Abstract: An intravenous infusion pumping system in which an independent and therefore disposable pump set cooperates with a rotor assembly block to produce a peristaltic action conveying a therapeutic solution drawn from a container into a patient. The pump set, which includes a flow line extending between the container and the patient, has a pump chamber interposed therein constituted by a precisely-dimensioned, flexible tube terminating in inlet and outlet connectors. The tube is looped in a block cavity to conform to an arcuate stator wall therein and is subjected to compression by a pair of diametrically-opposed rollers carried by the rotor, the rollers pressing the tube against the wall to occlude the tube and thereby trap the fluid therein. As the rotor turns, the points of occlusion are advanced to propel the fluid toward the outlet.

Abstract: The composite intubation tube has an outer pliable outer layer of plastic material and an inner concentric layer made of a hydrophilic polymer which becomes very soft and flexible in a wetted state. After intubation in a patient, a flow of gastric fluids or an inflow of nutrient solution wets the inner layer to become very soft so that pressure points on the tissue of the patient are eliminated.

Abstract: An autotransfusion device for use with a chest drainage unit is disclosed which includes a collapsible blood collection bag assembly having slotted stiffener members and a holder for holding the stiffener members bowed outwardly and the bag expanded for collecting blood. The bag assembly is removable from the holder for infusing the collected blood into the patient. An inlet and a gas outlet are at the top of the bag, and a filter is arranged to filter blood from the inlet to a blood collection portion of the bag, but air from the inlet can flow to the gas outlet without flowing through the filter.

Abstract: An applicator for the manual application of spreadable surgical clips which comprises a clip magazine which releasably retains a plurality of spreadable clips and forms a guideway for the clips, e.g., it may optionally include a pair of spaced-apart, parallel rail members extending throgh the magazine to slidably carry the clips. A spreader at the discharge end of the clip magazine, e.g., a pair of optionally bifurcated, wedge-shaped ramps, serves to receive and spread apart the clips for ejection of the spread-apart clips from the applicator.Spreadable surgical clips are also provided. The clips may have a front-to-rear taper to clear the discharge end of the applicator. The clips may have front connecting means and rear connecting means to disengageably connect the clips in a train of clips within the applicator. Generally, the clips may comprise a tubular body having a front-to-rear taper and a longitudinally extending clamping slit along the length of the body, to define opposing leg portions.

Abstract: The present invention sets forth a balloon catheter device adapted for use with catheters in angioplasty and/or valvuloplasty procedures which is expandable under fluid pressure and incorporates a plurality of stiffening means to resist deformation of isolated portions of the balloon when the balloon is expanded during the treatment procedure. Reinforcing means may also be provided to coact with the stiffening means to strengthen the balloon and/or to assist in the fixing of the location of the stiffening means. Various shapes and tapers of stiffening means can be provided to increase the effectiveness of the stiffening means and/or to reduce the change of damage to the balloon.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent pad for use as a baby diaper or an adult incontinent brief wherein the backing sheet of the diaper has a pair of continuous bands of adhesive arranged in a stepped generally longitudinal configuration thereon. An elastic band is disposed over the mid-portion of the adhesive being stepped to the side, out of contact with the elastic. When the pads are cut in the assembly process, only that portion of elastic in contact with the adhesive causes the pad to gather. The remaining end portions of the adhesive bands are secured to the intermediate layer of absorbent fluff material, helping it remain in place, and act as a fluid barrier on the sides of the absorbent pad.

Abstract: A subcutaneously implantable siphon control device is provided for use in a physiological shunt system including a proximal catheter, a flow control valve and a distal catheter. The siphon control device limits fluid flow through the shunt system due to the siphoning effect of hydrostatic pressure created by the elevation of the proximal catheter inlet with respect to the distal catheter outlet. The siphon control device includes, generally, a base having an inlet typically placed in fluid communication with an outlet of the flow control valve, and an outlet typically placed in fluid communication with the distal catheter, and a housing for the base which, in connection with the base, defines a fluid flow pathway between the inlet and the outlet. The base provides a wall having substantially parallel upper and lower seating surfaces, which separates the inlet from the outlet.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a main body having an inlet connectable to a source of liquid under pressure, an outlet, a passage extending through the main body from the inlet to the outlet and a surface outside of the passage. A flexible diaphragm confronts the surface and is coupled to the main body to at least partially define a sensing chamber. The main body has a port extending from the passage to the sensing chamber to provide communication between liquid under pressure in the passage and the sensing chamber. The port has a transverse cross section with at least one dimension which is no greater than about 0.060 inch.

Abstract: An improved medication administration system includes a series of one way valves disposed closely adjacent and in direct fluid communication with an auxiliary IV line leading to a patient. A plurality of syringes filled with various selected medications are each secured in a tray against axial and lateral movement by depressing them into correspondingly dimensioned longitudinal grooves. The flanges of the syringes abut a lip of the tray to further restrict axial movement. The nozzles of the syringes are connected to the inlets of the valves so that medication can be adminstered intravenously by simply depressing the appropriate syringe plunger. The tray is surrounded by a supporting outer box which includes retractable clamps for fastening the tray to an operating table. A second similarly shaped box is adapted to be clipped to the first box or clamped to the table. The second box can contain miscellaneous medical equipment.

