Abstract: A combined vacuum relief and pressure containing valve assembly for relieving vacuum developing within an associated vessel and for containing elevated pressures developing within the vessel. The valve assembly has a housing having two communicating passageways demarcated by a valve seat. The first passageway communicates to the open atmosphere and also with the valve from below the valve seat. The valve is a ball constrained to move only vertically above its seat. The second passageway communicates with the valve from above the valve seat. The second passageway extends below the valve so that when the valve assembly is connected to the associated vessel, pressures prevailing within the vessel act on the valve from above. Therefore, vacuum prevailing within the vessel, acting in concert with relatively higher ambient temperatures, will draw the valve into the open position. At zero pressure differential, gravity urges the valve into the closed position and maintains a seal.

Abstract: To avoid sealing problems associated with attachment of a connector to a separate valve member when providing for evacuation of a bag or other container, a unitary connector and valve (10) comprises a spring-loaded valve member (24) located in a bore (20) in a housing (12), which has external clamping (40-46) enabling the housing (12) to be sealingly attached to a container (not shown) as well as a fitting (48) enabling the housing (12) to be attached to an air line (not shown).

Abstract: The invention relates to a corneal pocketing tool for separating the lamella of the cornea. The corneal pocketing tool has a dissector portion for insertion into a corneal incision and a reference surface or region adapted to contact the cornea. As the dissector is advanced into the corneal incision the reference region comes into contact with the surface of the cornea and resists further advancement of the dissector. As the reference region is moved in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the dissector portion follows in the same direction forming a pocket in the cornea.

Abstract: A semi-portable water cooler suitable for outdoor use on a sports playing field includes a thermally insulated container supplied with water such as from a municipal water supply by way of a feeder hose. A spiraled water conduit tube is emplaced within the container which is filled with ice. Water received from the feeder hose passes upwardly through the tube and exits from a cover at the top of the container. The cooled exiting water is fed into a number of separate exterior lengths of flexible hose, each terminating in a valve-controlled drinking spout. The spouts with attached hoses are held by brackets supported by the container, and are slideably retained while permitting lifting to drinking height for a standing person.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device for producing a circular, interlamellar channel within the corneal stroma. An intracorneal ring can be implanted into this channel at the corneal periphery modifying the corneal curvature while sparing the important central optical zone of the cornea. This channel is formed by the sequential use of two separate instruments. The first instrument, the channel-guide dissector, is a circular dissecting instrument which is a split ring dissector with the dissecting end having a blunt tip and the other end connected to a handle. The important aspect of this channel-guide dissector is that it has a relatively narrow width which results in production of a lamellar corneal channel that is typically too narrow for the insertion of a typical intracorneal ring for myopic adjustment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for utilizing the vascular system as a conduit to reach other vascular and extravascular locations within the body. Included are methods for revascularization wherein the extravascular passageways are formed to permit blood flow between vascular locations. Also included are methods for performing transvascular interstitial surgery (TVIS) wherein extravascular passageways are formed from a blood vessel to another vascular or non-vascular intracorporeal location. Also disclosed are devices usable for forming extravascular passageways in accordance with the invention, or for modifying, valving, maintaining or closing such passageways.

Abstract: A catheter-deliverable filter assembly deployable in a vessel of the body in alternatively a temporary configuration enabling the filter to be removed from the vessel or a permanent configuration, and a method for its use. The filter assembly comprises an elongated support carrying spaced along its length a filter element and a anchoring element with the filter element being spaced distally from the anchoring element. Each element comprises a core mounted to the elongated support and a plurality of flexible, resilient wires extending distally from the core, the wires having proximal portions attached at one end to the core and distal portions. The wires of the anchoring element include gripping elements for gripping the walls of a vessel. The wires are so configured as to support the apices of the filter and anchoring elements substantially in the center of the vessel.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. It is a complex, helically wound coil comprised of a primary helically wound coil which is then wound into a specific secondary shape. The final shape upon deployment is in the approximate shape of an anatomical cavity. upon deployment, the device first fills the periphery of the cavity and then continues to infill the center. The device is a self-forming shape made from a pre-formed linear helically wound. Fibers may be introduced onto the device and affixed to the pre-formed linear member. The constituent member may be also be covered with a fibrous braid. The device is typically introduced through a catheter. The device is passed axially through the catheter sheath and assumes its form upon exiting the catheter without further action. The invention also includes methods of winding the vaso-occlusive device into appropriately shaped forms and annealing them.

Abstract: A polymer rupture disk in the form of a cartridge or capsule that can be inserted in a fluid line fixture as a replaceable unit to establish a predetermined rupture pressure or safety pressure for that particular pressurized container.

Abstract: An automatically resetting safety valve for a generator circuit breaker is to open rapidly and wide, even if the pressure applied to a valve-closing body (1) does not increase substantially over a valve stroke (a) or even falls. In order to ensure this, a valve-closing-body joint (10) of the valve-closing body (1) via a first closing-body lever (H1) and via a first sliding joint (3), is connected in an articulated manner to a first support lever (H2), which is rotatably mounted in a first support lever joint (4) fastened to a lever wall (5). The first sliding joint (3), via a first compression spring (8), is in compressive connection with a spring wall joint (7) fastened to a spring wall (6). The valve-closing body (1) is movable along a plain-bearing axis (A). First and second closing-body levers (H1, H1′) and first and second support levers (H2, H2′), which are arranged in mirror image relative to the plain-bearing axis (A) of the valve-closing body (1), may be provided.

