Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly configurable for performing a dermatotomy in a percutaneous procedure and further configurable for performing cuts in open surgery includes a pointed scalpel blade and a hollow sheath body disposed to encapsulate the pointed scalpel blade inside a longitudinal instrument cavity to protect a user. The hollow sheath body is supported for longitudinal translation with respect to the scalpel blade. The hollow sheath may be positioned and locked at a first position to completely encapsulate the scalpel blade inside the instrument cavity for safe handling. The hollow sheath body is movable to second and third positions with different lengths of the surgical instrument extending out through a front face of the hollow sheath body. A compression spring biases the hollow sheath body toward the first safety position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly configurable for performing a dermatotomy in a percutaneous procedure and further configurable for performing cuts in open surgery includes a pointed scalpel blade and a hollow sheath body disposed to encapsulate the pointed scalpel blade inside a longitudinal instrument cavity to protect a user. The hollow sheath body is supported for longitudinal translation with respect to the scalpel blade. The hollow sheath may be positioned and locked at a first position to completely encapsulate the scalpel blade inside the instrument cavity for safe handling. The hollow sheath body is movable to second and third positions with different lengths of the surgical instrument extending out through a front face of the hollow sheath body. A compression spring biases the hollow sheath body toward the first safety position.

Abstract: A multimode instrument assembly (10, 11) configurable for performing a dermatotomy in a percutaneous procedure and further configurable for performing cuts in open surgery includes a pointed blade (68) and a hollow sheath body (18, 200) disposed to encapsulate the pointed blade (68) inside a longitudinal instrument cavity (32) to protect a user. The hollow sheath body (18, 200) is supported for longitudinal translation with respect to the blade (68). The hollow sheath (18) may be positioned and locked at a first position to completely encapsulate the blade (68) inside the instrument cavity (32) for safe handling. Otherwise the hollow sheath body (18, 200) is movable to second and third positions with different lengths of the blade extending out through a front face (23) of the hollow sheath body (18, 200). A compression spring biases the hollow sheath body (18) toward the first safety position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for introducing a catheter through a body opening along an insertion axis. The apparatus includes an arm having an end portion configured to extend into the body opening along the insertion axis, wherein the arm is configured to extend adjacent an external catheter surface. The apparatus also includes a surface extending from the end portion of the arm at an angle to the insertion axis, wherein the surface is configured to extend at least partially within an aperture formed in the catheter.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly (10, 11) configurable for performing a dermatotomy in a percutaneous procedure and further configurable for performing cuts in open surgery includes a pointed scalpel blade (68) and a hollow sheath body (18, 200) disposed to encapsulate the pointed scalpel blade (68) inside a longitudinal instrument cavity (32) to protect a user. The hollow sheath body (18, 200) is supported for longitudinal translation with respect to the scalpel blade (68). The hollow sheath (18) may be positioned and locked at a first position to completely encapsulate the scalpel blade (68) inside the instrument cavity (32) for safe handling. Otherwise the hollow sheath body (18, 200) is movable to second and third positions with different lengths of the surgical instrument extending out through a front face (23) of the hollow sheath body (18, 200). A compression spring biases the hollow sheath body (18) toward the first safety position.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing a re-usable, recurring, mechanical connection to an organ within a patient is provided. A subcutaneous needle connection system for providing bidirectional, straight and turbulent-free fluid flow access to a vascular system of a patient includes a housing defining a needle access opening for receiving a needle, a cannula opening in communication with the vascular system and a passageway connecting the needle access opening to the cannula opening. The housing can additionally have a second needle access opening connected to a second cannula opening via a second passageway. The subcutaneous needle connection system allows for blood to be removed from the vascular system via one cannula opening, passed to a hemodialysis system via a needle inserted in an associated needle access opening, treated using the hemodialysis system, and returned to the vascular system via the other needle access opening and associated cannula opening.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for introducing a catheter through a body opening along an insertion axis. The apparatus includes an arm having an end portion configured to extend into the body opening along the insertion axis, wherein the arm is configured to extend adjacent an external catheter surface. The apparatus also includes a surface extending from the end portion of the arm at an angle to the insertion axis, wherein the surface is configured to extend at least partially within an aperture formed in the catheter.

