Abstract: Filtration and closure barriers are disclosed which prevent passage of gas-carried contamination between the atmosphere and a collapsible sheath, which surrounds a catheter tube, during insertion and/or removal of the catheter tube from the respiratory tract of a medical patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed by which a closed ventilating system accommodates multiple access to the respiratory system of an intubated medical patient without compromising the closed character of the system. Access to the respiratory system through one or more access sites of the closed system apparatus is provided at proximal adapter ports to ventilate the lungs of the patient with gas or gases, to aspirate secretions from the lungs, to oxygenate the lungs to eliminate or reduce residual co.sub.2 therefrom, to visually inspect selected parts of the respiratory system, to sample sputum and gases, to sense parameters such as flow rates, pressure, and temperature, to flush with washing solution, and/or to administer medication, gases, and/or lavage. A distal swivel fitting provides multiple sealing sites by which entry of atmosphere is prevented.

Abstract: A medical lavage apparatus for body cavities comprising a housing having parallel irrigation and aspiration cylinders with captive plungers extending in bores thereof from a first end and pairs of check-valves positioned in parallel, smaller, offset cylinders located at second ends such that reciprocal movement of the each plunger in each cylinder performs the function of a one-way pump. The plungers are held captive and aligned by guide-stops proximally disposed in each cylinder. Each plunger comprises a seal disposed at the distal end thereof which inhibits communication between the pairs of check-valves in each cylinder when the plunger is fully seated in the cylinder. Novel jam-free dome shaped, slit check-valves are disposed to be the pair of check-valves in the aspiration cylinder in one embodiment and in irrigation cylinders as well in other embodiments. The dome shaped valves are described for use in other medical fluid control applications, as well.

Abstract: A reliable contamination resistant single use disposable medical non-ventilating aspirating device and method. The device releasibly connects to and aligns with an indwelling endotracheal tube to accommodate advancing of an aspirating catheter tube the device by manual manipulation through a sterile flexible envelope and selective evacuation of lung secretions through a closed and sterile two-position normally closed manually operable valve at the proximal end of the device, while simultaneously accommodating voluntarily respiration by the patient.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps having a disposable cable formed by helically wound wire with distal and proximal ends. The helically wound wire forms a passage therethrough from the distal to the proximal end. The biopsy forceps includes a reusable forceps instrument assembly which has a control wire passing through the passage. A pair of sharpened jaws are located at the end of the control wire and are joined to a jaw mount by means of pivot. The jaw mount includes a socket for selective coupling and uncoupling to the distal end of the helically wound wire, by rotating the distal end of the helically wound wire into or out of the socket so that the helically wound wire of the support cable can be uncoupled from the jaw mount and discarded, while the forceps assembly, including the jaw mount together with the control wire and pivotally mounted jaws can be removed as an entire assembly and resterilized for use with another support cable.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps as disclosed that has a flexible hollow support cable with an insulating layer surrounding the support cable on its outer surface. An electrically conductive control wire extends through a central passage of the hollow support cable and has an insulating layer surrounding the portion of the control wire that is inside the support cable. The control wire is connected to an electrically conductive mount at a distal end of the control wire. The electrically conductive mount supports the pair of electrically conductive metal jaws which are pivotal and which have curved walls with sharp cutting edges which together form an enclosure for purposes of excising tissue.

Abstract: A biological agent growth-limiting and cross contamination suppressing foaming assembly. The foaming assembly comprises a disposable foamable-liquid transport and foaming cartridge and a housing cooperatively used with the cartridge to produce and dispense foam from the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a low-cost package comprising a molded tray which provides cavities for liquid containing chambers, air and liquid communicating channels, and initially sealed but frangible ports and a liquid impervious sheet which covers an open face of the tray to seal otherwise open portions of the chambers, channels and ports. The housing comprises a vertical wall mounting plate, a cartridge accommodating and servicing cover hingeably affixed to the mounting plate, a pump which provides pressurized gas to produce the foam within the cartridge, and sharpened stems or shafts to open the frangible ports.

