Abstract: A wound drainage reservoir which is a container having a resilient sidewall that defines a chamber within the container and wherein an opening extends through the sidewall. A helmet extends through the opening, which helmet has an extending lip that engages a portion of the sidewall of the container which surrounds the opening. A collar encircles and is bonded to the helmet for sealing such a portion of the sidewall between the lip of the helmet and the collar. A first inlet is on the helmet to provide a first fluid-flow conduit to the chamber. A second inlet is on the helmet to provide a second fluid-flow conduit to the chamber. A drainage outlet is on the helmet to provide a fluid-flow conduit from the chamber. A plurality of ribs extend laterally along the sidewall.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising, a receptacle having a chamber to receive liquid, a depending annular wall defining a valve seat at a lower portion thereof and an opening in the region of the seat, and a retainer assembly extending across the opening and having an aperture extending therethrough in the opening. The system has a valve element of elastic material comprising a disc being sufficiently large to extend across the opening and sealingly engage against the seat peripherally around the wall. The valve element has a stem extending from the disc and being slidably received in the aperture. The stem has a boss spaced from the disc with dimensions larger than the aperture such that the boss maintains the stem in the aperture. The stem has a sufficient length between the boss and disc such that the disc is spaced from the seat when the boss engages against the retainer assembly.

Abstract: A pharyngeal suction device for use during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and trauma stabilization. A hollow wand is provided with peripheral recesses which act as safety vents when the wand is used without the safety tip. The safety tip is attached to the wand in either of two orientations and secured at the peripheral recesses. A safety tip outlines a hemispherical surface and defines three passages which communicate with the interior of the wand.

Abstract: Biopsy needle for bone marrow biopsies or the like including a cannula, a cannula housing supporting the cannula, and a stylet including a stylet cap supporting the stylet wherein the stylet engages into the cannula in a predetermined relationship and the stylet cap interlocks to the cannula housing. The biopsy needle is constructed to be either disposable or reusable depending upon the cannula housing and stylet cap material. The cannula housing includes vertical wings extending outwardly from the housing for engagement with the palm of a physician's hand, a cannula having formed ends which engage and secure into the cannula housing, and an elongated button extending outwardly from the top of the cannula housing for detent locking with the stylet cap providing for alignment of the stylet to the cannula of the biopsy needle. The end of the cannula is uniquely formed in a swaging, bevel and grinding, and buffing process providing a sharp knife edge.

Abstract: An adjustable, disposable suction device that is particularly adapted for medical use. The device is used for removing excess blood or body fluids from an open incision during surgery and is constructed so that it can drain the fluids from a point source or from a larger general area. In the latter case the device can be adjusted to control how much fluid is removed in a given period of time. The device is essentially comprised of a handle, a rigid outer tube formed with an oblique bend and a coacting flexible inner tube. The outer tube is connected at one end to the handle and has a plurality of longitudinally spaced radial apertures adjacent its free end. The flexible inner tube is positioned with a sliding fit in the rigid tube. The inner tube is open at its outer or free end but is otherwise imperforate. With this arrangement, the inner tube can be moved longitudinally within the outer tube to block all of the outer tube apertures or selectively open some or all of them.

Abstract: A suction canister assembly comprises an enclosed receptacle having a first opening for providing suction to the receptacle and a second opening for drawing fluids, including liquids and gases, into the receptacle during suction. A unitary shut-off valve/filter element is associated with the interior side of the first opening. This element is oriented within the receptacle so as to be contacted by liquid in the receptacle which rises therein. The element is porous and is adapted to filter particulate matter from gas passing therethrough. In addition, the valve/filter element is capable of developing sufficiently high surface tension under liquid contact to serve as a barrier against liquid passage therethrough at pressure differentials across the element when vacuum is applied on one side of the element. As a result, the element is adapted to terminate suction through the suction opening when liquid rises in the receptacle to completely cover the element.

