Abstract: This invention is directed to a circular, coiled wire containment/dispenser system that is designed to simplify production methods and reduce production costs, and, because it is ergonomically designed, is easier to use with respect to the user. The circular body is preferably made of a single circle of semitransparent plastic, which contains one or more spiral grooves closed by a matching, clip-on lid. There are preferably lateral and medial ramps or bumps on both sides of the spirals. These ramps deflect the wires toward the center of the spiral. Thus a large percentage of the surface of the wires are not touching the walls of the containment system and touch only the apexes of the medial and lateral ramps or bumps. By this method, friction is greatly reduced allowing efficient wire extraction and loading.

Abstract: A device is delineated for removing body fluid from a wound site. The device may include a drain sealed within the wound site, a conduit connected to the drain and a fluid container connected to the other end of the conduit. The fluid container may include at least one inlet passage of larger diameter to reduce likelihood of clogging during body-fluid inflow. An additional inlet passage may be included. The fluid container may also include at least one outlet passage of larger diameter to improve draining efficiency.

Abstract: A device for gripping a guide wire includes a body portion having an opening therethrough, and has an open position and a closed position. When the device is in the open position the guide wire may be passed through the opening. When the device is in the closed position the guide wire is gripped at more than one location thereby allowing force or torque to be applied to the guide wire. A device according to the invention may optionally, or instead, include (a) a snout to act as a guide wire director, (b) a structure, such as an opening, configured to receive an end of a guide wire package, (c) a structure for securing a body member to the device, and/or (d) a mechanism for advancing or retracting a guide wire. If the device includes one of these optional features, it need not be designed to grip a guide wire at two or more locations.

Abstract: Disclosed are surgical drains for use in surgical wounds. The drains are placed in the wound in the body and draw in unwanted bodily material. The drains can be of any shape, but preferably have a generally circular cross section or include a generally flat top surface, a generally flat bottom-surface and two sides connecting the top surface and bottom surface. The drain has an outer surface, two ends, a length and an interior lumen that may extend substantially along the length. At least one row of openings is formed in the outer surface along the longitudinal axis. The openings in a single row may comprise large cross-sectional openings alternating with small cross-sectional openings. If a plurality of rows are utilized, the small cross-sectional openings may not be included. It is preferred that the large cross-sectional openings in one row be offset, or staggered, from the large cross-sectional openings in a neighboring row.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cooling intake air prior to entry into a combustion chamber of a boosted internal combustion engine. The invention provides an air intake system comprising a cooler disposed in an intake passage downstream of a charger; a bypass passage for communication between a portion of said intake passage located upstream of said cooler and a portion of said intake passage located downstream of said cooler so as to allow a flow of air discharged from the charger to bypass the cooler; a bypass control valve disposed in said bypass passage to open and close the bypass passage and a flow restriction disposed in the bypass passage limiting the flow in the event that the bypass control valve remains in an open position.

Abstract: A vein stripping device and method of use are disclosed. One embodiment of the vein stripping device comprises an endovascular component having a first endovascular end and a second endovascular end, a handle that attaches to one of the endovascular ends and a vein stripper that attaches to the endovascular end opposite the handle. The endovascular component is sized to fit inside the lumen of a to-be-removed vein. The vein stripper preferably includes an internal cavity for collecting at least a portion of the to-be-removed vein and preventing at least a portion of the to-be-removed vein from slipping over the vein stripper. In use, a vein is accessed in two locations and the endovascular component is positioned in the vein lumen. The handle is attached to one endovascular end and the vein stripper to the second endovascular end. A user then pulls the handle and pulls the vein stripper along the length of the accessed vein thus removing the vein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cooling intake air prior to entry into a combustion chamber of a boosted internal combustion engine. The invention provides an air intake system comprising a cooler disposed in an intake passage downstream of a charger; a bypass passage for communication between a portion of said intake passage located upstream of said cooler and a portion of said intake passage located downstream of said cooler so as to allow a flow of air discharged from the charger to bypass the cooler; a bypass control valve disposed in said bypass passage to open and close the bypass passage and a flow restriction disposed in the bypass passage limiting the flow in the event that the bypass control valve remains in an open position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a race guide wire containment and dispensing system comprising an outer housing and an inner housing.

Abstract: The invention is a medical guide wire containment and dispensing device. The device is of unitary construction and defines a single, generally annular opening that receives the guide wire. Preferably, the device includes a mount for retaining a guide-wire torque device.

Abstract: A surgical device and method for using it to strip blood vessels, such as varicose veins, or other tubular structures from the body utilizing an endovenous cable that is passed through the vein section to be removed. Once the endovenous cable reaches the end of the section of blood vessel to be stripped, a head is attached to the endovenous cable. The head may have at its leading edge, rounded, streamlined shoulders, a leading edge and a central cavity to retain the end of the vein. On the trailing end of the stripper head are one or more structures capable of receiving and retaining a surgical drain. As the vein is tripped the drain is automatically pulled into the body. The drain will lie in the leg precisely where the vein had been, and the limit the common complication of retained post surgical bleeding.

Abstract: Disclosed are surgical drains for use in surgical wounds. The drains are placed in the wound in the body and draw in unwanted bodily material. The drains can be of any shape, but preferably have a generally circular cross section or include a generally flat top surface, a generally flat bottom-surface and two sides connecting the top surface and bottom surface. The drain has an outer surface, two ends, a length and an interior lumen that may extend substantially along the length. At least one row of openings is formed in the outer surface along the longitudinal axis. The openings in a single row may comprise large cross-sectional openings alternating with small cross-sectional openings. If a plurality of rows are utilized, the small cross-sectional openings may not be included. It is preferred that the large cross-sectional openings in one row be offset, or staggered, from the large cross-sectional openings in a neighboring row.

Abstract: An engine thermal management system and method for a vehicle engine that allows for reduced coolant flow and energy consumption by the system, while avoiding excessive critical metal temperatures in the engine. The engine includes a coolant inlet in a head and a coolant outlet in a block. A variable speed pump pushes the coolant into the head inlet. A multi-port valve receives the coolant exiting the engine block and selectively routes it to various system components. The speed of the pump and the valve are electronically controlled by a control module, based upon various engine and vehicle operating conditions.