Abstract: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity to receive a replaceable pad. The pad includes a draw cord to draw the pad into place on the jaw. The pad is formed with an attachment member engagable in the elongate cavity of the jaw. The draw cord is preferably an extension of the attachment member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow detector assembly that enables an integrated apparatus to execute flow measurement and regulation and that further enables multiple such apparatuses to be arranged and installed using manifold blocks. This assembly comprises a plurality of flow detectors and a plurality of manifold blocks. In the flow detector, the detection section of a flow sensor is disposed in a flow channel penetrating the interior of the detector body. The fluid channel is opened at the respective ends of the detector into input and output openings which in turn open into mounting surfaces. A flow control valve is disposed in the channel. The manifold block has an input and an output passages corresponding to the input and output openings. The input passage is allowed to communicate with a common input port through an input common passage. The output passage is individually opened into an output port.

Abstract: An osteotomy trial mounting device and method for attaching an osteotomy trial to a surgical tool are provided. The osteotomy trial mounting device includes a trial component, such as a femoral or tibial trial, having a means for attaching a surgical tool. The attachment mechanism includes spaced apart apertures in an attachment surface of the trial for receiving support posts of the surgical tool adapter.

Abstract: A well control system having well controlled fluids distributed through pipes includes valves that are opened by a heat softened valve obstruction element. The translation of a fluid flow obstructing gate in a gate valve is driven by a stem element attached to the gate. Without a mechanical or fluid obstacle, fluid pressure in the distribution pipe above about 2 psi will drive the valve gate to a biased position. This internal pressure displacement of the valve gate also displaces the gate stem. In the present invention, the displacement of gate stems for critical valves from a normal maintenance position to an emergency activation position, is obstructed by a fusible barrier that is secured across the gate stem translation path. In the event of a well fire, at a predetermined temperature of fusion, the barrier element will no longer resist the displacement force imposed by the stem.

Abstract: The intravascular delivery system includes an elongated, flexible heat pipe pusher member, a therapeutic device to be placed within the vasculature of a patient, and a shape memory collar detachably mounting the therapeutic device for placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature. The shape memory collar is disposed either the therapeutic device or the flexible heat pipe pusher member and connects the therapeutic device and the heat pipe pusher member. In a presently preferred embodiment, the shape memory collar is made of nickel titanium alloy.

Abstract: An instrument and method for suturing anatomical tissue with a suture needle includes a barrel having two needle holders therein which can be manipulated from a proximal end of the barrel to cause the needle to pass through tissue and to pass the needle from one needle holder to the other. The needle holders are operative to move the needle through a path in a plane not perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the barrel. The angle of the plane with respect to the longitudinal axis can be adjusted.

Abstract: This invention is a vertebral triplaner alignment facilitator to enable a surgeon to make minute vertebrae adjustments during spinal surgery. The vertebral triplaner alignment facilitator includes a support device which is adapted to support a tensioning device. The support device includes a support structure and a gurney. The gurney is adapted to support the tensioning device, while the support structure supports the gurney above a patient. The support structure typically includes a support rod, a sacral bridge, and adjustment rods. The support rod may be adapted to connect to a retractor. The sacral bridge may be adapted to sit on the iliac spines or crests of the pelvis. The adjustment rods movably engage the support rod and the sacral bridge such that the adjustment rods can move laterally over the patient and longitudinally relative to the retractor. A plurality of gurneys engage the adjustment rods such that they may move along the adjustment rods and may pivot about the adjustment rods.

Abstract: Osteosynthesis auxiliary (10) for the treatment of subtrochanteric, peritrochanteric and femoral-neck Fractures, with a locking nail (12) that can be introduced from the proximal end into the medullary space of a femur(11) and that comprises a distal section (15) having at least one oblong cross bore (13) to receive a distal locking element as well as a proximal section (14) having a slanted passageway (16), and with a femoral-neck part (19) that can be introduced from a lateral position through the slanted passageway (16) into the neck (17) and head (18) of the femur, wherein at least the section of the femoral-head part that can be anchored in the head (18) of the femur has a cross section that is not circular or rotationally symmetrical. Preferably this section (34) has the shape of a double-T or I profile (35).

Abstract: A suturing device consists of a needle and a turning mechanism that drives the needle. A handle of the device drives the turning mechanism. The device receives suturing material needed for suturing tissue; and a surgeon may operate it by squeezing the handle. This action may move the needle from zero to 360 degrees.

Abstract: A system and method for anterior fixation of the spine utilizes a cylindrical implant engaged in the intradiscal space at the cephalad and caudal ends of the construct. The implants are cylindrical fusion devices (10) filled with bone material to promote bone ingrowth and fusion of the disc space. An attachment member (40) is connected to each of the fusion devices (10) and bone screws (30) having similar attachment members (33) are engaged in the vertebral bodies of the intermediate vertebrae. A spinal rod (50) is connected to each of the attachment members using an eyebolt assembly (53, 54, 55). In a further inventive method, a revision of the construct is achieved by removing the fusion devices. Each fusion device is engaged by an elongated guide member (62) over which a cylindrical trephine (70) is advanced. The trephine (70) has an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the fusion implant and includes cutting teeth (72) for extracting a core (84) of bone material around the fusion implant.