Abstract: A sealing arrangement for trocar tubes including an upper ring seal forming the primary seal, and a lower seal valve forming the secondary seal. Both seals form part of a valve system which can be positioned within a removable cartridge. The seal valve is elastomeric in tubular form for passing instruments and is provided with upper and lower flanges for placement within the trocar. The intermediate portion of the valve between the flanges is in the general form of converging and diverging frusto-conical sections which join along a sealing line. A seal is formed between the interior wall surfaces of the valve and the instrument present in the trocar tube. Peritoneal pressure is admitted to the trocar head or housing for pressing the valve in forming the desired seal. With the instrument removed, the valve walls engage each other along the seal line to form the desired seal.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for trocar tubes including an upper ring seal forming the primary seal, and a lower seal valve forming the secondary seal. Both seals form part of a valve system which can be positioned within a removable cartridge. The valve cartridge comprises a tubular open-ended housing in which the seal ring is fitted to the top opening, and with the seal valve located within the housing. The seal valve is elastomeric in tubular form for passing instruments and is provided with upper and lower flanges for placement within the cartridge. The intermediate portion of the valve between the flanges is in the general form of converging and diverging frusto-conical sections which join along a sealing line. A seal is formed between the interior wall surfaces of the valve and the instrument present in the trocar tube. Peritoneal pressure is admitted to the trocar head or housing for pressing the valve in forming the desired seal.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for trocar tubes including an upper ring seal forming the primary seal, and a lower seal valve forming the secondary seal. Both seals form part of a valve system which can be positioned within a removable cartridge. The valve cartridge comprises a tubular open-ended housing in which the seal ring is fitted to the top opening, and with the seal valve located within the housing. The seal valve is elastomeric in tubular form for passing instruments and is provided with upper and lower flanges for placement within the cartridge. The intermediate portion of the valve between the flanges is in the general form of converging and diverging frusto-conical sections which join along a sealing line. A seal is formed between the interior wall surfaces of the valve and the instrument present in the trocar tube. Peritoneal pressure is admitted to the trocar head or housing for pressing the valve in forming the desired seal.

Abstract: A female urinary stress incontinence remedy in which endopelvic fascia attached to either side of the urethra is elevated and held in place by means of a pair of anchors comprised of upper and lower stays interconnected by suture and surgically positioned on either side of the urethra with the upper stay positioned above the rectus fascia and the lower anchor stay engaging the endopelvic fascia, exposed by aligned insisions in the vaginal wall.

Abstract: A foam dispensing apparatus which includes a foamable liquid container and a foam generating device for mixing a gas with a foamable liquid. The foam generating device has a plurality of passages through which pressurized gas flows simultaneously with foamable liquid into the foam generating chamber past a flow restrictor. The passages are formed by a plurality of vertical flutes or horizontal grooves in one of the members.

Abstract: A blood coagulation test system for in vitro assessment of blood characteristics including hemostasis, thrombus formation, thrombolysis, and collagen platelet interaction includes a syringe/test cartridge for collection, testing and disposal of the sample together with a test analyser for executing the test protocol. Coagulation functions are evaluated by establishing controlled bleeding of the sample from a capillary tube within the cartridge and monitoring these blood characteristics as a function of blood pressure variations occurring in the cartridge as the test proceeds. The blood sample remains within the cartridge for testing and after disposal.

Abstract: An evacuator particularly suited for irrigation and removal of tissue from a body cavity such as the bladder. The evacuator includes a positive displacement syringe with a hollow plunger for pumping a sterile solution into the bladder for irrigation and for withdrawing the solution and entrained tissue from the bladder and urethra. Internal valving controls the order of flow within the evacuator so that, as the solution circulates through the evacuator, tissue is filtered from the solution and captured in a collection container.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for measuring the physical properties of blood is disclosed. A waste compartment supports a platform having first and second syringe fittings. First and second syringes containing blood samples to be measured are positioned within the fittings. At least one testing station is located on the platform for subjecting blood flowing from one of the syringes to a test station, and the testing station is connected at a second end to the waste compartment. Tests on blood running through each of the blood channels may be conducted by inducing various platelet activation conditions, such as piercing a channel, or putting a platelet activating substance within a test channel. The cartridge interfaces with a test stand which will measure pressure changes within each of the test channels.

Abstract: An improved endoscopic instrument suitable for performing internal procedures through a trocar in which the instrument handle is provided with a control mechanism for rotating the instrument thereby enabling a surgeon to manipulate and utilize the instrument with one hand.

Abstract: The present invention is a hypodermic syringe pre-filled with a volume of a desired solution. A plug member is positioned within the hypodermic syringe in between the pre-filled fluid and the lumen of the syringe's cannula. The presence of the plug member within the hypodermic syringe separates the cannula from the pre-filled fluid thereby leaving the cannula unaffected by the presence of the fluid within the syringe. As the plunger of the hypodermic syringe is engaged, the pressure of the pre-filled fluid is increased. The fluid pressure acts upon the plug member, displacing the plug member when a predetermined fluid pressure is achieved. Once the plug member is displaced, the occlusion between the pre-filled fluid and the cannula is removed and the pre-filled fluid is free to flow through the lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: A trocar assembly of trocar tube and trocar obturator includes a seal comprising a sealing ring and a sealing valve positioned in the trocar tube housing in concentric relationship with the trocar obturator and its protective shield for sealing (i) the trocar obturator when interfitted with the tube, (ii) sealing endoscopic instruments when deployed through the tube in performing medical procedures, and (iii) the trocar tube remaining alone in a body cavity.

