Abstract: A disposable irrigation device for a motorized surgical tool comprises a cannula with a cylindrical clip bonded near one end. The clip has a C-shaped cross-section with a slot. Both the cannula and the clip are formed from malleable material which may be manually formed into a resilient desired shape. The surgical tool has a rotatable tool implement extending from a cylindrical guide member. The device is attached to the tool by inserting the guide member into the clip so that one end of the cannula is located near the implement. The malleable clip clamps around and frictionally engages the guide member. The malleable cannula may be bent to precisely direct the flow of irrigation fluid relative to the implement. For implements of greater length, the device may be inverted and attached in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved quantitative skin allergic test device, which has a finger grip to be held by fingers and multiple legs longitudinally attached to the finger grip. Each leg has a cover having a sealing plug portion adaptful for the mouth of an antigen container, an elongated stem extending from the sealing plug portion, and a raised portion as well as a plurality of punctures provided at the end of the elongated stem. The raised portion and punctures being capable of carrying sufficient antigen liquid therebetween to conduct the test. The raised portion may be act as a stop to limit excessive penetration of the punctures, therefore preventing the epidermis layer of the skin of a patient from being penetrated through while conducting a skin allergic test so as to obtain an accurate interpretation of the test result.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and compositions for administering antigens and immunostimulatory peptides to a mammalian host by the introduction of one or more naked polynucleotides to operatively encode for the antigens and immunostimulatory peptides, preferably by non-invasive means.

Abstract: An allergen testing pick for receipt in the open top end of a vial of allergen and including a neck for close fit with the top end of such vial. The pick includes a stem depending downwardly from such neck and is formed with a plurality of sharp tines. A device may be provided for receiving the vials and may be in the form of a plurality of individual modules releasably coupled together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically disrupting a layer of skin having a known thickness without substantially disrupting underlying dermis layers below the layer of skin in question so as to facilitate the delivery of compounds across the disrupted layer. The apparatus includes a cutter having a plurality of microprotrusions having a height chosen with respect to the layer of skin that is to be disrupted and a stop for preventing the apparatus from penetrating the skin beyond a predetermined distance. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microprotrusions include blades that generate cuts in the layer of skin. The cuts are generated by moving the apparatus parallel to the surface of the skin either at the time of application, during the normal movements of the individual wearing the apparatus, or both. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the appropriate length of blade is determined for each individual and delivery site on that individual.

Abstract: An electrode tip assembly for a catheter is bendable under the control of the user. The distal tip portion of the assembly is progressively less resistant to bending than the remaining portions. The variable stiffness is provided by tapering the width or thickness of a bendable spring component or otherwise providing a progressive change in bending characteristics by notching, dimpling or stepping the thickness of the spring.

Abstract: A skin perforating member for an insulin patch, which is for disposing a human skin before administering insulin transdermally. By a pressure sensing arrangement instailed on both sides of a skin perforating member, a user can learn whether scarring a skin is properly going on at the sight of a pilot lamp. When not used, this device deposits the skin perforating member in its main body to shield perforating needles.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a wound in soft tissue includes an introducer trocar with a sharpened distal end and a hollow lumen. An elongated pin has a distal end, a proximal end and a central section. The pin is formed of compacted, hydrophilic, cross-linked collagen and introduced into the hollow lumen in a non-deployed state. An advancement member includes a distal end and is at least partially positioned in the hollow lumen. The advancement member advances the elongated pin out of the introducer trocar distal end and into a soft tissue structure in the pin's non-deployed state and across a wound in the soft tissue structure. The pin becomes deployed to a deployed state when the collagen in the pin begins to hydrolyze, anchoring the pin and the wound so that the wound can be healed quickly. This produces a maintenance of position for two non-continuous bodies of soft tissue relative to each other.

Abstract: Direct gene transfer of genetic material into an external or internal target cell site ("microseeding"), in optional combination with a wound treatment chamber, are particularly effective as a way of obtaining long term expression of native or non-native polypeptides in a host. A wide variety of proteins and materials can be expressed, either for secretion into the general blood and lymphatic system, or to alter the properties of the protein, for example, to not express proteins eliciting an immune response. The use of the optional wound chamber system for gene transfer to skin target sites also allows non-invasive assessment of the success of transfer by assaying for the presence of the expressed protein in wound fluid, in contrast to the prior art use of invasive techniques, such as biopsies, in order to achieve the same assessment of early expression.

