Abstract: A surgical drainage unit is provided for draining fluids from the body of a patient wherein the suction pressure, applied through a suction inlet of the unit to draw fluids into the unit, is controlled and a direct indication of the applied suction pressure is afforded. A device which contracts responsive to an increase in suction in a collection chamber of the unit is equipped with an indicator vane that cooperates with a fixed scale to indicate the amount of movement of the bellows and hence indicate the suction within the collection chamber. A manually adjustable control valve controls the amount of air admitted to the suction line within the unit to thereby control the applied suction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for manufacturing elastomer gloves having percentage elongation of at least 300%. In order to prevent excess deposits of the polymer latex in the areas of the tips of the fingers and the webs between the fingers when the hand-shaped molds are coated, by dipping, with the polymer, the surfaces of the mold in these areas are formed as non-rounded, non-horizontal inclined surfaces which join at an apex and define an included angle therebetween. This arrangement prevents the pooling of the polymer latex in the areas in question, this pooling being the cause of the excess deposits and being characteristic of prior molds of this general type. In order to provide sufficient coagulant around the sharp corners formed in the areas of the tips of the fingers and the webs between the fingers so as to provide sufficient coating in those areas, it is necessary to use a heated mold and to provide sufficient dwell time and withdrawal time for the mold from the coating baths during the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for manufacturing elastomer gloves having percentage elongation of at least 300%. In order to prevent excess deposits of the polymer latex in the areas of the tips of the fingers and the webs between the fingers when the hand-shaped molds are coated, by dipping, with the polymer, the surfaces of the mold in these areas are formed as non-rounded, non-horizontal inclined surfaces which join at an apex and define an included angle therebetween. This arrangement prevents the pooling of the polymer latex in the areas in question, this pooling being the cause of the excess deposits and being characteristic of prior molds of this general type. In order to provide sufficient coagulant around the sharp corners formed in the areas of the tips of the fingers and the webs between the fingers so as to provide sufficient coating in those areas, it is necessary to use a heated mold and to provide sufficient dwell time and withdrawal time for the mold from the coating baths during the process.

Abstract: A two-chambered underwater drainage apparatus is provided which is adapted to be connected with the pleural cavity of a patient by means of a thorocotomy tube. The underwater seal which prevents the flow of atmospheric air from the device to the pleural cavity of the patient is formed at the lower end of the thorocotomy tube and the secretions from the body cavity form the liquid in the seal. A oneway valve is provided at the outlet from the device to prevent backflow of air from the atmosphere into the device, but, permits outflow of air from within the device when the air pressure within the device is higher than atmospheric pressure or when the device is used with a suction pump. A hanger attachment is provided which permits the device to stand on the floor or be hooked onto the bedside.

Abstract: A drainage device is provided with a collection chamber, underwater seal chamber and a separate outflow chamber. The underwater seal chamber which prevents the flow of atmospheric air from the device into the pleural cavity of the patient is formed by a recessed portion in a partition separating the underwater seal chamber from the collection chamber. The passageway from the underwater seal chamber into the collection chamber is disposed centrally of the partition separating the chambers and a baffle is formed around the opening to prevent excessive loss of fluid from the underwater seal chamber into the collection chamber when the device is inadvertently tilted. The outflow chamber is closed off from the collection chamber and is connected with the underwater seal chamber by means of a tubular passageway adjacent the upper wall of the drainage apparatus so as to prevent fluid from passing from the underwater seal chamber into the outlet passageway.

Abstract: A portable liquid collection device is disclosed which is used for draining the pleural cavity or the like. An electric pump and battery means are located inside of a housing. Also located inside of the housing are an adjustable valve and a manually operated emergency pump. A detachable liquid collection chamber is held to the housing by a handle and a latch on the handle. Extending from the pump to the collection chamber through the handle is a vacuum line. When a hose from the pleural cavity is connected to the collection chamber, the electric pump is turned on by a switch and creates a vacuum in the chamber which draws liquids through the hose. If liquid in the chamber rises too high, a float valve in the chamber prevents any liquid from being drawn into the vacuum line.

Abstract: An underwater drainage apparatus is provided which is convertible from a two bottle system including a collection chamber and underwater seal chamber to a three bottle system including a suction control chamber. A rubber diaphragm is provided in the container for the collection chamber and underwater seal and a needle having a large bore is provided in the suction control chamber. Trackways on the suction control chamber and collection chamber interfit so that the suction control chamber can be slid into position wherein the needle penetrates the diaphragm to place the suction control chamber in fluid communication with the underwater seal chamber and collection chamber.

