Abstract: Implantable infusion apparatus includes a housing with an inlet passage extending into the housing at a pronounced promontory on the housing wall. The passage has an outer end at the top of the promontory and an inner end defined by a needle stop positioned inside the housing. Self-sealing septa mounted in the passage at selected spacings from the needle stop divide the passage into a plurality of aligned inlet ports each of which has its own fluid outlet. One of the outlets leads to a pumpable infusate reservoir having an outlet conduit connected to a catheter that extends outside the housing; another leads directly to the outlet conduit so that while a first fluid is being pumped from the reservoir to the catheter, a second fluid can be introduced into the other inlet port for mixing with the first fluid flowing to the catheter. Several different infusate flow configurations are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aspirator for an endoscopic system has a suction nozzle for aspirating obstacles and disposed at an end of an endoscope, a suction pump, a suction flask for receiving the aspirated obstacles, and a suction conduit for connecting the suction nozzle to the suction pump via the suction flask. The aspirator further comprises an electromagnetic valve disposed in the suction conduit, and an electromagnetic valve controller. The electromagnetic controller controls the electromagnetic valve such that the suction conduit is closed when an aspiration command signal is not supplied from an aspirator button during the operation of the suction pump, and such that the suction conduit is alternately opened and closed when the aspiration command signal is supplied from the aspirator button during the operation of the suction pump.

Abstract: A dual-chamber cylinder ampoule is used for the mixture of a sensitive, solid medicament, with liquid which is caused to flow calmly through the medicament in order to avoid any shaking and mechanical influence. The mixing is preferably carried out at a pressure above atmospheric.An injection device for the preparation of an injection solution and a following injection of such solution includes first and second tubular members for enclosing and holding a dual-chamber cylinder ampoule, in which the dry medicament is kept separated from the liquid. When the two tubular members are being screwed together the liquid is calmly and gently mixed with the dry medicament and dissolves it, and the resulted solution can thereafter be injected by means of the dosage and administration mechanism, provided in one tubular member, through a needle arranged at the front end of the other tubular member.

Abstract: An instrument for delivery of liquid eye drop solution into the eye of a patient for post-surgical and general treatment includes a squeeze-type dispenser bottle and a device for positioning the bottle for dispensing solution. The bottle has a body defining a volume for eye drop solution, the body having a neck and shoulder region and a base, and a nozzle disposed above the neck and shoulder region. The nozzle defines an orifice for delivery of solution from the volume. The device positions the nozzle relative to an eye of a patient to be treated, and includes a generally oval ring contoured to fit within the orbital or periorbital area of a patient's body and at least one post extending from the oval ring generally perpendicular to a plane of the oval ring, the post attached at the neck and shoulder region of the bottle.

Abstract: Disclosed in an angioplasty catheter comprising a catheter shaft having a distal end and at least one, and preferably two, angioplasty balloons on the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the distal end of the catheter and the balloons are formed from a single monolithic piece of polymer material. The distal end of the catheter may also include additional balloons formed from the same piece of polymer material. Each of the balloons is separately inflatable and deflatable by virtue of a separate lumen running through the catheter shaft to the balloon.

Abstract: A percutaneous implant device includes a structure for storing a bioreactive agent such as an antimicrobic agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, a growth hormone, and an antifungal drug. The structure can take the form of a container or a solid solution. The percutaneous device has a conduit, and the structure containing the bioreactive agent is disposed under the skin and around the conduit in the vicinity where the conduit passes through the skin of the living host. The structure containing the bioreactive agent is refillable via either a wall which is penetrable and reseals after penetration, or an access opening which can be opened or closed and is accessible from outside the living host. The container can include a wall having a diffusion coefficient which increases the rate of diffusion with increasing local temperature.

Abstract: An I.V. catheter is described, including a catheter and hub assembly and a needle and hub assembly. A needle guard, including a tubular distal portion and a split proximal flange, is located about the needle at the distal end of the needle hub. The needle includes a slot near the needle tip. As the needle assembly is withdrawn from the catheter, the needle guard slides along the needle until the split flange engages the needle slot, which locks the tubular distal portion of the guard over the needle tip.

Abstract: A pressure infusion device for squeezing out a syringe having an absolute path sensor connected to the movable holder and supplying position data of the position of the syringe rod to a control means. Based on the position data, a motor is controlled so that a desired infusion rate is maintained. The infusion rate may be programmed to vary during an infusion process. Shortly before the empty-state position is reached, an early alarm is released, while, in reaching the empty-state position, the drive is turned off.

Abstract: A device for administering solid or semisolid preparations in an organism subcutaneously. The equipment comprises a barrel having a nozzle for attachment of a hollow needle, a plunger slidably arranged in the barrel and is used in combination with a guide member adapted to be snugly accommodated within the lumen of the barrel. The solid preparations are generally housed in the guide member and/or needle and forced into the body subcutaneously through the needle.

Abstract: A one way valve means for incorporation into a fluid administration set for enteral therapy which arrests retrograde movement of fluid into the set to avoid flow rate interruption or, in the event of extreme fluid back pressure, rupturing of the tubing in the set. The one way valve means is responsive to fluid back pressure and is incorporated in a male connector disposed on a distal end of the administration set tubing. As a result retrograde fluid movement caused by either irrigation or patient originated, fluid back pressure is immediately arrested before fluid enters the administration set.

