Abstract: A belt for use on patients having had a gastrostomy surgical procedure perfomed wherein a flexible entrance tube extends outwardly, via a stoma, from the patient's body. The belt includes a pocket into which extends the flexible tube so that any excretions emanating therefrom will be absorbed by the absorbent material of the pocket and may include anti-bacterial medicaments and/or odor neutralizing medicaments therein, fits comfortably around the patient's body and may be reused many times without deteriation.

Abstract: A catheter assembly which includes a catheter having a flexible, preformed distal end and a sheath slidably mounted thereon. The sheath can be slidably moved from a first position with the sheath overlying a portion of the catheter that is not precurved to a second position with the sheath overlying the precurved distal end in order to straighten the catheter for insertion and removal from a body cavity. When the catheter assembly is introduced into a body cavity, the distal end of the catheter is removed from the sheath in order to allow it to assume its preshaped form and thereby serve to retain the catheter. The distal end of the catheter is withdrawn into the sheath in order to remove the catheter from a body cavity.

Abstract: A two-cannula syringe for the aspiration and for the injection of medicaments in the form of liquids. The syringe includes a first cannula for the aspiration of the liquid into a cylinder of the syringe and for the possible mixing and/or degassing of the liquid and a second cannula for the actual injection. Both cannulae are present in a protected state, the first cannula being disposed so as to be displaced relative to the second and/or so as to be removable or displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the syringe, and both cannulae being disposed about the same longitudinal axis of the syringe.

Abstract: An elastomeric medical catheter includes an end portion from which liquid is removed to the catheter interior and grooves on the outer periphery of a portion proximal to the distal end portion. These grooves permit the expulsion of liquid which might otherwise be trapped in the interstice between the catheter wall and the walls of the passage defining the entrance of the orifice into which the catheter is inserted. By permitting the naturally occurring pressure difference between the orifice and the ambient to expel liquid which is in the interstice, liquid stasis is avoided and potentially dangerous bacteria are flushed from the interstice.

Abstract: A multi-lumen epidural catheter includes a flexible inner tube 10 having a tip opening 12 and a surrounding flexible outer tube 11 having a pair of side openings 13 spaced upstream from the tip. An anesthetic solution may be injected through the separate flow and discharge paths defined by this structure to deaden a more elongate zone of a patient in a precisely controlled manner.

Abstract: A catheter assembly, with active fluid control valve, includes a catheter having a cylindrical side wall describing a lumen therethrough, a proximal end and a closed distal end. The catheter includes a slit through the side wall positioned adjacent to the distal end. This slit is angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the catheter and is defined by two opposed faces formed in the side wall. The catheter housing includes a conduit therethrough wherein the proximal end of the catheter is connected to the housing so that the conduit and the lumen are in fluid communication. The stylet is positioned within the lumen having a first end connected to the closed distal end and a second end. A valve control knob having a passageway therethrough is rotatably connected to the housing so that the passageway and the conduit are in fluid communication.

Abstract: A pressure infusion device for medical applications for applying pressure to a sealed bag of liquid, such as an I.V. bag, in which the pressure gauge is fastened directly in the pressure applying bag which presses against the I.V. bag. The gauge has a movable plunger which moves outwardly from the bag by an amount depending upon the pressure within the bag. The pressure infusion arrangement is designed to be relatively inexpensive so that it can be discarded after being used. There are two forms, one in which the I.V. bag is held against the pressure applying bag by a mesh which is secured to a fabric to form a pocket for the I.V. bag and the pressure applying bag. In the other form, the mesh is secured directly to the edge of the pressure applying bag.

Abstract: A retractable, non-reusable bleeding time lancet apparatus comprises a housing having an end opening, a blade, and a carrier for fixedly mounting the blade and mounted in the housing for sliding motion toward and away from the end opening. A resilient biasing member is mounted in the housing in a prestressed condition and is operatively coupled for selectively urging the carrier for achieving sliding motion toward and away from the housing end opening. A non-resettable release member normally retains the biasing member in its prestressed condition and is selectively activatable for releasing the resilient biasing member to urge the carrier in a sliding motion for projecting at least a cutting edge of the blade through the end opening. Cooperating surfaces on the housing and carrier define respective limits of sliding motion of the carrier corresponding to extended and retracted positions of the blade cutting edge relative to the housing end opening.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward an injecting dart having improved vent and barb designs and reduced weight. The dart (10, 10') preferably includes a needle (12, 12') and a body having a forward section (14, 14') and a tail section (16, 16'). The needle (12, 12') forms an integral barb (24, 24'). In one embodiment (10), the tail section (16) includes several fins (17) with vent holes (38) between adjacent pairs of fins (17). In another embodiment (10') vents are formed by slots (52'), threads (54') and flats (56') on the threads (54'). The integral barb (24, 24') eliminates barb/needle bonding problems. The multiple vent holes (38, 52') permit free movement of the dart's piston, thereby ensuring complete and sufficiently rapid delivery of the liquid to the animal. In one embodiment, (10') the needle (12') is integral with the forward section (14' ) so as to increase the reliability and reduce the weight of the dart (10'). The fins (17') of dart (10') are preferably relieved, also to reduce weight.

