Abstract: A skin opening and closure device for surgical procedures incorporates elongated flexible locking strips having elongated locking means formed thereon which is adapted to be placed in interlocking assembly and capable of being separated and relocked, as desired. A plurality of half staples are provided, each of which is partially embedded within respective ones of the locking strips to thereby define staple assemblies. The half-staples incorporate curved, hook-like skin penetrating elements which retain the locking strips in positive hooked assembly with the skin to prevent inadvertent staple separation when the locking strips are separated. The half-staples are adapted to be bent intermediate the extremities thereof to establish a secure skin retaining relation with the skin of the patient to provide a secure closure at the surgical incision. In use, the half-staples of the device are brought into engaging assembly with the skin of the patient at the site of the intended incision.

Abstract: A skin opening and closure device for surgical procedures incorporates elongated flexible locking strips having elongated locking ridge means formed thereon which are adapted to be placed in interlocking assembly and capable of being separated and relocked, as desired. A plurality of half staples are provided, each of which is secured to respective ones of the locking strips to thereby define staple assemblies. Each of the staple assemblies incorporates skin penetrating elements and are adapted to be bent intermediate the extremities thereof to establish a secure skin retaining relation with the skin of the patient to provide a secure closure at the surgical incision. The staples, preferably, incorporate spaced pairs of skin penetrating projections which are originally positioned in substantially parallel relation, and which are adapted to be positioned in opposed, skin retaining relation upon bending of the staple.

Abstract: An improved suturing apparatus for continuous suturing of incised or ruptured tissues is disclosed, the preferred form including a curved or arcuate suturing needle and an appendage at the nonpointed end protruding from the needle in a direction opposite the needle tip. A slotted, arcuate sleeve with flanged ends partially encases the needle while permitting internal sliding arcuate movement, the extent of which is dictated by the length of the slot through which the needle appendage slides. A pointed needle cap having suturing thread attached thereto is placed on the tip of the suturing needle. During suturing, the needle cap with attached suturing thread is pushed through the tissues moving in an arcuate path. A grasping device in the needle sleeve retains the needle cap after the needle passes through the tissue and as the suturing needle is withdrawn from the tissue.

Abstract: A hygienic cleaning apparatus that provides the washing of the genital area of a person seated on a toilet by upwardly and inwardly directed nozzles, whose water emanations converge at at least one point underneath the area to be cleaned. Temperatures and volume controls and pre-temperature water testing at a test tube outlet are also provided. A warm-air system provides drying air through ducts in the vicinity of the nozzles. The hygienic cleaning apparatus can also be used in conjunction with a modified toilet seat lid, whereby a hole is made at the point where the spray splashes when the lid is in a closed position, the lid containing channels leading away from such opening and terminating in openings over the seat itself, thereby permitting the seat to be washed clean. The warm air system also provides drying air to dry the seat after such washing.

Abstract: An improved suturing apparatus for non-continuous suturing of ruptured or incised skin. Suturing thread is held in an enclosed reel and fed through tubing into a hollow suturing needle. The suturing thread exits the hollow suturing needle through an aperture proximate to the tip of the hollow suturing needle. Needle-holding forceps hold the hollow suturing needle and assist in forcing the needle tip through the tissue to be sewn. Regulable feed means for moving the thread, such as compressed gas, is introduced into the enclosed reel, tubing or hollow suturing needle. The compressed gas moves toward the lower pressure area created by the aperture in the hollow suturing needle, also pushing and carrying the suturing thread out the aperture. The needle tip is pulled back out of the tissue, leaving the extended thread in the tissue. A sharp edge on the needle aperture is used to cut the suturing thread.