Abstract: The surgical knife of the present invention includes a substantially cylindrical housing which has an external housing surface and one open end. A planar knife blade is support for axial movement within the housing so that one end of the knife blade can be extended beyond the open end of the housing. Means, which are well known in the art, are carried by the housing and connected to the knife blade to cause movement of the knife blade in an axial direction for extension beyond the open end. A raised surface is provided on the housing which has a cross section dissimilar to the cross section of the housing for use in preventing rotation of the knife to thereby orient the knife blade along a desired plane when the knife is supported on a surface. One embodiment of the surgical knife provides for the dissimilar cross section to be a square with four flat surfaces so that these surfaces can rest in a complimentary groove in a supporting tray of a knife blade setting device.

Abstract: A hand supported instrument for assisting in the formation of ophthalmological incisions includes a plate member which has a bottom surface adapted to rest upon the surface of the human eye. The bottom surface is curved so as to conform to the normally curved surface of the human eye. A longitudinally-oriented slot extends through the plate so as to serve as a guide for a knife blade intended to be positioned in the slot. The plate member also has a top surface which is spaced from the bottom surface by the thickness of the plate. In this manner, the top surface serves to limit the penetration of the knife blade through the slot. The thickness of the plate will vary from a minimum at one end of the slot to a maximum at the other end of the slot. In this fashion, the plate will serve as a template to control the depth of incision formed by the knife blade extending through the slot. A handle is connected to the plate at the thicker end of the plate so that it can be held in position for use.

Abstract: A fire escape device includes a housing with a reel journalled for rotational movement within the housing. A cable is fixed at one end thereof to the reel and is wound upon the reel with the other end thereof extending through an opening in the housing. The housing can be connected to a fixed position on an elevated structure and a harness which is carried at the free end of the cable is used for supporting a human body. A fluid pump is carried by the housing for pumping fluid from a sump reservoir through an orifice. The rotor of the pump is coupled with the reel for retarding and impeding free rotational movement of the reel so that the cable unwinds at a controlled rate of speed which is in direct proportion to the amount of fluid being pumped through the orifice.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical instrument for performing ophthalmological incisions in the form of radial slits about the cornea, which are particularly suited for surgery to correct the effects of myopia or astigmatism. The instrument includes a fixation assembly having a pair of elongated arms for placement on the globe of the eye. A prong is carried at one end of each arm for insertion into the globe of the eye so that the surgeon may hold the eye in a fixed position. A linkage assembly is connected at one end to the fixation assembly and a knife assembly is connected to the other end of the linkage assembly for indexing movement about a pivot point. The knife assembly includes a knife blade holder and a knife blade carried in the holder. The blade holder is mounted for sliding movement toward and away from the pivot point so that the cutting edge of the blade will penetrate the eye to form radial slits upon the application of sufficient hand pressure.

Abstract: The ophthalmological surgical instrument of the present invention is used for stabilizing a patient's eye to prevent inward collapse during ophthalmic surgery. The instrument generally includes a ring which is adapted to be placed on the surface of the eye surrounding the cornea. A plurality of securing devices are permanently carried by the ring being circumferentially and equally spaced about the ring to temporarily secure the ring to the surface of the eye. With the ring secured to the eye the integrity of the eye will be maintained regardless of any incisions made in the eye or sections which may be removed therefrom.

Abstract: This invention teaches a hand-held surgical instrument for performing ophthalmological incisions in the form of an arc of a circle, which are particularly suited for cataract surgery in order to provide access to the anterior chamber of a human eye to allow removal of a cataract lens. The instrument includes a fixation assembly having a pair of elongated arms fixed to each other at one end thereof, the other ends thereof being movable toward and away from each other. A pair of prongs are carried at the movable ends of the arms for insertion into the globe of the eye so that the surgeon may hold the eye in a fixed position. A linkage assembly is connected at one end to the fixation assembly and a knife assembly is connected to the other end of the linkage assembly for pivotal movement about a pivot point. The knife assembly includes a knife blade holder and a knife blade with a cutting edge at one end thereof carried in the holder.