Abstract: A device for anchoring and directing medical tubing comprising a plate of flexible resilient material having an internal curved passageway(s), open at both ends, with a cross sectional area at least in segments thereof no greater than the cross sectional area of the tubes to be anchored. Each passageway communicates with a face of the plate by means of a slit or cut extending from the passageway wall to the surface of the plate along the entire length of the passageway. The plate may also be provided with slots remote from each other and from the passageway and extending completely through the plate, and with an elastic belt adapted to affix the plate to a patient by passing through one such slot, over the slit surface of the plate, through the other slot and around a member of the patient's body.

Abstract: A vein catheter placement assembly consisting essentially of a catheter unit and a puncture needle unit longitudinally slidably positioned in the catheter. The puncture needle unit comprises a hollow longitudinally grooved puncture needle, and a finger-grip attached to the end of the needle remote from the needle point; the finger-grip, which extends laterally at an angle to the needle plane and thereby facilitates proper insertion of the assembly into a vein, is hollow and made of transparent material, providing a visible receptacle for the reception of blood released upon puncture of a vein by the needle point. The catheter unit comprises a catheter and, communicating therewith and laterally extending therefrom, a tube adapted to be connected to an infusion liquid source.

Abstract: An elongated flexible strap of predetermined width is provided and includes opposite end portions. The strap may be encircled about a portion of a patient's body and one end of the strap includes a first fastening structure on one side thereof facing outwardly from the strap while the other end portion of the strap includes a second fastening structure on the other side thereof also facing outwardly of the strap. The first and second fastening structures are releasably engageable with each other in adjusted end overlapped positions of the opposite end portions of the strap and the second fastening structure is spaced from the corresponding terminal end of the strap with a thick, bendable and somewhat deformable but shape retentive pad being secured over and extending along the other side of the strap between the second fastening structure and the corresponding terminal end of the strap.

Abstract: An atriotomy access adaptor for use in open-heart surgery consists of a polymeric foam base adapted to fit into an incision in the atrium. Venous uptake cannulas are inserted through incisions made in the foam adaptor base and are held in place by two loops fastened to the foam body which are adapted to allow the downward positioning of the cannulas into the atrium, but which resist withdrawal of the cannulas. Also attached to the foam base is a tab containing an elastomeric band attached to one end. When the adaptor base is inserted into the atrium the rubber band is wound around and over the atrial tissues at the point of incision insuring a snug fit of the adaptor base around the cannulas and securing the atrium around the adaptor base. The end of the elastomeric band is then anchored to the tab.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a retroverted uterus to an anterior position to facilitate visualization of the uterus during laparoscopic procedures and the like. The apparatus comprises an elongate rod having an arcuately curved manipulating arm pivotally mounted at the forward end of the rod. The arm is adapted to be inserted into the uterine cavity, and may then be manually pivoted into an upright position to reposition the uterus by manipulating a lever arm carried at the rearward end of the rod. The apparatus is adapted to be releasably attached to a standard tenaculum so as to become self-retained after the arm is inserted in the uterine cavity, and a latch is provided for releasably locking the arm in the repositioned setting.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube holder is disclosed comprising a clamp having a primary passageway through which an endotracheal tube may be passed in frictional engagement, and a plurality of secondary passageways. A strip of adhesive tape is provided adapted to be secured to human skin and having a plurality of holes. The holder further includes elongated flexible tying means sized for passage through the clamp secondary passageways and through the tape holes for securing the clamp to the tape.

Abstract: An inexpensive catheter restraint is formed from a thin, flexible, adhesively-backed plastic sheet having a pair of short, parallel slits forming a centrally disposed bridge anchoring a catheter-receiving ring or yoke therein. The ring restrains transverse catheter motion but accommodates limited longitudinal motion.

Abstract: The proximal portion of a tracheostomy tube extends through an opening in the central body of a retaining member that is held against the front of the neck of a patient. A pair of laterally spaced struts at opposite sides of the opening are connected at one end to the central body. Means rigidly connected to the proximal portion of the tube extend laterally therefrom in opposite directions for connection to the struts extending forward beside the tube, whereby to hold the tube in place.

Abstract: A system for enabling the injection of liquid into the prostate is disclosed consisting of an elongated tubular catheter member formed of flexible material of sufficient rigidity and a sufficiently small outer diameter to enable insertion along the length of the male urethra through the cystouretheral junction into the bladder; inflatable balloon means is provided adjacent the proximal end capable of inflation by a conduit extending along the length of the tubular catheter to a size sufficiently large to prevent removal of said balloon means from the bladder; a medication providing conduit also extends along the length of said elongated tubular member with a medication dispensing duct means communicating with the said medication providing conduit, said medication dispensing duct being spaced outwardly along the length of said tubular member a distance from said balloon means so as to be positioned adjacent the area of the prostate in which the prostatic ducts are located when the balloon is in place and engag

