Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a suction collection and drainage apparatus which comprises a fluid collection container and a separate tissue specimen trap container. The collection container is connected, by a tube, to a source of suction. Another tube serves to connect the collection container and the trap container together to provide fluid communication therebetween. Still another tube serves to connect the trap container to an endoscope to permit collection of tissue specimens aspirated from the patient and transmitted to the trap container. A filter is supported within the trap container and is formed having a plurality of traps and a plurality of enlarged openings spaced around the filter.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a disposable mouth guard constructed having a relatively hard, rigid core formed with an opening to permit passage therethrough of a diagnostic instrument, such as an endoscope. The core is sufficiently rigid to resist compression and prevent damage to the internal workings of the endoscope when the patient bites down on the center portion of the mouth guard. The outer surface of the core is provided with a relatively flexible soft coat to cushion the patient's bite.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting temperature variations over selected regions of living tissue is in the form of a low pressure supported pillow structure including a first wall portion of temperature responsive material and a second wall portion of transparent material to permit viewing of the temperature responsive material. The wall portions comprise a fluid chamber including an inflation valve to permit inflating the pillow structure when gaseous fluids are used.The method of using the pillow structure comprises pressing the temperature responsive film into conformity with the tissue, or portion of other object to be scanned, and viewing the temperature response through the clear wall portion.The flexible film is preferably also elastic and carries liquid crystals on its inner surface to give it a temperature responsive characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting temperature variations over selected regions of living tissue. The invention relates to the apparatus and to the method of detecting said temperature variations for aid in the early detection of malignant tissue in the breasts. The invention provides for the use of liquid crystals encapsulated between elastic flexible sheets which represent a composite film. The crystals are responsive to changes in temperature of said tissue to display a color pattern on said film representative of said temperature variations. The film conforms to the contour of the tissue to which it is applied, without materially deforming said tissue, by evacuating air from between said film and said tissue. The color pattern produced on said film is observed and is recorded photographically to obtain a thermogram of said temperature variations.

Abstract: A collapsible, toroidal shaped chamber having top and bottom outwardly extending flanges and an inlet tube to permit collapsing the toroid and filling the toroid. Ovoids containing radioactive material and held in place by tubes which extend down from the ovoids and which tubes extend through opposed openings in the flanges. The toroid is collapsed for insertion and filling with radiopaque material to permit positioning of the ovoids.

Abstract: An opaque vinyl envelope having facing polished inner surfaces and an open edge into which an intensifier screen and X-ray film are inserted. The other three edges are completely sealed except for a valve at one edge. Reinforcing strips are attached along the open edge. The three sealed edges of the envelope are heat sealed without pressure to eliminate an internal bead and minimize leakage along the bead when the open edge is closed and the envelope evacuated. An insert that has a relatively rough surface or is pourous assures full evacuation.

Abstract: An opaque vinyl envelope having facing polished inner surfaces and an open edge into which an intensifier screen and X-ray film are inserted. The other three edges are completely sealed except for a valve at one edge. Reinforcing strips are attached along the open edge. The three sealed edges of the envelope are heat sealed without pressure to eliminate an internal bead and minimize leakage along the bead when the open edge is closed and the envelope evacuated. An insert that has a relatively rough surface or is pourous assures full evacuation.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting temperature variations over selected regions of living tissue is in the form of a low pressure supported pillow structure including a first wall portion of temperature responsive material and a second wall portion of transparent material to permit viewing of the temperature responsive material. The wall portions comprise a fluid chamber including an inflation valve to permit inflating the pillow structure when gaseous fluids are used.The method of using the pillow structure comprises pressing the temperature responsive film into conformity with the tissue, or portion of other object to be scanned, and viewing the temperature response through the clear wall portion.The flexible film is preferably also elastic and carries liquid crystals on its inner surface to give it a temperature responsive characteristic.