Abstract: A curved surgical needle and a method for producing the same from a solid sheet of material rather than from coiled wire including the steps of drilling a bore in one edge of the material, grinding an edge opposite the drilled edge to form a sharpened point, curving the material and cutting the material at a point of equal distance between each drilled bored to provide a surgical needle. A suture is then attached to the surgical needle, optionally lubricated, sterilized, and packaged by suitable means known in the art.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device used for cooling, or keeping cool, an individual liquid container. Although a cooler for milk or coffee creamer will be described in detail, the device can be used for refrigerating any liquid, and the interior of the device may serve as the container. The device is composed of a container, which is normally closed but has an opening feature for loading the device or dispensing a liquid, and a cooling unit. An outer container surface is thermally insulated from an inner container surface and a cooling component portion of a cooling unit is in thermal contact with the inner container surface. In one version of the device the cooling unit is a thermoelectric module, and the insulation is of the vacuum bottle type. In another version of the invention the outer container comprises both the insulation and the outer container surface as a unitary structure. Specially constructed heat dissipating fins remove heat from the heat rejecting portion of the refrigerating unit.

Abstract: A surgical fastener is comprised of a center span with two locking arms extending therefrom, each locking arm containing an indentation adapted to receive a locking point and an indentation adapted to receive a locking nub. An inner bendable member extends from the center span terminating in a staple point member, the staple point member terminating in a tissue piercing point. An outer bendable member extends from the staple point member parallel to the inner bendable member, terminating in a locking point and locking nub. In the closed position the locking point of the outer bendable member locks into the indentation in the locking arm, to lock the staple in the closed position. In the open position the locking nub of the outer bendable member locks into the locking nub indentation in the locking arm to hold the staple in the open position.

Abstract: A surgical fastener is comprised of a center span with two locking arms extending therefrom, each locking arm containing an indentation adapted to receive a locking point and an indentation adapted to receive a locking nub. An inner bendable member extends from the center span terminating in a staple point member, the staple point member terminating in a tissue piercing point. An outer bendable member extends from the staple point member parallel to the inner bendable member, terminating in a locking point and locking nub. In the closed position the locking point of the outer bendable member locks into the indentation in the locking arm, to lock the staple in the closed position. In the open position the locking nub of the outer bendable member locks into the locking nub indentation in the locking arm to hold the staple in the open position.

Abstract: A surgical repair device having a length to width ratio of greater than one is disclosed. The device has an absorbable component consisting essentially of a first plurality of fibers. Each fiber of the first plurality of fibers is prepared from poly(butylene terephthalate) or a polymer having a glycolic or lactic acid ester linkage. The deivce also has a nonabsorbable component consisting of a second plurality of fibers. Each fiber of the second plurality of fibers is prepared from a polyether-ester block copolymer. The device comprises about ten percent of the first plurality of fibers and about ninety percent of the second plurality of fibers. The majority of the first and of the second plurality of fibers is essentially in the lengthwise direction of the device. The device can be knitted or woven. In one embodiment, the device is a connective tissue repair device.

Abstract: A surgical repair device having a length to width ratio of greater than one is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of fibers. The majority of the fibers are in a direction essentially parallel to the device length.The device has an absorbable component comprising a glycolic or lactic acid ester linkage. The remainder of the device, if any, has a non-absorbable component. The device can be used as a flat braid in the repair of a ligament or tendon.