Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for collecting plasma. The blood collected at from a blood access is temporarily stored in a blood reservoir and subsequently allowed to pass through a plasma separator at increased speed per unit time by the action of circulating pump located downstream of the reservoir. The plasma separator is connected at its outlet to a circuit communicating with the blood reservoir, whereby the blood cells substantially free of plasma are combined with a fresh feed of blood from the blood access. Blood cells of higher Ht values, while in blood return, come predominantly out of the plasma separator so that the latter involves no sudden increase in pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for separately dispensing each of two biological fluids contained therein for intermixing at a site outside of the dispenser to produce hemostasis or a tissue adhesive. The dispenser is compact, contains internal reservoirs of the two bioloical fluids, and is designed for efficient reloading with filled nonsterile containers without compromising the integrity of the sterile field. The dispenser is capable of dispensing the biological fluids, such as fibrinogen and thrombin, at either a focused point of in an aerosol mist. In addition, spray elements are disclosed for uniformly distributing the two biological fluids along either the interior surface or the exterior surface of an implantable vascular graft.

Abstract: An air elimination device includes a plenum arranged to cause a reduction in flow velocity of a physiological fluid whereby air bubbles form and rise to the top of the plenum. A hydrophobic membrane covers the top of the plenum, and the pressure in the fluid is greater than that which is required to drive the released air through the membrane and into the atmosphere. The air which collects at the top of the plenum forms a protective surface on the bottom of the hydrophobic membrane to prevent its being clogged by cellular materials. A support stand engages the air eliminator to hold it in the desired orientation whereby the air bubbles form at the top of the plenum.

Abstract: Medical catheters and methods are provided for dispensing and implanting materials and devices within the bodies of living beings. In one form, an implantable device or material is disposed within the operating head of a catheter which is caused to move through a body duct to a select location therein which location is detected either by externally scanning the body duct with radiation or ultrasonic energy or by viewing an image of the body duct adjacent the head of the catheter by means of a fiber optical viewing system including a fiber optic cable extending along the catheter. When properly located, a mechanical, electro-mechanical and/or fluidically operated mechanism in the head of the catheter is operated causing a select quantity of an implantable material or an implant to be forced from the head and caused to engage a select portion of the wall of the body duct and attach thereto to retain such implant or material in engagement therewith.

Abstract: A collapse-resistant catheter adapted for medical usage includes a central tube having a smooth outer wall rather than a corrugated outer wall characteristic of prior art collapse-resistant catheters. The tube includes an integral, spiral-shaped outer tube which provides the collapse-resistant characteristic. The spiral tube also provides an additional lumen. The center tube is adapted to provide for a multilumen structure not possible with corrugated prior art structures. The resulting structure, single or multilumen, can be made sufficiently small for insertion into the human body.

Abstract: A drug infusion system includes a plurality of infusion pump modules and a central management unit interconnected with the infusion pump modules to provide centralized control. The central management unit includes a touch screen for communicating with a user, the touch screen including an arrangement for enabling the user to initiate the display of a menu of infusion-rate-related parameters and selectively assign values for any of the parameters in the menu while an infusion rate value is automatically calculated according to the values so assigned. One embodiment enables temporary transfer from a titrate screen to a calculator screen with which the values are assigned, and a separate set of values is preserved for each infusion pump module.

Abstract: A syringe for dispensing a liquid pharmaceutical composition has a first chamber (5), adjacent to nozzle (3), which contains a mositure sensitive solid drug, two movable septa (8,9) which together create a second chamber (6) and a third chamber (7) holding a liquid diluent, and a liquid by-pass passage (19) which can connect the third chamber (7) to the first chamber (5) while by-passing second chamber (6).A plunger (4) is depressed to move the septum (9) towards the nozzle (3), thereby causing liquid diluent to flow via by-pass passage (19) into the first chamber (5) to mix with the drug.The second chamber (6) contains moisture sequestering material to insulate the drug from any moisture which might leak through septum (9).

