Abstract: The catheter is formed by a housing having a size and shape which fits readily into the hand of the user. An elongate tube is connected to and extends from the housing. The elongate tube is formed from a flexible polymeric material and constructed of three portions, a proximal portion, a medial portion, and a distal portion. Each of the portions is coaxial with one another and the longitudinal axis of the catheter housing. In addition, each of the portions has substantially the same outer circumference. The proximal and distal portions are formed of a flexible polymeric material which has a higher durometer of hardness than that of the medial portion. A pair of control wires extend longitudinally through the proximal, medial, and distal portions and parallel to the axis of the coaxial portions for selectively bending the portions in response to movement of the control wires.

Abstract: A framed picture is constructed for protecting a frame thereof from damage such as when knocked over on a desk or table. The framed picture preferably includes a transparent sheet defining a picture covering, a picture positionally aligned adjacent the picture covering for viewing therethrough, and a backing sheet member positioned to underlie back portions of the picture and to support front portions of the picture against the picture covering, and a frame body integrally formed from a unitary piece of a soft, pliable material. The frame body preferably has a front portion which includes a first opening formed therein arranged for viewing a picture therethrough and a back portion which includes a second opening formed therein positionally aligned with the first opening. The second opening receives the picture covering, the picture, and the backing sheet member therein.

Abstract: The catheter has a housing of such a size as to be readily held in the hand of the user, and a tubular proximal portion connected to and extending from the housing. The proximal portion is formed of a flexible polymeric material. The distal portion is coaxial with and is adjacent to the proximal portion. The distal portion is also formed of a flexible polymeric material and it has substantially the same outer circumference as the proximal portion. The distal portion is more flexible than the medial portion. A pair of control wires extend longitudinally through the proximal and distal portions and parallel to the axis of the coaxial portions for bending the flexible portions in response to movement of the control wires. A control is carried by the housing for controlling the movement of the control wires to thereby bend the flexible portions and remotely manipulate the catheter within a human body.

Abstract: A catheter for use in body vessels or cavities has a housing of such size as to be readily held in the hand of a user and elongate tube means having one end connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom and being formed of material of such a stiffness so as to maintain the elongate tube means in straight condition in the absence of an external force applied thereto, an outer end portion of the elongate tube means being flexible. Guide wires are connected to the housing by the inner ends thereof and extend outwardly therefrom through the elongate tube means. The outer ends of the guide wires are connected to the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means. Guide wire control means is carried by the housing and cooperates with the inner end portions of the guide wires for controlling the angular attitude of the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means.

Abstract: A method of epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The method includes the steps of distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with a fluid supplied from a catheter and positioning a portion of an optical scope in the distended portion of the epidural space by inserting the optical scope through the same catheter that supplies the distending fluid to thereby provide a visual image of the epidural space.

Abstract: A catheter for use in body vessels or cavities has a housing of such size as to be readily held in the hand of a user and elongate tube means having one end connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom and being formed of material of such a stiffness so as to maintain the elongate tube means in straight condition in the absence of an external force applied thereto, an outer end portion of the elongate tube means being flexible. Guide wires are connected to the housing by the inner ends thereof and extend outwardly therefrom through the elongate tube means. The outer ends of the guide wires are connected to the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means. Guide wire control means is carried by the housing and cooperates with the inner end portions of the guide wires for controlling the angular attitude of the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means.

Abstract: A catheter imaging apparatus for internally viewing body vessels or cavities, having a catheter, the catheter comprising a housing of such a size as to be readily held in the hand of a user, an elongate tube with one end connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom and being formed of material having sufficient stiffness to maintain the elongate tube in a substantially straight condition in the absence of an external force applied thereto, the elongate tube having a flexible distal end portion, guide wires having inner ends connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom through the elongate tube means, distal ends of the guide wires being connected to the flexible distal end portion of the elongate tube means, and a guide wire control carried by the housing and cooperating with proximal inner end portions of the guide wires for controlling the angular attitude of the flexible distal end portion of the elongate tube means, the guide wires and guide wire control cooperating to limit th

Abstract: The catheter has a housing of such a size as to be readily held in the hand of the user, and a tubular proximal portion connected to and extending from the housing. The proximal portion is formed of a flexible polymeric material. The distal portion is coaxial with and is adjacent to the proximal portion. The distal portion is also formed of a flexible polymeric material and it has substantially the same outer circumference as the proximal portion. The distal portion is more flexible than the medial portion. A pair of control wires extend longitudinally through the proximal and distal portions and parallel to the axis of the coaxial portions for bending the flexible portions in response to movement of the control wires. A control is carried by the housing for controlling the movement of the control wires to thereby bend the flexible portions and remotely manipulate the catheter within a human body.

Abstract: A method of epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The method includes the steps of distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with a fluid supplied from a catheter and positioning a portion of an optical scope in the distended portion of the epidural space by inserting the optical scope through the same catheter that supplies the distending fluid to thereby provide a visual image of the epidural space.

Abstract: A catheter for use in body vessels or cavities has a housing of such size as to be readily held in the hand of a user and elongate tube means having one end connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom and being formed of material of such a stiffness so as to maintain the elongate tube means in straight condition in the absence of an external force applied thereto, an outer end portion of the elongate tube means being flexible. Guide wires are connected to the housing by the inner ends thereof and extend outwardly therefrom through the elongate tube means. The outer ends of the guide wires are connected to the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means. Guide wire control means is carried by the housing and cooperates with the inner end portions of the guide wires for controlling the angular attitude of the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means.

Abstract: A storage rack for storing removable automobile hardtops includes a vertical frame member and a pair of horizontal frame members pivotably mounted to the lower end of the vertical frame member for arcuate movement in a substantially horizontal plane. A lower edge of the hardtop rests on the forward end of the horizontal members abutting vertical cleats, and the upper edge of the top leans rearwardly against the upper end of the vertical member. A strap biases the top into abutment with the storage frame, and wheel means support the storage frame for rolling movement. A fabric dust cover encloses the rack and hardtop mounted thereon during storage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cable closure which includes a central closure body and a pair of end caps preferably made from structural foam situated at each end of the closure body. There is also disclosed a cable block which includes void filling material selectively inserted among the insulated conductors of the cable and a directional control device which consists of a conduit also selectively inserted among the insulated conductors of the cable. Together the cable closure, cable block and directional control device make up the splice closure system. There may also be provided a heat recoverable seal adhesively attached to the cable closure in which case there will also be provided means for preventing milk-off of the seal from the cable closure. finally, there is disclosed a method for forming the cable block.