Abstract: The device for insertion into a body cavity e.g. the rumen of an animal for example a cattle beast is in the form of a resilient helical coil with bio-degradable portions. The device is deformable to have a smaller dimension to enable insertion through a body passage into the animal cavity. The device carries a drug e.g. progesterone and is retained in the body cavity for a time during which the drug is active. After time has passed the device is broken up by bio-degrading activity into pieces small enough to be discharged naturally by the animal. An applicator is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cleansing and antisepsis of the vagina. The apparatus comprises a phallic-shaped solid soap material containing an antiseptic contained in a storage case which also can function as a syringe to rinse the vagina. The method comprises moistening the apparatus until a lather is formed, inserting the apparatus into the vagina, moving the apparatus to deliver lather to appropriate areas of the vagina, withdrawing the apparatus from the vagina and, if necessary, rinsing the vagina.

Abstract: An apparatus for oral administration of a medicament or the like comprises a pill tray (4) and a liquid reservoir (6). The tray (4) has an upper surface bounded by lips (5) and adapted to carry solid medicament. The reservoir (6) has an opening (7) close to the pill tray (4) and adapted to allow controlled release of said liquid, to wash the pill or medicament down the throat of the patient.

Abstract: Medical catheters and methods are provided for dispensing and implanting materials and devices within the bodies of living beings. In one form, an implantable device or material is disposed within the operating head of a catheter which is caused to move through a body duct to a select location therein which location is detected either by externally scanning the body duct with radiation or ultrasonic energy or by viewing an image of the body duct adjacent the head of the catheter by means of a fiber optical viewing system including a fiber optic cable extending along the catheter. When properly located, a mechanical, electro-mechanical and/or fluidically operated mechanism in the head of the catheter is operated causing a select quantity of an implantable material or an implant to be forced from the head and caused to engage a select portion of the wall of the body duct and attach thereto to retain such implant or material in engagement therewith.

Abstract: The invention proposes a surgical aid which contains pharmaceutical active compounds in support materials which permit protracted release of the active compounds, this aid being designed in the form of a flat article provided with free spaces, and, as a rule, the individual free spaces having, at least predominantly, an area of at least 0.1 cm.sup.2.

Abstract: An intraruminal device has hinged wings (6) which lie along the body of the device during administration to the animal but which are urged outwardly by a spring (14) acting on a piston (12) shortly thereafter. The wings (6) are locked in the extended position: the piston (12) prevents them returning to the starting position, and T-bars (10) prevent them continuing to an "arms-over-head" position.The locking means may comprise a latch. The spring (14) may be replaced by a water-swellable polymer which expands on contact with rumen fluids.The device is used to administer drugs or minerals to the rumen of a ruminant over a prolonged period.

Abstract: A two-stage injection device has a resiliently expandable medication reservoir stored in collapsed state within the cannula. After inserting the cannula through the skin into an animal cavity, depression of a first stage element injects the reservoir out the cannula into the cavity. Depression of a second stage element fills the reservoir with fluid medication, elastically expanding the reservoir. The injection apparatus is withdrawn, leaving the reservoir implanted in the cavity, continuously infusing medication for a period up to hundreds of days through a restrictor orifice under the pressure of the elastically stretched walls of the reservoir.

Abstract: The anal medication applicator includes a long narrow hollow tubular container with an open front end, smooth closed sides and a generally central space connected to the open end, in which space the anal medication, solid or liquid is disposed. A plunger is disposed behind the medication in the space and extends rearwardly out of the container, for ejecting the medication gradually or suddenly out the front of the container. The plunger may be spring biased with a catch to releasably hold the plunger in the rear position. Upon release of the catch, the plunger will fire forward, suddenly ejecting the medication. A first set of electrical resistance wiring connected to a rheostat is disposed in the container around the central space to heat the medication.

Abstract: An interconnect connects a vial to a syringe for the transfer of material to the syringe or back to the vial. The interconnect includes a vial connecting mechanism and a tapered sleeve to receive the syringe. A metering port allows control of the material transfer rate and prevents partial transfers which could cause material spillage.

