Abstract: A surgical irrigation system is suitable for endoscopic and other surgical procedures. A hand held handpiece has a forward protruding hollow tip for supplying irrigation liquid to a surgical site, a hand actuable control for controlling irrigation liquid flow to the tip, and an irrigation liquid inlet. A self contained pumping unit is locatable adjacent a source of irrigation liquid and remote from the handpiece. The pumping unit comprises a housing containing an outlet for irrigation liquid, a pumping member for pumping irrigation liquid through the outlet, a motor for driving the pumping member, and an electric battery assembly for energizing the motor. An elongate tube connects the pumping outlet to the handpiece irrigation liquid inlet for supplying pumped irrigation liquid to the handpiece.

Abstract: An inventive surgical handpiece comprises a handle unit and structure carried by the handle unit for engaging a patient. A hand actuable element is mounted for rotation on the handle unit, about first and second mutually transverse axes. A first mechanism is responsive to rotation of the hand actuable element about its first axis for imparting first degree of freedom movement to the patient engaging structure. A second mechanism is responsive to rotation of the same hand actuable element about its second axis for imparting second degree of freedom movement to the patient engaging structure.

Abstract: A device for particle agglutination analysis and a method for its use. The device includes means forming a longitudinally extending channel, an opening communicating from the exterior of the device to a first end of the channel, a reservoir communicating with the second end of the channel, and a vent opening communicating from the reservoir to the exterior of the apparatus. The channel has a sufficiently large cross section and the vent is positioned such that, when the channel is in a vertical position, a given amount of fluid, introduced through the opening into the channel will flow by gravity through the channel and into the reservoir, filling the channel to a desired height and the reservoir to the same height without flowing through the vent, while air escapes through the vent. Gravity causes sufficient movement of the particles so that agglutination may occur.

Abstract: A handpowered, low cost, disposable laparoscopic surgical tool has a proximal hand engageable unit, an elongate extension unit and a distal jaw unit. Pulling a trigger of the hand engageable unit forwards an extension rod in the extension unit to pivot the jaws together. In one embodiment of the invention, the handle unit is primarily of molded plastic material for low cost and disposability. In an embodiment, electrocautery contact with the extension unit is through a bendable spring element. In an embodiment specially shaped links and connected jaw portions improve strength and control in opening and closing the jaws.

Abstract: A laparoscopy cannula having an acutely angled suction irrigation branch, incorporating a suction irrigation fluid seal which is accessible for replacement and a cooperating rotatable and axially slidable coupling having an internal portion for connection to and support of a suction irrigation handpiece.

Abstract: A surgical irrigation system is suitable for endoscopic and other surgical procedures. A hand held handpiece has a forward protruding hollow tip for supplying irrigation liquid to a surgical site, a hand actuable control for controlling irrigation liquid flow to the tip, and an irrigation liquid inlet. A self contained pumping unit is locatable adjacent a source of irrigation liquid and remote from the handpiece. The pumping unit comprises a housing containing an outlet for irrigation liquid, a pumping member for pumping irrigation liquid through the outlet, a motor for driving the pumping member, and an electric battery assembly for energizing the motor. An elongate tube connects the pumping outlet to the handpiece irrigation liquid inlet for supplying pumped irrigation liquid to the handpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement and containing the mixed bone cement preparatory to dispensing. The mixing chamber has an outlet for the mixed cement. A cartridge has an inlet releasably coupled to the outlet of the mixing chamber for receiving mixed bone cement therefrom. Structure is provided for moving cement from an upper region of the mixing chamber down into a lower region thereof to mix same and for moving such mixed cement off an inner surface of the mixing chamber and into the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement and containing the mixed bone cement preparatory to dispensing. The mixing chamber has an outlet for the mixed cement. A cartridge has an inlet releasably coupled to the outlet of the mixing chamber for receiving mixed bone cement therefrom. Structure is provided for moving cement from an upper region of the mixing chamber down into a lower region thereof to mix same and for moving such mixed cement off an inner surface of the mixing chamber and into the cartridge.

Abstract: An ultrathin selectively permeable membrane made by glow discharge plasma polymerization of a single siloxane monomer with the deposition of the polymer as a single layer upon a nonporous support material. The resulting membrane has an oxygen content between about 10% and 60% and is highly permselective. The support material can be an electrode, thereby forming an electrode that is resistant to fouling or contamination but readily accessible to oxygen.