Abstract: A suction catheter provided with three conduits to provide th functions of suctioning, lavaging and oxygenating. The suction conduit is connected to a suction control member. The second conduit for the irrigating fluid is connected to a source of said fluid. The third conduit is connected to a source of gas under pressure. The gas conduit terminates within the irrigation conduit to form a common chamber at the distal end of the irrigation conduit from which fluid is propelled out by the pressurized gas. The gas may preferably contain oxygen.

Abstract: A universal/scrubber/precipitator comprises at least one, or a plurality of rolls or circular cylinders concentric and rotatable in one direction about their common axis. The rolls are perforate with perforations less each in span than the span supported by the surface tension of the liquid in a liquid bath in which the drums are partially immersed. Each roll has a plurality of cups at least one each 180 degrees about the roll, extending from one axial end to the other. The rolls are sealed at their ends to prevent leakage of smoke, and also at the top of a main deceleration chamber having a plurality of deceleration chambers and a plurality of deflectors, and a condensation chamber.

Abstract: A specimen trap has first and second fluid chambers, an inlet tube for introducing fluid from the body into the first chamber, the walls of the trap defining a port substantially larger than the flow cross-section of the inlet tube for flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, and an outlet tube for removing fluid from the second chamber. The outlet tube projects into the second chamber and terminates therewithin at a position spaced from the walls of the chamber. When the chamber is turned to a position with outlet tube down, the outlet tube projection defines, with the second chamber, a fluid retaining volume in which a pre-selected minimum volume of collected fluid specimen is retained. A filter is disposed across the port to filter fluid flowing therethrough, and is supported at a position spaced from the outer walls defining the second chamber to inhibit back-flow of fluid through the filter that could resuspend the collected particles despite change in trap orientation.

Abstract: A cuff type indwelling device such as a tracheal tube, catheter or the like is provided with a cuff balloon and a pilot balloon of full volume non-stretchable, non-resilient flexible material, and means for inflating both balloons. The pilot balloon is of generally spherical shape when expanded and is enclosed in a longer pressure monitoring balloon of resilient stretchable material. As the drum shaped pilot balloon progressively increases in diameter, during application of pressure, it progressively changes the configuration of the pressure monitoring balloon from elongated cylindrical shape, to oval shape, to substantially spherical shape, thereby visually indicating to the surgeon low side cuff pressure, medium cuff pressure, and high side cuff pressure.

Abstract: A selective tracheal bronchial catheter is provided with a double bend at the distal end and means for twisting the catheter around its longitudinal axis at its proximal end. Thus, the surgeon can selectively cause the tip of the catheter to enter the left main bronchus and upper lobar bronchus without fluoroscopy. Slight withdrawal and 15.degree. twist guides the tip into the left lower lobar bronchus. Slight withdrawal and 180.degree. twist guides the tip into the right main bronchus. Markings on the catheter indicate the degree of twist of the double bend and the distance of insertion. A concentric irrigation tubule, of different material, irrigates and dislodges phlegm, well in advance of the suction tip of the catheter, and self cleans the catheter tip opening.

Abstract: A fitting for endotracheal apparatus to receive an endoscopic tube or the like comprises a sleeve in which a slit through foam body is encompassed and seized under longitudinal compression, radial compression at the inner end and partially relieved pressure at the outer end. The foam body is normally of bell, or mushroom, shape with an elongated cylindrical shank rounded inner end, flat outer end and an enlarged diameter lip at the outer end. The sleeve includes a head joined to a tapered stem by a truncated conical, inward flared section, the head having a circular outer edge. A cap having an annular top rim defining a central opening, has an integral skirt fitted tightly around the head so that the foam body is compressed longitudinally between the annular rim of the cap and the inward flared section of the sleeve.

