Abstract: A steerable catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremity. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity tubular member said a lumen extending therethrough. A mandrel is slidably mounted in the lumen and extends into the distal extremity. A mechanism extends through the tubular member for causing bending of the distal extremity with respect to the mandrel disposed therein.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods for preserving organs in brain-dead humans or cadavers which allows additional time for the organs to remain viable such that they may be harvested for subsequent transplantation. This invention also discloses methods for preserving and/or resuscitating organs in live (nonbrain-dead) patients, allowing for additional time to stabilize the patient's condition. The methods include the steps of instrumentizing (e.g., catheterizing, cannulating, injecting, etc.) the vessels or tissues around the organ, or the organ itself sought to be preserved and/or resuscitated, the body cavity, or cavities of the body, and introducing a temperature-controlled solution to preserve and/or resuscitate the organ(s). The temperature-controlled organ preservation solution includes components such as oxygen carrying agents, antioxidants, tissue damage reversing and protecting agents, carrier vehicles, diluents, nutrients, and anti-coagulating agents.

Abstract: A wound covering comprising a film formed of a polyurethane resin, or a laminate of the polyurethane film and an absorptive cloth, wherein the polyurethane film or the cloth contains an antibacterial agent, and perforations are formed at least on the polyurethane film.

Abstract: A substance for diagnosis or therapy of an animal. The substance includes an agent which is detectable or therapeutically active, the agent being linked to a carrier which is linked to a targeting site, whereby the agent accumulates in the lymphatic system of the animal to a greater degree than if the targeting site were absent.

Abstract: This invention introduces a new means and units that are to allow a rapid and clean insertion of bladder and similar catheters. These units will isolate and cover the contaminated surrounding areas by a cover made from synthetic or natural materials and their combinations. It also introduces a series of catheter covers that will cover the bladder catheters and will prevent it from being contaminated. These units also may use means that allows the support of the catheter to be done easily. Thank you very much for your consideration.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation and/or mapping procedures comprising ablating discrete ablation tracks within the left and right atrium of the heart by use of precurved left and right atrium guiding introducers. Also disclosed are shapes for the guiding introducers to be used for the ablation and/or mapping of the discrete tracks within the left and right atrium.

Abstract: Improved methods of ionophoretic drug delivery are described. By the intentional selection of drug(s) with specific characteristics, of ionotophoresis device, components or both permits the efficiency of drug delivery is increased.

Abstract: A method of producing a therapeutic effect upon a living organism endowed with a lymphatic system, comprising the steps of with drawing from said organism a biological fluid, wherein lymphocytes prevail as the cellular constituents, and introducing into said biological fluid a photo-active chemical agent soluble therein. The chemical agent has a specific affinity for the receptor sites in or on the fluid constituents, and is capable of being activated by ultraviolet radiation, and, when activated by said ultraviolet radiation, of forming photo-adducts with receptor sites of the fluid constituents, thereby ensuring chemical linkage between said photo-active chemical agent and said receptor sites. The method further includes irradiating the biological fluid, with the photo-active chemical agent introduced thereinto, by ultraviolet light, and introducing said biological fluid after said irradiation back into said lymphatic system. Irradiation may be effected endolymphatically.

Abstract: The catheter flexible tip assembly is mounted to the distal end of a catheter body having high torque and kink resistant characteristics. The tip assembly comprises a distal end portion including a soft tubular body having a wire coil embedded therein and a transitional tip portion connected between the proximal end of the distal end portion and the distal end of the catheter body. Preferably a high stress resistant connection is provided between a distal end of the transitional tip portion and a proximal end of the distal end portion.

Abstract: A method of injecting gas-supersaturated fluids as a bubble-free effluent from a delivery system into a relatively low pressure, gas-depleted environment without cavitation or bubble formation. The method includes the steps of eliminating cavitation nuclei from within the delivery system, compressing a fluid and a gas at a high partial pressure to form a gas-supersaturated fluid, and ejecting the gas-supersaturated fluid through the delivery system into the environment without associated cavitation formation in the effluent.

Abstract: A dressing is described which is preferably constructed of a layer of hydrocolloid material having a downwardly extending lip member thereon that is sized to be received adjacent to a percutaneous device which is at least partially implanted into a patient such that the dressing having a lip member thereon forms a physical barrier to decrease the incidence of catheter tract infections in a patient and the lip member provides a downward extension into the wound to help remove exudate and detritus from the catheter tract and wherein the dressing further includes a mesh layer adjacent to the skin of the patient to minimize the amount of hydrocolloid material remaining on the skin of the patient after use.

