Abstract: An interconnect connects a vial to a syringe for the transfer of material to the syringe or back to the vial. The interconnect includes a vial connecting mechanism and a tapered sleeve to receive the syringe. A metering port allows control of the material transfer rate and prevents partial transfers which could cause material spillage.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a system for providing control of multiple functions needed to perform eye surgery. A microprocessor based system controls a vacuum generation system using venturis and linear valves and a pneumatic system for driving vitrectomy probes and pneumatic scissors in either a variable frequency, multicut mode or a proportional cut mode where the cutting pressure is proportional to the position of a foot operated position sensor. The frequency of the vitrectomy probe cutting action can also be controlled and the level of vacuum can be controlled from a foot operated position sensor which can also be used to turn on or off a fragmentation device. The footswitch can also be used to turn irrigation fluid on or off, and the flow rate can be controlled from a control on the front panel. By making a certain foot motion in any certain aspiration modes, reflux of the aspiration line can be controlled.

Abstract: A partible forceps instrument for endoscopy separable into an operating segment and a sampling segment and having a cleaning fixture.

Abstract: In pistol grip medicament implanter devices, wherein a trigger coupled to a plunger causes plunger advance movement that expels the medicament from the device when the trigger is pulled, a spring that forms part of the coupling and a lost motion arrangement controlled by the spring that converts trigger pull movement into spring take-up of the trigger movement when the plunger encounters resistance to advance movement greater than the spring bias. The trigger continues to move but the plunger does not, then when resistance to movement of the plunger becomes less than the spring bias, the spring force serves to advance the plunger, recovering the trigger pull motion previously lost.The greatest force that can be applied by the plunger to the medicament implant has become whatever bias is selected for the spring.

Abstract: A planar blank is provided which permits the manufacture of a coil spring suitable for implantation. The blank has an elongated, essentially straight mid section which at its ends passes over into sections that are bent in the plane of the blank in opposite directions to form a blank having Z-shape. A coil spring made from the blank (in which the spring material as seen in cross section has radially flattened shape) at its ends has a lower pitch than the mid section or no pitch at all.

Abstract: A catheter with a tip manipulation feature, comprising an outer tube of flexible resilient material having a proximal end and a distal end terminating in a tip. The interior of the tube is divided into first and second lumens extending lengthwise of the tube, the first lumen being adapted for passage of fluid such as blood therethrough. A pull line extends lengthwise of the tube inside the second lumen and exits the second lumen through an opening in the tube wall proximal to the tip of the tube. From this opening the pull line extends along the tube wall on the outside of the tube in a direction toward the tip of the tube and is attached to the outside of the wall of the tube adjacent the tip of the tube whereby tensioning of the pull line bends the tip of the tube thereby to manipulate it into a desired position. The tip resiliently returns to its original unstressed shape when the tension on the pull line is released.

Abstract: A container of flexible material for receiving and apportionately discharging liquid through an outflow opening for the purpose of enteral feeding, has arranged therein a tube of hard material, the tube being connected at one of its ends to the outflow connection of the container and being provided at specified distances with notches serving as intended breaking points.

Abstract: A self-driven pump that delivers a flowable composition at a constant baseline rate and may be manipulated to supplement the baseline rate with one or more pulses of the composition. One pump embodiment consists of a rigid hollow housing with one fixed end wall and one axially moveable end wall; an axially slideable water imbibing assembly mounted transversely in the housing lumen that divides the lumen into a first compartment containing the composition to be dispersed and a second liquid to be imbibed, preferably water, containing compartment. An outlet port extends through the wall of the housing into the first compartment. In operation the subassembly imbibes water from the second compartment and expands into the first compartment to displace the composition therefrom through the outlet at the baseline rate.

Abstract: A radial keratotomy knife which includes an accurate linear position transducer for digitally displaying the extension of a surgical blade beyond a footplate on the knife. A system is also disclosed for zeroing the blade position relative to the footplate. The system includes a zeroing sleeve having a reflective membrane to reflect light to a detector. The knife is inserted into the sleeve so that the footplate is in contact with the membrane within the system contained within a console. When the blade is advanced to contact the reflective membrane from within the sleeve, the reflected light pattern is altered to establish accurately a zero position of the knife blade relative to the footplate. The knife is then withdrawn from the sleeve and the blade advanced by a micrometer so that the transducer produces a signal relative to the reference level indicating the extension of the blade.

Abstract: Osteotomy appliance and method for correcting bone deformities. The appliance comprises a guide to be used by the surgeon to make a second cut in a bone in predetermined angular relationship to a first cut in the bone. In one type of osteotomy the method and appliance enable a precise wedge-shaped piece of bone to be excised, leaving perfectly mating surfaces on the bone segments to be reunited. The guide has associated therewith a follower adapted to be placed in the first saw cut. The guide is adjustable positioned in relation to the follower to guide the second saw cut in the desired position. The method involves creating a hole in the bone at approximately the apex of the bone piece to be removed and utilizing pin members disposed in the hole for positioning guides for the first and second saw cuts.