Abstract: A surgical knife, especially for use by ophthalmic surgeons for performing radial keratotomy, comprises an elongate body and a head portion which receives a diamond blade and within which the blade is displaceable forwards and backwards lengthwise of the knife along a line extending at an angle of inclination to the axis of the knife body. The angle of inclination is preferably about 20.degree.. The knife preferably incorporates a micrometer setting mechanism, adjustment of which is transmitted through the knife body to a piston located in the head portion and arranged to make contact with a knife holder for the blade. The transmission chain from micrometer to piston may include a cranked element acting on the piston.

Abstract: There is disclosed a blood components collector unit comprising a cannula, a blood collection bag and a membrane type blood components separator which are connected in this order through tubes, and also comprising a plasma collection reservoir and a blood cell collection reservoir, both of which are connected to the blood components separator through tubes, wherein each connection through each tube is in a fixed fashion, thereby providing a unified connection, and wherein the blood collector unit is packed in a container in a sterile state. By the use of the unit of the present invention, whole blood can be collected and separated into blood components easily at a shortened period of time without any cumbersome preparatory operations. In addition, since the unit of the present invention is compact and light in weight and can be used without any other auxiliary apparatus, the unit can be conveyed to and used in any places, such as in automobiles and outdoors.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter having an outer tubular balloon portion with length-wise circumferential crimps having at either end transition portions with longitudinal crimps across the axis and an inner catheter is provided. The distal transition portion is fastened to the distal end of the inner catheter tube which extends beyond the distal end of the outer tube and the balloon portion while the proximal transition portion is connected to the distal end of the outer catheter tube. The balloon portion expands readily to a predetermined diameter while undergoing little change in length with an extension of the transition portions so that relative movement of the inner and outer catheter tubing is not required. Accordingly, minimum shear forces occur at the interface of the expanded balloon surface and the interior vessel wall.

Abstract: A feeding device for an epidural needle which includes a guide rail having a guide block with a needle holder being slidable thereon is disclosed. The invention further includes a piston having a piston rod which is positioned upon the guide block with the piston rod extending into a cylinder filled with a liquid. The piston, which is positioned on the piston rod, includes flow passages for a limited flow of liquid. The feeding device of the invention allows for a reliable recognition of the epidural space of a patient by maintaining a constant feeding speed for the needle, irrespective of the feeding pressure applied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for autologous plasma delipidation of animals (including humans). The method comprises drawing blood from the animal, separating the plasma from the red blood cells, delipidating the plasma with a lipid solvent, remixing the delipidated with the red blood cells and re-introducing the delipidated blood into the animal. A preferred apparatus which utilizes the above method comprises a needle for drawing blood from the animal and the blood is then fed into a centrifugal separator where the blood is separated into the plasma and red blood cells. The plasma is then mixed with a biphase solvent and passed through a separator where the delipidated plasma (in an aqueous phase) is drawn off from the lipid components (in an organic phase). After removal of solvent, the delipidated plasma is remixed with the red blood cells and re-introduced to the animal by a re-infusion needle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for treatment of hypertrophy of the prostate gland. The apparatus comprises an expansion catheter having an expandable tubular stent associated therewith, adapted for transurethral insertion via the external opening of the urethra and placement within a stenotic region of the urethral lumen caused by a hypertrophied prostate gland. Force exerted by the expansion catheter upon the tubular expandable stent causes an opening of the lumen within the prostatic urethra. Removal of the expansion catheter, leaving in place the expanded tubular stent, ensures a long-term patency of the urethral lumen. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing in diameter and thereafter removing a previously implanted and expanded tubular stent made and inserted in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A venous catheter device includes an elongated flexible catheter tube having a proximal end and a longitudinally extending the distal end portion with a catheter tube distal terminus for insertion into and capable of being fed longitudinally through a vein. A plurality of independent lumens extend through the catheter tube, preferably including a distal lumen, a middle lumen and a proximal lumen, each of the lumens having a wall, a proximal end, and a lumen distal terminus adjacent to the catheter tube distal terminus. Each lumen distal terminus spaced longitudinally from each other so as to include a distal lumen terminus, a middle lumen terminus, and a proximal lumen terminus, respectively. At least two of the lumen termini have a fluid flow enhancement structure for maximizing fluid flux rate through each lumen by directing flow through the distal terminus of each lumen in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the distal end portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a precharged disposable syringe consisting of a housing having a central aperture through which extends an actuator button to contact an internal piston mounted over a medication ampoule contained in the housing. The ampoule includes a dependent hypodermic needle and the ampoule is slightively mounted in the housing for movement between a recessed position where it is totally contained and supported within the housing and an extended position with the dependent needle projecting out of the housing. An actuator spring is located in the housing and is compressed and biased to move the piston and the ampoule into the projected position. Medication is discharged by the mechanically coupled actuator button and piston. The actuator button and piston is locked for safety with a dent and plastic ring.

