Abstract: A device comprises two jaws arranged to be pressed one against the other and to grasp a part to be positioned and secured. The part and/or the jaws comprise circular regions presenting a succession of planar or curved facets regularly disposed over said regions, with adjacent facets forming obtuse angles between them whose vertices define sharp edges or points. In a preferred embodiment, the jaws clamping a part having a rounded portion are tightened by means of two screws whose centerlines form an angle with each other, so that upon tightening of the jaws, at least one of the jaws flexes so as to assure a better grip of the rounded portion of the part.

Abstract: A surgical knife, especially for use by ophthalmic surgeons for performing radial keratotomy, comprises an elongate body and a head portion which receives a diamond blade and within which the blade is displaceable forwards and backwards lengthwise of the knife along a line extending at an angle of inclination to the axis of the knife body. The angle of inclination is preferably about 20.degree.. The knife preferably incorporates a micrometer setting mechanism, adjustment of which is transmitted through the knife body to a piston located in the head portion and arranged to make contact with a knife holder for the blade. The transmission chain from micrometer to piston may include a cranked element acting on the piston.

Abstract: Ureteral stones or calculi may be extracted with a minimum amount of risk of trauma and damage to the ureter by use of the present invention's slipover extraction device. The present invention first positions a guide wire beyond the ureteral stone. An open-end, hollow catheter is then slid coaxially along the guide wire to be also positioned beyond the stone. After the guide wire is removed, a stone basket is slid coaxially within the catheter, where it is also positioned beyond the stone for extraction.

Abstract: A balloon tipped catheter and process for making the same is provided for the insertion into the suction channel of a bronchoscope. The balloon material is stretched across a recess formed in the catheter tubing. The stretched balloon forms an hour glass shape, thereby preventing the balloon material from becoming damaged while the catheter is being pushed through a curved bronchoscope.

Abstract: A disposable napkin-knickers comprises an impermeable support sheet, an absorbent wad and a fluid permeable upper sheet of two distinct elastic systems on each side of said napkin knickers. The first system is disposed between said support sheet and the wad and is wider than the second elastic system. The second elastic system is of a more stretchable material than the first elastic system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating breast lesions in three dimensions and placing the tip of a biopsy needle in the lesion includes a compression apparatus having radiopaque grids on top and bottom compression plates. Two rotated x-ray views are taken, one on either side of the vertical, such that the grids are reproduced on the exposures. The coordinates of the lesions on the grids are plotted as intersecting lines to graphically determine the X, Y and Z coordinates of the lesion. The apparatus also includes a biopsy needle holder and guide which is adjustable according to the graphically determined coordinates and which allows release of the needle from the apparatus while maintaining its position in the lesion.

Abstract: A laminate and method of making the same, comprising a first fibrous layer thermobonded to fusible thermoplastic fibers entangled into the surface of a second fibrous layer, and a panty liner incorporating such a laminate at the garment facing side thereof.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment and methods of integrating and using the garment. The garment comprises a breathable elastomeric nonwoven fabric outer cover resiliently stretchable in cross-body direction, including a pair of leg openings, front and rear waist sections fastenable with one another defining a waist opening, a crotch section situated between the leg openings and opposing front and rear panels separated by the crotch section. An absorbent insert structure is substantially superposable on the front and rear panels and the crotch section, including a liquid impermeable barrier, a liquid permeable body side liner and an absorbent composite disposed therebetween.

Abstract: This invention provides a medical catheter designed to allow the outer surface of the tube which is adjacent to body tissue to remain stationary relative to such tissue during advancement and retraction of the catheter. This provides many advantages over conventional type catheters, including improved sterility, greater bacterial and debris control, less tissue trauma, reduced pain for the patient, and cost efficiency, both in terms of low initial expense, and minimized expense directly related to a subsequent reduction in catheter-related complications.

Abstract: A kink-resistant, dual-drainage, venous return catheter preferably completely comprised of a polyvinyl chloride material and molded in a conventional injection molding process. This catheter comprises a smaller portion dimensioned to be received in a vena cava, a larger portion and a transition portion between the two other portions. In one embodiment, the transition portion comprises means for stinting the larger portion so that it can't enter the vena cava, a plurality of inlet openings and a plurality of reinforcing channels connecting the inlet openings to the larger portion so that fluid entering the inlet openings is channeled into the larger portion. All of these openings are preferably peripherally chamfered on the inside generally away from the smaller catheter portion and on the outside generally towards and away from the smaller catheter portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tampon (10), to the essentially cylindrical circumferential surface of which a liquid-permeable, thermoplastic material is fastened, with the application of pressure and heat. The dome-like constriction (10b) at the introduction end (10a) and the withdrawal end (10c) of the tampon (10) remain free of the liquid-permeable, thermoplastic material. The fastening of the liquid-permeable material to the outer surface of the absorbent material of the tampon (10), which consists of a nonwoven ribbon section rolled up on itself and pressed radially to give the final form of the tampon (10), guarantees that the high absorbency of the nonwoven fibre material, based on capillary action, continues through the liquid-permeable, thermoplastic material onto its outside. In addition, the liquid-permeable material offers protection against fibres becoming detached and makes it easier to introduce the tampon into and remove it from the body cavity.

