Abstract: A surgical cutter is provided for removing body tissue during surgery. The surgical cutter includes a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and a side wall defining an interior region. The distal end of the cannula is positioned inside a patient's body during surgery with the proximal end situated outside of the patient's body. The side wall of the cannula is formed to include an orifice for receiving body tissue. The surgical cutter further includes a first annular wall fixed to the distal end of the cannula and an annular intermediate wall. The first annular wall is arranged to define an annular gap disposed between the first annular wall and the cannula side wall. The annular intermediate wall includes an annular distal edge sized to be received by the gap.

Abstract: An incising trocar and cannula instrument for incising the walls of a body cavity to facilitate inserting the cannula through the wall into the cavity including a trigger operated incising blade and means for driving the blade through body tissue; and, a cannula having a sealing assembly for sealing the instrument during the incising procedure and thereafter when the trocar is removed.

Abstract: Apparatus in the form of a trocar adapted for penetration of the wall of a blood vessel, such as the ascending aorta, contains an inflatable diaphragm carried in a collapsed condition within the interior of the trocar and an appropriate fluid connection of the diaphragm to a source of inflating fluid effects the expansion of the diaphragm and release from the trocar into occluding relation with the blood vessel wall to obstruct the flow of blood through the occluded passage.

Abstract: The instrument comprises an outer tube (1) fixed to the end of a flexible sheath (2), and an inner tube (3) displaceable in the outer tube and equipped with a head (5), to which is fixed a cylindrical casing (7) which has an inner boss (15). Arranged inside this casing are blades (10, 11) which are held axially on the outer tube by means of a collar (14) and which can swivel on the outer tube, this swiveling being ensured by the cylindrical casing (7), to be more precise by its end and by its inner boss (15) acting as a cam. This instrument, which is particularly robust, is intended for the removal of deposits formed on the inner walls of the arteries or veins.

Abstract: A valvulotome for disrupting a valve in a vein includes an elongate control member and a cutting head disposed at the distal end of the control member. The cutting head includes an elongate section extending generally along the length of the cutting head and a return section extending beside the elongate section also along the length of the cutting head. A cutting section included in the cutting head extends between the elongate section and the return section at a particular angle to the length of the control member. Portions of this cutting section form a proximally facing cutting edge for disrupting the valve. The valvulotome can be used with an endoscope in a method wherein the cutting head is tied to the endoscope with a suture, or a method wherein the valvulotome is back-loaded into the working channel of the endoscope.

Abstract: A device for expanding the connective fatty tissue and correcting inverted nipples and improving symmetry of the human breast by means of gentle suction generated by respiratory means. The hollow dome is constructed of tinted, low-density, polyethylene which enables the user to monitor the degree of expansion she desires. The surrounding rim assures an air tight seal with the skin tissue. The pliable, high tensile quality of the hollow dome allows the user to squeeze and change the shape of the hollow dome on various locations on the breast to uplift and improve cleavage. A threaded nipple extends from top center of the exterior of the hollow dome which is attached to a pliable breathing tube and is fitted with a removable mouthpiece to facilitate orally evacuating the air surrounding the breast. A valve-timer controls the input and output of atmospheric pressure which creates a vacuum around the breast, and can be maintained for a selected number of seconds and minutes by the individual needs of the user.

Abstract: A bone cement delivery gun for use in attachment of prosthetics and method of using the delivery gun. The gun comprises a reservoir and a trigger mechanism. The reservoir comprises a plunger at a first end of the reservoir and a screw mount fitting at a second end of the reservoir. The trigger mechanism comprises a first position wherein gas, from a compressed gas source, is prevented from reaching the plunger and a second position wherein compressed gas is conveyed from the compressed gas source to the plunger to thereby move the plunger in a direction toward the screw mount fitting.

Abstract: An endoscopic gripper consists of a guide tube with an operating device arranged at the proximal end and a pair of gripper jaws located at the distal end, which pair of gripper jaws are connected to each other by joint means in such a way that an opening and closing of the gripper jaws via tension or pressure means is made possible. Each of the gripper jaws is formed from segments and the segments are linked together by joints in such a way that a swivelling of the individual segments among each other between an unfolded position guaranteeing the operability of the gripper and a folded-together position is made possible. The segments are unfoldable by another tension means or by a pressure means after the positioning of the gripper at the surgical object.

Abstract: A data library system is disclosed, having a lightweight carousel featuring a system of guide blocks and springs to hold tape cartridges securely but permit their removal and replacement by bidirectional manipulators. The manipulators carry hinged hooks that can be used to push cartridges radially outward, or upon flexing of the hinges, expand to grip the cartridge for pulling radially inward. A rotating express port is disclosed for addition or removal of single cartridges without the need to dismount the carousel from the library system. The express port is designed to prevent cartridges from being inserted in the wrong orientation, and a reflective optical sensor is used to confirm that each cartridge in the carousel is properly placed. Optical sensors also verify proper rotation of the carousel, index the carousel, and detect the presence of cartridges in the tape drives and express port. The carousel carries drive pins which seat in tapered holes in an index plate, and is driven by a zero-backlash belt.

Abstract: A fixed or self-redressing delineator pole comprising a lower portion for insertion into a support structure and an upper portion which serves as a marker such as for a slalom gate, a parking lot, a field, or a road. The delineator pole uses an impact absorbing material over a rigid or semi-rigid inner tube to create a cushioned extended surface which absorbs impact. Ski racing, for example, involves full contact between skiers travelling at high rates of speed and the slalom poles resulting in numerous injuries to the skier and damage to the pole. This delineator pole reduces injury to the pole and other objects resulting from objects colliding with the pole.

