Abstract: An endoscope has within the forward end section of a sheath a cassette loaded with a roll of film on which a body cavity of a human being is photographed. One end of a film take-up shaft on the cassette outwardly extends from a housing of the cassette and a pulley is fixed on the outer periphery of the extending end portion of the film take-up shaft. A string is wound around the pulley. The string is inserted through a single passage in the sheath and when the string is pulled by an operator at a control section the film is wound.

Abstract: In a laryngoscope comprising a handle member and a light-conducting spatula member means comprising complementary inter-engaging parts are provided for detachably connecting the handle and spatula members positively together. The inter-engaging parts form a joint selected from the group comprising slide-in and plug-in joints. A lamp may be arranged in the handle member for projecting light therefrom into an entry face for light at the proximal end of the spatula member, the lamp being connectible to an external current source or being connected to an internal current source in the handle.

Abstract: An aspiration unit which will afford a uniform suction level for aspirating fluids from body cavities. The unit is composed of a double piston member, a first head of which is in sealing engagement with a syringe barrel and the second head which is oppositely disposed is contained in a telescoping member which is also receivable in the syringe barrel. Upon movement of the telescoping member outwardly from the syringe barrel, a vacuum will be created in the telescoping member as well as in that portion of the barrel member between the first piston member and the nozzle which is closed from atmosphere by means of a valve member. Upon insertion of a flexible tube into a body cavity and opening of the valve member, fluid will be aspirated into the syringe barrel by means of the partial vacuum created in the syringe barrel and in the telescoping member. A clamp means is provided to hold the telescoping member in the vacuum creating condition while the tubular member is inserted into a body cavity.

Abstract: A drainage device for irrigation of the ear comprises a receptacle of clear flexible plastic which has an inner wall formed with an opening through which the outer ear projects, thereby aiding in positioning and supporting the same. A band or tie strings on the upper edge of the inner receptacle wall embraces the patient's head and supports the weight of the receptacle. From the bottom of the receptacle extends a drainage tube which can be conveniently clipped to the patient's garment. To enable the receptacle to fit in leak-proof manner, surgical appliance adhesive secures the receptacle around the front and lower part of the outer ear.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising optical elements such as field lenses and relay lenses arranged in an outer tube without using tubular spacers so that the intensity of transmitted light becomes high.

Abstract: A surgical retractor of the type having a pair of movable handles pivoted on a common pivot pin or hinge member each handle having an elongated arm extending upwardly therefrom for reciprocal expansion or contraction when the handles are reciprocally moved, the improvement comprising a blade or plate member secured along one end of the first one of the arms opposite a first one of the handles, the plate member being angled inwardly from the elongated arm and directed downwardly approximately normal to a plane through which the arms reciprocally travel during movement, and an elongated rod member secured to one end of the second arm opposite the second handle, the arm extending to a length at least as great as the length or distance along the first arm to the center of the plate member, a rod member extending downwardly along a plane substantially normal to the plane through which the arms reciprocate, and an outwardly extending pointed pin at the end of the rod member opposite the arm.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an article, suitable to be worn unobtrusively and with comfort by a woman in the last stages of pregnancy, which is positioned to receive and retain the amniotic fluids when released. The article may conveniently be in a form similar to a sanitary napkin belt, or may be constructed into a hospital garment, for example. Although the fluid receptacle is capable of containing a substantial volume of amniotic fluid (as much as three liters), the article of the invention provides for the receptacle to be retained in a convenient and unobtrusive compressed condition until such time as the need arises for collection of the fluid.

Abstract: A surgical mouth gag, which has a transverse bar mounting an adjustable tongue retractor centrally thereof, has a clamp means at each opposite end thereof for adjustably supporting a pair of alveolar retractors which coact with the tongue retractors to retain the jaws in a desired open position. A post support portion of each of the alveolar retractors adjust both for axial rotation and longitudinal sliding in its respective clamp. A modified post construction provides telescoping means for finger pressure adjustability.

Abstract: A flat tubular structure, which comprises two tubes arranged side by side and enclosed within an outer tube, with each of the inner tubes having a structure capable of bending but incapable of transmitting a twisting effort through the whole length when a torque is applied at one end, behaves such that when it is twisted at its one end, while holding its intermediate portion, its other end is twisted by the same amount, with its intermediate portion remaining flat without being twisted.Such a flat tubular structure is used as a flexible tube portion of an endoscope. When the intermediate portion of such a flexible tube portion is located within the gullet, by turning a grip portion outside the body the tip portion within the body is turned by the same amount, as the grip portion and the intermediate portion is prevented from turning since it bears against the gullet.

Abstract: A female urinary device includes a generally inverted U-shaped, stiff and resiliently bendable, member having an upper end portion insertable into a vaginal orifice and depending spaced leg portions engaged with the vaginal wall. Spaced arm portions extend laterally forwardly from the leg portions for forcibly contacting and spreading the labia minora and majora without distorting forces being applied to the urethral orifice disposed generally between and adjacent the free ends of the arm portions. A reduced neck portion of the legs is located in the vaginal orifice after said leg portions have been squeezed together and the device is properly positioned in and on the female. The vaginal muscles engage the leg portions which correspondingly exert expanding forces within the vagina to position and stabilize the device in its operative position with the arm portions exerting expanding forces on the labia minora and majora.

