Abstract: A sterile disposable template grid system for positioning and implanting medical implants is disclosed. In one embodiment, the disposable template grid includes an attachment element that joins a front portion having front channels and a rear portion having rear channels so that the front channels align with the rear channels to form passages which allow medical implants to pass from the front portion through the rear portion. In another embodiment, the disposable template grid includes an insert having channels; a bracket sized to removably receive and support the insert and having apertures; and an alignment element for aligning the apertures with the channels to allow medical implants to pass from the apertures through the channels. Although the disposable template grid can be used with a wide variety of implants, it is particularly well suited for the radioactive seed containing needles used in brachytherapy.

Abstract: A device is described for reminding a patient suffering from ailments such as diabetes and high cholesterol levels, who performs daily blood tests, of the site of the last blood extraction, in the case where blood is drawn from one or more sites of each finger of the hands. The invention includes two disks, each having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face containing a representation of the opposite hand from the other. On each disk finger holes are punched in the vicinity of the fingers to represent the sites where blood is drawn. On the inner face of each disk is a red marker area which may be displayed under the finger hole on the opposite disk, corresponding to the last site where blood was drawn. When the user progresses from one hand to the other in his testing regime, the device is flipped over, and the outside face of the other disk is used to display the status of the site where blood has been drawn on a representation of the hand currently used.

Abstract: An image-guided surgery system includes an alignment device (1) which measures the direction of a target position (2) with respect to a starting position (4). Subsequently, the alignment device (1) places one end of the surgical instrument (3) in the starting position and rotates the surgical instrument in such a manner that it is oriented along the measured direction. It is ensured that the end meanwhile remains in the starting position. The image-guided surgery system includes a system of arms (7), one end of which is provided with an alignment member (5) for supporting the surgical instrument. The alignment member is preferably a sphere provided with an opening (6) in which the surgical instrument fits.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and method for delivering a therapeutic substance to a bodily tissue in a minimally invasive manner. The device includes an elongate flexible tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end. A control means is provided for enabling the distal end of the tubular member to be controllably flexed in a transverse manner for positioning the distal end of the tubular member proximate to the bodily tissue to be treated. A hollow needle is disposed at the distal end of the tubular member for delivering the therapeutic substance into the bodily tissue. A marking means is also included for indicating when a injection has been made in the tissue. The invention is particularly useful for treatment of ischemic heart disease by gene therapy.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument which is used for cutting of tissue. The instrument includes a sensor which identifies nerves within the patient which are proximate to the cutting member of the instrument. The entire assembly is hand held and includes both a surgical cutter such as a scalpel blade, scissors, or laser scalpel, as well as the electronics to stimulate nerves within the patient. The electronics monitor is positioned near the tip of the instrument to warn the surgeon of a proximate nerve so that the nerves are not inadvertently severed. In one embodiment of this invention, the scissors are incapacitated when a nerve is sensed to prevent an accidental cutting of the nerve.

Abstract: An implantable single or dual-lumen or more lumen device for repeated accessing vessels within a body. The device uses a resilient material to form a seal, and has a smooth streamlined flowpath with no flow discontinuity. The device is joined to a catheter, in most cases, such that fluids can be extracted from or injected into the vessel to be accessed. The device is designed for the high flowrates, on the order of 150 and greater milliliters per minute, associated with hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other fluid exchange therapies. In such applications smooth flow streaming is important to minimize damage to the blood. A corresponding straight-needle apparatus is designed to mate and lock with the access device, where alignment and open flowpath is ensured. A valve seal incorporates opposing very hard surfaced guide elements that are retained and in intimate contact with the seal itself.

Abstract: A needle guide ensures that an angiographic needle is inserted into a patient's femoral artery at a prescribed location, angle and direction. The needle guide includes an elongated base having a recess on one end defined by a pair of projecting fingers, and a support member on the upper surface of the base adjacent to the recess. The support member has a support surface which is inclined at a prescribed angle with respect to a locating plane defined by the base. The length of the projecting fingers help position the support surface at a spaced distance from the patient's inguinal crease, while a channel in the support surface cradles and guides the angiographic needle at the prescribed angle as it is inserted into the femoral artery. The needle guide may include a second recess defined by a pair of projecting fingers at the opposite end of the base and another support member adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A plastic device for inserting a catheter or the like into a body, wherein the forward end of the device acts as a dilator and has an offset axial opening along one side for a relatively small needle to pass through. The main portion of the device has a lumen for holding a catheter or the like. The forward end of the lumen is terminated by a slanted guide wall. The device eliminates the need for a separate guidewire and allows the use of a small diameter needle to minimize damage to the body wall.

