Abstract: An improved vitrectomy probe for removing vitreous and other fibrous gel materials. A hollow cutting blade is reciprocated within a smooth bore hollow needle of the microsurgical vitrectomy probe across a cutting edge of the outer needle slicing the fibrous material of the vitreous. A pressurized fluid source, diaphragm and spring cooperate to provide for the reciprocation of the blade. A vacuum source removes vitreous material through the hollow needle. A reciprocating suction outlet tube attached to the hollow needle directs vitreous material into a vacuum fitting which is isolated from the motion of the reciprocating outlet tube. An adjustment screw limits the travel of the reciprocating blade as well as the size of the opening in the needle. A dissector head faciitates the separation of vitreous fibers and directs them into the needle opening.

Abstract: Ocular perfusion during intraocular surgery of the anterior or posterior ocular cavity is optimized through the method of using a gas pump having a discernible and controllable output pressure to pressurize a reservoir of liquid infusate, which is supplied under pressure to a surgical infusion instrument for perfusion of the selected ocular chamber (Gas Forced Liquid Infusion, GFLI). The infusate selection and the infusate pressure can be controlled with a high degree of accuracy and both can be rapidly varied by audible command. Preferentially a human sensible indication of pressure is constantly available at the gas pump.

Abstract: A syringe and method for use which may be selectively operated between a freely reciprocating position and a restricted position. A triggering means configured with a trigger attached to the plunger of the syringe is employed. The triggering means includes threads located external of the plunger and corresponding threads internal of the barrel of the syringe. Upon actuation of the trigger, the threads on the plunger are retracted from their position of engagement with the threads on the barrel, thereby placing the syringe in position for free sliding movement of the plunger with respect to the barrel. The trigger is biased to the engaged position so that if the trigger is released, the threads on the plunger return to their position of engagement with the threads on the barrel. In the restricted position, the plunger may be screwed into or out of the barrel by rotating the plunger, enabling the operator of the syringe to maintain strict control over the amount of pressure in the syringe.

Abstract: A foot and leg hydrotherapy apparatus consisting of a housing forming a well that is adapted to receive a user's feet and lower legs. The inner walls of the well have a plurality of precisely directed jets that provide an adjustable air/water jet spray on each foot and leg of the subject. A separate drain motor is utilized for evacuating water from the system.

Abstract: A fluid handling system is disclosed for use with a surgical handpiece in microsurgery. Included is a fluid interface block apparatus which is structurally adapted to be removably and firmly secured to a control unit of the type which controls the fluidics of a microsurgery system. The system includes a plurality of peristaltic pumps arranged with respect to each other so as to minimize the effects of fluid pressure pulsations produced by each one.

Abstract: A diaper is provided in forms to accommodate male and female wearers. In the male form, a pouch is provided in the area for accommodating the male genitalia, the pouch being formed with an absorbent pad. For the female wearer, an extra absorbent pad, but no pouch, is provided in the area for accommodating the female genitalia. In both forms, an absorbent pad is raised from the area of the diaper which accommodates the perineum of the wearer in order to prevent urine leaking back to the area of the anus of the wearer.

Abstract: A non-reusable syringe comprising a syringe body having a lower extremity closed by a base provided with a cone to receive a needle and a shaft terminated by a piston sliding tightly in the syringe body. A resilient flexible plate having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the syringe body and thus inducing through its curvature a weak frictional force enabling the displacement of the shaft in a first direction and a strong frictional force opposing displacement of the shaft in the other direction is mounted in the shaft. To avoid attempted reuse of the syringe, a zone of weak resistance to breakage by traction is provided on the shaft. This zone break under a traction lower than the strong frictional force, but greater than the weak frictional force.

Abstract: An apparatus for oral administration of a medicament or the like comprises a pill tray (4) and a liquid reservoir (6). The tray (4) has an upper surface bounded by lips (5) and adapted to carry solid medicament. The reservoir (6) has an opening (7) close to the pill tray (4) and adapted to allow controlled release of said liquid, to wash the pill or medicament down the throat of the patient.

Abstract: A clamp for holding an article to an object, including a base means for adhering the clamp to the object, a flap, securing means for securing the flap to the base means with the article positioned therebetween and resilient pad means having an adhesive surface for contacting the article. The securing means includes a first holding means for holding a first portion of the flap and a second hold means for holding a second portion of the flap. Both holding means may be releasable. The second holding means is spaced from the first holding means a sufficient distance along the flap for the article to lie between them. Resilient adhesive surfaces are provided on the flap and base means for contacting and adhering the article.

Abstract: A vial of liquid removably attachable to a syringe. In one embodiment, a luer-loc-tip is integrally mounted to the vial which is removably mountable to a syringe for withdrawing liquid from the vial without the presence of a needle. In an alternate embodiment, the luer-loc flange is mountable to a conventional vial by means of clamps and enclosed by means of a sealing cap.

