Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for simultaneously monitoring intrauterine pressure and delivering infusible fluids therein for relief of fetal distress during labor with ruptured membranes. The apparatus comprises a catheter assembly having a first and second catheter and a guide tube for providing passage of the catheter assembly therethrough into the uterus.

Abstract: An ultrasound generator for acoustic irradiation of pathological changes of a human body comprises a planarly fashioned piezo-electric transducer which is acoustically coupled to an acoustical lens on one surface by a soft metal layer and is acoustically coupled on the opposite surface by a second soft metal layer to a dampening member. The soft metal layers act as both acoustically coupling layers and as electrodes for the piezo-electric transducer. The piezo-electric transducer can be formed of either a plurality of layers which are spaced apart by soft metal layers acting as electrodes, a single piezo-electric plate, or a plurality of plates arranged side by side in the same plane.

Abstract: A catheter or fiberscope for the inspection of an intracardiac area or the like is proposed which has a flexible tube and a balloon mounted on its end. The flexible tube is divided into four passageways, i.e. two fluid passageways and an illumination light transmission line and an image transmission line. A flush of a physiological saline solution is spouted from one fluid passageway outside of the balloon to form a visual field without interfering natural movement of the area to be inspected. A catheter for dissolving a thrombus is also proposed which has a porous tube, instead of a balloon, at its end portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for medically treating recessed body tissues with medicament fluid. The invention comprehends aspirating the tissue to be treated prior to the introduction of the medicament fluid thereto so as to provide an improved delivery thereof. The apparatus includes a delivery tube having distributed openings at the distal end thereof and structure for selectively connecting either an aspirating syringe or a medical fluid delivery syringe at the opposite end. A support is provided having structure for permitting rotation of the tube about its longitudinal axis. A cystoscope is provided to permit the doctor to observe the location of the distal tip of the treatment apparatus for accurate location thereof in carrying out the fluid delivery.

Abstract: A hydrodynamically propelled catheter primarily intended for use in the placement of temporary pacemakers into the right ventricle of a patient. The cephalic end of the catheter is constructed to define a plurality of nozzle orifices for the expulsion of a pressurized fluid so that the catheter will be propelled through the patient's vascular system, past the tricuspid valve, and into the right ventricle. Standard electrodes are provided, and the cathether may further include a balloon segment disposed rearwardly of the cephalic end.

Abstract: A pacifier (7) is constructed for a relatively thin generally curved base (8) for conforming to the contour of an infant's face in its mouth and surrounding skin areas. A nipple (12) is suitably attached generally centrally of the base. The base is provided with one or more slots (15) extending inwardly from the base edge (9), with the slots forming tube receiving recesses (16), which may hold one or more feeding and ventilation supply tubes (13, 14) of different sizes. The slots (15a) may be substantially larger than a tube (13a, 14a) passing therethrough, to thus provide a spitup bypass (19). The pacifier is freely releasable from the tubes and will fall away therefrom if the pacifier or tubes are disturbed.

Abstract: The invention provides accessories for use with a rotary lawn mower in which the conventional bar having oppositely facing cutting edges is replaced with an accessory bar to which a variety of grass grooming accessories can be easily attached. The accessory bar can accommodate replaceable grass cutting elements, grass mulching elements and lawn power raking elements. The elements can be replaced without removing the accessory bar from the mower and are balanced to reduce vibration. Two of the accessories have cutting edges which are factory sharpened on relatively low cost elements, and thus can be discarded when blunt and replaced with new, low cost factory sharpened elements, thus maintaining balance. The rake accessory has a variation which permits a fine adjustment of vertical height of the rake above the lawn, to accommodate lawn mowers having coarse or no height adjustment.

Abstract: An implantable positive pressure medication infusion device is provided which is programmable over a wide dynamic range and yet the maximum flow of medication into the body, in the event the inlet valve of the device leaks or fails in the valve open position, is limited to a safe value which is much lower than the maximum programmable infusion rate of the device. An auxiliary flow restrictor is also provided which bypasses the programmable pumping unit and assures a minimum flow of medication into the body in the event of failure of the programmable pumping unit or its electronic drive. An arrangement is also provided for detecting catheter clogging or failure of the programmable pumping unit in either a positive or negative pressure device.

