Abstract: A process for forming a catheter tip is described wherein a mold having an internal surface complimentary to the desired external surface of the catheter tip is formed such that it has two temperature zones. A first higher temperature zone is positioned proximally of the catheter distal tip and a lower temperature zone is positioned distal to the higher temperature zone. A catheter to be tipped is placed upon a mandrel or needle and the mold is heated. Upon insertion of the catheter and mandrel into the mold. The catheter material softens and begins to flow within the mold. The higher temperature portion supplies the heat necessary to soften the catheter material and it flow to the lower temperature zone wherein the lower temperature causes the catheter material to become more viscous or resolidify. Upon becoming more viscous, the catheter material, at the very tip, acts as a dam to prevent further flow of material thus eliminating flash from the mold end.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating, administering, extracting and recovering sterilant gas for sterilizing and/or decontaminating enclosed spaces such as, for example, interior spaces of microbial isolators, and also to components associated with such apparatus and methods. Specifically contemplated herein, inter alia, is an arrangement and a method for automatically, and in a selected one of a predetermined and a predeterminable sequence, carrying out at least two of the steps of: providing decontaminant gas; initiating the administration of decontaminant gas into a target volume; and extracting gas from the target volume. This arrangement and method may conceivably be utilized in contexts other than contexts of apparatus and methods for generating, administering, extracting and recovering sterilant gas for sterilizing and/or decontaminating enclosed spaces.

Abstract: A process for beveling the tip of a medical catheter is described. A catheter blank is mounted on a mandrel normally with the mandrel tip extending beyond the tip of the catheter to be beveled. The mandrel and catheter blank are inserted into a previously heated mold having a passage therethrough through which the mandrel passes. At a portion of the mold at which the terminus of the catheter is to be formed, a constriction is provided through which material (flash) may pass from the mold volume to the outside of the mold. The material is permitted to cool sufficiently such that when the mandrel and catheter are withdrawn from the mold, the flash tears and separates from the catheter at the point of the constriction formed between the mold and the mandrel.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are provided medical devices with incorporated shape memory systems that allow a polymeric medical device to be inserted in a first conformation or configuration and revert to a second conformation or configuration. The invention is useful in allowing the easy insertion or implantation of a device followed by expansion of the device in order to be retained without expulsion from a body cavity, for example. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a medical device, such as a ureteral stent, that includes comprising an elongated member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion joined by a body portion. The elongated member has an initial outer diameter. A retention construction serves for retaining the member within a bodily cavity. The member is formulated of a physiologically acceptable polymer capable of hydrating and expanding from the initial member outer diameter to form a final member outer diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating, administering, extracting and recovering sterilant gas for sterilizing and/or decontaminating enclosed spaces such as, interior spaces of microbial isolators and also components associated with such apparatus and methods. Specifically contemplated herein, inter alia, is a modular system that includes at least one modular section (A), which includes an arrangement for administering gas to a target and for recirculating gas back to the target, and at least one of: at least one modular section (B) which includes an arrangement for generating a gas and at least one modular section (C) which includes an arrangement for selectively extracting gas away from the target.

Abstract: A modular prosthesis attachment mechanism which uses a special bolt that provides an attachment position that is not directly over the hole or recess used to capture the head of the bolt. Thus, the attachment mechanism can be used with one location hole on a prosthesis and provide multiple augmentation locations just by offering multiple bolts with varying offsets. The use of a washer-like support may also be required to help redistribute the forces associated with the new attachment location. Thus, the invention is beneficial in knee replacement surgery requiring augmentation pieces. By providing the surgeon with a number of options to best place each piece, such as a stem, this mechanism can be helpful in meeting the needs of individual patients.

Abstract: A polyurethane casting tape with controlled tack is disclosed. The tackiness of the polyurethane is controlled by the addition of combinations of Kurrol salts, potassium metaphosphate and a sodium salt.

Abstract: A safety cover, which securably and reliably prevents the readvancement of the tip of a cannula once it has been retracted thereinto, is designed having an elongate body which includes an axial channel having elements which displace and block linear passage of the cannula once it has been retracted. In a first embodiment the displacing elements are inwardly and rearwardly extending bristles which provide for unidirectional motion of the cannula relative to the safety cover, thereby locking the cannula once it has been retracted. In a second embodiment, the displacing element is the axial channel itself which has a curvate bias and distorts into a non-linear path once the cannula is retracted. In a third embodiment, the displacing element is a spring plate which, when compressed permits the cannula to pass through, but once the cannula has been retracted, expands to prevent the tip from being readvanced.

Abstract: A cast saw for removing hard orthopaedic bandages, for example formed of plaster is disclosed. The cast saw is a unitary device containing a rechargeable battery pack in a removable filter form collection chamber. A shroud covers at least a portion of the saw blade and such shroud is movable by the cutting operation from the interference of the casting material as the blade is received within the casting material while cutting through such casting material. A dust channel is formed within the housing and dust and debris caused by the cutting operation is pulled through such dust channel by the forces applied by impeller rotated by an electric motor received within the housing. A pressure sensitive switch is supplied which senses an increase in force on the saw blade and increases the current supplied to the motor proportionally in order to provide additional torque to the motor.

Abstract: A catheter needle tip protector and a safety mechanism which provides fail/save protection to clinical personnel against the possibility of accidental punctures by a used intravenous (IV) needle through the provision of automatic catheter needle tip protecting structure which becomes operative upon withdrawal of the needle from the body of a patient.

