Abstract: A ureteral stent of a small tubular size, e.g., 6 French, with an enlarged entry end of the stent tube, a dissolving tip of satisfactory strength and dimension that can be secured in the tube and a bore that can be incorporated in the tip enabling passage of an 0.038 inch guidewire having the desired stiffness characteristics. Stents according to the invention incorporate a tip of sufficiently large size that the tip can be reliably manufactured and secured to the stent body. The invention also includes medical devices with informational markings formed by application of laser radiation.

Abstract: A needleless IV quick-connect/disconnect assembly includes a first cylindrical member having a female luer, a resilient valve member having stem, a sealing surface, and a base, and a second cylindrical member having a fluid coupling extending from one end and an internal valve member support. The cylindrical members are sized so that the first cylindrical member fits snugly inside the second cylindrical member. A pair of radial ramped protrusions extend from the outer surface of the first cylindrical member and a pair of radial openings are provided in the second cylindrical member. In assembly, with the valve member stem in the female luer, the first cylindrical member is inserted into the second cylindrical member until the radial ramped protrusions engage the radial openings and the valve member base is engaged by the valve member support.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter is disclosed that facilitates catheter release when a pull is entered upon the inserted catheter while the balloon is inflated in a body passageway. The catheter is provided with one or more weakened regions on the inflatable balloon portion. These weakened regions may be provided by portions of non-uniform thicknesses arranged circumferentially around the balloon. These weakened regions rupture and release the inflation when the catheter is pulled from its inserted, inflated position. This mechanism allows for a tight seal on the body passageway while alleviating the danger of accidental removal with the balloon in its inflated state.

Abstract: A coupling system for transferring fluids from a medicament-containing cartridge to an injection site comprises a fluid flow channel, a blunt cannula defining the distal end of the fluid flow channel, a needle cannula defining the proximal end of the fluid flow channel, and means for fixedly connecting the needle cannula to the blunt cannula.

Abstract: A grommet at one side comprises a tubular part which widens out either in a regular trumpet-shaped curve ("monotonic") or via one or more "steps" or "bends" with the result that the risk of blockage is considerably reduced and the grommet is less quickly expelled from the eardrum. At the other side, the grommet is provided with a flange via which the grommet remains hooked behind the eardrum. This flange is so large - either round and the same size as the widely "fanning" top side of the trumpet-shaped top part of the grommet, or provided with one or more symmetrical or asymmetrical projections - that the grommet is held fast by the eardrum for a relatively long time. A recurrence of the fluid accumulation in the tympanic cavity or of an ear infection is consequently less likely to occur.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods and apparatus for structurally enhancing a catheter which can be employed to withstand the damaging stresses experienced by catheters implanted in bodily tissues, particularly catheters implanted in the compressed area between the clavicle and first rib of a patient. The enhanced catheter includes a nonmetallic inner tubular sleeve comprised wholly of a compliant material that is inserted in frictional engagement with the interior of the walls of the catheter. The inner sleeve has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the catheter.The structurally enhanced catheter can be manufactured by immersing a portion of a catheter in freon which causes the immersed portion to swell to have an inner diameter temporarily greater than the outer diameter of the tubular sleeve. Thereafter, the tubular sleeve is advanced site-selectively to a position within the catheter.

Abstract: Polymer blends having improved torque transmitting properties are disclosed. The polymer blends include polyetherurethane and a concentration of polyetherester sufficient to provide the polymer blend with a 37.degree. C. dynamic torque value greater than 40% of the polymer blend's 25.degree. C. dynamic torque value. The polymer blend can be thermally processed to form small diameter tubing suitable for general purpose catheters requiring both a high degree of maneuverability and sufficient resiliency to avoid tissue perforation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for delivering controlled heat to perform ablation to treat the benign prosthetic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). According to the method and the apparatus, the energy is transferred directly into the tissue mass which is to be treated in such a manner as to provide tissue ablation without damage to surrounding tissues. Automatic shut-off occurs when any one of a number of surrounding areas to include the urethra or surrounding mass or the adjacent organs exceed predetermined safe temperature limits. The constant application of the radio frequency energy over a maintained determined time provides a safe procedure which avoids electrosurgical and other invasive operations while providing fast relief to BPH with a short recovery time. The procedure may be accomplished in a doctor's office without the need for hospitalization or surgery.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture are provided for treating disorders of smooth muscle function in organ systems. A treatment element comprises a biocompatible polymer matrix loaded with a neuroactive substance. The device is placed in contact with the targeted organ system in a manner effecting a therapeutic effect on the smooth muscle function of the organ system.

Abstract: The occlusion ureteral catheter for retrograde pyelography with a compression plate is a long slender catheter made of polyurethane radio opaque or any equivalent material. It has a central lumen which opens to both ends of the catheter. The catheter has three parts: the tip or head of the catheter, compression plate and the stem of the catheter. There are structural variations on the tip of the catheter and compression plate.The tip of catheter has various shapes (whistle tip shape, cone or cobra head shape, olive tip shape and filiform shape), curvatures and sizes. The compression plate has various shapes (oval, circular, triangular) sizes and angulations. The compression plate is fixed and an integral part of the stem of the ureteral catheter. The occlusion ureteral catheter for retrograde pyelography comprises of a serial of catheters with structural variation at the tip and the compression plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pre-filled injection device, comprising (i) a barrel which is open at each end in which, before using the device, a liquid diazepam formulation is accommodated in a sealed manner and which comprises at least one rubber sealing member to seal the said formulation, and (ii) an injection needle or a needle connection at the front end of the barrel, said sealing member being manufactured at least substantially from bromobutyl rubber.

