Abstract: The present invention provides a nondisposable diaper which includes a top section and a bottom section. The top and bottom sections are attached by discontinuous perimeter stitching along perimeter ends of the top and bottom section. The perimeter stitching defines first and second openings which permit air to more freely flow between inside surfaces of the top and bottom sections and thereby permit the nondisposable diaper to dry faster. The top and bottom section further include respective outside and inside layers with an absorbency pad secured between the outside and inside layers. The absorbency pad is secured within the nondisposable diaper so that the stitching is not exposed to outside contact.

Abstract: The intent of this invention is to allow for a simulation of natural human pupil dilation in an ocular prosthetic. This will be achieved through the use of photochromic pigments that will change the density of their color in response to differing wavelengths of light from clear to opaque. These pigments would separate two or more pupil disks of differing diameter, and by increasing their density of color in response to different wavelengths of light would opaque successively smaller pupil disks, and give the impression of the contraction of the natural eye's pupil. Upon removal from the source of that wavelength of light the pigment would return to its transparent resting state and reveal the underlying pupil disk simulating a dilated natural pupil.

Abstract: A patient adjustable valve to control the flow of air through an opening surgically created in the neck of the patient. Two concentrically rotatable tubular parts form the outer body and the inner annular sealing surface of the valve. A disk shaped diaphragm proximate the sealing surface allows the free passage of air to the trachea for lower breathing pressures but flaps closed for the higher pressures that precede speech. The normally curled diaphragm is pushed to a flatter, easier to close, position by a cam on the inside of the outer body when the body is rotated relative to the sealing surface.

Abstract: A method and device for draining urine from a urinary leg bag without inconvenience to the wearer. The bag is attached to the leg of the wearer with straps above and below the protrusion of the calf. Trousers that cover the bag have a flexible intermeshing closure at the bottom on one trouser leg to allow access to the urinary leg bag for draining into a receptacle.

Abstract: An otological vent tube is supported on an apparatus that performs a myringotomy and substantially simultaneously positions the vent tube in the resulting myringotomy incision. The vent tube has proximal and distal ends and includes a central lumen that extends the full length of the tube. In all embodiments of the invention the distal end includes a distal flange in the form of a truncated cone. In some embodiments a proximal flange is provided at the proximal end, and in other embodiments the proximal flange is eliminated. The myringotomy and positioning apparatus includes an immovable outer hollow sleeve and an axially displaceable inner shaft. The distal end of the shaft is conical in form and supports the vent tube such that the distal conical end of the shaft member forms a substantial continuation of the truncated conical surface of the vent tube distal flange.

Abstract: A torque transmitter includes three coaxial helically wound springs of different inner and outer diameters positioned relative to each other such that the inner and outer generally circumferential surface of the center spring form interference fits with, respectively, the outer generally circumferential surface of the inner spring and the inner generally circumferential surface of the outer spring. The inner and outer springs are wrapped in one direction and the center spring is wrapped in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A simple construction of a two-component adhesive film, external wound dressing, comprises a backing sheet of thin, preferably elastomeric and water vapor-permeable film protected by a release layer comprising two release sheets. The sheets not only protect the adhesive coating on the front face of the film, but also are instrumental in allowing the film to be precisely positioned over a wound, then gradually tensioned with a force no greater than the peel strength for the release sheets, while the dressing is applied. This feature of the dressing allows it to be smoothly applied over the wound with a predetermined amount of force while conforming the film to the contours of an injured body. This features is the result of providing each first and second release sheets with a relatively wide margin, at least 1.25 cm (0.5 inch) wide. The peel strength for each release sheet is essentially identical.