Abstract: A microdrive apparatus useful in human stereotactic surgery is disclosed. Such apparatus permits safe and accurate placement of a surgical instrument, such as a cannula, into a portion of the central nervous system, e.g. the brain and spinal cord, of a patient by simple mechanical operation.

Abstract: A device for the percutaneous localization of a foreign object in a body has a base collar mount and one or more movable collar mounts all located on at least one perpendicular guide rail. The base collar mount has a guide-tube cannula affixed to it. A series of tubings and wire lengths extend through the guide-tube cannula as the movable collar mounts are advanced. As the tubings and wire are exposed from the guide-tube cannula, they assume their native curvature thus forming a compound trajectory for the insertion of a foreign object in a body.

Abstract: There is an applicator for assisting the injection of a drug such as prostaglandin into a penis. The applicator may comprise an elongated guide member having disposed at one end thereof a support means and syringe ports on said support means. The relative orientation of the guide member, support means and syringe ports being such that in use of the applicator when the guide member is aligned along the length of the penis and the support means is at or adjacent the base thereof said syringe ports are positioned whereby the needle of a syringe when inserted through one of said syringe ports enters the penis tissue at a predetermined angle and/or to a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A device for marking tissue locations is disclosed in which a localization wire comprises multiple strands twisted together. At predetermined spaced intervals along the length of the localization wire, the strands are twisted together more densely than along the remaining portion of the wire, providing readily identifiable markers which can be visualized under ultrasound or X-ray or can be felt by the physician's fingertips. The free forward end of each of the twisted strands is formed into a barb to anchor the forward end of the localization wire within the patient's tissues.

Abstract: This invention pertains to blood vessel cannulation devices and methods for sensing the location of a blood vessel, for cannulation with precision and ease. In preferred embodiments, the blood vessel cannulation device preferably comprises a mounting assembly for securing the device to a patient in the vicinity of a blood vessel. A rotating assembly is mounted to the mounting assembly for rotation with respect to the mounting assembly. A guide housing is mounted to the rotating assembly for traverse across the rotating assembly, and for rotating with the rotating assembly. Sensor guides in the guide housing receive one or more sensors which sense the blood vessel. Rotating the rotating assembly, and traversing the guide housing, enable bringing the bottom ends of the sensor guides into alignment with the blood vessel, correspondingly also bringing a cannula guide, also present in the guide housing, into alignment with the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method and kit for positioning a transdermal drug delivery system useful in treating individuals having maladies requiring topical, subcutaneous, intra-lesional and systemic administration of one or more drugs for a prolonged period of time is disclosed. A method for employing the present invention kit allows a patient to accurately self-administer a prolonged treatment regimen including a transdermal delivery system without the substantial involvement of medical personnel.

Abstract: A hollow, rigid guide tube has a bend nearer to one end than the opposite end. The bent end of the guide tube is inserted through an animal's mouth and esophagus, and into its stomach. The bent end is pressed against the interior of the animal's stomach by manipulating the opposite end which extends out of the animal's mouth. A needle is pushed through the animal's skin and into the stomach end of the guide tube. A fiber is passed through the needle and into and through the whole guide tube. The fiber then extends from outside the animal's abdomen through the stomach wall, through the esophagus and out the animal's mouth. The guide tube and needle are removed and a gastrostomy tube is fastened to the mouth end of the fiber and is pulled into the stomach sidewall in the conventional manner. The guide tube preferably has an outwardly flared surface at one end and has an annular disk attached near the opposite end of the tube.

Abstract: A needle extractor is provided which has top and bottom members which include top and bottom blades for inserting between a shank portion of a needle assembly and a patient's skin surface. The top blade has a longitudinal gutter or channel for positioning and aligning the shank portion of the needle assembly and a vertical finger projection with a notch for retaining tubing coupled to the needle assembly. The blades have a common slot for receiving a needle portion of the needle assembly. Each member also has a handle for gripping the extractor. The top member is pivotally attached to the bottom member such that when the blades, being generally disposed parallel to each other and substantially overlapping, are inserted between the shank portion and the skin surface, and the top blade is pivoted relative to the bottom blade, the needle assembly is removed from the skin surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a target apparatus for linearly inserting an instrument into a human body comprising a computer tomograph for determining the piercing spot and marking it, the improvement comprising: a slide which is adjustably guided above the gantry of the computer tomograph along a horizontal guide means, preferably along a transversal plane, which slide can be arrested in any position along the guide means, a laser device for producing a target mark in space, a supporting means for mounting the laser device to the slide for being pivoted about a horizontal axis such that the beam of the laser device is pivoted in a vertical plane and further comprising an angular scale attached to the slide for indicating the pivoting angle of the laser device.