Abstract: An injection device comprising a support stock that supports a syringe having a plunger and a needle. The plunger is movable in an axial direction to force liquid from the syringe through the needle. A safety valve prevents flow of liquid from the syringe to the needle. A stabilizing sight is provided, for application against skin during an injection. The stabilizing sight is mounted on the device for movement relative to the device such that when the device is pressed against the skin the needle moves from a retracted position relative to the stabilizing sight to an advanced position relative to the stabilizing sight to penetrate the skin. The stabilizing sight is interconnected with the safety valve in such a way that when the needle is in that advanced position the safety valve is moved to an open position and when the needle is in that retracted position the safety valve is in a closed position.

Abstract: Guiding catheter and method of using the same in a cardiovascular procedure such as coronary angioplasty. The catheter has an elongated shaft with a deflectable distal portion. One lumen extends through the elongated shaft to form a passageway through which a dilatation catheter can be introduced. A second smaller lumen extends through the shaft to form a passageway for a control line which passes therethrough and which is connected to the distal tip. Proximal movement of the control line decreases the included angle between the distal portion and the main portion of the shaft. Pull on the control line also exerts a force on the distal portion of the guiding catheter which transmits a resultant axial force to push the catheter disposed within the first lumen. Pull on the control line also allows for catheter tip configuration adjustment thereby enabling the catheter to engage a difficult coronary ostium. In the disclosed embodiments, the distal portion is formed in two sections.

Abstract: Lavage apparatus comprises lavage fluid supply apparatus, a first catheter having a distal end for positioning in the uterus of an animal and a proximal end for communication with the lavage fluid supply, a pair of bilateral catheters connected to the proximal end of the first catheter for extending into respective horns of the uterus, and catheter locating means for locating the catheters in the uterus. The first catheter defines respective supply and drain lumens. The bilateral catheters each define respective lumens for fluid communication between the supply lumen and the interior of the respective uterine horn. The lavage fluid supply apparatus may include a pump for supplying lavage fluid under pressure. The supply may also include a lavage fluid storage tank for containing a volume of fluid, and a heater to maintain the temperature of the stored fluid within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The trocar is provided with a leaf spring in the housing which abuts a collar on a protective tube which surrounds the sharp tip of the stylet. A spring finger extending from the leaf spring is actuated by a slider when the two housings of the trocar components are squeezed together. The spring finger initially lifts the leaf spring from the collar to release the protective tube for sliding proximally while the collar subsequently lifts the spring finger from the shoulder of the slider to prevent a re-release of the leaf spring when the protective tube 16 is moved back into the extended position.

Abstract: A method for externally eradicating infectious pathogenic contaminants, such as enveloped viruses, bacteria, trypanosomal and malarial parasites, present in body tissues, such as blood, blood components, semen, skin, and cornea, before the treated body tissues are introduced into, or transplanted onto, the body of a human or an animal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament injection device in which the material to be injected can be distributed through injection points over a large area surface, whereby simultaneously the device can be easily secured at the injection points and can lie relatively flush with the body without taking up a great deal of space. A mounting support is provided on which several cannulae are held spaced from one another, which are connected with a supply conduit and whose longitudinal axes, when the device is in a flat position, extend parallel to one another.

Abstract: The device comprises a surgical instrument incorporating a movable element and a stationary element, and a drive made as a closed hydraulic system adapted to effect mutual displacement of the elements.

Abstract: A syringe with a plunger having a compressible piston at its forward end and a harpoon-shaped member extending forward and away from the piston. The plunger travels within a syringe casing which has locking openings at its rearward end. The harpoon-shaped members has a rearward member which biases two locking lugs outward. The harpoon-shaped member is releasably retained within a cavity in the piston. The plunger includes a pair of channels running along its length as well as a crosspiece positioned within each channel which provides a slot into which the locking lugs are received. Following an injection with the syringe, the piston and harpoon-shaped member are pushed forward into the casing resulting in a compression of the piston and the attachment of the harpoon-shaped member to an inner part of a needle holder. The plunger with attached needle can then be retracted until the two locking lugs snap into the openings formed in the outer casing.

Abstract: This applicator mitt includes an inner pouch and an outer pouch providing a cover for the inner pouch. The inner pouch includes an outer face receiving a treating substrance and is formed from a pair of panels, attached on two sides and one end and having separable margins on the other end to receive the hand portion of the user. The outer pouch can be a simple envelope or can be formed from a pair of panels attached to each other and to the inner pouch, said panels being removable to expose the inner pouch treating substance but remaining attached to the inner pouch during use.

Abstract: A needle guard for a syringe or other instrument with a sharp point is disclosed having a protective sleeve with a fitting, and having a retracted position and a locked extended position, that may be used with or added to a conventional syringe and needle assembly. Prior to and during use of the needle, the sleeve remains in a retracted position covering the barrel of the syringe. After the needle has been used, the sleeve is pushed forward into its locked extended position, so that the end of the sleeve extends beyond the tip of the needle. The tip of the needle is thereby shielded, preventing accidental sticks.