Abstract: An instrument for inserting a deformable intraocular lens into the eye, and which is constructed so that the deformable lens is grasped in its undeformed state by two jaws which are forced together by a ramp thereby deforming the lens, as the jaws are drawn into a tube, the deformed lens being held in position by the confinement of the jaws by the tube. The jaws and deformed lens are inserted through an incision into the eye using the walls of the small incision to help compress the jaws and the lens. The jaws and the lens are then left inside the eye with the jaws being detached from the instrument. Part of the jaws protrude from the eye to allow the surgeon to remove the jaws from the eye leaving the lens inside the eye.

Abstract: An instrument for subcutaneously inserting an injection reservoir attached to an inflatable prosthesis by means of an elongated fluid conduit is disclosed. The instrument has a hollowed end which holds the injection reservoir to be inserted in a mating, releasable fashion and that end is attached to a handle for guiding the hollowed end to the desired site. Desirably, but optionally, the end of the handle of the instrument is provided with a shaped tapered portion to act as a dilator to create a subcutaneous pocket prior to insertion of the injection reservoir.

Abstract: To deliver a controlled dosage of an insoluble material into a living body, the material is provided in measured amounts in vials, and a system is provided for flushing the entire content of insoluble materials from the vial into the body. Insoluble radioactive material, such as glass microspheres incorporating radioactive isotopes, are packaged in a plurality of vials, preferably with different amounts of material. An accurate dosage of radioactivity can be delivered by administering the entire contents of one or more vial(s) according to the sum of radioactivity in selected vials as determined by the initial measurement of radioactivity and by the natural half-life of the isotope.

Abstract: The repository probe or drug dispenser consists of a tube which is divided into a probe head and a probe end part. In addition, a series of medicine carriers are disposed in the probe head which contain active ingredients and which have an axial length of at most three times the outside diameter of the tube. In addition, openings are provided in the tube transversely of each medicine carrier for the passage of fluids. Joint zones are provided between the segments of the tube in which the medicine carriers are placed. Because of the limitation on the axial length of the medicine carriers and the joint zones, the flexibility of the probe head between the relatively stiff medicine carriers is increased without distortion or a closing of the openings to the medicine carriers when deflecting the probe.

Abstract: An automatic drug tape dispensing and metering device and a roll of drug tape housed in a small portable dispenser unit. The dispenser contains a measurement device for carefully measuring the length of tape as it is dispensed from the dispenser. A counter monitors the remaining doses of drug tape remaining within the dispenser. A timer device may be provided to alert the patient that it is time for the medicament to be dispensed. As the lid of the dispenser unit is opened, the measured length of drug tape is severed from the roll by a cutter blade incorporated into the lid. The device permits a physician to accurately customize the dosage and administration of the medicament to be givne a patient by adjusting the tape length released for each single dose and selecting the time intervals between dosages.

Abstract: A system for implanting a magnetizable tag into a macro-organism is provided. The system includes an organism receiving element for receiving an abutted surface of the macro-organism, a mechanism for advancing the tag toward the receiving element, a guide annulus for providing an injection path of travel and a magnet for magnetizing in alignment with the path of travel, and a magnet for magnetizing the tag as it is passed through the guide annulus. In one aspect of the invention, the guide annulus comprises a tubular member having a blunt implantation end for abutment with the macro-organism at the moment of implantation.

Abstract: An instrument for inserting one or more hollow needles into the body for interstitial radiotherapy of malignant tumors, which permits the incremental advancement of a needle by means of a reciprocating tubular element having a collapsible end portion which alternately grips the needle to advance it into the body, and releases the needle to permit the instrument to be moved back on the needle to a new position to again advance it further into the body. The instrument permits the insertion of a needle with only one hand, freeing the other hand to both support the area being implanted and to maintain a continuous stereotactic guidance of the advancing needle, as well as facilitating implanation of long and closely spaced needles deep within the body.

Abstract: A device for orally administering medication by inclusion of a diluent liquid with the medication ingested into the oral cavity. The dosing device in one embodiment has a mouthpiece, a first conduit means for providing a stream of liquid diluent and a second conduit means for positively injecting a liquid medication into the stream of diluent liquid. The dosing device additionally includes as a preferred feature means for supporting a solid medication within the mouthpiece for inclusion within a stream of diluent liquid. In another embodiment, the dosing device comprises a container for solid medicine which is a tubular mouthpiece having a closure cap and a radially flanged base plate for support of the mouthpiece in upright position on a support surface, and a support grid in the tube for the solid medicine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pistol grip implanter device adapted for insertion of a solid or semi-solid pellet form medicament into a domestic animal, associated with a hub for an encasement containing a multiplicity of dosage unit pellets of the medicament.

