Abstract: A drug-injection animal collar includes electrically operated drug injection darts or syringes that are controlled by control circuitry mounted on the collar which may be preset and self-timed and actuated, or may be remotely actuated by radio signals. The collar is placed on the neck of an animal and upon receipt of a signal, a suitable drug is injected into the neck muscles of the animal. The collar and its method of operation allow regular recapture of individual animals at will for research purposes. The collar and darts may be reconditioned and then reused. The power for operation is also contained in the control package carried by the collar.

Abstract: A splint device for the immobilization of a preselected portion of the body, such as a digital member. The splint device preferably comprises a splint means comprising a ring-like base portion adapted to fit snugly around a digit in proximity to its proximal end. Extending from the base portion there are provided a plurality of essentially rigid elongated support members which are spaced apart around the base portion so as to immobilize the contained digit, preferably on more than one of its sides, each of the support members terminating at a free end which is in the vicinity of, or beyond the distal end, of the digit. The ring-like base portion is preferably expandable. The splint device may also comprise restraining means which may be positioned around the support member for retaining the support members adjacent the digital member, and an end cap which may be positioned on the free ends of the support members.

Abstract: A venous reservoir is provided in which a blood inlet (42) is located at an inlet end (70) of the container (48) which extends upwardly with a fast rise and for a sufficient distance to allow the blood entering the inlet to enter a large volume and to expand rapidly. The top (74) of the inlet end wall (70) of the container communicates with a vent outlet (46) whereby a sharp decrease in the velocity of the blood flow resulting from its rapid expansion provides buoyancy to air in the blood causing air bubbles to rise to the top of the container and be vented through the vent opening. A top wall (76) of the container extends from the vent opening and toward a blood outlet (44), with the top wall being curved in a manner to prevent the velocity of blood from increasing until the blood is substantially at the blood outlet.

Abstract: A surgical sponge constructed of a nonwoven fabric is provided with an integral X-ray detectable element in the form of a yarn or monofilament which is positioned interiorly of the nonwoven fabric and in the plane thereof. The fabric is produced by placing the X-ray detectable element between two fibrous webs and subjecting the composite material to hydraulic entanglement to produce a patterned, nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A compact, prefilled, ready-to-use, applicator for dispensing a medicament within a body cavity has a reservoir, an automatically-opening closure member and a telescoping plunger assembly. A closure member is disclosed, adapted to open responsive to the pressure of a medicament being dispensed, without disengaging from the reservoir in which the medicament is contained. A telescoping plunger assembly is disclosed, having impeller means disposed within the reservoir opposite the cap member and engaging means to lock the assembly in an extended position for urging the impeller means through the reservoir.

Abstract: A connecting method and a container wherein a connecting tube of a blood pump or humor circulating circuit is connected to a tube such as a cannula mounted on a circulatory system organ in such a way that no bubbles enter the tubes, in order to pour blood or humor substitution fluid into the circulatory system organ.

Abstract: An adjustable ventricular catheter is disclosed. This invention has a proximal catheter in which a distal catheter telescopically slides. The distal catheter is prevented from separating from the proximal catheter in the maximum extended position by locking means. The distal catheter may be further extended, forshortened, or removed by means of a stylet inserted into the hollow of the proximal and distal catheters with flexible projections on the end of the stylet capturing drain holes on the closed end of the distal catheter such that sliding of the stylet moves the distal catheter in a telescoping relationship within the proximal catheter.

Abstract: In a catheter unit for infusion cannulas, attachment wings are folded against the body portion of the catheter unit and laterally enclosed by a removable sleeve, a wall portion of which forms a finger grip for manipulation of the infusion cannula upon vein puncture.

Abstract: An anatomical liner is provided which is ellipsoidal in both horizontal and vertical cross-section and is designed to be positioned and maintained within the vulva without penetrating the vaginal canal.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a device which in a preferred embodiment thereof includes a pair of spaced-apart eye-bathable water-outlets adjustable of both the distance spaced-apart and the positioning between vertical and horizontal of the pair, with the water-outlets being of diverging conical shape having outer circumscribing walls thereof of substantially oval shape, water-conducting conduit structure, being of polyvinyl chloride plastic to a major extent, and the water-inlet thereof being mateable on any one of faucets of diverse shapes and structures by virtue of the water-inlet end being or including a flexible multi-purpose mating structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an incontinence shield for men, intended to embrace the penis.The invention is characterized in that the shield has a front-piece and a back-piece and a center-piece which is narrower in relation thereto;that the shield is arranged to embrace both the penis and the scrotum of the wearer;that to this end the back-piece has therein a recess extending from the end edge thereof;and in that wing-like portions formed on the back-piece by the recess on both sides thereof are arranged to be firmly clamped beneath the scrotum of the wearer, to hold the shield firmly in position.