Abstract: A nasotracheal tube holder comprises a substantially straight projection having a laterally curved, trough-like surface mounted on a base for securing said projection to a person's head such that the projection is adapted to receive in longitudinally aligned relation the protruding end of a nasotracheal tube in its applied working position. In a preferred embodiment a pair of laterally opposed tabs at the outer end of the projection serve as stop lugs for preventing a wrapping, such as tape, which binds the tube to the projection from sliding off the projection.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube holder comprises a substantially straight projection having a laterally curved, trough-like surface mounted on a base for securing said projection to a person's head such that the projection is adapted to receive in longitudinally aligned relation the protruding end of an endotracheal tube in its applied working position. A pair of laterally opposed tabs at the outer end of the projection serve as stop lugs for preventing a wrapping, such as tape, which binds the tube to the projection from sliding off the projection.

Abstract: A surgical device of the kind having a cannula fitted with a laterally extending wing or wings also includes a sheet of flexible material having an adhesive surface which is fixed to the wing or wings and is capable of folding forwardly beyond the wing or wings to engage the skin of the patient to hold both the cannula and the remainder of the device in position. This avoids the need for the separate piece of surgical plaster used in the past since the adhesive-covered flexible sheet is automatically to hand and is automatically located with considerable accuracy. With a double wing construction the flexible sheet is preferably fixed so as to extend from the rear edge of the wings and when folded forwardly this brings the layer of adhesive into contact with the upper surface of the wings and also into contact with the skin of the patient beyond the forward edge of the wings. The sheet of flexible material preferably carries a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive covered by a removable barrier sheet.

Abstract: Tracheostomy tubes are provided with means that permits them to be held firmly in proper position upon a person on whom the device is installed. Such means comprises a fixed flange member, a slideable flange member and a plurality of slideable and separately removeable ring members positioned between the fixed and slideable flange members.

Abstract: A non-adhesive retaining device for medical-surgical tubes, such as endotracheal tubes or nasal cannulae, have a soft plastic staging member held by a headband in contact with the upper lip adjacent to the nose with a latex rubber cuff band grasping the tube. This assembly forms a sanitary type simple mount that engages the skin to hold the tube in place at the facial entrance. The cuff grasps the tube to secure it without lateral, rotational or axial movement. This retaining device serves as a comfortable flexible means that will conform to normal body movement and handling without irritation to skin or facial entrance. The staging member when contacting the lip area has at the center a protruding arm extending at an angle to retain at its center end the cuff that surrounds the tube in position for entry straight into the facial passage without bending or rubbing on the rim of the patients nostril or mouth as the case may be.

Abstract: A trans-abdominal stomach catheter placement system involving an external nasogastric intubation device with a mobile distal end embracing magnetic determination of the device adjacent the abdominal wall and displacement of internal organs thereat to facilitate stomach perforation, of a catheter of the Foley type introduced by means of a needle and having additional external securement and traction means therefor.

Abstract: A selection valve, creating a minimal flow-through turbulence for use in the administration of three separately supplied intravenous fluids, for selecting with one-handed operation any one of the fluids connected or a mixture of any two fluids adjacently connected, is provided having a body with a cylindrically shaped cavity containing three closely positioned ports and a separately positioned port. A cylindrically shaped rotor may be disposed within the cavity and rotated to position a single passageway part thereof between the outlet and an inlet port. The outlet end of the passageway may be shaped to enable the exposure of the outlet port for any inlet port position. Preferably the valve body is mounted to a support structure which in turn may be secured to an immobile surface.

Abstract: An intravenous feeding device including a hollow feeding needle having a right angle bend at the end removed from the feeding tip. A length of plastic tubing is connected to the remote end of the needle and extends through a post. The post is secured to a strap arranged for securement to the patient. The post and associated strap can be moved with respect to the needle to enable the strap to be positioned in contact with the patient for securement thereto when the feeding end of the needle is disposed centrally within the vein of the patient. A thumb screw is provided in the post to secure the needle in place once the needle is in position. All of the foregoing functions immobilize the needle so it can not be moved or pulled away from its proper position.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube holder includes a support arm mounting a tube retainer, an elongated chin mount that is held by a neck strap against the chin and in turn positions the support arm with the tube holder located between the wearer's teeth. A releasable strap detachably holds the tube in the retainer. A friction pivot connects the base of the arm to the chin mount so as to permit adjustive shifting of the tube retainer transversely across the mouth.

Abstract: A base member having a side surface and a bottom surface is provided. First and second ports are formed in the side surface which are interconnected by a channel in the base member. An intravenous system tube may be passed through the first port and channel and out the second port to provide for reversal of fluid flow in the tube with respect to the direction of fluid flow in the tube at the first port. The channel is formed to preclude kinking of the tube. Alternately, intravenous fluid system tubing may be adapted to the first and second ports. The tubing connects to an intravenous fluid supply and to a catheter apparatus. Means may be adapted to a top surface of the base member to permit the injection of medications into the fluid passing through the channel or the tubing in the channel.