Abstract: A manually operable surgical staple extractor has a first handle element provided with a finger-receiving ring end and a second handle element also provided with a finger-receiving ring end. A first and second front portion of the extractor contain a slot and blade section parallel to an anvil and are pivotally connected by a rivet.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible hyperbaric chamber assembly adapted to accomodate the major portion of a patient's body and adapted for connection to a pressurized source of oxygen or other suitable gas. The chamber assembly includes a circular frame which is U-shaped in cross section wherein the closed end of the U is the frame base and the depending portions form the inner and outer frame walls. A flexible tubular chamber member is secured to the outer frame wall and extends downwardly therefrom while a sealing sleeve is connected to the inner wall of the frame. The frame base has connections for receiving pressurized oxygen or other suitable gas.

Abstract: An orthotic appliance and a method of making same in which the appliance is for use between a foot and a shoe, boot or the like and includes an insert which is to be placed between the foot and the boot, the insert is to be custom formed to correspond to the contour of an individual's foot. The insert is initially heated until its volume expands, thereafter the insert is placed on a platform and the two are adjoined to the foot. A vacuum bag is slid thereover, a vacuum is formed within the bag, and thereafter the insert takes the configuration of the bottom face of the foot. Additionally, foot pressure may be applied to augment the degree of conformation of the insert to the foot, and in other embodiments an additional heel insert is placed below the major insert, and a crest piece is placed between the ball and toe area of the insert on the underside thereof so that this additional material can be bonded to the major insert and also conform to the user's foot.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the pressure between a support dressing and a body portion surrounded by said support dressing comprises a device for sensing the pressure, a device for indicating the pressure sensed and an arrangement transferring the pressure sensed to the device for indicating the pressure. The device for sensing the pressure may have a first part borne by the support dressing and a second part movable relative to the first one and being urged against the body portion by a spring or the like, the second part being connected to an indicator cooperating with a graduation through a lever system. The device for sensing the pressure may, however, also comprise a cavity filled with an incompressible fluid, said cavity being defined by a wall which is flexible at least in a region abutting the body portion.

Abstract: One end of an endotracheal tube is encircled by an inflatable cuff, to which is connected a tubule that extends toward the opposite end of the tube and into a valve housing having an air inlet bore from which passages extend to the tubule and to an inflatable member. The bore contains valve means normally closing off the inlet of the bore, and means for opening the valve to admit air under pressure or to release it therefrom to inflate and deflate the cuff and inflatable member. A constant pressure means is disposed in the housing for exerting a substantially constant bias against the inflatable member throughout a predetermined range of expansion of the inflatable member to maintain preset air inflation pressures within the inflatable member and the cuff substantially constant, even though their respective inflation volumes may vary.

Abstract: A wound dressing for wounds having a significant amount of exudate comprising a conformable, moisture vapor-permeable, liquid water-impermeable first layer containing at least one hole therein through which exudate can pass, and an imperforate, conformable, liquid water-permeable, moisture vapor-permeable second layer attached to the first layer and overlaying the hole or holes in the first layer and forming a reservoir into which the wound exudate can pass and from which the exudate can evaporate.

Abstract: A tracheal tube for use in intubation of a trachea, and embodying a resilient yieldable cuff for effecting a seal between the tube and the trachea. The cuff contains a resilient member, which normally resiliently maintains the cuff in an expanded position away from the tube. The tube also embodies a secondary tube mounted on the tracheal tube in communication with the interior of the cuff for applying a vacuum to the cuff for contracting the latter. The tracheal tube also embodies a connector in communication with the interior thereof for connecting the secondary tube to the interior of the tracheal tube during mechanical ventilation and thereby increasing and decreasing the pressure within the cuff in accordance with the pressure variation in the tracheal tube during such an operation.

Abstract: An air warming device to facilitate breathing comprising a thin wall air warming chamber having a plurality of cells which extend vertically when the device is worn and placed against the chest region of the user. Each cell has a relatively large opening at the bottom and a relatively smaller opening at the upper end. A first manifold extends across the bottom having an upwardly facing open wall in communication with the large openings at the bottom of each cell and having a small opening to admit outside air into the first manifold. A second manifold extends across the top having a downwardly facing open wall in communication with the small openings at the top of each cell, and having a small opening for warmed air to pass from the second manifold through a tube to a breathing mask over the nose of the user. The breathing mask includes an exhaust valve for exhaled air to escape. A layer of insulating material is placed over the outwardly facing wall of the air warming chamber.