Abstract: In a first process described a tapered catheter tip is molded by placing a tubular catheter over a mandrel and inserting the mandrel and catheter assembly into a mold having an inner mold surface. The molded catheter with flash is thereafter removed from the mold and the mandrel removed from the catheter. The catheter and flash are inserted into a jig which defines an opening through which the flash extends. The opening is defined by a cutting surface and the flash extends above such cutting surface. A cutter is then moved along the cutting surface in order to severe the flash at precisely the appropriate point along the catheter length to leave a formed trimmed catheter. The catheter is thereafter removed from the jig for further processing.

Abstract: A catheter hub to nose engagement for securely engaging the hub of a catheter to the nose of a catheter emplacement unit is described. The attachment mechanism may be as simple as an elastic tube which provides an interference fit between the catheter hub and the nose of the emplacement unit. In an alternate embodiment the nose has a longitudinal slot to provide a split nose tip. The split nose tip is held in a separated position by the passage of a cannula therethrough and an enlarged burr end securely engages the hub and nose together. In another embodiment the nose has a longitudinally tapered nose tip and the tapered nose tip has an enlarged burr end to securely engage the hub and nose together. In a further embodiment the nose has an internal undercut in which an elastic plug is secured which is positioned between the catheter hub and nose.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter insertion devices, and in particular an extruded plastic blood sealing gasket for a blood chamber of the safety catheter. A cannula extends through the blood gasket with the assurance of a seal being present therebetween during relative sliding movement between the cannula and the blood gasket. Moreover, disclosed is a method of forming a blown-in-place extruded plastic gasket for a safety catheter adapted to slidingly receiving a cannula in sealing engagement therewith in a simple and inexpensively produced manner.

Abstract: Intravenous catheter insertion devices produced by a low cost method of assembling a catheter structure and cannula holder body. Also disclosed is an extruded cannula and blood chamber securement structure. Moreover, there is also provided a novel structure for the realization of simplified extruded catheter insertion devices in which an extruded plastic element is connected with a steel cannula for attachment to a blood chamber or housing to enable a low cost construction rendering the catheter insertion device simple and inexpensive in assembly and construction for economically disposable single usage thereof.

Abstract: A process for forming the tips on catheters is described in which the catheter is placed on a mandrel and molded in a mold. The mandrel may then be removed and a second mandrel inserted. The second mandrel having a larger diameter and adapted to contact inner surface of the mold to thereby cut any flash formed at the end of the catheter and separate the flash from the catheter tip. Alternatively, the mandrel and catheter are inserted into the mold to mold the outer surface of the catheter thereafter removed and inserted into a die to punch the flash from the tip of the catheter material. The punch process may be carried out by either the same mandrel or a second mandrel adapted to the purpose of cutting or punching the flash from the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device incorporating a simple lever and clip structure which will safely lock a catheter hub of a catheter assembly to a normally disposable cannula housing and guard structure and which, in a simple mode, enables separation of the catheter hub from the cannula assembly or structure upon retraction and protective guarding of the used cannula. Specifically, an aspect resides in providing the lever release clip for a safety catheter which upon unlocking and releasing of the catheter hub concurrently pushes the catheter hub off a nose guard of the cannula assembly, while enabling a physician or clinical personnel to release the catheter by employing only one hand. A further embodiment is adapted to enable separation between the catheter hub of a flexible catheter and the needle or cannula arrangement of a catheter insertion device by simply manipulating a lever arranged on a cannula structure or nose guard thereof by simply pushing against a push-tab element.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a telescoping tip protector for reducing the risk of needle sticks in used catheter introducers. The pair of telescoping members are adapted such that they telescope from a housing which is gripped by the user with one of the telescoping members locking in a position extending from the housing and the second member locks in a position extending from the first member. The second member carries thereon a tip protecting portion which surrounds the cannula tip and prevents the inadvertent jabbing, piercing or sticking of the needle into a person after the use of the introducer and engagement of the protector.

Abstract: A suture anchor is described which in one form may be easily fabricated from extruded material by angular cuts and bore holes which provide an offset pulling force to the suture. In an alternate and preferred embodiment the suture anchor is injection molded having an annular displaced corner and abutment wall which act to seat the suture anchor firmly within a bore hole. Novel application means are also disclosed which hold the suture anchor on a frangible shaft for insertion and upon completion of the insertion permit fracture of the frangible portion and removal of the instrument.

Abstract: A safety cover which securably and reliably locks the tip of a cannula in an interior chamber within the safety cover. The cover comprises an elongate body having the interior chamber and an axial through hole which extends along the entire length of the body, through the interior chamber and through which the cannula is slidably received. Displacing elements are positioned within the interior chamber, each of which includes a hole for receiving said cannula therethrough, and which displaces upon retraction of the tip of said cannula, thereby preventing subsequent advancement of said cannula tip. In a first embodiment the displacing elements are annular rings. In a second embodiment, the elements are rigid balls having through holes. In a third embodiment, the displacing elements are a pair of conical elements, one of which is spring biased, each of which includes an offset hole.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter insertion device which incorporates a controlled motion lock including telescopingly arranged slide members for a safety catheter constituting a needle tip protector mechanism which provides fail-safe protection for clinical personnel against the possibility of accidental punctures by a used IV cannula needle through catheter needle tip protecting structure which provides an audible signal that the protecting structure is fully deployed.