Abstract: A disposable restraint jacket having a pair of laterally spaced, releasably secured flaps, formed in the front of the jacket, that grant ready access to the subclavian area. The jacket is color coded as to size, is marked with indicia to indicate its front and back parts, and its neck opening prevents choking of the patient. The flaps and other confronting parts of the jacket are releasably secured by a combination of locking devices of the hook and loop type. Additional embodiments add zippers and flaps on the back of the jacket.

Abstract: The instant invention provides both a device and a method for treatment of a fractured neck of a femur. The device is such that it is inserted inside the broken femur and urges the two halves together so that the bone will unite and heal by natural growth processes. Unlike its predecessor the instant invention can be withdrawn from the femur once sufficient healing has taken place and the bone will continue to repair itself for all practical purposes to an extent as if no fracture had occurred.

Abstract: A disposable suture cutter and needle holder for a suture needle having thread thereon has a supporting base for a foamed plastic needle holder. A cutting blade having foamed plastic disposed adjacent to it is also mounted on the supporting structure. In one embodiment the supporting structure is in the form of a bracelet having a reversely turned portion at one end. The cutting blade is embedded in the reversibly turned portion. In another embodiment, two truncated conical members are joined at one side of their edges and spaced at the opposite side. The cutting blade is disposed between the spaced edges. In still another embodiment, two conical members are spaced from each other by foamed plastic having diametrically opposite located slots therein. The cutting blade has cutting edges adjacent to each slot.

Abstract: A disposable fixing device serving for an external fixation of fractured small tubular bones includes rods having a generally circular cross-section and at least one flattened face and provided with a plurality of bores spaced apart and traversing the rod through the entire width thereof and a plurality of pins introduced into the fractured bone by one end thereof and connected with the respective bores of the rod by an opposite end upon sealing each of the pins to the opposite sides of the respective rod.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for applying a traction force from a traction force system to a limb of a patient comprising:an elongated tubular member having an open first end and an opposing second end, sized and adapted to receive a substantial portion of a limb of a patient through the first open end, and being constructed so as to contract around at least a portion of the received limb upon the application of a traction force on the second end;an elongated hollow element having an open end and a sidewall which is microbially impermeable, sized and adapted to receive the received limb through the open end, at least a portion of the elongated hollow element substantially surrounds or is substantially surrounded by the elongated tubular member; andan attachment assembly secured to the elongated tubular member and acting to connect the elongated tubular member to the traction force system.

Abstract: An ophthalmic shield designed to wall off an operable eye from contigious facial areas, including a clear transparent plastic ophthalmic shield having a cut-out of a sufficient size and shape to expose the eye to be operated on, said plastic shield being secured within an opening in the surgical drape in such location as to overlie said operable eye and be adhesively secured to the facial skin surrounding the operable eye, in combination with a filter screen in the surgical drape adjacent to the nostril and mouth openings, to enhance breathing ability of the patient, and a flexible flap overlying said filter screen to prevent exhaled breath from contaminating the operative field within the eye cut-out.

Abstract: A plant growing receptacle including a frame of rigid self supporting material, having an open top and closed bottom, a custom shaped liner having open top and sealed bottom that is inside and closely fitting to the frame, and plant growing medium in the liner occupying a substantial portion of its volume. Framing openings in the front face of the frame. Holes in the liner at a number of the framing openings. A vertically oriented tube in the growing media, sealed at the bottom end, open at the top end, and having openings along its length, larger toward its top than toward its bottom, for delivering water to the growing medium. Slats in the frame for rigidity and for defining the framing openings. Means for hanging the liner in the frame.

Abstract: A surgical dressing adapted for fastening around orthopaedic fixator pins and similarly shaped surgical devices adjacent their sites of entry to and exit from the body, comprises a pad of resilient and absorbent material adapted to be folded around one or more fixator pins in apposition to the sites of entry and/or exit from the body; a friction member to be interposed between the pad and the fixator pins to inhibit movement of the pad along the fixator pins; and a clip adapted to be fastened around the fixator pins and at least a part of the resilient pad to clamp the pad in position around the pins.

Abstract: A bone plate for use in repairing bone fractures or osteotomies wherein the bone plate is provided with a positioning member which allows for ease of handling of the bone plate during the fixation process and wherein the bone plate has a upper surface having smooth or rounded surfaces which allows the upper surface of the bone plate to be juxtapositioned to soft tissue without fear of damaging the soft tissue, as by sharp edges.

Abstract: A reversible, flexible, lacrimal duct occluder is formed of a shaft having a low profile cap at one end and a rounded tip at the other end. At least one, preferably 1-3, conical ranges are forward on the shaft between the ends. The rounded tip enters the punctum followed by leading edge of the range(s) until the occluder bends and enters the horizontal canalicular canal. A series of occluders having 1-3 ranges and varying lengths can be provided to accommodate the different canalicular geometries of different individuals. The occluder is readily inserted without the need to use any special introducer tool and is easily removed from the canaliculus of the patient.