Abstract: A plastic skin testing and vaccinating needle characterized by an end bifurcated into two sharp points spaced sufficiently close so that the points will form a small hole in the skin when the needle is simultaneously rotated and pressed against the skin. The spacing also causes liquid to adhere to and between the points when the end is dipped in skin testing or vaccinating liquid. The cross-section of the needle shaft is sufficiently large that the needle can be readily rotated between a user's thumb and index finger. Rotation is facilitated by altering or roughening the surface of the shaft so as to reduce slippage during rotation. Preferably, the needle is formed in a die produced by electro-discharge machining so as to have an etched or matte surface which enhances the adherence of liquid to the bifurcated end.

Abstract: A system for linking a first member with a second member. The system is comprised of a first plurality of micromechanical barbs disposed on the first member. The system is also comprised of a second plurality of micromechanical barbs disposed on the second member. The barbs on the first member and the second member are of a shape such that a locking connection is formed between the first member and second member through the first plurality and second plurality of barbs when placed together. Each of the barbs of the first plurality and second plurality of barbs extend from the first member and second member, respectively, to a height no greater than 5 millimeters. The present invention also pertains to a micromechanical barb for linking with an object. The micrormechanical barb comprises a base. The micromechanical barb is also comprised of a support which extends from the base.

Abstract: Compositions containing a high concentration of the full repertoire of immunoglobulins, including IgA, IgM and IgG, are used to combat infections from microorganisms and viruses at a wound, surgical, or burn site, or normal tissue at times of risk of infection. The compositions can contain elevated antibody titers for several specific pathogens including S. aureus, CNS, Enterococci, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and Enterobacter spp., etc. The compositions are applied directly to a wound or burn site as an ointment, creme, fluid, spray, or the like, prior to viral or bacterial attachment or biofilm formation such that adhesion of the pathogens is inhibited and the pathogens closest to the wound or burn site will be pre-opsonized for phagocytic killing prior to toxin release.

Abstract: A percutaneous vaccine applicator system which includes a percutaneous vaccine applicator and a packaging assembly for housing the vaccine applicator. The percutaneous vaccine applicator includes a handle and spiked portion attached to the handle. A plurality of spikes project from the spiked portion for puncturing the skin of a patient to deliver a percutaneous vaccine. The packaging assembly includes a hollow container and a removable cover attached to the container. The hollow container defines a cavity being sized and dimensioned for receiving the vaccine applicator. The container has structures for positively receiving and retaining an applicator placed therein.

Abstract: A device for extracting pus, blood and other materials from beneath the skin. The device is made of a clear plastic tube open at both ends (10). One end is placed over the skin which has material to be extracted. The other end contains a plunger device (16) which creates a vacuum in the tube when it is withdrawn from the tube. As the vacuum pressure increases, the skin and underlying material are drawn into the tube until it is penetrated by a recessed piercing device (14) which is attached to an extrusion (12) approximately in the center of the tube (10). After being pierced, the underlying material is drawn from beneath the skin to the surface.

Abstract: An animal vaccination gun for administering a vaccination to an animal has a movable needle assembly which is brought into engagement with a metering chamber having a spring-biased piston mounted therein during the injection of a medicament to an animal. During the injection, fluid is forced out of the metering chamber and through the needle assembly by the spring-biased piston. After the injection, fluid pressure forces the needle assembly out of engagement with the metering chamber and enables the metering chamber to be refilled.

Abstract: A scarifier and dispensing device for inoculating livestock and other animals which includes an applicator at one end thereof and a scarifying tip extending from the opposite end thereof and which has an internal chamber for retention and dispensing of medicinal fluid which chamber is in communication with the applicator so that medicinal fluid may be dispensed as the applicator end is moved in contact with a prepared area of tissue.

Abstract: A method for promoting bone, periodontium or ligament growth of a mammal comprising applying to the bone periodontium or ligament a growth-promoting amount of a composition comprising a partially purified or purified polypeptide growth factor.

