Abstract: A portable suction system is provided for use with collection chambers for pleural drainage devices and for autotransfusion systems. The portable suction system comprises a small container having an inlet port for connection with a collection chamber or autotransfusion bag and an outlet port for connection with a suction source. The container includes a one-way valve system to prevent air from passing into the collection chamber or auto-transfusion bag and further includes a suction regulator and indicator to visually indicate the suction level.

Abstract: A suction regulator is provided for a pleural drainage device which includes a spring-loaded valve which opens to atmosphere to maintain the appropriate suction levels in the pleural drainage device together with an air flow regulator which reduces the air flow to the drainage device when the suction level from the suction source exceeds a predetermined level. A tapered passageway is provided in the air flow path from the suction source to the pleural drainage device and a ball valve having an opening therethrough is slidably disposed within the tapered passageway so that when the air flow through the passageway increases, the ball valve rises to decrease the amount of air passing through the passageway.

Abstract: A combined surgical drainage device and autotransfusion apparatus is provided in which a drainage device having a conventional collection chamber and suction regulating system may be readily converted into use as an autotransfusion system. The drainage apparatus has a fluid retention chamber disposed immediately beneath the inlet and a fluid outlet is provided in the bottom wall of the retention chamber with a spring pressed closure therein so that a nozzle on a collapsible autotransfusion bag may be inserted into the fluid retention chamber. The autotransfusion bag is collapsible and is provided with removable spreader means to maintain the bag in an expanded condition. When suction is applied to the drainage device, the interior of the autotransfusion bag is maintained at the desired suction level.

Abstract: An autotransfusion bag is provided with semi-rigid side walls and flexible material interconnecting the side walls. The bag is provided with spreader arms which extend across the top of the bag and across the bottom of the bag engaging retainer elements mounted on the external face of the side walls. The spreader arms maintain the bag in an open position to permit the bag to be filled with blood. When the bag is filled, the spreader arms may be removed to permit the bag to collapse as the blood is being reinfused to the patient.

Abstract: A liquid reinfusion bag system is provided for collecting blood from a surgical site and/or reinfusing the collected blood into the patient. The system includes a flexible bag having an external frame with locking elements to retain the bag in extended position during the time the bag is being filled, the locking elements being displaceable to permit the bag to collapse during the reinfusion process.

Abstract: A drainage device is provided with a disposable collection chamber which is attachable to a nondisposable section. The nondisposable section of the drainage device includes the suction control regulator and a valve to prevent admission of atmospheric air to the collection chamber. A receptacle is provided in the nondisposable section to indicate contamination of the nondisposable section in the event liquid from the collection chamber flows into the nondisposable section. A liquid biocidal chamber is provided in the collection chamber to prevent contaminates and infectious material from passing from the collection chamber into the nondisposable section.

Abstract: A syringe check valve for use with a flexible catheter tube. The valve includes a rigid tubular cap and an elastomeric valve member. The valve member is partially inserted into a flexible catheter tube and the rigid cap is slipped over the valve member to maintain the flexible tube on the valve member and to force the valve slot in the valve member closed. The valve is used by inserting the blunt end of a syringe into a tapered cylindrical bore in the valve member which is in communication with the valve slot. The contact of the end of the syringe with the interior walls of the tapered cylindrical bore forces open the valve slot and allows passage of fluid through the valve.

Abstract: A regulator is provided for controlling the degree of suction within a collection chamber in a drainage device. The regulator includes a means for measuring the degree of negativity within the chamber and a feedback passageway leading from the measuring means to the suction source. When the measuring means detects a degree of negativity which is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in relation to the available suction the feedback passageway is opened to atmosphere and when the degree of negativity becomes less than the predetermined value the feedback passageway is closed so as to impose the full suction of the suction source upon the chamber.

Abstract: An air leak detection chamber is provided which is adapted to be attached to a conventional pleural drainage device. The air leak detection chamber has a pair of passageways which are connected in series in the passageway of the pleural drainage device leading from the underwater seal or from the oneway valves disposed in the passageway leading from the collection chamber to the suction source of the pleural drainage device. The detection chamber has a water filled tube therein and any air passing from the pleural drainage device will displace the water within the tube. Thus, a physician may readily observe the volume of air passing from the pleural cavity of a patient and determine the extent of any air leak in the pleural cavity.

Abstract: A clamp for controlling the flow through a hose or flexible tubing such as is used in intravenous systems comprises a pair of parallel leg members joined by a curved end portion, each leg containing elements capable of clamping down on the tubing when the clamp is brought into closed position. The clamp contains a catch arm which sits on a flexible arm member at the free end portion of the clamp, and retains the upper leg member when the clamp is closed. Optionally, this catch arm can be multi-tiered, allowing the clamp to be closed at a variety of positions, each restricting a different amount of flow. When clamped, the clamping elements from each leg are alongside each other, crimping the tubing at two slightly separated points, and maximizing the clamping effect on the tubing. There are openings through the curved end portion and through the flexible arm member to receive the tube, and to retain it in position to maximize the effect of the clamp.

Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic shoe for a foot splint is disclosed. The shoe is split into a toe portion and a heel portion to which a toe plate and a heel plate are respectively attached. The toe plate is adjustable relative to the heel plate about a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, an oblique axis, or a combination of axes. After adjustment, the toe plate is locked in position relative to the heel plate by flanges depending from the plates. Preferably, the flanges are rounded and contact the ground and a pair of shoes are provided which are attached to an orthopedic foot splint. The foot splint maintains a desired angle between the feet of the user but otherwise allows virtually full freedom of movement of the feet.

