Abstract: A method and apparatus to terminate sacral hemorrhaging in a patient having a sacrum and a pubic bone is disclosed. A C-shaped driver is positioned around the pubic bone of the patient and a hemorrhage occluder pin is driven into the sacrum of the patient by applying an impact force to a proximal end of the C-shaped driver. The driver may include a C-shaped shaft that defines a radius in the range 50 mm to 200 mm and a maximum span in the range 100 mm to 650 mm. The proximal end of the C-shaped shaft may have a blunt face with a breadth that is at least 2.5 times the diameter of the pin cap. A shaft distal end has a driver face facing away from an interior of the C-shape, and defining a driver face diameter that is preferably no less than 50% of the pin cap diameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to terminate sacral hemorrhaging in a patient having a sacrum and a pubic bone is disclosed. A C-shaped driver is positioned around the pubic bone of the patient and a hemorrhage occluder pin is driven into the sacrum of the patient by applying an impact force to a proximal end of the C-shaped driver. The driver may include a C-shaped shaft that defines a radius in the range 50 mm to 200 mm and a maximum span in the range 100 mm to 650 mm. The proximal end of the C-shaped shaft may have a blunt face with a breadth that is at least 2.5 times the diameter of the pin cap. A shaft distal end has a driver face facing away from an interior of the C-shape, and defining a driver face diameter that is preferably no less than 50% of the pin cap diameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to terminate sacral hemorrhaging in a patient having a sacrum and a pubic bone is disclosed and claimed. A C-shaped driver is positioned around the pubic bone of the patient and a hemorrhage occluder pin is driven into the sacrum of the patient by applying an impact force to a proximal end of the C-shaped driver. The driver includes a C-shaped shaft that defines a radius in the range 50 mm to 200 mm and a maximum span in the range 100 mm to 650 mm. A proximal end is attached to the C-shaped shaft. The proximal end has a blunt face with a breadth that is at least 2.5 times the diameter of the pin cap. A shaft distal end has a driver face defining a driver face diameter that is no less than 50% of the pin cap diameter.

Abstract: In a system which utilizes an endoscope and irrigation fluid during surgery within a body orifice, and in which irrigation fluid is withdrawn via a principal path into a suction canister, there is a substantially constant suction and withdrawal rate from the operative site to limit absorption of irrigation fluid within the patient, because a bifurcated flow path that leads to the suction canister not only from the endoscope but also from a drain bag receiving overflow from the body orifice via a tailored drape includes a substantially greater flow impedance in the drain bag path. The common suction line joined to the endoscope line and the drain bag line draws a flow through the endoscope that predominates, to maintain substantially constant withdrawal of irrigation fluid via that path, and substantially eliminates the possibility of loss of suction.

Abstract: A sleeve-shielded needle, to be inserted through an incision for maintenance of aspiration and irrigation flows includes a soft sleeve portion about a small diameter needle tip, at a spacing sufficient to provide a flow gap for irrigation fluid while aspiration fluid flows oppositely through the center of the needle tip. A radially rigid tubular element within a proximal portion of the sleeve maintains a constant flow gap, allowing the edges of a small incision into which the needle is inserted to compress the soft sleeve without reducing the gap. At the distal end, however, the sleeve can compress in response to tissue resistance during insertion, minimizing the risks of tearing tissue or enlarging the incision.

Abstract: A surgical needle for use in phaco-emulsification procedures during eye surgery is disclosed. The surgical needle comprises a tubular principal section substantially concentric about a longitudinal principal axis and a tubular terminal section for channeling aspiration flow away from the surgical site. The terminal section is angled with respect to the principal section to access a greater area of the surgical site. The angled terminal section also presents an angled side face to the reciprocating motion when the surgical needle is reciprocated along the principal axis, causing increased cavitational emulsification. An aspiration bore at an extreme distal end of the terminal receives the aspiration flow. The aspiration bore has two planar end faces, one to minimize the possibility of accidental tearing of eye tissue, and the other to open up the aspiration bore to the direction of reciprocation and maximize the occlusion and mechanical cavitation of material.

Abstract: A cassette for collection of fluids in a fluid aspirating system which may be reusable after sterilization. The cassette includes vacuum aperture and an aspiration port along the top wall of the cassette. Aspiration tubing is connected to the aspiration port at one end and is seated within an upstanding retainer at the proximal edge of the top wall at the opposite end. Internally, the cassette includes structures to increase flow impedance so that liquid is not drawn into the vacuum port when the fluid level rises. In addition, a pivot mechanism is disposed about a pivot hub within the chamber. A float is disposed on the pivot mechanism at a radius from the pivot hub for intercepting the vacuum port as aspirated fluid fills the chamber. As the fluid level rises, a light path is intercepted by the float to terminate aspiration. However, the float also mates with the vacuum port to close off the flow path. Thus, the system prevents overfilling of the container if the optical detector fails.

