Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly and kit for acquiring a sample of tissue and method of using the same. The biopsy needle assembly includes a needle having a lumen extending therethrough and a stylet sized to extend through the lumen. A divided ergonomically shaped handle has a distal part formed around the proximal end of the needle and a proximal part formed around the proximal end of the stylet. These parts can be locked together, but only from a single right angle initial orientation with a rotation in one direction only from there to lock the two parts together. A stop ensures locked alignment. Locking the handle parts in alignment provides a known orientation between the distal ends of the needle and stylet. A Luer connector attached to the proximal end of the distal handle part is exposed only when the handle parts are disconnected for connecting either a plug or aspiration apparatus.

Abstract: An emergency external defibrillator and pacing apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to a heart. The apparatus includes a tubular sleeve having an axial passage therethrough, which is insertable through an incision in a chest cavity to a predetermined depth proximate the heart. A first and second electrode is inserted through the axial passage of the sleeve to contact the surface of the heart. Means are provided for applying an electrical current of preset voltage and time interval to selectively stimulate heartbeat and control rhythm. The apparatus electrodes are inserted through an incision in a chest cavity which is held open by the tubular sleeve.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesives which possess absorptivity and/or permeability properties to remove transepidermal water loss and/or other bodily fluids that come into contact with the adhesive, in combination with a fine balance of cohesion and adhesion properties, can be formulated by controlling the crosslinking of a polyurethane polymer having excess hydroxyl functionality, a glass transition temperature of less than about 0.degree. C., a moisture absorption of at least about 20% of its weight and/or a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least about 300 grams/meter.sup.2 /24 hours measured at 37.degree. C. and a 90% relative humidity gradient. Adhesives of these polymers possess a peel adhesion to human skin of between about 0.3 and 4 newtons/cm width of the polymer or adhesive.

Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly and kit for acquiring a sample of tissue and method of using the same. The biopsy needle assembly includes a needle having a lumen extending therethrough terminating at its proximal end with a handle having a bore therethrough connected to said end. The proximal end of the bore of the handle includes a conical tapered section which increases in diameter from a point distal of the proximal end of the handle to the proximal end of the handle for sealably receiving an aspirator bulb. The aspirator bulb is utilized to aid in acquiring a tissue sample and retaining it within the lumen of the needle during removal of the biopsy needle assembly. An elastomeric plug can also be utilized to assist in retaining a sample. The biopsy needle assembly also includes a stylet sized for disposition within the lumen of the needle and extending beyond the distal end of the needle having a cutting edge formed on its distal end. The cutting edge can be spoon shaped, i.e.

Abstract: A composite material for wound dressings having a fibrous wound-contacting substrate, such as cotton gauze, impregnated with a thermoplastic hydrogel forming polymer and methods of making the same.

Abstract: A vacuum tube tip for use proximate loose tissue. The vacuum tube tip including an elongated tube having a longitudinal axis, a peripheral wall and a distal tip. At least one opening extends through the peripheral wall proximate the distal end. At least one fin is disposed proximate the opening. The fin is operably enacted to the peripheral wall of the tube and extends generally away from the tube. The fin is configured so that when a vacuum is created into the tube through the opening, loose tissue drawn toward the opening is held away from the opening by the fin.

Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly and kit for acquiring a sample of tissue and method of using the same. The biopsy needle assembly includes a needle having a lumen extending therethrough terminating at its proximal end with a handle having a bore therethrough connected to said end. The proximal end of the bore of the handle includes a conical tapered section which increases in diameter from a point distal of the proximal end of the handle to the proximal end of the handle for sealably receiving an aspirator bulb. The aspirator bulb is utilized to aid in acquiring a tissue sample and retaining it within the lumen of the needle during removal of the biopsy needle assembly. An elastomeric plug can also be utilized to assist in retaining a sample. The biopsy needle assembly also includes a stylet sized for disposition within the lumen of the needle and extending beyond the distal end of the needle to provide a cutting edge which is formed thereon.

Abstract: A biopsy sampling device, particularly adapted for bone marrow sampling, which includes a needle having a lumen formed therein, along with a removably disposed stylet. The needle is provided with a sharpened cutting edge, when desired, particularly when designed for bone marrow sampling. A gripping means is disposed about the proximal end of the needle, with the gripping means including a generally solid finger-gripping member with portions extending laterally of the needle, and with the finger-gripping member having a needle-receiving bore extending generally centrally through the member. The solid finger-gripping member has a pair of opposed channels formed along the outer surfaces thereof, with the axes of the channels being arranged at right angles, one to another, with one axis being generally parallel to the needle axis, and with the other axis being generally transverse to the needle axis.