Abstract: A cassette is structurally adapted to receive at least a portion of an irrigation manifold and an aspiration manifold, so that when the cassette is firmly secured to a cassette mechanism on an emulsifier/aspirator unit: (1) the flow to irrigation solution through the irrigation manifold is regulated; (2) the flow of aspirated fluid and tissue from the surgical site is regulated; (3) the vacuum control system (VCS) within the unit is applied to the aspiration manifold. The cassette defines, at its leading edge, an irrigation opening, an aspiration pump opening, and a vacuum control system opening. The cassette housing defines an irrigation boss having a flat leading edge surface in register with the irrigation opening, while an aspiration boss is located in register with the aspiration pump opening. A cassette mechanism is located on the emulsifier/aspirator unit and is structurally adapted to receive the cassette to complete the fluidic connection upon insertion of the cassette.

Abstract: The application discloses a mechanical assist device for the insertion of a catheter unit into the vein of a patient. The device includes a needle unit, a catheter unit, and a handle member having at least one strut member which engages the catheter unit. The strut member is manually displaced such that the catheter unit is slideably displaced over the needle unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for temporarily keeping alive animal flaps or grafts by perfusing artificial blood initially through a tubular semi-permeable membrance including a plurality of capillaries and thereafter perfusing the artificial blood into the flaps or grafts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable diameter catheter which is folded in a longitudinal manner in order to reduce the diameter for convenient and less traumatic insertion into a body orifice. The fold in the catheter is maintained by a slidably removable external sheath which aids in insertion of the catheter and in dispersion of an anti-infective medication. Once the catheter is placed in the body orifice, the external sheath is removed. The present invention is also directed to the external sheath.

Abstract: A Gigli saw used by a surgeon to cut bones is constructed of a plurality of round wires which have been deformed in a coining stand so that they form one polygonal shape which in the preferred embodiment is square. This square strand is then twisted along its own axis in a given direction of lay. It is then heat-treated for stress relief and a plurality, such as three, of such strands are twisted together to form a cable. This results in a Gigli saw blade with many cutting edges formed at the edges of the polygon as each such edge is presented at the periphery of the cable. Preferably, the strands have a different number of twists from that of the cable, and are twisted in the opposite direction so that the cutting edges lie at about 5 to 15 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the cable.

Abstract: This invention relates to the parenteral infusion of fluids into patients, and particularly to the addition of drugs or other secondary fluids in infusion systems operating on an automatic basis.

Abstract: A removable U.V. light array assembly for use in a photoactivatable agent, patient treatment system wherein photoactivatable agents, in contact with patient blood cells, are irradiated extracorporeally and then returned to the patient.

Abstract: A blood reservoir, commonly used in a blood circuit with an artificial lung, includes a blood extraction line chamber provided inside a housing and having a blood extraction line connection port, the chamber temporarily accommodating blood from a vena cava received via the connection port, a suction line chamber provided inside the housing and having a suction line connection port, the chamber temporarily accommodating blood, drawn in during open-heart surgery, received via the connection port, a blood pooling chamber provided inside the housing and communicating with the blood extraction line chamber and the suction line chamber for pooling blood accommodated by the two chambers, filtering/defoaming member arranged to communicate the suction line and blood pooling chambers for filtering and defoaming blood accommodated in the suction line chamber, an extracted blood inflow tube having one end communicating with the blood extraction line connection port and another end open to the blood extraction line chambe

Abstract: There is provided an inexpensive disposable temperature monitoring probe for use in a patient treatment system wherein photoactivatable agents, in contact with patient cells, are irradiated extracorporeally to photoactivate said agents and then returned to the patient.

Abstract: An arterial catheter of the multi-lumen type having an inflatable balloon portion to wedge the catheter in place against the arterial wall. Multi-infusions are allowed through the segmented multi-lumens. This catheter is so designed to allow blood to flow in the arterial system with the catheter in place. During diastolic phases, the blood flow will be closed off with movable plastic valves.

Abstract: A completely flexible bronchoscopic needle assembly for use with a fiberoptic bronchoscope includes a flexible catheter having a hollow sampling needle rigidly and coaxially fixed to the distal end thereof. The sampling needle defines a lateral opening rearwardly of a cutting edge so as to permit an increased quantity of tissue sample to pass through the lateral opening and into the hollow sampling needle. The rearward portion of the lateral opening is defined by a lateral cutting edge to cut into the surrounding tissues so as to obtain a sample therefrom when the sampling needle is forcibly advanced into the tissue. The forward portion of the lateral opening is defined by a gradual inwardly sloped surface which prevents the tissue from being cut when the sampling needle is withdrawn from the tissue.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance comprises a body-attachable pad of skin-compatible adhesive material having a stomal orifice, and means whereby a plurality of ostomy bags can be attached in sequence to the pad by exposing a fresh region of adhesive each time it is desired to attach a clean ostomy bag.