Abstract: A suction regulator for controlling a level of negative pressure in a system in which compensatory clean airflow is used to isolate a control device for regulating suction delivered to a patient is disclosed. The regulator comprises an inlet; an outlet; a controller for controlling the suction delivered to the inlet; and a barrier for isolating the controller from the inlet.

Abstract: A device for placement in a wound and for use with sutures to repair the wound of a patient. The device comprises a body having at least one aperture extending radially through the body. A shaft is disposed within and rotatably coupled to the body, and the shaft has at least one receiver substantially in line with the aperture in the body. One method comprises the steps of placing the body and shaft of the device within a cavity of the wound; attaching a first end of at least one suture to a first side of the wound; passing a second end of the at least one suture through the body and coupling it to the shaft; attaching a second end of the at least one suture to the second side of the wound; and rotating the shaft with respect to the body to pull the first side of the wound and the second side of the wound toward one another.

Abstract: A medical device is provided that encloses a wound and promotes wound drainage by suction. The device includes an enclosure to be placed over a wound, adhesively connected to the skin around the wound by a flange. Gauze type packing cylinders can be placed in the wound, and suction is provided either by a bulb type pump, or by a pair of regulators. When regulators are used, one alternates the suction that it provides, and the other is continuous, such that the level of suction is periodically varied. The suction facilitates the transfer of liquid from the wound to the packing cylinders and from the packing out of the enclosure. A leak detector is optionally provided.

Abstract: A container is provided that is disposable, for first collecting blood delivered from a patient, preferably by a vacuum draw of blood into a container, and then the blood in the container is treated. The treatment is provided by an at least partial a back-and-forth or reciprocating motion of blood along membranes, such that filtrate components of the blood pass through the membrane walls and are collected, whereby retentate components of the blood are retained, with the back-and-forth motion being provided by a substantially constant vacuum draw, that provides a pumping action by a diaphragm pump. A replenishment liquid is automatically added, substantially proportional to the amount of filtrate components of the blood that are withdrawn. The membranes are protected by a device which removes body fat or other potentially harmful materials.

Abstract: An intermittent regulator is provided in which the regulator alternates between supplying partial vacuum to a patient for withdrawing fluids from the body of a patient, and supplying atmosphere to a patient, at a selected intermittent rate, that is adjustable upon adjusting a timing mechanism. The timing mechanism is isolated from communicating with the vacuum being drawn from a patient, separating the regulator into a “wet” side and a “dry” side. The regulator includes a piston and spool, each having magnets therein, whereby intermittent motion of the piston controls the motion of the spool and which thereby controls the opening of ports for delivery/non-delivery of vacuum to a patient. An alternative embodiment has porting for sensing occlusion in the patient line and converting the regulator from a continuous-on operation to an intermittent operation. An alternative embodiment has separate air inlet and outlet conduits to atmosphere from the “dry” side of the regulator.

Abstract: A gauge is provided, preferably for patient use, in which a piston moves linearly within a gauge body against the force of a spring. A diaphragm separates the sensing side of the piston from the clean or atmosphere side of the piston. The diaphragm rolls against the piston and the wall of the chamber during changes in pressure, and does not interfere with accuracy of the readings. Dampening is provided out of the patient fluid stream. The sight glass through which measurements are read produces an optical magnification. A baffle prevents entrained particles from the patient from entering the gauge in significant amounts. A surface-to-surface seat enables the gauge to be mounted as a saddle seat on a duct, regulator or the like.

Abstract: A container is provided that is disposable, for first collecting blood delivered from a patient, preferably by means of a vacuum draw of blood into a container, and then the blood in the container is treated. The treatment is provided by an at least partial a back-and-forth or reciprocating motion of blood along membranes, such that filtrate components of the blood pass through the membrane walls and are collected, whereby retentate components of the blood are retained, with the back-and-forth motion being provided by means of a substantially constant vacuum draw, that provides a pumping action by means of a diaphragm pump. A replenishment liquid is automatically added, substantially proportional to the amount of filtrate components of the blood that are withdrawn. The membranes are protected by a means for removing body fats or other potentially harmful materials.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for shaping bone, in which, individually or together, a gaseous fluid such as air is delivered along the shaping member to impinge upon aerosols created by the shaping of the bone and to deliver the aerosols back toward the bone away from an operator, and a cooling liquid is delivered along the shaping member, in order to cool the shaping member where it contacts the bone. Preferably, the gaseous fluid is air and it is delivered through a manifold carried by the shaping member, forming an air curtain. Preferably, the cooling liquid is at least partially water, with or without a curative substance carried therein, with the liquid preferably being delivered through the shaping member and opening in a direction toward the shaped bone. Where the shaping member is a saw, the liquid may be delivered through the interior of the saw, for discharge through at least one narrow side thereof. Alternatively, the cooling liquid may be delivered externally of the saw.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for shaping bone, in which a cooling, lubricating and/or curative fluid is delivered by means of the shaping member, in order to cool or lubricate the shaping member where it contacts the bone and/or to provide a curative fluid to the shaped surface of the bone. Preferably, the cooling fluid is at least partially water, with or without a curative substance carried therein, with the liquid being delivered at the shaping end of the member, in a direction toward the shaped bone. The fluid may be provided through the interior of the shaping member to at least one relatively narrow opening located at the shaping end of the member, or may be provided by at least one exterior channel that runs along at least one wide side of the shaping member. Optionally, cooling liquid may also be delivered through the interior of the shaping member for discharge through at least one narrow side thereof.

