Abstract: Methods and compositions for use in perfusion applications are provided. In the subject methods, a subject or derivative thereof, e.g. isolated organ or tissue, is infused, perfused and/or transfused with at least two fluid compositions. The first fluid composition is a non-naturally occurring biological buffer free plasma-like solution and the second fluid composition is a fluid blood composition. In a preferred embodiment, an additional volume of the first solution, or a derivative thereof, is administered to the patient following introduction of the fluid blood composition. Also provided are kits and systems for performing the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in variety of perfusion applications, including the treatment of hypothermic surgical applications, cryogenic procedures, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling a needleless injection device (1), whereby a plurality of elements forming a circuit of elements is assembled to a body (2). The aforementioned circuit comprises elements such as an initiation device, a receptacle (5) containing an active agent to be injected, and an active agent injection system. The inventive method is characterised in that it comprises a step in which a gas-generating cartridge (6), which is adapted to the nature and/or quantity of active agent to be injected as well as to the skin penetration depth desired for same, is inserted directly into the circuit of elements, independently of said elements, from outside the body (2). The invention also relates to a needleless injection device (1).

Abstract: A medical device includes a syringe assembly and a shield system for delivering medicament to a patient. The syringe assembly includes a barrel defining a medicament reservoir, a needle cannula coupled to the barrel and in fluid communication with the reservoir, a plunger having a stopper positioned in the reservoir and a thumb pad for moving the plunger in the reservoir. The shield system has a shield coupled to a forward end of the barrel, the shield being movable from a first position disposed from the needle cannula tip to a second position during insertion of the needle into a patient and movable from the second position to a third position covering the needle cannula tip after the needle cannula is removed from the patient. An urging member urges the shield to the third position upon removal of the needle cannula from the patient.

Abstract: A syringe interface is provided for attaching a syringe to an injector. The syringe includes, a first and second set of generally opposing, radially outward projecting mounting flanges, and a second set of flanges offset from the first set of mounting flanges. The syringe interface includes a first set of generally opposed slots adapted to receive therethrough the first set and second set, respectively, of mounting flanges, and a first and second set of generally opposed retaining flanges adapted to releasably engage the first and second set respectively, a set of mounting flanges, when the syringe is rotated within the syringe interface.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a Huber-type device, includes a structure that enhances operator safety by reducing the likelihood that a needle will accidentally injure an operator. In one embodiment, the device includes a collapsible structure that can move from a use position to a non-use position. The device includes first and second wing portions and a channel for covering the needle as it is extracted from the patient. The structure enables the operator to leverage applied pressure for a smooth removal of the needle into the device for safe disposal.

Abstract: Devices are provided for the controlled exposure or release of contents stored in hermetically sealed reservoirs. The devices comprise a primary substrate having a front side and a back side, and including one or more hermetic sealing materials; a plurality of reservoirs in the primary substrate positioned between the front side and the back side; reservoir contents, which comprise chemical molecules (such as drugs) or a secondary device (such as a glucose sensor), located inside the reservoirs; a hermetic sealing substrate having a surface composed of one or more hermetic sealing materials; and a hermetic seal formed between and joining the primary substrate and the hermetic sealing substrate, wherein the hermetic seal independently seals the reservoirs.

Abstract: A packaged kit for performing a photodynamic laser myringotomy includes a plurality of ear needles having different shaped absorbent applicators on distal ends of the needles, a vial of a single dose of an otologic formulation of mitomycin-C, a diluent carrier containing sterilized water, and a syringe. The component parts of the kit are used together to reconstitute the contents of the vial with the water in the diluent carrier, and then draw the reconstituted drug into the syringe. A selected one of the plurality of ear needles is then communicated with the syringe. The syringe and needle are then used to inject the reconstituted drug into the absorbent pad at the end of the needle, and the absorbent pad containing the drug is used to apply the drug to the tympanic membrane. The application of the drug to the tympanic membrane prepares the membrane for a myringotomy procedure, and in particular, a photodynamic laser myringotomy.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe employing a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel. The plunger has a mounting hole extending through the seal end thereof to receive a mandrel. The mandrel has a flexible flange to be releasably engaged with the plunger. A spring element withdraws the mandrel into a cavity within the plunger upon full extension of the plunger within the barrel. The barrel includes a hub retainer at the forward end thereof and a needle hub retained therein the mandrel includes barbed tines with surfaces having axes of the conical surfaces that are displaced from one another such that movement of the tines toward one another also brings the axes closer. A catch associated with the back end of the spring element coupled with the mandrel at the other end cooperates with shoulders on smooth surfaces within the cavities to retain tension within the bungee.

