Abstract: A drainage catheter system including a catheter, a collection bag, and a collection bag saddle, is provided. The catheter includes a catheter body having an interior lumen, an elongate tubular sheath operatively associated with the catheter body, and a layer of lubricant disposed between the catheter body and the tubular sheath. The sheath is inflatable after deployment to provide sealing engagement with an inner wall of the urethra. One end of the catheter body is adapted to be connected to the collection bag which includes a fluid entry portion having a one-way fluid valve, a gas separation chamber, and a one-way gas valve. The collection bag also includes a main liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid entry portion and a sealed drainage member for permitting drainage of the main liquid reservoir.

Abstract: A urethral catheter assembly is disclosed which includes an elongate catheter body having an expandable retention balloon provided at a distal end thereof, and a progressively deployable lubricated sheath which encloses the exterior surface of the catheter body. Once deployed, the sheath permits relative movement of the catheter body relative to the urethra without causing discomfort or trauma to the patient.

Abstract: A food preparation assembly is disclosed which includes a carving board unit including a carving platform having a substantially planar carving surface with a collection channel defined therein extending about the periphery of the carving surface to collect drippings for separation into fat and juice, and a cutting board unit including an upper cutting surface and a lower undersurface. At least two parallel flanges depend from the undersurface of the cutting board unit which are dimensioned and configured to engage the collection channel in the carving platform to stabilize the cutting board unit during utilization.

Abstract: A torque limiting fastener in which a torque limiting coupling between telescoping head and driven elements includes a resilient spring carried by one element and a complementary recess formed in the other element, the engagement of the spring with the complementary recess resisting both axial and rotational displacement of the head element relative to the driven element when the head element is rotated in the tightening direction, and further includes a surface forming one end of the recess engageable by the spring to establish a positive connection between the elements when the head element is turned in the loosening or unscrewing direction.

Abstract: A two-chambered underwater drainage apparatus is provided which is adapted to be connected with the pleural cavity of a patient by means of a thorocotomy tube. The underwater seal which prevents the flow of atmospheric air from the device to the pleural cavity of the patient is formed at the lower end of the thorocotomy tube and the secretions from the body cavity form the liquid in the seal. A oneway valve is provided at the outlet from the device to prevent backflow of air from the atmosphere into the device, but, permits outflow of air from within the device when the air pressure within the device is higher than atmospheric pressure or when the device is used with a suction pump. A hanger attachment is provided which permits the device to stand on the floor or be hooked onto the bedside.

Abstract: A two-chambered underwater drainage apparatus is provided which is adapted to be connected with the pleural cavity of a patient by means of a thorocotomy tube. The underwater seal which prevents the flow of atmospheric air from the device to the pleural cavity of the patient is formed at the lower end of the thorocotomy tube and the secretions from the body cavity form the liquid in the seal. A oneway valve is provided at the outlet from the device to prevent backflow of air from the atmosphere into the device, but, permits outflow of air from within the device when the air pressure within the device is higher than atmospheric pressure or when the device is used with a suction pump. A hanger attachment is provided which permits the device to stand on the floor or be hooked onto the bedside.

Abstract: A drainage device is provided with a collection chamber, underwater seal chamber and a separate outflow chamber. The underwater seal chamber which prevents the flow of atmospheric air from the device into the pleural cavity of the patient is formed by a recessed portion in a partition separating the underwater seal chamber from the collection chamber. The passageway from the underwater seal chamber into the collection chamber is disposed centrally of the partition separating the chambers and a baffle is formed around the opening to prevent excessive loss of fluid from the underwater seal chamber into the collection chamber when the device is inadvertently tilted. The outflow chamber is closed off from the collection chamber and is connected with the underwater seal chamber by means of a tubular passageway adjacent the upper wall of the drainage apparatus so as to prevent fluid from passing from the underwater seal chamber into the outlet passageway.

Abstract: A portable liquid collection device is disclosed which is used for draining the pleural cavity or the like. An electric pump and battery means are located inside of a housing. Also located inside of the housing are an adjustable valve and a manually operated emergency pump. A detachable liquid collection chamber is held to the housing by a handle and a latch on the handle. Extending from the pump to the collection chamber through the handle is a vacuum line. When a hose from the pleural cavity is connected to the collection chamber, the electric pump is turned on by a switch and creates a vacuum in the chamber which draws liquids through the hose. If liquid in the chamber rises too high, a float valve in the chamber prevents any liquid from being drawn into the vacuum line.

