Abstract: An assembly especially suitable for performing biopsies on living organs or tissue is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a specifically designed open-ended hollow tubular member serving as a combination probe and guide, a specifically designed handle for holding the tubular member during performance of the biopsy and means including a needle positionable through the tubular member for collecting a specimen from the tissue. The assembly may also include means for controlling the depth of penetration of the needle into the tissue, means for preventing the tissue collected by the needle from passing entirely through the latter and a stylet serving both to protect the needle and as a means for applying local anesthetic to the organ or tissue to be biopsied.

Abstract: The survival of a patient with an extensive burn is dependent upon the ability of the burn surgeon to keep the patient in a state of positive nitrogen balance, of immune competence, and in equilibrium with the bacteria colonizing his burn wounds until permanent closure of the wounds is accomplished with autogenous skin grafts. Immune competence and bacteria colonization are controlled by the method of immersing the patient in whole are in part, so as to immerse the burn wound in an isotonic, dielectric, inert, halogenated hydrocarbon liquid, which is selected with a specific gravity greater than the patient. The liquid is kept sterile by absorbing therein ozone, along with cleaning, filtering and heat sterilization. The ozone controls the bacteria colonization whereas the density of the liquid resists loss of cell moisture thus assisting the immune competence and control of a positive nitrogen balance.

Abstract: A device for generating a variable frequency, variable pressure in a blood pressure measuring system to test the system for resonance or damping. The device includes within a container an opening for connection to a source of constant pressure, an exit opening where variable pressure is received and an intermediate exhaust opening. Means are provided to partially close the exhaust opening at a variable frequency.

Abstract: An endoscope embodying this invention comprises a control section, an elongate flexible insertion section having one end connected to the control section and the other constituting a distal end part, a transparent glass cover member mounted in the front end face of the distal end part, a channel extending through both the control section and insertion section, an elongate laser guide which extends through the channel and has one end pressed against the rear face of the glass cover member and the other end is connected to a laser oscillator disposed outside of the endoscope, an urging member holder mounted on the control section, and an elastic urging member received in the holder and urging the laser guide toward the glass cover member.Application of the elastic urging member enables the distal end face of the laser guide to be always pressed against the rear face of the glass cover member, no matter how much the bend portion of the endoscope may be flexed.

Abstract: An instrument and method for clipping blood vessels are disclosed. The new surgical tool disclosed is particularly adequate to place clips of alpha configuration ending in "V" on brain blood vessels. The invention enables a surgeon to have a free field of vision of the area and the blood vessel to be clipped as well as the clip carried by the instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dispensing a jet of cryogenic coolant selectively in single gaseous phase and in dual gaseous and finely divided liquid phase from a self-pressurizing source of heat saturated liquid coolant. The coolant is stored under constant pressure and in a heat-saturated condition and, when needed, is partially expanded into an expansion chamber equipped with a coolant jetting orifice and a venting orifice regulatable to control coolant flow from the jetting orifice in single or dual phase. The liquid coolant is conveniently stored in a hand-held dewar flask equipped with a pressure relief valve and utilizing a relatively long, small bore passage as the coolant jetting orifice.

Abstract: A diagnostic instrument comprising a pair of contact tips and control apparatus movable in a first direction to cause movement of the tips in opposite directions along a line normal to the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and a retainer arrangement for applying a membrane to a physiological sensing unit for the transcutaneous determination of the magnitude of physiological quantities, particularly for measuring the partial pressure of gases in blood or the like. The invention proposes the preparation of a preassembly thus constituting a spare part which will be ready for application to the sensing unit when needed. The preassembly comprises a membrane, a clamping ring for removably assembling the membrane with the sensing unit, and means, including an auxiliary retainer element, for temporarily and removably securing the membrane to the clamping ring prior to assembly with the sensing unit.

Abstract: An instrument for making out the central optical zone of the cornea having an oblong body featuring the edge of one of its ends sharpened, while the diameter of the body across said end equals a preset diameter of the central optical zone, and a sight is accommodated inside the body square with the longitudinal axis thereof, the sighting point of said sight lying on the longitudinal axis of the oblong body of the instrument.

Abstract: An illumination optical system for use in an endoscope comprises a glass pane disposed in front of a source of illuminating light and which is centrally defined with a reflecting surface which is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the source. Light passing through the source in alignment with the optical axis thereof illuminates a near object while light passing through the source offset from its optical axis illuminates a far object.

Abstract: Cryogenic apparatus for surgery operating with liquid cryogenic medium in a closed circuit, provided with an applicator and porous heat exchanger particularly adapted for tumor surgery, operating at an overpressure of the order of 10 kPa, with the possibility of adjustment of the cooling effect, quick response and possibility of selection of the position of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A catheter is provided with an inflatable-deflatable balloon element to radially enlarge a partially occluded artery lumen and the catheter is provided with a calibrator oval to internally gauge the enlarged lumen.

Abstract: A body slenderizing method is disclosed comprising topically applying on the body a composition comprising a silicon organic derivative in combination with heat notably under the form of infra-red rays.

Abstract: One end portions of a plurality of light conducting optical fibers disposed inside an outer sheath of an endoscope which is to be inserted into a body cavity are exposed directly to the outside through an opened distal end of the sheath. The exposed end face is formed into a smooth, spherical convexity, for example.

Abstract: A compliant O-ring seats on the abdomen surrounding the stoma and contacting the stoma. A pouch sealing ring having an annular flange fits over the O-ring to form a sealer therewith. A waste collection pouch is secured to this sealing ring and has an opening aligned with the washer and the O-ring and a belt attached to the sealing ring secures the appliance to the body of the user.