US2102868A

US2102868A - Ligature treating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2102868A
Application number: US692643A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur L Waugh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1933-10-07
Filing date: 1933-10-07
Publication date: 1937-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1954-12-21

Description

Dec. 21, 1937. wAUGH 2,102,868

LIGATURE TREAT ING APPARATUS Filed Oct. '7, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORNE V A. L. WAUGH LIGATURE TREAT I NG APPARATUS Filed Oct. '7, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 UMP- INVENTOA fil/ A TTOR/VE V Dec. 21, 1937. A, L WAU H 2,102,868

LIGATURE TREATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. '7, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 213.12. 41mg. 4. I

A TTORNEY I Patented Dec. 21, 1937 UNITEDSTATES PATENT @FFICE Arthur L. Waugh, Chicago, Ill. Application October I, .1933, Serial No. 692,643

23 Claims.

My invention relates to ligature treating appafatus, and more particularly to apparatus for putting catgut or similar material into such condition that the same is sterile and is in such form that it can be used as a ligature or suture. The cord, usually known ascatgut, and which, as is well known, is usually made from sheep casings, will hereafter be referred to as a ligature, although it is obvious that the cord thus produced can be used for other purposes than that of a ligature in the strictest sense, being in its more general characteristics, a sterile surgical cord.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide an apparatus for performing the various steps of sterilizing and otherwise treating a previously twisted ligature, that is so constructed and arranged as to eliminate handling of thecatgut, or similar cord, during the treatment thereof and to prevent all contact'of the ligature, such as catgut,

with outside air, the apparatus being completely closed to the entrance of unsterile outside air during the process of treating the ligature.

It is more particularly a purpose of my invention to provide an apparatus for treating catgut,

or similar ligatures, that will produce a product.

that will be much safer to use for surgical purposes than any that has been produced by previously known methods or apparatus. Particularly it is a purpose of the invention to avoid the handling of the ligature between the steps of extraction of the fat therefrom and the sterilization, by heat, of the same, and also between the steps of heat treating the same and placing the same in the sealed tubes 'or other containers in which the same are placed in a solution that keeps the same in a moist condition, and is intended to keep the same in a sterile condition. While various ways of handling the product during and between these various steps have been utilized by different 40 manufacturers, even the best practice at the present time leaves the way always open for air infections before the tubes are partially filled with the solution in which the ligatures are kept in the tubes after sealing, and before the sealing of the tubes. I

I Some attempt at obtaining a more sterile condition of what are known as boilable tubes, has been attempted by giving the tubes a final treatment in a bath up to a temperature of 320 degrees -Fahrenheit for a definite period of time. This, however, weakens the catgut, or other similar ligature, and makes it unsatisfactory for modern surgical use, unless the ligature to be treated is absolutely dry, or de-hydrated, at the time that this treatment takes place. It may be explained here that there are two kinds of ligatures on the market that are put up in sealed containers. One of these is known as boilable catgut, and the other as non-boilable catgut. The non-boilable catgut is put up in an alcoholic, or similar solvent, 5 solution containing a germicide, and the solution itself in contact with the ligature, is intended to keep it sterile. The boilable catgut is put up in a hydrocarbon fluid, similar to that which is utilized for de-fatting the ligature, and this is not of high" germicidal power. That is the form of catgut that is sometimes heat treated up to 320 degrees Fahrenheit before being sent from the place of manufacture.

One of the great dimculties encountered in the 15 treatment of ligatures, is that itis difficult to get the same entirely dry, or de-hydrated, before applying heat thereto, for sterilization purposes. Room conditions vary so much in moisture on different days that the same results cannot be 20 obtained from day to day. Drying ovens using air for drying are not satisfactory, for, while it may be possible to obtain complete de-hydration in the oven, the removal of the ligatures from the overt/causes the ligatures to take up water from 5 the air outside the dryer before the tubes can be filled with the necessary fluid for preserving the catgut, or other, ligatures in the sealed tubes.

More particularly it is a purpose of my invention to. provide an apparatus that treats raw 3O twisted catgut, or similar, ligatures, it being obvious that the same have been cleaned by the usual methods before being twisted, removes all of the fat therefrom, all of the water therefrom, sterilizes the ligatures and fills the tubes with the liq- ,35 uid that is to be contained in the tubes after sealing, to the desired level, all without exposing the ligatures to the outer air, the tubes, unsealed, being removed from the apparatus with the liquid completely covering the ligatures to prevent con- 40 tact of air therewith, and the tubes are then im-' mediately sealed and are ready for transportation to the place of using.

More particularly it is a purpose of my invention to provide a machine for treating ligatures, 4 comprising a housing, which is provided with a filling opening, but is otherwise entirely closed, and is provided with a closure for the filling opening so that it can be completely closed to the entrance of outside air, which housing contains a rotatable means having a plurality ofarms thereon radiating from the center of rotation, and provided with carriages for receiving tubes containing the ligatures that are to be treated, and these tubes are so mounted as to be associated with 55 the mounted on the carriages and for receiving fluid therefrom, and also means for circulating air through the apparatus or for creating a partial vacuum within the apparatus.

It is a further purpose of the invention to pro vide means for automatically closing the jets, or feeding members, when no ligature tubes are mounted in cooperative relation thereto, and to provide valve mechanism for controlling the entrance or exit of fluid from the housing to the various containers located externally of the apparatus, and the vacuum pump, or other air circulating means, provided in association with the apparatus.

It is a further purpose of the invention to provide means for observing the action of the various steps of the process carried out by my apparatus from the exterior thereof, and to provide suitable means for heating the contents of the housing, which may be either electrical heating means or steam. I

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide means for rotating the wheel-like member, comprising the arms and the carriages mounted within the housing, either by an electric motor or by hand, in such a manner that the hand drive will not in any way interfere with the operation of the motor drive, and vice versa.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the description of the drawings proceeds. I desire to have it understood, however, that I do not intend to limit myself to the particular details of structure shown or described, except as defined in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in end elevation of my improved apparatus. I

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation thereof, por tions thereof being broken away, the view being taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1, certain external appurtenances being omitted.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through one of the carriages and associated parts, the same being partly broken away, and

the means for locking. the trays to the carriage being omitted.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6.8 of Fig.

