Abstract: A volumetric tissue ablation apparatus includes a probe having a plurality of wires journaled through a catheter with a proximal end connected to the active terminal of a generator and a distal end projecting from a distal end of the catheter. The probe wire distal ends are arranged in an array with the distal ends located generally radially and uniformly spaced-apart from the catheter distal end. A conductor connected to the return terminal of the generator is located relative to the probe wire array to form a closed electrical circuit through tissue to be ablated. Preferably, the probe wire array includes 10 wires, each formed in an arch from the catheter distal end. The conductor can be either a conventional ground plate upon which the tissue is supported, or a conductor wire extending through the probe and electrically insulated from the probe wires.

Abstract: A volumetric tissue ablation apparatus includes a probe having a plurality of wires journaled through a catheter with a proximal end connected to the active terminal of a generator and a distal end projecting from a distal end of the catheter. The probe wire distal ends are arranged in an array with the distal ends located generally radially and uniformly spaced-apart from the catheter distal end. A conductor connected to the return terminal of the generator is located relative to the probe wire array to form a closed electrical circuit through tissue to be ablated. Preferably, the probe wire array includes 10 wires, each formed in an arch from the catheter distal end. The conductor can be either a conventional ground plate upon which the tissue is supported, or a conductor wire extending through the probe and electrically insulated from the probe wires.

Abstract: A volumetric tissue ablation apparatus includes a probe having a plurality of wires journaled through a catheter with a proximal end connected to the active terminal of a generator and a distal end projecting from a distal end of the catheter. The probe wire distal ends are arranged in an array with the distal ends located generally radially and uniformly spaced-apart from the catheter distal end. A conductor connected to the return terminal of the generator is located relative to the probe wire array to form a closed electrical circuit through tissue to be ablated. Preferably, the probe wire array includes 10 wires, each formed in an arch from the catheter distal end. The conductor can be either a conventional ground plate upon which the tissue is supported, or a conductor wire extending through the probe and electrically insulated from the probe wires.

Abstract: A volumetric tissue ablation apparatus includes a probe having a plurality of wires journaled through a catheter with a proximal end connected to the active terminal of a generator and a distal end projecting from a distal end of the catheter. The probe wire distal ends are arranged in an array with the distal ends located generally radially and uniformly spaced apart from the catheter distal end. A conductor connected to the return terminal of the generator is located relative to the probe wire array to form a closed electrical circuit through tissue to be ablated. Preferably, the probe wire array includes 10 wires, each formed in an arch from the catheter distal end. The conductor can be either a conventional ground plate upon which the tissue is supported, or a conductor wire extending through the probe and electrically insulated from the probe wires.

Abstract: A volumetric tissue ablation apparatus includes a probe having a plurality of wires journaled through a catheter with a proximal end connected to the active terminal of a generator and a distal end projecting from a distal end of the catheter. The probe wire distal ends are arranged in an array with the distal ends located generally radially and uniformly spaced apart from the catheter distal end. A conductor connected to the return terminal of the generator is located relative to the probe wire array to form a closed electrical circuit through tissue to be ablated. Preferably, the probe wire array includes 10 wires, each formed in an arch from the catheter distal end. The conductor can be either a conventional ground plate upon which the tissue is supported, or a conductor wire extending through the probe and electrically insulated from the probe wires.

Abstract: A volumetric tissue ablation apparatus includes a probe having a plurality of wires journaled through a catheter with a proximal end connected to the active terminal of a generator and a distal end projecting from a distal end of the catheter. The probe wire distal ends are arranged in an array with the distal ends located generally radially and uniformly spaced apart from the catheter distal end. A conductor connected to the return terminal of the generator is located relative to the probe wire array to form a closed electrical circuit through tissue to be ablated. Preferably, the probe wire array includes 10 wires, each formed in an arch from the catheter distal end. The conductor can be either a conventional ground plate upon which the tissue is supported, or a conductor wire extending through the probe and electrically insulated from the probe wires.

Abstract: A wound dressing, suitable for use in protecting an open wound or burned tissue from direct exposure to air and capable of maintaining an aqueous environment of wounded tissue with which it is in brought into contact is comprised of a hydrophilic, yet insoluble material, advantageously a polymeric compound capable of being reversibly complexed with elemental iodine, thereby permitting release of therapeutic amounts of free iodine into a wound with which it is brought in contact. As a shaped mass of pliable and absorbent material, such a polymeric foam, such dressing is particularly suited for application to fresh and infected burns and open wounds. When alternatively configured as a hydrophilic film complexed with free iodine for use as a surgical drape, in addition to providing a barrier against direct exposure to air, such dressing is bacteriocidal, preventing infection of the wound from airborne contaminants in the operating room.

Abstract: Monilial Vulvovaginitis is treated by application of a composition containing one or more substances which inhibit glucose transfer into cells and cell metabolism. The composition of the invention is conveniently combined with a suitable carrier such as a non-aqueous gel and other therapeutically useful components.

