Abstract: Methods, and apparatus used in the methods, for stimulating, and monitoring the exercise of, muscles near a body cavity by transmitting electrical energy between an electrical source or processor and the wall of the body cavity. A flexible airtight sheath with a resilient skeleton and outer conductive bands is collapsed by vacuum and inserted into the body cavity. Air is allowed to enter so that the skeleton expands the sheath and forces the conductive bands against the body cavity wall. The skeleton may be a foam member, internal ribs or a separate internal frame. The leads for conducting electrical energy to and from the bands may be embedded in the bands for a substantial portion of the band circumference, or the leads may be connected to the bands by piercing conductive mounds on the bands or by being joined to conductive straps on the bands.

Abstract: The self-sealing subcutaneous infusion and withdrawal device or septum includes a cup-shaped needle stop member that defines a fluid chamber having a fluid transfer opening. A jacket envelops the needle stop member and includes an integrally formed delivery tube that aligns with the fluid transfer opening in the needle stop member. The fluid chamber of the needle stop member is sealed by a needle penetrable sealing member that is forced against a wall of the needle stop member by a clamping member to provide a mechanical leak-tight seal. The seal member has opposite convex surfaces which cooperate with the clamping member to impose a compression force upon a needle that penetrates the seal member during the fluid infusion and fluid withdrawal processes.

Abstract: A device for anchoring catheter tubing to the skin of a patient which includes a resiliently flexible pad attachable to the patient's skin. The pad has a predetermined dimensioned arcuate passageway disposed therein for snugly receiving and redirecting the tube. The passageway is externally accessible along its length by manually spreading the pad along a slit.

Abstract: A urine flow meter including a toilet mounted collector is disclosed. The collector has a mouth portion which is dimensioned to fit within a toilet bowl and which has walls which slope downwardly and inwardly to a neck portion. The neck portion extends downwardly from the lower end of the mouth portion to receive urine directed into it from the mouth portion. An aperture is formed in the neck portion and a pressure sender has a lower end in communication with the neck portion. An upper end of the pressure sender is above the neck portion and is connected to a pressure transducer. Urine accumulates in the neck portion until the flow rate into the collector equals the flow rate out through the aperture. The accumulated volume of urine in the neck portion produces an air pressure within the pressure sender which is converted into an electrical signal by the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer output signal is suitable to be processed to provide critical urine flow data.

Abstract: An elastomeric back-up pad having a smooth laser-resistant coating thereon is provided for insertion between tissue layers incised during surgical procedures in which a laser is used to incise the tissue. The laser-resistant coating on the pad comprises a mixture of powdered metal which tends to reflect the laser beam and an elastomer which bonds the coating to the pad and imparts a smooth exterior surface to the coating thereby reducing the risk of tissue trauma as the pad is inserted between the tissue layers.

Abstract: An improved pressure control valve for a medical device having a hydraulic system comprises a valve housing having an open top and a bottom and an inwardly directed shoulder partially closing the top. A poppet with an upwardly extending stem is mounted in the housing between the top and the bottom. The poppet has a sealing edge mounted on its top about the stem, and there is a calibrated spring urging the poppet towards the open top of the housing so that the sealing edge is in sealing contact with the underside of the shoulder thus closing the valve. The poppet has an internal passage extending therethrough from an inlet in the bottom of the base of the poppet to an outlet in the side of the stem. The outlet in the stem is normally closed by an elastic band which is circumferentially positioned about the stem.