Abstract: A suction device is provided having a tube connectable at its proximal end to a vacuum source and open at its distal end to provide suction at the distal end. A porous barrier is located within the tube distal end, being either a rigid screen filter or supporting a compressible filter which is drawn against the barrier by the tube vacuum. The filter alternatively may be secured to a housing which is securable to the tube distal end. The device further has a second tube disposed around the first tube, with the second tube being closed at opposite ends around the first tube to define an irrigation channel therebetween. The channel is connected to an irrigation source and has discharge openings at its distal end. The suction and irrigation functions of the channels can be reversed with the small openings in the outer channel defining a rigid screen during suction.

Abstract: A device for aspirating fluids from a body cavity or hollow organ. The device includes an elongated tube having a proximal opening adapted to be coupled to a suctioning device. The elongated tube also has a portion spaced from the proximal opening to be positioned in the cavity or organ. The portion is convolved about a central axis and has at least one aspirating port facing inwardly of the convolved portion for spacing the at least one aspirating port from the walls of the cavity or organ.

Abstract: An improved endotracheal suction catheter significantly reduces the probability of segmental atelectasis or mucosal ingestion, by providing a number of spacing blades proximal the inserted tip of the catheter, of a size sufficient to prevent the tubular surface of the catheter from mucosal contact and to prevent bronchial collapse under suction. The tip of the catheter is closed and suction is applied through a plurality of openings located between and distal of the spacing blades. The blades insure continued suction flow throughout the bronchial structure, while preventing mechanical collapse of the bronchial structure or mucosal ingestion into the suction opening. The blades further serve to prevent excessive insertion of the catheter into the bronchial tree during intubation.

Abstract: An improved lipectomy device, or cannula, is disclosed having inner and outer tubes. The outer tube has an elongated aspiration aperture, and the inner tube has a spiral slot. A mechanism inside the handle of the device causes the inner tube to rotate, creating a traveling hole effect along the aspiration aperture. This obviates the necessity of the surgeon repeatedly pushing the cannula in and out. A valve system is also disclosed which allows the surgeon to maintain negative pressure in the vacuum line leading to the cannula while still allowing the cannula itself to be vented to ambient pressures.

Abstract: A perforate suction tip for removal of surgical debris with reduced clogging and with minimum trauma to tissue is disclosed. Suction ports are arranged on the tip so that suction ports which remain unblocked when surgical debris lodges in other suction ports operate as a vacuum modulator facilitating the removal of the blockage. Further, the likelihood of blocking every suction port, thereby aspirating and damaging tissue, is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A catheter intended for insertion into a canal or canal-like organ, for example into the urethra leading to the urinal bladder of a human being, for the purpose of emptying the contents of the urinal bladder of that person into the catheter. The catheter comprises a preferably flexible, tubular catheter body incorporating a urine inlet and provided with an insertion section together with means for holding the catheter within the urethra. The catheter body also includes a discharge section spaced from the insertion section and intended, for example, for connection to a urine collecting vessel.According to the invention the interior of the tubular insertion section is arranged to support a sieve or filter element, and means for creating turbulence in the incoming flow to the catheter body, so as to prevent blocking of the inlet opening.

Abstract: An improved tip for a phacoemulsification needle having a lumen and a wall; wherein the improved tip comprises an oblique, generally concave face in side view and concentrates the majority of the effective cross-sectional area of the lumen toward the rear. An exemplary embodiment employs a maximum total face angle of 40 degrees with the face further comprising in side view from top to bottom: a first lead-in angle; a second horizontal section at a height of approximately 20-25 percent the needle diameter; and a third section defined as an arc of a circle extending tangential to the second horizontal section and extending to the top wall of the needle wherein the radius of the circle is approximately the distance between the second section and the upper wall. The improved tip is for use on hollow, ultrasonically vibrated needles of the type used for the surgical removal of cataract, abscess, hemorrhage, or other unwanted material.

Abstract: Suction device for use with a tracheostomy tube to remove matter from the upper respiratory tract of a patient. The suction device is essentially tubular and open at both ends, and comprises a bulb near one end and a tubular portion which extends from the bulb to the other end. To use, one connects the end remote from the bulb to a source of vacuum and inserts the bulbous end of the suction device into the end of a tracheostomy tube which is outside the patient's body. The suction device can be used with tracheostomy tubes of different sizes, and is used in place of a catheter.