Abstract: An orthopedic foot splint which is attached to the shoes of a user to correct for a toe-in or toe-out condition is disclosed. The foot splint includes a pair of shoe engaging plates and an elongate connecting mechanism. A swivel is provided between the shoe engaging plate and the end of the connecting mechanism so that the shoe of the user can rotate about a vertical axis. The swivel includes a stop which is adjustable to restrict the movement of the swivel so that the toe or heel of the shoe swivels either towards or away from the connecting mechanism from an initial position where the longitudinal axis of the shoe engaging plate is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting mechanism. A mechanism for locking the shoe engaging plate against swiveling movement is also provided. The connecting mechanism can include two bars, a central pivot, a central hinge, and lateral hinges. At least one bar is also laterally extendable according to the needs of the user.

Abstract: A method for the autotransfusion of blood comprising, collecting the blood from a pool in a patient and subsequently returning the collected blood to the circulatory system of the patient. The method includes applying suction to a collection chamber to remove air from the chamber and aspirate blood into the chamber. After the collection chamber is filled to the desired capacity, pressure is applied to a movable wall of the collection chamber to force the collected blood out of the chamber and back into the circulatory system of the patient.

Abstract: An autotransfusion device having a rigid cylindrical housing with an end wall, a movable piston located in the housing, and a deformable collection bag attached between the end wall and the piston is disclosed. When the piston is moved towards the end wall, collapsing the collection bag, the piston is rotated to twist the collection bag and prevent the collection bag from being seized between the housing wall and the piston. The autotransfusion device also includes an automatic air purge unit and an auxiliary air purge unit which is used when the automatic air purge unit malfunctions. In order to facilitate the filling of the collection bag to capacity, a length to diameter ratio of 1.1 is preferred.

Abstract: An orthopedic foot splint which is attached to the shoes of a user to correct for a toe-in or toe-out condition is disclosed. The foot splint includes a pair of shoe engaging plates and an elongate connecting mechanism. A swivel is provided between the shoe engaging plate and the end of the connecting mechanism so that the shoe of the user can rotate about a vertical axis. The swivel includes a stop which is adjustable to restrict the movement of the swivel so that the toe or heel of the shoe swivels either towards or away from the connecting mechanism from an initial position where the longitudinal axis of the shoe engaging plate is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting mechanism. A mechanism for locking the shoe engaging plate against swiveling movement is also provided. The connecting mechanism can include two bars, a central pivot, a central hinge, and lateral hinges. At least one bar is also laterally extendable according to the needs of the user.

Abstract: A method is provided for relieving excess negativity in a surgical underwater drainage device. The method comprises the steps of delivering a premeasured or metered amount of air directly to the thoractomy tube which is connected to the inlet of the drainage device. The metered amount of air is provided by an air chamber connected to the thoracotomy tube, the air chamber having a depressable plunger mounted therein. When the plunger is depressed the air within the chamber is delivered directly to the thoracotomy tube and when the plunger is released the air chamber is refilled with a metered amount of air. At no time is the thoracotomy tube open directly to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: An orthopedic foot splint which is attached to the shoes of a user to correct for a toe-in or toe-out condition is disclosed. The foot splint includes a pair of shoe engaging plates and an elongate connecting mechanism. A swivel is provided between the shoe engaging plate and the end of the connecting mechanism so that the shoe of the user can rotate about a vertical axis. The swivel includes a stop which is adjustable to restrict the movement of the swivel so that the toe or heel of the shoe swivels either towards or away from the connecting mechanism from an initial position where the longitudinal axis of the shoe engaging plate is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting mechanism. A mechanism for locking the shoe engaging plate against swiveling movement is also provided. The connecting mechanism can include two bars, a central pivot, a central hinge, and lateral hinges. At least one bar is also laterally extendable according to the needs of the user.

Abstract: An air purge unit for an auto transfusion device is provided wherein a housing having a passageway therein is mounted on the top wall of a blood collection chamber. A filter having pore sizes smaller than the size of red blood cells is disposed within said passgeway together with an umbrella valve and a oneway flap valve which will permit the passage of air from within the collection chamber through the valves to a source of suction or to atmosphere. When the air is purged from the interior of the collection chamber, the red blood cells will block the filter and prevent the further passage of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: An autotransfusion device for collecting blood from a pool in a patient and for subsequently returning the collected blood to the circulatory system of the patient is disclosed. The device includes a liquid collection chamber having a movable wall and a stationary wall. The liquid collection chamber is connected to the pool of blood by an aspirator and to a suction source to draw the blood into the collection chamber. After the collection chamber is filled to the capacity desired, a compressed spring is released to urge the movable wall toward the stationary wall. The blood is forced out of the collection chamber by the compressed spring and back to the circulatory system of the patient.

Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic foot splint is disclosed which maintains a desired angle between the feet of the user and which otherwise allows virtually full freedom of movement of the feet except for an undesired movement of one foot in front of or too close to the other foot as the user walks. The orthopedic foot splint includes a linkage having two pairs of parallelogram links. These parallelogram links are pivotable in a horizontal plane relative to each other and relative to the plate which engages the shoe. Attached between opposed links of one pair of parallelogram links is a tether. The tether prevents the one pair of links from pivoting beyond a predetermined angle.