Abstract: A two-compartment catheter of plastic or rubber is described, which can be introduced into the region of the vena cava where it is joined by the hepatic veins, and serves for therapy of liver diseases and for pharmacological studies on the liver. It consists of a two-lumen catheter which, at one end of the catheter tube, which is to be introduced into the vena cava, has an inflatable elongate extension, the diameter of which at the ends is greater than the diameter in the central region. The inflatable extension has an axially continuous through-flow channel, and the catheter tube leads next to this through-flow channel into a space, separate from the latter, outside the extension.

Abstract: A cannula for insertion into a body incision is provided with a tip having an opening in the sidewall and a pair of recesses in the outer surface of the tip forming a longitudinally extending ridge on one side on the tip for facilitating the insertion of the tip into the incision and dilating the incision.

Abstract: An automatic shield assembly for preventing reuse of a hypodermic needle injection device, such as a hypodermic syringe or an intravenous needle. A shield member is spring-biased outwardly towards the sharp end of the needle and maintained in this position by a retainer member which is automatically released upon application of the needle to the patient and permits the shield member to enclose and lock the needle against subsequent use upon removal of the needle from the patient.

Abstract: A medical device consists of an elongated catheter having a distal portion and a proximal portion, an inflatable balloon associated with the distal portion of the catheter and a valve member associated proximally with at least one lumen communicating with the volume of the balloon. In one embodiment, the valve member has a first position for connection of the first lumen to a source of liquid for introduction into the balloon and for connection of the second lumen to atmosphere for venting of gas displaced from the balloon by the liquid, and the valve member has a second position for connection of the first and second lumens to inflation/deflation means for flow of liquid into and rapidly out of the balloon via both lumens simultaneously.

Abstract: A user operated colonic irrigaiton device. The device comprising a board to be received on a lavatory and to receive a person undergoing treatment with a generally triangular opening in the board. A resilient hood with an open end, being resiliently deformable to fit within the opening in the board and tapering from the open end to the closed end to match the shape of the generally triangular opening. The hood can be located in the opening by recesses on each side of the hood, able to engage the board. An abutment on the exterior of the closed end of the hood contacts the upper surface of the board. A tube is able to communicate a supply of liquid to the person. The tube is supported by a bracket extending upwardly from the hood. There is a recess in the bracket able to releasably grip the tube. The board is easy to clean and sterilize, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and more simple and practical than prior art boards.

Abstract: Perfusion dilatation catheter and method of manufacturing the same. The catheter has an elongated flexible shaft with an inflatable balloon mounted near the distal end of the shaft. A first lumen in the shaft communicates with the balloon for inflating and deflating the balloon. A second lumen extends between the proximal and distal ends of the shaft and is adapted to receive a guide wire. Openings formed in the side wall of the shaft on the proximal and distal sides of the balloon communicate with the second lumen to provide a path for blood to flow past the balloon when it is inflated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter assembly for placement in a blood vessel which comprises a catheter body having an opening at the distal tip thereof and provided with a luer-connector at proximal portion and a flexible guide wire inserted into said catheter body and bendingly formed to be J-shaped at the distal tip thereof.

Abstract: A delivery device for depositing an exogenous fibrin clot into a wound site during an arthroscopic surgical operation. The delivery device having a tubular body and plunger. The body including a large internal diameter collection chamber and a small internal diameter ejection chamber with an internal frusto-conical transition chamber positioned therebetween. The plunger having a rear tamping knob on one end and an ejection tip on the other end. The rear knob having a matching frusto-conical portion used for tamping the fibrin clot material from the collection chamber into the ejection chamber. The tip of the plunger being insertable into the injection chamber to push the fibrin clot material out of the delivery device. The plunger also having a forward stop knob which limits the depth of insertion of the plunger into the body. The tip of the plunger when fully inserted extends axially beyond the end of the ejection chamber.

Abstract: A connector stent of adjustable length is provided for draining fluid through a biological passage. The connector stent comprises an elongated tubular member and a connector. A retaining means is disposed at one end of the elongated tubular member, the other end being straight. A retaining means is disposed at one end of the connector, the other end being adapted to engage the straight end of the elongated tubular member. The straight end of the elongated tubular member may be cut to a desired length before engaging the connector so that the length of the connector stent corresponds to the length of the fluid passageway to be drained.

Abstract: A parenteral delivery system and a formulation chamber are disclosed for administering a beneficial agent. The parenteral delivery system comprises a drip chamber and a formulation chamber. The formulation chamber comprises a wall surrounding an internal space and it has an inlet for admitting a liquid into the formulation chamber and an outlet for letting an agent formulation leave the formulation chamber. The chamber houses an agent delivery system for releasing a beneficial agent into a liquid that enters the chamber.

Abstract: A device for aiding aspiration of meconium-stained fluids from infants at birth is disclosed. The device includes a unique endotracheal tube having a guide wire imbedded in its walls, a collection chamber in communication with said endotracheal tube, and a second tube having a bacterial/viral filter and a mouthpiece associated therewith which is used to evacuate the collection chamber and draw fluids through the endotracheal tube.