Abstract: A sterile cover for a sonic probe and connecting cable of a sonic imaging instrument includes (1) a flexible sleeve, open at both ends and having a sterile exterior surface, covering at least a portion of the cable and all but a distal end of the probe and (2) a flexible sheath, open at one end and closed at the other end and having a sterile exterior surface, that fits over a portion of the sleeve and covers at least the distal end of the probe. A method and kit for providing a sterile cover is also described.

Abstract: In a surgical glove package, the surgical glove is contained in a cylindrical ring with the cuff of the glove stretched around the ring to open the cuff of the glove. A bag also contained within the ring has its mouth sealed around said ring and encloses the outer surface of the glove to protect the sterility thereof. To don the glove, the hand is inserted through the ring into the glove and then the cuff of the glove is released from the ring. The ring is then removed from the hand in a manner to turn the bag inside out as the ring passes over the hand so that the bag remains between the ring and the hand as the ring is passing over the hand.

Abstract: In a surgical glove package, the cuff of the elastomeric glove is stretched around a D-shaped packaging ring so that the glove cuff extends radially back towards the center of the ring. Also extending around the ring is a flexible, transparent liner covering the outside surface of the glove and between the glove cuff and the ring so that the cuff holds the liner securely to the ring. The glove is oriented with respect to the ring so that the thumb is suspended directly below the junction of the straight portion of the D-shaped ring and the curved portion and so that the palm portion of the glove faces in the direction of the straight portion of the D-shaped ring. The glove is donned and removed from the ring by using the liner to manipulate the glove package. The glove package can also be used in connection with an inflating apparatus which inflates the glove prior to inserting a hand into the inflated glove.

Abstract: In a surgical glove package, the cuff of the glove is stretched around a packaging ring so that the glove cuff extends radially back towards the center of the ring. Also extending around the ring is a flexible, transparent liner covering the outside surface of the glove and between the glove cuff and the ring so that the cuff holds the liner securely to the ring. The glove is donned and removed from the ring by using the liner to manipulate the glove package. The glove package can also be used in connection with an inflating apparatus which inflates the glove prior to inserting a hand into the inflated glove. The glove package components are assembled by means of a standpipe and blower combination, which inflates the liner and facilitates stretching the glove cuff around the ring.

Abstract: In a catheter feeding system, a flexible resilient tube surrounds the catheter extending out of the catheter placement fixture. A portion of the tube is pleated adjacent to the fixture and the remainder of the tube is cylindrical. The catheter is fed forward by pinching the catheter through the tube between the thumb and forefinger behind the pleated portion and pushing the catheter forward into the fixture causing the tube to collapse axially in the pleated portion. A tubular jacket, which is also attached to the fixture, surrounds the pleated portion to keep it from wiggling out of axial alignment with the catheter during the feeding operation.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter placement system in which a puncture needle and insertion catheter are disposed in guide passages formed in an easily handled blade-like body member. The body member is provided with guide track means cooperable with the needle in a manner to permit complete withdrawal and disposal of the needle after venipuncture to leave only the pliable insertion catheter remaining in the patient's vein. The needle may be either slotted to allow insertion of the catheter within the needle or provided with a pliable external sheath insertable with the needle and remaining after needle withdrawal to guide a small diameter insertion catheter for threading into the punctured vein. A catheter clamping means is provided to releasably retain the catheter against longitudinal movement in the body member which may be fixed to the exterior of the patient's body by a strap connected to the body or by taping.

Abstract: In a tampon comprising an absorptive relatively non-compressible core surrounded by a transmissive foam jacket, the foam jacket is formed into a skirt extending from the lower end of the core to define an opening to receive the finger of the user for digital insertion.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon comprising an elongated core of conventional highly absorbent fibrous material enclosed along its sides and posterior ends by a sheath of non-absorbent, resilient and thus compressible foam material whereby the storage capacity of the absorbent core is unaffected by compressive forces due to muscular activity or withdrawal of the tampon, such compression being accommodated fully by said non-absorbent outer sheath.

Abstract: The donning of surgical gloves is facilitated by inflating the surgical glove with the cuff open so that the surgeon may insert his hand into the glove while inflated and then deflating the glove around the surgeon's hand. The glove is mounted in a glove package with the cuff of the elastomeric surgeon's glove stretched around a ring. The ring with the glove so mounted is mounted at the mouth of a tube which telescopes into a larger tube making a sliding air seal with the larger tube. When the smaller tube is withdrawn from the larger tube, the reduced air pressure that results within the chamber defined by the tubes sucks the glove into the chamber and inflates it in the chamber. After the surgeon has inserted his hand into the inflated glove, the inner tube is then reinserted into the outer tube to increase the pressure within the chamber above atmospheric causing the cuff of the glove to explode off the ring on which it is mounted and snap around the surgeon's wrist.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon comprising an elongated core of conventional highly absorbent fibrous material which is relatively incompressible and enclosed by a sheath of open-celled resilient foam. The foam transmits by capillary action, fluids from the exterior of the tampon inwardly to the fibrous core. The reticulated foam sheath also isolates the core from the effects of compression which may be caused by muscular activity or by withdrawal.