Abstract: A radiopaque tell-tale filament is disposed between two plies of a multi-ply surgical sponge in the quadrangular area defined by the stitched or folded edges of the sponge and an inwardly disposed continuous stitch. The ends of the tell-tale are embedded in the stitching but the intermediate portion of the filament is otherwise freely disposed in the quadrangular area.

Abstract: A catheter for drainage of or infusion into a body cavity. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular shaft having a distal end provided with at least one port near the distal end and intended to be located in the body cavity. The catheter has an open proximal end for connection to a drain, suction conduit or infusion line. A sleeve is mounted about the shaft extending along a portion at least of the internal body surface contacting part thereof between its proximal and distal ends. The sleeve forms a substantially concentric fluid reservoir between the drainage tube and the sleeve. Filling means are provided at the proximal end of the shaft for supplying to the reservoir a fluid antimicrobial agent capable of controlled passage through the sleeve by diffusion. The inner surface of the sleeve is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending capillary channels or grooves providing uniform distribution of the fluid antimicrobial agent within the reservoir and throughout the length of the reservoir.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a leg traction system having structure for supporting the leg and applying axial force to the leg. A rigid vector bar is positioned above the knee and lower leg, a pulley system including a cable and weight is connected at one end to the leg supporting structure and at the other end to the vector bar.

Abstract: A disposable toddler training panty having a thin plastic outer layer provided on an inner surface with a comfortable soft inner lining, the panty having an elastic waistband and legbands, a thin absorbent padded crotch area, and separable side seams from the waistband to the legband on both sides to allow for easy removal of the toddler panty in the event of the soiling of same.

Abstract: A drip chamber apparatus wherein the base of the drip chamber includes an apertured disk with a series of concentric stepped recesses against which is positioned a valve diaphragm. There is provided a pre-biasing member which applies pressure to the valve diaphragm to maintain the valve seated in a closed position. The pre-biasing member is axially adjustable to vary the pre-biasing pressure.

Abstract: A catheter placement device is provided which includes an adapter with an elastomeric grommet having a bore through which a pliable catheter is fed into a blood vessel of a patient. The grommet has a flange engageable with the catheter and effects a relatively low resistance to distal movement of the catheter and relatively high resistance to proximal movement of the catheter. A pair of adapters may be used with one adapter carrying a grommet and the other having a frusto-conical bore receiving an end of the grommet. The adapters are relatively rotatable to cause the grommet to lock the catheter against axial movement relative to the adapters. Retention members may be used to prevent inadvertent separation of the adapters during relative rotation.

Abstract: A method of performing a nephrostomy procedure comprising the steps of inserting a catheter into a patient's body until a distal portion of the catheter is located in the renal calyces, inflating a sleeve of the catheter in the renal calyces, removing a proximal connector and valve of the catheter, and inserting a sheath of a scope over a shaft of the catheter.

Abstract: A nephrostomy catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen extending through the shaft, an inflation lumen extending through a wall of the shaft, and an opening extending through the wall of the shaft and communicating with the drainage lumen adjacent a proximal end of the shaft. The catheter has an elastic sleeve secured to a distal portion of the shaft in circumferential zones, with the sleeve defining a cavity communicating with the inflation lumen. The catheter has a connector removably received in sealing relationship in the opening with the connector communicating with the drainage lumen, and an inflation valve secured to the proximal end of the shaft. Communication is established between the valve and the inflation lumen to inflate the sleeve.

Abstract: A detachable holder for immobilizing a flexible tubing at a site adjacent its point of connection to a medical device inserted in a patient to feed a therapeutic fluid into a vein or artery or to withdraw fluid from the patient. The holder is formed by a flexible plastic strip having upstanding end wings provided with snap-in key hole slots in axial alignment. These slots are adapted to receive a short section of the tubing which then bridges the wings and is held thereby. Attached to the underside of the strip is one component of a hook and loop fabric fastener whose other component is bonded to the outer face of an adhesive tape. By adhering the tape to the skin of the patient at a position adjacent the inserted medical device and then fastening the holder thereto, one is able to immobilize the tubing to prevent a tug thereon from displacing the inserted medical device.