Abstract: A stereotactic auxiliary attachment for a tomography apparatus for conducting a tomogram-guided biopsy of a female breast has two compression plates arranged to be movable toward one another for fixing the breast therebetween, with through-holes arranged in the compression plates enabling a guided access of a biopsy needle to the breast through the compression plates. The through-holes in at least one of the compression plates are arranged obliquely relative to a surface normal of a compressing surface of that compression plate thereby permitting access to all regions of the breast tissue.

Abstract: A subcutaneous locating device for a blood filter is provided with a tubular component or catheter which can be perforated and is adapted so as to be implanted in a patient's body. The device comprises an external casing having a principal passage in order to receive therethrough a tubular component and a radial stud mounted so as to slide in the casing in order to perforate the tubular component and lock the casing along the latter under the control of an operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for moving a catheter in a controlled manner. The device has a frame, guiding member attached to the frame for the purpose of guiding the catheter, a first engaging mechanism in order to manually engage the guiding means, second engaging means for the purpose of engaging the catheter guided by the guiding machines, wherein the first and second engaged mechanism are connected in such a manner that, on moving the first engaging mechanism, the catheter is moved in relation to the frame. Furthermore, a signalling device is attached to the engaged mechanism for the purpose of giving off a signal corresponding to the displacement of the catheter.

Abstract: A surgical method involving a trocar system comprising a rack apparatus and a trocar device is disclosed. The trocar device is adapted for insertion into a body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity, using the rack apparatus which eliminates the need for cavity insufflation. The rack apparatus comprises a movable member which attaches adhesively to the external skin surface of the body wall overlying the body cavity. Means are provided moving the member attached to the skin away from the body cavity in order to lift the abdominal region and create a separation between the body wall and the underlying internal organs. This separation permits the obdurator portion of a trocar device to be inserted with a minimum risk of cutting any internal organs. The trocar device comprises applicator and trocar components. The trocar components comprises a cylindrical trocar tube and detachable obdurator.

Abstract: A method for implanting a neural prosthetic drug delivery apparatus into a target zone of a patient's brain for reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus. The apparatus includes a catheter which is inserted into the patient's auditory cortex or thalamus. The catheter microinfuses drugs which suppress or eliminate abnormal neural activity into geometrically separate locations of the patient's cortex or thalamus, thereby reducing or eliminating the effects of tinnitus.

Abstract: A device useful in the injection of an anesthetic into the peribulbar region of the eye. The device includes a needle assembly functionally integrated with a flange shaped to provide pressure to the desired region. The device in combination with a syringe and needle allows the injection of anesthetic under pressure and directed toward the peribulbar region of the eye, adequately distributing the anesthetic throughout the peribulbar space more efficiently.

Abstract: A portable stereotactic guidance having coordinated targeting and delivery assemblies. Aligning and orientating a medical instrument in a three-dimensional plane by specific cartesian coordinates or live imaging. The device may operate in conjunction with an X-Ray or CT scanner so as to image a patient allowing the surgeon to accurately introduce a probe such as a needle, cannula, or guide wires into the human body at a preselected angle. The device fits over a patient using and is used in conjunction with an alignment guide to read X, Y and Z coordinates as well as associated angles for precise orientating of a delivery system. Provision is made for aligning of the device can be performed during real time X-Ray or scanning through a target assembly having cross hatching to target an object for use as a reference point. Once a target is set, the delivery system is aligned by sliding the delivery system within a cartesian coordinate system thereby rotating the stir ups along a polar coordinate system.

Abstract: The invention described herein is a method and apparatus for vein location. The apparatus includes a vein locating device composed an inflatable bladder attached between two covers and including a holding straps for attaching the device to a limb of a human patient. The method described herein sets for the steps of placing the apparatus on the limb of a human patient and inflating the device so as to constrict veins in a desired area so as to permit the location of a particular vein or veins.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microdrive apparatus useful in human stereotactic surgery. Such apparatus permits safe and accurate placement of a surgical instrument, such as a cannula, into a portion of the central nervous system, e.g. the brain and spinal cord, of a patient by simple mechanical operation.

