Abstract: A combination breast pump and gavage feeding apparatus and method, the apparatus including means for applying suction to the nipple portion of a mammary gland while accommodating manual manipulation of the mammary gland for colostrum extraction and improved lactation. A pulse unit may also be included in the apparatus to impart the desired manipulatory action to at least the areola portion of the breast engaged by the breast pump. Air pressure and wall thickness and contour of the pulse unit are used in the pulse unit to provide the desired manipulatory action. The apparatus also includes interchangeable reservoir means for collecting the colostrum and/or milk therein for subsequent oral feeding and/or gavage feeding. A syringe barrel is configurated as the reservoir means for the gavage feeding portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A first part of the inventive instrument comprises an insertion and removal device in the form of a maneuverable catheter which may be inserted through the mouth or nostril, pharynx, and esophagus into the stomach. In one form, the catheter includes an outer sheath which protects the human body while a tool extending coaxially through an inner sheath is being manipulated. The tool includes a remotely operated pair of tweezers for holding or releasing a loop on insertion or seizing and holding the loop on removal of the second part of the inventive instrument. An alternate device for capturing and holding the second part of the inventive instrument uses an electromagnet. The second part of the inventive instrument comprises a self-compressing, open-ended, balloon-like tube for implantation in and lining of the digestive tract, especially in the intestine, to prevent food from being absorbed into the villi.

Abstract: A laser device particularly suitable for use in surgery includes a housing and a laser beam oscillation device elastically mounted within the housing. The laser beam oscillation device includes an elongated support stand which extends substantially vertically within the housing and through an opening in the top of the housing, and a laser beam resonator such as a CO.sub.2 laser is mounted on the support stand to provide a laser beam having an optical axis. A laser beam transmitting arrangement is connected to the support stand coaxially with the optical axis of the laser beam. As a result of this construction, the laser device occupies significantly less floor area within an operating room, and can easily be moved about while maintaining optical alignment at all times.

Abstract: A fluid feeding device for an endoscope comprises an air pump, a sealed liquid reservoir, a first communication path communicating at one end with the air pump and at the other end with the upper portion of the liquid reservoir, a fluid raising tube extending through the liquid reservoir, a second communication path connected at one end to a fluid passage extending through an endoscope and at the other end to the upper end of the liquid raising tube, a liquid reservoir change-over valve provided between the liquid raising tube and the second communication path for connecting the liquid raising tube to the second communication path when the valve is set in a first position and disconnecting the liquid raising tube from the second communication path when the valve is set in a second position, and a fluid path selecting changeover valve disposed between the second communication path and the fluid path.

Abstract: An apparatus to assist leg venous and skin circulation is provided and comprises a stocking which is secured around at least a portion of a leg of a person. The stocking includes a plurality of elongated and flexible tubular members so that each member defines an elongated and expandable fluid chamber. The stocking is arranged so that each fluid chamber extends substantially circumferentially around the person's leg and the members are axially adjacent each other. The apparatus further comprises an air distributor for sequentially fluidly pressurizing the chambers, maintained the pressure in each chamber for a predetermined period and thereafter exhausting the fluid pressure from the chambers. The air distributor performs this pressurization of the chambers in the stocking sequentially in a cephalad direction to thereby propel the leg venous blood towards the heart.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for detecting a laser leak for electrically detecting a leakage of laser beam due to snapping of the laser guide which is provided for guiding the laser beam to a desired position. A wire or a conductor which is connected to a detector is provided at the circumference of an optical fiber or a coating material of the laser guide. The snapping of the wire by melting or by the variation of the resistance due to raised temperature or by short-circuit of the wire on account of a dielectric break-down of the coated material is electrically detected by the detector. Thus, leakage of the laser beam from the laser guide is strictly detected to secure the safety of an apparatus and an operator.

Abstract: A support or cast for immobilising broken limbs is disclosed. The cast is formed from an inner air permeable layer, for example lint, and an outer rigid casing. Tubes with spaced apertures opening onto the inner layer are located between the inner and outer layers. Preferably air is pumped into the tubes to pass into the inner layer and thence out of the support. Such ventilation prevents discomfort and itching.

Abstract: The novel splint-cast, before use, is a longitudinally flexible strip consisting of fibreglass reinforcing mat overlying and sealed adjacent an insulating layer at least partially by a non-permeable wrap material. On the other side of the insulating layer is a liner material of preferably a wool/cotton composition. The splint-cast blank may be prepared for use by passing a curable hardening agent into a vacuumed envelope formed by the wrap and the insulating material or the wrap and a latex layer, the fibreglass reinforcing mat absorbing the hardening agent along the length of the splint-cast blank. Before the hardening agent sets, the splint-cast is applied to an injured limb as a bandage but with consecutive wrappings about the limb in spaced relationship to each other. The splint-cast is simple and convenient to both prepare for use and apply. The open wrapping nature of the splint-cast on an injured limb permits air circulation while also providing desired firm support.

Abstract: A body transfer device comprises front and rear inflatable support members which can be selectively joined to completely envelop a person's body. When the support members are inflated, the body is rendered substantially immobile. Openings are provided to accommodate the person's face and to enable access to vital portions of the body, if needed. A reinforcing board can be releasably attached to the rear support member to aid in transporting the person when the device is fully inflated.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment a head with an installed television camera is present which head is connected in a plug-in fashion to a mobile tube section. The control of the orientation of the head during video exploration is effected by a system of hydraulic fluid encased Bowden cables which can transmit not only mechanical forces but also electric energizing and signal currents and which permit a conducting away of dissipated heat. The transition from the tube section to the head is sealed off by means of drawover seal.