Abstract: A recanalization catheter comprising a very small diameter elongated, flexible tubular member having a distal end at which a tool is mounted for high speed rotation. A flexible drive assembly is located within the tubular member and is connected to the tool. The drive assembly includes a flexible drive shaft mounted within plural spaced bearings to enable the shaft to be rotated at a very high rate of speed from a remotely located motor. The bearings serve to keep the drive shaft centered even as the catheter is bent through a sharp radius of curvature, while also preventing the shaft from going into critical whirl.

Abstract: A continuous flow peritoneal dialysis system and process is disclosed which includes a source of sterilized peritoneal dialysis system in the form of a gravity feed head vessel (32). A by-pass valve (34) connects the head vessel to an inflow/outflow directional valve 40 which controls the inflow and outflow of the sterilized dialysis fluid to a peritoneal catheter (12). The peritoneal catheter is implanted into the peritoneal membrane (14) of the peritoneal cavity (15). A connectable/disconnectable inflow line (42) and outflow line (48) are connected to an inflow catheter (44) and outflow catheter (46), respectively, of the double peritoneal catheter (12). A pressure monitor (50) in the outflow line (48) monitors the pressure within the cavity (15) and adjusts the inflow and outflow accordingly to maintain a predetermined volume and pressure of dialysis fluid in the cavity to maintain the membrane (14) properly distended at all times for maximum dialysis efficiency and patient comfort.

Abstract: A cigarette making machine includes a channel (10; 100; 204) through which tobacco is pneumatically conveyed to form a cigarette filler stream (15; 209) on a conveyor (12; 130; 200) at the outlet of the channel, a first louvre (20; 110; 214) through which some of the air entering the channel through its inlet end is drawn from the channel while tobacco continues towards the conveyor, and a second louvre (22; 120; 216), closer than the first louvre to the outlet end of the channel, through which an additional amount of the air entering the channel is drawn while the tobacco continues towards the conveyor. The channel (202) may be arranged to extend around a cylinder with an inclined axis (208) so that upward movement of the tobacco is converted into approximately horizontal movement with a substantial component in the direction of movement of the conveyor (200) on which the tobacco collects to form a cigarette filler stream (209).

Abstract: A pair of separate conduits, each having an internal seal zone, may be joined by the method which comprises sealingly joining the ends of the conduits together; thereafter adding an antiseptic into the area of the joined conduits between internal seals formed in the zones; and then opening said internal seals without separating the conduits to permit internal fluid flow through the joined conduits.

Abstract: A medical underwater seal, chest drainage apparatus is provided which includes a catheter having a main lumen and an auxiliary lumen for insertion into a chest cavity to be drained of body fluid. The main lumen is connected to a drainage collection device and the auxiliary lumen is adapted to be connected to a variable setting venting valve so that an adjustable flow rate of air from the atmosphere can flow into the auxiliary lumen for venting the cavity.

Abstract: An intramedular nailing assembly, specifically adapted to the internal fixation of comminuted femoral fractures, which combines a conventional femoral nail, an extension and a set of pins interlocked with the nail and its extension. The extension is designed to be inserted into the proximal end of the femoral nail, and is pre-drilled to accept pins; some of which extend obliquely onto the femoral neck. A drill guide which can be inserted in the proximal end of the extension provides a convenient tool for pre-drilling the femur at the proper places and the proper angles. The nail itself can be pre-drilled to receive pins on a bench-mounted drilling guide.

Abstract: Apparatus for slicing tobacco bales for conditioning in which the bales are moved from a conveyor (2) onto an adjacent lift device (16) by a first pusher (6), and are then sliced by a slicing blade (20) which is moved horizontally into engagement with the top of the bale and slices the bale while the lift device is dropped slightly to assist in cleaving the bale. The lift is then actuated to raise the bale ready for the next slicing operation, after the previous slice has been ejected by a second pusher (22).

Abstract: The sizing part of the wrapping mechanism in a cigarette rod making machine has a channel-shaped member with a guide surface extending between a straight edge and a U-shaped edge and composed of an infinite number of straight lines each of which connects a point on one of the edges with a point of the other edge. The channel-shaped member cooperates with a tongue whose sides define with the adjacent mutually inclined sections of the guide surface two gaps of constant width for the passage of the marginal portions of garniture tape which is used to drape the web of cigarette paper or other wrapping material around a filler of tobacco or filter material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container device that is useful for separately storing two ingredients, typically a solid ingredient and a liquid ingredient, and subsequently mixing the two ingredients within the container device. The container device is especially useful for the storage of a solid ingredient that can be degraded during storage, by moisture, and a liquid ingredient wherein, when such ingredients are mixed, the mixture is stable for only a short period of time.

Abstract: Flavor-carrying microporous polymer material is incorporated with a cigarette filter to release flavor into the smoke-stream during smoking of the cigarette.