Abstract: A catheter such as an endotracheal tube is rendered resistant to laser beam impaction by coating the cuff and/or the tube with a laser-reflective compound which is preferably comprised of one to three parts of powdered aluminum to one part silicone rubber solution. The laser-reflective compound may be permanently bonded to the cuff and/or the tube by first dipping the cuff and/or the tube in a bath of the compound to form a smooth outer coating on the cuff and/or the tube and then baking the cuff and/or the tube to cure the coating. The laser-reflective coating serves to reflect the laser beam, thus making the catheter laser resistant while the smoothness of the coating aids in catheter insertion.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for administering a drug through a breathing passage for absorption on the mucous tissue of a patient includes introducing an aerosol of the drug into an expanded bag and bidirectional channel for communicating the drug with the breathing passage of the patient and otherwise is substantially impervious to the passage of air, collapsing the expanded bag while the bidirectional channel for communicating with the breathing passage is in position to deliver the drug into the breathing passage of the patient. A signal in a bidirectional channel indicates when the rate of passage of the drug exceeds a desirable limit, whereby the patient taking the drug is reminded to decrease the rate of collapse of the airbag, thereby maximizing drug utilization.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube comprised of a tube for placement in the trachea having an inflatable cuff for sealing the trachea on one end and a standard connector adaptor on the other end for securing a breathing tube to supply a gas, such as air, to a patient. A retainer is provided in the form of at least one pair of retaining tabs integrally secured to the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube near the connector end. The tabs are constructed to wrap securely around the tube when not in use, with their respective ends being fastened to one another. To secure the endotracheal tube to a patient after insertion in the trachea, the retaining tabs are unwrapped and a flexible headband is secured to the free ends of the tabs around the head of the patient. Up to two and possibly three sets of retaining tabs are contemplated and may be integrally formed in the exterior surface of the tube.

Abstract: A resuscitator or respirator, especially designed for newborn infants, has a pressure chamber divided by a partition into separate gas-tight head and body compartments. The partition has a neck-receiving opening provided with neck-engaging sealing means. Means are provided for automatically admitting an oxygen-containing breathable gas alternately to one of the compartments under a predetermined positive pressure and then to the other of the compartments under another predetermined positive pressure while alternately creating a predetermined negative pressure in the other compartment and then another predetermined negative pressure in the one compartment. The time interval of each of the alternate admissions and negative pressure creations is predetermined to thereby perform respiratory cycles for a patient in the chamber with the duration of the inspiratory portion and of the expiratory portion of each cycle being predetermined.

Abstract: A device for use by runners, joggers and the like for preheating and/or limiting the volume of air entering the user's lungs through the mouth. The device is constructed such that it is retained at least partially in the user's oral cavity and preferably may be substantially completely held therein. The device includes a body of elongated construction formed of suitable materials such as plastic and the like and having a hollow interior open at both ends thereof. The hollow interior houses an open mesh element.

Abstract: A fitting for endotracheal apparatus to receive an endoscopic tube or the like comprises a sleeve in which a slit through foam body is encompassed and seized under longitudinal compression, radial compression at the inner end and partially relieved pressure at the outer end. The foam body is normally of bell, or mushroom, shape with an elongated cylindrical shank rounded inner end, flat outer end and an enlarged diameter lip at the outer end. The sleeve includes a head joined to a tapered stem by a truncated conical, inward flared section, the head having a circular outer edge. A cap having an annular top rim defining a central opening, has an integral skirt fitted tightly around the head so that the foam body is compressed longitudinally between the annular rim of the cap and the inward flared section of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Surgical Stoma Tool and methods of making and using the same wherein an elongated circular cylindrical element which is provided at one end thereof with a spherical surface and a handle on the other end with an annular stop ring proximate the spherical surface.

Abstract: A breathing device which provides for heat exchange relationship between exhaled air, body heat and inhaled air is the subject of the present invention. A mask is utilized to cover the mouth and nose of the wearer and this mask has an air intake port which is coupled with an air intake conduit. The conduit is provided with first, second, third and fourth conduit stretches which are adapted to be disposed around the neck of the wearer on opposite sides of the head. The air intake conduit is encased by a muffler which also extends around the head of the wearer. The muffler is provided with insulating means extending over a substantial portion of its surface and the insulating layer is provided with a highly reflective inner surface. Heat radiating from the body of the wearer will pass through the side of the muffler which is closest to the body where it undergoes heat exchange relationship with inhaled air passing through the conduits.

Abstract: A training canister for use with a personal breathing apparatus supplements filtered air with oxygen supplied by an internal cylinder. The canister has an integral filter providing airflow to the breathing apparatus, and utilizes a miniature high pressure valve to release supplemental oxygen into the system from an oxygen cylinder charged to up to 2000 psi. The training canister simulates operational equipment in size, shape, integration to the personal breathing apparatus, and actuation.

Abstract: Medical breathing apparatus which provides repeated short bursts of oxygen separated by longer intervals of time to the wearer of a surgical mask to supplement his breathing.

Abstract: A transportable hyperbaric chamber which is generally cylindrical in configuration and has a manway opening at one end, the chamber being of sufficient length and diameter to receive an injured person. The chamber is adapted to be temporarily connected to a deck chamber or other emergency chamber to receive an injured person and to subsequently be connected to a hospital or other more permanent chamber wherein such person may be treated over a longer period. The chamber is mounted on a support platform which is vertically adjustable at various points in order to align the chamber with such deck and hospital chambers. A pressure safe chamber door is mounted interiorly of the chamber and is movable between a closed, sealed position and an open position wherein the door is fully out of the path of the manway so that an injured person may be transferred without obstacle.

Abstract: A portable reservoir container storing liquid, mounts on its inflow port section a heater and a vortex mixing device in series. Liquid from the bottom of the container is fed to the vortex mixing device in response to the inflow of oxygen gas thereto producing an outflow of liquid and oxygen gas in a vortical flow pattern that is delivered to the inflow port section of the container. A flow of conditioned oxygen gas is discharged from the gas space of the container through an outflow portion section.