Abstract: An irrigation suction catheter comprises an elongated flexible outer tube having a proximal end connectable to a source of vacuum, a distal end having a suction inlet across the terminal tip and an aperture, near the proximal end opening to the atmosphere, but closable by the thumb or finger to close the suction circuit. Sleeved within the suction tube is an elongated flexible irrigation tube having a proximal end connectable to pressurized irrigation fluid, a distal end extending beyond the suction inlet, to form a projecting flexible tip with an irrigation discharge outlet at the terminus of the tip. A vortical circulation is set up by the irrigation outlet to guide dislodged debris into the suction inlet, when both suction and irrigation are applied simultaneously. The inner, flexible irrigation tube, with its projecting terminal tip may also be sleeved in the hollow bore of a fiber optic endoscope, or in a bronchoscope, gastroscope, colonoscope or other similar devices.

Abstract: An oxygen supply, hood for administering oxygen to a patient, departs from the enclosed masks and enlarged, open face shields, of the prior art by being formed as a unitary shell with a central dome, forming an open bottom, mixing chamber extending outwardly above the level of the mouth. The incoming oxygen forms a whirlpool, or vortex, within the chamber which mixes oxygen with moist exhaled air and permits the moist oxygen to also reach the mouth. The shell is firmly affixed by a recess over the bridge of the nose, by a strap across the upper lip and by a pair of integral wings, extending along the cheek bones to a band around the head. The gas delivery tube, within the mixing chamber extends under the nostrils, and along the upper lip of the patient. The gas discharge nozzles on the tube are directed only upwardly and outwardly, away from the nose and mouth, toward the inside face of the front wall of the shell.

Abstract: A sterile assembly and method for protecting and affixing an indwelling device such as an elongated catheter, or pacer lead, in an incision in the human body includes an elongated, hollow tubular, sheath of transparent, relatively limp, impervious plastic having at its proximal end a dome of self-supporting plastic adherable around the incision and having, at its distal end, an elongated tube, several inches in length, of self-supporting plastic. The sheath is shipped accordion folded onto the tube to save space. The indwelling device is sleeved into the sheath with the conventional nub at its distal end wedged in the bore. The proximal end is introduced into the incision and the domed distal end of the sheath is adhered around the incision so that the device is contamination free. The device and sheath are then gripped in the slot of a clamp and the clamp adhered to the body near the incision or elsewhere.

Abstract: A filter assembly for cigarettes and the like comprising an elongated tube with an axial bore, having a plurality of fan folded interior cross partitions each of oval outline, and extending in a plane oblique to the axis of the bore to form a succession of sealed chambers. The oval, obliqued, cross partitions have staggered perforations to allow the filtered substance to travel to the downstream end of the tube in an undulated path. At the upstream end of the tube the exterior wall of the first sealed chamber has a pattern of intake pin holes to allow fresh air to cool the smoke. At the downstream end of the tube the sealed chamber contains aromatic unburned tobacco for restoring and enriching the flavor of the smoke. The remaining chambers contain cotton batting to filter out undesirable substances such as tar.

Abstract: A utensil such as a lobster fork, or lobster pick includes a handle and at least one tine having a plurality of substantially frustro-conical members end-to-end, each of progressively larger diameter from the first, or tip, member through the second member to a third member, the three members forming an enlarged barbed spear head at the end of each tine. The base of each member is dished and concave, the peripheral outer edge of each member is blunt and rounded and there are three elongated grooves spaced 120.degree. apart extending along the tapered members of the spear head.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube stabilizer avoids the pain of repeatedly stripping tape from the face of a patient, which affixes an endotracheal tube in position, and avoids damage caused by continuous pressure on one spot of a patient's mouth and teeth on a bit block by providing a straight mouthpiece with an outwardly projecting, integral fixation flange held in position by strands around the head which are received in holes in the fixation flange. The entire mouthpiece including the fixation flange is longitudinally slit with an opening substantially smaller than the outside circumference of the tube, so that the tube may be compressed for sidewise insertion.

Abstract: A removable, disposable tracheotomy obturator of soft, plastic material, of the type having a valve plug connected by a flexible strap to a valve cap, normally positioned within a curved tracheotomy tube, is provided with windpipe means to permit the patient to breathe freely while the tube is being inserted during a tracheotomy. The windpipe means may be air passages in the plug and in the cap or may be a continuous, air conduit of soft plastic extending from a blunt, terminal tip in advance of the plug, through the tube and cap to ambient atmosphere. Inflexible proximal portions are provided on the attachment ears of the tube as a means of suspended fixation of the tube as a bridge over the incision.