Abstract: To protect against the health and safety risks that accompany accidental post-use needle sticks, a medical needle assembly equipped with a safety cap is described. The disclosed medical needle assembly generally includes a needle hub, a needle having a magnetized distal end, and a removable safety cap attached to and extending radially from the needle hub. In another embodiment, the removable safety cap is attached to a sheath that covers the needle. The safety cap includes a magnet and a retainer disposed between the first and second ends of the cap. The retainer is configured to prevent withdrawal of the needle once the needle perforates the retainer and the safety cap encloses the distal end of the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method configured for the efficient delivery of a viscous material, such as bone cement, to a surgical site are described. A housing removably receives a large gauge syringe which is filled with the viscous material. The apparatus is a syringe-type assembly that uses at least one vibrating motor together with a plunger rod assembly. The method employs the continuous application of vibrational forces to the central barrel portion of the apparatus during the time that the viscous material is being delivered and/or applied in vivo. The vibration to the central barrel portion increases the tendency of the viscous material to flow thereby making delivery of such materials easier and more efficient.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for use with a cannula/hub assembly that withdraws fluids from and/or injects fluids into a body. In the preferred embodiment, the illumination assembly comprises a housing and a light-emitting element mounted in and/or on the housing, for emitting directed light to an entry point on the body; wherein the housing is coupled to the cannula/hub assembly such that the location at which the cannula will enter the body remains illuminated even after the cannula has been inserted into the entry point.

Abstract: An epidural space locating device for locating an epidural space, the device comprising a body section having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough, the first end of which is coupleable to a luer assembly; and a collapsible bellows chamber having one end coupled to the second end of the body section and the other end exposed so as to permit pressure to be exerted thereon by one or more digits of a hand, wherein positive pressure within the bellows chamber maintains the integrity of the shape of the bellows chamber and wherein negative or zero pressure within the bellows chamber facilitates the collapsing of the shape of the bellows chamber thus indicating the locating of the epidural space by a needle that is coupled to the luer assembly; wherein the loss of pressure within the bellows chamber is sensed by the one or more digits of the hand as the shape of the bellows chamber collapses.

Abstract: An arrangement used in connection with the withdrawal of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from a spinal column comprising a hub having a chamber therein for receiving CSF; a cannula being coupled to the hub to permit communication of CSF with the hub, the cannula having a first end securable within the hub and a second end dimensioned to permit withdrawal of CSF from a spinal column; wherein the hub includes walls forming an opening therebetween, and wherein a arcuately shaped magnifier is disposed within the opening, wherein the magnifier includes edges that extend below the top surface of the walls of the hub such that at least a portion of the curved outer surface of the magnifier extends below the top surface of the walls of the hub; whereby the magnifier can be positioned in close proximity to the chamber to improve magnification of the CSF as it enters the chamber and decrease the recognition time from when the CSF first enters the chamber of the hub.

Abstract: A needle assembly that includes a hub, a cannula and a retractable sheath. The retractable sheath has a tubular portion that initially encases the cannula and is further slideably mounted about a portion of the hub such that the sheath is retractably slidable relative to the hub and along at least the substantial length of the cannula so that (a) at least a substantial portion of the cannula is exposed when the sheath is in its retracted position and (b) a length of the cannula is at least essentially encased when the sheath is in it non-retracted position. In a preferred embodiment, the method of reencasing the cannula after use can be achieved with one hand.

Abstract: This injection device comprises a housing having a handgrip for operating it. A collapsible fluid container is adapted to fit in the housing under the pressure element of the handgrip. The container has a fill opening with a closure and an injection stem extending out of the housing so that when the handgrip is squeezed, the collapsible fluid container will compress the fluid within it and drive the fluid out through the stem. Conversely, when the fluid container is compressed, the stem can be submerged in fluid and the handgrip spread to enlarge the container and suck fluid into the container.