- 5, on a somewhat enlarged scale.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view through the manifold leading tothe interior of the housing, and one of the bearings for the shaft mounted in the housing, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 8 is a. section taken substantiallyon the line 8-8 of Fig. '7. 3

Fig. 9 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical longitudinal section, of one of the carriages.

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of one of the carriages.

Fig. 11 isa section taken on the line of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view, taken on the line |2|2 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 13 AS a vertical sectional view through one of the tubes, showing the liquid conduit in association th "ewith, and fragmentary portions of the tube supporting means.

Fig. 14 is a similar view, showing the liquid overflowing the tube.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of one of the tubes, showing the liquid retained in the tube after 5 aling, withdrawn to the level it will assume in the sealed tube. I

Fig. 16 is a section taken on the line |6-|8 of Fig. 14 and Fig. 17 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 1 of Fig. 9, a portion of one of the partition members being broken away.

-Referring in detail to the drawings, in Fig. 1 is shown my complete apparatus, comprising a housing 20, in which all of the operations of the apparatus are carried out on the ligatures. A plurality of tanks, indicated by'the numerals 2|, 22, 23, and 24 are utilized in association with the housing 20, and the tanks 2|, 22, and 23 are provided for the storage of various liquids that are used in connection with the treatment of the ligatures by my improved apparatus. While it is obvious that any arrangement of the receptacles may be provided, and any desired liquid could be put in any one of these receptacles, it will be assumed for the purposes-of this explanation,

that the receptacle or tank 2| contains a liquid of a solvent character, preferably a hydrocarbon derivative, such as benzol. The tank 22 contains a different hydrocarbon liquid that is of a solvent character, and is utilized for a .tubing fluid or a fluid contained in the tubes containing the lig-- atures after the same have been sealed.

The tank 23 preferably contains a liquid con prising a solvent, such as alcohol, and any germicide of any desired character, which will retain the ligatures in a sterile condition after the same have been treated by my improved apparatus. The tank 24 is utilized for the storage of air or other gases under atmospheric pressure, or is what might be termed a negative pressure reservoir. Conduits in the form of

pipes

25, 26, and 21 extend from the bottoms of the tanks 2|, 22,

and 23, respectively, and conduits in the form of

pipes

28, 29, and 30 extend upwardly from the tops of the tanks 2|, 22, and 23, respectively.

Valves 3|, 32, and 33 control the flow between branch pipes 34,; 35, and 36, and the

pipes

25, 28, and 21, which

pipes

34, 35, and 36 lead to a conduit 3'! connecting the same, which, in turn, connects with a conduit or pipe 38, which leads to the housing 20 in a manner to be described below.

Valves

39, 40, and 4| are provided for establishing communication between the

pipes

42, 43, and 44, and the

pipes

28, 29, and 3 0, the

pipes

42, 43, and 44 being connected with a conduit 45, which is connected with a pipe or conduit 46, which leads to a four-way connection 41, but which has a valve 48 interposed between said four-way connection and the pipe or con* 52. A conduit 54 leads from'the. check valve to -lar portion 92, as will be evident from Fig. '7,

the interior of the tank 21, (see Fig. 2). A similar inlet pipe 55 leads from the pipe 31 to the tank 22, through the check valve 56, and another similar pipe 51 leads from the pipe 31 through the check valve 58 to the tank 23. Each of the tanks has a valve controlled outlet to the outer air near the top thereof, these being indicated by the

reference numerals

59, 66, and 6|, respectively. The tank 24 is provided with an outlet to the outer air at 62' controlled by a valve 63.

From the four-way connection 41 a pipe 64 leads into the top of the tank 24, and a pipe 65 leads to a vent pipe 66, the communication with which is controlled by a valve 61. A pipe 68 leads to a -T 69, a valve 16 being interposed in the conduit 68 between the four-way connection 41 and the T 69, and a pressure gauge I26 may beprovided to indicate the pressure in the pipe or conduit 68. A blower H is provided, driven by a motor 12, which blower has its inlet end connected with the T 69 through a pipe 13, thus creating suction in the pipe 13 when in operation. A pipe 14 leads from the discharge end of the blower, and a vent 15 is provided, leading from the T 16 and controlled by a valve 11. A conduit 18 leads from the T 16 through the valve 19 to the 'intake manifold 86,-(see Figs. 1 and 3). From the T 69 a pipe or conduit 8| extends to a drier 82, a valve 83 being interposed in the conduit 8| between the dryer 82 and the T 69, the opposite end of the dryer 82 being connected by means of a conduit 84 with the interior of the housing 26, a valve 85 being provided for controlling flow through the conduit 84, (see Figs.

tially semi-cylindrical portions 86, which have flanges 81 for connecting the same by means of fastening elements, such as bolts 88, a gasket 89 being provided between the flanges'81 to provide a fluid-tight joint. Each of the members 86 is provided with a substantially vertical end wall 96, and has stifiening and reinforcing ribs 9I provided thereon. One of the end walls 96 is provided with an annular projection 92 thereon adjacent the center thereof, and the other end wall is provided with a similar annularprojection 93 thereon, (see Fig. 3). Each of the end walls 96 is also provided with an inwardly offset annular portion 94, terminating in an annular flange 95, provided with a central opening therein, the

portions

94 and 95 of said end walls 96- serving as receptacles. for bearing members for' a' shaft, which will be described below.

A tubular shaft 96 is provided, extending into the housing 26, and a tubular shaft 91 extends from the inner end of the shaft 96, said

shafts

91 and 96 being secured together to rotate in unison by means of a solid shaft portion 98, the

shaft portions

96, 91, and 98 thus constituting a shaft, as a whole, which is partially tubular and partially solid, the interior of the tubular portion 96 not being in communication with the interior of the tubular portion 91. The ,tubular shaft portion 91 is mounted on ball bearings, indicated generally at 99, the same being provided with the usual ball races, and these being seated in the annular recess provided by the offset

portions

94 and 95, and being held in position by engagement with the inner end of a tubular casing I66, whit-r1" is secured by means of a flange I6I, through which the securing elements I62 pass, to the thickened annular portion 92 on the housing 26, the details of this structure being shown in Fig. '1, the flange I6I seating in a recess in the annua fluid-tight joint being provided between the members I66 and 92 by a packing H6 between the flange WI and the annular portion 92. The hollow shaft 96 is indicated generally at I63, which are provided with ball races mounted in the recess formed by the wall portions 95- and 94 in the other end wall 96, the ball races being held in position bymeans of a'flanged collar I64, and a securing ring I65 held in position on the thickened portion 93 of the housing portion 36 by means of securing elements I66. The housing portions 86 are made from duplicate castings, so as to simplify the manufacture thereof as much as possible. The flanged collar I64 is one of the cooperating members of a stufling box comprising the internally threaded flanged collar I61 that has screw-threaded engagement with the collar I64, and within which is mounted a slidable flanged member I68 that compresses the packing I69 between itself and the member I69, the member i64- being suitably recessed to slidably receive the member I68 and to receive the packing I69 in said recess. Thus a fluid-tight joint is provided between the-shaft and the housing at this provided with ball bearings,-

point, any sultablepacking H6 being provided between the ring I65 and the annular shoulder on the member 93 to provide a fluid-tight joint between the housing and the stuffing box at this point.

