Abstract: The apparatus for medical purposes comprises a sleeve-type catheter hub (10) having a cylindrical longitudinal channel (11) and a flexible catheter capillary (24) which, through an orifice portion (11a) of the longitudinal channel (11) extends into an expanded intermediate section (11c) of the longitudinal channel (11). The catheter capillary (24) includes a thicker head portion (23) tightened in the expanded intermediate section (11c) of the longitudinal channel (11) by an annular shoulder (22) of a radial annular collar (20) which is formed by ultrasonic welding into the wall of the longitudinal channel (11). To obtain a stepless passage of the cylindrical channel (11), an adapter (18) with a conical passage (19) is joined by press fit to the annular collar (20). The catheter capillary (24) is firmly anchored. In addition, the conical passage (19) serves as an insertion aid for a probe or the like.

Abstract: A novel double-balloon septal defect occlusion catheter which is used in conjunction with a unique surgical procedure to temporarily close septal perforations, particularly spontaneous ventricular septal perforations following acute myocardial infarction, without the need for open heart surgery, thus permitting the patient's condition to stabilize and permitting elective surgical closure of the defect at a later date.

Abstract: A disposable suture boot for use on surgical instruments to provide a non-slip covering for the instruments end which is interconnected by a thin band of material. The suture boot is comprised of a sealed elongated monolithic unitary hollow cylindrical body of resilient surgical rubber with a center portion cut partially away to form an interconnecting web between the oppositely disposed sealed end portions.

Abstract: A contraceptive system (10) is provided for use by both men and women having one piece formation which includes an extended tubular member (12) coupled to a genital shield member (14). Extended tubular member (12) is closed at the distal end (30) and open at the proximal end (32). In the embodiment adapted for use by women, extended tubular member (12) has a non-uniform wall thickness where the bottom wall thickness (36) is greater than the top wall thickness (34). Genital shield (14) includes an absorbent layer (16) adhesively bonded to the surface (15) of shield member (14). Shield member (14) also includes retention straps (18) with clasps (20) for maintaining contraceptive system (10) in position on the body.

Abstract: A device for aspirating fluids from a body cavity or hollow organ. The device includes an elongated tube having a proximal opening adapted to be coupled to a suctioning device. The elongated tube also has a portion spaced from the proximal opening to be positioned in the cavity or organ. The portion is convolved about a central axis and has at least one aspirating port facing inwardly of the convolved portion for spacing the at least one aspirating port from the walls of the cavity or organ.

Abstract: The quick connect/disconnect tubing adapter is used for capturing a tubing within the adapter in a generally sterile manner. The adapter comprises two mating body portions which have passageways for receiving a tubing end portion. A tubing is received in and fixed in the passageways and is adapted to contract around the tubing end portion when the body portions are pulled away from each other. Additionally, a locking mechanism is provided for releasably locking the body portions together in a pulled apart position with the tubing end portion captured in the tubing.

Abstract: Equipment is disclosed for shielding a catheter such as a balloon-tipped vascular catheter from contamination during testing and insertion and for shielding a substantial reserve catheter section for use if catheter re-positioning is necessary. As shown, the structure includes two interconnecting envelopes which physically isolate the catheter. One envelope is designed to shield the distal end portion of the catheter during testing for luman patency and balloon inflation. The other envelope is extendible to cover the entire length of catheter intended for insertion into the patent upon completion of required tests. The second envelope thereafter provides a means for advancement or re-positioning of the catheter or withdrawal of the same without physical contact by the hands or exposure to airborne contaminants.

Abstract: A non-metallic catheter button body having a variety of geometric shapes, having integrally secured therewith a metallic marker element, to anchor a catheter or surgical tube in the body with less pain to the patient while providing an X-ray visible marker, which button substantially reduces loss of the patient's skin from scattered electrons resulting from a bombardment by radiation from radioactive material. The non-metallic button body may further include an integral non-metallic stem portion to facilitate the crimping of the stem, anchoring of tubes in the body, and insertion of ribbons of radioactive material therein.

Abstract: The septum includes a unit with two fill chamber sections, each having a corresponding needle penetrable seal member for sealing the respective fill chamber sections. The seal members are oppositely disposed and thereby permit access to a corresponding fill chamber section at two different orientations of the septum. Thus, when the septum has flipped over from its original position, one of the fill chamber sections continues to remain accessible for fluid infusion and/or fluid withdrawal. A needle stop portion in the unit which forms a partition between the fill chamber sections prevents a needle that has entered one of the fill chamber sections from passing out of the other fill chamber section. In several embodiments of the invention, the partitioning needle stop section is moveable and in other embodiments of the invention, the partitioning needle stop section is immoveable. Thus there is provision for expanding and contracting the fill chamber sections in some of the embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A novel subcutaneous tunnelling instrument and method for placing a subcutaneous catheter between two remote incisions in a patient, comprising making a subcutaneous tunnel by pushing a rod having an elongated bullet-shaped tip removably threaded upon male threads disposed at the distal end thereof into one incision and subcutaneously tunnelling to and out through the second incision, removing the bullet-shaped tip from the distal end of the rod, sliding the open end of a catheter over the male threads disposed at the distal end of the rod until the catheter abuts the rod, thereafter pulling the distal end of the rod back into the second incision and through the subcutaneous tunnel to and through the first incision, and thereafter removing the open end of the catheter from the male threads at the distal end of the rod.