Abstract: An instrument for removing tissue samples from a tissue mass which automatically penetrates, severs, and removes a tissue portion for examination. The instrument is motor powered, preferably by self-contained rechargeable batteries, and employs electrically actuated stops to control the action of penetration into and retraction from the tissue mass. The tissue penetrating means and severing means includes an inner stylet which penetrates the tissue mass and a hollow outer tube or cannula which surrounds the stylet and serves to sever a sample of tissue. In a preferred form the tissue penetrating end of the stylet is notched so that when the stylet penetrates the tissue mass, a portion of the tissue relaxes in the notched area. After tissue penetration by the stylet, the cannula, having a cutting surface at its distal end, penetrates the tissue and cuts off the tissue portion residing in the notched area of the stylet.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising, an elastomeric film permeable to water vapor and having adhesive on a front surface thereof. The dressing has a pair of release sheets extending to a central portion of the film to releasably cover the adhesive. The release sheets are treated throughout with a coating to permit release from the adhesive, with end margins only of the release sheets being additionally treated to more aggressively adhere to the adhesive than a central portion of the release sheets.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a substantially flexible lenticular shaped annuloplasty ring in a substantially taut position for suturing about a valve annulus. The assembly includes a portion which is formed with a surface against which the annuloplasty ring is positioned and held in a shape substantially equivalent to at least a portion of the valve annulus. The assembly further includes a mechanism for releasably binding the annuloplasty ring to this surface.

Abstract: A device for prosthetic restoration of human limbs comprises a supporting member for the stump, shaped as a spherical bowl and connected to the prosthesis of the limb missing portion, and a fixing contrivance interconnecting the stump bone and the supporting member. The supporting member is made of a material indifferent to living tissue and its diameter corresponds to the stump outside diameter. The outer surface of the supporting member is made of a porous material which promotes implantation of living tissue therein, while its top base serves as a support for the stump bone and muscles.

Abstract: A bioprosthetic heart valve comprising first and second mechanisms for supporting leaflets to provide multiple effective spring constants. An inner frame supporting commissures of the valve is elastic, permitting the commissures to bend in toward the center of the prosthetic heart valve at very low loads. A relatively rigid annular support ring supports the elastic frame and provides the second spring constant mechanism. An attachment system for sewing bioprosthetic leaflets to the frame and clamping the leaflets between the frame and the annular ring minimizes stress risers in the leaflets. The leaflets have an uncoupled mating edge where the leaflets meet in the center of the valve. The uncoupled portions of the leaflets permit the leaflets to roll by each other.

Abstract: Soft tissue biopsy apparatus (10) for obtaining a tissue specimen. An elongate housing (12) has an opening (20) at one end (14). A hollow cannula (26) is positioned within the housing, is reciprocally movable therewithin, and one end (28) of the needle extends through the opening for insertion into tissue (T) from which a specimen is to be taken. A needle (44) is positioned within the cannula, is reciprocally movable therewithin, and also has an end (46) extending through the opening for insertion into the tissue. This needle has a recess (50) adjacent its outer end in which a tissue specimen is captured. The needle is connected to a slide (68) by which the needle is moved independently of the cannula. A sleeve (110) installed over the housing is manually operable to move the slide to a selected and cocked position prior to insertion of the cannula/needle into the tissue. Movement of the slide moves the second needle from a first position to a second position while the cannula remains stationary.

Abstract: The invention is an endothelial cell procurement and deposition kit for collecting fat from a patient, processing said fat to produce an endothelial cell deposition product, and depositing said product on the surface of a graft, all under sterile conditions established and maintained within the components of said kit comprised of: fat collection means for collecting subcutaneous fat from a patient; digestion means connectable to said fat collection means to maintain sterility during reception of said fat and for retaining said fat under sterile conditions during rinsing and digestion to produce a digested product; endothelial cell isolation means connectable to said digestion means for maintaining sterile conditions during reception of said digested product and for separating and isolating microvessel endothelial cells from said digested product to produce an endothelial cell product; cell deposition means connectable to said isolation means for maintaining sterile conditions during reception of said endothel

Abstract: A guide wire system for use in catheter exchanges avoids the need for a separate exchange wire. Instead of the conventional practice in which the initial guide wire is removed and replaced with a longer exchange wire, a guide wire extension is attached to the proximal end of the initial guide wire thereby increasing its effective length so that it may be used to perform a catheter exchange. The initial guide wire remains in place in the patient's vasculature. The proximal end of the guide wire and the distal end of the exchange wire are formed to define a connection which may be crimped to effect the connection between the two wires. A crimping tool is provided to hold the mating ends of the guide wire and extension wire together while effecting the crimp.

