Abstract: A bi-leaflet heart valve having an improved hinge arrangement that, in combination with the disclosed curved surfaces of the leaflets, allows the valve to respond more quickly to flow reversal and minimizes fluttering of the leaflets in the open position. The leaflets are slidably and pivotally mounted in a heart valve body for movement between closed and open positions. The leaflets have notches which matingly engage complementary surfaces on pivot projections extending inward from the valve body sidewall. The shape and relationship of these complementary surfaces and the two-dimensional curvature of the leaflets provides for improved operating characteristics.

Abstract: The pull-through appliance is made of a mesh structure formed of at least one continuous thread and a pullout thread disposed at one end of the mesh structure to prevent unraveling of the mesh structure. A hollow tube is used to facilitate drawing in of the synthetic strand and autologous strand of the prosthesis. After removal of the hollow member, the resulting package can be readily threaded through a bore in a bone. After implantation, the pull-out thread is removed and the mesh structure unraveled so as to remove the mesh structure from within the bone.

Abstract: A cover and packaging and method for use in preventing infection in applanation tonometry eye testing. The cover has a circular lens portion, a frustum shaped mounting portion and a frustum shaped handling flange. It is sterile, disposable, unitarily dispensable, and fits onto existing standard applanation tips.

Abstract: A pectoral implant is disclosed of a soft silicone material that is contoured to the chest of a male. The implant is split partway therethrough so that it can be folded and inserted into a small slit under the armpit of a male and moved into the chest area to simulate the built-up chest appearance of the male.

Abstract: A steerable quidewire of length in excess of the order of about 350 centimeters and sufficient for use for gastro-intestinal procedures includes an elongated body of flexible, kink-resistant material, the body having distal and proximal ends; a flexible distal tip formed of radiopaque material, fixedly jointed to the distal end of the body portion; and an elongated handle fixedly joined to the proximal end of the body. The handle, body and distal tip are formed of material and joined in a manner to transmit substantially all of an angular rotational force applied to the handle outside of a body to the distal tip within the body.

Abstract: A urinal or incontinence apparatus is disclosed which employs elastic tubular membranes that are opened and closed by collars mounted for coaxial relative rotation. In one embodiment a pair of the membranes are mounted so that when the collars are turned in one rotational sense, one of the membranes is twisted to constrict towards a closed position forming a seal about the penis while the other membrane is twisted so as to expand toward an open position. At the neutral position, elastic counterforces created in the membranes are in balance so that the membranes are held in their partially open positions for insertion or removal. When the collar is moved beyond the neutral position the elastic force in one membrane overbalances that of the other membrane, which is thereby maintained in its sealed position. When removed, the membranes operate by snap action so that one is maintained in its fully closed position preventing leakage from a urine collection bag.

Abstract: A temporary circulatory assist pump is disclosed for implantation in the heart of a patient through the femoral artery. The pump is driven by a flexible drive shaft extending through a catheter and being connected to a power source outside the body of the patient. The pump utilizes a helical-shaped foil impeller to pump blood at a rate of approximately three to four liters per minute through the circulatory system of the patient.

Abstract: A wound evacuator is provided with a discharge valve assembly which permits body fluid contained within the wound evacuator to be drained to a collection bag. The discharge valve assembly is also designed to minimize leakage of body fluid when the collection bag is separated from the wound evacuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved tampon construction permitting instant maximal exposure of its absorptive surface immediately after insertion. The tampon originates as one or more rectangularly-shaped pieces of absorptive material having one end thereof being convergingly tapered from opposite sides of said rectangularly shaped material. The convergingly tapered end portion being folded over and against the remaining portion of said rectangularly shaped material such that a once folded-over end is created. A pull sting is attached to said rectangularly shaped material such that it extends from the edge of the once folded-over portion and longitudinally down therefrom extending beyond the folded-over edge of rectangularly shaped material whereby a gentle pull on the drawstring unfolds the folded-over portion while the tampon is in place intravaginally.

Abstract: A method for sensing pressure within a work object including placing an electrically deformable member on the work object so as to cover a portion of the surface area thereof; applying electrical energy to the member to cause the member to deform thereby applying pressure to the portion of the surface of the work object; and sensing the tension in the member as a result of the amount of resistance to deformation imparted by the pressure within the work object.

Abstract: A heart valve having a pair of leaflets of identical construction provides low pressure drop and freedom from thrombosis and hemolysis. The leaflets have flat sections wherein a pivot mechanism is incorporated and curved sections which are located downstream of the flat sections. The outflow or facing surface of each of the two leaflets is of two-dimensional, convex curvature whereas the opposite or inflow surface regions are of a composite concave-convex curvature on both sides of a central ridge which bisects the curved inflow surface section of each leaflet. The curvature of the downstream regions of each leaflet is fashioned so that a peripheral surface, which extends about the arcuate downstream edge of each leaflet, is of a substantially constant and relatively minimal thickness.

