Abstract: A linking mechanism for irrigation/aspiration machines which includes a coupling member having a plug that is inserted into an opening in a receptacle on the face of the I/A machine. The plug projection is sealed in air tight relation to the wall surrounding the opening and an auxiliary prong(s) prevent rotation of the plug as well as lock the plug in the receptacle. The receptacle includes an arming switch activated responsive to proper seating of the plug in the receptacle to arm the peristaltic pump that is subsequently operated by a foot switch to generate a vacuum in the aspirant line.

Abstract: A one-piece urostomy appliance has a drainage bag secured to an apertured flange which is in turn secured to an apertured adhesive pad. The body side of the apertured flange has a flexible skirt encircling the stoma aperture and located adjacent the radially inner boundary of the adhesive pad. The skirt is constructed and located to impede leakage of urine towards the adhesive pad.

Abstract: A cutting instrument for nasal surgery has an elongated portion, such as a handle, extending along a first direction and a first end which is intended to be pointed into a nostril during nasal surgery. A cutting extension extends from the elongated portion at approximately ninety degrees from the first direction. The cutting extension has first and second cutting edges which point in opposite directions parallel to the first direction and which extend in the second direction. In a preferred embodiment the cutting extension is placed approximately at the first end of the elongated portion and it has a non-cutting end which extends beyond the first and second cutting edges away from the elongated portion in the second direction.

Abstract: A method provided for aspirating secreted fluids from a wound by means of a drain connected to a negative pressure source with variable negative pressure, the negative pressure effective at the drain being adjusted in accordance with a selectable pressure/time diagram. Also disclosed is an apparatus for carrying out the aforementioned method consisting of a negative pressure measuring device and a regulator controlling the negative pressure source, which regulator has inputs for the actual value determined by the negative pressure measuring device and for the prescribed set point value of the negative pressure.

Abstract: An allergy testing method and apparatus for testing a patient for a plurality of allergies at substantially the same time, comprises a carrier for receiving a plurality of allergen applying devices, each allergen applying device including a source of an allergen and a movable pricking needle which is movable from an inactive position out of contact with the skin of a patient to an active position for pricking the skin of a patient and applying its associated allergen to the pricked skin when moved from the inactive position to the active position. The carrier holds and supports the plurality of allergen applying devices with a given spacing between each of the pricking needles, and an actuator is coupled to the carrier for moving the pricking needles from their inactive positions to their active positions to prick or pierce the skin of a patient and to thereby apply a respective allergen to the skin of the patient via the pricking needles.

Abstract: A low-profile ostomy appliance, and a method for producing it, in which a microporous adhesive patch extends about a soft, pliable, barrier ring with the concentric distal (outwardly-facing) surfaces of both the patch and ring being adhesively secured to a connecting ring of soft, flexible, closed-cell, thermoplastic foam, the connecting ring in turn being heat sealed to the wall of a collection pouch about its inlet opening.

Abstract: A process of reconstructing human body surface configurations is disclosed which includes the steps of withdrawing fat from subdermal layers in one portion of the human body and reinjecting the collected fat in other selected body portions in a controlled distribution. The collection step utilizes a specially-designed, vacuum-operated, collection syringe including apparatus to wash and filter undesirable particulate and fibrous material from the extracted fat. The injection step utilizes a specially designed mechanism for retracting the barrel of a syringe relative to the plunger, mechanism for retracting the plunger simultaneously with the retraction of the barrel, and apparatus for variably controlling the rate of retraction of the barrel relative to the retraction of the plunger. Details of the collection syringe and mechanism for operation of the injection syringe are disclosed.

Abstract: A sanitary device comprising a urine receiver and a urine bag removably attached to the receiver. The urine receiver includes a receiver body forming an opening at least at both ends thereof, and adapted to accommodate the urine bag therein through the open ends. A receiver frame is adapted to rotatably support the receiver body by means of pivot pins and is equipped with grip means at a lower end thereof, adapted to press one side of the receiver body in abutment against the body of a user of the device. A grip handle portion is disposed at the upper end thereof. The urine bag is a hollow element having an opening at one end thereof and fitted with an elastic, hygroscopic abutting member configured to be complementary for the inguinal region of the body against which it is to be abutted, and it is adapted to be accommodated in the receiver body to thereby prevent leakage of urine during use of the device.

Abstract: A cover for an ostomy pouch of the type which is attached to a fitting secured to the skin of a patient's abdomen. The cover is made of soft, absorbent, thin, flexible fabric and has a back panel which is secured along its sides to a front panel to form a tube section. The front panel has a flap extension at its top, formed of the same material. The tube section is drawn over and around the bottom of the pouch, so that the back panel lays flat between the user's skin and the pouch, and extends up to the fitting. The flap is drawn up and folded over the waistband of the user's underpants, to be flat in front of it, between the underpants and the user's outerwear. The flap in this manner quickly and easily holds the upward opening of the tubular section in place about the pouch, without it slipping downward, while the user may engage in normal activities, such as walking, running, reaching, etc.

Abstract: A drainage device has a collection chamber for receiving liquids and gases from the body of a patient, an underwater seal chamber and a one-way outflow valve. A partition extending across a portion of the device forms the underwater seal chamber, which prevents the flow of atmospheric air from the device into the pleural cavity of the patient, above the partition and the collection chamber below it. The underwater seal is created at the lower end of an extension connected to the inlet to the device by liquids drained from the patient. The one-way outflow valve communicates with a trap chamber for collecting liquids inadvertently conducted toward the valve. The trap chamber is closed off from the underwater seal chamber but is connected to the collection chamber by means of a passageway through a wall separating the trap and collection chambers.