Abstract: A skin seal or trocar stabilizer with an inflatable balloon in the shape of a dumbbell, where the balloon may be stored within a cannula for easy placement in an incision and inflated to deploy the balloon inside the body, and a portion of the balloon expands inside the cannula, whereby medical instruments may be passed through the skin seal into a laparoscopic work space while the balloon is inflated, thereby allowing the use of normal short surgical instruments during laparoscopic procedures and during insufflation.

Abstract: The template of this invention includes a flexible sheet with indicia thereon to identify the proper sites and instruction of the proper technique of insertion of an injection device, such as a needle, for medical injection into the human knee. The sheet is flexible so that it may be folded for storage and shipment and then unfolded for placement over the human leg. The template is universal in that it may be used on either the left or right leg on either a male or female patient and may be used on human legs of many different sizes.

Abstract: The invention comprises a rigid frame that is positioned around the skull to define a multi-dimensional coordinate system. Multiple arms are coupled to the frame, each arm having an attachment assembly movable along a longitudinal axis directed toward the center of the rigid frame assembly. Multiple receptors are either attached to the skull or drilled into the skull for receiving an associated attachment assembly. The receptors provide a mounting base upon which the frame is repeatedly attached and detached from the skull at the same reproducible reference location. Each arm has a multi-station receptacle that receives various attachments used for mounting and attaching the receptors. Special bushing are used to lock the attachment assembly in a preset longitudinal position in relation to the arm. The locked attachment assembly can then be removed from the arm allowing the frame to be removed from the skull while maintaining frame position information.

Abstract: A noninvasive, perforate, self-centering locator (10) facilitates engagement of a needle or cannula with a vascular access device (44) of the type having a subcutaneously implanted infusion port (46) and an infusion chamber (48) contained in the infusion port (46), the infusion chamber (48) being covered by a septum (52). The locator (10) is exemplified by a port stabilizer ring (12) having a central opening (18) with an interior diameter greater than the diameter of the septum (52) but less than the greatest diameter of the infusion port (46). The stabilizer ring (12) or other embodiment of the locator (10) is pressed on the skin (45) over the site of the infusion port (46), and simultaneously visually locates the septum (52) for the user while stabilizing the infusion port (46) with respect to the skin (45) and underlying tissues, permitting ready penetration of the skin (45) and septum (52) by a needle or cannula (58).

Abstract: A portal assembly includes a port with at least one resealable septum, and a tube extending from the port with the tube being sized to be received inside a catheter, an angled surface surrounding the tube wherein the angled surface diverges away from the tube in a direction away from the port, and sleeve structure for forcing the end of the catheter into the angled surface, thereby forcing the end of the catheter radially inwardly toward the tube and forming a thickened portion adjacent the end of the catheter to seal and hold the catheter. In a dual port construction, the outlet tube are parallel to one another at their distal ends, and the sleeve structure forces the end of the catheter into the angled surface, thereby forcing the end of the catheter radially inwardly toward the tubes and forming a thickened portion adjacent the end of the catheter to seal and hold the catheter and to prevent cross-talk between lumens of a dual lumen catheter.

Abstract: A breast marking device includes an annular body and a circular felt marking pad disposed on a front end of body which holds ink. A removable annular cap covers the felt marking pad and is secured to the body. The cap has a pair of annular walls which frictionally engage the body to removably secure the cap to the body. A projection extends from a front face of the cap which defines a circular, pointed, marking edge substantially concentric with the felt marking pad. The marking edge has substantially the same diameter as the felt marking pad. A stop is provided on the body to limit movement of the cap on the body such that the cap engages the stop to space the cap from the felt marking pad. A circular imprint is made on the breast with the marking edge so as to discolor flesh thereof. Once an imprint is made, a circle of ink is stamped with the felt marking pad substantially where the circular imprint was made.

Abstract: A template for use with an access port implanted within the body of a patient and providing repeated access to a specific site within the patient by communicating through an implanted internal catheter. The access ports with which this invention is used includes a housing of a particular shape and having an inlet orifice leading to a reduced diameter guide passageway and eventually an implanted catheter. The template of this invention is designed to be placed externally on the patient over the access device and is shaped so as to conform to the access device. An aperture is formed in the template and corresponds with the entrance orifice when the template is in place ensuring that the filament is initially and properly introduced into the access device.

