Abstract: An adaptable hand operated tool for tensioning safety cable to a predetermined tension limit, crimping a ferrule onto the cable, and cutting the cable. The tool comprises a body for adapting the tool to a hand operated hydraulic tool, a cable tensioner, and an elongated, removable nose. The cable tensioner comprises a wheel for applying tension to a cable wrapped around the wheel, and a clutch for prohibiting a rotational force from being applied to the wheel when a predetermined cable tension is applied. The elongated has an aperture for receiving a ferrule and passing the cable therethrough. A plunger is reciprocally operative in the nosepiece to crimp the ferrule on the safety cable and simultaneously severing a free end of the cable. The plunger is actuated by a piston of a hand operated hydraulic base tool.

Abstract: A surgical tool for tensioning a cable positioned around a split sternum, for crimping a ferrule around the cable, and for terminating the cable at the ferrule after crimping. The tool includes a tensioning actuator for gripping and tensioning the cable to a predetermined tension and a crimping actuator for crimping the ferrule onto the cable. The crimping actuator is operative to sever a free end of the cable concurrently with crimping of the ferrule. The actuator includes an indenter to retain the ferrule therein. A method of using the tool includes looping a cable comprising a cable end fitting attached to a first end of the cable around the split sternum and passing a second end of the cable through the cable end fitting, then using the tool to tension the cable, crimp a ferrule installed on the cable, and cut the cable flush with the ferrule.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying high pressure hydraulic fluid to a hand tool comprises an intensifier having a first relatively large diameter pneumatic cylinder and a second relatively small diameter hydraulic cylinder containing hydraulic fluid. A first piston is operatively positioned in the pneumatic cylinder and mechanically coupled to a second piston operatively positioned in the hydraulic cylinder. An air switching valve is connected between a source of pressurized air and the pneumatic cylinder and has a first air outlet port connected to a first end of the pneumatic cylinder and operative in a pressurizing mode for supplying air pressure to drive the first piston in a direction to pressurize the hydraulic fluid. The valve also has a second air outlet port connected to a second end of the pneumatic cylinder and operative in a depressurizing mode for supplying air for retracting the first piston and depressurizing the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated hand-held wire stripping tool having a first housing for supporting operating elements of the tool and a second housing for substantially containing pneumatic elements of the tool is constructed such that the first housing is rotatably coupled to the second housing for rotation into either a left hand or right hand operating position. The operating elements of the tool include a first pair of opposed clamping jaws and a second pair of opposed cutting blades. The jaws and blades are coupled such that initial actuation of the tool closes the jaws and blades and continued actuation displaces the jaws with respect to the blades. The pneumatic elements comprise a pneumatic valve and a diaphragm supported on a stem with the stem extending through the diaphragm and into engagement with one of the operating elements of the tool. An aperture extends coaxially with and substantially through the stem and terminates adjacent the operating element.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing an indication of susceptibility of a person to incur carpal tunnel syndrome by establishing a ratio of thickness to width of the person's wrist. A generally L-shaped housing has a first slide member coupled to a first arm and a second slide member coupled to a second arm. Each of the slide members has an element extends substantially perpendicularly to a direction of sliding motion of a corresponding slide member. Each of the elements extends into a space between the arms about an included angle defined by a juncture of the arms and each of the slide members has overlapping edges at their respective ends adjacent the juncture of the arms. The overlapping edges define a line bisecting the juncture when the height to width ratio of an area defined by the extending elements and the arms of the housing is approximately 0.7. The overlapping edges define a point on a predetermined side of the line indicating a ratio greater than about 0.

Abstract: A hand tool for tension testing of flexible elongated members and connections thereto comprises a drawn cup roller clutch having a shaft and a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly and the shaft are coupled for relative concentric rotation about an axis through the shaft. First and second plier-like handles are connected for affecting unidirectional rotation of the shaft with respect to the bearing assembly and are arranged in opposed relationship whereby movement of the handles towards one another effects relative rotation of the shaft and the bearing assembly in a preselected direction. A compression gauge is attached to the outer surface of an extended portion of one of the handles disposed oppositely from the handles. The gauge includes a U-shaped compression beam and a dial indicator calibrated to read force as a function of relative displacement between opposed arms of the U-shaped beam.