Other

United States Surgical Corporation

Chartex International Plc

Philip Richardson

Margaret P Richardson

Margaret Pamela Richardson

David A Nicholas

Corbett W Stone

H Jonathan Tovey

Stephen W Zlock

Paul A Scirica

Richard N Granger

An apparatus for manipulating a surgical needle is disclosed, comprising a body portion, a first needle receiving jaw mounted for movement on a distal end of the body portion and having a first needle engaging member, a second needle receiving jaw mounted for movement on the distal end of the body portion and having a second needle engaging member, the second needle engaging member being operatively interconnected to the first needle engaging member for relative reciprocal movement therewith, wherein each of the first and second needle receiving jaws has a recess for receipt of a portion of a surgical needle therein. The first and second needle engaging members are mounted for alternate reciprocal movement into and out of locking engagement with the surgical needle. The apparatus also includes a wheel rotatably mounted within the body portion with a proximal end portion of each of the first and second needle engaging members connected to opposing sides of the wheel such that rotation of the wheel simultaneously retracts one of the needle engaging members and advances the other. Also disclosed is a method of manipulating a surgical needle inside a body cavity using a surgical instrument having a control mechanism, a first jaw and a second jaw, where at least one of the jaws is mounted for movement between a first position adjacent the other jaw and a second position spaced apart from the other jaw.

Surgical suturing apparatus with locking mechanisms

Rubber articles are produced by applying a first latex to a former and then applying either a second latex, or a separation material followed by a latex which may be the same as, or different to, the first latex, curing both latices, and removing both layers jointly, so as to make an article with an outer translucent layer and an inner darker layer, with capillary action permitted between the layers.

Production of rubber articles, such as gloves

Surgical suturing apparatus comprises upper and lower jaw elements selectively movable relative to one another between open and closed position. Each jaw element is provided with a respective recess arranged to receive a portion of an elongate incision member or length of surgical thread and securing means is provided arranged to selectively secure the surgical incision member or length of surgical thread in a respective recess. The jaw elements are typically provided at an end of an elongate positioning and operating arm making the device particularly useful for use in laparoscopic surgery.

Suturing apparatus

The invention contemplates a surgical apparatus for manipulating a surgical incision member and an associated loading mechanism for replacing the surgical incision member. The surgical apparatus comprises an elongated body portion, first and second jaw elements extending from the body portion, securing a needle for securing the surgical incision member, releasing jaw cooperating with the securing a needle for releasing the surgical incision member and locking jaw cooperating with the securing a needle for preventing at least one of the jaw elements from moving.

Surgical suturing apparatus with loading mechanism

The device, for use in contraception and in preventing transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, comprises a thin, flexible pouch having an open end in the form of a peripheral flange with a peripheral ribbed rim, and a closed end. An insert is provided within the closed end of the pouch so as to protect the pouch during insertion thereof into the vagina by means of an applicator rod or the like. The insert, which is typically absorbent and of flexible expanded plastics material, and may have dispersed therein a spermicide and/or an antiviral agent, comprises a central portion and four spurs. A continuous coating layer of an adhesive material which can temporarily adhere the barrier device to mucous membrane material in the presence of aqueous body fluids is preferably provided on the vulva-contacting surface of the flange and/or on the vagina-contacting surface of the pouch.

Barrier device

A apparatus for providing a tamper- or damage-indicating member, such as a tamper-evident glove. The apparatus comprises first and second layers, typically inner and outer glove-shaped bodies, of substantially liquid- and air-impermeable material, at least a portion of the second layer being of translucent material and having a contrasting color relative to the first layer. The apparatus further comprises means for sealing at least the portion of the second layer to the first layer, such that the portion surrounds a zone of the surface of the first layer, forming a space between the layers which is adjacent the zone and is substantially free of air. When the second layer is sealed to the first layer, breach in either layer adjacent the zone results in a change in perceived color in the area of breach.

Tamper- or damage-indicating members

Tamper or damage indicating members

The device includes a continuous flexible pouch which is entirely surrounded by a flange member which acts as a shield to cover the periphery of the vaginal entrance. The pouch, which is preferably in the form of a loose collapsed sheath, is arranged to be introduced into the user's vagina so as to form a liquid barrier between the penis and vagina. Straps and ribbed protrusions are provided for securely maintaining the flange member in its operational position. Preferably, an applicator rod is also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Carmarthen, United Kingdom

Philip Richardson