Abstract: A biological agent growth-limiting and cross contamination suppressing foaming assembly. The foaming assembly comprises a disposable foamable-liquid transport and foaming cartridge and a housing cooperatively used with the cartridge to produce and dispense foam from the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a low-cost package comprising a molded tray which provides cavities for liquid containing chambers, air and liquid communicating channels, and initially sealed but frangible ports and a liquid impervious sheet which covers an open face of the tray to seal otherwise open portions of the chambers, channels and ports. The housing comprises a vertical wall mounting plate, a cartridge accommodating and servicing cover hingeably affixed to the mounting plate, a pump which provides pressurized gas to produce the foam within the cartridge, and sharpened stems or shafts to open the frangible ports.

Abstract: A biological agent growth-limiting and cross contamination suppressing foaming assembly. The foaming assembly comprises a disposable foamable-liquid transport and foaming cartridge and a housing cooperatively used with the cartridge to produce and dispense foam from the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a low-cost package comprising a molded tray which provides cavities for liquid containing chambers, air and liquid communicating channels, and initially sealed but frangible ports and a liquid impervious sheet which covers an open face of the tray to seal otherwise open portions of the chambers, channels and ports. The housing comprises a vertical wall mounting plate, a cartridge accommodating and servicing cover hingeably affixed to the mounting plate, a pump which provides pressurized gas to produce the foam within the cartridge, and sharpened stems or shafts to open the frangible ports.

Abstract: A collapsible container (10) comprises a collapsible housing (12) having a nozzle (14) at a nozzle end (16), a base (18) at an opposite base end (20), and a collapsible sidewall (22) interconnecting the nozzle and the base. The collapsible housing defines interconnecting elements (44) for coupling the base to the sidewall for allowing the base to evert and invert, the base having a shape and size substantially corresponding to that of a collapsed interior space (26) of the collapsible container when it is collapsed. The interconnecting elements are positioned approximately at a minimum non-expanded laterally-outward position (32) of the sidewall, and the wall (34) of the base element at the interconnection elements extends almost parallel to an axis of elongation of the collapsible container.

Abstract: A medical lavage apparatus for body cavities comprising a housing having parallel irrigation and aspiration cylinders with captive plungers extending in bores thereof from a first end and pairs of check-valves positioned in parallel, smaller, offset cylinders located at second ends such that reciprocal movement of the each plunger in each cylinder performs the function of a one-way pump. The plungers are held captive and aligned by guide-stops proximally disposed in each cylinder. Each plunger comprises a seal disposed at the distal end thereof which inhibits communication between the pairs of check-valves in each cylinder when the plunger is fully seated in the cylinder. Novel jam-free dome shaped, slit check-valves are disposed to be the pair of check-valves in the aspiration cylinder in one embodiment and in irrigation cylinders as well in other embodiments. The dome shaped valves are described for use in other medical fluid control applications, as well.

Abstract: A reliable contamination resistant single use disposable medical non-ventilating aspirating device and method. The device releasibly connects to and aligns with an indwelling endotracheal tube to accommodate advancing of an aspirating catheter tube of the device by manual manipulation through a sterile flexible envelope and selective evacuation of lung secretions through a closed and sterile two-position normally closed manually operable valve at the proximal end of the device, while simultaneously accommodating voluntarily respiration by the patient.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube apparatus (28) includes an elongated stylette (32) having a V-shaped distal end (58) and tube adaptor collar (30) for holding the stylette in a position in an endotracheal tube (10) in which the V-shaped distal end is in a first position near a distal end (16) of the endotracheal tube, but not extending substantially outside thereof, and for allowing the stylette to be moved longitudinally to a second position where the V-shaped distal end extends from the distal end of the endotracheal tube a fixed distance. Prongs (60, 62) of the V-shaped distal end have enlarged nodes which are as large as possible but yet which can be moved longitudinally within the endotracheal tube for removal of the stylette therefrom. The nodes include nesting side surfaces (68, 70) whereby a maximum cross sectional dimension of nested nodes is not substantially greater than a maximum cross sectional dimension of a single node.

