Abstract: The present invention provides improved dual lumen endobronchial tube devices. The dual lumen endobronchial tube devices feature a universal design for left or right mainstem bronchus insertion. The dual lumen endobronchial tube devices also feature enhanced balloon cuff designs to minimize dislodgement while maintaining proper airway sealing. The present invention also includes water activated lubricious coating inside the shaft to reduce friction during insertion of a bronchoscope into the airway. The present invention also provides improved double clamps that prevent the accidental clamping of both tubes of a Y-adapter.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved dual lumen endobronchial tube devices. The dual lumen endobronchial tube devices feature a universal design for left or right mainstem bronchus insertion. The dual lumen endobronchial tube devices also feature enhanced balloon cuff designs to minimize dislodgement while maintaining proper airway sealing. The present invention also includes water activated lubricious coating inside the shaft to reduce friction during insertion of a bronchoscope into the airway. The present invention also provides improved double clamps that prevent the accidental clamping of both tubes of a Y-adapter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a deflectable guide whose use results in protection of the hand of medical personnel holding a medical container during the activity of moving a hypodermic needle toward and pressing it through a septum of the medical container. The present invention further is adapted for use of the same syringe and deflector guide protected needle for injection or withdrawal of medical liquids from a septum end of medical catheter or intravenous tubing without removal of the deflectable guide.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual lumen endobronchial tube provided with a flexible wall dividing a cylindrical main tube into two lumens, where the outside wall of the main tube is reinforced, preferably by metal wire but alternately by a sufficiently rigid polymer ribbing which will achieve a desired reduction necessary outside wall thickness. The achievement of a reduction in necessary wall thickness enables sufficient hydraulic cross sectional area so that each lumen is capable independently of providing adequate ventilation to a patient even while a ventilation lumen is partly occluded when the insertion end of a bronchoscope or tube is inserted into the adjacent lumen to examine or treat the other lung.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual lumen endobronchial tube provided with a flexible wall dividing a cylindrical main tube into two lumens, where the outside wall of the main tube is reinforced, preferably by metal wire but alternately by a sufficiently rigid polymer ribbing which will achieve a desired reduction necessary outside wall thickness. The achievement of a reduction in necessary wall thickness enables sufficient hydraulic cross sectional area so that each lumen is capable independently of providing adequate ventilation to a patient even while a ventilation lumen is partly occluded when the insertion end of a bronchoscope or tube is inserted into the adjacent lumen to examine or treat the other lung.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved dual lumen endobronchial tube devices. The dual lumen endobronchial tube devices feature a universal design for left or right mainstem bronchus insertion. The dual lumen endobronchial tube devices also feature enhanced balloon cuff designs to minimize dislodgement while maintaining proper airway sealing. The present invention also includes water activated lubricious coating inside the shaft to reduce friction during insertion of a bronchoscope into the airway. The present invention also provides improved double clamps that prevent the accidental clamping of both tubes of a Y-adapter.

Abstract: The present invention is a storage and protection device for bronchoscopes having a protection tube of sufficient length to enclose at least a majority of a length of an insertion tube of a flexible bronchoscope. Extending upward from a top end of the protection tube is an upper structure support clamp adapted to releasably secure an upper structure of the flexible bronchoscope so that at least a majority of the length of the insertion tube lies within the protection tube. The upper structure support clamp connection with the upper structure of the bronchoscope preferably allows the insertion tube to hang freely within the protection tube when the protection tube is oriented substantially vertically.

Abstract: The present invention includes a scalpel blade removal device with an opening in a wall defining a first blade guide, extending to a narrowing upward ramp bounded by left and right guide walls. A horizontal top ramp extends from the distal end of the upward ramp, bounded by left and right guide towers. A spring loaded notch device is adapted to lock behind a proximal end of a scalpel blade seated on a scalpel, where the scalpel is inserted in the opening and the blade edge is driven up the ramp to the top ramp. When the notch device is locked behind that end of the scalpel blade, the scalpel is pulled back, causing the scalpel blade to slide off the scalpel handle. A sharps container incorporates the removal device, a reinforced latch, a scalpel resting location, and needle cover removers.

Abstract: The present invention solves the problem of secure engagement of a thin gauge light handle cover to a light handle. This is possible by way of a simple addition to existing light handle covers. Vacuum structures are a critical improvement of the present invention over the prior art. The prior art has uniformly tried to use a seal between the shield rim and the light handle cover behind which a vacuum would be attempted to be formed. Where the post and shield covering sections have sufficient structural strength, such a seal and vacuum can be obtained. With thin gauge polymers, it is simply not practical.