Rotatably mounted on the hollow shaft por tion 96 is a sprocket wheel III, over which the sprocket chain II2 operates, which also operates over the sprocket wheel I I3 provided on the shaft II4 of the reduction gearing H5, driven from the motor II6 by any suitable driving connection, the sprocket IiI thus rotating slowly as compared with the motor H6, and preferably rotating about once a minute, although a variation in this speed may be made iffound to be desirable for purposes of carrying out the functions of my apparatus. A hand wheel H1 is keyed by a key 299 to theshaft 96, and a ratchet driving connection H8 is provided between the sprocket wheel III and the hand wheel H1, and

'thus between the sprocket wheel thereof will be in engagement when the motor is driving the shaft through the sprocket wheel III and the hand wheel I I1. In case the motor is stopped, however, and it is desired to move the shaft 96 for purposes of rotating the parts carried by the shaft, the hand wheel I I1 can be rotated without interference with the rotation thereof by the holding action of the reduction gear II5, due to the fact that the inclined faces of the ratchet teeth on the hand wheel II1 will slide over the inclined faces of the ratchet teeth on the sprocket wheel -I I I, compressing the spring I I9and permitting the shaft at to rotate without rotating the sprocket wheel Iii, the chain H2, and the other parts associated therewith between the motor I I6 and said sprocket wheel, (see Figs. 1 to 3').

Mounted within the housing 26 is a rotatable cage-like member mounted to rotate with the shaft, and comprising hub portions HI and I2! fixed on the shaft, spoke-like members I22 ra- 75 fixed on the outer ends of the spoke-like members I22. Each annular rim portion I23is provided at spaced intervals around the periphery thereof, with enlargements I24 of an annular character, which serve as hearing receptacles for the ball bearings, indicated generally by the numeral I25.

Pivotally mounted on said rim portion and supported by the ball bearings I25, are the shaft portions I26 and I26 provide on a manifold I 21,

one of said shaft portions I26 being a tubular extension of the passage I28 in said manifold, whereas the other shaft portion I26 is provided with a plug I44 to seal the end of said passage leading to said shaft portion. Said manifold I21 comprises a housing having a top wall I29, end walls I30, side walls I32, and a bottom wall I3I, (see Figs. 5 and 11), thus providing a box-like housing, into which the passage I 28 extends. The member I21 is provided, not only with the upper passage I28, but with a lower passage I33, which is closed at the ends thereof, and which is connected with the passage I28 by openings I34 through the web portion I4I, separating said passages in the member I21. The passage I33 is provided with a plurality of closely spaced transversely slotted outlets I35 leading into the chamber within the box-like member, and thus acting as a distributing-means for the fluid entering through the passage I28 into said chamber within the box-like housing, at each of said narrow slots or slits. I35 when liquid passes outwardly through the same.

.11 and 17).

A transverse wall or partition I31 is provided in the housing below the bottom wall of the passage, I33, said transverse wall or partition I31 being provided with a plurality of parallel grooves I38 running lengthwise of the member I31, and having inclined side walls, and with ribs I39 on the under face thereof opposite the grooves I38, said ribs being substantially V-shaped in cross section, but somewhat blunt or flattened at the apexes thereof, and having slots I40 running the full length of the ribs at their apexes (see Figs.

The bottom wall I3I is provided with openings I45, there being a row of openings aligning with each slot I40, and there being as many openings in each row as there are slots I35 in the member I21. The openings I in the member I3I are in transverse alignment with the slots I35. The combined housing and manifold I2-1 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing webs I36 that connect the top and side walls of the housing and the tubular manifold within the housing, being preferably cast integral therewith.

Couplings I46 having threaded ends I42 are connected in fluid-tight relation in the threaded openings I45, formed on the have a seat said coupling members being ends of the tubes I41 and each I48 therein for a valve I49. The

bottom I3I has a countersunk portion I 43 surrounding each opening I45, to facilitate flow of liquid into said openings. The valve I49 has a stem I50, said valve stem being secured to a cross head I5I provided on a member I52, slidably mounted on said tube I41. The member I52 has the tubular portion I53 thereof slotted, as shown at I54, (see Figs. 13 and 16), and has a conical enlargement or head I formed at the end thereof opposite the head I5I, the grooves I54 in the head I55 being continuations of theslots I54, and there being a flanged collar I56 interposed between spoiled compression spring I51 creating a fan-like, spray portion I62 thereof.

2,102,868 diating therefrom, and annular rim portions I23 and the head I55, the flange thereon forming an annular skirting I58 surrounding the member I55 and serving as a deflector, to deflect liquid issuing from said slots I54 downwardly.

The combined housing and manifold'comprises the upper portion of a. carriage. Detachably mounted on the carriage a-re trays I 59, there being two trays for each carriage. The bottom wall I 3I of the housing has a plurality of rodlike members I 60 depending therefrom, which each have a tapered head I6I on the lower end thereof, and an annular groove I62 spaced a short distance above the tapered head I6I. The tray-like members have a pair of walls I63 and I64 spaced one above the other, and spaced from the bottom I65. Each tray-like member is preferably made up of three sections secured together by means of fastening elements, such as bolts I66. A flange 290 depends from all four margins of the wall I63 and this is cut away to provide elongated openingsv 29I therein to permit flow of liquid out of the tray-like members. A flange 292 cut away at 293 depends from the margins of the wall I64. The bottom I65 of each tray has a flange I61 depending therefrom, (see Figs. 10 [and 11), to provide flanges on the trays, spacing the bottoms I 65 thereof from any support upon which the same may be located.

