Abstract: A dermal or transdermal dosage unit for administering a dosage of a pharmaceutical to the skin of a patient. The dosage unit includes a backing layer, which is non-permeable with respect to the pharmaceutical, a biologically acceptable adhesive, an impermeable coating, a compartment, and an impervious burstable membranous partition dividing the compartment into at least two subcompartments. Each subcompartment may contain a different medical compound. Upon rupture, the fragmented partition includes distal end portions which serve to aid in agitation of the mixture of compounds thereby forming the dosage pharmaceutical.

Abstract: An integrally molded, one-piece combination suture thread and crimpable lock opening whereby at least one crimpable opening is disposed along the thread length. The thread may be used with a surgical needle. Both a mono-ply and multiple suture thread and crimpable opening is disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscopic, laparoscopic or mini-laparoscopic assembly including an elongate instrument having a flexible shaft, and a positioning mechanism capable of engaging and positioning the elongate instrument within a body cavity.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a reusable surgical device for retrieving a mass during laparoscopic surgery are shown and described. The surgical device has a wand, a rod attached to the wand near the front by a disengaging connector and extending generally parallel to the wand, and a pouch or bag attached to the wand and rod. A portion of the rod is flexible for bowing out from the wand when the rod is pushed forward. The flexible portion straightens to come close to the wand when the rod is pulled backward. The back of the rod may be slidably connected to the wand. A bag suitable for sterilizing may be attached to the rod and wand for receiving a mass during surgery. When the rod bows out, the bag is opened. When the rod straightens, the bag is closed to form a seal. Methods of using the surgical device include attaching a bag, engaging the disengaging connector, and inserting the device through a laparoscopic sleeve for enclosure, manipulation, and retrieval of the mass.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a reusable surgical device for retrieving a mass during laparoscopic surgery are shown and described. The surgical device has a wand, a rod attached to the wand near the front by a disengaging connector and extending generally parallel to the wand, and a pouch or bag attached to the wand and rod. A portion of the rod is flexible for bowing out from the wand when the rod is pushed forward. The flexible portion straightens to come close to the wand when the rod is pulled backward. The back of the rod may be slidably connected to the wand. A bag suitable for sterilizing may be attached to the rod and wand for receiving a mass during surgery. When the rod bows out, the bag is opened. When the rod straightens, the bag is closed to form a seal. Methods of using the surgical device include attaching a bag, engaging the disengaging connector, and inserting the device through a laparoscopic sleeve for enclosure, manipulation, and retrieval of the mass.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a reusable surgical device for retrieving a mass during laparoscopic surgery are shown and described. The surgical device has a wand, a rod attached to the wand near the front by a disengaging connector and extending generally parallel to the wand, and a pouch or bag attached to the wand and rod. A portion of the rod is flexible for bowing out from the wand when the rod is pushed forward. The flexible portion straightens to come close to the wand when the rod is pulled backward. The back of the may be slidably connected to the wand. A bag suitable for sterilizing may be attached to the rod and wand for receiving a mass during surgery. When the rod bows out, the bag is opened. When the rod straightens, the bag is closed to form a seal. Methods of using the surgical device include attaching a bag, engaging the disengaging connector, and inserting the device through a laparoscopic sleeve for enclosure, manipulation, and retrieval of the mass.

Abstract: A dermal or transdermal segmented dosage unit for administering a dosage of a pharmaceutical to the skin of a patient. The dosage unit of this invention includes a backing layer which is non-permeable with respect to a pharmaceutical to be administered by the dosage unit, a membranous layer that is permeable to the pharmaceutical, a biologically acceptable adhesive, an impermeable coating means for dividing and severing the dosage unit into pre-selected segmental areas corresponding to fractional dosages of pharmaceutical. The fractional dosages may be administered in any pre-selected combination.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a reusable surgical device for retrieving a mass during laparoscopic surgery are shown and described. The surgical device has a wand, a rod attached to the wand near the front by a disengaging connector and extending generally parallel to the wand, and a pouch or bag attached to the wand and rod. A portion of the rod is flexible for bowing out from the wand when the rod is pushed forward. The flexible portion straightens to come close to the wand when the rod is pulled backward. A bag suitable for sterilizing may be attached to the rod and wand for receiving a mass during surgery. When the rod bows out, the bag is opened. When the rod straightens, the bag is closed to form a seal. Methods of using the surgical device include attaching a bag, engaging the disengaging connector, and inserting the device through a laparoscopic sleeve for enclosure, manipulation, and retrieval of the mass.

