Abstract: A device for cleaning and improving the hygiene of the oral cavity and in particular of the tongue, comprises a rod 1 having a flat head 2 fixed to one end thereof. The head has two opposite flat surfaces 2a, each surface having a plurality of protuberances 3 thereon designed for scraping and brushing the upper tongue surface during cleaning. A fluid tank 8 can be located inside the rod 1, the fluid flowing through a channel 5 toward exit holes 6 made on the surfaces 2a of the head 2, or a cartridge can be attached at an end of the channel outside the rod. In each instance, fluid such as mouthwash is applied during cleaning.

Abstract: A corkscrew suture anchor has a continuous thread spiralling around a tapering central core. At the distal end, the suture anchor terminates in a rounded point. At the proximal end of the suture anchor is an eye for receiving suture. The suture anchor has a large thread surface per turn of thread. Anti-backout ridges can be formed on the front and/or back faces of the threads. A driver for the suture anchor is provided, the driver including a shaft having a central axis, a length, a distal end, and a proximal end. The shaft is provided at its distal end with an opening aligned with the central axis of the shaft, for receiving the hexagonal proximal end of the suture anchor. One or more sutures threaded through the suture eye are threaded through the hollow tubular shaft. The suture is pulled into and captured by V-shaped notches on the proximal end of the handle to hold the suture anchor in place on the distal end of the driver under the tension of the captured sutures.

Abstract: A saw blade (12) for use with a surgical saw (10). The surgical saw has a head (18) that is driven in a oscillating motion in order to cause like motion in the saw blade. The saw blade has a base (22) that is dimensioned to be inserted into a slot (24) in the front of the saw head. The base has a width less than the width of the slot to facilitate the easy insertion/removal of the saw blade. The saw blade also has a main section (36) formed integrally with the base (22) that has the cutting surface of the blade. The saw blade is further formed to have springs (42) that extend from the sides of the base. When the blade is inserted in the slot (24), the springs abut the interior walls (25) of the head that define the slot. A gap (48) separates each leaf spring from the adjacent side of the base.

Abstract: A skin pricker includes a barrel and a spring loaded lancet which can be primed and then fired, momentarily to project its tip. A finger projects laterally from the lancet through a slot in the barrel and this finger is pulled back past a catch to prime the device. A weak connection between the finger and lancet allows the finger to be bent until that connection breaks, thus firing the lancet. The finger may remain captive to the barrel.

Abstract: Provided is a device to control fecal incontinence and methods for its use. The device comprises a longitudinal tubular member having attached thereto bilaterally-extending wings for securing the device while in use. The device also comprises an expandable portion for prevention of unwanted defecation during use of the device.

Abstract: A trephine device for preparing apertures through a flexible material, such as skin of a patient, including a base plate having an upper surface and an opposed lower surface, where the upper surface has at least one upwardly protruding skin deforming contoured surface. The base plate is adapted to be removably inserted into a pocket surgically prepared in tissue of the patient. The device can include a handle member mounted on and projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the base plate. A clamping member is connected to the trephine device in overlying relationship to the upper surface of the base plate. The clamping member facilitates deformable, clamping, sandwiched engagement of the flexible material between the upper surface of the base plate and the clamping member. When the base plate is inserted into the pocket surgically prepared in the tissue of the patient, the skin of the patient is engageable between the base plate and the clamping member.

Abstract: A surgical cord comprising a interlocking multifilament sheath and an interlocked multifilament core. The interlocking multifilament core construction is characterized by being braided or knitted; preferred are braided cores with a pick counts ranging between 5 and 40.

Abstract: The partial vacuum generated in a vacuum chamber by a suction pump via an air aspirating line and a hose can be changed by admitting leakage air through an air supply line. The supplied amount of leakage air is determined by a relative movement of a regulating groove and a leakage groove in respect to each other, and the partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber is regulated in this way. Since in a breast pump the partial vacuum generated in the vacuum chamber is transmitted to the funnel-shaped breast body, it is possible in this way to also regulate the partial aspiration vacuum over the breast.

Abstract: A medical forceps (10) for removal of tissue from the human or animal body, has two jaw parts at the end nearest the patient which can be moved relative to one another via grip elements at the end remote from the patient, said jaw parts having blades which coact in cutting fashion as said jaw parts are closed. There is releasably mountable on at least one of said jaw parts an adapter which has a blunt support surface, extending at least over a portion of said one jaw part on which it is mountable, which braces in planar fashion against said other jaw part as said jaw parts are closed when said adapter is mounted, so that said blades can no longer coact in cutting fashion as said jaw parts are closed.

Abstract: A cutting guide for assuring that mating bone segments will be properly aligned following excision of the joint therebetween comprises first and second alignment bar segments hingedly joined, end-to-end, whose angle of inclination therebetween can be readily set and fixed, is clamped to a toe to be treated by a pair of transversely extending arm members that can be clamped to the metatarsal and phalangeal bones. The coupling between the arm clamped to the metatarsal bone and its associated alignment bar segment allows limited rotation and fixing of the alignment bar. A cutting blade guide member having a blade receiving slot is adjustably mounted to and parallel with the clamping arm affixed to the phalangeal bone. The resulting cuts made through the head of the metatarsal bone and the base of the phalangeal bone on either side of the joint being removed will provide a predetermined inclination and direction to the toe following fusion thereof.

Abstract: A versatile endoscopic retrieval bag system comprises a collapsible bag and a cooperating manipulating instrument or grasper. The two layer bag comprises an outer layer waterproof plastic bag and an inner layer mesh plastic bag which is rolled between two sides of a firm plastic rim which includes a hinge or discontinuity at the center and each end of each rim to permit bending of the rim at four points. The limbs of the manipulating instrument fit snugly onto the rim at one end up to the discontinuity. In use, the manipulating instrument is activated causing the rim to assume a substantially square, open configuration with the collapsible bag extending outwardly therefrom within a body cavity to receive various body organs or tissues.