Abstract: This is a cement applicator which lays a course of cement or mortar on a cement block without losing any of the cement in the apertures of the block. It comprises a semicircular trough having a handle centrally positioned on it external surface and which is charged with cement and then inverted over the area on which the operator wishes to lay a course of cement.

Abstract: A bone marrow biopsy needle provided with blades which cut and retain a biopsy core. In one embodiment, the blades of the needle are hinged. In a further embodiment, the cutting blades are provided at the end of an inner tube which travels within an outer tube. In one embodiment, the outer tube is tapered at its distal end to push the blades together. In another embodiment, the cutting blade is pre-curved inward. In yet another embodiment, the distal ends of the cutting blades rest within a curved circumferential recess provided in the needle wall, and, when pushed forward, come together to cut and retain the biopsy core.

Abstract: A slit incision handpiece that receives a circular laser beam, reshapes the beam to have an elliptical cross-section, and focuses the beam onto target tissue. Slit incisions of approximately the dimensions of the elliptical beam are formed by stationary exposures on the target tissue from the output of the slit incision handpiece.

Abstract: A system for the application of knots in surgical suture material consists of a pre-knotted surgical suture means (1) and a surgical knot applicator. The pre-knotted surgical suture means (1) has a sleeve (10) open at both ends (12, 13) and a surgical suture material (15) such as thread, cord, etc., which suture material is tied around the sleeve (10) to produce a pre-knotted displaceable knot (18) and has a free end (16). The surgical knot applicator contains a shaft, whose distal end-zone comprises an opening corresponding to the diameter of the sleeve (10). The sleeve (10) inserted with its proximal zone (12) into this opening is pulled back into the interior space of the shaft with a pulling-in device. The suture and the knot (18) are pulled tight by moving the free end (16) of the surgical suture material (15) guided through the sleeve (10) in proximal direction (arrow) with a pulling device.

Abstract: A sterile one-piece suture clip having a first clamping member having a distal end, a first proximal end and a first clamping surface, a second clamping member having a second proximal end, a second clamping surface, and a locking surface and being pivotally connected at said second proximal end by a hinge to said first proximal end of the first clamping member, a plurality of leg members each having an inner surface, a side surface and an end, said legs being disposed in sets comprising U-shaped members in combination with the first clamping surface, the inner surface of each leg in the set facing the opposite leg thereof, said inner surface being beveled from the end of the leg toward the first clamping surface to form ears, said U-shaped members being attached to the first clamping member, said side surface of said legs being beveled from the end of the leg toward the first clamping member thereby forming a channel said first clamping member being adapted to be placed on a suture to be clipped, said channe

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument and sterile clip for ligating the vessel of a mammal. The clip has a pair of legs which are urged apart by the instrument to allow the clip to be placed on the vessel to be ligated.

Abstract: A multi-electrode cardiac catheter has pairs of electrodes connected to sensing circuitry to produce a differential signal. The sensing output is sharply defined and self-normalizing. Preferably a catheter ablation tip electrode is an electrode of one pair, and the differential signal becomes non-zero when the tip contacts surrounding tissue. The shape of the differential signal provides information on the degree of electrode contact, as well as on the on the amount of locally-sensed tissue impedance change. The signal may be used as a trigger enable signal for a cardiac ablation catheter, and the applied level of RF power may be controlled based on the indicated degree of electrode contact and value of tissue impedance.

Abstract: A clamp for holding an article to an object including a base means for adhering the clamp to the object, a flap, securing means for securing the flap to the base means with the article positioned therebetween and resilient pad means having an adhesive surface for contacting the article. The securing means includes a first holding means for holding a first portion of the flap and a second holding means for holding a second portion of the flap. Both holding means may be releasable. The second holding means is spaced from the first holding means a sufficient distance along the flap for the article to lie between them. Resilient adhesive surfaces are provided on the flap and base means for contacting and adhering the article.

Abstract: A bone plate arrangement consists of a bone plate (1), at least one bone screw (3) and a cover plate (5, 22, 30, 34, 38) which covers the head (4, 21, 26) of the bone screw and is to be screwed to the bone plate. Devices for fixing the direction of the bone screw (3) relative to the bone plate (1) are provided. These devices consist, on the one hand, of a seat which, though indifferent with respect to direction, laterally fixes the screw head on the bone plate and, on the other hand, of a positive of frictional connection betwen the screw head and the cover plate, produced by mutual engagement of the raises and recesses. The cover plate is laterally fixed relative to the bone plate.