Abstract: A sorting system in which uniquely coded garments are hung on transport carriers, also having unique identification bar codes. The garment transport carriers include a connector for removably attaching garments or garment hangers and a hook which engages the transport rails so that the carrier can be moved along the rails and throughout the sorting system. Such a hook is used with slick-type rails, screw-type conveyor rails and even channel-type rails, or a rotatable wheel may be mounted on the carrier for movement of the carrier along rails, including channel-type rails. The transport carrier bar code is read as it progresses through the sorting system and is compared with a computer data base of garment information to determine the sorting route. The garment identification is initially correlated in the computer data base before sorting with the carrier identification code.

Abstract: An improved trocar sleeve (10) is disclosed for use in laparoscopic surgery. The sleeve (10) is provided with an expanded mushroom hinge (20) at the first end (14) of the sleeve inserted into the abdominal cavity. The mushroom hinge (20) can be expanded within the abdominal cavity to abut against the inner surface of the abdominal wall (18) to hold the sleeve in place. A split seal (52) having a concave shape facing the first end (14) of the trocar sleeve (10) is provided to prevent loss of pressurized gas from within the abdominal cavity through the sleeve (10) as the pressure of the gas itself urges the first and second seal lips (78, 80) on opposite sides of the slit in the seal into sealing engagement. In a second embodiment, a member (138) is rotated relative to an end member (150) to actuate the mushroom hinge.

Abstract: A positive touch surgical endoscopic cannula assembly in which one, or both, of liquid or gas may be introduced or removed from a body cavity during surgery. The device contains a valving mechanism responsive to finger or thumb touch of the surgeon and having a conically shaped force resistor which is partially inverted during movement of the valve between open and closed positions. The partial inversion of the flexible resistor is detectable through an actuator to the hand or thumb of the operator to positively indicate positioning of the valve head and seat members.

Abstract: An improved trocar sleeve (10) is disclosed for use in laparoscopic surgery. The sleeve (10) is provided with an expanded mushroom hinge (20) at the first end (14) of the sleeve inserted into the abdominal cavity. The mushroom hinge (20) can be expanded within the abdominal cavity to abut against the inner surface of the abdominal wall (18) to hold the sleeve in place. A split seal (52) having a concave shape facing the first end (14) of the trocar sleeve (10) is provided to prevent loss of pressurized gas from within the abdominal cavity through the sleeve (10) as the pressure of the gas itself urges the first and second seal lips (78, 80) on opposite sides of the slit in the seal into sealing engagement. In a second embodiment, a member (138) is rotated relative to an end member (150) to actuate the mushroom hinge.

Abstract: A combination surgical trocar cannula and rake assembly is provided. The rake has radially extending tip elements which protrude out an open end of a trocar housing in response to relative longitudinal telescopic manipulation between the housing and the rake mandrel. Upon telescopic expansion between the mandrel and the housing, the rake elements extend radially outwardly of the housing, and sequential telescopic manipulation between the housing and the mandrel, alone or in combination with rotational movement therebetween enable the rake tip elements to grasp a solid element, such as a portion of a bladder, or the like, for movements during surgery performed through an endoscopic trocar. A fluid passageway is defined between the cannula and the rake mandrel to permit introduction of fluid during surgery while the rake is within the cannula, or, alternatively, to provide a vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A portable cat litter box adjustably mountable on a toilet bowl is provided with the litter box equipped with a trap door and trap door opening mechanism for dumping litter from the box directly into a toilet bowl for ease of litter disposal. A pull member connected to the trap door is moveable from a forward trap door closed position to a pulled out trap door opened position tilted downward from a rear pivot mount structure. Opposite side slotted cam guide structure for the trap door opening and closing are mounted on the bottom of the cat litter box with rod segments mounted on a back and forth trap door movement structure and extended into the oposite side cam guides.

