Abstract:
Devices and methods for making anastomoses between hollow structures are disclosed. Certain of the devices employ expandable structures to allow insertion of the devices in a first, unexpanded position, and subsequent expansion of the devices to help form an anastomosis. A variety of different structures for such expandable devices, different expanders and different actuators are disclosed. Also disclosed are a variety of different methods for making an anastomosis between hollow structures, which involve expansion of an expandable structure. The devices and methods provide for a number of different type of anastomoses, as well as addressing several of the problems that are typically encountered when making anastomoses between hollow structures.
Abstract:
A surgical clamp includes a clamp head, and a first jaw and a second jaw, each mounted to the clamp head for movement toward and away from each other. The clamp also includes an operative mechanism coupled to the proximal end of at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw, and an actuating structure connected to the operative mechanism for imparting a parallel opening movement to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw from a first position to a second position where the first jaw and the second jaw are spaced apart and parallel to one another, the actuating structure selectively imparting further scissors-like opening movement to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw from the second position to a third position where the first jaw and the second jaw are spaced apart a distance greater than that of the second position.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a substantially vertically arranged: aquaculture or hydroponics apparatus (10) for rearing animals, plants or other organisms; or remediation apparatus (10) for separating contaminating constituents from polluted liquids such as sewerage water. The apparatus (10) includes a rack (12) and a plurality of trays (40) stackable on the rack (12), means for configuring the trays (40) between non-flow and flow configurations and a basin (60) subjacent the lowermost tray (40) for collecting the liquid therein. The basin (60) comprises: an upper collection surface (61), a lower collection surface and a plurality of perforated catchers (100) extending therebetween. The catchers (100) are configured to operatively catch and separate out solids or coarser matter from the liquid while allowing the liquid to pass therethrough towards an inlet end of primary piping (90), located between the upper and the lower collection (61, 62) surfaces of the basin (60), for circulation towards an outlet end of the primary piping (90), located at or near an uppermost tray (40).
Abstract:
This invention relates to a substantially vertically arranged aquaculture or hydroponics apparatus (10) for rearing animals, plants or other organisms; or remediation apparatus for separating contaminating constituents from polluted liquids such as sewerage water. The apparatus (10) includes a rack (12) and a plurality of trays (40) stackable on the rack (12), wherein each of the trays (40) have opposing pivotal and displaceable tray ends (44). The trays (40) are angularly displaceable relative to the rack (12) between non-flow and flow inclinations by displacement means (30) acting on the displaceable tray ends thereby to operatively cause liquid to spill over a spill-over tray end of the trays (40) in the flow inclination.
Abstract:
Medical device assemblies having a connection mechanism for securely connecting a hub to fluid storage containers in a luer slip relationship are described. An exemplary medical device includes a hub forming a cavity, a second indicating element disposed within the cavity that engages the hub. Additional features of the medical device include a second indicating element contoured to form a line contact with the hub. In a specific configuration, the hub includes a first indicating element attached to the hub and extending proximally into the cavity having a protrusion. In a more specific configuration, the medical device includes a fluid storage container that has an indication system for visually indicating optimal fluid-tight engagement of the hub and the fluid storage container.
Abstract:
A flexible malleable shaft is made up of a plurality of prismatic shaft elements adjacent one another. A recess is formed in a proximal end of each shaft element, the recess defined along a transverse axis. A protrusion is formed in a distal end of each shaft element, the protrusion defined along a transverse axis. The transverse axes are oriented to one another such that adjacent like shaft elements are aligned with one another when a protrusion of one shaft element is aligned with a recess in an adjacent shaft element. A tension element secured to a distal end of the malleable shaft is in communication with a proximal end of the malleable shaft via an axial through hole. Additionally, a variable stiffness malleable shaft can accommodate the differential lengths of tension elements when applying force to transition the shaft.