Abstract: A piston configured to be received within a syringe is disclosed. The piston includes a valve body defining a proximal end and a distal end, a filter disposed within the proximal end of the valve body, and a valve disk disposed within the distal end of the valve body. As the piston is advanced through the syringe, the valve disk is configured to provide fluid flow through the valve body.

Abstract: A piston configured to be received within a syringe is disclosed. The piston includes a valve body defining a proximal end and a distal end, a filter disposed within the proximal end of the valve body, and a valve disk disposed within the distal end of the valve body. As the piston is advanced through the syringe, the valve disk is configured to provide fluid flow through the valve body.

Abstract: A catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary sinus in a perfusion procedure comprising a tubular catheter body having an interior lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; and an inflatable cuff (balloon) adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The cuff has a proximal end and a distal end, each of which encircle the catheter body and hermetically seal thereto. The cuff further comprises an elongated central section having a length of at least 1 inch. When the inflated cuff is positioned a sufficient distance into the coronary sinus to firmly retain the cuff therein, it blocks the left coronary vein where it meets the coronary sinus. Further, the cuff can comprise end panels defined between the central section and the proximal and distal cuff ends. The end panels have a shape which allows for flexure between the central section and the cuffs proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: An irrigation syringe which is particularly adapted for injecting water into a human body cavity, such as for the cleansing of an ear, includes a pressure regulator unit which is connected to, and supported by, a faucet, and a handpiece including a manually operable valve. The regulator unit includes a supply chamber having an inlet which is connected to a pressure water supply such as a faucet, an outlet which supplies pressure regulated water to the handpiece, and a pressure relief outlet having a check valve which opens to allow water to drain, such as into a sink, when the water pressure inside the regulator unit exceeds a predetermined value. A flow limiting orifice at the inlet to the supply chamber helps smooth out pressure fluctuations from the water supply and provides a steady flow from the supply chamber outlet. Temperature and pressure readouts are provided on both the pressure regulator unit and the handpiece.

Abstract: A catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary sinus in a perfusion procedure comprising a tubular catheter body having an interior lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; and an inflatable cuff (balloon) adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The cuff has a proximal end and a distal end, each of which encircle the catheter body and hermetically seal thereto. The cuff further comprises an elongated central section having a length of at least 1 inch. When the inflated cuff is positioned a sufficient distance into the coronary sinus to firmly retain the cuff therein, it blocks the left coronary vein where it meets the coronary sinus. Further, the cuff can comprise end panels defined between the central section and the proximal and distal cuff ends. The end panels have a shape which allows for flexure between the central section and the cuffs proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A catheter for retrograde perfusion of the heart through the coronary sinus, which has an infusion lumen for introducing perfusion liquid into the heart, a retention means such as an inflatable balloon, and can have retention enhancements such as proximally sloping spikes, or barbed protuberances on the surface of the retention means to keep it firmly in place.

Abstract: A catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary sinus in a perfusion procedure comprising a tubular catheter body having an interior lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; and an inflatable cuff (balloon) adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The cuff has a proximal end and a distal end, each of which encircle the catheter body and hermetically seal thereto. The cuff further comprises an elongated central section having a length of at least 1 inch. When the inflated cuff is positioned a sufficient distance into the coronary sinus to firmly retain the cuff therein, it blocks the left coronary vein where it meets the coronary sinus. Further, the cuff can comprise end panels defined between the central section and the proximal and distal cuff ends. The end panels have a shape which allows for flexure between the central section and the cuffs proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for the sterile introduction of a catheter into a body cavity is disclosed. The catheter assembly comprises a catheter, a stylet received within the catheter and a needle selectively mounted on one end of the catheter. Gripping means are incorporated on one or more of the stylet, needle or catheter to selectively mount the needle to the catheter.

