Abstract: A filler device includes a distal housing comprising a distal inner port and a distal outer port; a proximal housing comprising a proximal inner port and a proximal outer port, the proximal housing being sealingly affixed to the distal housing to form an inspiratory pathway between the distal inner port and the proximal inner port and to form an expiratory pathway between the distal outer port and the proximal outer port that is fluidly sealed from the inspiratory pathway, the inspiratory pathway being laterally adjacent the expiratory pathway; and a first filter in the inspiratory pathway or in the expiratory pathway to filter gases flowing through the inspiratory pathway or the expiratory pathway.

Abstract: A control device for use with a steerable medical device comprises a steering shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof, a first steering cam is affixed to the steering shaft to rotate in unison therewith. A second steering cam is mounted on the steering shaft and freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the steering shaft independent of the steering shaft. A latch assembly is operatively connected to the first steering cam and the second steering cam and operable in an inactive configuration in which the first and second steering cams are positioned to maintain first and second steering wires in an un-tensioned or reduced tension state, and further operable in an active configuration in which the first and second steering cams are positioned to maintain the first and second steering wires in a tensioned state. A rotary knob assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A control device for use with a steerable medical device comprises a steering shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof, a first steering cam is affixed to the steering shaft to rotate in unison therewith. A second steering cam is mounted on the steering shaft and freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the steering shaft independent of the steering shaft. A latch assembly is operatively connected to the first steering cam and the second steering cam and operable in an inactive configuration in which the first and second steering cams are positioned to maintain first and second steering wires in an un-tensioned or reduced tension state, and further operable in an active configuration in which the first and second steering cams are positioned to maintain the first and second steering wires in a tensioned state. A rotary knob assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A filler device includes a distal housing comprising a distal inner port and a distal outer port; a proximal housing comprising a proximal inner port and a proximal outer port, the proximal housing being sealingly affixed to the distal housing to form an inspiratory pathway between the distal inner port and the proximal inner port and to form an expiratory pathway between the distal outer port and the proximal outer port that is fluidly sealed from the inspiratory pathway, the inspiratory pathway being laterally adjacent the expiratory pathway; and a first filter in the inspiratory pathway or in the expiratory pathway to filter gases flowing through the inspiratory pathway or the expiratory pathway.

Abstract: A filter device includes a distal housing comprising a distal inner port and a distal outer port; a proximal housing comprising a proximal inner port and a proximal outer port, the proximal housing being sealingly affixed to the distal housing to form an inspiratory pathway between the distal inner port and the proximal inner port and to form an expiratory pathway between the distal outer port and the proximal outer port that is fluidly sealed from the inspiratory pathway, the inspiratory pathway being laterally adjacent the expiratory pathway; and a first filter in the inspiratory pathway or in the expiratory pathway to filter gases flowing through the inspiratory pathway or the expiratory pathway.

Abstract: An aqueous elastomer dispersion includes a dispersed phase and an aqueous phase. The dispersed phase includes an elastomer including curable aliphatic conjugated-diene elastomers, such as polyisoprene, and a minor amount of at least one additive. The aqueous phase includes water and other optional components in either a soluble state or a dispersion state. The aqueous elastomer dispersion may be prepared by dissolving an elastomer, such as rubber, and additives in a solvent mixture and then converting the resulting solution into an aqueous emulsion. The aqueous emulsion is concentrated and the solvent is stripped from it to yield a dilute latex. The dilute latex that is obtained is concentrated again. Articles made from the aqueous elastomer dispersion include medical gloves, condoms, probe covers, dental dams, finger cots, catheters and the like.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a therapeutic, moisturizing coating composition for elastomeric articles which is applied directly onto the skin-contacting surface of the article as part of the manufacturing process. The coating composition is thermally stable and subsequently hydrates when contacted with a moisturized skin surface to convert into a liquid “lotion” form during wearing of the article. The coating composition provides therapeutic benefits to the wearer's skin as a result of wearing the article, such as improved skin moisturization, softness of feel, improved skin elasticity and firmness, and reduced redness and irritation. The invention is particularly useful in medical gloves, including examination and surgical gloves.

Abstract: An aqueous elastomer dispersion includes a dispersed phase and an aqueous phase. The dispersed phase includes an elastomer including curable aliphatic conjugated-diene elastomers, such as polyisoprene, and a minor amount of at least one additive. The aqueous phase includes water and other optional components in either a soluble state or a dispersion state. The aqueous elastomer dispersion may be prepared by dissolving an elastomer, such as rubber, and additives in a solvent mixture and then converting the resulting solution into an aqueous emulsion. The aqueous emulsion is concentrated and the solvent is stripped from it to yield a dilute latex. The dilute latex that is obtained is concentrated again. Articles made from the aqueous elastomer dispersion include medical gloves, condoms, probe covers, dental dams, finger cots, catheters and the like.