Abstract: An occluder pin (10) has a cap (14) and shaft (16) with a plurality of serrations (18) disposed along the shaft (16). The serrations have a beveled trailing surface (20) which facilitates easy insertion of the pin in a substantially perpendicular leading surface which provides for resisting withdrawal of the pin (10). An applicator (12) has a handle (30) attached to a bendable shaft (28). A C-shaped yoke-type pin cap holder (32) includes a pair of flexible arms (34) which retain the pin cap (14) but flex out so that the pin (10) may be slid between the opening between the ends of the arms (34).

Abstract: A tacker instrument for laparoscopic applications fits within a cannula and incorporates within a sleeve a positioning and driving system coupled to a tack holder mechanism at the distal end. The tack is held unexposed during entry but then may be extended to a predetermined position for embedment, with position being verifiable through the sleeve. Impact forces for embedding or removing the tack are applied to the positioning and driving mechanism, and the tack and tack holder are configured so that there is lateral disengagement or engagement of the two. In one version the mechanism is linear, while in a second version the distal end of the sleeve device can be angulated for perpendicular tack entry or removal with impelling forces being applied through a flexible shaft segment.

Abstract: A disposable trumpet valve for controlling irrigation and aspiration flows under manual operation comprises a conduit and a pair of spaced apart valve barrels of substantially greater cross-sectional size within which valve members are reciprocable under manual control. Large diameter sections of the valve barrels lead to transition wells merging in the same plane into the conduit and directing the flow path between a side port in the valve barrel and the bottom section of the barrel. Thus a large cross-sectional flow area is provided throughout in a device which may be manipulated with either hand. Integral seals on a slider piston function to block flow and prevent leakage, while at the same time substantial cost advantages are obtained.

Abstract: A thin bodied elongated surgical instrument for penetrating into a body cavity and thereafter being useful for performing surgical functions disposes an obturator within a cutting cannula. The obturator is spring mounted to retract within the cannula in response to resistance encountered at a body wall, but moves to an extended distal position inside the body cavity. In that position the obturator is manually or automatically locked in axial position, so that means at the extended end can be used in the surgical procedure without danger of cutting internal tissue or organs. This safety device facilitates initial insertion of an insufflation needle, and subsequent insertion and use of other instruments during laparoscopic surgery.

Abstract: A system for controlling the irrigation and aspiration functions in flow lines cooperative with a surgical control console employs separate interacting cooperative units for the segregation of different functions in units employed in different ways. A receiver unit is configured to fit within a cassette receptacle in a console but does not perform any function apart from transferring forces with internal slider bars. The receiver accepts a slidable adapter which in turn receives a small disposable cassette that provides some internal irrigation and aspiration lines, and an external aspiration line that is separately threadable through the adapter unit to cooperate with a peristaltic pump in the console.

Abstract: A cannula retaining device is disclosed in which a base includes a sleeve in the center thereof to provide a port for insertion of a cannula. A clamp including a compressible plug with an interior aperture that matches the diameter of the cannula is fitted into the base. The clamp includes a pair of laterally extending finger engageable arms which tighten the compressible plug on the cannula, thereby receiving the cannula while allowing adjustment, angulation and rotation.

Abstract: A system for controlling the irrigation and aspiration functions in flow lines cooperative with a surgical control console employs a reusable receiver within which a disposable cassette is insertable. The cassette includes lines which must be sterile for each user, but cooperates with elements in the receiver to which it is detachably engaged. Slider bars within the receiver are arranged to transmit clamping forces against interior flexible lines such that shortened and simplified flow paths are used.

Abstract: A superior cassette is provided for maintaining sterility of internal tubing sections that are to be repeatedly clamped under the control of external actuators when the cassette is inserted in an associated system, such as an irrigation/aspiration system for ophthalmic surgery applications. An inserted leading edge presents faces of interior sliders to actuators which reciprocate the slider to engage and clamp tubing sections positioned near the opposite, intercoupling edge of the cassette. All contact is made within the sterile interior of the cassette so that sterile flows cannot be contaminated even if leakage or puncture occurs under handling or repeated operation.

Abstract: An eyeshield which can be attached either by tape or a removable band over the eyesocket of a patient after surgery is of low friction resilient material and includes integral low profile bosses that are spaced apart near diametrically opposed edges. A flexible band having snap fasteners adjacent each end may be attached to the bosses on the eyeshield. The band having snap fasteners is easily released from the eyeshield by gripping extending fringes of the end portions of the band.