Each tray is provided with aligning circular openings I68 therein for receiving one of the rodlike members I60, and with a semi-circular groove I69 for receiving a rod-like member I60. To assemble the tray-like members with the upperportion of the carriage, the trays are passed upwardly I on the rods I 60, and locking means is provided for bers. The locking means can be made in any.

desired manner, but, preferably, are provided with longitudinally slidable locking members I10, which are slotted at I1I to receive the guide pins I12. and which are provided with curved notches I13 in the ends thereof, providing a forked end on each locking member I10, passing around the rod-like members I60 at the grooved .or reduced Similar locking members I14 are also provided on each tray-like member, being made in substantially the same manner as described in connection with the locking members I10 and bearing the same reference numerals for the corresponding parts thereof. The flanges I61 are provided with openings 3I5 to accommodate the locking members I10.

The members I10 and I14 each have obliquely extending inner end portions I15, which are connected together by a link I16, the links I16 being connected withthe obliquely extending ends I15 of the members I10 and I14 by a pin and slot connection. A finger piece I11 is provided on each link I16 for rotating the same, and coiled springs, 180 are provided between one of the pins I18 of said pin and slot connections on each link and pins I19 fixed on the bottom I65. The springs I80 tend to hold the forked ends of the levers I10 and I14 in locking engagement with the members I60, but twisting of the finger piece I11 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 10, will release said locking means. It will be obvious that after the trays I59 are pushed upwardly on the rods I 60, the locking means will snap into locking positiomand that there is no necessity of manipulating any locking means to place the lease the trays from the carriages.

trays in position on the carriages,'but that the locking means need only be manipulated to re- The transverse partitions or walls I63 and I88 of the tray-like members, are provided with aligning openings I8I, which receive the glass tubes I82, which serve as receptacles for the ligatures I83, the ligature I83 in .Fig. 13 being shown as being wound on a spool-like member I84. The

upper edges of the tubes I82 engage with the grooved conical faces of the members I55 when the bottoms of the tubes I82 engage the bottom I65 of \the tray-like member. When the upper edges of the tubes I 82 engage said'members I55, the members I55 are caused to slide upwardly on the tubes I41' and carry the tubular portions I53 of the members I52 therewith, thus carrying'the heads Il along with the same, and also the'valve rods I58, opening the valves I49. Thus 20 the valves I49 will only be opened leading to such feed tubes I41 as have the tubes I82 associated therewith. v

It will be obvious upon referenceto Figs. 3 and 4 that there are a plurality of the carriages provided on the cage-like member previously described, and that means must be provided for supplying liquid or withdrawing liquid from the tubes I82 while the. cage-like member is rotating in the housing 28. intake manifold 88, which has the upstanding tubular connection I85 thereon connected with the conduit 18, (see Figs. '7 and 8), the laterally extending tubular connection I88 connected with the conduit or pipe 38, and the laterally extending tubular connection I81 connected with the pipe I88.

The manifold is also provided with a drain cock I89. Said manifold is secured to a flange I98. bolted on the casing I88, and said flange 898 has a valve seat I9I thereon for a valve I92, which has a stem I93 extending through a stufling box I94 provided on the manifold 88, containing a packing I95. has a tapering hollow body portion 3 I98 terminating in a guide block I91 for the valve stem wheel I99, which is mounted for rotation on the.

bearing member I91, but held against axial movement by means of the flanged split collar 288 entering the groove 28I on said member I99. It will be obvious that a twist of-the member I99 will quickly open or close the valve I92. The hollow body" portion 698 is detachably mounted on the flange I98. by means of fastening elements 295 passing through saidflange I 98 and the flange 299 on said body portion I98. Said body portion- I96 has suitable openings 291 therein to accommodate the arms of the manifold 88, and the drain cock I89.

The flange I98 has a tubular extension 282, which is mounted co-axially with the tubular shaft portion 91 and extends well into the same. The tubular shaft portion 91 is provided with screw threads 283 on the end thereof that is mounted in said casing I88. A stumng box comprising the collar 284 having threaded engagement with the screw threads 283, and having an externally threaded tubular extension 285, is provided on the shaft 91. The threaded tubular extension 285 engages with a flanged threaded Said means comprises the A valve casing is provided that collar 285, and has a slidable flanged member 281 mounted within the same to compress a packing 288 between said slidable member 281 and. an inwardly directed flange 289 on the member 284.

A fluid-tight joint is thus provided between the tubular member 282 and the shaft 91. A fluidtight joint is provided between the flange I98 and a flange 2II provided on the casing I88 by means of a packing 2I2, the flanges 2H and I98 and manifold 88 being secured together by means of headed screw threaded fastening elements 2 I3. The details of this structure are shown in Fig. '7.'

Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the tubular member 282 extends within the shaft 91 a sufiicient distance to reach inside the hub I2I'.

The hub I2I is provided with a plurality of pas sages 2I4 therein. The passages'are further provided with enlarged portions2i 1, which receive the tubular conduits 2'I8. Springs 2I6 seat against the ends of said portions M1 and bear against'the ball valves 2I9, which engage with seats 228 on the tubular shaft 91, and a cam 22I is provided on the tubular member 282, (see Fig.

6), which is adapted to engage with each of the ball valves 2I9 as the tubular shaft 91 rotates around the tubular member 282, but only the uppermost one of the ball valves 2I9 will. be opened thereby. Thus communication will be established through only one of the hollow tubular members 2I8, and the tubular member 282 at a time, communication being established between the member 282 and the tubular member 2 I8 through the valve 2I9, due to the fact that an annular passage is provided at 222 between the

members

91 and 282.