Abstract: An underwater drainage apparatus is provided which is convertible from a two bottle system including a collection chamber and underwater seal chamber to a three bottle system including a suction control chamber. A rubber diaphragm is provided in the container for the collection chamber and underwater seal and a needle having a large bore is provided in the suction control chamber. Trackways on the suction control chamber and collection chamber interfit so that the suction control chamber can be slid into position wherein the needle penetrates the diaphragm to place the suction control chamber in fluid communication with the underwater seal chamber and collection chamber.

Abstract: An underwater drainage apparatus is provided with an underwater seal formed by fluid from the pleural cavity of the patient. The dead air space within the underwater drainage apparatus is reduced to a minimum by dividing the collection chamber into a plurality of compartments and providing seals between the compartments which are dissolved when liquid from the preceding compartment reaches the dissolvable seal. A passageway is provided in the air space directly above the underwater seal chamber to connect to the outlet to suction and a one way valve is provided in this passageway.

Abstract: A drainage device is provided for draining fluid from a body cavity and for use with a vacuum. The drainage device has three chambers, a collection chamber, a water seal chamber and a pressure regulating manometer chamber. In operation, air bubbles passing through a body of liquid in the manometer chamber produces a disturbing sound. The present invention provides a sound muffling baffle plate including a plurality of fine apertures which is disposed in the lower end portion of the large arm of the manometer chamber, which prevents the formation of large air bubbles and effectively muffles the sounds emanating from the device during use.

Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic foot splint is disclosed which maintains a desired angle between the feet of the user but which otherwise allows virtually full freedom of movement of the feet. Movements of the feet which are allowed include: forwards and backwards; up and down; together and apart; and tilting of the toe upwards and downwards. Thus, the user can walk, climb steps, or crawl in an approximately normal manner.In a preferred embodiment, hinged pairs of parallelogram links pivotally interconnect the shoes of the user. In another preferred embodiment, the pivotal connection is vertically adjustable and is resiliently urged to a horizontal position.

Abstract: A surgical drainage system is provided for the drainage of fluid from a body cavity which comprises a collection chamber, a U-tube manometer having one arm in fluid communication with the inlet to the collection chamber and a closed chamber in fluid communication with the other arm of the U-tube manometer. There is provided a rupturable container of liquid within one arm of the U-tube manometer such that when pressure is applied to the container a weakened seal breaks, thus allowing the liquid within the container to flow into the lower connected arms of the U-tube manometer. The U-tube manometer provides a visual indication of changes of pressure in the body cavity by oscillation of the liquid in the manometer. There is further provided a one way valve between the collection chamber and the inlet to the collection chamber. The one way valve permits fluids to flow from the body cavity into the collection chamber but prevents backflow of any higher pressure gas that might exist in the collection chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expansion chamber that can be attached to a conventional underwater drainage device used for draining a body cavity. The attaching means permits the expansion chamber to be quickly attached to the drainage device and when attached to become rigidly and securely connected thereto. The connecting means comprises fitting engageable male and female rails, one of which is connected along its side and extends from the expansion chamber and the other of which is connected along its side and extends from the drainage device. A connecting chamber is rigidly attached at one end thereof to the top of the expansion chamber and extends longitudinally therefrom. Depending from the other end and securely mounted thereto is a hollow needle. The needle can engage and penetrate a self-sealing grommet located in the top of the drainage device. In this manner, the drainage device can be used to maintain the same vacuum within the expansion chamber as within the drainage device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an underwater drainage apparatus which is adapted to be used for draining a body cavity. The underwater drainage device is provided with two collection chambers in addition to the usual water seal chamber and pressure regulating monometer. The two collection chambers intercommunicate so that the same vacuum is applied to both chambers but a spill over compartment is provided between the two collection chambers to prevent fluid collected in one chamber from passing into the other collection chamber.

Abstract: A drainage apparatus for evacuating fluids from cavities including a collection chamber for collecting fluids from the body cavity, a water seal chamber and a pressure regulator chamber. A valve mechanism is provided in the water seal chamber to permit the outflow of gases from the apparatus in the event of a sudden increase in pressure in the device due to respiratory movements or leakage of air.