Abstract: A disposable allergy skin testing kit that is formed from a top layer sheet, a membrane sheet, and a bottom layer sheet. The bottom sheet has a plurality of recesses formed at predetermined locations to form chambers into which a predetermined antigen has been deposited. The membrane sheet covers these chambers and forms a liquid tight seal. The top layer sheet has an aperture formed in it above each of the antigen chambers. A pushbutton needle assembly is mounted in each of these apertures and it has a disk-shaped pushbutton with a needle extending downwardly from its bottom surface. Flexible support arms attached to the edge of the apertures and the disk-shaped pushbutton allow it to be depressed a sufficient distance in order to rupture the antigen chamber and travel downwardly entirely through it so that the needle penetrates into the patient's skin taking antigen with it.

Abstract: A disposable medical testing device (17) adapted to be held against the skin of a patient, which enables the performance of skin testing for the diagnosis of both immediate hypersensitivity and delayed hypersensitivity immune reactions. The device is comprised of a hollow body with a sealed chamber in which is mounted a movable needle (3) capable of penetrating a patient's skin to a predetermined depth and a test reagent container (2). The device (17) is manipulable by a user to reduce the volume of the chamber and moving the needle thus releasing the reagent and causing penetration of the skin. The released reagent is delivered to the skin penetration site, and any resulting skin reaction is observed and recorded. Embodiments of the invention marked with a calibrated scale on a releasable transparent layer and details of patient and test date which allow multiple antigen tests to be performed are also disclosed. A method of testing for immune response using the device (17) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An allergy testing system, for testing a patient for a plurality of allergies at substantially the same time, comprises a housing containing a plurality of packages or capsules containing an allergen and a needle, the needles being spaced apart from each other. The needles preferably carry the respective allergies on their tips. The housing is placed against the skin of a patient and an actuator is operated to engage the packages to move the needles to pierce or prick the skin of the patient, thereby applying the respective allergens to the pierced or pricked skin of the patient.

Abstract: A test strip for allergy testing the skin includes a support lamina having at least one aperture extending therethrough and a lance device positioned on one surface of the support lamina so that the sharp lance of the device extends into the aperture. A removable strip is releasably sealed to the opposite surface of the support lamina and overlies the aperture to prevent entry of foreign material into the aperture. Upon removal of the strip an allergen can be applied through the aperture to the lance. A second strip overlies the lance device and is removably sealed to the support lamina. Upon removal of the second strip the lance device is also removed from the support lamina so that the second strip and the lance device can be applied to the skin.

Abstract: A high pressure steam sterilized plastic container holding an infusion solution therein is prepared first by providing a flexible container made of plastic material and holding an infusion solution. The container is then sterilized in a saturated steam atmosphere which is pressurized by a gas inert to the infusion solution and does not contain oxygen. The infusion solution in the container is not deteriorated after the sterilization.

Abstract: A method for allergy testing is carried out by applying to the skin of a patient a thin, flexible strip of adhesive tape a portion of which carries on its adhesive side at least one group of closely spaced projecting lances carrying an allergen, so that the tape releasably adheres to the skin, pressing at least the lance-carrying portion against the skin to cause the lances to penetrate the skin to a depth less than the subcutaneous tissue thereby carrying the allergen into the skin, and maintaining contact between the allergen and the thus-traumatized skin cells, leaving the strip in place for a period of time sufficient for the patient's skin, if allergic to the allergen, to produce an allergic reaction; and removing the strip from the skin whereby the patient's allergy to the allergen may be determined by visual observation of the skin area penetrated by the lances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device, intended primarily for home use, for both vacuuming and scrubbing facial skin surfaces to remove oils and debris from the skin. The device is adapted for attachment to a conventional water outlet and comprises a Venturi tube to which is attached a housing overlying the throat suction aperture of the tube. The housing accommodates a turbine rotor which is rotated by the flow of water through the Venturi throat and the rotor drives a remote facial brush. Coaxial with the rotor is a vacuum controlling rotor which may deliver continuous or pulsating vacuum. When producing pulsating vacuum, the rotor periodically interrupts or pulses the vacuum produced in the housing which, via a flexible tube, is utilized by a remote vacuum head applied by the user to his facial surfaces.