Abstract: A device and method for assisting the pumping action of a failed heart. The device comprises an inelastic balloon, preferably conical in shape, connected to a catheter and pump. The balloon is percutaneously fed into a major blood vessel and then guided to a ventricle of the heart. When placed in the left ventricle, the balloon inflates during the isovolumetric contraction period before the aortic valve opens, and deflates after the aortic valve is closed but before the mitral valve has opened.

Abstract: An improved umbilical cord clipper apparatus constructed of non-metallic material having a base portion and a top portion movable between open and closed positions in relation to one another via a loop hinge on their common end portion. The apparatus further comprises first and second recesses in the base and top portion for positioning of an umbilical clamp of the type which would incorporate a pair of elongated arms and a loop portion as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,482. The pair of clamps are positioned with a space therebetween, so that a blade member housed in the floor of the base portion, flies intermediate the two clamp members positioned therein. Further, there is provided a pair of flexing members within the hinged loop so that the clamp when in position within the base of the apparatus are engaged the bias of the members.

Abstract: An automatic lancet device comprising a housing with a recess in one side through which a mounting member can move to carry a lancet from a retracted to an operative position, and a finger guard through which or past which the lancet makes its finger piercing movement in use. The finger guard is provided with a stem dimensioned to be removably located in a recess in the housing. A displacement member is permanently mounted on the device and is movable from a first position to a second position to cause displacement of the finger guard from the recess, the displacement being achievable by actuation at a location remote from the finger guard.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising an absorbent core disposed between a liquid-impermeable backing sheet and a liquid-permeable facing sheet and having means for closing and fastening the diaper around the waist which are independent from means for sealing the diaper around the thighs of the wearer. The diaper employs two regions of adhesive for this purpose. The first said region is preferably located at the upper end of the diaper and comprises two adhesive areas at or near the corners of the diaper. The second adhesive region is located at the other end of the diaper and comprises two adhesive areas which are located in the side margins of the diaper and are spaced away from the corners at said other end. There are slits between the corners of the diaper and the adhesive areas of the second adhesive region. These slits extend inwardly from the side margins of the diaper toward its center.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining urinary continence in normally incontinent individuals. The present invention involves the non-surgical implantation of a bolus of ferromagnetic material into the bladder. The bolus of ferromagnetic material may comprise a biocompatible membrane, containing a ferromagnetic material. The bolus will normally rest at the juncture between the bladder and the urethra and will prevent the flow of urine from the bladder into the urethra. Essentially, the bolus serves as a seal between the urethra and the bladder. When it is desired to void the bladder, the ferromagnetic bolus is moved out of the intersection between the bladder and the urethra by positioning a magnet along the external surface of the person's body and manipulating the magnet until the desired movement of the bolus is accomplished. Movement of the magnet is sufficient to displace the bolus such that flow may be initiated from the bladder into the urethra.

Abstract: A diaper panty is made of a rectangular basic body of cotton and rectangular liner sewn to an upper edge zone thereof. Consequently, the liner can be lifted off from the basic body to the seam to make it possible to place a loose, absorbent insert between the liner and the basic body.

Abstract: A fluid absorbent article, comprising an absorbent web expandable upon fluid absorption and joined to a topsheet of fluid impervious material having a plurality of tapered passages therein, each open at its respective base and apex, and oriented with its base in the plane of the topsheet and its apex disposed in an interior portion of said absorbent web, such that fluid contacting the topsheet, surface tensionally enters the tapered passages at the bases thereof for passage therethrough to exit at the apexes thereof into the absorbent web, whereupon expansion of the absorbent web in proximity to the tapered passages compressively affects closure thereof to sealingly retain the fluid in the absorbent web.

Abstract: A shortened tampon applicator of the telescoping tube type employs an ejector tube to store a tampon in its distal end and an outer tube disposed by a slip fit thereover to thus shorten the overall length of the tampon and applicator assembly. Directionally-locking inward flaps fixed within the distal end of said outer tube engage the distal end of the tampon stored in the ejector tube thus securing the latter relative to said outer tube while permitting only distal expulsion therefrom. The ejector tube preferably has inwardly biased flexible portions at its distal end which serve to catch behind the proximal end of the tampon. In the preferred version, the inwardly biased portions are unique undulations at the blunt distal end of the ejector tube which advantageously cooperatively functions with a tampon having an enlarged tail.

Abstract: In a blood bag system for plasma transfusion and cell return including two or more blood bags containing anticoagulant and connected to a puncture needle through two or more branch tubes and a common main tube, a cell return port is connected to the branch and a breakable flow path closure is inserted in one branch tube adjacent the branch. When broken, the flow path closure allows fluid communication through the branch tube. Blood is first collected in the first blood bag, which bag is sealed when filled and separated from the system. Then, the flow path closure is manually broken to permit blood collection into the second blood bag.