Abstract: An external catheterization device and technique is disclosed that provides for increased safety, comfort and mobility. The device is constructed from four major elements, an adhesive surface, a pliable stabilizer, a main body and an outlet tube. The adhesive surface covers the subject side of the stabilizer and surrounds the inlet to the main body of the catheter. The stabilizer is formed of a material conformable to the subject and aids in placing the catheter. The main body of the catheter is formed to carry urine and vaginal discharge which is received through the inlet, to the outlet tube at which conventional drainage devices are attachable. The catheterization technique necessary for utilizing the external catheter of the present requires cleansing the entire urogenital area applying a suitable protective dressing, and pressing the adhesive surface of the catheter into a leak resistent, sealing relationship with the subject's body.

Abstract: Improved port and closure constructions are disclosed for medical solution containers, particularly collapsible containers intended for storing and administering parenteral solutions. An outlet port includes a tubular neck with an elastomeric sealing disc held against the distal end of the neck by a tear-off cap, the disc having planar surfaces and a circumferential rib spaced from each of those surfaces for sealingly engaging the inside of the cap. Within the outlet port is an annular collar that slopes and tapers distally inwardly for engaging the spike of an administration set. An inlet port is also provided, such inlet port having a neck with an internal annular distally-facing shoulder and a plurality of longitudinal internal ribs located distal to the shoulder. The ribs are useful for guiding a stopper into sealing engagement with the shoulder without interfering with the seal as so formed.

Abstract: A method is provided for relieving excess negativity in a surgical underwater drainage device. The method comprises the steps of delivering a premeasured or metered amount of air directly to the thoractomy tube which is connected to the inlet of the drainage device. The metered amount of air is provided by an air chamber connected to the thoracotomy tube, the air chamber having a depressable plunger mounted therein. When the plunger is depressed the air within the chamber is delivered directly to the thoracotomy tube and when the plunger is released the air chamber is refilled with a metered amount of air. At no time is the thoracotomy tube open directly to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and tool for applying a self-carried urine receptacle snugly on the penis of a human which comprises an elastic ring expanded to slide over the shaft of the penis without contacting it, relaxing the ring and causing it to return to its normal position, and sliding the funnel shaped end of a resilient catheter over the penis and ring with the catheter gripping the outside of the ring in a leadproof manner.

Abstract: A pacifier or dummy includes a resilient nipple, a guard, and a plug body inserted into the end of the tubular portion of the nipple that is opposite to the mouthpiece. The plug body is carried by a base, which is supported by the guard and is resilient in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the nipple. The plug has projections, which are particularly formed with beveled surfaces and movable along the axis of the nipple. The guard is provided with beveled surfaces adjacent to an opening in the guard. In response to a pull on the nipple, the base is resiliently deformed and the projections of the plug move toward the beveled surfaces of the guard. The plug body has outwardly protruding projections, which are oversize with respect to the clearance between lugs formed on the guard in the opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to an arm restraint for application around the elbow of an infant to restrict movement of the infant's hands from certain areas. The arm restraint comprises a stiffening member formed of flexible plastic sheet material of predetermined dimensions suitable for being formed into a generally cylindrical configuration about the arm of the infant. A washable fabric covering extends over opposite surfaces of the stiffening member and encloses the stiffening member therein to present a soft, clean, washable, nonallergenic surface for contacting the arm of the infant, and is preferably permanently secured to the underlying stiffening member by means of stitching. Securement means is provided on the arm restraint to permit readily fastening the arm restraint in place in a generally cylindrical configuration about the arm of the infant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for relieving high or excess negativity in an underwater drainage device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a syringe needle with a valve operatively connected to the syringe needle. The valve provides a sealed passageway from the atmosphere through the syringe needle and a spring urges the valve to a closed position except when high or excess negativity occurs in the underwater drainage device. In the method, the syringe needle pierces a resealable portion of the drainage device and a valve is provided in fluid communication with the syringe needle. After excess negativity is relieved, the syringe is removed from the resealable portion of the drainage device.

