Abstract: A surgical staple of the type which is applied by being bent around an anvil in a surgical stapler has two spaced surfaces transverse to the longitudinal axis of the staple and located so that when the staple is bent around the anvil, the transverse surfaces cooperate with the anvil to prevent the staple from being pulled back into the stapler.

Abstract: An indicator for a surgical stapler viewable through a window adjacent the handle when the stapler magazine is within a spaced relation range to the stapler anvil; whereby, the staples are properly deformed and the stapled tissue is not inordinately crushed.

Abstract: A disposable surgical stapler is provided which comprises:a tubular housing having an axial bore and an axial slot which extends through its tubular wall;a tubular pusher axially located within the bore of the housing and adapted to move distally and proximally within the bore; the pusher having an axial slot extending through its tubular wall;a central rod axially located within the pusher and adapted to move distally and proximally within the pusher; the central rod having an axial groove in its lateral surface;a handle pivotally mounted on the tubular wall of the housing; one part of the handle being positioned within the slot in the housing and within the slot in the pusher; and being adapted to move distally against the distal end of the slot in the pusher to move the pusher distally;an anvil mounted in a predetermined indexed orientation on the distal end of said center rod;a staple carrying assembly mounted on the distal end of said housing;the groove in the central rod being located, so that when the

Abstract: An indicator/controller for dispensing medical fluids (e.g., intravenously) is disclosed. The device has vented chambers that are movable vertically with respect to one another, thin-plate orifices, capillary chambers, and membrane valves, in addition to other features. The device need be set only once to the desired flow and it will maintain that flow rate regardless of changes in temperature or the height of fluid in the supply.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint of the hinged type which permits rotation of the bones in two planes and has means for attaching the device to the bones as well as coupling means. The attaching means for the tibia is in the form of a flanged sleeve in which a flanged stem element is adapted to be rotatably received. The stem element and the attaching means for the femur are coupled together so that they are permitted to undergo relative rotation in the plane of flexion. The rotation of the stem in the sleeve about the axis of the shaft of the tibia permits rotational movement of the pair of bones in a second (axial) plane. The stem is free to distract from the sleeve while maintaining alignment to insure proper reengagement. Bearing surfaces on the stem and sleeve elements are adapted to engage so that the large forces exerted on the implanted device by reason of the knee's function and mechanics are distributed over the substantial area of the congruent thrust bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A disposable instrument for applying surgical clips consisting of a clip applier and a cartridge mounted thereon. The instrument consists of a housing having a body portion and an elongated sleeve portion extending from the front of the body portion. Disposed for rectilinear movement within the sleeve and body portions is a jaw blade which terminates at its free end in a pair of opposed clinching jaws resiliently spaced apart. The jaw blade is slidably mounted in the housing and coacts with a portion of the housing structure for closing the clinching jaws together, the movement of the jaw blade defining a first plane. Positioned within the housing for arcuate movement are a pair of handles, the movement of the handles defining a second plane. A pair of links provides a force-transferring connection between the handles and the jaw blade. Each handle defines a force-imparting cylindrical surface the axis of which is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the movement of the handles.

Abstract: A coherent surgical-staple stack comprising a plurality of staples, bonded together in a parallel contiguous relationship by a biodegradable, absorbable plastic.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint of the hinged type which permits rotation of the bones in two planes and has means for attaching the device to the bones as well as coupling means. The attaching means for the tibia is in the form of a flanged sleeve in which a flanged stem element is adapted to be rotatably received. The stem element and the attaching means for the femur are coupled together so that they are permitted to undergo relative rotation in the plane of flexion. The rotation of the stem in the sleeve about the axis of the shaft of the tibia permits rotational movement of the pair of bones in a second (axial) plane. The stem is free to distract from the sleeve while maintaining alignment to insure proper reengagement. Bearing surfaces on the stem and sleeve elements are adapted to engage so that the large forces exerted on the implanted device by reason of the knee's function and mechanics are distributed over the substantial area of the congruent thrust bearing surfaces.

Abstract: An intravenous set with a volume limiting chamber for precisely controlling the volume of parenteral solution administered to a patient and a drip chamber for determining the parenteral solution flow rate. The volume limiting chamber has a membrane valve which when wet will pass parenteral solution but will not pass air at normal intravenous administration pressures. The drip chamber has an air vent so that air can be vented to the drip chamber to lower the liquid level whenever the level is so high that the flow rate cannot easily be determined. The air vent can also be used to vent air from the drip chamber as an aid in priming the drip chamber.

Abstract: A method for joining soft body tissues and a device for practicing the method which includes a retainer strip formed of a material which in time is absorbed by the body and which is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings and a fastener strip also formed of a material which is similarly absorbed and which is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced prongs each having a barbed end portion and an axial passage. Both the retainer strip and fastener strip are preferably formed of biologically absorbable plastic material for gradual absorption by the body and are movable together so that the prongs are inserted through the tissue to be joined and through the retainer strip openings with the tissue secured between the strips. The strips are movable together by means of a rigid anvil member engageable with the retainer strip and a rigid pusher member engageable with the fastener strip.

Abstract: Variable closed position fuel and air flow control for vehicles with automatic transmission for improving fuel consumption efficiency of a vehicular internal combustion engine, without disabling or circumventing any engine function, accessory, or emission control device, by causing the engine to idle at substantially constant speed regardless of changes in the engine load caused by accessories such as automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering and the like. This variable closed position fuel and air flow control device is adapted to be easily retrofitted to existing engines and includes a vacuum actuator connected to be responsive to changes in pressure in the fuel and air flow induction passage for the engine. A cam is operatively associated with the primary idle stop of the antidieseling solenoid and the throttle control arm and a linkage transmits the motion of the actuator to the cam.

