Abstract: A detachable holder for immobilizing a flexible tubing at a site adjacent its point of connection to a medical device inserted in a patient to feed a therapeutic fluid into a vein or artery or to withdraw fluid from the patient. The holder is formed by a flexible plastic strip having upstanding end wings provided with snap-in key hole slots in axial alignment. These slots are adapted to receive a short section of the tubing which then bridges the wings and is held thereby. Attached to the underside of the strip is one component of a hook and loop fabric fastener whose other component is bonded to the outer face of an adhesive tape. By adhering the tape to the skin of the patient at a position adjacent the inserted medical device and then fastening the holder thereto, one is able to immobilize the tubing to prevent a tug thereon from displacing the inserted medical device.

Abstract: A disposable surgical clip-on light pipe illumination assembly constituted by a manually-operated clamp adapted to clip onto an abdominal or other tissue wall surrouding a surgical site. The clamp is provided with a holder to retain a short, flexible light pipe at a position at which the front section of the pipe which terminates in an optical outlet projects into the surgical site. The rear end of the pipe terminates in an optical inlet coupled to a light source whereby light transmitted through the pipe is discharged from its optical outlet into the site. The front section of the pipe is sheathed in a bendable sleeve having dead soft characteristics, thereby making it possible for the surgeon, by bending the sleeve, to orient the light outlet to direct the light emanating therefrom toward a desired region of the surgical site.

Abstract: A disposable medical instrument and light pipe illumination assembly fabricated of synthetic plastic material. When put to use, the instrument, such as a surgical retractor, assumes a position at which its operative section lies adjacent the field of medical interest, such as a body cavity or surgical site. Joined to the instrument is a short flexible light pipe whose optical inlet end is coupled to a light source and whose optical outlet end is next to the operative section to project light into the field. The outlet end of the light pipe is sheathed in a bendable tubular neck having dead-soft characteristics whereby by bending the neck, the user is able to orient the outlet to direct the projected light toward a desired region in the field of interest.

Abstract: A manually-operated surgical evacuator for draining fluids from the human body. The evacuator is constituted by a cup of rigid material covered by an elastic membrane to define a sump chamber, the cup being provided with an inlet fixture and an exhaust fixture communicating with the chamber. The inlet fixture is coupled by a suitable tube to the wound to be drained, and the exhaust fixture is provided with a removable plug or other means to open and shut the exhaust. Attached to the membrane is a rigid disc functioning as an actuator, such that when the plug is removed and the disc pressed into the cup, the membrane is stretched inwardly and acts to displace the atmosphere through the open exhaust fixture. After the exhaust fixture is shut and the disc released, the membrane proceeds to return to its original form, thereby creating a negative pressure which acts to draw fluid from the wound through the tube and into the sump chamber.

Abstract: An assembly for maintaining the leg of a patient lying on a table at an elevated position thereabove to facilitate examination or treatment of the leg. The assembly is constituted by a stand having a hooked head at a height well above the table surface, and a sling formed by a loosely woven, open mesh net in a hammock-like formation, the ends of the sling having extensions terminating in rings or other couplers which are attachable to the hooked head of the stand. When the heel of the patient's foot is nested in the hammock, the net conforms to the contours of the foot to securely hold the leg in a raised position without masking the foot, whereby an antiseptic solution may be applied to the foot surface through the interstices of the net.

Abstract: An alarm system operative in conjunction with a venocylsis set which includes a drop chamber coupled to the output of a fluid bottle. The alarm system is provided with a float disposed in the drop chamber and responsive to the level of fluid pool therein. A proximity switch sensitive to the float position is removably attached to the exterior of the drop chamber to produce a switching action when the fluid level falls below a predetermined value. An alarm circuit is coupled to the proximity switch to generate a warning signal when the switching action occurs.