Abstract: A biopsy device utilizes three components: a housing having an attached cannula, a drill bit/plunger component which is mounted in the housing so that the drill bit portion, having a cutting tip, extends through the cannula, the plunger snugly fitting within the housing, and a rotational energy element which couples with the drill bit/plunger component to enable the impartation of rotational motion to the cutting tip. Both drilling and aspirating action are utilized to retrieve a biopsy sample. In operation, the tissue to be sampled is punctured by a biopsy needle, the cannula of which is connected to the biopsy device. Thereafter, rotational energy is imparted to the drill bit/plunger component, causing tissue to be accumulated on the cutting tip. Once a sufficient amount of tissue has been accumulated, the rotational energy element and plunger/drill bit component are displaced in a proximal direction from the housing to cause the sample to be aspirated into the cannula syringe.

Abstract: This invention relates to a foot testing method to analyze the functional biomechanic type of the foot of a person such as an athlete to determine the appropriate insole to be fitted in the person's shoe as well as to a measuring device and insole used to implement this method. This method comprises the following steps: (1) placing the foot in a neutral (unloaded) position; (2) identifying the center line of the heel bone; (3) identifying the center line of the tendo Achillis; (4) placing the person tested in a standing position and preferably identifying the type of arch; (5) measuring the angle between the heel bone center line and the tendo Achillis center line preferably with his/her knees bent at approximately 45.degree..

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 guidewire advancement system for inserting catheter guidewires into blood vessels, and more particularly a guidewire dispensing system for the controlled sterile insertion of a coiled spring guidewire to avoid infection of the patient. The system provides for the transmission of an electrical signal by the guidewire to determine its location within the body.

Abstract: A biopsy needles for use with a spring-operated actuating mechanism. The biopsy needle has a slide attached to the proximal end of its cannula and having an elongated slot extending longitudinally away from the cannula and a laterally projecting segment at the end away from the cannula. The biopsy needle also has a slide attached to the proximal end of its obturator and having a laterally projecting outer segment that extends on the opposite side from the laterally projecting segment of the cannula slide. The laterally projecting segment of the obturator slide is offset from the laterally projecting segment of the cannula slide in the direction toward the cannula and obturator when the obturator slide is at the end of the slot in the cannula slide away from the cannula and the obturator.

Abstract: An improved dynamic sagittal knee test apparatus having a skeletal frame structure with a thigh portion attachable to a patient's thigh, a shin portion attachable to a patient's shin and an interconnecting spanning linkage portion connecting the thigh portion to the shin portion, the interconnecting linkage assembly having three axial transducers for measuring arcuate displacements on three primary perpendicular axes for measuring leg flexion, varus-valgus angular displacement, and axial rotation of the tibia relative to the femur, the three transducers being arranged to take measurements without reconfiguration of linkage in the spanning link portion of the test apparatus, the apparatus including a patella assembly with an additional transducer for measuring anterior-posterior displacements of the tibia relative to the femur.

Abstract: A method for the non-invasive, continuous collection of substances which transdermally migrate to and vaporize at the surface of the skin of a subject comprises providing a binding reservoir material juxtaposed at the surface of the skin of a subject, and continuously maintaining the binding reservoir material in a substantially airtight relation with the skin surface over an entire collection period. The apparatus comprises a binding reservoir material and means for continuously maintaining the binding reservoir material juxtaposed at the skin surface of the subject in a substantially airtight relation wiht the skin surface.

Abstract: A swab transport apparatus for storing and transporting to a laboratory a swab containing a sample or specimen such as a micro organism sample. The uncontaminated swab is pre-packaged within a sterile swab storage chamber of the apparatus from which it can conveniently be removed for taking a sample. Disposed proximate the swab storage chamber and in communication therewith, is a squeeze bulb to which a suitable transport medium can be added either at time of manufacture of the device, or shortly prior to use. Following addition of the transport medium the squeeze bulb and the return of the contaminated swab to the apparatus, the squeeze bulb is squeeze to cause the transport medium to flow, preferably via a circuitous path, into the swab storage chamber. The apparatus can then be forwarded to the laboratory for testing with the swab safely immersed within the appropriate transport medium. In an alternate form of the apparatus, a second squeeze bulb is provided.

Abstract: A biopsy needle, for sampling tissue and the like, including a sidewall defining a hollow interior and a sharpened end. The needle has a lanced section which is formed from material of the sidewall itself and defines a rearwardly sloping, rearwardly facing blade disposed within the hollow interior of the needle. Tissue is sampled per insertion of the needle by severing the tissue with the sharpened end, passing the tissue into the hollow interior and slicing the tissue off by rotating the blade through 360 degrees. The sliced off sample is securely held by the blade as the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly comprised of an outer flexible catheter and a reciprocating interior structure on which the needle is mounted. In one embodiment, the needle is directly connected to an internal guide wire. In another, the needle is directly connected to an inner flexible catheter and the guide wire can either extend through the needle or be stopped within the needle. In each embodiment, the needle includes a lateral opening providing a fluid path from the hollow needle, through the catheter, either between the catheter and guide wire or the inner and outer catheters to an outlet at the proximal end of the assembly. The invention also relates to a syringe plunger stop end lock attachment.