Abstract: This invention is for method and apparatus for collecting seminal fluids from an animal and specifically for a breeding prototype with equipment and brackets which hold an artificial vagina in a position similar to the location of the vagina in a live female animal.

Abstract: A vacuum extractor for use in childbirth has an evacuable suction cup for engaging the child's scalp, the cup being connected to a source of a pulling force in a manner which ensures that the line of the force passes substantially through the center of the cup's lip, thereby minimizing the production of tilting moments on the cup on application of an oblique pulling force.

Abstract: A front entry, flexible urinary collection bag with an inlet opening at a front wall thereof is connected with a fluid source through a rigid header attached to the flexible bag adjacent the inlet opening at the front of the bag and a fluid conductive connector held in coupling engagement by the header and having an elongate portion which makes fluid connection with the front of the bag through the inlet opening. The portion extends at an acute angle relative to the back of the bag when empty and makes connection with the front of the bag at a location laterally offset from the plane of symmetry, so that the back wall will not asymmetrically bulge away from the central plane of symmetry relative to the front of the bag.

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 portable catheter for use by females suffering from urinary incontinency. A short catheter is held in place extending a short distance into the urethra by means which permits the wearer substantially full freedom of movement. A relatively stiff shield is fastened to an undergarment in a manner holding the shield in position adjacent to the wearer's urethral and vaginal openings. A plug means is fastened to the shield in a manner permitting it to be inserted into the vagina to help hold the shield in position. The generally tubular catheter includes locking washer means riding in a slot in said shield allowing the spacing between the catheter and vaginal plug to be varied to accommodate varying physical dimensions. A drain plug extends from the external end of the catheter to drain urine to a conventional collection bag which may, for example, be secured to the user's leg.

Abstract: A microwave sterilizer for sterilizing a connector or coupling that interconnects a first conduit from a source of liquid to be infused into a living body to a second conduit implanted in the body. The apparatus of the invention comprises a housing having first and second members forming a guided wave structure adapted to be removably closed around the coupling or connector and further including first and second clamping means. The clamping means are adapted to clamp respective conduits and are operable to isolate a charge of the liquid within the connector. A microwave source is used to generate energy which in turn is coupled to the guided wave structure to cause heating of the liquid charge to a temperature level to cause sterilization so as to destroy substantially all form of bacteria therein. After a predetermined heating sequence, the apparatus is released and the bag side clamping means is first released so as to pass the sterilized charge of liquid into the source or bag.

Abstract: A system utilizing computed tomography (CT) as for surgery. A CT scanner provides data representative of or slices taken through a body member. Display apparatus reveals the slices. A reference apparatus (frame) affixed to the body, operates in conjunction with the scanner and the display apparatus. The frame includes: structure for affixation to the body, holder means for guiding the therapeutic instrument, and structure for providing reference indications. The system further includes a data processing structure and control means for transforming data between frame coordinates and slice coordinates.

Abstract: Device for treatment of wounds in body tissue of patients by means of jets of gas. A nozzle unit is designed to be placed over the area of the wound in order to cover it and is provided with inlets (6,10) for admission of oxygen gas to the area of the wound and outlets (9) for discharge of oxygen gas from the area of the wound. The inlets are designed to be connected by a hose (7) to a source of pressure containing air or oxygen gas. The nozzle unit is made of at least two layers of plastic foil (1,2) which are joined along the major part of their edges (3) enclosing an inner space, maintained mainly by the gas pressure, into which space the inlet (6) directs the flow. The nozzle unit is provided with a plurality of inlet openings (10) giving admission from the inner space (11) which openings are disposed in the layer of plastic foil (2) which is nearest to the area of the wound when the device is in use. These are designed to direct a plurality of gas jets at the area of the wound.

Abstract: A balloon catheter of the linear eversion type is provided with a sealed through lumen which will pass guide wires and other objects without disturbing the sealed nature of the balloon system.