Abstract: An atherectomy system for cutting, ingesting and removing an obstruction from within a patient's artery, comprising a flexible guide-wire insertable into the artery, a flexible rotary-catheter rotatably disposed and slidable over the flexible guide-wire, a blade forming a distal end of the flexible rotary-catheter having teeth on its periphery which are bent inward, a continuous passage for ingesting the cut obstruction material between the flexible rotary-catheter and the flexible guide-wire, means at the proximal end of the flexible rotary-catheter for rotating it and positive displacement pump means connected to the continuous passage to pull the cut obstruction material proximally.

Abstract: A surgical instrument to aid in maneuvering a slideable member along a rod or other base member. The instrument has a distal tip which straddles the slideable member to provide for longitudinal movement of the slideable member in either longitudinal direction. The instrument also allows downward force to be applied to the slideable member. The instrument also may be used to assist in introducing the slideable member into an opening of another device.

Abstract: An autotransfusion bag is provided with semi-rigid side walls and flexible material interconnecting the side walls. The bag is provided with spreader arms which extend across the top of the bag and across the bottom of the bag engaging retainer elements mounted on the external face of the side walls. The spreader arms maintain the bag in an open position to permit the bag to be filled with blood. When the bag is filled, the spreader arms may be removed to permit the bag to collapse as the blood is being reinfused to the patient.

Abstract: A prophylactic device used in connection with a telephone which provides a telephone user with protection from indirect contact with previous users including a sleeve for covering the telephone receiver while in use and a detachable hand covering portion for avoiding direct hand contact with a telephone.

Abstract: A shunt for isolating the liver and hepatic veins from normal blood reperfusion into the inferior vena cava during trauma and similar surgical operations includes an outer tube with a first inflatable balloon at one end and a second inflatable balloon at an intermediate location with multiple openings spaced along the tube between the second cuff and the opposite end, and an inner tube telescopically movable within the outer tube with plural sealing O-rings spaced therealong in correspondence to the openings in the outer tube. During surgery, the balloon end of the tube is inserted and advanced upwardly in the inferior vena cava through a venotomy formed at a selected location, either above or below the renal veins. The first balloon is positioned within the right atrium of the heart, inflated, and then drawn backwardly to seat in sealing engagement at the atrial-caval opening. Alternatively, the first balloon may be positioned and inflated within the supradiaphragmatic cava.

Abstract: A stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expansible distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state; a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter, having a contracted condition and being expansible to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the stent having an end portion defining a margin lying over the expansible portion of the catheter; a sleeve in the region of the distal portion of the catheter positioned around the catheter having a first end fixed to the catheter and a second end defining a margin lying over the margin of the stent; the sleeve fixing the end of the stent on the catheter when the catheter is in the contracted state, the catheter and stent cooperatively constructed and arranged to cause expansion of the catheter from its contracted state

Abstract: A ureteral stent includes a tubular member of substantially uniform outside diameter, the tubular member having proximal and distal ends connected by a body portion, the proximal end including a retention curve to retain the proximal end in the bladder, and the distal end having three portions, the first portion extending from the stent body and being substantially straight, the second portion extending from the first portion and being in the shape of a 360.degree. helical curve having an outside radius, and the third portion extending from the second portion and terminating in a distal tip, the third portion being substantially straight and parallel to the first portion and having a length between 1.2 and 2.0 times the outside radius of the helical curl.

Abstract: An acupuncture needle delivery system is disclosed comprising a needle with an upper head portion that is wider in the middle than at its ends. The needle is packaged within a plastic dispensing tube which is greater in diameter than the needle, except at the end of the tube which surrounds the needle's head. The portion of the tube surrounding the head of the needle is narrower than the widest part of the head to snugly grasp the head and secure the needle within the tube. Upon the imposition of axially directed, manually exerted, downward pressure on the head region, the end of the plastic tube stretches, permitting the needle to be ejected from the other end of the tube.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an ophthalmic surgical instrument for removing the lens of an eye includes a handle adapted for support in the hand of the user. An elongated tubular member having first and second ends is attached to the handle. The elongated tubular member includes an aperture communicating with the interior of the elongated tubular member and which is disposed between the first and second ends thereof. An arcuate portion of the elongated tubular member extends from the aperture to the second end thereof for receiving the lens. An actuator is mounted to the handle for movement between a forward position and a rearward position with respect to the handle.

Abstract: A lawn and flower bed divider system uses sections formed from PVC or the like including straight and curved sections. The sections are hollow and contain integral water and electrical wiring conduits. The ends include fittings to interconnect the sections to form a continuous divider. Sprinkler heads are disposed along the divider and connected internally along the divider. Lighting fixtures are installed along the divider and internally connected to wiring in the wiring conduits. The water conduits are connected to a water source and the wiring is connected to a low voltage power source.