Abstract: Apparatus to remove an obstruction from a trachea airway comprising: a mouthpiece having a sealing lip surface extending around the periphery of a passageway extending therethrough the sealing surface being adapted to sealingly engage larynx surfaces to position a first end of said passageway in fluid communication with a trachea airway. A filter absorbs liquid flowing through the passageway to permit reduction of air pressure in the mouthpiece by suction of lifesaving personnel to draw an obstruction from the trachea airway of a patient to the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A naso-gastric tube for removing fluids from a patient's stomach is provided and comprises an elongated tube having a first end and a second end which is adapted for insertion into the patient's stomach. The tube has a plurality of apertures adjacent the second end for providing communication between the patient's stomach and the vent and suction passages of the tube. Cushions or balloons are mounted on the tube adjacent the apertures and are adapted to be inflated so as to protect the apertures from occlusion by the lining of the stomach. The cushions are deflated prior to the tube member being inserted into and removed from the patient's stomach.

Abstract: A device and method for the continued maintenance of percutaneous sinus tracts between medical catheterization procedures. The device comprises an outer tubular and inner cylindrical members designed to be used with a flexible catheter introduced surgically or with the aid of a trocar device. The method comprises the steps of initially introducing the catheter; sleeving the outer tubular member over the catheter until its outer portion rests against the newly formed sinus tract; completing the desired catheterization procedure; removing the catheter while leaving the outer tubular member in place along the sinus tract; sealing the sinus tract by introduction of the inner cylindrical member into the outer tubular member. As a result the integrity of the sinus tract is maintained for subsequent catheterizations. When a new catheterization is desired the inner cylindrical member is removed; the new catheter is introduced and the members of the invention replaced if subsequent catheterizations are desired.

Abstract: A tubing assembly is provided which includes a length of elastomeric tubing over which is positioned and affixed a substantially shorter length of tubing having micro orifices ion sputtered therethrough. The tubing assembly is manufactured by a method that includes stretching the elastomeric tubing in association with the application of medical adhesive at an interface between the elastomeric tubing and the ion sputtered tubing, and relaxing the elastomeric tubing to provide an effective seal along the ends of the ion sputtered tubing. These tubing assemblies are particularly suitable for use as ventricular catheters within intracranial pressure relief systems.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in suction lipolysis consists of a long, narrow tube having a pointed or tapered closed end, for insertion into the body, and being open at the other end for connection to a source of vacuum. The tube has a side opening adjacent to the closed end for entry of fatty material during use. A passageway is provided, either as a separate passage inside the tube or a separate tube inside or outside the main tube, with an end opening inside the closed end of the main tube beyond the side opening. A handle surrounds and supports the main tube and passageway and includes a manually operated valve for venting the other end of the passageway or separate tube to allow air to enter the closed end portion of the main tube during use for clearing obstruction therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in non-surgical procedures for treating the human uterus. The apparatus of the invention, called a uterine catheter, is of flexible, non-rigid construction which possesses sufficient stiffness to permit introduction of the device into the body by itself, without the need for rigid stylet or stiffening rod introduction means.

Abstract: A pharyngeal suction device for use during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and trauma stabilization. A hollow wand is provided with peripheral recesses which act as safety vents when the wand is used without the safety tip. The safety tip is attached to the wand in either of two orientations and secured at the peripheral recesses. A safety tip outlines a hemispherical surface and defines three passages which communicate with the interior of the wand.

Abstract: A hydrocephalic drainage valve consisting of a hollow shank with a pointed conical tip. The shank has an intake port adjacent the conical tip. A ball check valve in the shank is urged by a coiled spring toward closing relationship with the port. A hollow set screw is adjustably mounted in the shank to vary the biasing force on the valve ball. In one form, for manual implantation, a sleeve is slidably mounted on the shank, has a centrally apertured enlarged head and has implantation enlarged threads near the head. The head has aligned opposite radial grooves which are engageable by a manual insertion tool. In other forms, for pneumatic insertion, the shank has an enlarged head, employed as a driving piston in a pneumatic insertion tube.