Abstract: An elongated hollow biopsy needle assembly which includes a cannula, a stylet arranged to be received within the cannula, a finger-gripping means, and coupling means for orienting the stylet within the cannula and for releasably securing both the cannula and the stylet to the finger-gripping means. The cannula is provided with a generally cylindrical hub which has a bore extending axially thereof, and generally in continuation with the bore of the cannula, with a conical syringe receiving counterbore being formed within the proximal end of the hub. The stylet is provided with a cap member, with the distal-facing surface of the cap being arranged to fit snugly against the proximal-facing surface of the cylindrical hub, to achieve substantially closed symmetrical mating end surfaces between the cannula and stylet, and a substantially air-tight cannula.

Abstract: An elongated hollow biopsy needle assembly which includes a cannula, a stylet arranged to be received within the cannula, a finger-gripping means, and coupling means for orienting the stylet within the cannula and for releasably securing both the cannula and the stylet to the finger-gripping means. The cannula is provided with a generally cylindrical hub which has a bore extending axially thereof, and generally in continuation with the bore of the cannula, with a conical syringe receiving counterbore being formed within the proximal end of the hub. The stylet is provided with a cap member, with the distal-facing surface of the cap being arranged to fit snugly against the proximal-facing surface of the cylindrical hub, thereby achieving substantially closed symmetrical mating end surfaces between the cannula and stylet, and a substantially air-tight cannula.

Abstract: A method for imprinting alphanumeric or other characters on an adhesive bearing tape of the type having an antiblocking layer or coating on the surface of the tape which is opposite to the surface having the adhesive coating thereon. The method includes the steps of providing a printing plate having a plurality of pin-like projections defining the characters to be printed, coating the pin-like projections with ink, and bringing the ink bearing pins into contact with the tape with sufficient force that the pins penetrate the antiblocking layer and deposit the ink into the tape media below the antiblocking layer.

Abstract: A pad for use in combination with a bone marrow biopsy needle which is adapted to be slipped over the proximal end of the needle to provide an enlarged surface for distributing the pressure across the palm of the user. The pad includes a generally disc-shaped palm engaging surface along with a needle enveloping sleeve for releasable attachment to the biopsy needle. A bore is formed through the wall of the sleeve to provide communication between the interior of the sleeve and the atmosphere, thereby avoiding transfer of air between the pad element and the lumen of the needle when the pad element is mounted on the needle.

Abstract: A biopsy specimen gathering system has been developed which includes a biopsy needle having an aspirating chamber operatively coupled thereto. An elongated tubular sleeve forming a sleeve guard is provided, the sleeve guard having a closed base and an open top with the inner periphery of the upper end of the sleeve having a surface for sealingly engaging the outer periphery of the base of the aspirating chamber. The outer circumference of the shank of the sleeve guard has a plurality of spaced-apart circumferential grooves formed therein to provide spaced score grooves to a depth sufficient to permit the shank to be broken upon flexure thereof, thereby leaving an open ended sleeve firmly attached to the aspirating chamber and exposing a desired length of the tubular needle.

Abstract: Biopsy tray means for sequentially conducting sterile procedures and comprising, in combination, upper and lower nested tray members retaining means for performing biopsy techniques in a sterile field. The upper tray of the nested pair is provided with a plurality of article supporting recesses formed within the top surface, with means for defining a sterile zone upon the body of a patient being releasably retained within said recesses. The lower tray of the nested pair is provided with collective apparatus for performing biopsy procedures, with the upper tray generally enveloping the lower tray so as to generally confine and conceal the upper surface of the lower tray from the ambient during the time that the sterile field is being defined on the body of the patient.

Abstract: A biopsy aspirating device for gathering soft tissue samples comprising a syringe having a barrel, with a plunger sealingly received within the barrel to form a chamber with a controllably variable volume, and with a hollow sample-receiving needle mounted on a needle mounting boss attached to the barrel. The needle mounting boss has a bore formed therein to provide communication between the needle bore and the barrel with sample blocking means having an abutment surface thereon being provided to engage the sample and retain the sample in a position to prevent direct contact between the sample and the bore formed in the boss. The plunger is secured to the conventional gripping shaft, and the gripping shaft has means for releasably engaging the proximate end of the barrel at controllable axial dispositions therealong. In use, the needle is used to puncture the body, and the tip of the needle is advanced until it reached a point adjacent the organ from which the tissue is to be collected.