Abstract: A screwdriver with a spring and a torque measuring scale and a limit stop, useful in the medical arts. A connector provides attachment to a workpiece tool and to a screw which, when fastened, non-rotatably holds the connector which in turn pilots a handle for the driving rotation of the screwdriver. The handle is short and the spring is a helical spring. A method of assembling the screwdriver is disclosed along with the embodiment disclosure.

Abstract: A kit of medical tools for removing screws from a patient in surgical procedures, including both the kit and the method of arranging the kit and its bits and tools. There are two removable trays in a container, one for the bits and one for the tools, and the trays stack upon the other in the container. Corresponding indicia are on both the bits and the supporting trays so the bits can be organized and readily selected by the surgeon, and an abutment aligns the bits in resilient grippers on the bit tray.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench with a releasable socket which is rotatable in a handle circular pocket and the socket extends on the wrench for only the thickness of the handle and does not protrude beyond the handle. The socket is symmetrical in its configuration and is therefore reversible in its position in the pocket and it still produces the same rotational drive. A pawl and spring are on the handle, and the pawl is snug with the socket to hold the socket in an axially fixed position on the handle. The pawl protrudes from the handle and indicates the rotational drive direction required of the handle. Fluid clean-out holes extend into the pocket.

Abstract: An instrument and method for applying a suture of stiff but bendable material, such as wire, to broken bone for closing and holding the break. Also, the instrument and method are for pulling and holding two items together with a tie. The instrument has two parts movable relative to each other for pulling the items or bone together and for twisting the suture onto the bone to hold it together. The suture is strung onto the instrument on the exterior thereof without having the suture extend through the instrument interior, so the surgeon can guide the suture and accurately string it. A crank is applied to twist the suture after the suture has been initially secured to the bone to hold the bone together.

Abstract: A pliers with two handles and two jaw portions, all pivoted together. Two readable combinations, each having a scale and a pointer, are on the handles to respectively reveal the amount of pivot and the force applied to a workpiece. A parallel linkage assembly can be attached to the jaw portions for contacting the workpiece, and, because of the parallelism, the location of the contact with the workpiece is not critical to the readings.

Abstract: A jaw mechanism for an endoscopic instrument is provided. The mechanism includes a drive rod having at least one boss radially protruding from a distal portion of the drive rod. A portion of the jaw mechanism has at least one groove that slidingly engages the at least one boss. A proximal portion of the drive rod is adapted to interface with an actuation mechanism. When actuated, the drive rod moves axially through a tubular member. The at least one boss travels through the at least one groove, causing the jaw mechanism to pivot around a pivot point connected to the distal portion of the tubular member.

Abstract: An ergonomically superior endoscopic suction-irrigation instrument for surgery comprises a telescope sheath connected at an adjustable angle, preferably approximately 30°, to a vertically elongated handle having thumb-operated irrigation and suction valves and a hook for supporting the handle from the surgeon's hand when the surgeon's grip on the handle is loosened. The instrument is especially suited for sinus surgery.

Abstract: A ratcheting tool, such as a screwdriver, having a handle with gear and two pawls movable into selective driving engagement with the gear by movement of an actuator on the handle. A spring is anchored on the handle and extends into contact with the two pawls for urging the pawls into engagemnt with the gear.

Abstract: A screwdriver of the type having a variable torque-limiting in-line drive with a handle having a cavity and a drive bit disposed in the cavity. Over-ride drive members are disposed in the cavity and a spring exerts a force on the drive members for transmitting only a maximum force to a bit in the screwdriver. Two adjustable controls are at a back end of the tool and they are used to apply a varying force to the spring and thus limit the amount of maximum torque to be transmitted.

Abstract: A grasping pad assembly comprises a silicone element with a hydrophobic membrane. The silicone element is adhered to a stainless steel element having a C-shaped clip at its distal end for grasping the tip of a forceps jaw. A molded polypropylene element extends through a hole in the metal element and includes a projection which extends through an opening in the metal element near the proximal end of the pad. This projection fits into a hole in the face of the jaw of the forceps to hold the grasping pad securely to the jaw until it is forcibly removed by bending and sliding. The use of the stainless steel clip in combination with the polypropylene projection enables the thickness of the pad assembly to be minimized while obviating adherence to very close manufacturing tolerances for ensuring proper fit of the projection into the hole in the jaw.

Abstract: In a hands-free, spreader retractor for thoracic or abdominal surgery comprising a frame with parallel, blade-supporting arms movable toward and away from each other by a rack and pinion mechanism, plural blades are supported on the arms by depending pylons which are substantially narrower than the widths of the blades measured in the direction of elongation of the arms, to permit accumulation of fat of an obese patient between adjacent pylons. The lower portions of the pylons are connected to the undersides of the arms by narrow stems which are spaced from the edges of the arms to allow auxiliary instrument supports to slide lengthwise along the arms.

Abstract: A stabilizer is used to immobilize a portion of the heart or other organ to facilitate a surgical procedure such as anastomosis. The stabilizer comprises two, C-shaped, organ wall-contacting elements, hinged together so that they can form a continuous loop. The hinge allows the C-shaped elements to be separated so that, after surgery in which a tubular graft connected to the organ extends through the loop, the stabilizer can be released from the graft. The C-shaped elements are connected to a stem which consists of two lockably articulating parts, one of which is immediately connected to one of the C-shaped elements and aligned with the hinge axis. A spring-loaded sleeve, surrounding the last-mentioned part of the stem, has pins which engage recesses in the C-shaped parts to lock them in the closed condition, while allowing them to be opened quickly by manipulation of the sleeve. Removable, disposable pads form the organ wall-contacting surfaces.

Abstract: An articulating supporting bracket for a surgical tissue stabilizer comprises a series of elements joined to one another by articulating ball-and-socket joints. A flexible cable extends through passages in the elements, and, when tightened, causes the balls and sockets to lock together frictionally. The ball of each joint fits into its socket by an interference fit, whereby the ball and socket of each joint engage one another over an area of contact when the cable is tightened, thereby providing a strong, rigid support for the tissue stabilizer.

Abstract: A wire-guided esophageal bougie comprises a PTFE-lined, silicone rubber tube with a tapered, silicone rubber dilator on its distal end, the dilator being more flexible than the PTFE-lined tube. Radiopaque material throughout the length of the tube renders it fluoroscopically visible in the esophagus while a radiopaque ring in the dilator fluoroscopically locates the position of the dilator relative to a stricture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical instrument which prevents backlash due to reduction of applied force on the handle or trigger of the surgical instrument. The instrument includes a clutch system that is adapted to maintain the position of the portion of the driver that is in mechanical communication with the forming tool upon reduction of the applied force.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip applicator system which is particularly useful for endoscopic procedures. A hemostatic clip applicator can be directly connected to a trigger assembly or indirectly connected to the trigger assembly through the use of an extension. The connection between the extension and the clip applicator is secured to prevent accidental release during the procedure. The applicator receives a longitudinal input and translates the input into relative component motion through the use of gearing to apply the clips.