Abstract: A cushion construction for positioning below a patient suffering from incontinence which is hygenic to use and which does not require permanent modification of a mattress or seat on which it is to be used is formed as a resilient body, particularly a foam block, having an upper surface (1) substantially parallel to its lower surface when the cushion is unstressed with the upper surface (1) being interrupted by a fluid collection and channelling area (3) including an inclined drainage plane extending downwardly into the body of the cushion to a drain hole (2) in an interior region thereof communicating the lowermost region of the inclined drainage plane with the underside of the resilient block. At least those surfaces of the cushion which will be contacted by urine will be covered with fluid impermeable sheet material (4). The cushion has optional urine collection systems either for use with a conventional incontinence pad or comprising a drainage duct (37) to a fluid container (38).

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a novel system for rapid, venous infusion of a physiologic fluid, such as blood, into a patient, comprising in combination a reservoir for the physiologic fluid having an inlet port for receiving the physiologic fluid and an outlet port for dispensing the physiologic fluid, an infusion pump to propel the physiologic fluid through the system, a heating/cooling unit to control the temperature of the physiologic fluid, a sensor to monitor the pressure of the physiologic fluid, one or move cannula for infusing the physiologic fluid into the venous system of the patient, and flexible conduits connecting the components of the system to the physiologic fluid to and from each of the components of the system.

Abstract: A prefilled ampoule-syringe including an ampoule body having a smaller inner dimension than the body and a stopper means associated with an external capsule for closing the ampoule. The stopper is provided with an internal conduit having at least one transverse branch opening into a longitudinal branch between the interior of the capsule body and a needle-holding tip. The capsule is arranged for actual movement from a position within the neck where it is in a closed position to an open injection position within the ampoule body. When the capsule is in the position in the neck of the ampoule, the contents of the ampoule are in contact only with the walls of the ampoule and the inner surface of the stopper which faces into the neck. When the stopper is moved to injection position, the contents of the ampoule pass through the transverse passage and down the longitudinal passage to the needle holding tip for injection into a patient.

Abstract: A formulation chamber is disclosed comprising a wall surrounding a lumen containing a device for delivering a beneficial agent. The chamber has an inlet for admitting a fluid into the chamber and an outlet for letting an agent formulation leave the chamber. The chamber is adapted for use in an intravenous delivery system for delivering an agent formulation to a patient.

Abstract: A formulation chamber is disclosed comprising a wall surrounding a lumen containing a device for delivering a beneficial agent. The chamber has an inlet for admitting a fluid into the chamber and an outlet for letting an agent formulation leave the chamber. The chamber is adapted for use in an intravenous delivery system for delivering an agent formulation to a patient.

Abstract: A nursing apparatus is utilized for stimulating lactation in the female human breast. A breast receiving opening permits the positioning of the apparatus over the female breast, and means for pressurizing and depressurizing an attached chamber then operates to provide a suction action. Additional stimulation is provided by an electrically powered vibrator, while the breast receiving portion includes a chamber which may be filled with warm water to thus simulate the temperature of an infant's mouth.

Abstract: A formulation chamber is disclosed comprising a wall surrounding a lumen containing a device for delivering a beneficial agent. The chamber has an inlet for admitting a fluid into the chamber and an outlet for letting an agent formulation leave the chamber. The chamber is adapted for use in an intravenous delivery system for delivering an agent formulation to a patient.

Abstract: A belt for use on patients having had a gastrostomy surgical procedure perfomed wherein a flexible entrance tube extends outwardly, via a stoma, from the patient's body. The belt includes a pocket into which extends the flexible tube so that any excretions emanating therefrom will be absorbed by the absorbent material of the pocket and may include anti-bacterial medicaments and/or odor neutralizing medicaments therein, fits comfortably around the patient's body and may be reused many times without deteriation.

Abstract: A unitary device for the treatment and collection of blood from two different sources during a surgical procedure comprises a hollow housing made of a rigid, preferably transparent, material, first and second blood inlets in the housing, a first blood treatment element inside the housing comprising a layer of porous defoaming material and a layer of non-woven depth filter material, and a second blood treatment element inside the housing comprising a layer of porous defoaming material and free of any depth filter material. The novel device also includes internal walls for providing two blood flow paths therein, one through the first inlet, the first blood treatment element, a blood collection reservoir defined within the device and a treated blood outlet in the bottom wall of the housing, and the other through the second inlet, the second blood treatment element, the blood collection reservoir and the blood outlet.

Abstract: A valve to prevent gastric reflux or leakage through the vent lumen of a double-lumened nasogastric tube. The valve allows the passage of air into the vent lumen when atmospheric pressure exceeds stomach pressure. When stomach pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure the valve prevents flow of fluids through the tube.

