Abstract: An air detector according to the present invention utilizes a unitary type sensor for detecting air bubbles or columns in an infusion solution flowing through a tube. Because of a unique design for a tube-receiving groove and a cooperating abutting member, the difficulty in loading a tube heretofore encountered with the use of unitary type sensor is obviated. Thus, the tube can be loaded in the air detector easily with good reliability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane intended to form the external wall of a reservoir which is capable of being implanted under the skin of a patient. It comprises at least one layer (3) of a fibrous material arranged between two layers of a biocompatible elastomer.

Abstract: A guidance device for use in performing C.T. guided needle loaded catheter drainage and needle biopsy procedures includes a needle or catheter support to which the needle or catheter is releasably fastened. A pendulum pivotally depends from a pivot point on the catheter support under the force of gravity. A protractor is secured to either the catheter support or the depending pendulum to indicate the relative angular relationship between the catheter and the pendulum, and thereby indicate the angle formed between the catheter and either a horizontal or vertical axis. Having previously determined the angle at which the catheter is to be inserted into the patient's body, the user rotates the angular position of the catheter until the protractor reading matches the desired angle.

Abstract: A surgical needle guide apparatus comprising a substantially horizontal base to be applied to a surface on or adjacent a patient's body surface zone to be punctured by the needle; an upright guide flange mounted on the base, there being pivot structure associated with the flange and base and projecting beyond the base, to overhang an open zone adjacent the surface and offset from the flange; and elongated, tubular guide structure having a lower end portion carried by the pivot structure to be manually pivoted so that the needle structure swings adjacent the guide flange, the tubular structure adapted to receive needle structure for guiding movement thereof toward the open zone and at an angle determined by selective swinging of the tubular guide structure relative to the base.

Abstract: An assembly of a hub, biased valve and catheter is provided for insertion therethrough with a hub and attached needle. The hub, valve and catheter assembly defines an exit bore which is sealed at its entrance by the valve when biased into its normally closed position. When the needle is inserted into the hub assembly, it will contact and unseat the closed, biased valve. After the needle unseats the valve, it will enter and seal the exit bore and then engage the catheter. The needle and catheter portion of the assembly are then inserted into a patient. The needle is then withdrawn and discarded, and the catheter portion of the assembly will remain in place in the patient. As the needle is withdrawn back along the exit bore, it will move out of contact with the valve. This enables the valve to be biased back into its closed position against the entrance of the exit bore, thereby sealing the hub, valve and catheter assembly against blood flashback.

Abstract: An oral fixture implant system for supporting a prosthetic denture structure in which fixture posts are implanted onto subperiosteal seats. A vertical projection shaft of the fixture post extends through the fibromucousal tissue and into the oral cavity. A fixture post collar is placed above the fixture post and a fixture retention bar with apertures corresponding to the fixture post locations is mounted over the collars allowing the upper portion of the fixture post projections to rise above the retention bar surface. The denture structure is fabricated with a grooved undersurface that accommodates the fixture retention bar and depressions in the groove fit over the tops of the fixture post shafts.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for irrigation of and aspiration from body cavities, especially during surgical laparoscopy, comprising a delivery pump and a suction pump and tubing lines, which are connected to these and lead to the body cavity. A device for irrigation of and aspiration from body cavities, which can be operated in a very simple manner and fully meets sterility requirements is provided.

Abstract: A central housing includes a coaxially reciprocatable screw member operative through a selectively actuated drive motor to effect reciprocation of the screw within the housing. The screw member includes a piston mounted at a forward distal end thereof mounting a flexible bag therewithin, wherein the bag directs suction from a forwardly coaxially mounted nozzle into the bag.

Abstract: A person toiletry case 10 has a left section 11 and a right section 12 hinged together by hinges 13. Each section has a rectangular side panel 14 bounded by a bottom wall 15, a top wall 16, 16' and two side walls 17. The top walls 16, 16' each have a recessed portion 22, 25 through which articles contained within the case may be accessed. Brackets 26, 29, 30, 31, and 33, extending from the panels 14 of the case, are provided to hold toiletry articles within the case. The case also has venting holes 18 to allow moisture within the case to escape to ambience.

Abstract: A catheter with an adjustable, external locking bolster. The catheter is for insertion into a body and includes a distal tip which is positioned inside the body, and a tubular member which is in communication with the distal tip. A portion of the tubular member exists outside the body and is provided on its outer surface with engagement elements. An external coupling has matching engagement elements for selective, adjustable securement to the tubular member. A compression element is provided which locks the external coupling to the tubular element and prevents slippage. The adjustable engagement allows a low profile, close to the skin appearance, while the compression element securely locks the external coupling to the tubular member.

Abstract: A medicament container assembly for an autoinjector having a power assembly actuatable to cause a power stroke in cooperating relation with said medicament container assembly. The medicament container assembly comprises a container having a forward end, a hypodermic needle having a sharpened end, and first and second liquid medicaments.

