Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating an electrical discharge in a formation of flowing inert gas disposed adjacent the end of an active electrode by generating charged particles in the vicinity of said inert gas formation. The charged particles are generated by an auxiliary electrical discharge produced between the active electrode and a surrounding tube, which is not connected to any external source of biasing potential. Electrostatic charge is generated on the tube as the inert gas flows thereby. This charge bleeds off the tube through inwardly pointed tips on the tube, which act as discharge points. The charge then passes to the active electrode via the auxiliary discharge through the gas.

Abstract: A single or multichannel electrical connector including a male connector having at least two prongs depending resiliently from a base, the prongs each having defined in the outer edge thereof a notch with at least one of the notches having at least one conductor exposed at the bottom portion of the notch, the conductor extending internally through the prong, the prongs also having end portions with outwardly facing mutually inclined surfaces, the male connector being adapted to fit a female connector having an opening defined therethrough and configured to receive the prongs with the sides of the notches engaging the front and back endwalls of the female connector adjacent the opening and the connector in the bottom of the notch engaging a contact in a sidewall of the opening in the female connector such that the male connector may be inserted by engaging the opposed inclined planes of the prongs within the opening of the female connector, deforming the prongs towards one another to pass through the female co

Abstract: A single or multichannel electrical connector including a male connector having at least two prongs depending resiliently from a base, the prongs each having defined in the outer edge thereof a narrow notch with at least one of the notches having at least one conductor exposed at the bottom portions of the notch, the conductor extending internally through the prong, the prongs also having end portions with outwardly facing mutually inclined surfaces, the male connector being adapted to fit a female connector having an opening defined therethrough the configured to receive the prongs with the sides of the notches and the connector at the bottom of the notch engaging a protruding contact in a sidewall of the opening in the female connector such that the male connector may be inserted by engaging the opposed inclined planes of the prongs within the opening of the female connector, deforming the prongs towards one another to pass through the female connector thereupon again expanding the prongs to bring the conta

Abstract: A drug injection device (or what some might prefer to call a "drug injection site") comprises a doubled wall, doughnut-shaped cylinder adapted to be inserted into an intravenous delivery tube. Preferably it is made of a pair of identically shaped elements having an outer end an inner circular wall, both of which, when the two elements are placed together in opposed relationship, form continuous walls of a doughnut or O-ring shape. The interior of the doughnut is filled with a soft surgical grade rubber which, when under compression, permits ready insertion of a hypodermic needle therethrough but which, when the needle is withdrawn, is self-sealing. A plurality of radially aligned apertures, or windows, are provided in the inner and outer walls, so that the hypodermic needle can be inserted through the outer wall, through the rubber sealing element and then through the aligned window in the inner wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a timing device for an intravenous feeding pump, whereby the pump can be set to operate at its regular rate for a predetermined period (preferably up to about 4 hours) and thereafter at a reduced rate just sufficient to keep the needle open. The apparatus comprises a gear train driven by the main drive shaft of the intravenous feeding pump actuator, which drives a setting dial at a considerably reduced speed back to a "0" position. The setting dial is clutched to a final gear of the gear train through a spring slip clutch, so that the setting dial can be set to a desired position without driving the gear train or the gear train continue to drive even though the setting dial is latched in its 0 position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device connected to an electrical generator having active and return output terminals, the device being used to cut, coagulate, or otherwise treat human tissue or the like, the device comprising: an electrode support; an active electrode responsive to the active output terminal and a return electrode responsive to the return output terminal, the electrodes being supported by the electrode support, both the electrodes being adapted for electrical connection to the tissue, the ratio of the return electrode area adapted to electrically connect to the tissue to the active electrode area adapted to ohmically or arc-wise connect to the tissue being in the range of approximately 2 to 200. Arrangements are also provided for separating the active electrode from the tissue when the device is placed in contact with the tissue to insure that a current arc is established between the active electrode and the tissue. Various electrode configurations are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device connected to an electrical generator having active and return output terminals, the device being used to cut, coagulate, or otherwise treat human tissue or the like, the device comprising: an insulative electrode support; an active electrode responsive to the active output terminal and a return electrode responsive to the return output terminal, the electrodes being supported by the electrode support, both the electrodes being adapted for electrical connection to the tissue, the ratio of the return electrode area adapted to electrically connect to the tissue to the active electrode area adapted to ohmically or arc-wise connect to the tissue being in the range of approximately 2 to 200. Apparatus is also provided for separating the active electrode from the tissue when the device is placed in contact with the tissue to insure that a current arc is established between the active electrode and the tissue. Various electrode configurations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A signal generating device and method for producing an RF output signal regulated in power and of decaying amplitude suitable for use in an electrosurgical generator for surgical coagulation purposes. The device includes a circuit tuned to a predetermined radio frequency suitable to prevent nerve stimulation and the tuned circuit has connected therewith an unregulated power supply with current through the tuned circuit being controlled by means of a solid state switching system. The tuned circuit includes an inductor initially charged to a predetermined energy level.