Abstract: A disposable microsurgical knife having a blade guard that can be locked into a blade covering position and then easily removed from the knife body prior to introduction to the sterile field is disclosed. The blade guard includes a cylindrical sleeve having a longitudinal slot communicating with a forward open end thereof and terminating in a circumferential notch. The knife body includes a small locking tab formed adjacent a forward tapered portion of the knife. The blade guard is initially assembled on the knife by longitudinally sliding along the knife body from a rear end thereof until the locking tab enters the longitudinal slot assisted by a funnel-shaped leading end for ease of entry. In the blade covering position, simple rotation of the sleeve forces the locking tab into the circumferential notch. For easy removal, reverse rotation of the sleeve causes the tab to re-enter the slot whereupon the sleeve is removed from the knife by sliding rearwardly along the knife body.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a reusable handle and a removable sheathed blade assembly comprising an elongate sheath with a plurality of elongate surgical blades longitudinally received within said sheath and selectively projectable therefrom along guided paths for exposure of the working heads of the blades. The working heads define, respectively, a cutting head and a gripping head. The sheathed assembly is introduced an operating site whereat the gripping head is exposed and engaged with tissue to be cut. The cutting head is subsequently moved into cutting engagement with the gripped tissue, after which both blades are retracted into the sheath and the sheathed blades removed from the operating site.

Abstract: A remote controlled catheter with micro-balloon, having a head constituted by a cylindrical coil spring (2) having separated coils covered by a micro-balloon (10) and mounted coaxially at the end of a tube (1). The spring can be bent at will in order to facilitate its introduction along arteries. The user pulls on the rear of a flexible pulling member (5) the forward end of which is fastened to the upper part of the head eccentrically of the axis of the head, this element (5) passing within the tube (1). To inflate the balloon (10), fluid is introduced through a channel (11), through the tube (1), the base of the balloon (10) being fixed to the tube (1) in a sealed manner.

Abstract: A cholangiography catheter is used in the surgical removal of gall stones so that contrast liquid may be temporarily retained in the location of a patient's bile duct in order to take X-ray pictures of the bile duct. The catheter is a flexible and resilient "T"-shaped member having two air inflatable balloons, each connected in an arm of the catheter. The balloons may be independently inflated to close the drain lumen of the catheter and the bile duct.

Abstract: A device and method for implantation of a prosthesis provides for insertion of the prosthesis in a location which is difficult to access. The prosthesis is held in a radially contracted state by the device. An expandable chamber within the device permits relative movements between elements of the devices as to permit the prosthesis to be inserted and radially expanded in the location.

Abstract: A plastic support frame for a paediatric naso-tracheal tube comprising a planar pad and an arm which projects from the pad with an adjustable length. The pad has two parallel channels of circular section which extend across the entire width of the pad. Three lateral channels extend between the channels and are located off-center across the width of the pad. The arm has two parallel limbs that are a snap fit in the channels, and a lateral cross piece that is either a snap fit in one of the lateral channels or extends along the rear edge of the pad. The arm has a flange at one end which receives a connector for the tube and has a lug that prevents rotation of the connector.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrostatic float valve for use in a fluid feed system that is capable of automatically shutting off the flow of fluid to a body cavity of a patient whenever additional or more rapid flow of said fluid would harm said patient and also relates to a fluid delivery system of the intravenous type that incorporates said hydrostatic float valve.

Abstract: The ventricular drainage system includes an antisiphon device comprising a flow through body which has an interior chamber and which is adapted to be positioned for vertical flow therethrough. The device further includes an inflow tract at the lower end of the body, adapted to be coupled to a ventricular catheter, and an outflow tract at the upper end of said body adapted to be coupled to a drainage tubing. The device also includes a ball in the chamber which is capable of closing the inflow tract when there is no flow of fluid from the ventricular catheter, capable of allowing fluid flow through the body during normal flow of liquid from the catheter and capable of closing the outflow tract upon a rush of fluid from the catheter.

Abstract: A tube for use in a flow controller of an intravenous or other slow flow control apparatus has a configuration somewhat like the opening defined by the open eyelids of the human eye whereby to provide relatively sharp corners and narrow width of the opening to reduce materially the force required to close relative to that required to close a round tube and to reduce the movement of the flow control element of the controller, which controller is configured to take advantage of the shape of the tube and employs a shape memory control element to adjust rate of flow of the fluid; the controller also including a brake element to lock the flow rate at a particular preselectable rate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a combination needle shield/needle guard device that is positively locked onto detachable needle assemblies for an evacuated blood collection system and for a hypodermic syringe. More particularly, this invention can: (1) function as a needle shield to enclose and prevent contamination of the sterile needle to be used for a medical procedure; (2) function as a needle guard which can slide on a length extension for either needle assembly, such that the needle can be uncovered or re-covered in a direction from behind the needle point, thereby providing a safety feature for the operator who can avoid direct contact with a used, blood-contaminated needle point. Avoidance of direct contact with used needle points will reduce the likelihood of contracting blood-borne infections such as AIDS, infectious hepatitis, syphilis etc.

Abstract: An implantable valve for controlling the passage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a ventricle of the brain to a suitable drainage location in the body includes a movable diaphragm, one side of which is in the pressure communication with the drainage location of the body, and the other side of which is in pressure communication with the ventricular spaces of the brain. A valve assembly, actuable by displacement of the diaphragm in response to applied pressure differentials, regulates passage of CSF from the ventricular spaces to the drainage location. When the pressure differential falls below a minimum threshold level, the valve is closed to prevent fluid flow. When the pressure differential increases beyond the threshold, the valve operates in a constant pressure mode to maintain a first predetermined pressure differential across the valve.