Abstract: A needle having an enlarged diameter handle is encased within a tubular housing having a reduced diameter bore portion which engages a portion of the handle. A second portion of the handle extends outwardly from the housing and is enclosed in a removable end cap secured over that end of the housing. The other end of the housing encloses the needle and includes a second end cap removably secured to the second end of the tubular housing.

Abstract: An implanting device for implanting pellets and like subcutaneously or intramuscularly in animals is described which utilizes means for indexing an implant magazine having a plurality of pellet-containing stations therein and means for automatically retracting a needle from about an implant charge to deposit the pellets in an animal. The implant magazine is indexed for sequential applications automatically as the retraction mechanism is cocked. Additionally, means for automatically ejecting a spent or empty implant cartridge are provided to prevent false deposition of implants. An implant cartridge having open channels containing implants can be utilized with the implanting device, the channels having means thereon for increasing the size of the channel during the implanting step to substantially eliminate the crushing or breaking of pellets as they are expelled from the cartridge. Alignment and stabilization means for the implant magazine and the implanting device also are provided.

Abstract: A pump assembly particularly useful as an infusor for parenteral administration of a small amount of a therapeutically active substance for a prolonged period of time at a substantially constant rate comprising a fluid imbibing pump mounted within a receptacle into which actuating fluid may be charged. The active agent is dispensed from the pump after the pump is exposed to the fluid. Means to vary or stop the pump by obdurating all or a portion of the exterior surface of the pump can also be provided. Variation in flow rates can also be obtained by changing the composition of the actuating fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an accurate method and apparatus for monitoring the drop flow rate from a fluid source. The method and apparatus allows for an intermittent drop flow rate by accumulating a weighted drop period rate error factor which is adjusted for each drop period detected.A drop period window is adjusted by each drop period and is utilized to determine if the current drop period is within the window indicating a normal operation. Drop periods outside the window cause a factor to be added to the accumulated error factor and drop periods within the window cause a factor to be subtracted from the accumulated error factor. This allows good periods to offset bad periods, so that minor fluctuations in the drop periods during normal operation can be ignored.

Abstract: A silicone rubber catheter carries radiopaque stripes comprising a mixture of silicone rubber and the finely divided radiopaque material, the stripes being spaced from each other by transparent, longitudinal segments. The radiopaque stripes are preferably positioned in diametrically opposed, spaced relation to each other about the circumference of the catheter and occupy a total of 50.degree. to 270.degree. of the catheter circumference. The elongation of the catheter portion defining the stripes is preferably at least as great as the elongation of the catheter portion defining the transparent, longitudinal segments, and the tensile and tear strengths of the transparent segments are preferably higher, so that upon stretching of the catheter most of the stress can be diverted to the transparent segments of the catheter.

Abstract: A ventilation tube is disclosed which is adapted to be implanted in the tympanic membrane to ventilate and drain the middle ear. The tube comprises an elongate tubular body, a flange mounted at one end of the body, and the flange includes an incision entry guide portion extending forwardly in a generally axial direction from the remaining portion of the flange, with the guide portion being adapted to initially guide the flange through an incision in the membrane with a minimum of trauma. Also, the ventilation tube includes a notch in the end of the tubular body opposite the flange and which is adapted for cooperation with a mating key on the insertion tool, to facilitate alignment of the guide portion of the flange with the incision during the insertion procedure by precluding relative rotation and tilting between the ventilation tube and insertion tool.

Abstract: A kit of instruments for percutaneous introduction of a catheter into a major blood vessel of a human patient, including a hollow needle assembly having a proximal end adapted to be inserted through the skin of a patient into the blood vessel, a guide wire adapted to be inserted through the needle into the blood vessel, and a catheter having a proximal end adapted to be inserted into the blood vessel over the guide wire after said needle is withdrawn over said guide wire. The hollow needle assembly includes a first small gauge hollow needle having a beveled needle point on the front end thereof, and at least a second hollow needle mounted concentrically over the first needle and having a sharp chisel-shaped front edge located a moderate distance behind the point on said first needle.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising two rasping halves conforming generally to the shape of the bone cavity to be produced, and a drive mechanism for reciprocating both rasping halves counter to each other in an axial direction. A rotary cutting tool in front of the rasping halves prepares the bone cavity to receive the rasping halves. A flexible drive shaft for the cutting tool extends between the rasping halves and rotatably within a drive shaft for the rasping halves. The latter drive shaft has a slot oriented at an angle to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, and a pin projects from each rasping half into the slot, the pins being located 180.degree. apart. A bushing guides the movement of the rasping halves, and the pin from each rasping half extending through a slot in a housing for their drive shaft prevents twisting of the rasping halves.

Abstract: An operating table for ophthalmic surgery consisting of a base, held at an adequate height from the floor by supporting members, and on which a stretcher is placed which is movable in the longitudinal sense and adjustable in height, one end of which is connected to an adjustable assembly comprising a first device for positioning the patient's head, with the body being on said stretcher, in the position most convenient for carrying out the surgical operation and a second device supporting a mask element provided with an opening in which the eye to be operated on is adapted and on the edge of which the orbital edge of said eye is sealed.

Abstract: A drip chamber splash guard comprising an annular member receivable within the upper end of the chamber. The guard has one periphery thereof engaged adjacent a centrally located drip sleeve depending below the vented top inwardly of the vents for maintenance of a free flow of air inwardly through the vents. The other periphery of the splash guard member engages adjacent the inner surface of the surrounding chamber outward of the vents. Limited air discharge openings are provided at spaced points about the guard whereby inwardly directed air flow is maintained through the splash guard itself while the filter vents are protected against gross or excessive splashing. In a preferred embodiment, the splash guard will be in the form of a truncated conical member with the air openings adjacent the chamber wall remote from the drip sleeve, the conical configuration, providing a tapered surface for a more effective deflecting of splash.

