Abstract: A disposable insertion tip for a body cavity cleaning or irrigation device includes at least one tear strip. Once attached to the cleaning device, the insertion tip is sealingly locked in a predetermined position permitting liquid to be dispensed into a body cavity and used liquid to be returned from the body cavity through respective interior chambers provided in the insertion tip. The tip cannot be removed without first tearing the tear strip, which once torn, disables the sealing capability of the tip relative to the cleaning device. The insertion tip is preferably made from a transparent material which permits a user to view the efficacy of a cleaning procedure and to note when removal of the tip is required.

Abstract: The method and apparatus as shown in FIGS. 8-10 in which a fluid expandable member (208) is positioned in concentric relation about a needle (202). The fluid expandable member (208) is expanded into the nucleus pulposus potential space bordered by the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disk. Then, thermoplastic material in a flowing state is injected by a needle (202) within the annulus fibrosus to collapse the fluid expandable member (208) and occupy the space formerly occupied by the fluid expandable member (208).

Abstract: An apparatus and method apply a hemostatic agent onto a tissue. The apparatus includes a tube having a first end and a second end. A lumen of the tube is tapered from the first end to the second end. A hemostatic agent source is within the tube. A plunger is included for directing the hemostatic agent from the tapered tube through an opening at the second end. The hemostatic agent can be directed from the tube through the opening of the second end onto the tissue.

Abstract: A dose dispensing device such as a medicine dropper is improved by putting a dosing scales such as a body weight scale directly on the dose dispensing device. This improved device is used to simultaneously calculate and measure an exact dose of liquid medicine, based on the body weight of the patient.

Abstract: An injector device for delivery of liquid from a high pressure, the device comprising a housing, a pressure chamber 2 comprising a pressure barrel 4 for accommodation of at least one piston therein and having a front end opening 6 for ejection of the liquid, the pressure chamber being of sufficient strength to sustain the liquid pressure. The device further comprises a storage chamber 16, separate from the pressure chamber, for the liquid or the liquid precursor components, and a conduit 22 between the pressure chamber and the storage chamber. A pressurizing mechanism 26 in the housing is arranged to apply force, directly or indirectly, on the piston in the pressure barrel to create said liquid pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method apply a hemostatic agent onto a tissue. The apparatus includes a tube having a first end and a second end. A lumen of the tube is tapered from the first end to the second end. A hemostatic agent source is within the tube. A plunger is included for directing the hemostatic agent from the tapered tube through an opening at the second end. The hemostatic agent can be directed from the tube through the opening of the second end onto the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for harvesting adipose tissue so as to preserve an increased population of viable microvascular endothelial cells. Adipose tissue containing microvascular endothelial cells is harvested using a collection apparatus incorporating an elongate cannula having apertures with tissue cutting edges. A sub-ambient pressure is applied to a lumen in the cannula to draw the adipose tissue through the aperture where it is then severed using the cutting edge to disrupt the connective adipose matrix. This harvesting provides a cleaner, more homogeneous sample of adipose tissue, thereby increasing the population of viable microvascular endothelial cells obtained through further processing. Rapid and easy methods for the further homogenization of the harvested adipose tissue are also disclosed.

Abstract: A synchronous vitreous lavage device for ophthalmology includes a platform, a pair of main and auxiliary supporters, a pair of guiding arms, a movable seat and a pair of clamps. When the movable seat moves in the direction of the guiding arms, the lavage device simultaneously drains bloody water from an eyeball and injects lavage water into the eyeball by means of two syringes. The bloody water in the eyeball can be easily removed from the eyeball at a cheap cost. An ophthalmologic lavaging system is formed by connecting two regulating syringes through two three-way valves to the lavage device.

Abstract: A synchronous vitreous lavage device for ophthalmology an includes a platform, a pair of main supporters, an auxiliary supporter, a pair of gears, a pair of movable seats, a pair of screw rods, and a clamp. When the screw rods rotate in different directions, the two movable seats move in opposite direction. Thus, the lavage device simultaneously drains bloody water from the eyeball, and injects lavage water into the eyeball by means of two syringes. The bloody water in the eyeball can be easily removed from the eyeball at a cheap cost. An ophthalmologic lavaging system is formed by connecting two regulating syringes through two three-way valves to the lavage device.

Abstract: An embrittlement-resistant polyolefin composition, including: (a) at least 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the polyolefin composition, of a crystalline polymer comprising either a propylene homopolymer having an isotactic index greater than 90 or a random copolymer of propylene and either ethylene or C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 1-olefins, (b) an elastomeric copolymer of ethylene and either propylene or butene-1, where the elastomeric copolymer is present in an amount sufficient to enhance the flexibility of the polyolefin composition, without adversely affecting the clarity of the polyolefin composition, and where the polyolefin composition has a heat distortion temperature of at least 60.degree. C. Optional components include a stabilizing amount of a hindered amine light stabilizer, an acid neutralizing agent, and a sorbitol-based compound. The composition may be used to manufacture medical articles and food packaging material which must be sterilized, either by irradiation or by autoclaving.

