Abstract: A disposable plastic vaginal speculum constructed for heavy duty use and/or for long duration gynecological procedures including vaginal surgical and electrosurgical procedures. The hinge region of the speculum is reinforced so that the speculum can bear forces of a magnitude normally bearable only by metal vaginal specula. The reinforcing element also functions as a smoke evacuation element.

Abstract: A vacuum extractor for obstetrical use comprises a vacuum cup at one end of an elongated stem having a handle at the opposite end. The vacuum cup is sealed over a portion of the head of the fetus and a vacuum source, usually operating through the stem, connects to the inner side of the cup and secures it to the fetal head. A strain sensor is connected to the stem. When the force applied to the cup through the handle and stem exceeds a predetermined maximum, a valve connecting the vacuum pressure to the atmosphere is opened so as to release the vacuum pressure from the cup. Another extractor comprises an elongated hollow stem having one or more apertures along its length, a vacuum source connected to a cup supported on the stem, and a handle member which includes a traction limiting element operative to open and close the apertures.

Abstract: A liquid testing assembly for testing a liquid, the assembly comprising a test vessel and a stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the vessel. The stopper substantially hermetically seals the test vessel from the ambient. Further, the assembly includes a support coated with one or more identifying materials for identifying one or more constituents of the liquid. The support is fixed in the stopper and/or the vessel and extends into its interior for a predetermined distance. The liquid testing assembly when assembled is pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum sufficient to draw a predetermined volume of liquid to be sampled into the test vessel. The predetermined volume is of such an amount that it wets the one or more identifying materials ensuring identification of one or more constituents present in the liquid. A kit employing the liquid testing assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: A vacuum extractor for obstetrical use comprises a vacuum cup at one end of an elongated stem having a handle at the opposite end. The vacuum cup is sealed over a portion of the head of the fetus and a vacuum source, usually operating through the stem, connects to the inner side of the cup and secures it to the fetal head. A strain sensor is connected to the stem. When the force applied to the cup through the handle and stem exceeds a predetermined maximum, a valve connecting the vacuum pressure to the atmosphere is opened so as to release the vacuum pressure from the cup. Another extractor comprises an elongated stem and a traction limiter having one or more apertures, a vacuum source connected to a cup supported on the stem, and a handle member in arrangement with the traction limiter operative to open and close the apertures.

Abstract: A disposable inoculation loop assembly comprising a test tube and a tube stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the test tube. A first end of the stopper faces into the interior of the test tube substantially hermetically sealing the interior of the test tube. The assembly further includes an inoculation loop fixed to the tube stopper and extending into the interior of the test tube to a predetermined distance when the stopper is positioned in the free end of the test tube. The assembly when assembled is sterilized and pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum which is sufficient to draw a volume of a bodily liquid to be sampled into the test tube. The volume is of such an amount so that the liquid level in the test tube substantially just covers a predetermined portion of the inoculation loop.

Abstract: An article for improving the posture of an individual sitting on a chair. The article includes a back covering member positionable on the back support portion of the chair and covering at least a portion thereof. The article is configured to annoy the individual when the individual is sitting in a manner deleterious to proper posture. The article includes a means for removably attaching the back covering member to the chair. There is also taught another article for improving the posture of an individual sitting on a chair. The article includes a seat covering member positionable on the seat support portion of the chair and covering at least a portion thereof. The article is configured to annoy the individual when the individual is sitting in a manner deleterious to proper posture. The article includes a means for removably attaching the seat covering member to the chair.

Abstract: A vacuum extractor for obstetrical use comprises a vacuum cup at one end of an elongated stem having a handle at the opposite end. The vacuum cup is sealed over a portion of the head of the fetus and a vacuum source, usually operating through the stem, connects to the inner side of the cup and secures it to the fetal head. A strain sensor is connected to the stem. When the force applied to the cup through the handle and stem exceeds a predetermined maximum, a valve connecting the vacuum pressure to the atmosphere is opened so as to release the vacuum pressure from the cup. Another extractor comprises an elongated hollow stem having one or more apertures along its length, a vacuum source connected to a cup supported on the stem, and a handle member which includes a traction limiting element operative to open and close the apertures.

