Abstract: An instrument for locating a hole of an intramedullary nail includes an end with a sleeve to carry a pin. The sleeve is substantially translucent when subjected to x-ray visualization and the pin is opaque so that the pin can be aligned with the hole of the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: A wound dressing includes a cover membrane comprising a semi-permeable material with an adhesive-coated skin contact surface. An opening is formed in an interior portion of the membrane. An intermediate layer of material may be placed between the wound and the membrane contact surface for either absorbing fluids from the wound, e.g. with a hydrocolloid or hydrophilic material, or for passing such fluids to the opening with a synthetic material, e.g. rayon. A tube includes a proximate end fluidically communicating with the wound through the membrane opening. A distal end of the tube is adapted for connection to a suction source for draining the wound or fluid source for introducing liquid medication to the wound. Both evacuation and introduction can be either active or passive. A wound treatment method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An over-the-needle I.V. catheter is depicted for attachment to an I.V. fluid supply. This product is primed prior to puncture of a patient's blood vessel. This product includes a catheter hub with an attached flexible catheter having its forward end tapered to provide penetration capability. This hub has a connection to I.V. fluid supply. The catheter is sized to accept a needle which in mounted condition has its sharpened tip extending from the entering end of the catheter. Venting is provided. The needle when and as withdrawn leaves a hole in a seal which in this product utilizes a resilient disc which may or may not be slit. Two washers are employed to assist in sealing of this needle withdrawal hole. A threaded cap is rotated just prior to use to bring this resilient disc under compression. Alternate means is provided by a bayonet-type of force actuation and lock.

Abstract: This connection system has particular application to releasably securing a flexible elastic catheter to a rigid portal outlet stem received in the catheter lumen. The system includes a radial enlargement on the outlet stem and a retainer sleeve that slidably encircles the stem. The sleeve is slidable along the stem between a clamping position where it tightly engages around the stem enlargement and the segment of catheter encircling same at a circular contact surface and a release position wherein it is spaced from the catheter segment. The system assures a secure, fluid-tight connection of the catheter to the stem and provides strain relief for the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter introducer valve assembly of a catheter introducer leading to a blood vessel of a patient for positioning at least one catheter tube through the catheter introducer and its sheath to a blood vessel of a patient. The valve assembly unit has first and second valves, the first valve being for preventing or minimizing the flow of blood from the valve assembly unit when the catheter tube is absent from the catheter introducer and the second valve being for preventing or minimizing the flow of blood when the catheter tube is present in the catheter introducer. The first valve, which is made of a flexible, resilient material, is shaped as a disk having a valve slit, such a duckbill valve, positioned diametrically across the passage of the valve assembly body. The rim surface of the valve disk has a slightly smaller diameter than the diameter of the positioning area of the inner surface of the valve assembly body where the valve disk is located so that a cylindrical space is formed therebetween.

Abstract: A body fluid-absorbing article such as, for example, a disposable diaper is provided with at least one absorbent member comprising 50 to 99% by weight of a fibrous material and 50 to 1% by weight of an absorbent polymer, which absorbent member contains at least one compound (A) selected from the group consisting of sulfur-containing reducing agents, antioxidants, and oxidizing agents. By the action of the compound (A), the swelled gel of the absorbent polymer formed in consequence of absorption of body fluid is prevented from being deteriorated or decomposed by aging.

Abstract: A dual access infusion or monitoring system comprises implantable apparatus and an injection needle. This system enables one to introduce into or withdraw from the apparatus, after it is implanted, a plurality of fluids simultaneously with only a single penetration of the patient's skin. The implantable apparatus includes a sealed housing with an inlet passage extending into the housing which passage has an outer end adjacent to the housing surface and an inner end located inside the housing. A needle stop is positioned at the inner end of that passage and self-sealing septa are mounted at different locations along the passage at selected spacings from the needle stop so as to divide the passage into aligned compartments or segments each of which has its own fluid outlet. The injection needle includes a plurality of lumens, the number of same corresponding to the number of different compartments in the apparatus housing.

Abstract: A knife for ophthalmic surgery and particularly for posterior capsulotomy procedures comprises a thin, continuously curved shaft having an elongated handle attached at one end thereof. The longitudinal axis of the handle is disposed substantially tangentially to the curved shaft. A blade portion on the opposite end of the shaft terminates in a sharp tip. The shaft tapers from a relatively thick section adjacent the handle to a relatively thin section adjacent the blade portion.

Abstract: An improved intravenous catheter/heparin lock combination having a tip, a body, an IV port and a movable hollow plug; the exterior of the plug having a self-sealing membrane through which needles may be inserted. The plug is movable within the body so as to function as a valve in relation to fluid flow through the port.A method of using the combination wherein the plug may be positioned to control fluid flow through the port and medications may be administered by needle through the plug independently of fluid flow through the port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bagless continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis comprising a valve having first, second and third fluid ports. The first and second fluid ports are secured to first and second fluid containers, respectively, through tubing and respective first and second connector assemblies. The third fluid port is connected through tubing to a catheter implanted in the abdominal wall of a user, also through a connector assembly. The valve includes an actuator moveable at least between four positions, a first position in which all of the fluid ports are blocked to prevent the flow of fluid through the valve, a second position in which the second and third fluid ports are interconnected, a third position in which the first and second fluid ports are interconnected, and a fourth position in which the first and third fluid ports are interconnected.

