Abstract: Featured is an automatic high-negative pressure relief valve and its use in combination with an apparatus for draining fluid from a body. In broad terms the negative pressure relief valve includes a biasing mechanism, a moveable member acted upon by the biasing mechanism and a seating surface. When the pressure within a chamber, in which a portion of the relief valve is in fluid communication with, is less than a predetermined negative pressure, the moveable member is moved by the biasing mechanism to sealing engage the seating surface and when the pressure is at or above the predetermined value, the restoring force of the biasing mechanism is overcome and the moveable member moves away from the seating surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the biasing mechanism is a spring, diaphragm or wave washer.

Abstract: A pressure indicator for a chest drainage device includes an outer casing with a longitudinal axis and first and second end portions defining first and second openings. A flexible element is disposed inside the outer casing to define a collapsible pressure-holding inner space in fluid communication with the second opening. An indicator element is disposed inside the outer casing configured to translate along the longitudinal axis. The flexible element, indicator element and outer casing together define a variable interior space inside the outer casing in fluid communication with the first opening. A force resistance element is placed in the casing to resist the translation of the indicator element along at least one direction along the longitudinal axis when a pressure differential exists between the first and second openings. The pressure indicator is placed inside the chest drainage device to be viewable from multiple angles.

Abstract: Featured is an automatic high-negative pressure relief valve and its use in combination with an apparatus for draining fluid from a body. In broad terms the negative pressure relief valve includes a biasing mechanism, a moveable member acted upon by the biasing mechanism and a seating surface. When the pressure within a chamber, in which a portion of the relief valve is in fluid communication with, is less than a predetermined negative pressure, the moveable member is moved by the biasing mechanism to sealing engage the seating surface and when the pressure is at or above the predetermined value, the restoring force of the biasing mechanism is overcome and the moveable member moves away from the seating surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the biasing mechanism is a spring, diaphragm or wave washer.

Abstract: A device for forming openings (holes) in internal bodily tissue is provided. The device includes a cutter defining a longitudinal passageway and a cutting edge. The device also includes an inner core in reciprocally sliding relationship with the cutter having a tissue engagement portion at its distal end. A syringe-like mechanism moves the cutter and the core substantially co-axially between a first position wherein the distal portion of the core extends distally of the cutting edge and a second position wherein the distal portion of the core resides within the passageway. Tissue is sheared as the core and cutter are moved from the first to the second position. The core and cutter are attached to different portions of the syringe-like mechanism such that the longitudinal axes of the cutter passageway, the core member and the activation assembly may deviate (i.e., “float”) relative to one another.

Abstract: Featured is an automatic high-negative pressure relief valve and its use in combination with an apparatus for draining fluid from a body. In broad terms the negative pressure relief valve includes a biasing mechanism, a moveable member acted upon by the biasing mechanism and a seating surface. When the pressure within a chamber, in which a portion of the relief valve is in fluid communication with, is less than a predetermined negative pressure, the moveable member is moved by the biasing mechanism to sealing engage the seating surface and when the pressure is at or above the predetermined value, the restoring force of the biasing mechanism is overcome and the moveable member moves away from the seating surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the biasing mechanism is a spring, diaphragm or wave washer.

Abstract: Featured is an automatic high-negative pressure relief valve and its use in combination with an apparatus for draining fluid from a body. In broad terms the negative pressure relief valve includes a biasing mechanism, a moveable member acted upon by the biasing mechanism and a seating surface. When the pressure within a chamber, in which a portion of the relief valve is in fluid communication with, is less than a predetermined negative pressure, the moveable member is moved by the biasing mechanism to sealing engage the seating surface and when the pressure is at or above the predetermined value, the restoring force of the biasing mechanism is overcome and the moveable member moves away from the seating surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the biasing mechanism is a spring, diaphragm or wave washer.

Abstract: A device for forming openings (holes) in internal bodily tissue is provided. The device includes a cutter defining a longitudinal passageway and a cutting edge. The device also includes an inner core in reciprocally sliding relationship with the cutter having a tissue engagement portion at its distal end. A syringe-like mechanism moves the cutter and the core substantially co-axially between a first position wherein the distal portion of the core extends distally of the cutting edge and a second position wherein the distal portion of the core resides within the passageway. Tissue is sheared as the core and cutter are moved from the first to the second position. The core and cutter are attached to different portions of the syringe-like mechanism such that the longitudinal axes of the cutter passageway, the core member and the activation assembly may deviate (i.e., “float”) relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices used in connection with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures, and more specifically to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices especially configured for use with each other for such surgical procedures wherein the retractor includes an external rail system which enables the surgeon to position a curved stabilization arm on either of the arms or the rack segment of the retractor and also includes a connector which releasably controls the rotation of the connector with respect to the retractor and the rotation of the stabilization arm with respect to the retractor as well as the rotational and sliding movement of a curved stabilization arm with respect to the connector upon actuation of a single knob or actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to suture organizing device for use with surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to a suture organizing device that is attachable to surgical retractors used in connection with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures and heart valve procedures, and more specifically to a suture organizing device having a plurality of suture slots thereon for the releasable attachment of sutures thereto during a surgical procedure to enable the surgeon to retract tissue from the surgical field and wherein the suture organizing device is oriented to extend laterally of the outer surface of the arms of the surgical retractor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to suture organizing and retaining device for use with surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to a suture organizing device that is attachable to surgical retractors or is usable separately in connection with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures and heart valve procedures, and more specifically to a suture organizing device having a plurality of suture slots thereon for the releasable attachment of sutures thereto during a surgical procedure to enable the surgeon to retract tissue from the surgical field and wherein the suture organizing device is oriented to extend laterally of the outer surface of the arms of the surgical retractor or in combination with a base member that may be independently positioned adjacent to the surgical site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to suture organizing device for use with surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to a suture organizing device that is attachable to surgical retractors used in connection with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures and heart valve procedures, and more specifically to a suture organizing device having a plurality of suture slots thereon for the releasable attachment of sutures thereto during a surgical procedure to enable the surgeon to retract tissue from the surgical field and wherein the suture organizing device is oriented to extend laterally of the outer surface of the arms of the surgical retractor.