Abstract: A filter device includes a distal housing comprising a distal inner port and a distal outer port; a proximal housing comprising a proximal inner port and a proximal outer port, the proximal housing being sealingly affixed to the distal housing to form an inspiratory pathway between the distal inner port and the proximal inner port and to form an expiratory pathway between the distal outer port and the proximal outer port that is fluidly sealed from the inspiratory pathway, the inspiratory pathway being laterally adjacent the expiratory pathway; and a first filter in the inspiratory pathway or in the expiratory pathway to filter gases flowing through the inspiratory pathway or the expiratory pathway.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a therapeutic, moisturizing coating composition for elastomeric articles which is applied directly onto the skin-contacting surface of the article as part of the manufacturing process. The coating composition is thermally stable and subsequently hydrates when contacted with a moisturized skin surface to convert into a liquid “lotion” form during wearing of the article. The coating composition provides therapeutic benefits to the wearer's skin as a result of wearing the article, such as improved skin moisturization, softness of feel, improved skin elasticity and firmness, and reduced redness and irritation. The invention is particularly useful in medical gloves, including examination and surgical gloves.

Abstract: A visualization instrument comprising a display support component removably coupled to a component insertable into a target space. The insertable component includes a camera providing images of the target space. The images are presented in a display device supported by the display support component. The insertable component may be discarded after a permitted number of uses.

Abstract: A visualization instrument comprising a display support component removably coupled to a component insertable into a target space. The insertable component includes a camera providing images of the target space. The images are presented in a display device supported by the display support component. The insertable component may be discarded after a permitted number of uses.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a therapeutic, moisturizing coating composition for elastomeric articles which is applied directly onto the skin-contacting surface of the article as part of the manufacturing process. The coating composition is thermally stable and subsequently hydrates when contacted with a moisturized skin surface to convert into a liquid “lotion” form during wearing of the article. The coating composition provides therapeutic benefits to the wearer's skin as a result of wearing the article, such as improved skin moisturization, softness of feel, improved skin elasticity and firmness, and reduced redness and irritation. The invention is particularly useful in medical gloves, including examination and surgical gloves.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a therapeutic, moisturizing coating composition for elastomeric articles which is applied directly onto the skin-contacting surface of the article as part of the manufacturing process. The coating composition is thermally stable and subsequently hydrates when contacted with a moisturized skin surface to convert into a liquid “lotion” form during wearing of the article. The coating composition provides therapeutic benefits to the wearer's skin as a result of wearing the article, such as improved skin moisturization, softness of feel, improved skin elasticity and firmness, and reduced redness and irritation. The invention is particularly useful in medical gloves, including examination and surgical gloves.

Abstract: A visualization instrument comprising a camera assembly and a wireless arrangement, the camera assembly providing digital images to a display device.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an improved process for making elastomeric polyisoprene articles. In particular, the process of the invention is a system which produces synthetic polyisoprene articles exhibiting tensile strength properties similar to that of solvent-based processes using natural rubber latex. The process comprises an accelerator composition at the pre-cure stage comprising a dithiocarbamate, a thiazole and a guanidine compound. In a preferred embodiment, the accelerator composition comprises zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT) and diphenyl guanidine (DPG), in conjunction with a stabilizer, such as sodium caseinate. The invention also includes an elastomeric polyisoprene product made by the process, such as a surgeon's glove.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an improved process for making elastomeric polyisoprene articles. In particular, the process of the invention is a system which produces synthetic polyisoprene articles exhibiting tensile strength properties similar to that of solvent-based processes using natural rubber latex. The process comprises an accelerator composition at the pre-cure stage comprising a dithiocarbamate, a thiazole and a guanidine compound. In a preferred embodiment, the accelerator composition comprises zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT) and diphenyl guanidine (DPG), in conjunction with a stabilizer, such as sodium caseinate. The invention also includes an elastomeric polyisoprene product made by the process, such as a surgeon's glove.

Abstract: A visualization instrument comprising a display support component removably coupled to a component insertable into a target space. The insertable component includes a camera providing images of the target space. The images are presented in a display device supported by the display support component. The insertable component may be discarded after a permitted number of uses.

Abstract: A visualization instrument comprising a display support component removably coupled to a component insertable into a target space. The insertable component includes a camera providing images of the target space. The images are presented in a display device supported by the display support component. The insertable component may be discarded after a permitted number of uses.