Abstract: A disposable thumb light and a method of providing direct lighting for a medical procedure on a patient using a disposable thumb light is described. The disposable thumb light includes a housing, a light source, and at least one attachment configured to couple the disposable thumb light to a thumb of a user or a glove. The housing can include at least one flexible portion. The disposable thumb light can further include a flex responsive switch that is configured to move between at least a first position and a second position when the housing moves from a first housing position to a second housing position and energize or de-energize the light source in response. In the method of providing direct lighting for medical procedure, the disposable thumb light is coupled to a thumb of a user; the light source is energized by moving the thumb of the user from a first position to a second position; and the light source is de-energized by moving the thumb of the user from the second position toward the first position.

Abstract: A disposable medical clamp light is described. The disposable medical clamp light includes a light source, a housing, and at least one attachment. The at least one attachment is configured to couple the disposable clamp light to a medical device. The at least one attachment may include an attachment clip having a first arm and a second arm extending from the housing, wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured to surround a portion of the medical device to attach the disposable clamp light to the medical device. The disposable medical clamp light may be coupled a medical device using the at least one attachment to form a lighted clamp system configured for foreign body removal from a patient. The disposable clamp light can further include a power source and a switch electrically communicating with the light source.

Abstract: A urinary catheter may include a catheter shaft and a connector coupled with the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The connector may have a first arm ending in a fluid outlet configured to allow urine to flow out of the urinary catheter and a second arm with an aperture and ending in an inflation inlet used for introducing inflation fluid into the urinary catheter. The catheter may further include a primary lumen, an inflation lumen, a retention balloon mounted to the catheter shaft proximal to a fluid inlet and over a distal filling hole, and a pilot balloon mounted on the second arm of the connector over the aperture. The pilot balloon inflates at an inflation pressure that is higher than the inflation pressure of the retention balloon and lower than a predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A hand tool includes a head comprising a pair of opposing jaws. Each jaw includes a cutting edge. The hand tool also includes a first handle and a second handle which pivot through a first plane to move the hand tool between an open position and a closed position. In some embodiments, the hand tool also includes a lock pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position through a second plane distinct from the first plane. In some embodiments, the hand tool also includes a basket having a first basket section removably attached to one of the pair of jaws and a second basket section removably attached to the other of the pair of jaws.

Abstract: A positioning fixture for use with an ultrasound transducer comprising: a housing having a planar, generally rectangular bottom surface having two parallel long edges and two parallel short edges; a pair of long sidewalls, one said long sidewall attached to each of said two parallel long edges; a guide release attached to one of said two parallel short edges; a long axis needle guide attached to another of said two parallel short edges; and a receptacle cooperatively defined by said pair of long sidewalls, said quick release and said needle insertion guide, said receptacle sized to accommodate the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: A urinary catheter may include a catheter shaft and a connector coupled with the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The connector may have a first arm ending in a fluid outlet configured to allow urine to flow out of the urinary catheter and a second arm with an aperture and ending in an inflation inlet used for introducing inflation fluid into the urinary catheter. The catheter may further include a primary lumen, an inflation lumen, a retention balloon mounted to the catheter shaft proximal to a fluid inlet and over a distal filling hole, and a pilot balloon mounted on the second arm of the connector over the aperture. The pilot balloon inflates at an inflation pressure that is higher than the inflation pressure of the retention balloon and lower than a predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A urinary catheter may include a catheter shaft and a connector coupled with the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The connector may have a first arm ending in a fluid outlet configured to allow urine to flow out of the urinary catheter and a second arm with an aperture and ending in an inflation inlet used for introducing inflation fluid into the urinary catheter. The catheter may further include a primary lumen, an inflation lumen, a retention balloon mounted to the catheter shaft proximal to a fluid inlet and over a distal filling hole, and a pilot balloon mounted on the second arm of the connector over the aperture. The pilot balloon inflates at an inflation pressure that is higher than the inflation pressure of the retention balloon and lower than a predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A urinary catheter may include a catheter shaft and a connector coupled with the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The connector may have a first arm ending in a fluid outlet configured to allow urine to flow out of the urinary catheter and a second arm with an aperture and ending in an inflation inlet used for introducing inflation fluid into the urinary catheter. The catheter may further include a primary lumen, an inflation lumen, a retention balloon mounted to the catheter shaft proximal to a fluid inlet and over a distal filling hole, and a pilot balloon mounted on the second arm of the connector over the aperture. The pilot balloon inflates at an inflation pressure that is higher than the inflation pressure of the retention balloon and lower than a predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for facilitating placement of a central line in a patient, said device comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends and a central portion therebetween, said housing having an upper portion and a lower portion; a handgrip provided on a proximal end of the housing, said handgrip having at least one of a channel and a through hole extending from the proximal end to the central portion, wherein the channel or through hole is sized to receive a guidewire; a feeder tip receiver provided on a proximal end of the handgrip in communication with the channel or through hole in said handgrip; a stabilizer provided on a lower portion of said housing; a Luer slip tip provided on a distal end of the housing, said Luer slip tip having a mounting portion for attachment to a needle hub, said Luer slip tip having a lumen aligned with the channel or through hole in said handgrip.

