Abstract: A tubular surgical instrument such as a thrombectomy catheter or gall stone dislodger comprises a shaft of plastics material with a coiled spring projecting from its forward end. A portion of the spring is secured in a coupling portion at the distal end of the shaft. The coupling portion has an outer surface with a recess which flares forwards from a shoulder of the shaft towards an annular support surface. The spring is secured in the coupling portion. A balloon is inflatable by fluid pressure applied through a lumen in the shaft. An end of the balloon is located in the recess and is secured by a tie. The balloon is secured directly or indirectly to the spring by a second tie forward of the first. The instruments are primarily intended for use as aortic or venous catheters and especially thrombectomy catheters, but can also be used for example as gall stone dislodgers.

Abstract: A closure device for a surgical post-operative drainage bag comprises a first panel which is curved and a second panel. The two panels are joined by a hinged connection. The second panel comprises two strip-like portions joined together by an intermediate hinge. When the device is closed, the free edge of the second panel tightly engages within the inside of the lip so as to be placed in a stressed condition and so that a portion of the bag positioned between the inside of the lip and the free edge of the second panel may be secured.

Abstract: A surgical drainage bag has a vent opening in a rear wall of the bag. A first mount is attached to the rear wall of the bag and has an opening registering with the opening in the rear wall. A second mount has a tubular plug which is a press fit in the opening in the first mount and communicates with a recess containing a filter element.

Abstract: A filter for a surgical drainage bag has a filter layer of activated carbon cloth. Gases may pass through this filter layer from the interior of the bag. A first layer of gas permeable thermoplastics material is arranged in contact with the front side of the filter layer. A barrier layer of gas permeable hydrophobic material has its rear side in contact with the front side of the first layer. A second layer of gas permeable thermoplastics material has its rear side in contact with the front side of the barrier layer. All the various layers are secured together by a peripheral seal.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve for controlling a hydraulically-operated surgical table and the like comprising a body having a piston slidable in a piston chamber. Normally closed outlet check valves communicate with the chamber on opposite sides of the piston. Similarly located on each side of the piston are respective normally-closed inlet valves and relief valves. Slidable plungers are carried by the piston and may be rotated into and out of alignment with the associated check valve. In operation, the piston is rotated to align a selected plunger with an associated check valve and a fluid under pressure is introduced into the chamber on the opposite side of the piston to force the plunger against the associated check valve to open the same and permit the fluid to flow to and operate the load.

Abstract: A surgical collection bag for post operative use having two opposed walls, secured together by a perimeter weld. One of the walls has an inlet opening through which the contents of the intestine of a patient can flow into the interior of the bag. The same wall also has a vent which is impervious to solid material and liquid from the intestine of the patient but which is pervious to gases. Welds inside the bag together with the perimeter weld define a pathway through which gases can flow from the interior of the bag to the vent. This pathway includes one or more vents through which gases must pass before they reach the vent. These gateways are sufficiently narrow at least substantially to prevent the passage of solid materials and liquids. If desired, the welds can be discontinuous to provide a multiplicity of gateways.

Abstract: A filter is provided for a colostomy or ileostomy bag. The filter has a first layer of material which is gas permeable and water impermeable and forms the gas inlet side of the filter, a second layer of material which is gas permeable or is rendered gas permeable by the presence of at least one aperture therethrough. A layer of carbon cloth is sandwiched between the first and second layers, the first and second layers being secured to the carbon cloth by a weld which extends through the periphery of the carbon cloth.

Abstract: A catheter with an inflation cuff, is produced by a method in which an inflation cuff of an elastomeric material which is not thermoplastic is placed on a catheter shaft of thermoplastic material at a desired position. Pressure is directed inwardly around the entire periphery of at least each end of the cuff. The shaft is heated sufficiently to soften it so as to enable at least the ends of the cuff to be recessed into the material of the shaft by the inwardly directed pressure.

Abstract: A surgical operation table has a patient supporting surface supported on a column on a movable base. The base has a plurality of feet which can rest on the ground to support the base in a fixed position. The base can be moved on running wheels which are movable with respect to the base to and from a position in which they are engaged with the ground, and the feet are clear of the ground. A support frame is displaceable with respect to the base to move the running wheels into the position in which they are engaged with the ground and the feet are clear of the ground. The frame is also displaceable with respect to the base to enable the running wheels to move clear of the ground and the feet to engage the ground.

Abstract: A surgical operation table has a patient supporting platform including a main section and a removable extension section. The extension section has a pair of support arms which can be inserted in sockets at the sides of the main section. A toothed wheel is located in at least one of the sockets. At least one of the support arms has teeth which mesh with the teeth of the toothed wheel when the support arm is inserted in the socket. The toothed wheel is rotatable only in a direction to permit the support arm to be inserted in the socket so that once the support arm has been inserted in the socket it cannot be withdrawn unless the toothed wheel is disengaged from the teeth of the support arm. The toothed wheel is mounted on a shaft which is axially displaceable by pressure on a plunger to disengage the wheel from the teeth of the support arm.

Abstract: A surgical operation table has a platform with a main section and an end extension section removably fitted adjacent an end of the main section. The extension section has a pair of support arms removably engageable in complementary sockets secured to the main section. At least one of the sockets has a spring locking plate which is engageable with a support arm inserted in the socket to prevent the arm being withdrawn from the socket. Means are provided for disengaging the locking plate from the arm when it is desired to remove the extension section from the main section.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus has a monitor in the form of a voltage sensitive circuit. The circuit responds to an increase in the voltage of the apparatus to produce a control signal. The control signal operates a relay to switch off the apparatus and/or to produce an alarm signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a filter for use in venting a colostomy or ileostomy bag. An assembly comprising a first sheet of a gas permeable and water impermeable material, a second sheet of material which is gas permeable or is rendered gas permeable by the provision of at least one aperture therethrough, and a sheet of carbon cloth between the first and second sheets is fed to a sealing station. In the sealing station the assembly of sheets is sealed together, preferably heat sealed by a weld extending through the periphery of the carbon cloth, to form a filter comprising two pieces of the above mentioned first and second sheets with a piece of the carbon cloth sealed therebetween. The filter is then removed from the remainder of the assembly.

Abstract: A hospital patient transfer system is provided by a transfer trolley with a wheeled undercarriage. A lift ram is movable up and down with respect to the undercarriage and can also tilt about a horizontal pivot on the undercarriage. The lift ram supports an upper frame so that it can be raised, lowered or tilted in response to varying positions of the ram. The upper frame has parallel end pieces spaced from each other by a distance such that a hospital bed, operation table or trolley can be received between them. The end pieces of the upper frame are provided with lift members which can be raised or lowered with respect to the end pieces. A flat rectangular patient-supporting element can removably be inserted in opposed tracks in the end pieces so that it may be positioned below a stretcher supported by the lift members when they are in a raised position. The lift members can then be lowered to enable the weight of the patient to be taken by the patient supporting element.

Abstract: A container for surgical instruments or other articles has a body. One end of the body is closed by a cap. A sealing band seals the cap and the body together in a sterile manner. A welded sealing area is formed by welding together overlying portions of the band whereby a visible blemished area is produced when the seal at the welded area is broken.