Abstract: An intravenous set has a volume limiting chamber for precisely controlling the volume of parenteral solution administered to a patient and a flexible drip chamber for determining the parenteral solution flow rate. The volume limiting chamber has a membrane valve which when wet will pass parenteral solution but will not pass air at normal intravenous administration pressures. An air bypass is provided in the volume limiting chamber so that air can bypass the membrane valve and enter the volume limiting chamber from the drip chamber when the drip chamber is squeezed to prime the intravenous set. A pressure pad insures that the membrane value is maintained in sealed contact with its seat under conditions of zero pressure drop across the membrane value but allows the wet membrane to be unseated when the drip chamber is squeezed.

Abstract: A temperature, pulse and respiration detector having a non-disposable sensor and a disposable cover. The sensor comprises a probe having a thermistor mounted at one end for insertion into the body to sense temperature. The sensor also comprises a thermistor spaced from the end of the probe and housed within the body of the sensor for sensing respiration. Pulse is sensed by a photoelectric detector mounted in the sensor body. The disposable cover has at least one opening which associates with the respiration-sensing thermistor so that the thermistor is exposed to respiration and at least one radiation transmitting portion which associates with the photoelectric detector. In normal use, the patient places the probe in his mouth while holding the sensor in his hand so that his finger is over the photoelectric detector.

Abstract: A temperature, pulse and respiration detector is disclosed having a disposable oral probe with a thermopile mounted thereon. The thermopile comprises a plurality of hot junctions mounted near one end of the probe for insertion into the mouth. These hot junctions act as a temperature sensor and as one of the electrodes for pulse detection. The thermopile also comprises at least one hot junction spaced from the end of the probe for sensing nasal respiration. The other pulse detection electrode is mounted on a connector housing which holds the disposable probe. In use, the patient holds the connector housing with his left hand so that his thumb contacts the electrode mounted thereon and places the probe in his mouth. The patient's temperature and respiration are sensed by the thermopile and his pulse rate derived from the electrical activity of the heart sensed by the electrodes.

Abstract: An artificial hip joint including an acetabulum prosthesis for the cotyloid cavity defining a socket and having a plurality of outwardly extending blades for engaging the prepared wall of the cavity together with a prosthesis of the head of the femur movably interconnected with the acetabulum prosthesis and which includes a pin arranged to be driven into the bone-marrow channel of the femur, a neck connected integrally to the pin and a hip ball secured to the neck and movably disposed within the socket, the pin including a tapered upper portion and a lower portion provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes to prevent rotation of the pin and a pair of rows of slots or holes arranged in diametrically opposed relationship on both the pin upper and lower portions for promoting bone ingrowth.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint includes a fermoral prosthesis and a tibial prosthesis each having a shank adapted to being fixed to the femur and tibia, respectively. The femoral prosthesis has two laterally spaced apart condyloid elements. The condyloid elements have first bearing surfaces defined by their outer periphery and second bearing surfaces defined by bores in the condyloid elements. The tibial prosthesis has a weight-bearing portion including concave bearing surfaces for supporting the condyloid elements of the femoral prosthesis. The weight-bearing portion of the tibial prosthesis also includes an upstanding arm fitted between the condyloid elements of the femoral prosthesis. A transverse support shaft passes through a hole in the upstanding arm of the tibial prosthesis and is journaled in the bores in the condyloid elements of the femoral prosthesis.

Abstract: An intravenous set has a volume limiting chamber for precisely controlling the volume of parenteral solution administered to a patient and a flexible drip chamber for determining the parenteral solution flow rate. The volume limiting chamber has a membrane valve which when wet will pass parenteral solution but will not pass air at normal intravenous administration pressures. An air bypass is provided in the volume limiting chamber so that air can bypass the membrane valve and enter the volume limiting chamber from the drip chamber when the drip chamber is squeezed to prime the intravenous set.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for controlling the operation of a three-stage staple-carrying cartridge adapted to ligate, suture and divide organic tubular structures such as blood vessels. The instrument also operates in three-stages to positively control the ligating, suturing and dividing operations of the cartridge. The cartridge actuating mechanism takes the form of three saddles which are in turn controlled by the operating mechanism of the instrument. A two-link mechanical toggle positively controls the operation of two of the three cartridge-actuating saddles. The third saddle is, in turn, controlled by a shifter dog mechanism. The instrument is also equipped with a mechanism which ensures the completion of a ligating, suturing and dividing cycle to avoid jamming the staple-carrying cartridge.

Abstract: An artificial hip joint having an acetabulum prosthesis for the cotyloid cavity defining a socket and including a head having a plurality of blades extending outwardly away from the socket for engaging the prepared wall of the cotyloid cavity and having at least one insert removably connected to the head to form the socket. A prosthesis of the head of the femur is movably interconnected with the acetabulum prosthesis and includes a pin to be driven into the bone-marrow channel of the femur, a curved neck integral with the pin, and a hip ball positioned on the neck, movably located within the socket and in movable contact with the removable insert. Means are provided in operative relationship with the femur head prosthesis for preventing rotation of the femur head prosthesis with respect to the femur.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for applying sterilized staples to the disunited skin or fascia of a patient in order to effect a joining of the skin or fascia. The instrument is adapted to associate with a staple-carrying cartridge having a plurality of staples therein. The instrument is manually powered and includes a nose portion rotatably mounted in a hand-held main body portion and adapted to mount the staple-carrying cartridge so that the stapling angle can be varied without rotating the hand-held portion of the stapler. A clutch means is provided for ensuring that the staple-advancing drive means of the instrument is only activated once per stapling operation. The instrument is further provided with means for preventing the insertion of a fresh staple-carrying cartridge until the instrument is in the readiness position for a driving stroke, and means for maintaining the unloaded instrument in its readiness position until equipped with a cartridge.