Abstract: A process for the collection of blood from a body cavity requires a controllable flow conduit having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the conduit is placed in a body cavity from which blood is to be withdrawn. The outlet of the conduit is connected to the inlet of a blood collection apparatus. The apparatus includes an apparatus body having a first opening therein for connection to a source of suction and a gas-transmitting water seal. The apparatus also includes an autotransfusion collector for collecting and storing blood for optional blood reuse. The collector includes an outer receptacle and an inner receptacle. The inner receptacle includes at least one interior cavity and at least one substantially flexible wall at least partially enclosing the at least one interior cavity. The apparatus also includes a conduit for placing the source of suction in fluid communication with the interior cavity through the water seal.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for treating blood, by having the blood enter a container, in which essentially insoluble fats (or lipids) are discriminately withdrawn out of the blood as the blood flows through or rises in the container, preferably by means of a wick that is in the container, as the level of blood in the container rises around the wick, such that essentially insoluble lipids on the upper surface of the rising blood are removed from the blood, leaving behind essentially aqueous components of the blood. Clots, bone chips and the like are also removed from the blood by means of a filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for treating blood, by having the blood enter a container, in which essentially insoluble fats (or lipids) are discriminately withdrawn out of the blood as the blood flows through or rises in the container, preferably by means of a wick that is in the container, as the level of blood in the container rises around the wick, such that essentially insoluble lipids on the upper surface of the rising blood are removed from the blood, leaving behind essentially aqueous components of the blood. Clots, bone chips and the like are also removed from the blood by means of a filter.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for collecting a patient's blood for re-use of autotransfusion, in which blood is collected from a patient and delivered for treatment in a container, outside the patient, for later re-use or retransfusion to the patient. The treatment given to the blood before autotransfusion may reside in treating the blood to resist coagulation, treating the blood for removal of fats from the blood, or in removing other substances from the blood. The treatment, insofar as it is used to cause the blood to resist coagulation, includes withdrawing calcium ions from the blood and replacing them with other ions in sufficiently small quantities that the amount of other substance that is added to the blood is not harmful, preferably by passing the blood through a bed of ion exchange polymeric resin material. Insofar as fats are moved from the blood, the treatment includes collecting blood from the patient and wicking fats from the blood by means of a hydrophobic lipophilic wick.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for delivering and/or withdrawing fluids. For example, blood may be salvaged from a body cavity of a patient, in which a wand is provided having separate conduits for fluids. Means, for example a valve, is provided for opening or closing the desired conduits, depending upon whether the fluid is to be salvaged or lost to waste, sampled or returned directly to circulation. The apparatus is adapted for surgical use, and most particularly when a partial vacuum is drawn through the conduits, such that operation of the valve can exert a partial vacuum on one or more of the conduits. The entry ends of the conduits are disposed adjacent each other, with the conduits being joined as a wand. The valve is adapted for being actuated upon being held in the hand of the operator.

Abstract: A pneumotach is provided that is effective for obtaining accurate flow measurements through a wide range of velocities by measuring substantially linear flow, and which includes a readily disposable element. The pneumotach also includes a holder adapted for readily holding the disposable element in a manner so as to be substantially free of patient contamination, and with transducer capability for detecting pressure and measuring the same at low flow rates. A combined pulmonary functioning measuring kit includes computer and read-out capabilities for selectively receiving input from either spirometer or the pneumotach. The kit is readily assembled and is self-contained.

Abstract: A stamp is provided, preferably of the permanent ink pad type, for stamping ink or the like through a stencil, onto a surface to which selected indicia or the like is to be stamped. The stencils are removable and replaceable, and are releasably carried by the stamp, preferably by means of a band, and the stamp is provided with standoffs, that allow for accurate placement of a stamp on a surface that is desired, for proper orientation and location of the indicia that is to be stamped, prior to making ink contact with the surface. The standoffs are resiliently compressible. A kit comprising a stencil and a stamp is provided, as is a package comprising a container, a stamp, and preferably one or more stencils. The ink pad is preferably constructed of a micro reticulated plastic resin, with a higher density ink-metering portion at the stamping surface, and a lower density high-ink-retention, porous portion thereabove, for facilitating essentially permanent retention of ink therein for the life of the stamp.

Abstract: A pneumotach is provided that is effective for obtaining accurate flow measurements through a wide range of velocities by measuring substantially linear flow, and which includes a readily disposable element. The pneumotach also includes a holder adapted for readily holding the disposable element in a manner so as to be substantially free of patient contamination, and with transducer capability for detecting pressure and measuring the same at low flow rates. A combined pulmonary functioning measuring kit includes computer and read-out capabilities for selectively receiving input from either spirometer or the pneumotach. The kit is readily assembled and is self-contained.