Abstract: Guide wires for the medical field and which are e.g. used for the introduction of catheters, locks, etc. into the human body and in particular into vessels and organs are disclosed. To avoid the risk of a detachment of parts, the guide wire is provided as a one-piece, highly flexible material guide wire, which has a proximal end portion with a first thickness and following onto the same at least one cross-sectional reduction for increasing the bending flexibility at least in an area connected to the proximal end portion and which in the distal end portion remote from the proximal end portion has portions with a cross-section of the same order of magnitude as that of the proximal end portion. According to a preferred process for producing such a guide wire, a rod-shaped part with a smooth outer wall is drawn continuously and at least once over part of its length from an etching bath attacking its material into a non-etching environment.

Abstract: An oscillating surgical blade formed such that the thickness of the blade adjacent the side edges is reduced relative to the effective thickness of the body of the blade. Therefore, when the side edges of the blade mushroom due to contact with a saw guide slot, the resultant thickness of the mushroomed edges is less than or equal to the effective thickness of the blade body.

Abstract: This is a cement applicator which lays a course of cement or mortar on a cement block without losing any of the cement in the apertures of the block. It comprises a semicircular trough having a handle centrally positioned on it external surface and which is charged with cement and then inverted over the area on which the operator wishes to lay a course of cement.

Abstract: A punch-type surgical instrument for skin incision along a closed line, such as a substantially elliptical line, includes a handle, a blade unit and a means for attaching the handle to the blade unit in a way achieving high stability between the handle and blade unit and which nevertheless allows the two parts to be made as ones easily connectable to and disconnectable from one another. The blade unit may be made and furnished in different sizes to cause the instrument to be one selectably variable in size.

Abstract: A vascular dilatation instrument 1 includes an outer tube 2, an inner tube 5 extending through the outer tube 2, and an inflatable member 3 having one end attached to the inner tube 5 and another end attached to the outer tube 2. The outer tube 2 includes a superelastic or pseudoelastic metal tube 2b and a synthetic resin tube 2a covering the metal tube, the metal tube 2b having a distal zone provided with a slit or perforations 2e so that the distal zone is more flexible and deformable than the remainder of the metal tube. Also provided is a catheter 100 comprising a main body section which includes a superelastic metal tube 101 and a synthetic resin layer 104 covering the metal tube, the metal tube 101 having a distal zone provided with a slit or perforations 106 so that the distal zone is more flexible and deformable than the remainder of the metal tube.

Abstract: A needleless injection device has a housing containing a pilot valve connectable to a compressed gas source. A two stage power amplifying valve includes a main valve operatively connected to the pilot valve. The pilot valve and main valve form a two-stage valve with the pilot valve activatable to open the main valve utilizing gas pressure. Compressed gas in a reservoir flows through the open main valve to drive a plunger into an ampule to inject an injectant through a patient's skin. Interlocks are provided to resist inadvertent actuation of the device and a indicator indicates whether there is sufficient gas pressure in the device for another injection.

Abstract: A lightweight carousel is disclosed for use in an automatic cartridge library system, featuring a system of guide blocks and springs to hold tape cartridges securely but permit their removal and replacement by bidirectional manipulators. The manipulators carry hinged hooks that can be used to push cartridges radially outward, or upon flexing of the hinges, expand to grip the cartridge for pulling radially inward. A reflective optical sensor is used to confirm that each cartridge in the carousel is properly placed. Optical sensors also verify proper rotation of the carousel, index the carousel, and detect the presence of cartridges in the tape drives. The carousel carries drive pins which seat in tapered holes in an index plate, and is driven by a zero-backlash belt.

Abstract: Apparatus in the form of a trocar adapted for penetration of the wall of a blood vessel, such as the ascending aorta, contains an inflatable diaphragm carried in a collapsed condition within the interior of the trocar and an appropriate fluid connection of the diaphragm to a source of inflating fluid effects the expansion of the diaphragm and release from the trocar into occluding relation with the blood vessel wall to obstruct the flow of blood through the occluded passage.

Abstract: A dilator of the invention is used for enlarging a constricted portion of a blood vessel. The dilator is formed of a flexible guide wire to be entered into the blood vessel, a head having a tapered front portion and a through hole extending through the head, and a shaft fixed to the rear portion of the head for manipulation of the head. After the head is introduced into the blood vessel by the guide wire extending through the through hole of the head, when the head is pushed into the constricted portion by pushing the shaft, the tapered front portion enlarges the constricted portion. Thus, in case the constricted portion is too small for a balloon catheter, the constricted portion can be enlarged to a size sufficient for the balloon catheter.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method capable of being used for closure of peritoneum fascia, occlusion of bleeding vessels such as inferior epigastric, and for all uses related to passing of suture through tissue with the tip of the surgical instrument in a standard suture/needle driving position with a sharp tip that opens and closes with the surgeon grasping suture material with the sharp tip and inserting the tip/suture through tissue until the tip is seen through the peritoneum by direct vision wherein the suture is released by opening and withdrawing the tip and recovered by puncturing the tissue opposite the first point of insertion wherein the tip grasps the suture and pulls the suture outside the wound providing for rapid closure of the surgical incision.