Abstract: A surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a handle and a suction head pivotally attached to the handle. The suction head includes an open-ended suction chamber having a rim positioned to engage the patient's skin. An actuator on the handle operates a pump to draw a negative pressure in the suction chamber, causing the rim to seal against the patient's skin via the suction force. Once the suction force is initiated, the user may lift the handle away from the patient's body to lift tissue. The lifted tissue provides a site for insertion of a trocar or Veress needle for a laparoscopic procedure in some embodiments. A gimbal disposed between the handle and the suction head provides at least two degrees of freedom such that the handle can be rotated and pivoted to optimize the direction of applied lifting force.

Abstract: A method of manipulating patient tissue with a surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a handle and a suction head pivotally attached to the handle. The suction head includes an open-ended suction chamber having a rim positioned to engage the patient's skin. An actuator on the handle operates a pump to draw a negative pressure in the suction chamber, causing the rim to seal against the patient's skin via the suction force. Once the suction force is initiated, the user may lift the handle away from the patient's body to lift tissue. The lifted tissue provides a site for insertion of a trocar or Veress needle for a laparoscopic procedure in some embodiments. A gimbal disposed between the handle and the suction head provides at least two degrees of freedom such that the handle can be rotated and pivoted to optimize the direction of applied lifting force.

Abstract: A surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a handle and a suction head pivotally attached to the handle. The suction head includes an open-ended suction chamber having a rim positioned to engage the patient's skin. An actuator on the handle operates a pump to draw a negative pressure in the suction chamber, causing the rim to seal against the patient's skin via the suction force. Once the suction force is initiated, the user may lift the handle away from the patient's body to lift tissue. The lifted tissue provides a site for insertion of a trocar or Veress needle for a laparoscopic procedure in some embodiments. A gimbal disposed between the handle and the suction head provides at least two degrees of freedom such that the handle can be rotated and pivoted to optimize the direction of applied lifting force.

Abstract: A surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a handle and a suction head pivotally attached to the handle. The suction head includes an open-ended suction chamber having a rim positioned to engage the patient's skin. An actuator on the handle operates a pump to draw a negative pressure in the suction chamber, causing the rim to seal against the patient's skin via the suction force. Once the suction force is initiated, the user may lift the handle away from the patient's body to lift tissue. The lifted tissue provides a site for insertion of a trocar or Veress needle for a laparoscopic procedure in some embodiments. A gimbal disposed between the handle and the suction head provides at least two degrees of freedom such that the handle can be rotated and pivoted to optimize the direction of applied lifting force.

Abstract: A chemical process for the purification of CaSO4 utilizes the ability of an aqueous solution of a chelating agent to selectively dissolve CaSO4 in that the initial extraction can be carried out at certain pH and CaSO4 can be recovered by titration to a different pH (usually a a lower pH) following a mechanical treatment, such as centrifugation or filtration, to separate the aqueous chelate solution from insoluble material. Also claimed are an apparatus and the use of chelating agents therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an assay to be conducted upon a fluid sample suspected of containing an analyte of interest, comprises a vessel for receiving a sample, and an element for capturing an analyte of interest. The element is insertable into the vessel for the purposes of the assay, and is coated on at least one surface with a specific binding partner for the analyte of interest. The element further having on a surface remote from the coated surface, structure adapted for manipulating the element for convenient analysis, whereby it is possible to detect and quantify microorganisms, particularly assay for infective agents such as bacteria, and viral particles and prions, or other particles that may be associated with a disease state, especially in humans.

Abstract: A chemical process for the purification of CaSO4 utilizes the ability of an aqueous solution of a chelating agent to selectively dissolve CaSO4, in that the initial extraction can be carried out at certain pH and CaSO4 can be recovered by titration to a different pH (usually a lower pH) following a mechanical treatment, such as centrifugation or filtration, to separate the aqueous chelate solution from insoluble material. Also claimed are an apparatus and the use of chelating agents therefor.