Abstract: A trocar assembly is disclosed for use in inserting a laparoscopic instrument into the abdominal cavity during surgery and includes a cylindrical member activated by intermeshing gears to expand a cylindrical member having a normally retracted outer diameter when the trocar assembly is within the abdominal cavity, to resist withdrawing movement of the assembly from the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides a combination surgical trocar housing and selective reducer sleeve assembly in which the sleeve assembly members may be telescopically received within the trocar housing to reduce the diameter therethrough. The sleeve members provide a seal to prevent transmission of fluid within the annular area between internal and external diameters of respective members and may be latchingly secured relative to one another to resist telescopic expansive movement to stabilize the sleeve assembly relative to the trocar housing. The sleeve assembly permits acceptance through a single trocar housing of a number of auxiliary surgical instruments having serially smaller diameters, thus enabling performance of the surgical operation using each such instrument, without removal from the body wall of the original trocar housing.

Abstract: A surgical instruments handle, instrument head and forceps assembly for use in, preferably, endoscopic surgery through an endoscopic trocar are disclosed. The handle is contoured so as to provide a receptacle for a plurality of human fingers and a trigger-like extension for another finger as the thumb of the operator is snugly received within a ring of an instrument operator carried by the handle housing. The instrument handle extends to a tubular body of a forceps having first and second cutting members. The handle and forceps assembly may be introduced through an endoscopic locking trocar having a sleeve, having a diameter which is selectively expandable when the trocar is inserted through the abdominal wall into an abdominal cavity, during endoscopic surgery.

Abstract: A surgical insufflation instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the instrument has concentrically disposed cylindrical members with the distal end of one of the members having its outer surface contourly sloped to a closing end and having a fluid transmission passageway therethrough. In another embodiment, the insufflation instrument provides an enhanced visual indicator for determining relative telescopic expansion and contraction positions of the cylindrical members. In another embodiment, a snap and groove configuration are provided for insertion of a cap member onto the proximal end of a housing securing the concentric members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical endoscopic suction/irrigation cannula assembly and, in particular, to a valve actuator for selectively transmitting liquid or gas into or out of a suction/irrigation cannula. The valve actuator includes a manually operated elastomeric valve head. The actuator may contain a port disposed therethrough and in alignment with a cannula tubing for introduction of an endoscopic or laparoseopic surgical instrument while the assembly including the valve actuator is positioned within a body cavity during surgery.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively providing irrigation or evacuation to a patient during surgery which includes valve arrangements to prevent reflux of fluid and the drawing of irrigation fluid from a reservoir in the event the patient line becomes blocked.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively providing irrigation or evacuation to a patient during surgery which includes valve arrangements to prevent reflux of fluid and the drawing of irrigation fluid from a reservoir in the event the patient line becomes blocked.

Abstract: A fracture brace for leg and ankle treatment includes a shoe having a support surface for supporting the sole of a patient's foot, side walls extending generally perpendicularly to the support surface and an outer sole member. The side walls of the shoe include a receptacle having an outer wall spaced apart from the side wall of the shoe and end walls disposed generally perpendicularly to the shoe side wall and the outer wall. The side walls of the shoe include a spring disposed within the receptacle. The brace further includes side plates each having first and second ends for selective interconnection to the receptacle. The second ends of the side plates are adapted to be received and locked between the spring and the outer wall of the receptacle to prevent removal therefrom.

Abstract: A pistol-shaped frame (26) houses a fluid distribution assembly (58), including a plunger (46) operated by a trigger (30) for discharging fluid from a reservoir (60) through an outlet check valve (68). On return of the spring-loaded trigger (30), an inlet check valve (80) allows fluid to be drawn into the reservoir (60). A thumb-operated valve assembly (96) provides a fluid passage between an output (12) of the device and the outlet check valve (68) in one position, and in another position provides a vacuum passage between a vacuum inlet port (104) and the output (12). Trigger graduations (136 ) provide a visual indication of measured amounts of fluid dispensed by the device (10).