Abstract: A multi-purpose, one integral piece, medical suctioning device, comprising, in combination first, second and third longitudinally extending tubular body portions of successively different outer diameters, and defining a single, molded plastic unit which is laterally flexible along its longitudinal length, the first body portion forming annular barbs outwardly presented to receive connection to plastic tubing, the second body portion defining a cylinder of relatively greater outer diameter or diameters, there being an annular stop ring integral with the cylinder and presented toward such barbs to define a stop surface against which plastic tubing seats endwise, the third body portion being elongated, and tapering away from the second body portion to terminate at a laterally flexible, forward tubular tip, there being a finger controlled air inlet defined by a sideward protrusion integral with said second body portion.

Abstract: A sensor device in the form of a substantially flat package for receiving and transmitting signals, to be monitored and/or recorded, comprising, in combination a first layer in the form of an annulus having an undersurface to adhere to the skin of a patient; a second layer in the form of a conductive sensing layer peripherally bounded by the first layer and having an undersurface adapted for contact with the skin of the patient; a conductive terminal extending above the second layer in adjacent and conductive relation therewith; a protector extending in shallow dome configuration over the first and second layers and over the terminal; and a conductive lead extending over edges defined by the first and second terminals, and under the protector, for protected contact with the terminal, and to transmit signals for monitoring or recording.

Abstract: An orthotic device includes a pair of panel members and a mechanical advantage device that bridges the pair of panel members together to form a belt with two free end portions detachably connectable to each other. The mechanical advantage device has a drawstring element that causes the mechanical advantage device to move from an expanded state wherein the bridged end portions are disposed apart from one another to a contracted state wherein the respective bridged end portions are drawn towards each other. Methods are also described. One method includes the steps of donning the orthotic device about the patient's chest, connecting the free end portions of the orthotic device together with the mechanical advantage device in the expanded state, and pulling the drawstring element a selected distance to move the mechanical advantage device from the expanded state to the contracted state for a desired level of tightening.

Abstract: A sensor device in the form of a substantially flat package for receiving and transmitting signals, to be monitored and/or recorded, comprising, in combination a first layer in the form of an annulus having an undersurface to adhere to the skin of a patient; a second layer in the form of a conductive sensing layer peripherally bounded by the first layer and having an undersurface adapted for contact with the skin of the patient; a conductive terminal extending above the second layer in adjacent and conductive relation therewith; a protector extending in shallow dome configuration over the first and second layers and over the terminal; and a conductive lead extending over edges defined by the first and second terminals, and under the protector, for protected contact with the terminal, and to transmit signals for monitoring or recording.

Abstract: An orthotic device includes a pair of panel members and a mechanical advantage device that bridges the pair of panel members together to form a belt with two free end portions detachably connectable to each other. The mechanical advantage device has a drawstring element that causes the mechanical advantage device to move from an expanded state wherein the bridged end portions are disposed apart from one another to a contracted state wherein the respective bridged end portions are drawn towards each other. Methods are also described. One method includes the steps of donning the orthotic device about the patient's chest, connecting the free end portions of the orthotic device together with the mechanical advantage device in the expanded state, and pulling the drawstring element a selected distance to move the mechanical advantage device from the expanded state to the contracted state for a desired level of tightening.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube holder, comprising, in combination an elongated arching support having opposite end portions adapted to be attached to a patient's left and right facial cheek zones which are preauricular areas of the cheeks, the support also having a mid portion adapted to be positioned in outwardly spaced relation to a patient's mouth; and a platform connected to the support to project outwardly away from the support mid portion, for attachment to and for supporting the endotracheal tube projecting from the patient's mouth.

Abstract: A ureteral catheter device composed of a catheter made of light transmitting material, the catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, and being formed to have a drainage lumen that extends between, and is open at the distal and proximal ends, and a second lumen that extends substantially parallel to the drainage lumen; and a single fiber optic filament housed in the second lumen, the fiber optic filament being provided to conduct light in a manner to illuminate the catheter.