Abstract: A collection system for body fluids comprising, a receptacle having a collection chamber for retaining the body fluids, a first container having a supply chamber for retaining a bactericide, and a second container having a holding chamber, with the holding chamber being located above a lower portion of the collection chamber, and the supply chamber being located above a lower portion of the holding chamber. The system has a first valve member permitting the passage of bactericide from the supply chamber into the holding chamber, and a second valve member permitting the passage of the bactericide from the holding chamber into the collection chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for promoting periodontal regeneration in humans, the method comprising(a) application of an agent which demineralizes enamel and dentin, and subsequently(b) application of an agent which stimulates the formulation of endothelial cells.

Abstract: A pinch valve device is disclosed for a disposable, inexpensive irrigation/aspiration handpiece system used for the removal of unwanted material in a very small, enclosed operative site in which it is important to maintain pressure within a certain range, such as in the surgical operation for removal of a cataract lens from the human eye. The device includes a foot pedal for selectively: (1) restricting the flow of irrigation and aspiration fluid in the handpiece system; (2) permitting irrigation by the handpiece system, without permitting concurrent aspiration by the handpiece system; (3) permitting both irrigation and aspiration by the handpiece system; and (4) providing selective increase in aspiration force.

Abstract: A disposable applicator has a frangible housing which prior to rupture can effectively maintain a sterile field for storage of antiseptic or the like. Preselected fluid matter is impregnated in an absorbent pad received within the frangible housing. During use, the housing is initially ruptured by peeling away a sealing layer from a supporting member so as to expose the absorbent pad. Then, upright members extending from the housing may be squeezed together for purposes of both handling the applicator and for flexing the remaining housing portion so as to push the absorbent pad away from the housing and towards the target surface. The absorbent pad is received within a concavity of the housing, which concavity tends to be flattened out by squeezing together the upright members which extend from the housing.

Abstract: A urine meter comprising, a container having a cavity for collection of urine, and a drainage tube for draining urine from a patient. The urine meter has a receptacle having a chamber, with the drainage tube communicating with an upper portion of the receptacle for passage of urine into the chamber. The urine meter has a conduit of flexible material communicating between an upper portion of the receptacle and an upper portion of the container, with the conduit having a curve from the container to the receptacle, an outer corrugated wall, and an inner smooth wall. The receptacle is releasably supported on a front side of the container.

Abstract: A method for accomplishing irrigation of the colon and/or other intestinal portions through a stoma including conveying or passing irrigating fluid along an established and confined path of fluid flow from a liquid supply into a stoma cone or like introduction structure and observing and determining increases in peristaltic action within the intestine until evacuation pressure has occurred, through detection of the direction of flow of irrigating fluid and an indicating element contained therein. Peristaltic action taking place in the intestine is indicated through detection of the direction of flow of the indicating element along with the irrigating fluid until the indicating element reaches a preselected point along its restricted path of travel. The introduction of irrigating fluid to the intestine is stopped upon the determination of sufficient peristaltic action to establish evacuation pressure indicated by the indicating element reaching the preselected point along its path of travel.

Abstract: This invention is a hand held combination flush and/or suction apparatus including a hand held control and dispenser apparatus which can be readily held in a person's hand. The hand control and dispenser apparatus is (1) connected to a pump assembly; (2) a receiver assembly and a supply assembly operably connected to the pump assembly to provide fluid flow therethrough; and (3) an actuator assembly operable to selectively operate the pump assembly. The control and dispenser apparatus includes a main support body having an inlet and outlet assembly therethrough and a control assembly to selectively convey and monitor fluid flow therethrough. The pump assembly includes a pump roller assembly having a rotatable roller actuator members operable to engage first and second tube members to control the flow of fluid therethrough. The supply assembly operates to supply a saline fluid solution to the pump assembly.

Abstract: A liquid collection system for collecting and discharging urine from a catheterized patient. A collection bag receives urine through the catheter, and has a drain system therein, which comprises a valve having a bactericide element over which the urine must flow as it is being drained from the bag. The bactericide element is held in an openable cage, so as to permit replacement of the bactericide element as an "as needed" basis. The bactericide disposed within the valve helps prevent retrograde contamination of the liquid collection system.

Abstract: A flushing device for an ostomy bag is disclosed which comprises an adapter designed to fit in the ringed opening of an ostomy bag and having an internally threaded opening capable of receiving and forming a water-tight seal with a male-threaded water nozzle from a hose. The device is comprised of a circular plastic disk having a base flange and a cylindrical adapter projecting from the base flange including a forward circular flange positioned at the front end of the adapter at a distance from the base flange substantially the same as the width of the ring surrounding the opening of the ostomy bag. The flushing device enables the user to flush out an ostomy bag safely and effectively without mess or backspray.

Abstract: A parenteral fluid medication pump comprises a reservoir filled with a fluid medication, and a needle insertable into a patient. The medication is continuously discharged in small doses over an extended time period through the needle into the patient. The continuous discharge is obtained by elastic walls for the reservoir which seek to return toward an original unexpanded position, or by the expansion of a compressible gas within a rigid-walled reservoir.