Abstract: A support for a surgical instrument, having a base that defines a seat with a concave surface and a flat surface facing in a first direction for placement against tissue and a connector having a convex surface to abut to and move universally relative to the concave base surface. A sleeve with a passage through which a surgical instrument can be directed is attached to the connector such that the sleeve follows universal movement of the connector relative to the base. Cooperating structure on the connector and base maintains the connector and base in an operative position in which the convex surface on the connector resides adjacent to the plane of the flat base surface and does not project significantly in the first direction beyond the flat base surface.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring a dilatation of cervix uteri during a first stage of labor, includes two elongated arms pivotally connected with one another in the region of their central portion and having two opposite ends; two loops for passing fingers of a physician and arranged on one end of the arms; a scale arranged on another end of one of the arms and having a plurality of graduation marks which are spaced from one another in a transverse direction. An indicating tip is provided at another end of the other arm and movable relative to the graduation marks when a physician passes his or her fingers through the loops and moves the fingers relative to one another to palpate an edge of an orifice of cervix uteri.

Abstract: A teething pacifier system provides a teething pacifier that, placed in an infant's mouth and without re-orienting, acts as a cooled teether and then gradually becomes pacifier-like in accordance with natural infant tiring. The system includes a supple yet durable tubular teething pacifier containing a freezable fluid, preferably distilled water. An integral reservoir provides for fluid expansion during freezing and for fluid runoff such that the integral nipple becomes collapsible and otherwise pacifier-like as the fluid thaws. In a preferred embodiment, the system also includes a flexible pocket strip and a carrying pouch. The pocket strip orients and protects one or more teething pacifiers during freezing while molding to available freezer space. After freezing and where continued cooling is not needed, the pocket strip can be carried directly or affixed to the outside of the carrying pouch.

Abstract: An illuminated tongue depressor is formed by an elongated relatively narrow body having a handle end portion containing a battery and a proximal end portion having a curvature conforming to the larynx defining a convex top surface and a concave ventral surface having a friction inducing antislip texture adjacent its proximal end. A lamp imbedded in the top surface is connected with the battery by wiring through a switch. A sanitary disposable sheath envelopes the proximal end portion of the body.

Abstract: An IOL compression chamber for folding an IOL includes a hollow chamber having a loading area, a staging area and a distal tip. The loading area has a distally extending slot in the wall which allows for easy removal of a forceps holding the IOL from the chamber following insertion of the IOL into the chamber with the forceps. The staging area holds the IOL in a folded state until the chamber is placed into an IOL insertion instrument having a plunger which forces the IOL distally out of the staging area and into the eye through the distal tip.

Abstract: A natural formed nipple for a baby bottle, having an externally threaded neck and an internally threaded cap with a central aperture. The nipple includes a mouthpiece constructed as close as possible to the shape of a female human breast. A structure is for securing the mouthpiece at the central aperture in the internally threaded cap to a top edge of the externally threaded neck of the baby bottle in a waterproof sealed manner. When a baby suckles on the mouthpiece, it will make the weaning process easier for the baby.

Abstract: A flexible, fluid-tight envelope provides access for a hand and surgical instruments through a body tissue incision while maintaining insufflation pressure or a pneumoperitoneum within the body. The envelope is transparent and has an interior volume with opposite proximal and distal ends. A first opening in the envelope at the proximal end adjoins the incision in the body tissue and is secured and sealed to the body tissue. The second opening at the envelope distal end is provided with a closure member that seals closed the second opening on itself or around the forearm of a surgeon or a surgical instrument inserted into the interior volume of the envelope.

Abstract: A pacifier (1) having a nipple portion (3) projecting from a shield portion (2), and a handle portion (4). A chewing portion suitable for chewing is formed by at least one chewing zone (8; 28; 38) having the form of a bead (9; 29; 39) and provided in a rim portion (6, 7) of the shield portion (2; 22; 32) itself.

Abstract: A method and device which is used to insert an implant in order for treating an eye with glaucoma in order to lower the intraocular pressure of the eye. The implant is an artificial meshwork. The implant is attached to a guide knife which is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye. The knife is then removed leaving the implant in place. During the operation, a prismatic lens with c-shaped vacuum ring is used to help assist the surgeon in viewing the anterior chamber of the eye and stabilizing the eye.

Abstract: A teething ring device for massaging the gums of an infant. The inventive device includes an annular teething ring having a plurality of radial extension members projecting therefrom. A vibration handle is rotatably mounted to the teething ring for imparting vibrations thereto so as to massage the gums of a teething infant. The rotatable coupling of the teething ring to the vibration handle permits the ring to rotate relative to the handle in response to the vibration imparted thereto.

Abstract: A medical instrument and method which permits a suture to be introduced and removed through a single cannula which leaves only a relatively small wound. The instrument employs a trocar having an elongate member having a push button at a proximal end, a sharp point and blade at a distal end, a notch formed in the trocar a short distance proximally from said distal end and an aperture through the center of the trocar extending from an opening at the proximal end to an opening at the distal end. The trocar fits within a cannula including a hollow tube having a handle at the proximal end for gripping the cannula with two fingers. A spring keeps the notch within the cannula except when the push button is depressed. The device is used by inserting the trocar in the cannula and forcing the trocar and cannula through the body of a patient. Thereafter, a suture is inserted inside the body of the patient for ligation or retraction by feeding the suture through the aperture in the trocar.