Abstract: A hand tool is provided for immobilizing an implanted vascular access port in the body of a patient while a hypodermic needle is being withdrawn from an elastomeric septum that forms a seal for the access port. The tool includes an elongated handle and a V-shaped prong structure designed to straddle the needle so that the prongs apply a restraining force on the implanted access port. The skin-contact surfaces of the prongs are convexly curved, such that the prongs apply the desired force, whatever the position of the handle. The tool can be held in a range of different positions while still applying the necessary restraining force.

Abstract: A hollow, rigid guide tube has a bend nearer to one end than the opposite end. The bent end of the guide tube is inserted through an animal's mouth and esophagus, and into its stomach. The bent end is pressed against the interior of the animal's stomach by manipulating the opposite end which extends out of the animal's mouth. A needle is pushed through the animal's skin and into the stomach end of the guide tube. A fiber is passed through the needle and into and through the whole guide tube. The fiber then extends from outside the animal's abdomen through the stomach wall, through the esophagus and out the animal's mouth. The guide tube and needle are removed and a gastrostomy tube is fastened to the mouth end of the fiber and is pulled into the stomach sidewall in the conventional manner. The guide tube preferably has an outwardly flared surface at one end and has an annular disk attached near the opposite end of the tube.

Abstract: A device for guiding the insertion of a hypodermic, tuberculin or other needle and, more particularly for administering a Mantoux tuberculin test is disclosed comprising a platform having a channel extending therethrough sized to receive a flexible needle for guiding the insertion of the needle at a prescribed angle, direction and depth for the introduction or removal of fluids from the body.

Abstract: A method of percutaneously emplacing at least two cannulae in a patient, such as for percutaneous decompression of a herniated disc, using a guide secured to one cannula to index a second cannula as it is percutaneously advanced into the body. The guide may take the form of jigs adapted to be secured to one cannula with bores arranged to slidingly receive a guidewire or a cannula.

Abstract: A mesh appliance and method for use in excising skin samples from stretched skin, as in taking punch biopsies. The appliance is placed on a stretched skin area and maintains the skin in stretched condition during the sample incising operation. It is used with the skin stretched in the direction perpendicular to the skin Langer's lines, thereby producing a skin opening which is elliptical in contour and effectively sutured.

Abstract: The template of this invention includes a flexible sheet with indicia thereon to identify the proper sites and instruction of the proper method of insertion of a cannulated needle to drain a distended human knee bursa, A cannulated needle is used for draining the bursa which includes a rigid needle and a flexible cannula through which the rigid needle is inserted to be attached to a hypodermic syringe. The cannula has a plurality of apertures on its leading end which facilitate drainage by reducing the chance of clogging or blocking of the opening of the cannula.

Abstract: The invention comprises an infusion device for infusing fluids to a patient having a plurality of, preferably two, enclosed open cavities, equipped with self-sealing septums. The device comprises a housing having a base, a cap, and a dual-port stem exiting the base and communicating with the open cavities. The cap comprises a tactile raised locating ridge positioned between, and adjacent to, the septums or other self-sealing means so configured that a doctor can simultaneously determine where each septum is located as soon as he locates the single ridge. A doctor can also differentiate between each septum, and determine the location of structures associated with each septum. Furthermore, the ridge is so configured that it does not enclose an area of tissue of the patient, thereby precluding the problem of necrosis.

Abstract: A skin shield device for protecting users (to include caregivers and patients) from accidental needle stick or puncture (hereinafter needle stick). The skin shield device is to be used by users who are removing a needle from an subcutaneously implanted vascular access device (hereinafter port) injection area (hereinafter site). The skin shield body is comprised of a substantially flexible annular disc with finger tabs and a central shield opening. The finger tabs are used to apply pressure at a port site. The pressure at the port site is to secure and stabilize the port site for safe needle removal. The central shield opening is slipped over and around a needle to surround and stabilize the port site. Once the central shield opening is in place around the site, pressure is applied downward by a user's fingers applying downward force at the finger tabs. The downward pressure causes the shield body to stabilize the port site during needle removal.