Abstract: A catheter for the repair of an injured blood vessel, characterized by comprising a multiple-lumen type catheter tube having at least two tubular cavities, at least one dilating member disposed in the distal portion of said catheter tube and adapted to communicate with one of said tubular cavities, a lateral hole for the injection of a blood coagulation accelerant disposed on said catheter tube at the proximal side than said dilating member side and adapted to communicate with the other tubular cavity, and a hub having a plurality of flow conduit communicating severally with said tubular cavities of said catheter tube and adapted to communicate with the proximal portion of said catheter tube.

Abstract: Apparatus and a non-surgical method for hypodermically implanting a genitourinary prosthesis comprising an extensible, inflatable containment membrane to be located between the urethra and the subcutaneous corpus spongiousum of a patient to overcome urinary incontinence by means of localized, controlled tissue volume increase. Hypodermic positioning, injecting and inflating instruments are also disclosed for implant of the containment membrane and for percutaneously infusing the membrane with bicompatible fluid or particulate matter. The containment membrane functions as an envelope for retaining the fluid or particulate matter therewithin while controllably and advantageously increasing localized tissue volume and simultaneously preventing the migration of such fluid or particles. Accordingly, an increased passive occlusive pressure may be applied to the patient's urethra to achieve continence.

Abstract: A blood clot filter particularly suited for filtering blood clots from blood circulating through the inferior vena cava is composed of a number of peripheral wires joined at one end by a first connector and also joined approximately at their middle portions by a second connector. The wire portions extending between the two connectors form a filter mesh, and the wire portions extending between the second connector and the free ends form filtering legs which anchor the filter. The free ends have recurved hooks for radial engagement with a blood vessel. The filter mesh is formed by mechanically approximating the two connectors resulting in the formation of overlapping loops of wire. A central core wire is fixedly secured to one of the two connectors and slidingly extends through the second of the two connectors. The central core wire is retracted to slide the two connectors together. A lock device prevents the two connectors from sliding back apart.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for artificial fertilization in which an ovum or embryonic implant is inserted in the uterine cavity by means of tubing which communicates with the outside and passes through the uterine wall. The tubing comprises a flexible but relatively incompressible silicone elastomer tube having, and bulges are provided on the outer surface of the tube. In some embodiments the tube includes a spiral reenforcement of stainless steel wire.

Abstract: A tamper evident injection syringe of the disposable type is described having a container for storage of the material to be injected, means for expelling the material, an interference collar at one end of the container and a flange attached to the expelling means that is close fitting to the internal wall of the container and having a dimension greater than the interference collar such that the flange cannot pass through the interference means thereby preventing removal of the expelling means and the contents of the syringe. In addition a needle nub is described that permits connection of a needle or catheter and the connection of a tamper evident sealing cap that is easily removable yet when removed cannot be replaced without the removal being evident.

Abstract: An assembly of a needle and a device for protecting the needle tip is disclosed. The assembly comprises an elongate housing which mounts the needle. A needle guard is slidably mounted within the housing and is adapted to be moved forward along the needle. Following use, the needle and housing are retracted and the needle guard becomes permanently locked with the housing while it occludes or covers the needle.

Abstract: A relatively flat, disk-shaped gripping device for a medical instrument is moved axially with respect to the instrument by exerting pressure by the hand, or in a circumferential or rotary direction by the finger or thumb. The gripping device is fixed in non-rotary manner on the distal side of the shaft of a medical instrument, allowing a surgeon to easily place the instrument into any random rotary position by finger actuation, without adjusting the basic position of the hand.

Abstract: The guidewire gripping device is usable in connection with guidewires of the type used in medical application, i.e., for guiding catheters. The guidewire gripping device is constructed from a spring loaded, slitted cylindrical body.

Abstract: Disposal apparatus for the safe disposal of a medicinal needle after use utilizing a container with a vacuum therein and a piston attached to one side of the needle which protrudes ready for use. After use of the needle, one side of the piston is exposed to ambient pressure and the needle is retracted into the container for safe disposal. A sight chamber attached to said piston within said container and communicating with said needle indicates when said needle has pierced a blood vessel. In another embodiment, a spring is employed to retract the needle.

Abstract: A fixing instrument intended to adjust and lock in adjusted position vertebrae in relation to each other includes a unit comprising two support members which are mutually connected by means of a screw spindle extending through said support members such that the support members are moved towards each other upon rotation of the screw spindle in one direction and away from each other upon rotation in the opposite direction. The support members are pivotally connected to securing members which by means of bone screws are intended to be secured each to a vertebra. The pivot stud has a transverse hole through which extends a locking screw threaded into the support member and having a tapered part by means of which it in active screwed in position by abutment against the wall portion which surrounds the hole in the stud presses the securing member and the support member against each other.