Abstract: The present invention is a scalpel blade removal device comprising an opening in a wall defining a first blade guide, extending to a narrowing upward ramp bounded by left and right guide walls. A horizontal top ramp extends from the distal end of the upward ramp, bounded by left and right guide towers. A spring loaded notch device is adapted to lock behind a proximal end of a scalpel blade seated on a scalpel, where the scalpel is inserted in the opening and the blade edge is driven up the ramp to the top ramp. When the notch device is locked behind that end of the scalpel blade, the scalpel is pulled back, causing the scalpel blade to slide off the scalpel handle. A sharps container incorporates the removal device, a reinforced latch, a scalpel resting location, and needle cover removers.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual function transfer tray that can be used for either a scalpel or a suturing needle holder with suturing needle. A scalpel slot is formed in the bottom of a relatively deep set of sloped walls. A suture needle cavity is formed above the first slot. However, at a mid-section of the scalpel slot and the half-cylindrical suture needle cavity are opposing and deep V-shaped cutaway sections in the sidewalls with a flat floor section between them. A user need never have to focus their attention for more than a split second to discern the location of the mid-section of the transfer tray. The user's thumb and forefinger are aimed at the V-shaped sidewall openings to grasp a midsection of a supported surgical sharps. The scalpel slot and half-cylindrical suture needle cavity are set relatively deep with respect to top edges of the transfer tray and the to form an open tray to prevent a user from being inadvertently injured by a scalpel blade or a suture needle.

Abstract: The present invention is a retractable scalpel device with two releasable latching elements. When the scalpel blade is in an extended position, each releasable latching element is accessible for depression by finger pressure to cause retraction of the extended blade. However, the releasable latching elements are located on opposite edges (top and bottom edges) of a cover housing and about halfway along its length. The releasable latching elements must be depressed at the same time for the extended scalpel blade to be retracted into the cover housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a scalpel blade removal device comprising an opening in a wall defining a first blade guide, extending to a narrowing upward ramp bounded by left and right guide walls. A horizontal top ramp extends from the distal end of the upward ramp, bounded by left and right guide towers. A spring loaded notch device is adapted to lock behind a proximal end of a scalpel blade seated on a scalpel, where the scalpel is inserted in the opening and the blade edge is driven up the ramp to the top ramp. When the notch device is locked behind that end of the scalpel blade, the scalpel is pulled back, causing the scalpel blade to slide off the scalpel handle. A sharps container incorporates the removal device, a reinforced latch, a scalpel resting location, and needle cover removers.

Abstract: The present invention is a retractable scalpel device with two releasable latching elements. When the scalpel blade is in an extended position, each releasable latching element is accessible for depression by finger pressure to cause retraction of the extended blade. However, the releasable latching elements are located on opposite edges (top and bottom edges) of a cover housing and about halfway along its length. The releasable latching elements must be depressed at the same time for the extended scalpel blade to be retracted into the cover housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a device where a needle cap rim is captured between a front wall and abutment means behind it. This is done by making aligned slots in the front wall and abutment means with side to side widths greater than the diameter of the needle cap body (without ridges) but less than the outside diameter of the needle cap rim. However, the rim of the needle hub is located outside the front wall slot, where the intervening needle hub rim to needle shaft part of the needle hub passes through the front wall slot and into the needle cap for friction fit contact.

Abstract: The present invention is a device where a needle cap rim is captured between a front wall and abutment means behind it. This is done by making aligned slots in the front wall and abutment means with side to side widths greater than the diameter of the needle cap body (without ridges) but less than the outside diameter of the needle cap rim. However, the rim of the needle hub is located outside the front wall slot, where the intervening needle hub rim to needle shaft part of the needle hub passes through the front wall slot and into the needle cap for friction fit contact.

Abstract: A rigid, disposable container for safety containing and disposing of medical-surgical materials, including needles, syringes, scalpels and dressings after use, comprises five, lightweight plastic pieces which snap together without tools to form a closed container having a one-way barrier at a larger opening for the insertion of used materials therethrough, which barrier can be removed if desired, and additional apertures having sharps-removing features molded therein to permit the simultaneous removal of sharps from associated devices and their disposal therethrough. A flush, lockable, sliding cover is provided on the container to close the disposal openings against passage of macroscopic material either partially during use or completely before disposal.

Abstract: An inexpensive, foldup container for holding and disposing of used medical materials is die-stamped from a single piece of cardboard material and crimped along a plurality of lines to define a plurality of rectangular panels hingably-attached to one another which fold together to form a rectangular carton having an aperture in the top guarded by a barrier flap which permits the one-way disposal of used medical materials, such as disposable sharps and dressings, and further includes a hinged cover which can be locked shut over the disposal opening to retain the contents within the container and to resist tampering during the disposal process. The container may be provided in a partially assembled, flat configuration for storing and shipping.