It will be noted that a beveled shoulder is provided at 223, against which the beveled end 224 tubular members 2I8 leads to a chambered inlet member 225, which is provided with a threaded tubular extension 228 directed toward a tubular member 2I8, said member 228 having an abutment nut 221 sorew-threadedly engaging therewith' so as to be adjustable thereon. Mounted between the nut221 and a flange or annular abutment 228 on the tubular member 2I8, is a coiled compression-spring 229. The member 225 is provided with a bore 238 therein of such size as to freely slidably receive the tubular member 2I8, and is of such extent that the member 2I8 can be removed from the opening receiving the same in the hub I2I' by moving the same radially outwardly against the compression of the spring 229 into said bore 238. The nut 221 engages an external thread on the portion 229 of themember 225. A nut 29I engages an internal thread on said portion 228 and is slidable on said tube 2I8, but flts the same closely. Said nut is part of a stumng box having a compressible packing 232- provided therein adapted to be compressed by means of said nut to seal the joint between. the members 2E8 and 225, but permits sliding of the tube radially outwardly to disengage the same from the hub I2I'. l'he spring 229 serves to force the member 2 I8 into the hub portion so as to seat the end 228 of the tubular member '2I8 I shaft portion I28, a fluid-tight joint being provided between the member I25 and the member compressible gasket 231 mounted between an inwardly' directed fiange on the same and the end of the shaft I26. Thus when a tubular member 2 I 8 is in an upright position, or, with the carriage,

to which the same leads, at or near the uppermost portion of its travel, the valve 2I0, leading to the same is opened by the cam 22I and communication is established between the manifold 80 and the tubes I82 mounted on the carriage through the feed tubes I41 whenever the valve I02 is opened. The member 225 has a flange 233 thereon which is secured to the flange 2I4 on the spider-like housing 300 by means of any suitable fastening elements, such as the screws 30I, said housing having. a flange 298 thereon for securing said housing 300 to the enlargement I24 on the rim I23, by means of screw threaded fastening elements 302. It will thus-be evident that the tubular spoke-like member 2I8 can be removed, should this be found to be desirable, by pulling outwardly on the same so as to compress the spring 229, and the fastening elements 30I having been removed, the member 225 and the member 2 I8 can be withdrawn as a unit by'moving the member 225 in a lateral direction to disengage the tubular extension thereon from the interior of the shaft portion I26.

Both the hub members I2I and I2I are pro vided with detachable collars 306, which are detachably secured to the hub members I2I and I 2I' by screw-threaded fastening elements 301. The collars 306 and the hub members are each provided with grooves, that are substantially semi-cylindrical, therein, which align so as to receive the inner ends of the spoke members I22. Thus when the collars tion by means of fastening elements 301 the spokes will be fixed in position in the hub portions I 2I and I 2I'. Therim portion I23 of each wheel-like member is provided with an internally threaded boss that receives the screw-threaded outer end of the spoke I22, and a locking nut 308 is provided on each spoke for "locking the spoke in fixed position relative to the rim portion after the wheel is trued. Thus after the wheel has been trued by turning the solid spoke, the same having a polygonal portion 300 thereon at any desired point to facilitate-turning thereof, the tubular members 2 I8 are ready to be put in position. The

hub portions I2I and I2I engage a slight shoulder 3I2 on the

shafts

96 and 91, respectively, and

are fastened on the

shaft portions

96 and 91 so as to rotate therewith by means of a key 3I3.

The drier member 82 has a flange 238 on the body portion thereof and has a removable cap member 239, having a cooperating flange 240, and

between said flanges is clamped the rim 24I of a spider-like supporting ring 242 for a wire basket 243 provided between the cover and said body portion,. said wire basket containing calcium chloride 244, or similar de-hydrating means. A asket 2I0 is provided betweensaid cover and body portion, and said cover is slidably mounted on the pipe 8|, having a threaded boss 303 thereon having an opening receiving said pipe. The packing nut 304 engages with the threads 303 and a compressible gasket 305 provides a fluid-tight joint between said pipe and cover. No fastening elements are necessary for securing the cover or cap member 239 to the body portion of the dryer 82, as the suction existing in the dryer will hold the cover member down against the body portion and seal the joint by means of the gasket 2"].

306 are clamped in posi- I 2,102,868 235 by means of a packing'gland 236, having a The housing 20 isprovided with a filling opening. 245, which is provided with a closure member 246, said filling opening being sufficiently I large that a tray can be readily passed through the same and placed in position on one of the carriages. While any desired fluid-tight closure can be provided, the closure member 246 is shown as being provided with beveled side and end walls- 241, which cooperate with similar inclined walls 248 around the edges of the opening 245. Means is provided for clamping the cover member 246 removably in position, comprising a bail member 249, pivotally mounted on a pair of bolts 88, which engage suitable threaded openings in the reinforcing rib 260 provided around the edge of the opening 245 on the housing 20. The member 249 is provided with a cross bar 250, which is provided with an opening 25I, through which a threaded member 252 extends, the opening in the member 250 being of such size that the threads on the member 252 can pass therethrough. A hand wheel 253 has screw threaded engagement with the threaded member 252, and has a grooved'hub 254 thereon, with which a flange 255 on a bracket 256. on the member 250 engages. Thus the hand wheel 253 is held from movement axially of the opening 25 I in the member 250, and rotation thereof in one direction 'will move the member 252 bodily ,away from the housing 20 and rotation of the member253 in the opposite direction will move the member 252 bodily toward the housing 20.

The end of the member 252 remote from the hand wheel 253 is provided with a hook-like portion 251, which engages with a transverse bar 258, mounted between the ears 253 provided on the closure member 246. A pair of hinge members 26I is pivoted on one of the bolts 88, connecting the flanges 81, at one end thereof, and fixed to the door at the other end thereof. When it is desired to tighten the closure member 246 down within the opening 245, it is first swung into position by swinging the same around on the pivot 88 by means of the hinge bars 26I. Then the hook-like member 251 on the screw member 252 is engaged with the rod 258, and the hand wheel 253 is rotated to force the screw 252 inwardly toward the housing 20, thus forcing the rod 258 and the cover 246 with the beveled faces .241 thereon, into tight engagement with the beveled faces 248 on the housing 20. When it is desired to release the cover member, the reverse operation takes place. The member 253 is manipulated to force the cover member outwardly, the pivotal mounting of the bail and'J-the hook 251 on the rod 258, permitting such movement of the bail as will be necessary for the hinges 26I to function as the closure member 246 is forced outwardly from the opening by means of the screw 252, and when the same has been sufiiciently far'removed from the opening that it can be manipulated without the use of the hand wheel and screw threaded member 252, the hook 251 can be disengaged from the rod 258, and the cover 246. swung around by means of the hinges 26I, by hand. The bail member and closure member can be moved into a position adjacent the housing where the same will be out of the way during the filling of the carriages or the removal of the trays from the carriages.

