Abstract: A small, disposable cryosurgical probe having a self-contained liquid refrigerant supply can be operated in either a freeze mode or a defrost mode. During the freeze mode the refrigerant is conducted from the supply to the probe tip as a two phase fluid so that the probe can freeze tissue for a relatively long period with a limited refrigerant supply. To facilitate detaching the probe tip from tissue, a button on the probe is depressed which switches the probe to its defrost mode of operation wherein room temperature liquid refrigerant is conducted directly from the supply to the probe tip thereby immediately warming the tip. The probe may be cycled several times between its freeze and defrost modes before the refrigerant supply is exhausted.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube holder is disclosed comprising a clamp having a primary passageway through which an endotracheal tube may be passed in frictional engagement, and a plurality of secondary passageways. A strip of adhesive tape is provided adapted to be secured to human skin and having a plurality of holes. The holder further includes elongated flexible tying means sized for passage through the clamp secondary passageways and through the tape holes for securing the clamp to the tape.

Abstract: Cricothyrotomy apparatus for establishing an emergency breathing path for patients experiencing upper respiratory obstruction. The apparatus here provided enables the user to perform the necessary operative steps on a patient in a relatively automatic and hidden fashion, so that the user is not aware of the fact that he is piercing the patient's throat and inserting a tube therein. This is accomplished by providing a housing enclosing a spring pressed surgical blade and spring pressed tube or according to a second embodiment, a combined spring pressed tube and blade. A release mechanism actuated by a simple pressure button on the exterior of the housing releases the knife and tube (or tube with piercing blade) for automatic positioning at the desired point in the throat of the patient. A location marker is further provided to insure desired positioning of the cut and tube on the patient.

Abstract: A machine for performing surgery and treatment utilizing ultrasonic energy wherein so as to obtain precise control of the operating frequency and eliminate unnecessary heating and loss of power the hand tool as well as the generator and power supply are designed after establishing the designed criteria of the particular medical tool required thus allowing coupling of energy into the tool in a very efficient manner. Means are also provided for assuring that dangerous transverse modes of the instrument used will not occur which can cause injury to patients. Several unique additional safety and construction features are also shown.

Abstract: A cutting tip for a rotary motor-driven cutting instrument for cataract surgery consists of a hollow stationary tube and a tubular cutter journaled therein and projecting therefrom, the cutting tip being open at its end and having concentric axially directed arcuate cutting edge portions. An annular passage extends between the concentric tubes, and the stationary tube has an orifice in the side close to the tip. An irrigating fluid is adapted to be discharged through the side opening of the stationary tube, and a suction connection to the internal tube is effective to remove severed tissue through the hollow rotatable internal cutter.

Abstract: A teether comprises an elongated, seamless tube of organic thermoplastic material. The tube is crimped at spaced intervals therealong and opposite sides of the tube are sealed together thereat. The seals are arranged to extend across the tube, each seal lying along a plane extending in one direction longitudinally along the tube and intersecting, at an angle, the plane of each adjacent seal. Preferably, the seals extend at right angles to the tube axis and adjacent seals lie along planes normal to each other.

Abstract: The proximal portion of a tracheostomy tube extends through an opening in the central body of a retaining member that is held against the front of the neck of a patient. A pair of laterally spaced struts at opposite sides of the opening are connected at one end to the central body. Means rigidly connected to the proximal portion of the tube extend laterally therefrom in opposite directions for connection to the struts extending forward beside the tube, whereby to hold the tube in place.

Abstract: An osteotome comprising an interchangeable saw-blade, a crank, and a driving shaft makes possible simultaneous reciprocating and vertical swiveling movements of the saw-blade, thus obviating setting of the saw-teeth, enabling narrow cuts to be made in bone, and providing the opportunity for required sterilization and cooling.

Abstract: A tip for a veterinary surgical cauterization instrument is disclosed in which an electric current conducting heat generating tip has a non-conducting heat resistant sheath surrounding a portion of the tip a selected distance from the tip apex.

Abstract: A preformed ligature comprises a loop, loop forming closure and an extension which may be pulled to close the loop about a bleeder. One preformed ligature according to the invention is formed of a continuous loop of gut or synthetic suture material tied into a slip knot to form the closure and the extension is the second loop thus formed therein which may be pulled by means of a hook. Another preformed dual loop ligature is formed of a continuous loop of suture material and a narrow enveloping closure. The loop preferably has a ratchet-like surface and the closure a cooperating pawl-like surface to provide a ligature loop that may only slip one way.The loop and the closure, in one embodiment, are each provided with an extension ending in a finger engaging loop. These are grasped and pulled to close the closure around a bleeder or the like. In another embodiment, the loop is provided with an extension and a finger loop and the closure is pushed closed by means of an eyelet mounted on a stick.

Abstract: An inflation and adjustable pressure relief apparatus for the inflatable cuff of an endotracheal tube, the apparatus having an adjustably spring-biased relief valve to automatically release gas pressures from the cuff above a preselected pressure level and a manually operable spring-biased valve for increasing the gas pressure in the cuff.