Abstract: A golf-leveler device, process for making a golf-leveler device, and a method of using a golf-leveling device comprising a 360-degree dome leveler housed within and at one end of a standard golf ball and having a base at the opposite end. Both the dome leveler and the base are inserted into a cylindrical hole drilled through the origin of the spherical golf ball, and secured thereto by glue or adhesive means. The base includes a bottom portion that is a flat plane having a diameter less than the diameter of the golf ball, and being orthogonal to the centerline axis of the hole drilled through the golf ball. A bubble is positioned within a transparent oily liquid within the dome leveler such that when the golfer places the device on a location on a green on a golf course, the bubble indicates the direction that that particular location on the green slants upward.

Abstract: A one wall of a plastic urine bag is extended as a broad sheet terminating in a rolled-over belt loop. The belt loop is threaded by a fabric belt, which is secured about a patient's waist, permitting the urine bag to hang in the area of the patient's leg. The fabric belt has Velcro.RTM. "loops" entirely upon its surface and is fastened by a tab of Velcro.RTM. "hooks". The catheter is taped to the broad sheet. A lower port of the urine bag has a valve for gravity drainage of collected fluids. The unitary urine bag and support harness in combination with the belt is low cost, sanitary, comfortable for patient use, easy of assembly, tamper resistant, and entirely disposable.

Abstract: Ureteral stones or calculi may be extracted with a minimum amount of risk of trauma and damage to the ureter by use of the present invention's slipover extraction device. The present invention first positions a guide wire beyond the ureteral stone. An open-end, hollow catheter is then slid coaxially along the guide wire to be also positioned beyond the stone. After the guide wire is removed, a stone basket is slid coaxially within the catheter, where it is also positioned beyond the stone for extraction.

Abstract: An adjustable utility clamp device easily attachable to a hospital bed frame, standard bed frame tubular frame member or other frame member allowing for easy securance and release of limb restraint straps or other devices and having no protruding edges and the adjustment means being inaccessible to the restrained patient.

Abstract: An elongated, hollow filiform having a tapered insertion tip is passed through the urethra to the urinary bladder and functions both as a probe to seek the lumen or opening of the urethra and as a guide so that a rigid, hollow stylet within a Councill catheter or the like can be slidably passed over the filiform into the bladder while the filiform remains in a stationary position within the urethra and the bladder. The stylet and the filiform can then be removed to leave the catheter within the bladder. If the urethra is constricted, a first elongated, hollow dilator can be guided over the filiform to dilate or widen the urethra before the stylet and catheter are introduced. If necessary, the first dilator can be replaced by a second dilator having a larger outer diameter to further dilate the urethra so that the diameter of the urethra will accommodate the Councill catheter containing the hollow rigid stylet.

Abstract: A device expecially suited for restaining the movements of the limb of a patient during a medical procedure is disclosed. The device includes a generally long rectangular flexible member which encircles the limb. The outside surface of this member is a Velcro loop pile. A strap having a Velcro hook fiber surface is attached at one of its ends to the encircling member. The strap is wrapped around the encircling member in the direction toward the end closest to which the strap is attached such that the Velcro hook fiber surface of the strap is brought into contact and locking engagement with the Velcro pile surface of the encircling member. The strap is routed through a small ring attached to the outside surface of the encircling member and proceeds to a support structure to which it is releasably attached by fastening means located at or near said end.

Abstract: A device having special utility for comfortably holding and protecting medically related telemetry transmitters such as are used to monitor the vital signs of medical patients is described. The device comprises a generally flat closable pouch into which may be placed the telemetry transmitter. Integral with the pouch is a padded strip which secures the pouch about the midsection of the patient beneath his or her hospital gown or other clothing. The device uses Velcro type fastening surfaces and is completely machine washable.

Abstract: An improved connector arrangement for breathing circuit endotracheal tubes or the like in which one tube end is inserted into the other tube end. A secure connection is provided by means of a lug, groove and slot arrangement on the adjacent surfaces. When the tubes are moved axially together a lug protruding from one of the surfaces is engaged by a slot in the other and slides along the slot to a circumferential groove, thereby securing the two tubes together so that one can still be moved radially with respect to the other but not be disconnected by an inadvertent force exerted in an axial direction. A quick disconnect capability is provided by having the distance to the groove from the end of the tube along one side of the slot be less than that along the other side of the slot.