Abstract: A diagnostic syringe actuator device for use in combination with a syringe in the removal of tissue, fluid and/or cells for the diagnosis of pathological processes wherein the syringe includes a hollow syringe body having a longitudinally movable syringe plunger at least partially disposed therein with a probe needle attached to the distal end portion comprising a hollow retractor tube having a longitudinally movable retractable piston disposed therein, a longitudinally movable syringe plunger sabot disposed within the hollow retractor tube, a sabot lock mechanism selectively movable between a locked and unlocked position disposed to engage the syringe plunger sabot when in the locked position to maintain the syringe plunger and the syringe plunger sabot in the advanced position and to disengage the syringe is plunger sabot when moved to the unlocked position such that the syringe plunger sabot and the syringe plunger move from the advanced position when the retractable piston has been at least partially retr

Abstract: A blood aspiration assembly for use as a blood access device inserted in a patient's blood vessel for obtaining undiluted blood samples. The assembly includes, in one embodiment, a first tubular portion defining a first internal volume. A distal end of the first segment is coupled to a blood access device and has a blood receiver at the proximal end thereof. The blood receiver permits a separate blood removal device to repetitively access its chamber. A second tubular portion or segment defining a third internal volume is coupled at its distal end to the blood receiver. A reservoir is coupled to the proximal end of the second segment so as to be in selective flow communication with it. The reservoir has a sufficient internal volume to selectively retrieve a volume X of fluid from the second segment, blood receiver, and first segment to insure that undiluted blood is present in the chamber of the blood aspirator.

Abstract: A system for cleansing a patient's ear is disclosed. This system contains a control unit, a portable applicator, and a means for modifying the flow of fluid from the device when temperature or pressure limits are exceeded. The control unit contains a heater and control means for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within certain limits, for limiting the pressure of the liquid, and for varying the flow rate of the liquid. The portable applicator contains a handpiece, a nozzle which is connected to the fluid source and is mounted on the handpiece, and a means for providing a signal to the control unit.

Abstract: An endometrial aspirator includes hollow cylindrical tube, open at one end and including a piston therein. The piston is configured to include a tapered portion which may be projected from the open end of the tube so as to form a cervical dilator which facilitates insertion of the aspirator into the uterus.

Abstract: A composite suction and irrigation probe is provided for performing the functions of irrigation and suction alone or simultaneously with the use of a single trumpet valve. The probe consist of an inner cannula and an outer cannula. In the first embodiment the inner cannula is attached to one probe mount end of the valve body while the outer cannula is attached to a second and opposite probe mount end. The inner cannula is inserted through a common channel of the valve body and the outer cannula. In the second embodiment, the inner cannula is attached to the outer cannula prior to attaching the probe to the valve body. The designated suction and irrigation ports located within the common channel of the valve body are isolated from each other to provide discrete and dedicated ports.

Abstract: An improved syringe having a double walled barrel, a first tip communicating with the interior of the barrel, a plunger slideable within the barrel for delivering impression material through the first tip, and a second tip communicating with the space between the walls of the barrel for delivering a cleansing fluid about the impression material.

Abstract: A blood sampling apparatus includes a housing (1) closed off by a rotatable cover (4), which in turn seals off the housing completely with a seal (7). The cover has a threaded sleeve (9), which cooperates with a piston rod for axial displacement of a piston (2). The housing cover has an opening closed off by a sterile filter (11). When the piston (2) is displaced, this piston rod always remains completely inside the housing (1), so that no bacteria, other kinds of germs or any other kind of contamination can penetrate the housing from the outside (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An evacuator particularly suited for irrigation and removal of tissue from a body cavity such as the bladder. The evacuator includes a positive displacement syringe with a hollow plunger for pumping a sterile solution into the bladder for irrigation and for withdrawing the solution and entrained tissue from the bladder and urethra. Internal valving controls the order of flow within the evacuator so that, as the solution circulates through the evacuator, tissue is filtered from the solution and captured in a collection container.

Abstract: A system for cleansing a patient's ear which contains a control unit, a portable applicator, and a device for modifying fluid flow when temperature or pressure units are exceeded. The control unit contains a heater and a controller for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within certain limits, for limiting the pressure of the liquid, and for varying the flow rate of the liquid. The portable applicator contains a handpiece, a nozzle, and a device for providing a signal to the control unit.