The housing is further preferably provided with a plurality of windows 262, which may be mounted in any desired manner to provide a fluid-tight joint between the windows and the housing, the windows being preferably so ar- The windows are shown as being seated within' the annular flanges 263, and clamped in position by means of clamping rings 258, the fluid-tight joint between the end wall 88 of the housing and the window 252 being obtained by means of any suitable compressible gasket 265.

The housing can also be provided with a pipe 286 leading to a. pressure gauge 281, and with a suitable conduit 268 leading to a recording thermometer 289, should this be desired. Means for both heating and cooling the interior of the housing is provided, the heating means being any suitable form of heating elements, either steam heated or electrically heated, but being shown as being electric heating elements 218, which are suitably insulated and housed, so as to prevent any contact with the solvent liquids utilized in the apparatus, which might be inflammable. Suitable insulated conductors 2'" pass from the heating elements through an opening in the easing, which is provided with a suitable bushing ing coils 212 to make a fluid-tight joint, the heating elements being located at opposite ends of the housing adjacent the bottom thereof and extending upwardly along said ends any suitable distance. The cooling means is shown as comprising cool- 213 mounted adjacent the top of the housing 28, being supported by suitable fins 214, the refrigerant pipes 215 leading out through the housing through suitable packing glands to provide a liquid-tight joint between the conduits and said'housing, refrigerating apparatus comprising the usual compressor 218, condenser 211 and refrigerant iiuid storage receptacle 218, a valve 218 being provided to control the flow of fluid from the condenser 211 to the expansion coils within the housing;

The housing'28 is further provided with a suitable sump 288, by means of which the housing can be drained, a suitable drain valve 28I being provided in the bottom of said sump. The housing may, of course, be provided with any suitable support, the legs 282 being shown. The heating elements are controlled by means of a switch mounted in the control box 283 provided on the housing 28, the conductors 21I leading therefrom to the heating elements, and the conductors 288 leading therefrom to the motor H8.

The members 888 serve to hold the ball bearings I and the ball races in position in the members i24, with which-these'are associated. A plate 288 is fastened by means of screws 285, to the other members I2d opposite those carrying the members 225 to hold the ball bearings and ball races in place in the other member 828 of each pair of members I28 supporting a carriage.

In operation, the various carriages are filled with the tubes E82 by inserting the trays H58 into position in the carriages, a pair of trays being assembled with each carriage, this being preferably. done by rotating the shaft by means of the hand wheel H1 until the carriages successively move into proper position for insertion of the trays through the filling opening 285. After all of the carriages have been filled with the tubes I82 containing the ligatures I83, which are made of twisted raw catgut the closure member 288 is placed in position and clamped down tightly,

and all the valves of the system are closed except the valve 19, the valve 83, the valve 85 and the valve I92. The vacuum pump 1| is then set in operation and air is discharged through the pipe 14, the pipe 18 and the manifold 88, through the valve I92 into the tube 282, from the tube 282 through one of the valves 2I9, into a tube 2l8, and from the tube 2I8 into the passage I28 in a carriage, through the opening I34, into the passage I33, then through the slots I into the space above the partition I31, through the slots I48 and through the openings I45 into the feeding tubes I41, through the open lower ends thereof into the,slots I54, into engagement with the ligature I83, out through the grooves I54 in the conical portion I55, and into the space within the housing 28. Air is withdrawn from the housing 28 by the suction line of the pump through the conduit 84 into the dryermember 82, and to the pump through the conduit 8|.

. If desired, a slight vacuum may be created in the chamber 28 before circulating the air in the manner just described, by closing the valve 19, opening the valve 11 and operating the pump 1I until the desired amount of vacuum has been created. As the air is circulated in the manner described it will pass, successively, in contact with the calcium chloride in the wire cage 243 to extract the moisture from the air, through the vacuum pump and into engagement with the ligatures. The carriages in the meantime, are rotating slowly in the housing 28, and each valve 2I8 is opened as the carriage approaches the uppermost point of its movement, and will remain open for a predetermined period of time, depending on the shape of the cam 22I. The extraction of the moisture from the ligatures is continued by this circulation of the air until all of the moisture has been removed therefrom, or the same have been completely de-hydrated. This is preferably done without the use of any heat, although, if found desirable, a predetermined temperature can be maintained in the housing 28 by operation of the electrical heating means, which may be thermostatically controlled to get a desired degreeof heat for this purpose. After de-hydration has been completed, the

valves

83 and 85 are closed, and with thesevalves closed,

the cover 239 can be removed from the dryer and the calcium chloride can be removed from the wire basket 243, and dried or replaced by dry calcium chloride.

The pipe I88 is connected, by means of a T, with the conduit 8|, and has a valve 289 interposed between the conduit 8| and the intake manifold 88. The valve 18 is now closed, the valve 11 is opened,and the valve 289 is opened, the valve I 92 remaining open. The vacuum pump 1| is again operated to create suction in the l ne 8|. A partial vacuum will thus be created within the casing 28. As soon as sufllcient vacuum is created in the casing 28 for the purpose of withdrawing the liquid from the tank 2i and carrying it into the housing 28, the vacuum pump is shut oif from the housing by closing the valve 288', the valve 18 being then opened, and the operation of the pump is continued to create a partial vacuum in the tank 24. As soon as the valve 288 is closed, the valve 3| is opened and the valve 59 is opened. The partial vacuum existing in the housing 28'wi1l then draw the liquid through the intake manifold 88 and through the various passages to feed tubes I41, and into the ligature tubes I82, the liquidcontinuing to be drawn into the same until these overflow, the

'iubes of each carriage being filled as the carriage reaches the upper portion of its path of move- 'tures are kept while sealed in the tubes. the entire time of heating the solvent fluid, the

ment in the housing. This is allowed to-continue until suificient liquid has been drawn into the travel around the shaft.

The liquid in the tank 2I is preferably benzol, or a similar solvent, which dissolves the fat in the ligatures, this being much more easily done by the solvent when the same have been previously de-hydrated, than otherwise. A suitable temperature to hasten this action may be created by operating the heating elements 210, which will be immersed in the liquid in the bottom of the housing 20, and will thus cause the entire liquid in the housing, both that in the tubes I82 and that in the bottom of the housing, to be heated. The liquid will, as it enters the tubes through the feeding devices contained in the tubes, be sprayed against the ligatures by the jets created by these feeding devices. When the proper amount of solvent liquid has entered the housing 20, the valve I92 is closed, this being done very quickly by a quick rotation of the hand wheel I89. The operation of the vacuum pump II can now be stopped, as suflicient vacuum has been built up in the tank 24 for further operation of the appuratus.

