Abstract: An O-ring is provided for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector having a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision. At least one recess is defined in the O-ring that is selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of the O-ring about the cross-sectional center in predetermined increments. The recess may comprise various cross-sectional shapes, such as, at least one circumferential groove, a plurality of circumferentially positioned recesses, or be shaped such that the O-ring comprises a cruciform cross-section. An improved incrementally adjustable apparatus for protecting an incised wound from exposure to bacterial and other harmful contaminants is also provided including a pair of resilient O-rings connected to opposite ends of an impermeable pliable sleeve.

Abstract: An O-ring is provided for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector having a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision. At least one recess is defined in the O-ring that is selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of the O-ring about the cross-sectional center in predetermined increments. The recess may comprise various cross-sectional shapes, such as, at least one circumferential groove, a plurality of circumferentially positioned recesses, or be shaped such that the O-ring comprises a cruciform cross-section. An improved incrementally adjustable apparatus for protecting an incised wound from exposure to bacterial and other harmful contaminants is also provided including a pair of resilient O-rings connected to opposite ends of an impermeable pliable sleeve.

Abstract: An O-ring is provided for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector having a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision. At least one recess is defined in the O-ring that is selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of the O-ring about the cross-sectional center in predetermined increments. The recess may comprise various cross-sectional shapes, such as, at least one circumferential groove, a plurality of circumferentially positioned recesses, or be shaped such that the O-ring comprises a cruciform cross-section. An improved incrementally adjustable apparatus for protecting an incised wound from exposure to bacterial and other harmful contaminants is also provided including a pair of resilient O-rings connected to opposite ends of an impermeable pliable sleeve.

Abstract: Surgical apparatus for providing extracorporeal pneumoperitoneum. One embodiment provides a reversely turned fluid and gas impermeable fingerless sleeve (14) with a quick connect and disconnect assembly around the cuff of the sleeve (14) for sealing around an abdominal incision to allow hand-assisted minimally invasive surgery under conditions of pneumoperitoneum. A dome shaped enclosure (62) is provided for use with the quick connect and disconnect assembly to seal around an abdominal incision and maintain pneumoperitoneum during interruptions in a surgical procedure. Another embodiment incorporates a fingerless sleeve (14) which is adhesively secured directly to a patient's skin around an incision. The sleeve is applied over a pre-gloved surgeon's hand, and an outer surgical glove (18) is applied over the sleeve (14) in the region where the fingers and thumb protrude before the sleeve (14) is reversely turned on itself for connection to a patient.

Abstract: An O-ring is provided for use in an adjustable surgical wound protector having a solid cross-section including a cross-sectional center that is spaced from a central longitudinal axis and a resilient configuration for squeezing into an oblong shape that is insertable into a surgical incision. At least one recess is defined in the O-ring that is selectively sized and shaped to enable a snap-action rolling of the O-ring about the cross-sectional center in predetermined increments. The recess may comprise various cross-sectional shapes, such as, at least one circumferential groove, a plurality of circumferentially positioned recesses, or be shaped such that the O-ring comprises a cruciform cross-section. An improved incrementally adjustable apparatus for protecting an incised wound from exposure to bacterial and other harmful contaminants is also provided including a pair of resilient O-rings connected to opposite ends of an impermeable pliable sleeve.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and the method for delivering and withdrawing surgical tools through a cannula in an abdominal cavity during hand-assisted minimally invasive surgery. A tube slidably extends through a cannula with a slender surgical tool such as a suture needle holder, secured in a snap-in gripper at the insertion end of the tube. The thumb and fingers of one hand of the surgeon or an assistant's cause the tube to move axially from a fully retracted position in the cannula to a position where the tool projects from a snap-in socket in the tube a length sufficient for a surgeon's hand to grip a knurled surface around the tool. A detent bead around the periphery of the tool snaps into a complementary groove within the gripper. Insufflating gas may be introduced or vented as needed through a port which communicates through the interior of the tube with the abdominal cavity. The procedure is reversed for withdrawing the tool.

Abstract: Surgical apparatus for providing extracorporeal pneumoperitoneum. One embodiment provides a fluid and gas impremeable fingerless glove with a quick connect and disconnect assembly around the cuff of the glove which seals around an abdominal incision to allow hand-assisted minimally invasive surgery under conditions of pneumoperitoneum. Another embodiment provides a dome-shaped enclosure with the quick connect and disconnect assembly which seals around an abdominal incision to maintain pneumoperitoneum during interruptions in a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A gun bore cleaning system comprising a cleaning patch guide and holder, and a solvent and patch collector. The guide includes a tube having a tapered bushing at its forward end for abutting the breech end of the bore opening, and an inclined patch support surface near a rearward end holds a cleaning patch. As a cleaning rod is passed through the tube into the bore, it captures the patch, impregnated with a cleaning solvent, and pushes it through the bore into the solvent and patch collector mounted on the muzzle of the gun where the patch and any excess solvent are retained. The solvent and patch collector includes an adaptor mountable on the muzzle and a disposable container removably connected to the adaptor.

Abstract: An improved surgical apparatus for hand-assisted minimum invasive surgery with isolation at the site of a wound from ambient conditions. A sleeve of gas-impermeable material includes entry and exit openings for access to the wound, and ports for introducing surgical instruments into the sleeve within easy reach of a surgeon's hand.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for hand-assisted minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery which allows for palpation and biophysical feedback within a sterile environment. A sleeve provides a sealed chamber communicating with a wound accessible to an surgeon's hand through entry and exit openings. The entry opening is sealed around the surgeon's wrist or forearm by a cuff.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for attachment to a partial vacuum source for removing smoke and liquid from a surgical area during laser or electrocautery surgery. The nozzle includes a cylindrical inner tube fixedly and concentrically attached within a cylindrical outer tube with the distal end of the inner tube extending forwardly of the distal end of the outer tube. A plurality of annularly spaced, radially extending connecting webs interconnect the outer and inner tubes together and define a respective plurality of discreet passageways through which the smoke and liquid are suctioned in addition to the passageway of the inner tube. An auxiliary nozzle may be attached to the exposed, distal end of the inner tube for passage through a trocar cannula or the like during endoscopic procedures. A flow control knob is also provided for removable and rotatable attachment to the distal end of the outer tube for selectively controlling the fluidics flow through the passageways between the connecting webs.

Abstract: An electro-surgical dissecting and cauterization tool comprises a linear, rigid insulating sleeve surrounding means providing an electric conducting path between a proximal, electric plug end and working tip electrode distal end. The plug attaches the tool to a conventional electro-surgical unit which supplies electrical energy to the working tip electrode end of the tool. A rigid arm extends between the sleeve and the working tip electrode and includes portions laterally offset from the main axis of the sleeve to increase visualization of the working tip electrode during surgery.

Abstract: A compression orb for use in combination with known bandage means to simulate manual digital pressure hemostasis following an arterial or venous puncture. The orb is formed from transparent plastic and is shaped as a hollow dome having a central, raised bulb or second, smaller dome which is integrally formed with and extends from the first domed portion. The flat, circular surface of the orb is releasably attached to the bandage means and the raised bulb portion of the orb is pressed upon the puncture site by means of the secured bandage. The bandage means includes a transparent window through which the orb and puncture site may be viewed without having to lift the bandage and orb from the wound to check for bleeding.