Abstract: A urinary catheter may include a catheter shaft and a connector coupled with the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The connector may have a first arm ending in a fluid outlet configured to allow urine to flow out of the urinary catheter and a second arm with an aperture and ending in an inflation inlet used for introducing inflation fluid into the urinary catheter. The catheter may further include a primary lumen, an inflation lumen, a retention balloon mounted to the catheter shaft proximal to a fluid inlet and over a distal filling hole, and a pilot balloon mounted on the second arm of the connector over the aperture. The pilot balloon inflates at an inflation pressure that is higher than the inflation pressure of the retention balloon and lower than a predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A urinary catheter may include a catheter shaft and a connector coupled with the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The connector may have a first arm ending in a fluid outlet configured to allow urine to flow out of the urinary catheter and a second arm with an aperture and ending in an inflation inlet used for introducing inflation fluid into the urinary catheter. The catheter may further include a primary lumen, an inflation lumen, a retention balloon mounted to the catheter shaft proximal to a fluid inlet and over a distal filling hole, and a pilot balloon mounted on the second arm of the connector over the aperture. The pilot balloon inflates at an inflation pressure that is higher than the inflation pressure of the retention balloon and lower than a predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A tracheal tube holding and stabilizing device includes a support having an open slot for receiving a tracheal tube. A pivotally mounted jaw is coupled to the support to close the slot and clamp the tracheal tube in position. The support includes a flexible arm having ratcheting teeth for engaging complementing ratcheting teeth on an outer end of the jaw. The jaw includes an open slot on one side to receive the tracheal tube in the clamping position. In this manner, the tracheal tube is securely clamped in the slot of the support and the slot in the pivotable jaw.

Abstract: A disposable back table collection device having a container with an open end and at least one layer of an absorbent material positioned within the container. The open end of the container is sealed with a cover containing a leak resistant injection site. The invention also may have a second layer of an absorbent material positioned on top of the cover with an aperture therein corresponding to the location of the injection site. In use, a syringe is inserted into the injection port and the syringe is drained. The fluid from the syringe is absorbed into the layer of absorbent material. When the syringe is removed, the injection port has sufficient elastic "memory," or shape retaining characteristics, to return to its original position, thereby insuring a leak resistant seal. Further, there is no splashing while the syringe is either inserted or removed because any droplets of fluid that may escape from the syringe are absorbed into the absorbent material on the top of the device.

Abstract: A combination ring cutting and removing device is provided for use by medical personnel for cutting and removing rings from injured or swollen fingers. If the finger that carries a ring is badly injured, the swelling of the injured finger often precludes the removal of the ring. The ring must be cut in order to restore circulation to the swollen finger. The combined ring cutting and ring removing device is provided in the form of a plier-type cutting device with a built in means for prying the cut ring apart so the ring can be removed from a swollen finger. The device may also be used for non-medical applications that require a cutting action followed by a prying or separating action.

Abstract: An improved device for removing used needles from reusable syringes is provided. The device may be operated using only one hand and requires a single downward force applied to the syringe body by the health care worker. At the lower end of the downward stroke, the collar of the needle has been twisted off the syringe body and is automatically deposited into the receptacle for used needles. The health care worker releases the force and the apparatus automatically resets itself to receive another used needle. The device has few parts and may be assembled easily.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular assembly which can be intubated within a body passageway which comprises a main tube body, which permits the passage of fluid in either direction (such as air in the case of an endotracheal tube), an inflatable cuff near the distal end of the main tube body for locating and securing the tubular assembly within a body passageway as well as for sealing the space above the cuff between the main tube body and the body passageway from the body passageway below the cuff, and a suction tube that runs along the main tube body from the proximal end that remains external of the patient during intubation and a point adjacent the inflatable cuff. The suction tube is fixed with the main tube except for an adjustable portion of the suction tube nearest the inflatable cuff that includes the suction tube opening.

Abstract: A transcutaneous nerve stimulator and method for using the same are provided for use in treating sympathetic nerve dysfunction. The device includes an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converter, a non-volatile random access memory, a preprogrammed microprocessor with masked memory and two output channels with respective jacks for electrodes. A dual line data bus interconnects the microprocessor, converter and RAM.

Abstract: A hip stabilizer for a patient who still has control of the muscles in his leg to prevent atrophy of the muscles, characterized by a non-inflatable, adjustable belt, serving to engage the hips, the belt being adjustable for fitting the hips of any patient; a hip pad disposed on a desired side of the patient when in place, at least one metal biasing means on one of the hip pads for controlling the thigh of the patient at a desired angle of abduction in the range of from 0-90 degrees, preferably 0-15 degrees, with respect to the downwardly extending hip pad; non-inflatable, adjustable thigh engaging mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the thigh engaging means includes a longitudinally extending member, a deformable plastic pad and a plurality of straps that extend around the pad and the thigh. It is also preferred that suitable padded material be interspersed, or disposed between the respective elements and the body.