Abstract: This valve adapted to be inserted between a ventricular catheter and a draining catheter comprises a body of flattened cylindrical shape enclosing a chamber having formed through its cylindrical wall an inlet passage for introducing the cephalorachidian fluid and an outlet passage for discharging this fluid. At the inner end of the inlet passage a frustoconical seat engageable by a ball valve acting as a non-return valve is provided, this ball valve being urged against the seat by a curved spring blade extending along the lateral inner wall of the chamber and mounted preferably in overhanging relationship on a diameter bar of magnetic material mounted in turn for concentric rotation on a pivot pin extending across the chamber. A tooth carried by the bar end opposite the spring blade is adapted to engage detent-positioning dents formed in the lateral wall of the chamber.

Abstract: Blood collection and transfer apparatus is adapted for autotransfusion in preoperative, operative and postoperative procedures. A collapsible bag is provided with a stent adapted to hold it in distended form when desired, whereby a negative gage pressure may be applied for blood collection. Fittings for controlled addition of anticoagulants may be included. The apparatus is useful in diverse settings, for example, chest trauma, postsurgical collection and reinfusion of mediastinal blood, collection and reinfusion of shed blood during surgery, cell washing procedures and cardiopulmonary procedure wherein it functions as a cardiotomy reservoir.

Abstract: An improved dental flossing device includes an elongated handle supporting at one end a generally star-shaped floss holding head including a plurality of generally radially extending fingers disposed in a common plane extending transversely of the handle. A floss positioning groove is formed in the distal end of each finger for receiving and retaining a closed loop of dental floss whereby a plurality of sections of the floss loop are presented one between each adjacent pair of fingers for flossing the teeth. After use, the loop of floss can be easily removed and a new loop installed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a medical device, namely a novel clip to be used in conjunction with a Harrington rod for the treatment of spinal disorders. The hook has a body portion with a housing at one end thereof, with a hooked portion at the opposite end. A sleeve is inserted through and is retained in a channel which extends through the housing by a retaining means. Using this clip, it is possible to spread the load over more than one lamina as more than one hook may be used in the procedure. This thus allows a patient to be mobile without external support immediately following surgery which has been impossible with the prior art devices.

Abstract: An administration set including a burette with an air valve communicating with the burette chamber. The air valve comprises a stationary port extending from a top portion of the burette chamber with a fitting closing the port except for a small passageway defined by a top portion of the fitting. A pivotable closure overlies the port and is pivotally connected therewith. The pivotable closure defines an opening for communication with the small passageway when the closure is pivoted to a predetermined open position. The closure opening and the passageway are segregated when the closure is not in the predetermined open position. A filter member is received within the port and directly underlies the small passageway.

Abstract: A tampon having incorporated therein one or more substances, such as one or more physiologically safe organic acids that will maintain a pH of about 4.5 to 2.5 in the absorbed fluids during the use of the tampon, to create a hostile but safe environment to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, within and on the tampon during its use.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having improved fit and liquid containment provided by gathering means adjacent at least one edge of the absorbent panel, said gathering means including at least two separately extending, effectively elastic elements. Each of the effectively elastic elements applies a gathering force to a zone of the diaper, thereby defining multiple lines of gasketing about the leg or waist openings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fabric which is highly longitudinally elastic in the warp direction and easily tearable in the weft direction, or highly longitudinally elastic in the weft direction and easily tearable in the warp direction, or highly longitudinally elastic and easily tearable in both the warp and weft directions, which is adhesively or self-adhesively coatable and has a crepe structure, whereby in bandage form it can be used as a fixing and compression bandage after distortions, luxations, fractures and similar injuries, as well as preventatively against injuries liable to occur when playing sports.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having cushioned elasticized leghold edges formed from elastic members secured between the backing sheet and the absorbent pad or mounted directly in the absorbent pad and adapted to overcome leakage through the leg hold edges while cushioning so as not to make indentations or marks on the infant's skin.

Abstract: An apparatus for moistening a tampon with a spermicidal, bactericidal and/or virucidal fluid and expelling the tampon includes an open ended tampon storing member for storing the tampon in an unactivated state and a reservoir member for storing the fluid. The reservoir member has a closed inner end slidably received in the tampon storing member and a closed outer end extending out of the tampon storing member. In several embodiments, the reservoir member includes an elongated element to effect fluid flow through a dispensing opening in the inner end and through a vent opening in the outer end. In another embodiment, the inner end of the reservoir member is closed by a wall which is fragible under radially applied pressure to form a dispensing opening and the other end is closed by a wall having an element which is frangible to form a vent opening.