Abstract: A douche apparatus for vaginal application with a high temperature thermostatic valve located close to the source of mixed hot and cold water immediately after an adapter for connecting the apparatus to the water faucet. The apparatus has a hollow handle with a threaded extension which receives a disposable nozzle for vaginal introduction of douche liquids received through the handle. A flexible hose connects the thermostat output to a backflow prevention valve at the handle input to prevent douche additives introduced through a mixing chamber in the handle from being introduced to the water supply. A gate valve in the handle controls liquid volume and pressure in the flow channel exiting the handle through a macro screen for particulate matter filtration and a micro screen for bacterial filtration of the douche liquid immediately prior to exiting the handle and communication to the nozzle for vaginal cavity entry.

Abstract: A steerable dilatation catheter with perfusion holes for use in coronary angioplasty. The catheter has inner and outer tubular members, with an inflatable balloon near the distal end of the outer tubular member. The guidewire extends through a lumen in the inner tubular member, and the distal end portions of the tubular members are sealed to the guidewire to close the distal end of this passageway. An annular lumen is formed between the inner and outer tubular members for the passage of inflating fluid to the interior of the balloon. The sidewalls of the tubular members are sealed together completely around the inner periphery of the distal ends thereof and over a limited area proximal to the balloon. Perfusion holes extend through the sealed sidewalls of the tubular members on both the proximal and distal of the balloon.

Abstract: An improved breast pump comprised of a manifold having a cavity and plurality of openings. A horn is positioned in one of the openings for coupling the mother's breast with the cavity. A first fixed cylinder is formed integrally with a second opening of the manifold with a second cylinder slidingly received over the first cylinder for effecting a pumping action therebetween to create a reduced pressure within the horn, cavity and cylinders. A third opening is for the coupling of a baby bottle therewith. A ball valve is located within the third opening whereby when the second cylinder is reciprocated with respect to the first cylinder and a vacuum created in the horn, cavity and cylinders, the ball valve will seal the third opening and the bottle from the cavity and suck milk from a mother's breast located in association with the horn.

Abstract: A large number of needle patterns are integrally associated with each other on an extended U-shaped metal plate. After that, a pointed end of individual needle patterns is formed, and a series of individual needle patterns are divided into a plurality of segmented needle bodies. Then, a suture is inserted into a hollow portion of the needle body. By closing both walls of the needle body, a suture needle can be produced one after another.

Abstract: A cylindrical, shatter-resistant, pre-sterilized suction tube in which a vacuum is to be selectively established by the user for automatically drawing a fluid sample, such as blood, or the like, by way of a hypodermic needle. The suction tube has a seal member detachably connected across a distal end thereof and a tab member detachably connected across a proximal end. A piston is located at the interior of the tube between the seal and tab members. An elongated retracting element extends between the detachable tab member and the piston. Application by the user of an axial pulling force to the tab member after the tab member has been detached from the proximal end of the suction tube causes a corresponding axial movement of the piston towards the open proximal end of the tube for expulsing air therefrom to evacuate the tube. The piston is locked at the proximal end to completely seal the tube and preserve the integrity of the vacuum which has been established therewithin.