Abstract: A device for scouring a coating from a fibrous material includes a tank for immersing a plurality of fibers in scouring solvent therein. The device also includes a bubbling device positioned therein and having a chamber formed between a base plate and a cover plate with a plurality of holes. The plurality of fibers is mounted within the tank above the cover plate and holes of the bubbling device, so that gas bubbles produced thereby move through the scouring solvent and through the plurality of fibers. The holes are arranged in a pattern on the cover plate that corresponds to a shape assumed by the plurality of fibers when mounted within the tank. A process for scouring a coating from a fibrous material is also disclosed and involves immersing a plurality of fibers in a scouring solvent and producing a plurality of gas bubbles that move through the solvent and the plurality of fibers.

Abstract: A device for scouring a coating from a fibrous material includes a tank for immersing a plurality of fibers in scouring solvent therein. The device also includes a bubbling device positioned therein and having a chamber formed between a base plate and a cover plate with a plurality of holes. The plurality of fibers is mounted within the tank above the cover plate and holes of the bubbling device, so that gas bubbles produced thereby move through the scouring solvent and through the plurality of fibers. The holes are arranged in a pattern on the cover plate that corresponds to a shape assumed by the plurality of fibers when mounted within the tank. A process for scouring a coating from a fibrous material is also disclosed and involves immersing a plurality of fibers in a scouring solvent and producing a plurality of gas bubbles that move through the solvent and the plurality of fibers.

Abstract: A tube knot applicator for use in endosurgical procedures. The tube knot applicator has an elongated tube member having a distal end and a proximal end, as well as an axial passage therethrough. The tube member has slits for partially collapsing the distal end of the tube as well as a removable plug mounted in the distal end of the tube to prevent the distal end of the tube from collapsing by supporting the distal slitted end. A suture having at least one slip knot and at least one locking knot is mounted in the tube knot applicator with the knot tied about the collapsing distal end of the tube. A sleeve is mounted to the distal end of the tube knot applicator over the suture knot and the distal end.

Abstract: A surgical tissue retrieval instrument has a collapsible pouch at the distal end of an elongated support tube for retrieving internal body tissue through a trocar tube. The instrument includes a belt which is formed into a loop slidably attached about the open end of the pouch. The belt is slidably extendable through the support tube for expanding the open end of the pouch to receive the tissue and retractable into the support tube for drawing the open end of the pouch closed to enclose the tissue in the pouch. The belt has an oblong, e.g., rectangular, cross section oriented with its larger cross-sectional dimension perpendicular to the plane of the loop to provide stability at the open end of the pouch and to enable use of the pouch in a scoop-like manner to place the tissue therein. A portion of the belt is thermally set into a curved configuration to urge the loop into a normally expanded shape with the belt extended from the distal end of the support tube.

Abstract: A surgical tissue retrieval instrument has a collapsible pouch at the distal end of an elongated support tube for retrieving internal body tissue through a trocar tube. The instrument includes a belt which is formed into a loop slidably attached about the open end of the pouch. The belt is slidably extendable through the support tube for expanding the open end of the pouch to receive the tissue and retractable into the support tube for drawing the open end of the pouch closed to enclose the tissue in the pouch. The belt has an oblong, e.g., rectangular, cross section oriented with its larger cross-sectional dimension perpendicular to the plane of the loop to provide stability at the open end of the pouch and to enable use of the pouch in a scoop-like manner to place the tissue therein. A portion of the belt is thermally set into a curved configuration to urge the loop into a normally expanded shape with the belt extended from the distal end of the support tube.

Abstract: A tube knot applicator for use in endosurgical procedures. The tube knot applicator has an elongated tube member having a distal end and a proximal end, as well as an axial passage therethrough. The tube member has slits for partially collapsing the distal end of the tube as well as a removable plug mounted in the distal end of the tube to prevent the distal end of the tube from collapsing by supporting distal slitted end. A suture having at least one slip knot and at least one locking knot is mounted in the tube knot applicator with the knot tied about the collapsing means. A sleeve is mounted to the distal end of tube knot applicator over the suture knot and the distal end.

Abstract: A suturing device for placing a continuous suture line between anchor knots is disclosed. The device has a cannula and first and second sutures. Each suture has a slide end, a distal loop, and a slip knot securing the distal loop to the slide end. The sutures are threaded through the cannula. One of the sutures has a stay end extending from the slip knot, and a needle attached to this stay end. The device is particularly adapted to place a continuous suture line during endoscopic surgical procedures.