The shaft isrotated at a relatively low speed, preferably, about one revolution a minute, during the carrying out of this de-fatting operation on the ligatures, and this is continued until the ligatures are entirely de-fatted. After this operation has been completed, the fluid that has accumulated at the bottom of the housing, may be drained off through the valve 28I, and this can then be distilled to separate the solvent from the fat. The valve 28I is then closed, the valve 3| having been previously closed-and the valve I92, 83 and 85 are opened the valve 10 and the valves to create a suction in the housing 20, any volatilized solvent being thus drawn into the tank 24, and after condensation, it can be drained off through the valve63 and the drain pipe 62. As soon as suction is created in the housing 20, the valve 3I is again opened. drawing clean solvent fluid into the tubes I82, in the manner previously described, and this is allowed to continue until the tubes have overflowed for a considerable period of time, the clean fluid thus having entirely replaced the fluid that contains fat therein, and which has been dissolved from the ligatures. The valve I92 is thereupon closed.

The clean fluid thathas been drawn into thehousing is at this time being heated by the elecally about two hours. At the end of this period,

which is called the sterilization period, the operations on the ligatures are completed except for filling the tubes with what is commonly known as a tubing fluid, or the fluid in which the liga- During wheel-like cage with all the parts attached there-- to, such as the carriages and trays'mounted in the carriages, is turning about its axis slowly and thus the fluid at the bottom of the housing 28 is a bath for each of the tubes I82 as said tubes 281 being indicated in said tube pass through the same at regular intervals, thus.

equalizing the temperature of the entire housing and of the ligatures and of the supporting members within the housing. After this sterilization process has.been completed, the valve- 85, the valve 10 and the valve 3| are again closed, and the valve 28I is again opened to draw off the fluid that has collected in the bottom of the housing 20, which, as previously stated, can be distilled to separate the solvent fluid from the fat.

After the valve 28I has been closed, the

valves

85, 83, 10, GI, and 33 are opened, and the valve I92 is opened, and the suction in the tank 24 will draw the tubing fluid, which is usually a solvent, such as alcohol, and some germicidal agent in solution in said alcohol, from the tank 23 and flll it into the tubes I82, displacing the benzol or similar de-fatting fluid that was previously contained therein, and this is continued while the tubes overflow. The valve I92 is then closed, the

. this will cause a suction condition to exist in the conduit 51, in the conduit 31, the conduit 38, and when the valve I92 is opened this suction created will withdraw fluid from the tubes I82 down to the point where the bottom ends 3I0 of the feed tubes I4! is reached by the level of the tubing liquid, which is indicated by the numeral 286 in Fig. 15. The ligature I83 is then completely immersed in the tubing fluid 288. In Fig. 14 is illustrated the flow of the fluid when the tube I82 is being supplied with fluid from the feed tube I 41 so as to overflow the same, the de-fatting liquid as overflowing the top edge 3I4 of the tube I82, and running down the sides thereof to collect in the bottom of the housing 28. After the liquid in the tube I82 reaches the desir'edlevel, the valve I 82 is closed, as is also the valve 33, and the valve H, as well as the valve 48 and the valve 10, if it has been opened, and the drain valve 28I is opened to withdraw anyfluid that may have collected in the housing therefrom. The trays with the ligature receptacles I82, now properly filled for sealing,

are removed from the housing 20, and the open ends 3I4 of the tubes are sealed hot or welded in vent, usually a hydrocarbon, such as xy1ol,which is drawn into the tubes by creating a vacuum in the housing 28, opening the valve 68, opening the valve 32 and opening the valve I92'to draw the fluid into the tubes for de-fatting p poses and closing the valve 32 and the valve 88, but opening the valves 40 and 48 to create a suction in the tank 22 to withdraw the fluid from the tubes up to the level at which it is to be maintained in the sealed tubes. The de-fatting fluid is used as a tubing fluid in this case, and the tubing and tie-'- fatting liquid is fed into the tubes after the defatting operation has taken place so as to overflow the same so as to get clean liquid in the tubes, and it is then withdrawn down to the proper level for use as a tubing fluid in the sealed tubes instead of being displaced by the tubing fluid in the tank 23.

The valves may also be manipulated to draw liquid into the tanks 2|, 22, and 23 from portable containers through the pipe 38, manifold 80, and pipe 18, by providing a suitable connection from the container to the pipe I8 and opening the

valves

39,40, or 4|, as the case may be, and the valve to utilize the suction in the tank 24 to draw, the liquid into the tank that is desired to be filled.

' In order to inject the tubing fluid hereinbefore described as an alcoholic germicidal solution from the tank 23, under proper conditions due to the fact that this so1ution contains a slight amount of water, and "to prevent injury to the catgut,

or other tissues, treated by my apparatus, which would be affected seriously if immersed in this solution above average room temperature, the cooling means comprising the cooling coils 213 is provided. Preferably, the compressor 216 is set into operation immediately following the period of sterilization and all the contents, including the glass tubes I82 containing the ligatures, are thereby sufiiciently cooled promptly, rather than very slowly, as would be the case by cooling the same in contact with air at room temperature entering the housing. Thus, the speed of operation of the apparatus is markedly increased by provision of this cooling means, and the handling of the trays I59 is more quickly and readily accomplished.

It will be noted that the door opening in the housing is so located that the trays can be detached from the carriages and moved away from the carriages at an angle of substantially 45 degrees in a downward direction and then moved upwardly at an oblique angle through said open-" rotatable in said housing, and a plurality of carriers for ligature receptacles mounted on said rotatable means, said carriers comprising a detachable portion in which said receptacles are adapted to be mounted, and a portion pivotally carried by said rotatable means on which said detachable portion is mounted.

3. Apparatus of the character described comm; prising a housing closed to the outer air, means rotatable in said housing, and a plurality of carriers for ligature receptacles mounted on said rotat= able means, said carriers comprising a detachable portion in which said receptacles are adapted to be mounted, and a portion pivotally carried by said rotatable means on which said detachable portion is mounted, said pivotally carried portion having a plurality of fluid conducting members carried thereby and adapted to each enter one of said receptacles.