Abstract: To treat hydrocephaly, an intracranial catheter is implanted in the head. It is connected to a tube fitted with a non-return valve and serves to divert the flow of cephalo-rachidian liquid to the peritoneum or to the right auricle of the heart. In accordance with the invention a hydraulic filter of non-linear variable impedance is connected in the tube in series with the valve. The filter maintains an average flow rate of the cephalo-rachidian liquid close to the physiological flow rate, but prevents sudden rushes of fluid flow, thereby permitting the intracranial pressure to vary in the short term in the normal manner over a characteristic period of about one second, while preventing said pressure from rising slowly in the long term, e.g. over a characteristic period of about one minute. This is done by a bead (160) which is housed in a cavity (161) extending between a proximal orifice (111) and a distal orifice (136). The distal orifice constitutes a leaky valve seat for the bead.

Abstract: An implantable medication infusion device wherein a generally cylindrical manifold is employed having a shallow recess on one face thereof. A flexible diaphragm is positioned to form with the face of said manifold a medication reservoir. A circular cover member is positioned over the diaphragm to form with said diaphragm a pressure stabilizing chamber within which is positioned a two-phase fluid for maintaining a constant pressure on said diaphragm. A permanent magnet is positioned at the center of said diaphragm and is movable therewith. A Hall effect transducer positioned on said manifold opposite said permanent magnet is employed continuously to measure the position of said diaphragm and provide an indication of the amount of medication in said reservoir.A method of filling and sealing the pressure stabilizing chamber which insures that a small bubble of two-phase fluid is present in said chamber at all times.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising, a container having a cavity to receive the liquid. The system has an associated light emitter and light detector being changeable between a first state with the light from the emitter impinging upon the detector, and a second state with the light from the emitter passing away from the detector dependent upon the presence of liquid in the container between the emitter and detector. The system has a device for moving the emitter and detector vertically along the container.

Abstract: An improved surgical device and method for manufacturing the device are provided. The device is a high rotating speed arthroscopic probe shaver with bearing means that give superior longitudinal and radial support. Further, the outer tube of the probe shave is swaged to fit very closely over the inner tube.

Abstract: A monofilament surgical suture wire has a pointed needle-like tip, where the pointed tip is harder and stronger than the balance of the suture wire, is of one homogeneous piece with the wire, and has been made harder and stronger by local cold working.

Abstract: A surgical drape has an upper surface and a surgical site, and has a fluid collection bag attached to the upper surface. The bag has a first opening, a lower, fluid-collection chamber, and a second opening. The drape and bag are constructed such that when they are in their normal operational position, they are positioned such that the surgical site is above and in fluid communication with the first opening, the first opening is above and in fluid communication with the lower chamber, and the second opening is above and in fluid communication with the lower chamber.

Abstract: Tweezers for withdrawing hair from the skin comprising a pair of legs having flat opposing inner surfaces and outer surfaces which flare outwardly at their free ends to form broad flat feet for contacting the skin and for gripping a hair near its base between the opposing inner surfaces.

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: An apparatus is described for performing surgical procedures through a patient's skull to a target within the skull by utilizing a computer-assisted tomography scanner comprising a base platform which is positioned on the table of the scanner. A pair of vertically disposed support members are selectively longitudinally movably mounted at opposite sides of the platform and have arc carrier supports selectively vertically movably mounted thereon. An arc carrier is selectively pivotally mounted to the arc carrier supports and has an arcuate segment movably mounted thereon. A probe holder is selectively movably mounted on the arc.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument essentially comprises an outer sheath tube, an inner stationary tube which is disposed within said outer sheath tube such that the distal end of the inner tube projects from the distal end of the outer sheath tube and is provided with a cutting opening for drawing cut tissue chips at the peripheral wall of the distal end of the inner tube and a sliding member which is slidably disposed between said outer sheath tube and said inner tube so as to open and close said cutting opening and is provided with an outer cutting edge which engages an inner cutting edge of said cutting opening, on the distal end edge of the sliding member, whereby a body tissue is cut by axially and slidingly reciprocating said sliding member to open and close said cutting opening and cut tissue chips are withdrawn from the body by suction through a suction channel of the inner tube.

Abstract: A unitary assembly of surgical fastener retainer members is disclosed. The assembly includes a plurality of retainer members, preferably of a resinous material, arranged in a surgically useful configuration and connected by flexible or frangible links preferably of the same material. The assembly facilitates handling of the retainer members and loading them into fastener applying apparatus.