Abstract: A hypodermic device including a main body having a plurality of open sockets with a corresponding number of upstanding needles therein. In one embodiment, each upstanding needle is commonly interconnected to a main passage through the body. The ends of the upstanding needles are capped with resilient plugs which are displaced when one or more vacuum tubes are pressed onto the ends of the upstanding needles. In an alternative embodiment of the device, the upstanding needles are secured to movable plugs with each plug having a passage therein which is selectively movable into coaxial alignment with the main passage through the body. In yet another embodiment of the device, the sockets are spaced apart along the length of the main body with valves being connected to the main body in the spaces between the sockets. Each valve is slidably movable within a well formed within the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inhaler for atomization, dispersing and mixing of fluid or powdery substances by means of a pressurized gas flow (30) for production of an aerosol. The inhaler consists of an atomization head (1) arranged in the upper end of a two part hand grip (2). The atomization head (1) has a central atomization nozzle comprised of a nozzle head (23) and a gas flow controller (27), a connection passage (21) for pressurized gas supply, an air supply chimney (28) and an aerosol outlet passage (28) for connection to a mouthpiece. The nozzle head (23) contains a central pressurized gas passage (22) and lateral suction channels (24,25) for the atomization material (26). According to the invention the atomization head (1) has a spherical shape and is surrounded by correspondingly shaped hollow spherical parts (5,6) of the hand grip.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising movable arms (1 and 3) electrically insulated from each other and provided with current-carrying working jaws. According to the invention, the working jaws are shaped as prongs (6 and 7) curved in the same direction, the prongs (7) of the working jaw of the arm (3) being shaped as a fork, which enables one to manipulate in a bloodless operative field of the various parenchymatous organs due to quick and reliable fusion of nonopened (intact) large-calibre blood vessels over a preset segment length thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for measuring variables associated with the ventilation of infants during assisted ventilation. The infant is placed in a plethysmograph and various sensor means are used to measure flow of gas into and out of the plethysmograph and infant respiration. The outputs of the sensor means are supplied to a minicomputer system for processing. From this data, ventilator breaths are discriminated from infant breaths.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying an electric or electromagnetic signal to the skin and tissue of a living body surface, and for measuring the physiological responses of the skin and tissue to the electric or electromagnetic signal is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conductive patch electrode applicator, or coil applicator, a temperature responsive liquid crystal layer applied to said conductive patch, and an adhesive boundary extending at least part way about the edges of the electrode applicator or coil applicator.

Abstract: An inflatable elongate pessary fits into and longitudinally distends the patient's vagina and with it the urethra. An indentation near the proximal end of the pessary receives the patient's servix so that the pessary can extend into and distend the most proximal region behind the cervix. Preferably a lateral enlargement near the distal end of the pessary aids in supporting the pessary above the levator ani sling. The pessary moves the bladder neck and the proximal portion of the urethra toward normal positions above the abdominal wall. The pessary includes a flexible airtight chamber, and a valve and fitting that are operable from outside the vagina while the pessary is inside. The fitting is accessible from the outside for attachment of a source of compressed gas, while the pessary is in the vagina.

Abstract: A temperature probe for insertion into the tissue of an organ, such as a heart, during surgery comprises an elongated needle made of plastic with a large button type head, and having one or more sensing elements disposed at selected positions along the length thereof for sensing the temperatures at various depths, with a surface temperature sensor positioned just beneath the head in the needle.

Abstract: A disposable, single-hand controlled aspirating device for medical aspirating activities such as subcutaneous biopsy of fluid, soft tissue and bone marrow is provided. The aspirating device includes a syringe barrel, a plunger operative in the barrel, a finger grip member surrounding the exterior wall of the barrel that includes a collar portion engaging the exterior wall of the barrel and flange portions extending outwardly from the exterior wall of the barrel a distance sufficient to provide support for a user's fingers during aspiration procedures, and a spring surrounding the plunger portion external to the barrel for biasing the plunger outwardly from the barrel after the plunger has been advanced in the barrel toward the distal end thereof.

Abstract: A medical device for applying localized heat to a site in a patient'body is described. The device includes a radiant energy transmitting conduit, e.g., a fiber optic, and a heat generating element which converts the transmitted radiant energy into heat. A suitable exterior guide member can also be provided for positioning the heat generating element. An opening can be provided in the heat generating element to enable a portion of the radiant energy to impinge directly upon the site. The medical device can be used to cauterize or destroy tissue, or to alter or remove undesirable deposits from lumens. The medical device can also serve as part of a system which provides the radiant energy and measures the temperature of the heat generating element while within the patient.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for multi-event biomedical event measuring which has a device for sensing more than one physiological parameter of a patient and includes a housing having an upwardly extending portion adapted to receive a mating connector that includes a plurality of electrically conductive paths. The electrically conductive paths are positioned to coincide with electrically conductive paths provided in the upwardly extending housing portion. The housing base includes at least a plurality of compartments; at least one of the compartments circumferentially surround the upwardly extending portion and is open in the opposite direction therefrom. The remaining compartments are disposed beneath the upwardly extending portion and are also open in the opposite direction therefrom. Each of the remaining compartments are adapted to receive a transducer therein with the transducer terminals being connected to the upwardly extending portion conductive paths.