Abstract: A self-packaging safety syringe set (2) uses a unitary molded set of enclosure units (8, 104) sized for housing conventional cartridge-needle units (12) therein. The set of enclosure units are connected to one another by frangible connections (64, 66; 130, 138). The cartridge-needle unit has a hollow barrel (14) with a needle assembly (24) mounted to one end and a piston (16) mounted therein. Each enclosure unit includes a body section (38, 106), a stem section (44, 108) frangibly connected to one end of the body section, and an end cap (52, 110) connected to the other end of the body section. The frangible connection (48, 118) is broken to remove the stem section to expose the needle (26) for use. The removed stem section is used to drive the piston within the barrel. After use, the barrel is pulled back through the body section so that the needle is completely housed within the body section.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter defines an inflation lumen communicating with its balloon, and a guidewire lumen extending along the catheter. An aperture portion is defined in the catheter shaft between the guidewire lumen and the catheter exterior, the aperture portion being covered by a frangible wall that is typically thinner than the rest of the tubular catheter shaft wall. The catheter may be used in either the conventional over-the-wire technique or the "rapid exchange" technique of balloon angioplasty.

Abstract: An intravascular medical device having a structure shaped and sized for introduction into the vascular system of a patient including a base material and a coating of a thrombolytic agent on the base material. The thrombolytic agent advantageously dissolves or breaks up the formation of thrombus on the surface of the structure when placed in the vascular system of a patient. The intravascular medical device also includes a antithrombogenic agent for inhibiting the formation of thrombus on the surface of the medical device. The method of treating a medical device with a thrombolytic agent includes providing a base material for the medical device along with a thrombolytic agent. The base material is dipped into the thrombolytic agent and then removed to allow the thrombolytic agent to dry on the surface thereof. The dipping and drying steps are repeated to increase the concentration or quantity of the thrombolytic agent on the device.

Abstract: A method for providing oxygen to an internal body cavity by providing an oxygenated oxygen-transporting perfluorochemical enclosed within an oxygen permeable/perfluorochemical impermeable membrane within said body cavity.

Abstract: In a plug-type connector having two plug parts for producing and interrupting a flow connection, in order to enable sealing of the flow branches of the respective parts when separated from one another when the flow connection is interrupted, each plug part is terminated with a perforable septum with a cannula held so as to be longitudinally displaceable in one septum. The cannula and the septa are fashioned with reference to one another such that the septum holding the cannula offers lower resistance to the cannula upon penetration than does the other septum. This results in the cannula first penetrating the septum that holds it when the plug parts are joined and subsequently penetrating the other septum. When releasing the plug parts from one another, the cannula is first withdrawn from the septum that holds it and is then withdrawn from the other septum.

Abstract: A compact, integrated intravenous fluid delivery device. In one embodiment, the invention may be used with first and second intravenous fluid sources and an intravenous fluid line. This embodiment includes a spike for connecting the device to the first intravenous fluid source. A fluid passageway passes through the spike. A connection site (e.g. a puncture site) connects the device to the second intravenous fluid source. This embodiment also includes a drip chamber, through which the fluid may flow to the intravenous fluid line. This embodiment may include an adjustable valve, which includes a flexible tube mounted so that fluid may pass from the fluid passageway in the spike, from the connection site, and through the tube. The valve includes an actuator mounted with respect to the tube so that it may be urged to compress the tube. The spike, the adjustable valve, and the drip chamber are rigidly attached to each other, with no flexible tubing between the various components.

Abstract: A recapping apparatus includes a generally U-shaped frame member having a plurality of spring biased attachment clips for receiving a syringe with needle cap so that the medical professional can remove the needle with syringe from the cap with one hand and thereafter replace the syringe with needle back into the cap in case it is needed for reuse. At the end of the period of use such as an operation, the syringes with needles inserted into the caps can be removed from the attachment clips and disposed of in a sharps container.

Abstract: A simple, reliable, low cost hypodermic syringe, comprised generally of a barrel (12) and plunger and including a slidable protective sleeve (32) yieldably retained in an initial retracted position, whereby the capped needle end of the syringe is exposed and a warning band (18) is obscurred. The sleeve (32) is movable after removal of the cap, (30) which had also served as an assembly tool, to an extended latched position, thereby enshrouding the needle, (10) and exposing said warning band (18). The user can add retentive resistance further opposing premature extension of the sleeve (32). Once the syringe is used the cap (30) can be safely used again to further isolate the needle, (10) within a structurally stable, and permanently extended sleeve (32).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporary, external, cerebral ventricular drainage in the treatment of hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension are disclosed in which a flexible catheter having a repositionable guard surrounding its outer circumference with frictional gripping contact is inserted into the cerebral ventricle through a hole drilled in the skull. The guard is then advanced along the outside circumference of the catheter into a position, preferably the junction of the catheter and the skull hole, where the guard fixes the catheter in place and occludes the tract around the catheter by acting as a mechanical blockade and by encouraging a tissue fibrotic seal around the catheter. When the catheter is removed, the guard may be left in place inside the skull hole to eliminate any skull defect and to prevent the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.