Abstract: A non-contact tonometer has a fluid projecting device for compressing fluid in a compression chamber and projecting the fluid to the cornea of an eye to be examined located at a predetermined distance therefrom. The fluid injecting device is capable of selecting a first range as a pressurizing range for measurement of intraocular tension and a second range including a value higher in the degree of pressurization relative to the first range.

Abstract: An ocular prothesis is provided in which a prosthesis housing has a bore therein for receiving elements to simulate the iris and pupil of an eye. A black disc is received within the bore and covered by an active disc having a central aperture therethrough exposing a portion of the black disc to represent maximum pupil constriction. The active disc has one or more rings concentric with the aperture, such rings being made from a photochromic material such that at various light intensities the rings change from translucent to opaque. Accordingly, at low light levels with the rings transparent, a greater portion of the black disc is apparent, giving the appearance of a dilated pupil. As light levels increase, the rings sequentially become opaque from the largest ring to the smallest, giving the appearance of pupil constriction.

Abstract: A tissue sample collection trap for trapping tissue samples for use with a suction sample collecting device comprising a cylindrical container either translucent or opaque with a suction connector element with a port provided at one end to connect to and cooperate with a suction device and the opposite container end open and adapted to accept a cap, the cap being either solid for continuous suction or provided with a control port through the end and into the container to be manually obstructed for suction by the operator and the diameter of a section of the inside of the container at the suction connector element and reduced forming a ledge adapted to hold a removable tissue trap assembly, and a tissue trap assembly comprising two round discs with a plurality of perforations forming screens and adapted to trap specimens and to slidably engage with and within the container and a hollow tubular handle provided to separate the discs extending axially and through the discs for slidably removing the tissue trap as

Abstract: A method of measuring the real flow resistance of the lung function is described in which the function parameters are determined from absolute pressure and pressure difference measurements independently of a defined termination resistance.

Abstract: An orthopedic exercise chamber such as a slipper including a light-weight, self-contained limb load monitor is disclosed. The limb load sensor circuit provides extended service life for the miniature power supply that is included in the slipper, thereby making the slipper suitable for out-patient use. A fluid-filled plantar chamber that supports the entire load borne by the patient's foot is connected to the sensor circuit, thereby providing improved monitoring of the load being carried by the leg or foot that must be protected from excessive loading.

Abstract: A prosthesis for fitting a below-the-knee amputee is disclosed and includes a socket for receiving the stump of the below-the-knee amputee, a keel having a peripheral groove formed about the periphery of a bottom portion of the keel, a tubular shin member extending from the socket and surrounding lateral and medial portions of the keel and filling the peripheral grooves formed about the bottom portion of the keel leaving a substantial portion of the bottom of the keel exposed. A resilient foot member is then secured to the exposed portion of the keel with the material of the tubular shin member being formed into the grooves of the keel and maintaining such keel within the shin member. Also the method of manufacturing such prosthesis.

Abstract: A male contraceptive hood which is adhesively secured to the penis, the hood being initially rolled up and the interior of the hood being free of adhesive until it is unrolled. The hood has a thin sheath which serves as the contraceptive device and an outer cylindrical member which is initially rolled together with the thin sheath. The outer cylindrical member has an adhesive on a portion of its outer surface, separated from the outer surface by a release agent, the adhesive being transferred to the inner surface of the sheath as the hood is unrolled onto a penis. The outer member can then be removed leaving only the thin inner sheath on the penis. A projecting portion is provided on the outer member for grasping the outer member to remove it.In a preferred form, a lubricant is disposed between the sheath and the inner surface of the outer cylindrical member. This lubricant remains on the outer surface of the sheath to facilitate removal of the outer member and also to aid in intercourse.

Abstract: A system for facilitating folding a soft intraocular lens. A supporting and positioning structure associated with a base or frame presents the lens so that forceps tips are automatically positioned near opposite sides of the lens and maintained in that position. A forming means automatically moves the forceps tips with respect to the lens to fold the optic portion of the lens within the tips. The lens is accurately and reliably folded in the forceps tips to securely grip the lens in a desired position with reduced risk of damage to the optic portion of the lens.

Abstract: Absorbent products for absorbing body fluids which are worn in conjunction with an undergarment are disclosed. The absorbent product comprises an absorbent core having a body facing surface, a garment facing surface and longitudinal edges. The absorbent products of the present invention utilize semi-rigid clip means for retaining the absorbent product with respect to the undergarment. Most preferably, such clip means are disposed on the garment facing surface and approximately at each lateral edge of the absorbent core. Twisting and other undesirable movement of the pad is thus reduced by a portion of the undergarment being retained between the semi-rigid clip means and the garment facing surface. Numerous alternate embodiments of clip means which grip the garment edge, as well as those which extend transversely across the garment facing surface are disclosed.