Abstract: An arrangement for preparing an anatomically measured endoprosthesis with a stem to be anchored in the widening end of a hollow bone, in particular a hip joint stem prosthesis to be anchored in the femur, uses radiographs true to scale, a set of a limited number of prosthesis templates and a set of corresponding prosthesis preparation models. In order to obtain greater variability and facilities for individual adaptation, a set of partial templates for that part of the prosthesis stem is provided which is to be anchored in the outer bone section forming the greatest widening. To determine the dimensions of the adjoining prosthesis stem sections, a direction scale and indicator are provided, the partial template and the a direction scale and indicator being mutually connected or connectable in defined directions. A set, corresponding to the partial templates, of trial preparation sections which are connectable to trial prosthesis sections; and for the adjoining prosthesis sections, is provided.

Abstract: For diagnosing bodily functions of a patient by analyzing individual, samples several blood samples are taken from the patient automatically in sequence at predetermined time intervals, collected together separately from one another, retained until the completion of all the samples, and then analyzed. The blood samples are fed into a single collecting container one after another in time sequence with the aid of a control valve and are held separated from one another by the introduction of a separating medium between them or they are fed individually in sequence into separate containers. An anti-coagulant prevents the blood samples coagulating before analysis, and so the patient can wear the apparatus for taking the blood samples and can move about and behave normally throughout the sampling sequence.

Abstract: The invention contemplates dose-integrating instrumentation which relies upon continuously monitoring the illuminance level of a small sampling fraction of the total projected-light flux of the field-illuminating system of an operating microscope, the sampling being optionally within the projection system, or taken elsewhere. The sampled illuminance is in the form of an electrical signal which is continuously time-integrated to provide a continuous display of the dosage as it builds in the course of an operative procedure. Provision is made for the surgeon to preset what he chooses to be the safe upper limit of integrated exposure, beyond which he does not wish to go for fear of possible jeopardy to the retina of his patient, and the instrument continuously indicates the remaining time for him to complete his operation, should he continue at the current level of illumination.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument comprises a cutting working portion (1) which incorporates two ring-shaped electrodes (3, 4) separated with a disk (2) from an insulating material, a power actuator to impart rotation to the working portion (1), and current leads, each adapted to interact with the respective ring electrode (3 or 4). The cutting working portion (1) is additionally provided with a knife (14) whose cutting edge (15) is shaped as a circular arc whose size is not in excess of 90 arc degrees of the outer circumference of the working portion (1). The cutting edge (15) may stand over the outer circumference of the disk (2), or be an integral part thereof.

Abstract: A handpiece adapted for use with a plurality of different electrosurgical electrodes. The handpiece comprises a collet in which a central bore for receiving adaptors and electrodes extends axially from an endface, slits for receiving the flat end of a scalpel blade extend radially from the central bore, and a pair of axial bores for receiving the two pins of electrocoaptation forceps are diametrically arranged with respect to the central bore. The bore of an insulating sleeve and the outer surface of the collet cooperate to compress the slitted portion of the collet during relative rotation in a first direction. A forceps adaptor is provided for coupling forceps to a handpiece without diametrically opposed bores. The pin of the adaptor is inserted in the central bore of the collet and a pair of flexible tubes, electrically connected to the adaptor pin, are adapted to receive the pins formed on forceps.

Abstract: A bone biopsy arrangement especially suited for use in obtaining axial skeleton trephine samples from the spinal vertebra centrum of a living test specimen in a safe and rapid manner. The disclosed arrangement uses radiographic mapping, precise mechanical control of the trephine with an apparatus disclosed in detail, conventional trephine energizing and a test specimen such as a rhesus monkey. Improved quality plural samples from a single test subject that were heretofore considered too inaccessible and dangerous for practicality are achieved.

Abstract: A disposable electrode pad is provided with a socket for a reusable electrode conductor attached to a lead wire. The pad includes a socket plate having a release coated top surface and overlying a frame having a bore filled with a gel matrix. The pad further includes a flexible clamp plate, part of which is strongly adhered to the frame and the rest of which is adhered to the release coated surface of the socket plate. The socket plate is provided with a bore used as a socket for a reusable, low profile electrode conductor which is fixedly attached to a lead wire having a jack for connection to external monitoring equipment. In use, the electrode pad is applied to the skin of a subject, the releasable part of the clamp plate is peeled away from the socket plate, the electrode conductor is inserted into the bore of the socket plate, and the clamp plate re-adhered to the socket plate in covering relation to the electrode conductor and the end of the lead wire attached thereto.

Abstract: Bipolar electrical coagulation of tissue using radio-frequency energy is combined with the functions of conventional surgical pressure tissue cutting instruments without significant modification thereof in a single instrument with the result that a surgeon can perform both procedures without having to redirect his attention from the area of the surgery.

Abstract: A tracheal tube assembly includes a dual balloon system upstream from the tracheal cuff and located externally to the patient. A pre-determined amount of air may be injected through a one-way valve into the innermost balloon which is of relatively low compliance. Expansion of the inner balloon passively expands the high compliance outer balloon. When the inner balloon is preloaded the system is ready for use. Opening of a control valve selectively interconnects the inner balloon with the surrounding relatively high compliance outer balloon via a high resistance inlet and with the tracheal cuff via a low resistance inlet so that the tracheal cuff is preferentially inflated. Equalization of pressure in the system rapidly occurs and this pressure is determined and maintained at a constant level by the characteristics of the high compliance outer balloon. The control switch can be positioned to allow the tube to function in a non-pressure regulated mode as in the conventional tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying an electric or electromagnetic signal to the skin and tissue of a living body surface, and for measuring the physiological responses of the skin and tissue to the electric or electromagnetic signal is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conductive patch electrode applicator, a temperature responsive liquid crystal layer applied to said conductive patch, and an adhesive boundary extending at least part way about the edges of the electrode applicator or coil applicator.