Abstract: The present invention is a biopsy guide for use with a medical ultrasound scanhead of the type used for intravaginal scans and ultrasound guided biopsies. The guide fits over an intravaginal scanhead, and it includes a slot for guiding a biopsy needle. The guide also includes a unique needle cover which is slidably attached to the guide and which encloses a biopsy needle until actual flesh penetration is desired, thereby preventing unnecessary injury to a patient in the course of the examination.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in bleeding-time tests. The apparatus includes an envelope which has an internal hollow and is sealed at all sides and has an opening at one side or at one corner. The envelope contains a blotter member which is located in the hollow of the envelope and dimensioned so that a peripheral section of the blotter member extends from the opening. In this manner a user can move the blotter member with respect to the envelope to thereby change the section of the blotter member which extends from the opening. The apparatus and methods enable one to utilize different sections of the blotter while directing previous blotted blood sections into the internal hollow of the envelope thereby avoiding contact with the previously blotted sections.

Abstract: A ventilator for providing artificial respiration to a patient has a plurality of pneumatic components mounted on a manifold. The manifold is a one piece aluminum casting having a base with ducts formed therein to permit fluid communication between the pneumatic components. The ducts are exposed on the underside of the base and are removably sealed from the atmosphere by a gasket and sealing plate which are secured to the underside of the base so as to cover the exposed portion of the ducts. Several components are formed in the manifold as part of the casting, including an accumulator and pulsation dampener, both of which are gas storage chambers. A plurality of fins are also formed as part of the manifold, and act as a heat sink for a printed circuit board which is secured to the manifold. Removable pneumatic components are secured to mounting blocks which extend upwardly from the base and have threaded bores therein for the receipt of threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A face mask for use in cold weather to supply warm air for inhalation by normal breathing to persons having respiratory and heart ailments to avoid the discomfort, pain and limited mobility caused by breathing cold air and to healthy people engaged in strenuous cold weather activities. The face mask has inlet and outlet check valves and a cold air intake chamber with an electric heater element therein which heats the cold air to supply warm air for inhalation. The heater element is preferably powered by a portable battery pack and controlled by electronic circuitry to maintain the heated air in a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracheostomy cannula with a small balloon or cuff (2) positioned posteriorly (or cranially) to the tube (1) which is consequently shorter. This tube (1) has a collar (5) that encircles the tube on its proximal portion and prevents air leakage through the stoma. The "cuff" (2) also may communicate with the environmental air by means of conduits (6) that may be flexible. Since the component structures of a cannula so formed progress only a small distance caudally into the trachea, some complications, if not completely avoided, are better guarded against. Thus, there is when using the present invention less stimulus to a coughing reflex. Moreover, its cleaning and that of the trachea are simpler, and a tracheo-innominate fistula will rarely occur.

Abstract: A manual resuscitator is disclosed, comprising a plenum chamber, a pressure chamber communicating with the plenum chamber via a main inflow valve, and a cylindrical chamber within the pressure chamber, communicating with the pressure chamber via holes in the cylinder wall. The plenum chamber receives ambient air or has oxygen-enriched air flowing through. An outflow tube leads from the pressure chamber to a patient connector. The cylindrical chamber houses an adjustable platform for adjusting the volume of the chamber via a threaded volume adjustment rod. A balloon inside the cylindrical chamber is sealingly connected to an external bulb. The outflow tube includes a Puritan Bennett valve modified to function as a Fink valve, and includes a connection for a P.E.E.P. system.

Abstract: A snorkel which is capable of being used for diving in an underwater environment and where the positional attitude of the diver may change substantially in an underwater environment. The snorkel is generally comprised of an elongate breathing tube with a mouth piece on the lower end of that breathing tube. A secondary tube is generally parallel to the breathing tube and is connected to the upper end thereof by a U-shaped connecting section. The snorkel also comprises an upwardly opening air intake and exhaust chamber through which the breathing tube extends. The secondary tube is also connected to the upwardly opening air chamber through a port close to the lower end of the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing breakage of bags of tracheal tubes comprising a unitary one-piece molded unit having an elongated generally cylindrical longitudinally split main body portion terminating at one end in a restricted opening and at the other end in an open end having an elongated strip extending from one side thereof forming a handle. The handle may be an endless ring connected to the main body portion having its central axis coaxially aligned with the central axis of the main body portion. The main body portion slips over the bag, which is normally deflated, of a tracheal tube prior to insertion of the bag into an incised area or into instruments, the ring providing a handle for removing the apparatus after insertion of the tube to a predetermined depth in the patient thereby preventing breakage of the bag during insertion.

