Abstract: A cautery, for performing surgical operations through the application of heat to soft tissue, is provided with a smoke removal apparatus to remove smoke and vapors from the immediate area of an operation during use. In a preferred embodiment, the smoke removal apparatus includes a tube disposed proximate to a cutting tip of the cautery, the tube being connected at an opposite end thereof to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A speculum cover for a speculum blade has a smoke tube associated therewith. The speculum cover may be removable from the blade.

Abstract: A catheter for use in removing body fluids includes a hollow, tubular catheter with a one-way check valve disposed therein to substantially limit fluid flow therethrough to a single direction. The catheter further includes a tubular sheath disposed in a rolled-up fashion therearound to aid in sterile disposal thereof.

Abstract: This new catheter minimizes the exposure of attendant personnel to contaminated materials. The catheter enables the withdrawal of the catheter from the patient and subsequent disposal thereof in a safe, easy to perform, and sanitary manner. The catheter includes a hollow tube made of a material that is inflatable and nonporous. A main passage is located within the tube and extends throughout the tube, from an open end of the tube and through an aperture located near a closed end of the tube. An inlet channel is attached to the tube and is in fluid communication with a chamber adjacent to the aperture. Prior to removing the catheter from the body of the patient, a fluid is injected through the channel and into the chamber, thereby inflating the inner surface wall of the tube, and essentially blocking the main passage. The closed chamber is secured to prevent the release of the injected fluid.