Abstract: A respiratory mask is provided with an eye shield having a body portion which is releasably-secured to the mask, and a shield portion which shields the eyes of the wearer. The shield portion is self-supporting on the body portion and, hence, on the mask, and includes a sheet of transparent, eye-shielding, material which can be replaced if it becomes marked or damaged. The shield portion can be pivoted forwards, relative to the mask, so that it is removed from the line of vision of the wearer without affecting the respiratory protection provided by the mask. A valve arrangement in the body portion of the eye shield can divert air from the mask into the shield portion, to remove contaminants from the region around the eyes of the wearer.

Abstract: A respiratory mask is provided with an eye shield having a body portion which is releasably-secured to the mask, and a shield portion which shields the eyes of the wearer. The shield portion is self-supporting on the body portion and, hence, on the mask, and includes a sheet of transparent, eye-shielding, material which can be replaced if it becomes marked or damaged. The shield portion can be pivoted forwards, relative to the mask, so that it is removed from the line of vision of the wearer without affecting the respiratory protection provided by the mask. A valve arrangement in the body portion of the eye shield can divert air from the mask into the shield portion, to remove contaminants from the region around the eyes of the wearer.

Abstract: A clip advance for sequentially advancing a stack of surgical clips in a surgical clip applier. The clip advance includes a longitudinally extending housing having a first channel for receiving the clips. A pusher is mounted in the housing for reciprocating longitudinal movement. The pusher has a plurality of tabs arranged to correspondingly engage and distally move respective ones of the stack of clips when said pusher is moved distally. A cam and cam surface interact to move the tabs out of longitudinal contacting alignment with the clips upon proximal movement of the pusher.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a surgical apparatus that can be used in laparoscopic surgical procedures. In particular, the apparatus includes a universal actuating handle for use with different end effectors and that can convert a single handle motion into two separate and independent actuator motions required for actuating two separate actuating members. The handle also includes a collar that facilitates the connection and disconnection of the end effector to and from the handle in a single translational snap-on or snap-off motion. The handle also has a ratchet and pawl mechanism to provide improved control over actuation.

Abstract: A safety pneumoneedle through which the abdomen can be inflated with fluid such as insufflating gas is described. The pneumoneedle comprises a housing having front and rear ends, exterior surfaces adapted to be manually grasped, inner surfaces defining an elongate cavity having a fluid passageway portion. The pneumoneedle includes a non-removable cannula having a proximal end sealingly and fixedly attached to the housing, and a sharpened distal end adapted to pierce tissue. A protector assembly is present which has a closed blunt distal end, a first abutment end surface, and a camming surface.

Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed for manipulating selected tissue in a body cavity under visual inspection. The preferred instrument includes a probe in which a blade is positioned, wherein the probe includes a lateral aperture near its distal end. The blade can be extended outwardly from the probe along a path which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe. After the blade has been extended it can be used to effectively divide tissue. An optical system can be received in the probe for viewing through the lateral aperture in the probe.

Abstract: A binding system including a method for binding connected fan folded sheets in which a stack of the sheets is shingled to disclose narrow side surface portions along their spine edges, a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on a highly flexible backing is adhered to those spine edges and narrow side surface portion after which the spine edges are moved into alignment at a right angle to the side surfaces of the sheets to cause the backing and layer of pressure sensitive adhesive to pleat around the spines of the sheets. The system also includes a novel cover structure which facilitates the method and includes cover plates, the pressure sensitive adhesive and the backing; and a novel device for holding and positioning the sheets during binding.