Abstract: A medical lavage apparatus for body cavities comprising a housing having parallel irrigation and aspiration cylinders with captive plungers extending in bores thereof from a first end and pairs of check-valves positioned in parallel, smaller, offset cylinders located at second ends such that reciprocal movement of the each plunger in each cylinder performs the function of a one-way pump. The plungers are held captive and aligned by guide-stops proximally disposed in each cylinder. Each plunger comprises a seal disposed at the distal end thereof which inhibits communication between the pairs of check-valves in each cylinder when the plunger is fully seated in the cylinder. Novel jam-free dome shaped, slit check-valves are disposed to be the pair of check-valves in the aspiration cylinder in one embodiment and in irrigation cylinders as well in other embodiments. The dome shaped valves are described for use in other medical fluid control applications, as well.

Abstract: An outer catheter so sized and configured so as to extend from a point below the first bifurcation of the trachea through the upper respiratory system of the patient is disposed about an inner catheter having a tip secured in the opening at the distal end thereof with an outer lateral periphery larger in diameter than the outer surface of the inner catheter. A passageway is formed between said outer catheter and said inner catheter. A connector hub assembly, connected to the proximal end of the outer catheter and couplable to a supply of oxygen, allows for oxygen insufflation to take place during the bronchoalveolar lavage procedure. The proximal surface of the tip between the outer lateral periphery and the outer surface of the inner catheter is capable of sealingly engaging the distal end of the outer catheter. In this condition the pair of catheters can be advanced through the upper respiratory system of the patient without contaminating the outer surface of the inner catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods used in trans-tracheal oxygen therapy to permit a micro-tracheal catheter to be inserted into the throat, so that breathing efficiency may be enhanced through the introduction of a continuous stream of oxygen directly into the patient's lungs. More particularly, this invention relates to an adapter for use on the outer end of the micro-tracheal catheter to connect the micro-tracheal catheter to an oxygen source through an oxygen supply hub while simultaneously and selectively permitting the introduction of a saline solution or other material into the patient's lungs through a second material supply hub. During the introduction of solution into the lungs, no oxygen is lost, and the stream of oxygen remains continuous.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods used in trans-tracheal oxygen therapy to permit a micro-tracheal catheter to be inserted into the throat, so that breathing efficiency may be enhanced through the introduction of oxygen directly into the patient's lungs. More particularly, this invention relates to an adapter for use on the outer end of the micro-tracheal catheter to connect the micro-tracheal catheter to an oxygen source through an oxygen supply hub while simultaneously and selectively permitting the introduction of a saline solution or other material into the patient's lungs through a second material supply hub.

Abstract: A multi-layered transtracheal catheter. The transtracheal catheter has a multi-layer or double wall construction formed of two materials. One material is resistant to kinking. The other material is resistant to mucous buildup. Together, they form a catheter that can remain within the trachea for an extended period of time without needing to be removed for cleaning.

Abstract: A reliable, contamination-resistant, single-use, disposable, medical, non-ventilating, aspirating device and method. The device releasibly connects to and aligns with an indwelling endotracheal tube to accommodate advancing of an aspirating catheter tube of the device by manual manipulation through a sterile, flexible envelope and selective evacuation of lung secretions through a closed and sterile two-position, normally-closed, manually-operable valve at the proximal end of the device, while simultaneously accommodating voluntarily respiration by the patient.

Abstract: A multi-lumen-catheter flow valve system (10) comprises a catheter (14) having three separated lumens (70, 72, 74), each lumen having a separate outlet opening (122a-c) at a distal end portion of the catheter, and a selective-in/all-out valve apparatus (12). The valve apparatus has red, grey and blue input ports (46, 48, 50) and center, first offset and second offset output ports (64, 66, 68), each of the input ports being selectively coupled to a fluid source (16, 18 or 20) and each of the output ports being coupled to a lumen of the blood vessel catheter. The valve apparatus can be adjusted to selectively transmit fluid(s) entering the three input ports to the three output ports without mixing the fluids and to transmit fluids entering a lesser number of input ports than output ports to the three output ports, also without mixing the fluids.