Abstract: A liquid testing assembly for testing a liquid, the assembly comprising a test vessel and a stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the vessel. The stopper substantially hermetically seals the test vessel from the ambient. Further, the assembly includes a support coated with one or more identifying materials for identifying one or more constituents of the liquid. The support is fixed in the stopper and/or the vessel and extends into its interior for a predetermined distance. The liquid testing assembly when assembled is pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum sufficient to draw a predetermined volume of liquid to be sampled into the test vessel. The predetermined volume is of such an amount that it wets the one or more identifying materials ensuring identification of one or more constituents present in the liquid. A kit employing the liquid testing assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: An article for improving the posture of an individual sitting on a chair. The article includes a back covering member positionable on the back support portion of the chair and covering at least a portion thereof. The article is configured to annoy the individual when the individual is sitting in a manner deleterious to proper posture. The article includes a means for removably attaching the back covering member to the chair. There is also taught another article for improving the posture of an individual sitting on a chair. The article includes a seat covering member positionable on the seat support portion of the chair and covering at least a portion thereof. The article is configured to annoy the individual when the individual is sitting in a manner deleterious to proper posture. The article includes a means for removably attaching the seat covering member to the chair.

Abstract: A disposable inoculation loop assembly comprising a test tube and a tube stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the test tube. A first end of the stopper faces into the interior of the test tube substantially hermetically sealing the interior of the test tube. The assembly further includes an inoculation loop fixed to the tube stopper and extending into the interior of the test tube to a predetermined distance when the stopper is positioned in the free end of the test tube. The assembly when assembled is sterilized and pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum which is sufficient to draw a volume of a bodily liquid to be sampled into the test tube. The volume is of such an amount so that the liquid level in the test tube substantially just covers a predetermined portion of the inoculation loop.

Abstract: A delivery extractor for use with a vacuum suction source and at least one monitor in vacuum assisted deliveries. The extractor comprises a cup-shaped element and a tubular stem joined to the cup-shaped element and in pneumatic communication with the vacuum suction source. The extractor also includes at least one non-invasive sensor positioned on and in mechanical communication with a sensor support so as to continuously contact the scalp of a fetus when the head of the fetus is positioned in the cup-shaped element. The sensor support is compressible within the cup-shaped element. The at least one sensor is in communication with the at least one monitor which monitors at least one physiological indicator of the well-being of the fetus during its transit through the birth canal. The invention also includes a system and method for using the above extractor.

Abstract: A disposable plastic vaginal speculum constructed for heavy duty use and/or for long duration gynecological procedures including intrauterine device insertion and vaginal surgical procedures. The hinge region of the speculum, as well as other regions, are reinforced so that the speculum can bear forces of a magnitude normally bearable only by metal vaginal specula.

Abstract: A liquid specimen collection container is described that includes a cup which has a base, an edge portion, and a sidewall extending from the base to the edge portion. The container additionally includes a lid disposed on the edge portion. The lid has a recessed portion which forms a protrusion extending downward into the cup. The container also includes a flexible extraction tube permanently affixed to the bottom of the protrusion with the tube reaching the base of the cup. The container further typically includes a transfer means positioned inside the recessed portion of the lid, the transfer means in liquid communication with the flexible tube. The transfer means assists in transferring liquid from the container to another vessel. A system is also described that includes the above specimen collection container and a vessel into which collected liquid is transferred from the container.

Abstract: An instrument guard for a MIS medical device includes an attachment portion and an instrument holding portion. The attachment portion is removably attachable to a containment tube of a medical device used for minimally invasive surgery. The instrument holding portion is used to contain and insulate surgical instruments used for the procedure. The instrument guard may be removed after use, exposing the surgical instruments and allowing for cleaning thereof, by washing, brushing, ultrasonic cleaning and visual inspection. A clean instrument guard is then placed on the device, enabling the device to be reused in another procedure.

Abstract: An oral irrigator syringe bulb having an elastic compressible bulb, which may be filled with irrigation fluid, and a rigid nozzle having a base portion which may be sealingly fitted to the bulb. The nozzle has a lumen along the longitudinal axis thereof, and the lumen has a fluid outlet at its upper part to which suitable irrigation means can be attached. The nozzle also has an elongate non-kinking flexible dip tube which reaches into the lumen, the free end of the dip tube being provided with a weight, whereby when the nozzle is fitted onto the bulb the free end of the dip tube extends into the bulb and is submerged in the irrigation fluid at any spatial position in which the bulb is held.

Abstract: An oral irrigator syringe bulb having an elastic compressible bulb, which may be filled with irrigation fluid, and a rigid nozzle having a base portion which may be sealingly fitted to the bulb. The nozzle has a lumen along the longitudinal axis thereof, and the lumen has a fluid outlet at its upper part to which suitable irrigation means can be attached. The nozzle also has an elongate non-kinking flexible dip tube which reaches into the lumen, the free end of the dip tube being provided with a weight, whereby when the nozzle is fitted onto the bulb the free end of the dip tube extends into the bulb and is submerged in the irrigation fluid at any spatial position in which the bulb is held.