Abstract: A bone plug cutting blade for a peripheral drive oscillating surgical saw. The blade has a split stem so that it can be placed around a tendon attached to the bone before being inserted into the saw's blade holder.

Abstract: A small bead-like automatic guard for the tip of a standard one-time use hypodermic needle which initially resides near the needle tip and becomes activated by movement of the guard away from the tip due to insertion of the needle through the skin. At withdrawal a coil spring in conjunction with the guard's internal, mechanism automatically locks the guard over the needle tip.

Abstract: A guard (6) for the tip of a catheter insertion needle (5) which resides initially inside the standard catheter hub (3) and becomes automatically locked onto the tip of the standard insertion needle when the needle is withdrawn from the catheter. A small internal pivoting lever (8) sensitive to the end of the needle closes the internal teeth (12) of a snap ring (7) onto the needle (5) to hold the guard (6) in one direction while the one way lever prevents the needle tip from exiting the guard in the other direction.

Abstract: A guard for the tip of an intravenous needle which operates automatically when the needle is withdrawn from an intravenous catheter.

Abstract: A power saw for cutting the bone plug portions of a tendon graft which is to be transplanted. The saw blade is a circular ring of teeth which is oscillated about the circle center by a peripheral drive, thereby enabling circular bone plugs to be cut and eliminating the need to manually trim the bone plugs to an approximately circular cross section.

Abstract: A guard for the tip of a hypodermic needle which is activated automatically when the needle is withdrawn after use. The guard resides initially around the shaft of the needle near the needle tip. Insertion of the needle causes the guard to be pushed back by the surface of the skin. This releases the spring activated locking mechanism such that when the needle is withdrawn the spring pushes the guard over the tip of the needle and the guard becomes automatically locked in place.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle which is made primarily from a dissolvable material so that after it is used the exposure to moisture causes it to lose its rigid structure and therefore cannot accidentally prick someone and cannot be used again.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing device including a support element assuring predetermined placement of the sensing element within the fluid body. Secured to the support element are one or more small diameter coils of a conductive material having cage elements extending axially beyond the end of the coil in at least one direction and capturing a buoyant metallic sphere. When the sensor is in position, extending into a fluid body, the fluid level will dictate the position of the metallic sphere and the location of the sphere with respect to the coil will alter the coil characteristics. The altered coil characteristics initiate change in response in the interconnecting electronic circuit which may then be detected by a visual indicator or alternatively may serve as a switching pulse to remedy or alter or otherwise act upon the situation detected.