Abstract: A universal seal for a trocar is disclosed. The universal seal has a rigid housing with a chamber for receiving a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly is disposed within the chamber and has freedom of movement along the longitudinal axis of the housing in response to a surgical instrument being inserted into or withdrawn from the sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes first and second rigid rings generally parallel to and spaced from each other. It also includes an inner elastomeric seal for sealing against instruments of varying diameter. The inner elastomeric seal is attached to the second ring, and it has an aperture for passage of an instrument through the elastomeric seal. In response to off-centered insertion of an instrument into the universal seal, the sealing assembly moves longitudinally and assumes a tilted orientation as the radial force on the inner elastomeric seal is applied by the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical method for creating an operative space during an endoscopic surgical procedure is disclosed. The method incorporates the use of an elongate instrument with an atraumatic tip for facilitating manual dissection of layers of tissues by advancing the instrument between the layers desired to be dissected. As the manual dissection is performed, the space between the dissected layers is enhanced by concurrently insufflating the dissected space as the instrument is advanced. Concurrently insufflating while dissecting eliminates the need to use a balloon dissector for creating the operative space. An improved surgical instrument particularly adapted to carry out this procedure is also disclosed. The improved surgical instrument is an optical obturator incorporating a contrasting imaging element displayed on the transparent tip of the obturator.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a pneumatic fastener driving tool of the type having a body containing a cylinder with a piston mounting a driver, a firing valve above and normally closing the upper end of the cylinder, and a space or volume above the firing valve. The volume above the firing valve is normally connected to a source of air under pressure to maintain the firing valve closed. When this volume is connected to exhaust the firing valve opens allowing air under pressure within the cylinder above the piston to cycle the tool. The electronic control system comprises a solenoid actuated valve which, when actuated, connects the volume above the firing valve to exhaust to cycle the tool, a source of electrical current and a control circuit. The control circuit establishes a desired mode of operation for the tool and has inputs from at least a manual trigger and a safety and interprets the inputs including their presence or absence and their sequence.

Abstract: A drywall tool provides tactile and audible feedback to the user, as a fastener is driven by frequent multiple blows, to indicate when the fastener is properly driven, and the drywall dimpled, without tearing the paper facing of the drywall. Dimpling apparatus and a firing valve for controlling the multiple blows are described. A cam is provided to withdraw the magazine follower from the last fastener in a strip to avoid jamming or damage by a descending driver. Tool apparatus permits use of lightweight, synthetic parts.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool for driving clamp nails, having a single nose piece making possible the driving of clamp nails into the outside corner of a miter joint, or the inside corner of a miter joint, and having a plate which may be adjusted to position the nose piece at any angle from 45.degree. to 30.degree. off the vertical centerline of the tool. When set at the 30.degree. angle, the nose piece is in the optimum position to drive a clamp nail into an inside right angled butt joint. A safety is provided having a configuration like the nose piece. The tool is provided with a magazine for a stick of clamp nails, and an adjustable rail in the magazine makes it adaptable to clamp nails of different sizes. The guide body through which the clamp nails are fed into position below the drive is provided with a configuration which makes it impossible to feed clamp nails if the stick is inserted into the magazine upside down.

Abstract: A clamp nail for joining two wood members tightly together by driving the nail endwise into the two members across the joint. The major length of the nail is in the form of a channel having a web and parallel upstanding flanges along both sides of the web. The web has at least two holes, leaving a central column member. The channel has a tapered transition section which may commence at the leading edge of the nail in the driving direction, or it may join a shorter channel portion at the leading edge, having a wider web and parallel upstanding flanges, to the major channel portion having a narrower web. The web is preferably bowed inwardly to bring the column member more nearly to the center of the flange height.