Abstract: A suctioning and pumping toy for malleable play materials includes a hollow cylinder having a closed end supporting a nozzle. A piston rod is received within the hollow cylinder and supports a resilient piston. A transversely extending cylindrical barrel housing is supported upon the cylindrical member and defines an interior cavity for receiving a plurality of play articles. A plurality of interrelated toy figures and play articles are variously configured to be utilized in combination with the suctioning and pumping toy together with a malleable play material having viscosity properties which permit the play material to be suctioned into and pumped from the cylindrical bore of the pumping and suctioning toy as the piston rod is moved by the user.

Abstract: The following disclosure comprises a medical autotransfusion and blood drainage reservoir for withdrawing blood from the site of an operation under vacuum. A walled reservoir is connected to the operation site and a vacuum is drawn therein to draw fluids from the operation site. Vacuum is provided by a piston pump connected to check valves. The check valves allow for movement of the piston pump in one direction to discharge air therefrom, and in the other direction to withdraw air from the reservoir. Alternatively a spring driven bellows can be used to draw a vacuum with attendant check valves. The inlet of blood flow is through a filter. Blood is then capable of flowing outwardly to be reinfused by autotransfusion or reinfusion at a later time. Vacuum indication means and bleed off valves are included for maintenance of a proper vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for killing undifferentiated epithelial cells during cataract surgery on an eye to prevent posterior capsule clouding after the surgery and to a method for performing cataract surgery on an eye including injecting a cell-killing substance between the anterior capsule and the natural lens prior to removing the natural lens from the eye. The cell-killing substance is preferably an acid or base adjusted aqueous solution having a pH in the range between about 1.0 to below 6.5 or about above 7.5 to 14.0; or a hypotonic solution having a salinity less than 0.9% or a pH adjusted hypotonic solution having a salinity less than 0.9% and a pH either below 6.5 or above 7.5. The compositions of the present invention also incorporates a viscoelastic material, a dye or a mixture thereof, in combination with the cell-killing substance.

Abstract: A medical lavage apparatus for body cavities comprising a housing having parallel irrigation and aspiration cylinders with captive plungers extending in bores thereof from a first end and pairs of check-valves positioned in parallel, smaller, offset cylinders located at second ends such that reciprocal movement of the each plunger in each cylinder performs the function of a one-way pump. The plungers are held captive and aligned by guide-stops proximally disposed in each cylinder. Each plunger comprises a seal disposed at the distal end thereof which inhibits communication between the pairs of check-valves in each cylinder when the plunger is fully seated in the cylinder. Novel jam-free dome shaped, slit check-valves are disposed to be the pair of check-valves in the aspiration cylinder in one embodiment and in irrigation cylinders as well in other embodiments. The dome shaped valves are described for use in other medical fluid control applications, as well.

Abstract: A system for cleansing a patient's ear is disclosed. This system contains a control unit, a portable applicator, and a means for modifying the flow of fluid from the device when temperature or pressure limits are exceeded.The control unit contains a heater, a pump, and control means for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within certain limits, for limiting the pressure of the liquid, and for varying the flow rate of the liquid.The portable applicator contains a handpiece, a nozzle which is connected to the fluid source and is mounted on the handpiece, and a means for providing a signal to the control unit.

Abstract: A suction metering and mixing device is disclosed for collecting body fluids such as blood and simultaneously mixing an anticoagulant therewith. The device includes a suction passage having an inlet end and an opposite end for connection to a vacuum supply. A chamber is provided for controlling the flow of anticoagulant and includes a movable passage for conveying anticoagulant into the chamber and a diaphragm dividing the chamber into first and second portions wherein the movable passage may be moved from a position spaced from the diaphragm to a use position in contact with the diaphragm to prevent flow of anticoagulant into the first chamber portion. A fluid connection is provided between the suction passage and the second chamber portion whereby a vacuum may be supplied to the second chamber portion from the suciton passage and the diaphragm is drawn away from the movable passage to allow anticoagulant to flow into the first chamber portion.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) for liquid flushing of body cavities and/or supplying an active substance to the body cavities includes a piston/cylinder device (3), a device (9,10) for manual actuation of the piston (8) and a nozzle (4) projecting from the piston/cylinder device (3) adapted for insertion of the free end (12) of the nozzle in the body cavity. The nozzle (4) is formed with two separated channels (5,6) each terminating at an outer end in a free end of the nozzle, one of the channels (6) extending in the wall of the cylinder (7) and an inner end terminating at the end of the cylinder immersed in the liquid (b) in a receptacle (1) containing the liquid and connected to the piston/cylinder device, the other channel (5) having an inner end communicating with a space (A) above the liquid in the container (1) and a piston rod (9) having a return spring (11).

Abstract: The endometrial aspirator has a tubular sheath or body which serves to receive a histological biopsy sample. The tube is closed at the distal tip and has a sample curette opening directly behind the tip. A rod extends to the opening, and at the proximal user end, extends out of the tubular body. The rod fits closely within the tube or preferably has an enlarged piston at the sample curette opening end. The distal tip is smooth, rounded and closed for ease of insertion. The body and rod are made of flexible material which is sufficiently stiff to prevent kinking during insertion.