Abstract: A laser smoke evacuation system and method for laser smoke removal from the site of laser laparoscopy in a patient cavity. The system includes a CO.sub.2 gas pump connected through a control valve, a pressure sensor, and a bacterial filter to a laparoscopic tube inserted into the patient, a return line from a second laparoscopic tube in the patient through a smoke filter, a pressure sensor, a control valve, and a fluid trap into the return of the pump, and an insufflator connected into the patient to supply CO.sub.2 gas lost by leakage and tissue absorption an to provide required distention of the patient cavity. The method includes the steps of supplying a first flow of CO.sub.2 gas into a patient cavity to the operation sites, returning the first flow of CO.sub.2 gas with removed laser smoke from the cavity, cleansing the smoke from the first flow of CO.sub.2 gas, recirculating the cleansed first flow of CO.sub.2 gas back to the patient, and providing a second makeup flow of CO.sub.

Abstract: A thin-walled, condom-like tubular protective device for protection against the transfer of infectious matter during sexual intercourse is disclosed. The condom-like device has an open end a collar-shaped outwardly extending portion with means for radially stretching the collar and has an inner diameter which is sufficiently large to permit movement of a penis with respect to the protective device during coitus.

Abstract: A urine meter comprising, a receptacle having a wall defining a cavity and an opening at the top of the metered receptacle communicating with the cavity. The urine meter has a container having flexible walls defining a chamber, with the container being secured to the top of the receptacle and having an opening communicating with the chamber and the cavity through the receptacle opening. The urine meter has an inlet conduit extending through the container to a position aligned with the cavity for draining liquid into the cavity. The receptacle is movably mounted between a first lower upright position to collect liquid in the cavity, and a second upper tilted position sufficient to dump collected liquid from the cavity into the chamber.

Abstract: An irrigation device for injecting and withdrawing liquid from a body cavity, comprising a first chamber separated into two compartments by a partition provided with a one-way valve, wherein one compartment is operatively connected to a rolling diaphragm in combination with a piston member and the other compartment provided with a nozzle adapted to be coupled to a catheter already inserted in the body cavity.A second chamber is removably attached to the first chamber with a gasket and filter member therebetween. With the device filled with irrigating liquid, manually pushing the piston member into the operatively connected compartment forces liquid through the one-way valve into the other compartment and through the nozzle and catheter into the body cavity.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter includes a flexible guide wire mounted for relative rotational and reciprocal movements within a reciprocal and flexible first tube. A rotary and flexible second tube is mounted on the first tube to define an annular passage therebetween and has a rotary inner cutting head secured on a distal end thereof. The inner cutting head is closely fitted within an outer cutting head that is secured on the first tube. The cutting heads are adapted to cut a blockage in a blood vessel into fragments in response to rotation of the second tube and inner cutting head. The fragments are flushed-out from the inner cutting head and are conveyed away from the cutting heads and through the annular passage by facing spiral threads defined on the first and second tubes.

Abstract: A combination anti-reflux valve and gas venting device for use in a urinary drainage bag is described. In the preferred embodiment, the device is made of a flapper valve having a gas venting portion inside the urinary drainage bag. The flapper valve is connected to a gas venting connector means for passage of gas between the outside and inside connector means.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, particularly suited for arthroscopic surgery, for cutting tissue located at an interior site within the body of a patient. The instrument includes a body or handle portion from which an elongated stem extends. A blade is located at the free end of the stem. The blade includes a generally elongated cutting edge portion which extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument. Motor means is provided within the body portion for effecting the oscillation (reciprocal pivoting) of the cutting edge portion with respect to the body portion about the longitudinal axis through a small arc, e.g. 20.degree.-25.degree.. A retractable/extendable shroud (sheath) is provided to cover the blade and stem to enable the blade end of the instrument to be readily inserted into the body of the patient through a small opening while preventing exposure of any surrounding tissue to the blade. The shroud is retractable to expose the blade when cutting is desired.

Abstract: A device for the intermediate pulsatory application of liquid pharmaceuticals or medicine is provided which has a changeable storage container for the pharmaceutical connected to one end of a flexible tube; on the other end of the tube are a catheter, a rolling pump which works on the tube, a drive motor for the rolling pump, and a timer for delivery impulse and pause time of the rolling pump. To control the operation of the drive motor, there is a microcomputer with program storage. The microcomputer is programmable by means of a keyboard. Proper program operation is always guaranteed, including when interruptions in the drive appear necessary, for example, to renew the battery serving as the energy source.

Abstract: A device for iontophoretic delivery of active ingredient to a patient, that includes an electrode, a first cavity for holding a solution of at least partially active ingredient in ionizing form to be delivered to a patient, a member for maintaining a solution in the first cavity while allowing passage of active ingredient from the first cavity, and an ion exchange member separating the electrode and the first cavity for inhibiting the flow of ions having a charge similar to the charge of the ionized form of the active ingredient from the electrode means to the first cavity is disclosed. A method for iontophoretic delivery of active ingredients to a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trephining corneal tissue is disclosed which reduces post-operative astigmatism in corneal transplant patients. A donor corneal-scleral button is accurately centered onto a concave surface by means of concentric rings and then held in place, preferably by suction. A rotating circular cutting blade is then lowered through the button to cut out a circular section which forms a donor button. An apparatus to carry out the method of the present invention comprises a curved surface for retaining the corneal-scleral button with circular indicia for positioning the button and apertures for applying a suction thereto. An upper part which is movable into and out of the space immediately above the curved surface mounts a motorized cutting device. The rotational speed and the lowering of the cutting device are controllable by the operator.