Abstract: An active needle device for fluid injection or extraction includes at least one hollow elongated shaft defining at least one channel. The channel provides communication between at least one input port and at least one output port of the needle device. At least one active component such as a sensor or actuator is placed or integrated into the elongated shaft. The needle device can include a macroneedle, a microneedle, or an array of macroneedles or microneedles. The microneedles can be fabricated on a substrate which can remain attached to the microneedles or be subsequently removed. The active component can facilitate biochemical, optical, electrical, or physical measurements of a fluid injected or extracted by the needle device.

Abstract: An injector system includes, in combination, an injector and a syringe for injecting fluid into a patient. The syringe includes a body, a plunger movably disposed within the body, and an encoding device providing syringe information. The injector includes a motor, a controller operably associated with the motor, a sensor operably associated with the controller and operable to read the encoded syringe information provided by the encoding device, a drive member powered by the motor and operable to automatically advance and engage the plunger when the syringe is mounted on the injector, and a plunger engagement detection device operable to indicate when the drive member of the injector has engaged the plunger of the syringe.

Abstract: A pain management system for the infusion of drug to a wound site includes a guide needle placed within an introducer tubing. The needle and tubing are pierced through the patient's skin, after which the guide needle is withdrawn. The infusion catheter is threaded through the introducer tubing and advanced to the wound site. The introducer tubing is withdrawn and preferably peeled off of the infusion catheter. In accordance with one embodiment, the catheter comprises an elongated tube with a plurality of exit holes along an infusion section of the catheter, and an elongated flexible porous member residing within the tube and forming an annular space between the tube and the member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes a plurality of exit holes, which combine to form a flow-restricting orifice of the catheter.

Abstract: A medication infusion system may include a controller and a reservoir module including a reservoir containing medication to be delivered to an internal wound site via the controller. The controller may have a peristaltic pump driven by a motor to urge medication to flow toward the internal wound site, through a conduit. A blockage sensor disables the motor and provides an alarm if the tube is blocked. The blockage sensor detects distention of a preferentially distendable portion of the tube, which may be routed about a constraining member. When blockage occurs, the tube distends preferentially along a direction generally parallel to the radius about which the tube bends. The blockage sensor may include a variety of switching elements, such as a pushbutton switch, a metal ring encircling the tube to make contact between conductors, and/or a metal bridge bendable to make contact between conductors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of navigating a spinal subarchnoid space in a living being, that includes percutaneously introducing a device into the spinal subarachnoid space at an entry location. The device has a first passageway that is sized to slidably receive, and work with, at least a guidewire. The device can be a catheter or a sheath. The method can also include advancing the device within the spinal subarachnoid space at least more than 10 centimeters from the entry location. Alternatively, the method can include advancing the device within the spinal subarachnoid space to facilitate intracranial access with a second device introduced through the first passageway. Also disclosed is a device suited for attachment to a patient's skin, such as a sheath, that includes an elongated member, a skin-attachment apparatus having a flexible skin-attachment flap, and a valve apparatus. The skin-attachment apparatus and the valve apparatus may be coupled to the elongated member in spaced relation to each other.