Abstract: An infusion pump system includes a removable in vivo glucose sensor for monitoring glucose concentration level in a patient, and for signaling an infusion pump to deliver a selected medication such as insulin to a patient. The glucose sensor comprises a sensor cable for placement through a catheter to position a distal sensor tip at a selected in vivo sensor site. A proximal end of the sensor cable seats within a connector fitting mounted on the catheter at a convenient and accessible subcutaneous position. The connector fitting couples the sensor cable to an implanted control unit which signals the infusion pump to deliver the patient medication. In a preferred system, the infusion pump is also implanted and receives control signals via a direct or telemetric connection. The sensor cable is easily accessed at the connector fitting for periodic sensor removal and replacement, without requiring removal or replacement of other system components.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a uniformly dispersed drug-containing phase within a continuous liquid delivery phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides shaped medical devices adapted for implant and subsequent in-vivo disintegration within a human or animal body. In one embodiment, the medical device is fabricated from a matrix polymer component, e.g., a lactam, which has a ceiling temperature (Tc) within the range of from about 40.degree. C. to about 76.degree. C. Decomposition of this device is accomplished by heating the device in-vivo to a temperature at or above the ceiling temperature of the matrix polymer component. In another embodiment, the medical device is fabricated from an end-capped polyoxyalkylene matrix polymer component characterized by a depolymerization temperature of at least about 40.degree. C. and a ceiling temperature of 76.degree. C. or less after removal of the end-cap group. In a third embodiment of the invention the medical device comprises a matrix polymer which is insoluble or only slightly soluble in normal body fluids and which exhibits a Tc below 40.degree. C.

Abstract: An urethral drain having deep external drainage channels, a low-profiled bladder retention segment, and a reversibly detachable collection segment, facilitates the draining of urine and fluids from the bladder. The low-profiled retention means minimizes bladder irritations and the deep external channels reduce the occurrence of infections. Incorporation of a reduced diameter smooth segment on the catheter, proximate the location of the external urethral sphincter allows the patient to void normally and at will. The drain can be worn concealed within the urethra. Flushing action from normal voiding washes out particulate matters in the urethra and the concealed drain further minimizes contamination. Together, these features improve quality of life for patients needing catheterization.

Abstract: A system and method is provided which substantially eliminates the effect of air entrapped in tubing for delivering a liquid from a container. The inner diameter of the tubing is selected such that the gravitational force of the liquid from the container is greater than the surface tension of the liquid. A release agent may be used as a coating layer on the interior wall in addition to or alternatively from an expanded diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the time-released delivery of a selected preparation into a patient's uterine cavity. The apparatus includes an osmotic pump for expelling the selected preparation over time and a catheter for delivery the expelled preparation into the uterine cavity. An inflatable balloon on the catheter holds the apparatus in position in the patient.

Abstract: The device consists of: (a) an application reservoir or cell (1) whose base has a filling hole (4) for the solution and an opening that is fitted with a stopper (5) which presents micro-recesses on its periphery for administration of the solution on the skin; (b) a balloon (2) to pressurize and stabilize flow of the solution within the reservoir; and (c) a lid (3) to hermetically seal the aforesaid reservoir. The device is used in the form of a bracelet, abdominal belt or patch for application of solutions like trinitrine, oestradiols, etc. onto the skin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating an occlusion or constriction, such as a stenosis in a blood vessel or other conduit in the body, as well as an apparatus and method for treating a tumor or cancerous area occurring around a conduit or duct in the body. The apparatus includes a catheter provided with a ribbed balloon encircling a portion near its distal end. When inserted into the body over a guide wire and transported to the site of the stenosis, the balloon is inflated one or more times and, due to the ribbed balloon, blood perfuses around the catheter during the treatment. A radioactive source of material is inserted through the catheter to the site of the stenosis or cancer where it is maintained in position for a period of time to reduce the occurrence of re-stenosis or cancer. A guide wire provided with a removable core can be utilized to properly maneuver the catheter to the site of the stenosis or cancer.

Abstract: A single or multiple lumen catheter having one or more non-circular, oval, elliptical or oblong shaped lumens therein and wherein the cross sectional shapes of a plurality of the lumens in the multiple lumen catheters are opposed with respect to each other to minimize the existence of sharp corners or flow restriction areas in the lumen and minimizing the occurrence of septum or catheter wall deflection while maximizing the cross sectional area of the lumens of the catheter.