Abstract: A morcellater having at least one cutting structure rotatably coupled to a motor mechanism. The cutting structure having a protective structure circumjacent thereto. The protective structure being slidably coupled a housing structure wherein at least a portion of the motor mechanism is located. The invention further including a method of using a morcellater in a body cavity through an incision made therein and wherein the morcellater includes at least one grinding structure, coupled to a motor mechanism, and a protective structure located circumjacent to the grinding mechanism. The protective structure having at least a first end coupled a housing structure wherein at least a portion of the motor mechanism is located and a second free end wherein the grinding structure is generally located. The first end able to freely, upon the application of a predetermined level of pressure to the free end, slide into and out of the housing at least a predetermined distance; the method including.

Abstract: A molded plastic one-piece self adjusting self locking suture lock to be used with surgical suture thread and suture needle, said self adjusting self locking suture lock comprising: a body having a front side, a back side, a first edge, a thread retaining opening, and a stitch lock opening; the thread retaining opening having a thread opening slightly smaller in diameter than said suture thread and a slot extending outwardly from said thread opening to said first edge. The stitch lock opening being right cylindrical and having an outer edge on said front side. The body having a plurality of integral tongues connected to said outer edge of the stitch lock opening near said front side and extending diametrically inward at an angle from said front side toward said back side. The tongues being of sufficient dimension and number to occupy substantially the entire circumference of the outer edge.

Abstract: A self locking suture instrument having a body structure and an arm. The body structure comprises a first end, having a pair of forks and a body opening formed therein, and a second end. The arm has a first end and a second end, the second end being coupled to the main body structure, a top side and a bottom side. The arm has a releasable needle lock opening, being cone-shaped with a larger diameter on the top side of the arm and a corresponding smaller diameter on the bottom side of the arm. The arm has an open channel formed therein positioned on the top side of the arm and extending from the first end of the arm to the releasable needle lock opening. The arm has a recess formed therein, positioned on the top side of the arm and extending from the needle lock opening forward the second end of the arm.

Abstract: A self locking suture lock having first and second stitch lock openings designed to receive suture thread in only one direction, thereby locking the thread against withdrawal after the stitch to complete and lock it without the need for a surgical knot. A tongue in the first and second openings will allow passage through each opening from one side to the other side but will not allow passage in the opposite direction. The suture needle insertion side of each opening may be distinctively colored so that a surgeon will know which side of the suture lock will accept the suture thread. A notch may also be formed in each opening to further prevent the removal of the surgical thread. The suture lock is fabricated from an absorbable material that will dissolve at the surgical site over a period of time.

Abstract: A self locking suture lock having first and second stitch lock openings designed to receive suture thread in only one direction, thereby locking the thread against withdrawal after the stitch to complete and lock it without the need for a surgical knot. A tongue in the first and second openings will allow passage through each opening from one side to the other side but will not allow passage in the opposite direction. The suture needle insertion side of each opening may be distinctively colored so that a surgeon will know which side of the suture lock will accept the suture thread. A notch may also be formed in each opening to further prevent the removal of the surgical thread. The suture lock is fabricated from an absorbable material that will dissolve at the surgical site over a period of time.

Abstract: A self locking suture lock having a first suture thread opening in which the thread is secured before the surgical stitch and a cone shaped second stitch lock opening that is larger at the front side than at the back side, and designed to receive suture thread in only one direction, thereby locking it against withdrawal after the stitch to complete and lock it without the need for a surgical knot. A tongue in the second opening will allow passage through the cone shaped second opening from front side to back side but not allow passage from back to side to front side or pulling out of second opening once threaded. The front side of the self locking suture may be distinctively colored so that a surgeon will know which side of the suture lock will accept the suture thread. The first opening may take the form of a deformable slot, a pair of openings, or other forms. The tongue may engage the edge of the second opening, a slot, or other unidirectional lock structures.