternatively, the stem may be molded of "ABS" within a recess in the "TEFLON" tip to lock the tip on the stem. The handle is preferably color coded to provide a visual indication of the flexibility of the shaft.

Abstract: A fashionable pair of spectacles with a pair of dual pivot rear vision elements for viewing objects behind a forward facing user. The spectacles include a binocular eyepiece, a pair of symmetrically opposite temples rotatably attached to opposite end portions of the eyepiece, a pair of arms having windows for viewing dual pivot elements in their operative positions rotatably attached to the end portions of the eyepiece, and the pair of dual pivot elements having reflective surfaces rotatably attached to the arms. The dual pivot elements are rotatable about their attachments to the arms from non-operative stored positions alongside the temples whereat their reflective surfaces are in facing relationship to the user to operative positions whereat the arms extend forward of the eyepiece, the rear vision elements extend outwardly from the arms and the reflective surfaces of the elements are in facing relationship to the user.

Abstract: Rotary scalpel blade and blade protector structure. The rotary scalpel blade in one embodiment is circular and has a sharpened outer periphery and an opening through the center thereof for securing the blade to means for rotating the blade. In modifications of the circular scalpel blade the sides of the scalpel blade may be concave, depressed or flat with an annular groove around the outer periphery thereof. The rotary scalpel blade may also be a linear radial scalpel blade sharpened on one or both edges. The blade protector structure in one embodiment includes a disc having a disc shaped pocket in the center thereof split centrally to receive a scalpel blade, held together with a living hinge and locked in closed position by a split cylinder positioned over a cylindrical flange on one side of the blade protector.

Abstract: A fashionable pair of spectacles with single pivot folded rear vision elements for viewing objects behind a forward facing user. The spectacles are comprised of a binocular eyepiece of the kind having a conventional frame without side shields, a pair of spaced apart slender temples mounted to opposite ends of the eyepiece for rotation about a first pair of vertical axes and a pair of spaced apart folded elements mounted to the eyepiece for rotation about a second pair of vertical axes which are positioned inside of the first pair of axes. Each rear vision element has a reflective portion and a mounting portion at a fixed angular relationship to the reflective portion.

Abstract: An improved dental mirror or instrument of the type including an elongated handle and a disc-like mirror mounted in a frame at one end of the handle. A concave clear plastic shell is sealed relative to the mirror surface to substantially reduce, if not completely eliminate, condensation. The concave exterior surface, which is dome-like in configuration, may be comfortably and conveniently wiped on the inside cheek of the patient to assist in maintaining the surface clear and clean, and to assist in removal of debris from the mouth of the patient.

Abstract: Tissue separator structure and method which in its simplest form comprises a mechanical nudger on the end of a stem for mechanically separating tissue and in the preferred embodiment includes a fluid medium passing through the stem and out of a floating tip to separate the tissue with the directed, controlled pressure of the fluid medium and/or nudging by the floating tip. In a more sophisticated embodiment of the invention, plural fluid medium forces are provided on the tissue to be separated to perform separating and clearing operations and in further embodiments, the area of the tissue being separated may be moistened and/or fluid and debris removed from the area of tissue separation. The stem may be disposable in accordance with the invention. Further in accordance with the method of the invention, tissue is separated by mechanical nudging and/or by means of a fluid medium under pressure.

Abstract: A improved needle and method of forming the improved needle from an elongated cylindrical shank. The needle is formed by first cutting or grinding one end of the shank to create a first bevel surface disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the needle. Thereafter as many as five additional bevel surfaces are formed or ground at the end of the shank with each bevel surface removing at least a portion of the peripheral edge of a previously formed bevel surface.

Abstract: A computer terminal support and hand rest to be placed on a desk top and interposed between the computer terminal and a computer operator as well as being interposed between the computer terminal and the desk top. The computer terminal support provides a hand rest for supporting the hands of the computer operator both during use of the computer terminal and during rest intervals. In a preferred embodiment, the support also includes a conductive portion for draining static charges from the computer terminal operator to prevent circuit damage and erroneous command signals to the computer and to prevent electrical shock to the operator.Several embodiments of the support are disclosed including alternate structures for providing a static discharge path, alternate structures for supporting the hands and alternate structures for supporting the computer terminal.

Abstract: A computer terminal support and hand rest to be placed on a desk top and interposed between the computer terminal and a computer operator as well as being interposed between the computer terminal and the desk top. The computer terminal support provides a hand rest for supporting the hands of the computer operator both during use of the computer terminal and during rest intervals. In a preferred embodiment, the support also includes a conductive portion for draining static charges from the computer terminal operator to prevent circuit damage and erroneous command signals to the computer and to prevent electrical shock to the operator.Several embodiments of the support are disclosed including alternate structures for providing a static discharge path, alternate structures for supporting the hands and alternate structures for supporting the computer terminal.

Abstract: A computer terminal support and hand rest to be placed on a desk top and interposed between the computer terminal and a computer operator as well as being interposed between the computer terminal and the desk top. The computer terminal support provides a hand rest for supporting the hands of the computer operator both during use of the computer terminal and during rest intervals. In a preferred embodiment, the support also includes a conductive portion for draining static charges from the computer terminal operator to prevent circuit damage and erroneous command signals to the computer and to prevent electrical shock to the operator.Several embodiments of the support are disclosed including alternate structures for providing a static discharge path, alternate structures for supporting the hands and alternate structures for supporting the computer terminal.