Abstract: A method of fixation for use within animal and human bodies provides for the insertion of brushes, of cylindrical and conical designs, into openings wherein bristles of the brushes are deflected by walls of the openings such that the brushes are locked in place and resist forces applied thereto. An embodiment of the invention includes boring a hole into a cancellous bone structure and inserting a brush into the hole. The hole is of a smaller diameter than the brush and is locked in the hole by the bristles. Tissue, such as tendon, may then be attached to material affixed to an end of the brush. Another embodiment of the method includes insertion of a brush into a blood vessel such that the blood flow is either occluded or strained by the bristles of the brush.

Abstract: A device for the transfer of body fluids which accumulate in the peritoneum cavity into the vascular system comprising a peritoneal tube connected to the inlet chamber of a hollow plastic implanted valve assembly, causing a valve to open and passing the fluid under pressure into a second reservoir from where the fluid is conducted through a venous tubing which is connected to the jugular vein of the patient. The valve assembly comprises a plastic housing with an inlet and outlet, the peritoneal tube being secured to the inlet leading to an inlet reservoir located within the valve housing and the venous tube being secured to the outlet leading from the outlet reservoir located within the valve housing.

Abstract: An osmolarity sensor continuously senses an osmolarity of a fluid. A principle of operation is based on achieving an equilibrium of a vapor pressure of a specimen solution with a vapor pressure of a standard solution. In an embodiment, the standard solution is contained in a cavity defined by a vapor-permeable membrane which is immersed in a specimen solution. The standard solution and the specimen solution are allowed to come into equilibrium by a movement of water vapor across the vapor-permeable membrane, which is permeable only to water vapor and not to any solutes or water itself. The movement of the water vapor between the standard solution and the specimen is measured by sensing a volume of water transferred between the standard solution and the specimen solution. A measurement of a volume change of the standard solution is made by sensing a change a conductivity of the standard solution.

Abstract: A bacteriocidal virocidal sponge containing iodine and a surfactant which can be used as a contraceptive and as therapy for vaginitis. It consists of a polyurethane open cell foam impregnated with a surfactant and iodine. A bactericidal tampon containing an iodophor does not induce toxic shock syndrome.

Abstract: A sterile injectable mixture which intensifies and localizes radio frequency thermotherapy; the injectable mixture contains finely ground ferrite particles in a viscid aqueous suspension, the ferrite being matched for maximum radio frequency absorption at a specific frequency. A chemotherapeutic agent, a surfactant and a bioacceptable hydrophic colloid are also contained in the mixture.

Abstract: A device for cracking plaque from a blood vessel comprising a fixed jaw member assembly, a moveable jaw member and hammer assembly slidably mounted on the fixed jaw member assembly and a spring transmitting a driving force to the hammer assembly. A handle is connected to the fixed jaw member assembly and a trigger activation assembly is mounted in the handle to activate a trigger releasing the hammer assembly to transmit a driving force against the moveable jaw member and an adjacent blood vessel.

Abstract: Acne is treated by administering to the subject a substance which is effective in blocking glucose entry into sebaceous cells, thereby inhibiting the production of sebum by these cells. Typically, the substance is administered topically and is dissolved or suspended in an appropriate solvent. The preferred substance is phloretin, which can for example, be dissolved in propylene glycol.

Abstract: A bacteriocidal virocidal sponge containing iodine and/or chlorhexidine and a surfactant which can be used as a contraceptive and virocidal and bacteriocidal sponge positioned within a human body comprising a polyurethane open cell foam impregnated with a surfactant and iodine and/or chlorhexidine. A bactericidal tampon containing an iodophor or chlorhexidine does not induce toxic shock syndrome.

Abstract: A bacteriocidal virocidal sponge containing iodine and a surfactant which can be used as a contraceptive and as therapy for vaginitis. It consists of a polyurethane open cell foam impregnated with a surfactant and iodine. A bactericidal tampon containing an iodophor does not induce toxic shock syndrome.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for the removal of stool comprising an auger assembly, a helical auger and a hand crank connected to said auger to apply torque to the auger rotatably mounted in a cylindrical connecter housing. A bayonet lock mounted to said connecter housing is adapted to lock and hold a rectal insertion tube in a fixed position. The rectal insertion tube comprising a tube body having a diameter greater than the helix of the auger and has a handle at one end extending therefrom, the other end of the tube body being adapted to be inserted into a rectal ampulla.

Abstract: A surgical clamp comprising a pair of arms, each arm being interconnected at one end to one end of the other arm by a flexible, resilient member normally urging said arms apart while maintaining facing surfaces. A clamping strip of resilient material is mounted on the arms, the resilient material being softer than the material of the clamping arms. A releasable ratchet assembly including a ratchet body and flexible tubing is positioned on the opposite end of one of the arms extending toward and being engageable with a holding lip on the other arm, so that when the arms are moved toward each other, the arms can be held in fixed relative positions, mounted to said body.

Abstract: A canteen containing an iodine polyurethane complex open cell foam sponge for sterilization of water contained in the canteen.