Abstract: A sterile disposable frustoconically-shaped plastic cover or cap adapted to fit over and be releasably and frictionally secured to the corresponding surfaces of a tonometer tip, having a planar lens portion at its smaller circumference adapted to lie against both the lens of the tonometer tip and against the cornea of the eye of a patient being examined with the tonometer, the lens portion of the cover being of optical clarity so as not to interfere with readings obtained with the tonometer, is disclosed. The cap includes peripheral slits for frictional and releasable securement of the cover about the surfaces of various-sized tonometer tips and external flanges for gripping the cover without contact with its lens portion, and is preferably constructed as a unitary device from a single plastic of optical clarity and packaged in the well of special packaging in which it is sterlized.

Abstract: An allergy testing method and apparatus for testing a patient for a plurality of allergies at substantially the same time, comprises a carrier for receiving a plurality of allergen applying devices, each allergen applying device including a source of an allergen and a movable pricking needle which is movable from an inactive position out of contact with the skin of a patient to an active position for pricking the skin of a patient and applying its associated allergen to the pricked skin when moved from the inactive position to the active position. The carrier holds and supports the plurality of allergen applying devices with a given spacing between each of the pricking needles, and an actuator is coupled to the carrier for moving the pricking needles from their inactive positions to their active positions to prick or pierce the skin of a patient and to thereby apply a respective allergen to the skin of the patient via the pricking needles.

Abstract: A prosthetic eye for use in replacing the natural eye of a user in an eye cavity having eye muscles. The prosthetic eye has a spherical body in the shape and form of the natural eye. The spherical body is provided with several receiving regions extending radially from the anterior section of the eye. Further, the prosthetic eye has tabs for attaching to the eye muscles. The tabs with the attached eye muscles are inserted into the receiving regions to couple the muscles to the prosthetic eye. The tabs may be adjusted by removing and reinserting the tabs from the receiving regions and repositioning them in the appropriate location in the region so that the prosthetic eye may rest in its natural position in the cavity with respect to the remaining natural eye.

Abstract: An otological vent tube is supported on an apparatus that performs a myringotomy and substantially simultaneously positions the vent tube in the resulting myringotomy incision. The vent tube has proximal and distal ends and includes a central lumen that extends the full length of the tube. In all embodiments of the invention the distal end includes a distal flange in the form of a truncated cone. In some embodiments a proximal flange is provided at the proximal end, and in other embodiments the proximal flange is eliminated. The myringotomy and positioning apparatus includes an immovable outer hollow sleeve and an axially displaceable inner shaft. The distal end of the shaft is conical in form and supports the vent tube such that the distal conical end of the shaft member forms a substantial continuation of the truncated conical surface of the vent tube distal flange.

Abstract: The invention is for a biopsy instrument having a stationary shaft secured to which is a stylet such that, once secured, the stylet does not move relative to the instrument. The stylet is telescopically received by a cannula which is mounted to a spring-loaded guide; the cannula and the guide move between charged and discharged positions. Also provided is a safety cap, which travels within slots formed in opposite sides of the cylindrical casing that houses the shaft, the guide and the spring. Retracting the safety cap moves the guide and the cannula from the discharged to the charged position where a release lever engages the guide. The safety cap covers the release lever to prevent accidental actuation of the instrument. The instrument is fired by sliding the safety cap forward and depressing the exposed release lever, which allows the spring to drive the cannula forward, toward the discharged position and over the stationary stylet, so that a tissue sample may be taken.