Abstract: An improved laryngoscope for visualizing the glottis of the human body to facilitate endotracheal intubation comprising a thin, rigid blade construction of anatomically curved configuration to conform to the oral and pharyngeal passageways of the human body in supine position, and wherein the blade is provided with means for indirect visualization of the glottis without disturbing the normal position of the head of the body in supine position.

Abstract: An endoscope has a film cassette incorporated at the forward section of a sheath and a film cassette access opening is provided in the outer periphery of the forward section of the sheath. An outer cover means is detachably fitted over the outer peripheral portion of the forward section of the sheath and includes a hood member for protecting the front end surface of the forward section of the sheath and imparting no injury to the inner cavity of a human being which might otherwise occur by the edge of the forward end of the sheath.

Abstract: The specification describes a fluid drainage bag having first and second plies, a fold in the first ply, and a drainage opening closed by a flap valve in the fold. The fold is held open by means of a flexible drainage tube maintained in a flexed position between the fold and the upper end of the bag. The opening of the fold draws the flap valve away from the second ply so that it does not stick in the open position to the second ply.

Abstract: A colostomy bag pad that is adapted to be interposed between the bag and the external surface of the abdominal wall and provides an aperture for communication with the external projection of the stoma.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in training the bladder of an incontinent patient including a pressure chamber connectable to the bladder with a catheter and a collecting container connected to the pressure chamber by a narrow tube. The pressure chamber is to be lower than the bladder and the collecting container is below the pressure chamber, while the tube extends upwardly from the pressure chamber. In use, the pressure chamber fills up, pressurizing the bladder, until urine reaches the highest part of the tube whereon the pressure chamber and bladder are emptied and the pressure reduced.

Abstract: A wheeled cabinet is provided and includes a vertically elevatable, universally angularly displaceable and longitudinally extendable boom supported therefrom. The free end of the boom supports a horizontal shield structure defining a shallow downwardly opening cavity and the interior of the cabinet houses a vacuum motor including an inlet and an outlet. A vacuum line is provided and includes an inlet end opening into the interior of the cavity of the shield structure and an outlet end coupled to the inlet of the vacuum motor. Further, an exhaust line is also provided and includes inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end of the exhaust line is coupled to the outlet of the vacuum motor and the outlet end of the exhaust line includes structure for securing the exhaust line outlet end over the register of the inlet for the air circulation exhaust duct for an operating room or the like.

Abstract: An endoscope having control mechanism for permitting fine adjustment of the bending operation of a flexible tip. The flexible tip of an endoscope is controlled in its bending direction by rotating a knob at the opposite end of the endoscope. The knob is engageable by a braking clutch mechanism for stopping the rotation thereof and thereby fixing the position of the endoscope tip. A separate release mechanism is provided for temporarily disengaging the knob from the braking force of the clutch mechanism without requiring the release of the clutching mechanism to its disengaged state. The temporary release mechanism is operated by means of a button located on the knob thereby permitting easy operation while the physician or other operator is performing a viewing operation or the like.

Abstract: An ileostomy pouch and mounting device for the pouch are disclosed. The pouch comprises a bag having a drain opening at one end and a stoma-receiving opening adjacent its other end. An O-ring is sealed to the periphery of the stoma-receiving opening and has an integrally molded skirt flaring radially from the O-ring. A mounting ring is provided for the pouch and has an annular body-engaging face and an annular peripheral groove extending radially inwardly toward the axis of the ring. The O-ring is received in the groove entirely around the mounting ring to securely fasten the bag to the mounting ring.

Abstract: A catamenial device such as a tampon which comprises a segment of a rapidly reexpandable hydrophilic polymeric foam held in compression to less than 50 percent of its original dry volume and a constraining means holding said segment in compression which is adapted to provide lubrication for insertion of said segment into an animal's body cavity and to thereafter rapidly disintegrate, wherein said constraining means comprises a capsule possessing a plurality of perforations distributed about its surface to hasten disintegration. The devices of the present invention may be stored over an extended period of time without the difficulty of premature escape of the segment from the capsule.

Abstract: Cranial transillumination device includes a shielded light source mounted in a cup-like housing and connected by an intermediate band to a similarly shielded light meter for indicating any abnormal spiral fluid accumulation on the brain.

Abstract: A catamenial device such as a tampon which comprises a segment of a rapidly re-expandable hydrophilic polymeric foam held in compression to less than 50 percent of its original dry volume and a constraining means holding said segment in compression which is adapted to provide lubrication for insertion of said segment into an animal's body cavity and to thereafter rapidly disintegrate, wherein said constraining means comprises a capsule prepared from a water-soluble alkylene oxide polymer such as poly (ethylene oxide). The devices of the present invention exhibit surprising lubricity and shelf-life, and are economically prepared.