Abstract: A closed loop breathing system includes a face mask, a pressurized bottle of oxygen-rich breathing gas, and an exhalation hose and an inhalation hose both coupled to the face mask. Flexible breathing bags smoothen the flow of expired gas through the system, and a container of sorbent material removes CO.sub.2 from the expired gas. A mixing valve mixes expired breathing gas from the face mask with oxygen-rich breathing gas from the pressurized container. A balanced exhalation valve assembly coupled to the exhalation hose includes a main valve which passes the flow of expired gas from the exhalation hose into a chamber and prevents the reverse flow of gas from the chamber into the exhalation hose. A flexible diaphragm forms one wall of the chamber and is coupled to the main valve by a rigid spacer to prevent a pressure increase in the chamber from increasing the force necessary to open the main valve.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an endotracheal tube holder formed of a generally rigid flat bar having a lateral cut-out leaving a reduced flexible neck connecting the remaining bar portions together for relative swinging about an axis through the neck generally perpendicular to the bar, the cut being configured to conformably receive and circumferentially clamp about a received tube, and one side edge of the bar being provided on respective bar portions with a releasably interengageable catch and a latch which automatically snap into interengagement upon relative swinging movement of the bar portions, all without adversely displacing the tube.

Abstract: A handhole for use on an incubator is disclosed and which comprises only two main components, an injection molded frame attachable to the incubator by hand tightened screws and an injection molded door that is hingedly attached to the frame to pivot between open and closed positions. A bump or projection is formed on the side of the door or flange between the door and frame such that when the door is in its closed position, the bump is caught between the frame and door to cause bending of the door. By location and size of the bump, the amount of bending can be determined such that, when unlatched, the door will spring open a predetermined amount. Thus, the door's flexibility causes initial opening thereof without the need for springs or other accessories. As an added feature, the injected molded frame may include a flange for attaching a conventional wristlet thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved anaesthetic scavenging face mask having a scavenging channel running along the perimeter of the mask. The mask is provided with an anaesthetic gas inlet and a vacuum outlet. The scavenging channel is connected to the vacuum outlet.

Abstract: A filter for various types of tracheal tubes has a tubular filter holder which is inserted into or snapped onto the outer end of an existing tracheal tube. A fibrous filter which may be treated with a germicidal agent is received in the filter holder. A removable end cap having a filter screen is disposed on the end of the filter holder. In one embodiment, the filter holder is constructed integrally with the end cap, and disposable fibrous filters are utilized. The end cap may be constructed as a decorative jewelry item, and may be provided with a decorative strap or chain for wearing around the user's neck. The strap or chain also functions as a retainer for the filter holder.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for mechanical stimulation of nerves to evoke reflexive response, particularly sacral reflex latentency, comprises a hammer (30) having opposite distal and proximal ends. A normally open switch (36) with an extending switch arm (38 ) is mounted on the distal end of the handle (32) and positioned to close upon impact. The switch (36) is adapted for connection to an electromyograph. The switch (36) is preferably partially recessed within an enlargement (40) of the distal end of the handle (32). The switch (36) closes in response to tapping on the patient with the hammer (30) to effect manual stimulation and trigger recording of the reflexive response sensed via an electrode (26).

Abstract: An FES method for partially restoring the motor function of a person having paralyzed muscles, the method comprising implanting a force sensor comprising a nerve electrode for sensing electrical signals primarily from mechanoreceptors associated with a peripheral sensory nerve that supplies glabrous skin of the person having the paralyzed muscles; producing an electrical control signal for activating a muscle stimulator in response to the electrical signals sensed by the nerve electrode; and stimulating the paralyzed muscles in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: An adhesive face patch for the support of an oxygen tube for the purpose of supplying supplemental oxygen to a patient includes a body formed generally in the shape of a three-leaf clover with petals which are bendable with respect to each other at a central section to conform to a patient's cheek contour at the maxillary prominence, includes tube-receiving pedestals or posts formed in pairs on lateral petals to receive an oxygen tube and to cause the tube be held in a curved state to redirect the tube to or toward the nostril, and a center pedestal over which the tube may be looped after adjusting for comfort, so that the oxygen tube may have a slight upward thrust to assist in supporting the nasal insert and retaining the same in place.

Abstract: An air delivery system (10) for supplying air from a source (28) includes a flexible conduit (20). Structure (22, 24) is provided for connecting the conduit (20) to the air supply (28). A nozzle (44) is attached to the conduit (20) and is adjustable and positionable through placement of the flexible conduit (20), such that air is delivered to the face (16) of a patient (12) without the nozzle (44) or the flexible conduit (20) contacting the patient (12). The system (10) also supports a drape (14) above the face (16) of the patient (12).