Abstract: A shield and instrument holder for use with a fiberoptic scope such as those designed for proctologic use positions an apertured shield portion transversely of the eye piece of the fiberoptic scope, which eye piece extends through the aperture to secure the shield and provides a right angular extension in spaced parallel relation to the fiberoptic scope adjacent the eye piece with means thereon for detachably holding various instruments in convenient relation thereto.

Abstract: A self-contained wound evacuator is disclosed which provides a substantially constant negative gauge pressure and which includes a container and an air inflatable member within the container, the container and inflatable member having a combined configuration which avoids deformation of the inflatable member by the container in at least one direction of expansion of the inflatable member. Means are provided for inflating the inflatable member and controlling the deflation thereof.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon comprising an elongated core of conventional highly absorbent fibrous material enclosed along its sides and posterior ends by a sheath of non-absorbent, resilient and thus compressible foam material whereby the storage capacity of the absorbent core is unaffected by compressive forces due to muscular activity or withdrawal of the tampon, such compression being accommodated fully by said non-absorbent outer sheath.

Abstract: The present invention provides an underwater drainage apparatus which is adapted to be used for draining a body cavity. The underwater drainage device is provided with two collection chambers in addition to the usual water seal chamber and pressure regulating monometer. The two collection chambers intercommunicate so that the same vacuum is applied to both chambers but a spill over compartment is provided between the two collection chambers to prevent fluid collected in one chamber from passing into the other collection chamber.

Abstract: A drainage receptacle comprising, a collection bag having a back wall and a front wall at least partially defining a chamber in the bag, with the front wall being movable toward and away from the back wall and having an opening communicating with the chamber. The receptacle has a connector attached to the front wall and having a cavity communicating with the chamber through the opening. The receptacle also has a drainage conduit communicating with the connector cavity through an inlet port spaced from the chamber for passage of liquid from the conduit through the opening into the chamber and collection therein. The receptacle also has a sampler conduit communicating with the connector cavity through an outlet port, in order that the connector may be pressed toward the back wall to impede passage of liquid from the drainage conduit into the chamber until the liquid passes through the sampler conduit for obtaining a sample.

Abstract: A device for use in evacuating waste fluid from a closed wound or the like in a patient's body. The evacuation device includes an expansible member enclosed within a substantially collapsible pouch having walls formed of an air- and liquid-impermeable material. At least one hollow tube is attached to the pouch in operative communication with the interior of the pouch so that when the end of the hollow tube opposite the pouch is positioned within a closed wound or the like and when the expansible member is compressed and subsequently released, suction is applied to the wound through the hollow tube as the expansible member and the pouch expand thereby drawing any waste fluid in the wound into the interior of the pouch. The expansible member may consist of a hydrophylic sponge so that when waste fluid is drawn into the interior of the pouch, the expansible member will swell as a result of the contact between it and the waste fluid.

Abstract: A collecting device for the collection of excretions from various body openings, both natural and surgical in nature, is disclosed. The collecting device includes an inflatable collar which may be inserted into a body opening prior to inflation, and then be inflated in order to firmly anchor itself within that opening and prevent its inadvertent removal therefrom, or attached to a body opening or appendage. A solid elongated tubular member is heat-sealed to either the inner diameter or outer diameter of the inflatable collar, and forms a continuous channel connecting the inflatable collar to a bag disposed external to the body opening so that body secretions from that opening are collected in the bag in a simple and hygienic manner.

Abstract: Medical suction apparatus for the collection of aspirated body fluid comprising a transparent, cylindrical container or jar having a mouth and a lid or closure which fits snugly over the mouth and which can be interlocked therewith by means of a locking bead on the peripheral edge of the container. A pair of upwardly extending nipples are molded integrally with the lid forming tubes therethrough, one nipple serving as a fluid inlet and the other acting as a vacuum conduit. A splash deflector chute is attached to the internal end of the fluid inlet tube to direct fluid toward the side of the container. A float-valve is connected to the inner end of the vacuum conduit to prevent passage of fluid into the vacuum line after the container is full.The lid carries relief valve means for venting to the atmosphere when internal pressure drops to a predetermined level and the lid can be fitted with a vacuum line filter to prevent passage of entrained effluent into the vacuum system.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for use in certain types of deep abdominal surgery wherein it is necessary to remove the intestines from the abdominal cavity, includes an extension releasably secured to a frame and having a retractor arm carried by the extension in an elevated position relative to the frame, to thereby provide space for the intestines draped over the frame, and a retractor blade carried by the arm and engaged with the intestines to retain them out of the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides a combination of a sheet of thin pliable material adapted to be placed in sealing engagement with the skin of a patient in the location of a body opening made by an incision or wound, with the sheet being adapted to have an aperture formed therein to expose the opening, together with a removable cap preferably of transparent plastic material which can be adhesively secured to the outer face of the sheet. Drains placed in the body opening can be observed through the cap and the opening can be treated and the tubes withdrawn in increments by simply removing the cap which thereafter can be replaced.