Abstract: A splint for use with the distal joint of a finger or thumb to control marked hyperextension of the joint. The splint is particularly useful in improving handwriting of persons experiencing such hyperextension by providing a preselected force urging the finger into flexion. A generally E-shaped frame is formed from spring steel wire with mutually parallel outer arm, central arm and inner arm connected by an outer side element and an inner side element. The side elements form an obtuse angle in the range of 120.degree. to 130.degree.. The arms are padded with the central arm pad disposed in the volar interphalangeal crease of the distal joint of the finger, the inner arm pad on the dorsal surface over the middle phalanx, and the outer arm pad on the dorsal surface over the distal phalanx. The angle of the side elements results in spring tension between the pads to resist hyperextension of the distal joint.

Abstract: A radiation apparatus for cosmetic, photobiological and/or photo chemical purposes containing at least one ultraviolet ray source and devices for operation for the production of the ignition voltage and operating current and a filter device for emitting rays in the region of 320 nm to 450 nm and for cutting out short wave rays below 320 nm and long wave rays above 800 nm and preferably above 450 nm.

Abstract: A dynamic patellar brace useful for both diagnosis and treatment of patellar subluxation. The patellar brace includes a patellar bracing pad adapted to be positioned laterally with respect to the patella and to apply medial pressure to the patella to prevent subluxation for all normal ranges of knee flexion and motion. The patellar brace may be used to facilitate positive diagnosis of patellar subluxation whose symptoms may mimic other pathological problems of the knee and, therefore, lead to an erroneous diagnosis. The brace may also be used for treatment and/or to delay or avoid the need for corrective surgery.

Abstract: A pipe-like extension guide is inserted into a control section housing (operation section) through an insertion hole in the side wall of the control section housing connected to the base end of an elongated sheath. An elongated cut out is formed in the side wall of the inserted end portion of the extension guide, and the base end portion of an optical fiber bundle for observation is introduced through the cutout into the extension guide such that the end face of the bundle aligns with an eyepiece held in an eyepiece section which is fitted over the guide. The end surface of the extension guide is intimately abutted against the inner wall of the housing.

Abstract: A slack absorbing device in the bending operation mechanism of an endoscope. Slack absorbing members are moved along the passage ways of connecting wires as the bending section is bent. Each slack absorbing member has a long groove extending along the direction of movement of said slack absorbing member and a theaded groove formed in a portion of the long groove. Threaded rods connect the ends of the wires extending to the bending section provided in the top end part of the endoscope in such a manner that the threaded rods are moved together with the wires at least when the wires are pulled towards the manual operating section. A part of each threaded groove is cut off so that the threaded rod can engage the threaded groove by aligning the theaded rod, in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the wire, and placing it into the groove.

Abstract: An injection breathing laryngoscope which includes an outer laryngoscope tube having a proximal and a distal open end, said tube having an inner wall which forms a passage between the ends, and an insert tube insertable into the proximal end of said passage, and itself having an inner and an outer wall, the inner wall defining a second passage open from end to end. The outer wall of the insert fits in the inner wall of the laryngoscope tube, and the inner wall of the insert supports a fiber optics bundle tube and a gas injection tube, the insert, when fully installed in the laryngoscope tube, terminates within the laryngoscope tube at a location substantially spaced from the distal end of the laryngoscope tube. The tubes are rotatable relative to one another. If desired, the inner wall of the laryngoscope tube and the outer wall of the insert tube can have matching, locking conical tapers to lock the tubes in an adjusted relative position.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting postural treatment of humans. The apparatus includes a pivoting platform structure pivotally mounted on a stand. The platform structure is such that a person can be supported in the region of his hip in a bent over, face down attitude and an adjusting mechanism is provided whereby the position of the platform relative to the pivotal axis may be varied. By such adjustment of the pivotal axis, the center of gravity of a person supported on the platform can be adjusted and in particular can be adjusted in such a way that a person, supported on the platform, can control pivoting of the platform by varying the position of his arms.

Abstract: A knee brace including an elastic sleeve stretchable in a circumferential direction, a plurality of individual pad mounts permanently fixed to the interior of the sleeve which are disposed in a generally circular array to surround a substantial portion of the wearer's patella, and at least one resilient pad selectively removably engageable with different of said individual pad mounts for selectively removably mounting the pad at different positions relative to the wearer's patella to provide patella support at selectively variable positions as dictated by the individual needs of the wearer.

Abstract: A knee brace including an elastic sleeve stretchable circumferentially, a flexible sheet non-stretchable in a circumferential direction secured to the interior of the sleeve configured and dimensioned to surround a substantial portion of the user's patella, and a resilient pad stretchable at least circumferentially secured to the flexible inelastic sheet. By reason of the inelastic characteristics of the flexible sheet to which the resilient elastic pads are mounted, the pads are not circumferentially displaced or dislocated from their normal position proximate the periphery of the patella when the knee is bent and the elastic sleeve stretches circumferentially. Thus, patella support and protection is maintained regardless of the extent of knee flexure.

Abstract: An endoscope which comprises a distal end portion containing an observation optical system, a flexible tube, a freely bendable section for connecting the distal end portion to the flexible tube and an optical transmission means for conducting an image picked up by the observation optical system to an eyepiece section.