Abstract: A device including an eye cup portion affixed to one end of an extendible tube portion, the other end of the tube portion is adapted for releasably attaching the tube portion to the nozzle of a spray-mist fluid dispenser. In combination, the device and mist dispenser are operable for controlling the delivery of a fluid to the eye. The device functions both as mask to confine the distribution of the spray mist ejected from the nozzle upon the eye and as a jig operable for adjusting the distance between the mist dispenser nozzle and the eye cup portion of the device. In operation, with the device affixed to a spray mist dispenser nozzle and the tube portion unextended (nozzle closest to the eye), a dense mist is delivered to the cornea and surrounding eye tissues when mist is dispensed. When the tube portion is extended, the spray mist dispenser nozzle is further from the eye cup thereby reducing the density of the spray mist impinging on the eye.

Abstract: Five embodiments of a shield assembly for a syringe having a plunger barrel and a mounting at the other end of the syringe for receiving a needle hub, an inner sheath adapted for being secured to the syringe, an outer cylindrical sheath in telescoping relation on the inner sheath and movable between a retracted position and extended position, and locking elements formed on the two sheaths for locking them in extended and/or retracted relation, the locking elements being releasable by relative rotation of the sheaths. The various embodiments include an additional intermediate sheath nested between the inner and outer sheaths with the locking elements functioning through the three sheaths, guide elements for maintaining alignment of the locking elements, a spiral track for effecting relative rotation of adjacent sheaths.

Abstract: A hand held, vacuum actuated pickup instrument and method of operation are disclosed for an instrument of the type including an elongated body with a pickup attachable at one end and a tail stock at the other end for connection with a vacuum source. According to the present invention, a valve is arranged within the elongated body for selectively venting an axially extending passage connecting the pickup with the tail stock, the valve including a valve element overlying a vent opening, a lever portion attached to the valve element and a fulcrum providing for pivotal movement of the valve element. A restrictive opening is formed between the axially extending opening and the tail stock to further facilitate operation of the instrument.

Abstract: A tapered, generally triangular, rigid housing in which one angle forms a leading edge and the opposite side of the triangle forms a trailing edge. A vacuum attachment nozzle extends into the housing from the trailing edge toward the leading edge. A pliable suction cup is mounted and fixed in said housing by the vacuum nozzle which extends therethrough and is in fluid communication with the interior of a chamber in the suction cup. The exposed portion of the cup comprises a tapered, pliable, generally circular lip which extends slightly beyond one face of the housing. A plurality of wafer-contacting surfaces are located loosely adjacent the periphery of the lip, each spaced 120.degree. from the adjacent suface. A lifting finger may be attached to the leading edge of the housing in order to pick up wafers which are stored on a horizontal surface and move the wafers onto the lip for grasping thereby.

Abstract: A pencil-size instrument body has a manually operable valve to control an air passage connected to a vacuum source. A first hollow axle projecting forward from the body carries a rotary finger control member. A rigid air tube of small diameter is mounted by one end in a second hollow axle and constitutes therewith a replaceable probe assembly that plugs into the first hollow axle. A rotary hub member on the second hollow axle is operated by the rotary finger control member and is connected to the end of a coil spring that rotatably embraces the rigid air tube. The second end of the coil spring is connected to a rotary tip member on the rigid air tube that picks up small objects by vacuum action and rotates the objects under control of the finger control member.