Abstract: An endoscope which contains, in a housing, in parallel relationship, a light guide, at least one flushing duct, and a continuously driven shaft which carries at its end, protruding in operation from the tip of the endoscope, a cutting instrument having a plurality of cutting blades. This design makes it possible to remove pieces of tissue, for example, for laboratory tests in a more intact way than was possible with the endoscope according to the parent U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,309. The endoscope disclosed herein lends itself to a wide variety of medical fields.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly includes two spacedly positioned flexible supports which support an elongated rod, with one end of the elongated rod contacting a pressure detector section on a disposable pumping cassette; the pressure sensor assembly can detect pressures in the cassette both above and below atmospheric (i.e., zero psig); when pressure changes in the cassette, the pressure detection section causes axial movement of the rod and the rod, in turn, flexes the two flexible supports. Position detection means associated with one of the two supports monitors the flexural movement of the one support, providing an indication of the pressure within the cassette.

Abstract: A handpiece for a surgical irrigator and suction device includes a drip-free valve arrangement in which the portion of the flexible irrigation conduit is kinked in a V-shape. The handpiece carries a suction wand and an irrigation wand. The wands are easily detachable from the handpiece and can be substituted for wands having other configurations. A retainer clip is provided to prevent inadvertent separation of the wands. The irrigation wand may be used with a debridement nozzle which emits a plurality of distinct irrigation streams in a plane which provides an approved degree of manipulative control for the irrigation procedure.

Abstract: A ventilating/aspirating apparatus, and related methods, the apparatus comprising a catheter tube for evacuation of lung secretions wherein the distal end portion of the catheter tube is disposed at a substantial angle in respect to the remainder of the catheter tube whereby entry into the left lung of a patient may be predictably and accurately tended to without appreciable trauma to the patient. A removable angle retainer is provided for maintaining the configuration of the distal end portion of the catheter tube during storage, prior to use. Radiopaque indicia, selectively located within the wall of the catheter tube, is provided by which the entry of the distal end portion of the catheter tube into the lungs and particularly the left lung of the medical patient can be insured through accurate monitoring visually or by using available radiological techniques.

Abstract: A method is described herein for implanting in the cornea and limbal area a device partially embedded and partially extending anteriorly, a preferred embodiment comprising one or more loops of small sized porous ropes, cords, bands or hollow tubes, which device has one end or section thereof extending beyond the exterior surface of the cornea and limbal area so that aqueous humor may be exited from the anterior chamber in the eye to relieve intraocular pressure and thereby avoid or reduce the effects of glaucoma.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and method for catheterization provides a means by which the curved configuration at the distal portion of a catheter can be varied while the catheter system remains in the patient. The catheter, having a predetermined curve at its distal end is received within a sheath that can be advanced over the distal end to tend to straighten the curve in the distal end of the catheter. The extent to which the sheath is advanced over the curved distal portion of the catheter controls the degree to which the catheter is straightened. The position of the sheath relative to the catheter can be adjusted while the catheter is in the patient, thereby enabling change in catheter shape without requiring catheter exchanges. For example, the system enables right and left coronary angiographic procedures to be performed without changing catheters. Left ventricular studies also can be made without catheter exchanges.

Abstract: An endocervical curette is disclosed which has a detachable tip portion which includes a scraper for removing tissue from the cervical canal and a well for retaining the tissue. The tip portion is secured to a shaft portion when in use to collect tissue and then detached from the shaft before being sent to a laboratory for analysis of the collected tissue.

Abstract: A connector has one end for receiving a standard auxiliary line adaptor hub and an opposite end receivable over an intravenous line port in a male-female interference fit. A needle is provided in the interior of the connector and punctures a sealing membrane provided over the line port. After the needle has been properly positioned in the line port, an external ring is slid axially over the male-female connection to tighten the interference fit.For a heparin flush, a cylinder has two chambers, one for holding heparin and another for holding saline. The two chambers are separated by a membrane. A rubber stopper is provided at one end of the cylinder and is provided with a screw connector for receiving a plunger. The opposite end is provided with a needle having inner and outer points, the needle being recessed into an end portion of the cylinder.The outer end of the needle is provided with a sheath which is removed prior to sliding an intravenous line port into the cylinder.

Abstract: A solution is described that can be used to maintain the patency of an I.V. catheter or other vascular access device having a lumen. The density and osmolarity of the solution are adjusted so that the density and osmolarity of the solution are approximately equal to the density and osmolarity of whole blood in a patient. The solution can be injected into the lumen of the vascular access device to prevent blood from the patient from entering the lumen.

Abstract: A flow selector and regulator for use in an I.V. administration arrangement which includes the capability of establishing the flow rate without calibration at the time of use and then automatically maintaining that flow rate regardless of changes in fluid pressure in either or both of upstream or downstream of the regulator. The regulator utilizes a diaphragm which is not subject to stretching or material stress prior to use to control an orifice. The regulator is capable of being calibrated at the time of manufacturer directly in terms of flow rate, something which is not possible in prior such devices. The diaphragm is clamped at the rim and has an arcuate torus facing the inlet and a bulbous central section which controls flow through an outlet orifice. Liquid bypasses the diaphragm through the rim. Other embodiments incorporate the regulator into a drip chamber and reduces the number of parts of the regulator to three members which can be snapped together.