Abstract: A male urinal device (10) is disclosed. Device (10) includes a laminated sheath (14) having an inner layer (26) of latex rubber and an outer layer (28) of silicone rubber. Adhesive (24) is stored between the inner and outer layers (26, 28) when sheath (14) is rolled. As sheath (14) is unrolled, adhesive (24) is released from outer layer (28) and adheres to inner layer (26). Upon pressing sheath (14) to a penis (12), a leak-free bond is created.

Abstract: A male urinary device and method for applying for an incontinent patient comprising a sheath and a cushion strip interposed between the sheath and the penis. The cushion strip includes a seat portion and an arm extending out from one side of the seat and another arm extending out from the opposite side thereof. The second arm is positioned offset from the first arm so that the arms do not overlap on each other when wrapped around the penis. The seat and the arms are dimensioned so that the arms also do not overlap on the seat. The adjacent edges of the arms are applied to abut each other when the cushion strip encircles the penis and forms a continuous ring therearound, which is non-bulging on the upper surface thereof.The cooperation of the sheath and the level cushion strip affords a liquid tight seal between the sheath and the cushion strip. The abutting adjacent edges of the arms prevent liquid leakage therebetween.

Abstract: A secretion collecting device consists of a rigid holder, from which a bag is suspended. A secretion drainage tube running from the patient is connected to a pipe on the holder. The bag has a tube one end of which enters the interior space of the bag and the other end of which projects from the bag and is pushed telescopically onto the lower end of the pipe. The bag tube can slide with respect to the pipe so that the connection adjusts to shifts and deformations of the bag without becoming loose or separating.

Abstract: A fast response vacuum aspiration collection system includes a pair of sealed collection containers, one container having a significantly smaller volume. The larger container is connected to a fixed vacuum source, the smaller container is connected to a controlled, variable vacuum source, and the containers are connected together by an exchange line passing through a normally closed first pinch valve. A surgical probe line is connected to the exchange line, and extends through a normally closed second pinch valve to an aspirating surgical instrument. The controlled vacuum applied to the smaller container is conducted through the exchange line and the surgical line to the surgical instrument, with the small volume of the small container quickly assuming the vacuum level applied to that container.

Abstract: A multipurpose blood processing bag is described for a system in which anticoagulant and whole blood are mixed outside of the prior art anticoagulated whole blood bag in order to minimize collection lesion. In this system, whole blood and anticoagulant from a multipurpose container are mixed at the phlebotomy needle and the anticoagulated whole blood passed to the anticoagulated whole blood bag. The anticoagulated whole blood may then be separated in a pheresis procedure into components such as plasma or platelets and the separated components stored in the (now empty) multipurpose container.

Abstract: A surgical drape has a main sheet for draping over a patient's torso, a pair of leg flaps for draping over the patient's legs, and a liquid impervious sheet which has an opening for providing access to the patient.The leg flaps are connected to the main sheet and they extend laterally inwardly. Their forward and distal edges are movable so they may cover the legs of either a reclining patient whose knees are straight or a reclining patient whose knees are raised and bent in a lithotomy position.The liquid impervious sheet has its forward end connected to the main sheet. It has a second opening which provides a second access to the patient and a drain opening which permits the drainage of liquid. Removable liquid impervious coverings are provided over the latter two openings. To prevent liquid from flowing over the sides of the impervious sheet, its margins are provided with adhesive areas which are used to form tucks in the sheet.

Abstract: A surgical underwater drainage device for draining fluids from the body of a patient which is provided with an automatic negative pressure relief system is disclosed. The underwater drainage device includes a collection chamber, an underwater seal chamber and/or its equivalent, and a suction control chamber. In one embodiment a negative pressure relief valve is normally closed and provides a bypass around the liquid seal and/or its equivalent of the underwater seal chamber. When excess negativity occurs in the collection chamber and/or the thoracotomy tube, the relief valve opens automatically to slowly relieve the excess negativity. The relief valve also prevents flow to the collection chamber and/or the thoracotomy tube when the pressure in the collection chamber is equal to or greater than a predetermined minimum below the pressure on the opposite side of the seal of the underwater seal chamber or its equivalent.