Abstract: The invention comprises a syringe for extrusion of a semi-plastic mass, or a mass having a paste-like consistency. In a preferred embodiment, the syringe is so-designed to permit mixing of two components of a plasticizable mixture within the syringe barrel. The bore of the syringe barrel is flared to facilitate extrusion of the plastic mass therefrom. The parts of the syringe ready for use are packaged in a one-piece tray which serves not only for shipping and storing of the syringe, which may be preloaded with one of the components of the plasticizable mixture, together with the associated syringe parts, but which also serves, when opened for use, as a convenient tray for handling the syringe while mixing the two components of the plasticizable mixture prior to extrusion.

Abstract: An improved subcutaneous implant needle is formed as a hollow tube having its forward end cut on a plane at an acute angle to the central axis of the tube to form an elliptical opening, and an elliptical outer edge having a sharp forward portion. The forward extremity of the needle is dressed to form cutting edges intersecting at an obtuse angle and forming a central point. The dressed edges have a width preferably less than two-thirds the diameter of the tube, and the adjoining side portions of the elliptical outer edge are rendered unsharp and dulled, as by abrasion such as sandblasting or tumbling in abrasive media. The needle is dimpled at two locations closely adjacent the rear of the opening.

Abstract: A method of providing medical treatment of the prostate area. A urethrally inserted apparatus having an outer sheath, and a removable obturator located within the sheath during insertion of the sheath into the urinary tract by way of the externally urethra orifice in the penis is disclosed. Once the sheath is inserted, the obturator portion is removed and a medication depositing structure is inserted into the sheath. The depositing structure carries selected medication, as for example, radioactive iodine seeds. The obturator may be provided with means for inserting a viewing lens element to assure that the appropriate location adjacent to the prostate is obtained. Once the medication depositing structure is adjacent a selected area in the prostate, the prostate is pierced by the depositing structure so as to position the medication within the selected area. The medication is released and the deposition structure is withdrawn from the sheath. Thereafter, the sheath is withdrawn from the urethra.

Abstract: A disposable dental tray for medications such as fluoride gel, includes a unitary member formed of a flexible foam material defining a pair of hinged U-shaped tray portions configured to fit over the upper and lower teeth of the mouth and wherein each tray portion is defined by a base wall, a pair of end walls and inner and outer side walls. Both of the tray portions are provided with respective tray portion positioning tabs extending from their respective outer side walls. The positioning tabs include respective tab sections which are pre-formed so as to be situated such that when the tray portions are folded, the respective tab sections will automatically abut and be squeezable against each other without the consequent application of any forces to the outer side walls of the tray portion thereby preventing any possibility of distorting the tray portions during use.

Abstract: A sustained release capsule for introduction through the esophagus to the rumen of a ruminant has a tubular barrel containing a body of active composition urged by a piston and spring into sealing engagement with a constriction end wall shaped with a peripheral curved border leading to a frustoconical portion defining a delivery opening, the shape and width of such wall controlling the release rate to the rumen. The open front end of the barrel is closed by a hemispherical cap connected at the center of its convex outer face to a wing having opposite arms normally outstanding at near 90.degree. from the capsule body but resiliently bendable over a long arc along the convex face of the cap to retracted positions for introduction of the capsule through the esophagus. In the rumen, the arms return to near 90.degree. positions to hinder regurgitation of the capsule and to better withstand working and contractions of the rumen.

Abstract: A copper phosphate water soluble glass composition. The composition of the glass may be adjusted so as to release copper at a uniform preselected rate and to produce a desired pH in the resultant solution. In one application of the glass copper may be supplied to an animal from an implant formed from a cupric oxide/phosphorus pentoxide glass which also incorporates one or more glass modifying oxides such as alkali metal oxides and alumina, to control the glass solubility. Suitable glasses comprise 5-55 mole % cupric oxide + alkali metal oxides. 45-75 mole % phosphorus pentoxide, and not more than 15 mole % alumina, where the copper oxide concentration is not less than 5 mole %.