Abstract: An assembly of a needle, catheter, and a device for selectively protecting the needle tip from inadvertent needle sticks is disclosed, characterized by use of elongate housing, having a needle extending therefrom, and a needle guard adapted for sliding movement relative the housing. The needle guard is formed to carry a catheter hub and catheter thereupon, and includes an actuation tab to enable selective sliding movement of the needle guard relative the housing and along the length of the needle. The housing is adapted to be held within one hand to permit insertion of the needle and catheter into a patient, and after insertion, the needle may be withdrawn from the patient and covered by the needle guard merely by pressing against the actuation tab with the index finger of the hand of a user, while slidably retracting the housing and needle relative the needle guard by use of the thumb and middle finger.

Abstract: A percutaneous implant device includes a main body portion and a flange extending outwardly from the main body portion. The flange has a free edge and can have a thickness that decreases as an imaginary point moves toward the free edge. The stiffness of the flange decreases as an imaginary point proceeds from portions of the flange nearest the main body portion to portions of the flange nearest the free edge. This is accomplished in one embodiment by a flange density that decreases as the imaginary point moves toward the free edge. In another embodiment, the porosity of the flange can increase as the imaginary point moves toward the free edge. The thickness and density of the flange can decrease while the porosity increases as the imaginary point moves toward the free edge. The thickness and thread count of a textile flange can decrease as the imaginary point moves toward the free edge. The thickness and packing density of a fibrous flange can decrease as the imaginary point moves toward the free edge.

Abstract: An indwelling urethral catheter system and method of its use involve a drainage shaft (16) mounted in a urinary tract (24) having an externally-operated, normally-closed, fluid valve (38) mounted therein near the meatus (22) of the urinary tract. A removable insertion conduit assembly (12), separate from the catheter drainage shaft, is for extending from outside the body, through the meatus of the urinary tract to plug into the proximal end of the catheter drainage shaft and impinge on the valve for holding it open to allow free drainage through the valve. Once the insertion conduit is removed from the urinary tract it no longer impinges on the valve for holding it open and the valve is thereafter normally closed unless opened by application of force from outside the body.

Abstract: A catheter introducer including a cannula, a stylet disposed within the cannula, and means for holding a catheter in close proximity to the cannula and stylet so that the tip of the catheter is positioned near the tip of the cannula after insertion within the human body. In the preferred embodiment, the stylet may be releasably locked in position within the cannula. The disclosed design allows the user to sample fluid through the tip of the inserted cannula and to inject medication into the insertion site without having to re-introduce a needle therein.

Abstract: A blood collection needle holder is described which permits quick release of a spent blood collection needle once it has been used without complex manipulation by the health care provider. The device provides a locking mechanism on one end of a needle and blood collection container holder which can be opened with the fingers of one hand in order to avoid time consuming and potentially hazardous manipulations.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for use in angioplasty includes an elongated flexible thin walled metal tube which carries an inflatable balloon at its distal end. A core member of smaller outer diameter than the metal tube is attached to the distal end of the tube to provide support for and guiding of the balloon section.

Abstract: A disposable double-clamp device for severing an umbilical cord while maintaining the severed ends thereof in a clamp. The clamps are held together in a side-by-side relation by a shear pin. A cutting blade is hingeably located between the abutting clamps, its forward cutting motion being impeded by said shear pin. After the device is brought into a clamped position, further pressure is exerted upon the blade, which breaks the shear pin and severs the umbilical cord.

Abstract: A closure device for a male urethra, which is formed by an elongated valve device to be inserted into the urethra and to be releasably fastened therein. The elongated object may be formed by a single basic body element, or by a basic body element combined with at least one intermediate element and an end element. The valve is open at both ends and includes a longitudinal through hole. The valve body, at least on its front end, includes a removable closure plug. The valve body is partly enclosed by a double-membrane tube that can be pressurized and expanded to secure the device within the urethra. The basic body element of the valve body is provided with at least one radial hole to permit the introduction of fluid such as air into a space between an inner and outer membrane which comprise the double membrane tube or sleeve. An opening provided in the inner sleeve is offset relative to the radial opening in the valve body.

Abstract: A catheter coupling is provided with a hollow connecting member on which a thrust element can be screwed. The head of an elastomeric clamping member sits in the cavity of the connecting member. A tubular projection extends from the head through the thrust element. The catheter is pushed over a supporting cannula. As the thrust element is tightened, the head is crushed above the catheter and the projection is twisted. Crushing and torsion reduce the inner diameter of the clamping member, so that it fits around the catheter and seals it. This results in a long seal. The clamping member is connected with the thrust piece, so that the entire catheter coupling requires handling of only two parts.

Abstract: A disposable assembly comprises a drug container (2) having at one end an opening which is surrounded by an outwardly directed flange (7). A connector (1) has a sleeve (13) which is closed (14) at one end and open at its opposite end to receive the flanged end of the drug container as a plunger. Positioning means (18,19) provided within the sleeve and cooperating with the flange define an inserted and a retracted position of said sleeve relative to the flanged end of the drug container. A piercing member (15) provided at the closed end of the sleeve is directed towards the open sleeve end. A connecting member (16) provided at the closed sleeve end is directed opposite to said piercing member (15) and communicating therewith by means of a through passage (17).