Abstract: An underwater drainage apparatus is provided with an underwater seal formed by fluid from the pleural cavity of the patient. The dead air space within the underwater drainage apparatus is reduced to a minimum by dividing the collection chamber into a plurality of compartments and providing seals between the compartments which are dissolved when liquid from the preceding compartment reaches the dissolvable seal. A passageway is provided in the air space directly above the underwater seal chamber to connect to the outlet to suction and a one way valve is provided in this passageway.

Abstract: A drainage device is provided for draining fluid from a body cavity and for use with a vacuum. The drainage device has three chambers, a collection chamber, a water seal chamber and a pressure regulating manometer chamber. In operation, air bubbles passing through a body of liquid in the manometer chamber produces a disturbing sound. The present invention provides a sound muffling baffle plate including a plurality of fine apertures which is disposed in the lower end portion of the large arm of the manometer chamber, which prevents the formation of large air bubbles and effectively muffles the sounds emanating from the device during use.

Abstract: Bacteria, particularly coliform bacteria, present in a liquid, are rapidly detected. A sample of the liquid to be tested is admixed with an enzyme-inducing agent which induces the production of an enzyme in the bacteria, the enzyme being capable of reacting with a fluorescent conjugate ingested by the bacteria to release its fluorescent portion. Conditions are controlled such that a sufficient number of molecules of enzyme are produced per bacterium present in the liquid sample to effect release of the fluorescent portion. A fluorescent conjugate, capable of being ingested by the bacteria, is admixed with the liquid sample for reaction with the enzyme to release the fluorescent portion of the fluorescent conjugate. The liquid sample is then formed into microdroplets in a liquid carrier such that the fluorescent material is retained in the microdroplets.

Abstract: An improved surgical needle of the type having a simple main cutting edge extending across the needle and formed by the intersection of two planar surfaces for use in cutting through hard body tissue material. The forward end of the needle includes a relatively small third substantially planar surface having an acute angle of convergence with the axis of the needle and intersecting at substantially equal acute angles with the other two planar surfaces. The surgical needle is preferably curved in the reference plane defined by the main cutting edge and the axis of the needle. Such an improved surgical needle results in an extremely sharp needle with a high resistance to burring.

Abstract: A surgical drainage system is provided for the drainage of fluid from a body cavity which comprises a collection chamber, a U-tube manometer having one arm in fluid communication with the inlet to the collection chamber and a closed chamber in fluid communication with the other arm of the U-tube manometer. There is provided a rupturable container of liquid within one arm of the U-tube manometer such that when pressure is applied to the container a weakened seal breaks, thus allowing the liquid within the container to flow into the lower connected arms of the U-tube manometer. The U-tube manometer provides a visual indication of changes of pressure in the body cavity by oscillation of the liquid in the manometer. There is further provided a one way valve between the collection chamber and the inlet to the collection chamber. The one way valve permits fluids to flow from the body cavity into the collection chamber but prevents backflow of any higher pressure gas that might exist in the collection chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expansion chamber that can be attached to a conventional underwater drainage device used for draining a body cavity. The attaching means permits the expansion chamber to be quickly attached to the drainage device and when attached to become rigidly and securely connected thereto. The connecting means comprises fitting engageable male and female rails, one of which is connected along its side and extends from the expansion chamber and the other of which is connected along its side and extends from the drainage device. A connecting chamber is rigidly attached at one end thereof to the top of the expansion chamber and extends longitudinally therefrom. Depending from the other end and securely mounted thereto is a hollow needle. The needle can engage and penetrate a self-sealing grommet located in the top of the drainage device. In this manner, the drainage device can be used to maintain the same vacuum within the expansion chamber as within the drainage device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an underwater drainage apparatus which is adapted to be used for draining a body cavity. The underwater drainage device is provided with two collection chambers in addition to the usual water seal chamber and pressure regulating monometer. The two collection chambers intercommunicate so that the same vacuum is applied to both chambers but a spill over compartment is provided between the two collection chambers to prevent fluid collected in one chamber from passing into the other collection chamber.

Abstract: A drainage apparatus for evacuating fluids from cavities including a collection chamber for collecting fluids from the body cavity, a water seal chamber and a pressure regulator chamber. A valve mechanism is provided in the water seal chamber to permit the outflow of gases from the apparatus in the event of a sudden increase in pressure in the device due to respiratory movements or leakage of air.

Abstract: Aqueous detergent solutions of block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide having the structure: ##STR1## and an ethylene oxide to propylene oxide ratio of at least 4:1 have been found to be surprisingly useful in the cleansing of contaminated wounds in that they do not impair the wound's ability to resist infection. Surgical scrub solutions of these detergent solutions containing in addition antiseptic agents provide cleansing solutions which both eliminate bacteria and provide the desired cleansing action without impairing the wound's ability to resist infection.