Abstract: A multi-plane gripping handle for use with a multitude of devices is provided which generally comprises a handle section, a thumb section and a butt surface. The size and shape of the handle section and thumb section are selected to optimize the surface contact between the gripping handle and the hand of the user. The handle section and the thumb section each occupy a separate plane and these in planes are arranged in a selected angular relationship with one another to further optimize the gripping surface contact between the hand and the handle. In an alternative embodiment, the gripping handle may be formed in a split-case construction such that alternative devices may be interchangeably inserted into the gripping handle and thus allow for the gripping handle to be used with various devices.

Abstract: A pack insertion device for use with a cavity in the human body, such as a nose cavity, is provided that includes an introducer member and a liquid absorption assembly. The introducer member is preferably one piece that can have a body member with side walls that form a rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, the introducer member is a single unit that includes a main body section and a pivotal body section that holds the liquid absorption assembly when positioned for insertion into a nasal or sinus cavity. In this embodiment, the introducer member has side walls that have cut-out portions, an intermediate wall that functions as a floor, and an elongated opening opposite the intermediate wall. In yet a further embodiment, the introducer member includes a single body having tapered side walls, an intermediate wall and an elongated opening opposite the intermediate wall. The liquid absorption assembly includes an absorbent member having a rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: A multi-plane gripping handle for use with a multitude of devices is provided which generally comprises a handle section, a thumb section and a butt surface. The size and shape of the handle section and thumb section are selected to optimize the surface contact between the gripping handle and the hand of the user. The handle section and the thumb section each occupy a separate plane and these in planes are arranged in a selected angular relationship with one another to further optimize the gripping surface contact between the hand and the handle. In an alternative embodiment, the gripping handle may be formed in a split-case construction such that alternative devices may be interchangeably inserted into the gripping handle and thus allow for the gripping handle to be used with various devices.

Abstract: A battery operated, hand-held cautery apparatus including a cauterizing unit with a cautery body and a heating assembly having a heating element, a switch assembly, and a housing assembly is disclosed. The switch assembly is essentially the position of a battery. That is, the battery acts as a switch. Power is not supplied to the heating element when the battery is in a first position, but power is supplied to the heating element when the battery is moved to a second position. The housing assembly may include a biasing member in contact with the battery such that the biasing force of the biasing member must be overcome to move the battery from the first position to the second position and thus energize the heating element.

Abstract: A battery operated, hand-held cautery apparatus including a cauterizing unit with a cautery body and a heating assembly having a heating element, a switch assembly, and a housing assembly is disclosed. The switch assembly is essentially the position of a battery. That is, the battery acts as a switch. Power is not supplied to the heating element when the battery is in a first position, but power is supplied to the heating element when the battery is moved to a second position. The housing assembly may include a biasing member in contact with the battery such that the biasing force of the biasing member must be overcome to move the battery from the first position to the second position and thus energize the heating element.

Abstract: An absorbent pack for absorbing body fluids is provided. The absorbent pack includes an absorbent member and an enclosure assembly that surrounds the absorbent member. Apertures are formed in the enclosure member to permit body fluid to pass therethrough and be absorbed by the absorbent member. The enclosure assembly is made of a material that avoids unwanted adherence between the absorbent pack and a patient's skin or other body tissue. The enclosure assembly has a size to allow the absorbent member to expand without being impeded when it absorbs body fluid. A retention member can be joined to an anterior end of the absorbent member to assist in the removal of the absorbent pack from a body cavity. A cap member can be joined to the anterior end in order to avoid the possibility of separation of the anterior end from remaining portions of the absorbent member when the absorbent pack is removed from a body cavity.

Abstract: A device for applying pressure using absorbed fluid is disclosed. The device has particular utility in body cavities, such as nasal or sinus passages. In one embodiment, the device includes an expandable packing member and a delivery/draining tube. The packing member is insertable into a body cavity or body wound and expands when the packing member absorbs one or more fluids. After reaching the desired expansion, the packing member contacts body walls and applies pressure thereto. The delivery/draining tube is able to deliver fluid for treatment purposes or for expanding the packing member to a desired size. The delivery/draining tube is also used in removing body or other fluids from the body cavity or wound that are absorbed by the packing member. Rehydrating fluid is also utilized in facilitating the removal of the packing member from the body cavity or wound. In another embodiment, the packing member is definable to include anterior, body and posterior sections.

Abstract: A nose splint is disclosed that adhesively adheres to a patient's nose. The nose splint is formed in an area on and around the nose by molding the splint to the contour of the patient's nose, thereby pressing any edema fluid between the incised skin, and the bone and cartilage out of this area so that the skin tightly engages the bone and cartilage during healing. The nose splint has a novel shaped central pad member that fits along the ridge of the nose. The shape of the pad allows the adjacent overlapping portions of the nose splint to smoothly fold about the patient's nose forming a smooth composite surface that reduces wrinkling of the skin on the patient's nose and reducing voids where the adhesive does not adhere to the patient's skin.