Abstract: A convenient pill delivery system comprising a container, a consumable substance contained in such container, and a specialized cap capable of receiving one or more pills. The consumable substance is forced out of the container onto the cap and surrounds and encompasses the pill. The consumer licks the pill and consumable substance together off the cap and swallows it. The consumable substance provides bulk and lubrication to the pill and aids the consumer in swallowing the pill quickly, easily, and efficiently.

Abstract: A safety needle device is provided for protecting a user against needle-stick injuries. This needle device includes a needle housing having a distal housing opening. A needle is disposed within the needle housing and has a distal needle portion which extends away therefrom through the distal housing opening. An elongate sheath assembly surrounds the needle within the needle housing. A biasing member is engaged to the sheath assembly and is configured to apply a force thereupon towards the distal housing opening. The biasing member defines a centerline which is parallel to the needle's distal needle portion. An indexer is engaged to the biasing member and is operative to increase or decrease a spring force of the biasing member by rotating the indexer. A trigger member is engaged to the biasing member for retaining the sheath assembly within the needle housing against the force urging the sheath assembly towards the distal housing opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a needleless injection device (1) comprising a body (2) which supports and/or defines a plurality of elements that form a circuit of elements. The aforementioned circuit comprises, from upstream towards downstream, an initiation device which is associated with a pyrotechnic gas generator, a receptacle (5) housing a liquid active agent that is to be injected, and an active agent injection system. According to the invention, the pyrotechnic gas generator comprises a pyrotechnic charge (62) which is placed in a combustion chamber (4). The inventive device is characterised in that it comprises at least one device for regulating the gas pressure level in the combustion chamber (4).

Abstract: Method and apparatus to modify a fluid by passing a compound through a selectively permeable membrane is provided. In one embodiment a fluid moving through a vessel is modified prior to its ejection from the vessel. This may be accomplished by urging the fluid into a mixing chamber wherein the mixing chamber is in fluid communication with an exit orifice and a passageway. This passageway may be in communication with a second chamber through a selectively permeable membrane. The fluid may then be altered by passing a compound between the mixing chamber and the second chamber through the passageway and the selectively permeable membrane. A device for modifying a fluid moving through a vessel may contain a first lumen, a second lumen, an exit orifice, and a mixing chamber in communication with the first lumen and the exit orifice.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device having a catheter and one or more expandable constricting/occluding members. The catheter has a lumen communicating with a port at its distal end. The lumen and port are adapted for introduction of therapeutic or diagnostic devices, including an angioplasty/stent catheter and an atherectomy catheter, into a vertebral or basilar artery. The constrictor/occluder is mounted proximal to the port of the catheter. Manometers may be mounted distal to one or more constrictors for measuring pressure distal to the constrictor(s). Methods of using the devices for preventing distal embolization during vertebral and/or basilar procedures by reversing blood flow in the vertebral artery toward the subclavian artery are disclosed.

Abstract: A medicinal liquid injection catheter includes a flexible main body, a needle-like tubular member, a medicinal liquid supply device, and a balloon. The tubular member is inserted in the main body and an end portion of the tubular member projects from a side hole provided in the main body. The medicinal liquid supply device accommodates a medicinal liquid, and is connected to the tubular member to supply the medicinal liquid through the tubular member. The balloon is attached to an outer portion of the main body and the balloon is expansible in substantially the same direction as a direction in which the portion of the tubular member projects. The medicinal liquid injection catheter additionally includes first and second guide wires. The second guide wire projects from the main body in a direction which intersects a direction in which the first guide wire projects from the main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for the delivery of fluid medication across an anatomical region. In accordance with one embodiment, the catheter comprises an elongated tube with a plurality of exit holes along an infusion section of the catheter, and an elongated flexible porous member residing within the tube and forming an annular space between the tube and the member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes a tube having a plurality of exit holes in a side wall of the tube. The exit holes may combine to form a flow-restricting orifice of the catheter. In one particular embodiment, the catheter comprises a tube having elongated exit slots therein. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated tubular member made of a porous membrane. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated “weeping” tubular coil spring attached to an end of, or enclosed within, a tube.