. about said 4. Apparatus of the character described comprising a housing closed to the outer air', means rotatable in said housing, and a plurality of carriers for ligature receptacles mounted on said fotatable means, said carriers each having a plurality of fluid conducting members carried thereby, adapted to each enter one of said receptacles, and a' valve for each conducting member having means engaged by the receptacle associated therewith to open said valve. l p I 5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a housing closed to the outer air, means rotatable in said housing, about a substantially horizontal axis, a plurality of carriers for ligature receptacles mounted on said rotatable means, conduit means leading from' externally of said housing to said carriers comprising feed tubes leading to each carrier, valve means controlling communication between said feed tubes and the conduit means leading to said feed tubes. and

means for successively opening the valve means leading to said feed tubes as said carriers rotate axis.

6. Apparatus of the character described, comprising. a housing closed tothe outer air, aplurality of carriers for ligature receptacles inl said housing, and means for withdrawing air from said housing, substantially isothermally dehydrating said air and returning said dehydrated air to said housing at substantially the same temperature at which the same was withdrawn.

7. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing closed to the outer air, con- I veying means within said housing, for ligature receptacles, means for selectively introducing one of a plurality of liquids into said receptacles, meansior withdrawing liquid from said receptacles and means for creating apartial vacuum in said receptacles.

v 8. Ligature treating apparatus of the character described comprising a housing closed to the outer air, means rotatable on said'housing on a horizontal axis, open receptacles mounted on said rotatable means, means for maintaining said receptacles with the openends thereof upward during rotation of said rotatable means, and means for introducing liquid into the receptacles on said rotatable means from externally of said housing, during rotation of said rotatable means. M

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising a housing closed to the outer air, means rotatable in said housing, receptacles mounted on said rotatable means, and means for withdrawing liquid irom the receptacles on said rotatable means to a predetermined level during rotation thereof.

l0. Apparatus of the character described comprising a housing closed to the outer air, ligature receptacle carrying means movably mounted in said housing, each of said means having means for holding a plurality of said receptacles in upright posltion, means for moving said carrying means alternately toward I and away from the bottom of said housing, and means for introducing liquid into the receptacles on said carriers from externally of said housing while said carrying means is moving therein.

11. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing closed to the outer air, a plurality of carriers for ligature receptacles mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in said housing, means for introducing liquid into said receptacles, suction means for withdrawing liquid from said receptacles and means for draining liquid irom the bottom of said housing.

, tainers' from said 12. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing closed to the outer air, means for removably mounting a plurality of ligature receptacles in said housing, means for dehydrating the ligatures in said receptacles while in said housing, means for de-fatting the ligatures in said receptacles while in said housing and means for filling said receptacles with the fluid to be sealed in said receptacles while in said housing 13. Ligature treating apparatus comprising a sterilizing chamber closed to the outer air, means for engaging liquid with ligatures in said chamber, means for increasing the temperature or said liquid, means for lowering the temperature of said liquid, and means for mounting said ligatures in said chamber comprising portable liquid holding means of a character to maintain said ligatures I germicidal liquid upon completely immersed in withdrawal 'of said holding means from said chamber.

l4. Ligature treating apparatus comprising a. fluid tight housing providing a chamber closed to the outer air, a plurality of receptacles in said chamber, said receptacles being open to *said chamber, means for introducing liquid into said receptacles while in said closed chamber and means for removing liquid from said receptacles to a. predetermined level while in said closed chamber. v

15. The method of making sterile ligature packages comprising sterilizing ligatures in transportable containers in a sterile atmosphere, and completely covering said ligatures with ger micidal liquid while in said containers in said sterile atmosphere.

V 16. The method of making sterile ligature packages comprising heating ligatures in containers while immersed in a. solvent liquid in a chamber sealed against entrance of outside air, ep cing said solvent liquid in said containers with a germicidal liquid to completely immerse said ligatures in said germicidal liquid before admitting outside air to said chamber, removing said containers from said chamber, and closing each of said containers.

17. The method of making sterile ligature packages comprising heating ligatures in containers while immersed in a solvent liquid in a chamber sealed against entrance of outside air, cooling said liquid and said containers, replacing said solvent liquid in said containers with a germicidal liquid to completely immerse said ligatures in saidgermicidal liquid before admitting outside air to said chamber, and closing each of said containers,

chamber, removing said con- 18. The method of treating ligatures, comprising enclosing the same in a chamber closed to the outer air, dehydrating said ligatures while enclosed in said chamber, defatting said ligatures while enclosed in said chamber, heat sterilizing said ligatures while enclosed in said chamber and covering said ligatureswith a germicidal liquid while enclosed in said chamber.

19. Apparatus oi the character described comprising a housing closed to the outer air, ligature receptacle carrying means movably mounted in said housing, means for holding said receptacles in upright position on said carrying means, said receptacles being open to receive liquid intov the same, the lower portion of said housing comprising a liquid reservoir, and means for periodically immersing said receptacles in the liquid in said reservoir. 7

20. Apparatus of the character described comprising a housing closed to the outer air, ligature receptacle carrying means movably mounted in.

said housing, receptacles on said carrying means open to receive liquid into the same, the lower portion of said housing comprising a liquid reservoir, means for heating said liquid in said housing, means for immersing said receptacles in theliquid in said housing, and means for preventing the escape or ligatures from said receptacles dur ing such immersion.

21. Apparatus oi the character described comprising a. housing closed to the outer air and carriers for ligature receptacles mounted in said housing, said carriers having means thereon entering said receptacles to hold the ligatures in said receptacles without closing said receptacles toentrance and discharge of liquid.

22. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing closed. to the outer air, a plurality of carriers for ligature receptacles in said housing, ligature receptacles carried thereby, means for heat sterilizing said ligatures in said receptacles while in said closed housing and means for filling said receptacles with the fluid to be sealed in said receptacles while in said closed housing.

23. The method 01' sterilizing and sealing ligatures, which comprises filling portable containers containing ligatures with a sterilizing liquid, heating the liquid to eflect sterilization of the ligatures, replacing said sterilizing liquid with a preserving liquidwithout bringing the ligatures into contact with air, and subsequently sealing the containers.

ARTHUR 1T. WAUGH.