Abstract: A device for applying pressure using absorbed fluid is disclosed. The device has particular utility in body cavities, such as nasal or sinus passages. In one embodiment, the device includes an expandable packing member and a delivery/draining tube. The packing member is insertable into a body cavity or body wound and expands when the packing member absorbs one or more fluids. After reaching the desired expansion, the packing member contacts body walls and applies pressure thereto. The delivery/draining tube is able to deliver fluid for treatment purposes or for expanding the packing member to a desired size. The delivery/draining tube is also used in removing body or other fluids from the body cavity or wound that are absorbed by the packing member. Rehydrating fluid is also utilized in facilitating the removal of the packing member from the body cavity or wound. In another embodiment, the packing member is definable to include anterior, body and posterior sections.

Abstract: A device for applying pressure using absorbed fluid is disclosed. The device has particular utility in body cavities, such as nasal or sinus passages. The device includes an expandable packing member and a delivery/draining tube. The packing member is insertable into a body cavity or body wound and expands when the packing member absorbs one or more fluids. After reaching the desired expansion, the packing member contacts body walls and applies pressure thereto. The delivery/draining tube is able to deliver fluid for treatment purposes or for expanding the packing member to a desired size. The delivery/draining tube is also used in removing body or other fluids from the body cavity or wound that are absorbed by the packing member. Rehydrating fluid is also utilized in facilitating the removal of the packing member from the body cavity or wound.

Abstract: A device is provided in swimming pools, hot tubs, spas or the like for absorbing body and suntan oils, as well as capturing hair, dead insects and other debris commonly found in such systems. The device includes a support member that floats and does not absorb liquids. A plurality of absorbing members are held by the support member. The absorbing members do absorb liquids, such as the suntan and body oils from the water surface. The absorbing members are elongated to provide a substantial surface area for absorption. These elongated members are sufficiently rigid, angled and spaced from each other to facilitate absorption and capturing of debris. Preferably, the device includes a weight member for suitably positioning the device on its own in the water. Preferably also, the support member has a marker to indicate when the device should be cleaned or replaced.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed for injecting or releasing a fluidic or solid substance into a cavity or tissue of a patient. The applicator is used to release a contained substance along the length of the applicator when the applicator has been inserted and positioned in the patient. Thus, if required, the substance to be released can easily be dispensed along a particular path such that a proper amount of the substance is dispensed along the path. In particular, the applicator of the present invention is useful in placing absorptive foam pads within a nasal cavity and in inserting implants into a breast.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method for wound dressing are provided for application with all sizes and shapes of wounds, particularly lacerations and deep and ragged cuts. The medical apparatus includes a compressed pad that expands as it absorbs body fluid from the wound and a backing member that increases the pressure applied to the body part as the compressed pad expands. The medical apparatus applies pressure to the wound of at least 0.4 psi.

Abstract: An instrument for cauterizing tissue is provided. The instrument includes a housing having an angled member with a free end. A looped cauterizing element is connected to the free end. Power is applied to the cauterizing element using a switching subassembly and a battery power source. The switching subassembly is activatable at a number of portions using a resilient boot to which the surgeon applies pressure to energize the cauterizing element. A copper conductive casing surrounds the battery power source. When the cauterizing instrument is utilized, the angled member enables the instrument to be positioned in a desirable location relative to other instruments used while cauterizing tissue.

Abstract: A switching apparatus is provided includes an output device, a power supply for providing power to the output device and a finger-mounted switch connected between the output device and the power supply. When the finger to which the switch is mounted is in a first position, current flows from the power supply to the output device. When the finger is moved into a second position, current flow is prevented. In one embodiment, the output device is an electrosurgical cautery mounted on the finger in the same housing as the switch. The cautery tip extends from the housing and is energized when the finger is in the first position and is positioned within the housing and is deenergized when the finger is in the second position.

Abstract: A nasal pack syringe is provided that includes a barrel, a plunger, an expandable, absorbent packing material, and a suture for retrieval of the packing material. The barrel is substantially rectangular in cross-section. The dimensions of the barrel and packing material are influenced by the dimensions of the human nasal cavity. The barrel and packing material are of sufficient length to allow penetration as far as the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. The barrel has ribs projecting from an interior wall thereof to facilitate movement of the packing material and a notch for holding the suture to avoid any obstruction during the movement of the packing material relative to the barrel. The plunger has a split end to assure a tight fit between the plunger and the barrel. In using the nasal pack syringe, the plunger is moved to push the packing material from the barrel into the patient's nasal cavity. The packing material expands upon contact with blood.

Abstract: A medical instrument for removing fat from inside a human body is provided wherein first and second projections, each adapted to be connected to a suction probe or a suction tube, are located at one end of a hollow body.

Abstract: A nose splint is provided which has a resilient layer having an adhesive coating on one side and a malleable metal layer permanently attached to the opposite side. The splint is applied after a traumatized nose has been taped with adhesive tape by applying the adhesive surface of the splint to the bridge of the nose and forming the splint around the nose so as to press any edema fluid between the incised skin and the bone and cartilage out of this area so that the skin tightly engages the bone and cartilage and is held thereagainst by adhesive contact with both the incised area and the untreated area so as to minimize swelling of the tissue and separation of the tissue from the bone and cartilage during the initial healing process.