Abstract: A surgical pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pistol-like housing having a handle and a barrel extending forwardly from the top of the handle. A finger actuable trigger is provided on the handle front edge. An axially elongate pulsing pump extends longitudinally in the handle. An outlet tube extending from the top of the pump bends forwardly toward the front end of the barrel. The trigger controls pulsed liquid outflow from the pulsing pump through outlet tube. A preferred pulsing pump provides a piston axially slidable in a casing and a poppit axially slidable with respect to the piston. A first spring urges the piston rearward in the casing. A second spring urges the poppit forwardly with respect to the piston. A pumped liquid chamber in the casing ahead of the piston responds to piston reciprocation to provide a pulsed liquid outflow.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively blocking passage of lipids in a liquid flow path. A baffle interposed in the liquid flow path is of nonpolar material and is arranged to permit liquid flow therethrough with contact of said liquid with the nonpolar material of the baffle for removing lipids from the flow. In one embodiment, the baffle is interposed between the wound drain connection and vacuum connection in a drain reservoir and protects the hydrophobic filter which is at the end of the vacuum passage communicating with the interior of the drain reservoir bottle. The baffle enables use of a nonpolar material for the hydrophobic filter and avoids coating and thereby clogging of the hydrophobic filter by lipids in the liquid drained from a wound.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for measuring and monitoring muscle compartment pressures comprising a system of a disposable assembly of a syringe, a pressure chamber having a diaphragm, and means to penetrate the skin of a patient, and a measuring and reading device comprising a transducer, whereby accurate measurement of such pressures can be easily made.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively blocking passage of lipids in a liquid flow path. A baffle interposed in the liquid flow path is of nonpolar material and is arranged to permit liquid flow therethrough with contact of said liquid with the nonpolar material of the baffle for removing lipids from the flow. In one embodiment, the baffle is interposed between a wound drain connection and vacuum connection in a drain reservoir and protects a hydrophobic filter which is at the end of a vacuum passage communicating with the interior of the drain reservoir. The baffle enables use of a nonpolar material for the hydrophobic filter and avoids coating and thereby clogging of the hydrophobic filter by lipids in the liquid drained from a wound.

Abstract: A continuous vacuum drainage system for wound drainage. A base unit has apparatus responsive to releasable attachment thereto of a drain reservoir for evacuating the reservoir to a subatmospheric pressure in a predetermined range. The drain reservoir is continuously operable before, during and after release from the base unit for uninterrupted suction draining of a wound.

Abstract: A trolling reel for raising and lowering a weighted control line to which a fishing line is detachably secured includes an electrically operated drive motor coupled to the reel for positioning the control line at a desired depth and securely holding the line when the motor is not actuated. The trolling apparatus is directly or remotely controlled and includes means indicating the length of control line extended. In one embodiment, control means are provided for fully raising the line by momentarily actuating a switch. In another embodiment, the control line is fabricated from a two-conductor electrical cable with a thermistor coupled to an end of the line which is extended at an angle from the lowered line by a spool to position the thermistor in proximity to the fishing lure. A remote temperature reading instrument is coupled to the control line through a slip ring assembly positioned on the reel and reel frame.

Abstract: A trolling reel for raising and lowering a weighted control line to which a fishing line is detachably secured includes an electrically operated drive motor coupled to the reel for positioning the control line at a desired depth and securely holding the line when the motor is not actuated. The trolling apparatus is directly or remotely controlled and includes means indicating the length of control line extended. In one embodiment, control means are provided for fully raising the line by momentarily actuating a switch. In another embodiment, the control line is fabricated from a two-conducter electrical cable with a thermistor coupled to an end of the line which is extended at an angle from the lowered line by a spool to position the thermistor in proximity to the fishing lure. A remote temperature reading instrument is coupled to the control line through a slip ring assembly positioned on the reel and reel frame.

Abstract: A hose reel apparatus for garden and other type hoses which rewinds the hose after it has been pulled from the reel and automatically shuts off the flow of fluid through the hose and drains the fluid from the hose after it has been rewound. The apparatus includes a fluid motor powered by the fluid which is also directed through the hose, and fluid valving utilizing fluid pressure for stopping fluid flow through the hose. The valving is responsive to an increase in fluid pressure resulting from restriction in the rotation of the hose reel after the hose has been rewound.