Abstract: A negative pressure drainage vessel equipped with an interior resilient flexible diaphragm and means for producing a negative pressure on that side of such diaphragm which is proximate a fluid recovery area. The opposite side of the diaphragm is exposed to atmospheric pressure. A progressive rise of fluid level in the container, as may tend to increase the pressure on the negative-pressure side of the diaphragm, is accompanied by an elastomeric contraction "pull-down" or "pull-up" of the diaphragm so as to maintain essentially the negative pressure required for an essentially constant suction condition for a large progressive rise in fluid level. The negative pressure may be increased by periodic application of vacuum as may be effected by an air-evacuation mechanism. A separate, liquid-filled bag may be employed together with an appropriate valving means.

Abstract: A catheter for males including a flexible, resilient, sheath-like bag for reception of the penis and provided with a thickened upper end portion or rim supported from a waist encircling belt by a pair of elongated resilient straps which are capable of being adjustable in length. The lower end of the bag is communicated with a leg supported urine collection bag. The upper end portion or rim of the flexible bag or sheath-like tubular member is provided with a plurality of integrally formed loops or slot-like openings for receiving the reversely folded lower end portion of the straps or a double headed button for securing the lower ends of the straps adjustably to the bag.

Abstract: A radiation endoscope is described wherein a laser or other radiation source is employed for therapeutic purposes. Radiation energy may be accurately directed at a target in a body cavity with the use of a marking spot whose light energy is passed along an optical path in the sheath of the radiation endoscope to the cavity area on which the radiation beam is incident. Eye protection for an operator of the radiation endoscope is obtained with the use of a variable filter interposed in an image path and coupled to correspondingly reduce the beam radiation effective in the body cavity as the image path transmissivity is enhanced. In one embodiment, attenuation of beam radiation is obtained by using a variable density optical filter coupled to the filter operative in the image path. In another embodiment, radiation beam attenuation is achieved by deriving a radiation beam control signal from the filter operative in the image path.

Abstract: The disclosed surgical suction wand assembly and method includes a modular suction wand including a hollow suction tip the interior of which has a square or other suitable polygonal cross-sectional configuration which substantially improves the precision and facility with which apertures may be formed in the suction tip. The tip may be provided with an elongated interiorly disposed tube simultaneously providing for effective aspiration of small amounts of liquid as well as a large suction area for efficiently aspirating larger volumes with minimal opportunity for obstruction. The suction tip is provided with a coupling device adapted to receive any one of a plurality of adaptor configurations constructed so as to increase the versatility of the suction tip without requiring large numbers of separate forming molds.

Abstract: A surgical retractor and sponge carrying assembly particularly adapted for craniotomies includes a flexible retractor member which is wrapped around the wound flap to hold the wound flap retracted and also to function as a hemostatic device. An intermediate conformable member such as a bean bag is mounted on the retractor member for providing a horizontal support surface to which a sponge carrying tray may be secured.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for collecting matter, particularly human waste matter. An annular member is fitted to a passage through which the material passes. A folded or rolled tube, closed at one end, is provided on the annular member, and collects the waste matter. The passage of the waste matter into the tube causes the tube to unfold or unroll. The portion of the tube containing the waste matter may then be sealed off and detached, leaving the remainder of the tube ready for collection of further matter.

Abstract: A portable light for a vaginal speculum of the type having a body and a plurality of dilator members extending from the body. The light comprises a casing which defines a curved end wall and a boss which houses a light bulb. Batteries are mounted in the casing and are electrically connected to the bulb by a switch which is moveably mounted on the casing. A flexible bag is placed around the casing and the casing and bag are mounted on the speculum body by engaging the boss and curved end wall in frictional engagement with the speculum body.

Abstract: Main and auxiliary cuffs made of an elastic material such as rubber, etc., are mounted in close proximity to each other on the forward end portion of a flexible sheath of a tubular medical instrument. The flexible sheath is inserted into a body cavity of a human being and with further insertion of the flexible tube the main cuff is contacted, while at the expanded state, with the wall surface of the body cavity and when the flexible sheath is forwardly pushed the portion of the main cuff is rearwardly deformed, while effecting a rolling contact with the wall surface of the body cavity, to permit it to ride on the auxiliary cuff. When the auxiliary cuff is then expanded to cause the corresponding wall surface of the body cavity to be expanded, the main cuff is separated away from the wall surface of the body cavity to cause the portion of the main cuff to be forwardly pushed ahead into an original position.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope having a fiber bundle for transmitting optical images from a distal end where an object to be viewed is located to a proximal end where an image of the object can be viewed by an operator. The endoscope incorporates a mechanism for advancing the endoscope toward the object to be viewed.