Abstract: The present invention provides a throat pack comprising a resilient moulding of polymeric foam material shaped and adapted for insertion into and occlusion of the oro-pharynx or laryngo-pharynx or both.An exposed region of the foamed material, at least in the anterior surface of the moulding, may be useful in absorbing fluids. One or more safety tapes are incorporated in the pack so as to extend outwards through the mouth.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for surgically removing surface portions of an eye such as cataract tissue. The eye surface portions to be removed are vaporized by a carbon dioxide laser beam. Smoke and vaporized portions are withdrawn by a vacuum pump.

Abstract: A positive-locking surgical clamp has a first channel-shaped handle provided with a stationary elongated gripping jaw, a movable elongated gripping jaw pivotally mounted on the first handle in cooperative relationship with the stationary jaw and also pivotally joined to one end of a second channel-shaped handle, and a lever disposed within the confronting channels of the two handles and pivotally joined at one end to the second handle and at the other end engaging an adjustably positioned block supported in the channel of the first handle to provide a toggle action which develops a locked grip of large even pressure when the handles are squeezed into engagement with each other. The grip of the clamp is easily released by a thumb-actuated lever disposed alongside one of the handles which operates a cam pivoted within the channel of the handle in a position to engage the lever and force the handles apart.

Abstract: A surgical cutting device, particularly a sagittal saw, having an elongated tubular housing containing therein a driving mechamism which extends outwardly from one end of the housing and has a saw blade mounted thereon. A driving connection, such as a flexible drive cable or the like, extends into the other end of the housing and is drivingly connected to the driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a crank structure connected between a rotatable input shaft and one end of a blade mounting member, which member has the saw blade mounted on the other end thereof. A pivot structure coacts with the blade holding member for permitting angular oscillation of the blade holding member while also simultaneously permitting the blade holding member to be reciprocated in the longitudinal direction thereof. The crank structure causes the blade holding member to be simultaneously angularly oscillated and linearly reciprocated, whereby the blade is cyclically moved around a substantially elliptical path.

Abstract: A disposable forceps of a single piece of molded, resilient material is provided for surgical use. The forceps include a pair of arms substantially parallel to each other, integrally joined together at one end, and with the arms biased to an open position. At the other end of the arms are jaw members having teeth which precisely match and align together when the arms are urged to a closed position. Intermediate the ends of each arm is an integral alignment and spacing means projecting from the inner wall which interface and engage each other to allow movement of the arms in only one planar direction laterally to the open and closed positions and to limit the distance between the arms when the arms are biased to an open position, thereby ensuring proper alignment and matching of the jaw teeth.

Abstract: The needle unit is particularly adapted for use in acupuncture treatments and consists of a flexible needle member formed with a pointed end portion having an angle of about four degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the needle. The angle is formed by axially advancing the needle transversely of the axis of a rotatable forming or grinding tool. A tubular handle member is mounted about the opposite end portion of the needle member with the outer end thereof substantially flush with the corresponding end face of the needle member. The handle member is rigidly secured to the needle member by the application of a silver solder about the needle at opposite ends of the handle member.

Abstract: A vent tube is disclosed which has improved resilient characteristics and heparinized poly-tetrafluoroethylene inner surface to prevent clotting of blood passing through it as it drains serious fluids and blood from middle ear to the exterior of the body. The substrate is comprised of a cross-linked polysiloxane resin of a molecular weight of at least 10,000 units. The inner lining of the laminar item is comprised of a layer coating of tetrafluoro polyethylene having a thickness of 2 to 10 mils and impregnated with an anticoagulant at or near its surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical device including a housing having an extension sleeve projecting from one end thereof. A rotary shaft, having helical threads at one end thereof, which threads terminate in a cutting tip, is disposed within the extension sleeve with the tip being exposed at the free end of the sleeve. The shaft is mounted within three fluid-lubricated sleeve bearings. One of the bearings is mounted within the sleeve adjacent to the tip thereof with its central axis offset and slightly angled with respect to the axes of the other bearings to effect the bending and slight loading of the shaft. The bearings are lubricated by water provided under pressure thereto and serve to enable the shaft to rotate at a high rate of speed under the force provided by an air turbine. Means are provided for supplying a working fluid to the cutting tip of the device to aid in the maceration of the material to be removed by the tool.

Abstract: A disposable electrosurgical cautery which functions in a dual capacity as a hollow sucker tube as well as a cauterizer, and is intended to be prepackaged in sterilized preferably envelope-type containers, to be used once and disposed of. The cautery consists of an elongated hollow metal electrode and suction tube having an electrical conductor wire permanently connected to the proximal portion, and together are encased in a plastic housing which serves as an insulating handle. The handle is of special anatomically contoured configuration to provide for deft and positive use of the distal or forwardly projecting probe or point of the cautery without chance of short circuits or burns through inadequate wire connections or poor insulation.