Abstract: A colposcopic surgical punch instrument includes a hollow tube and a push rod extending through the hollow tube. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the tube and an actuation lever is pivotally coupled to the handle and the proximal end of the push rod for effecting axial movement of the push rod relative to the tube. A stationary jaw in the form of a die having an open top and bottom is coupled to the distal end of the tube and a movable jaw in the form of a punch is pivotally coupled to the stationary jaw by a tongue and groove arrangement. In one embodiment, the stationary jaw is provided with a pair of ramped projections on its sides and a tab projection on its distal end. A removable plastic sleeve fits over the stationary jaw. The plastic sleeve has an open proximal end and an open top. A pair of holes in the sides of the sleeve engage the ramped projections on the sides of the stationary jaw and a hole in the distal end of the sleeve engages the distal tab on the stationary jaw.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and guiding the movement of a high speed liquid jet for ophthalmic incisions includes a fixture for removably securing the device with respect to the apex of the cornea. The corneal apex extends through an opening in the fixture, and a concentric suction ring secures the fixture to the eyeball. A proximal portion of the fixture is provided with an internal cutout to permit resilient horizontal flexure of the proximal portion. A first linear actuator is arranged to drive the first flexible bracket to translate horizontally in precisely controlled motion. Joined orthogonally to the fixture is a second flexible bracket, having an internal cutout that permits resilient vertical flexure. One end of the second flexible bracket is secured rigidly to the fixture, and a micrometer actuator is joined to the movable end of the second flexible bracket to position it vertically in precisely controlled spacing.

Abstract: A surgical device for retrieving an object from inside a body. The device includes a shaft, a compressible pouch for receiving the object positioned adjacent the first end of the shaft. The pouch includes a mouth which may be opened and closed. An introducer sleeve is slidably positioned along the shaft for enclosing the pouch. A slotted support member having a first end affixed to the second end of the shaft, is also provided. Further, a slidable handle member is slidably positioned along the slotted support member, and an interconnecting member extends through the shaft and is interconnected with the handle, pouch and the slotted member for closing and opening the pouch, such that sliding the handle along the slotted member operates to open and close the pouch of the device.

Abstract: A closure prosthesis and transcatheter delivery system includes a closure prosthesis for sealing across all opening of a fluid passageway within a living body. The closure prosthesis is a flexible disk including a flexible ring and diaphragm having a plurality of hollow flexible wire segments attached thereto. Delivery of the closure prosthesis is accomplished using a hollow sheath and a pusher catheter slidable within the sheath, wherein filaments are looped through the wire segments to releasably connect the disk to the pusher catheter. The disk is resiliently compressed within the sheath and, upon release therefrom, the disk resiliently expands into a larger, unrestrained shape. Tension applied to the filaments resiliently bends the wire segments so that they may be drawn through the opening of the defect. Upon releasing the filaments from the disk, the wire segments resiliently expand to trap the disk in place to seal across the opening.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a handle, an elongate probe having a proximal end mounted by the handle and a distal end for applying a force to anatomical tissue, and a force limiting mechanism for moving the probe relative to the handle in a direction opposite the applied force when the applied force exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A replaceable rotary patient tissue working tool and a high speed rotational surgical handpiece having a centrifugal chuck for axial push-in chucking and pull-out release of such a tool includes a chuck including a centrifugal locking member with a mass portion located on one side of a rotational axis of a drive shaft. The working tool includes an elongate shank, patient tissue working structure at a front end of the shank and mounting structure at the rear end of the shank. The mounting structure includes several plateaus and a ramped hill. One radially depressed plateau is engageable by the centrifugal locking member.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip applicator system which is particularly useful for endoscopic procedures. A hemostatic clip applicator can be directly connected to a trigger assembly or indirectly connected to the trigger assembly through the use of an extension. The connection between the extension and the clip applicator is secured to prevent accidental release during the procedure. The applicator receives a longitudinal input and translates the input into relative component motion through the use of gearing to apply the clips.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating tissue layers and providing a working space for performing a medical procedure. A first balloon is inserted between the tissue layers and inflated to dissect the tissue layers. A second balloon is also positioned between the tissue layers and inflated to retract the tissue layers. The first balloon is then deflated and punctured with a sharp instrument to created an opening in the first balloon. The second balloon is positioned to impede the escape of insufflation fluid from the working space and the working space is then insufflated. An instrument for performing the medical procedure may then be introduced into the working space through the opening in the first balloon.

Abstract: A flexible elongate device including a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A flexible coil spring is provided having proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the coil spring is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. A rounded tip is secured to the distal extremity of the coil spring. A flexible elongate element having proximal and distal extremities is disposed within said coil spring and extends longitudinally of the coil spring. The distal extremity of the flexible elongate element is secured to the rounded tip. A vibrator is secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate element for imparting vibratory motion to the flexible elongate element to cause vibratory impact motion of the rounded tip in a direction longitudinal of the axis of the flexible elongate element.