Abstract: A syringe, particularly useful for surgery of the eye, includes first and second tubular members disposed in concentric relation, a chamber having a piston movable therein to define a first chamber portion on one side of the piston communicating with a proximal end of the first tubular member and a second chamber portion on the opposite side of the piston communicating with a proximal end of the second tubular member such that movement of the piston forces fluid, such as a cell-killing substance, from the first chamber portion through the first tubular member and simultaneously creates a suction at the distal end of the second tubular member, for example, evacuate any substance escaping from tissue into which the substance is injected.

Abstract: A medical lavage apparatus (10) for body cavities, comprises a housing (20) having parallel irrigation and aspiration cylinders (28, 32) with plungers (24, 26) extending in bores thereof from a first end and aspiration and irrigation check valves positioned in parallel, smaller, offset, valve cylinders (46, 48) located at second ends. A septum (50) formed of intersecting semi-circular-in-cross-section baffles joins the adjacent outer ends of the irrigation and aspiration check valve cylinders so as to allow full fluid streams flowing from these outer ends to flow together at an angle. An oblong-in-cross-section, funnel-shaped, common exchange tube (22) is attached to the housing surrounding ends of both the irrigation and aspiration check valve cylinders and the septum. Inlet and outlet ports (42 and 44) are respectively positioned on the sides of the irrigation and aspiration cylinders with appropriate check valves located therein for coupling respectively to supply and waste containers (12, 16).

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for providing selective fluid communication with physiological organs includes a nozzle structure for multiple conduits, a syringe having a fluid chamber for containing and discharging fluids in communication with the nozzle structure, two valve members having respective engaged surfaces relatively rotatable to provide valving action, and a clamp structure which forces the valve members together to establish fluid-tight seal between their engaged surfaces. The first valve member has a plurality of through apertures respectively communicating with separate fluid ports in the nozzle, and the second valve member has a through passageway communicating with the syringe chamber; the passageway is further selectively communicatable with at least one of the apertures in the first valve member to enable fluid flow between the respective nozzle port and the syringe chamber.

Abstract: A pistol-shaped frame (26) houses a fluid distribution assembly (58), including a plunger (46) operated by a trigger (30) for discharging fluid from a reservoir (60) through an outlet check valve (68). On return of the spring-loaded trigger (30), an inlet check valve (80) allows fluid to be drawn into the reservoir (60). A thumb-operated valve assembly (96) provides a fluid passage between an output (12) of the device and the outlet check valve (68) in one position, and in another position provides a vacuum passage between a vacuum inlet port (104) and the output (12). Trigger graduations (136 ) provide a visual indication of measured amounts of fluid dispensed by the device (10).

Abstract: An irrigation device for injecting and withdrawing liquid from a body cavity, comprising a first chamber separated into two compartments by a partition provided with a one-way valve, wherein one compartment is operatively connected to a rolling diaphragm in combination with a piston member and the other compartment provided with a nozzle adapted to be coupled to a catheter already inserted in the body cavity.A second chamber is removably attached to the first chamber with a gasket and filter member therebetween. With the device filled with irrigating liquid, manually pushing the piston member into the operatively connected compartment forces liquid through the one-way valve into the other compartment and through the nozzle and catheter into the body cavity.

Abstract: A lavage for obtaining a fluid specimen from a body cavity, has an elongated, flexible, narrow first tube insertable into a body cavity. A compressible bellows contains a saline solution communicating with the tube for ejecting the solution into the body cavity. A second tube surrounds the first tube and is insertable therewith into the body cavity to receive the solution expelled from the body. A third tube, attached to the first tube, communicates with the second tube to pass the expelled solution thereto. A removable cap on the third tube carries the second tube and serves as a stop member to limit insertion of the first and second tubes into the body cavity.

Abstract: A bone marrow transplant method and apparatus has been devised for the efficient recovery of bone marrow from a donor or patient by inserting a pair of aspiration needles at the intended site of removal and, through connection with a pair of syringes, the pressure is regulated to bring about selective removal of bone marrow and sinusoidal blood through one of the aspiration needles while positively forcing an intravenous solution through the other of the aspiration needles to replace the bone marrow removed from the site. The bone marrow and sinusoidal blood are drawn into a chamber for mixture with another intravenous solution and thereafter forced into a collection bag. A disposable assembly is provided for ready interchangeable use in association with a fluid flow and valve control unit in carrying out the method and principles of the present invention.

Abstract: Method and means for vaccinating a mammal using a convex nozzle with an elongated tip. The mammal's alar fold is pushed aside by the tip so that vaccine is deposited behind the alar fold. Vaccine is then dispensed through the nozzle.