Abstract: A noninvasive seal for a sucking chest wound has a rectangular base portion with an aperture in its center, and which is covered with an adhesive substance on its bottom surface. A one-way check valve has an outwardly extending horizontal flange at its lowermost portion, this flange is mounted on the underside of the base portion around the aperture in such a matter that a central opening in the valve body and the aperture in the base portion register with each other. The body of the check valve is made of a Teflon coated rubber to prevent blood from adhering to its inner walls. A seal ring made of Karaya-type gum having a diameter approximately equal to the length of the flange is mounted under the flange, and by adhering to it assures a fixed position of the check valve about the base and therefore about a wound.

Abstract: The system of this invention provides a method and apparatus for the sterile intravenous administration of dry medicine. Such a system can include standard IV set components such as a source of liquid, means to inject liquid into a human vein, means forming a passageway between the source of liquid and said injection means, a valve to control the flow of liquid through the passageway, and a cartridge-like dry medicine package adapted for use with the system. Such a package can include conduit means adapted to perforate and communicate with the passageway, means forming a cell for dry, particulate medicine with portions forming a liquid-pervious barrier to the dry medicine and an air vent with an air-pervious, liquid barrier.

Abstract: A delivery system for therapeutic fluids including an implantable fluid receptacle and means to anchor a transcutaneous fluid delivery conduit on the surface of the body, together with a method of using the system for the long-term administration of fluids to selected sites in the body.

Abstract: In a fluid flow set defining connector means at one end of a length of tubing for forming a sealed essentially aseptic connection with the second connector to permit fluid transfer through the joined connectors. The improvement of a flexible, tubular shield member threaded about the length of tubing in telescoping relation and movable along its length for shielding the connection.

Abstract: An instrument is provided for applying ligating clips seriatim and includes first and second handles mounted together for pivotal movement. Each handle extends beyond the pivot axis to form a clip closing jaw. The first handle includes a guideway for receiving a plurality of open clips. A pushing mechanism motivated by a serpentine spring is provided within the first handle to feed the clips to the jaw region. One of the jaws includes a lip for preventing discharge of the open front clip from the instrument. A mechanism is provided for at least temporarily maintaining the spring in a compressed position to permit loading of the instrument with clips and to permit transport and storage of the instrument without the feeding force acting on the clips.

Abstract: A dual lumen cannula particularly for use in haemodialysis by inserting the cannula into the subclavian or femoral vein of a patient to contemporaneously remove blood from the vein for treatment and to return treated blood to the vein downstream from the point of removal. The cannula includes a pair of lumens separated by a septum. Blood is withdrawn through one of the lumens and treated blood is returned through the other lumen. The cannula is formed from a flexible thermo-plastic material and is sufficiently flexible to permit bending to conform to the shape of the vein without damage or kinking. The cannula has a peripheral generally cylindrical wall with a septum extending between spaced locations on the interior surface of the wall to define a pair of discrete lumens and at least one of the lumens is deformed at its end to facilitate insertion.

Abstract: A ligating clip is provided with first and second legs joined at their proximal ends by a resilient hinge to define the rear end of the clip and spaced at their distal ends at the front of the clip with the legs having latch means at the distal ends for holding the clip closed in clamping engagement about tissue when the legs are squeezed together. The clip has a base extending along a portion of the first leg and the base terminates short of the distal end in a front face. Flanges are provided on a portion of the base and extend rearwardly from the front face and terminate short of the first leg proximal end. The flanges extend laterally outwardly beyond the sides of the first leg. The portion of the base that extends rearwardly from the flanges to the proximal end of the clip first leg has a width not greater than the width of the first leg.

Abstract: A method and a repeating instrument are provided for applying a plurality of ligating clips seriatim. Handles are provided for closing a pair of jaws which are normally biased to an open position. A circular magazine is mounted for rotation on the instrument behind the jaws and holds a plurality of clips in a spaced-apart circular array. A flexible pusher member is provided for pushing a clip out of the magazine and into the jaws when the handles are closed. The flexible pusher member is wound on a wheel which is driven by a gear engaged with a gear segment on one of the handles of the instrument. Partial closure of the handles initially withdraws a flexible pusher member from the jaws. Subsequent further closure of the handles acts through a ratchet and pawl mechanism to rotate the magazine to present a new clip in position behind the jaws and in front of the retracted flexible pusher member. At the same time, the jaws of the instrument are squeezed to latch the clip closed about tissue.

Abstract: A medical aspirator including an automatic valve means to reverse the flow of air upon stoppage of the suction system whereby the stoppage may be dislodged and the normal suction function of the aspirator is reinstituted. The aspirator includes a spring loaded suction responsive trigger means to rotate the valve means.

Abstract: An improvement in the implantable shunt device of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,132 wherein each valving slit within the elastomeric body of the shunt is formed by a flattened sleeve of woven vascular prosthesis material presenting opposed interior surfaces interengaged when the valving slit is in a closed condition and spaced apart when the valving slit is in an open condition. The opposed surfaces of the sleeve are formed by a material having a coefficient of friction with respect to the material of the cannula insertable therethrough less than that of the elastomeric material of the body. A separate yieldable bias operable in addition to the bias provided by the elastomeric material of the body is provided for yieldably biasing the opposed surfaces of the flattened sleeve into sealed relation when in the closed interengaged condition and into sealed relation to the exterior periphery of the portion of the cannula extending therethrough when in the open spaced apart condition.