Abstract: A multiple-movement, single clamp, implement-positioning device is constructed to permit sliding movement of the base portion of a main body member on a guide rail. An upper portion of the main body member is rotatably mounted on the base portion and includes a hollow chamber with a compressible sphere pivotally mounted in it. The compressible sphere has a bore through it; and an elongated cylindrical shaft is slidably and rotatably mounted in the bore in the compressible sphere. A single control member, in the form of a threaded rod, extends through the top of the upper portion of the main body member to engage the sphere to compress it into engagement with an extension on the base portion. This compresses the bore around the shaft, locks the pivotal rotation of the sphere, locks the upper portion of the main body member to the base portion and the base portion to the rail on which it is positioned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vein spotter which consists of a flexible band which has a buckle attached to one end and a hook and pile Velcro type of fastener mounted on a first surface. A plurality of protrusion members are mounted on the second surface of the band. The buckle and the hook and pile fastener allow the flexible band to be formed into a loop encircling a limb with the protrusion members pushing into skin, displacing tissue into spaces formed between the projecting members and causing superficial veins to distend and become visible.

Abstract: A stereotactic device of simplified structure, adaptable to align and precisely orient a variety of medical devices, such as differently sized needles, cannulas, and guide wires, into the human body for procedures, such as tumor biopsies, percutaneous discectomies, cyst aspirations, and tumor localizations, is described. The stereotactic device is adapted for use in combination with a stereotactic bridge which includes a span rotatable on its horizontal axis and movably affixed to a C.T. scan table or an X-ray table by a positioning mechanism that provides for both vertical and horizontal movement of the span. The stereotactic device interacts with a C.T. scanner to achieve accurate placement of the selected medical device. Use of the stereotactic bridge allows alignment of the medical device in sagittal orientation with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A radiation therapy skin marking device which may be used to delineate a radiation therapy portal area on a patient's skin surface. The device is a set of radiation therapy skin markers which are releasably attached to a backing liner and include an adhesive surface such that the markers may be releasably attached to a patient's skin surface. The markers include printed lines so as to facilitate radiation therapy treatments by more obviously defining a radiation therapy portal area. The shape of the markers may vary including, for example, a marker of substantially circular shape with a ninety degree wedge cut therefrom such that the marker may be used to outline a ninety degree corner and a marker of substantially circular shape with a circular cut-out center such that the marker is defined by a circular outer edge and a circular inner edge both of which circular edges share a common center point.

Abstract: Injector for inserting objects such as transponders (4) into a living being. The injector is provided with positioning means for fixing the position of the insertion needle (9) relative to the living being. These positioning means comprise a pin (5) designed to rest with the shank thereof against a part of the living being, such as the head (1) . The position of the insertion needle (9) can thereby be determined irrespective of differences occurring from one animal to another.

Abstract: A device for measuring the depth below skin level of a blood vessel that has been punctured in the course of a catheterization or other interventional vascular procedure comprises a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end portion that is preferably tapered to a small outer diameter. The lumen may have a stepped diameter extending between the proximal and distal ends. A first portion of the lumen is distally located and is of a diameter generally equal to the diameter of a guidewire with which the measuring device is used. The second segment of the lumen is of a substantially larger diameter. A side entry port is made through the wall of the tubular member at the distal base of the larger diameter section of the lumen. Graduated markings on the side wall of the tubular member extend from the side entry port toward the proximal end of the instrument.

Abstract: A stabilizer for blood vessels including a pair of diverging panels integrally joined at a bight portion which in turn defines a hinge between the panels. The panels have outer edges with extending legs for engagement with and manipulation of skin for the positioning and stabilizing of veins. The stabilizer includes linear forward edges and generally arcuate rear edges for use in varying situations.

Abstract: A noninvasive head fixation method and apparatus uses a flexible and compressible bladder which contacts and is deformed to conform to the shape of the patient's nasion in order to immobilize the patient's head during a medical procedure.

Abstract: A radiographically opaque spinal marker needle having a lower portion consisting of a small bore hollow needle and an upper portion having a larger outside diameter. An intermediate penetration restriction member fixed to and surrounding the marker needle at a point proximate the junction of the upper portion and the lower portion limits the depth of penetration of the hollow needle into the patient or tissue, provides stability, and forms a large observable mass on an X-ray. In an alternative embodiment the larger upper bore portion is in the form of a syringe and includes a prefilled ampule of dye within the syringe for injection into the patient by a plunger assembly. The upper portion may be separable from the lower portion at a point above the pentration restriction member.