Abstract: A display device for holding and exhibiting placards and the like such as business cards, wherein a plurality of opentopped, card-receiving pockets are arranged on the front face of a main, plate-like body of a main, plate-like body of the display device; each card-receiving pocket is capable of receiving a plurality of placards in the form of a stack or batch and maintaining such placards in a neat upright stack with the outer face of the outermost placard of the stack clearly visible to a casual observer; the card-receiving pockets are integrally formed with the main plate-like which is made of transparent plastic material and permit a single placard to be easily grasped by the fingers of a person and removed therefrom.

Abstract: Photo hanging and display apparatus including an upper rod-like member 10 having specially configured slots 24 and 26 running along the top and bottom portions thereof, hanging members 20 and 22 including wires or cables 38 with attachment loops affixed to one end and a slot engaging clip 36 attached to the other for engaging the upper slot 24 of the upper rod. Flexible strips 50 and 54 of edging material are provided for attachment to the upper edge of the sheet 16 (18) to be hung, the edging strips being configured to mate with and slide into the lower slot 26 of the upper member 10. An elongated lower rod-like member 12 also has a specifically configured slot 62 formed in its upper surface which is adapted to receive engaging strips 60 affixed to the lower edge of the sheet (18).

Abstract: A device is disclosed for hanging posters or the like on walls. The device includes a plurality of corner pieces wherein one corner piece is secured to each corner of the poster. One end of an elongated strut is detachably secured to each corner piece while the other ends of the struts are secured to a center support. The struts thus hold the poster in a flat condition and ready to be hung on a wall. The length of the struts is adjustable by the user in order to accommodate different sized posters.

Abstract: A subcutaneously implantable medication infusion device includes a variable capacity reservoir for receiving and storing fluid medication for delivery to a catheter which directs the medication to a specific infusion location in the body. A control assembly is interposed between the reservoir and the catheter to facilitate and control the transfer of the medication from the reservoir to the catheter in a safe and efficient manner. The control assembly includes a self-recharging pump and a normally closed valve, both of which are manually actuable by percutaneous pressure when subcutaneously implanted, and a one-way valve positioned within a primary fluid conduit between the pump and the normally closed valve. The control assembly is constructed to permit the infusion of a measured bolus of medication on demand through manual percutaneous manipulation of the control assembly.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire exhibiting relatively constant force over range of deflection of 0.8-1.8 mm and resiliently returnable to its initial position from flexure up to 90.degree. is formed from a braid of nickel/titanium alloy. In the process for making the arch wire, eight strands of the alloy are initially formed into a braid of circular cross section which is then deformed into a rectangular cross section. The deformed braid is wound about a fixture, is heated treated on the fixture and thereafter cut to produce a pair of arch wires from each coil about the fixture. The nickel/titanium alloy is one having a nominal composition of 55% nickel and 45% titanium.

Abstract: A liquid infuser apparatus includes an elastic sleeve mounted on an elongated member and within a spherical housing to enable it to expand naturally to maintain a constant pressure over the infusion period. An alternate embodiment includes a holding reservoir that may be pre-filled, and a pressure reservoir that is loaded from the holding reservoir preparatory to infusion.

Abstract: An improved infusion pump is provided for controlled delivery of medication from a syringe to a patient, wherein a pump housing includes a syringe chamber and associated lock members for receiving and supporting the syringe in one of two different positions. The syringe includes a medication-containing barrel connected to a luer fitting at a nose end thereof by a luer neck of reduced cross sectional size. In one position, the syringe seats into the chamber with the luer neck protruding through an outlet port of mating size and with the luer fitting disposed outside the housing, such that the housing defines a lock member engaged axially between the syringe barrel and luer fitting to secure the barrel against axial displacement. In another position, a retainer key is adapted for installation into the syringe chamber at a position spaced inboard from the outlet port and defines an alternative lock member for axially securing the syringe with the luer fitting disposed inside the housing.

Abstract: A method of administering post-operative anesthesia directly to the surgical site through a catheter introduced into the site during the post-operative procedure. The flow of medication into the catheter is regulated by a micro-bore cannula that insures delivery at very small rates. The plunger of a spring-loaded syringe creates the pressure that causes the medication to flow through the cannula and catheter into the wound. Because of the spring's nonlinear characteristics within the range of stroke of the plunger, the pressure exerted on the liquid gradually decreases with the expansion of the spring. By appropriately sizing the spring and the inside diameter of the cannula, a device is developed that administers the required dosages of anesthetic continuously and at decreasing rates.

Abstract: A thermoplastic, one-piece coping insert adapted for use with a dental implant anchoring means includes a shaft that fits into an opening in a dental implant, an abutment head joined to the shaft and adapted to conform to, and fit smoothly on, or in the top surface of the dental implant, a bendable restriction or groove to facilitate preferential bending of the insert at the restriction when the insert is heated to the softening temperature of a thermoplastic, and a relatively unbendable post atop the restriction for receiving and supporting a dental prosthesis such as one or more prosthetic teeth.