Abstract: A pre-filled hypodermic syringe includes a retractable needle and detachable plunger shaft so the syringe can be selectively rendered inoperable. A liquid held within the syringe is held in place by a elastomeric stop that surrounds the discharging tip of the needle. When the syringe is to be used, the needle stop is removed and the plunger is advanced within the syringe barrel until the liquid is displaced through the needle. When the plunger contacts the base of the needle within the syringe barrel, the plunger becomes capable of being rotated. The rotation of the plunger connects the plunger to the needle and the needle can be retracted into the syringe barrel with the plunger. Once fully retracted, the needle cants and the plunger shaft can be destructively disconnected from the plunger, rendering the syringe inoperable.

Abstract: A foam producing device for the alternative dispensing of foams or liquids comprising a porous element comprising a partially gas permeable wall, a gas distribution plenum, a gas entry port in fluid connection with said plenum; a second wall opposite the outer surface of said gas permeable wall; a mixing chamber comprising at one end, the proximal end, a small annular opening between said gas permeable and second wall, comprising an orifice for the uniform distribution of foamable liquid therethrough into said chamber and at the distal end an exit port for the discharge of foams or liquids from said chamber said chamber being tapered, or not, as required; a liquid distribution plenum for the uniform distribution of said foamable liquids to said orifice and a liquid entry port in fluid connection, through a conduit, with said plenum wherein said plenum and a source of foamable liquid are in fluid connection through a conduit therebetween; with the proviso that only the portion of said gas permeable wall betwee

Abstract: Foaming device for mixing gas and foamable liquid in a container having a tube and cap configuration which enables the dispensing of foam from the container without need for squeezing or deforming the container.

Abstract: A surgical tool for cutting an opening in a blood vessel. The tool or punch has pistol-like housing, a blade pusher barrel at the front end thereof and reciprocally movable therein with a trigger for causing forward movement of the blade pusher barrel and a hollow blade drum. The hollow blade drum has a blade at its proximal end, which is inserted therein when an arm of the trigger is moved distally, whereby the blade enters and cuts the opening in the vessel. The barrel also contains a spring, behind the blade drum, which is compressed during the forward movement of the barrel. When cutting the opening the blade and proximal portion of the drum pass over a circular disc at the front of a non-movable punch mandrel contained within the hollow portion of the blade drum, the mandrel disc having been previously inserted into the vessel through an incision therein.

Abstract: A syringe and needle assembly having a piston that is formed to engage and retract the needle assembly into the syringe barrel. The piston includes a spring member that is elastically deformed by the attachment of the piston to the needle assembly. The spring member causes the needle assembly to be spring biased into a canted position so that, once retracted into the syringe barrel, the needle assembly cants to an inoperable position.

Abstract: A disposable, low cost autotransfusion device for suction assisted drainage of fluids from a body cavity of a patient, purification and collection of the desired liquids within said fluids, primarily blood, for reinfusion into said patients said device comprising a) a housing comprising an accumulation chamber, inlet means, in fluid connection with said cavity, through which said fluids enter the chamber, the discharge stem of which terminates in a one-way valve to prevent backflow of gases from said chamber to said cavity in the event the pressure within the cavity becomes less than that within the chamber, filter means to remove unwanted materials, such as debris, from the draining fluids, disposed between said one-way valve and inlet stem and the chamber, first outlet means in fluid connection with a vacuum source through which suction is applied to said chamber and second outlet means in fluid connection with b) an autotransfusion bag comprising outlet means comprising a break seal for connection to the p

Abstract: A disposable blood holding cassette for haemostatic measurements. A single unit is provided having a blood sample container with three separate pressurized blood sample reservoirs. A waste blood collection reservoir is connected to the blood sample container, and connected thereto via first, second and third blood sample tubes. A punching station is provided to accurately punch first and second of the blood sample tubes, simulating haemostasis function in vitro. Measurements may be made of the haemostatic and thrombolytic function of recently sampled blood. The entire device is disposable, isolating any contaminated blood from clinical personnel.

Abstract: An article useful in the suction-assisted removal of fluids, including gases, such as air, and liquids, such as blood, from a body cavity which will prevent flow of gases therethrough into said cavity without the intervention of any liquid seals, in the event the pressure within said cavity becomes negative relative to the pressure at the discharge end of said article comprising a cap assembly, for fluid connection to said cavity and an accumulation chamber, for applying a controlled suction to said cavity, said assembly comprising a horizontal wall comprising at its periphery and normal thereto an annular wall for attachment to a liquid collection container surrounding said accumulation chamber; inlet means in fluid connection with said cavity, and, as desired, a liquid accumulation chamber or the atmosphere, through which said fluids may pass when the pressure within the cavity is greater than at the discharge end of said means; first one-way valve means associated with the discharge end of said inlet means

Abstract: A disposable hypodermic syringe including a cartridge having a threaded end to which is fastened a hub coupled to a needle. The opposite end of the cartridge is configured to receive a finger grasp. A piston rod has one end which extends through the finger grasp and is fastened to a plunger internal of the cartridge. The opposite end of the piston rod includes a head.