Abstract: A medical catheter and a method for infusing blood into a patient. The medical catheter has first and second inlet openings, an outlet opening, a passageway connecting the openings, and a flexible valve member between the inlet openings. The valve member controls the size of the passageway between the inlet openings. The method includes inserting a conventional occlusion catheter into the medical catheter through the valve member and extending the tip of the occlusion catheter beyond the outlet opening of the medical catheter so that the blood vessel within the patient can be restrained.

Abstract: A first balloon 11 plugs the aorta 1 during the diastole, upstream of the supraaortic arteries 2, 3. A second balloon 12 insures a propulsion of blood toward the coronaries 6,7. A pump 8 commands the inflation and deflation of the balloons from signals from an ECG and a pressure sensor 13 placed opposite the coronaries 6,7.

Abstract: A method for treating circulatory fluid constituents with an apparatus which includes a first switching device which connects the upstream side of a first circulatory fluid treatment device with a flow of circulatory fluid from a source, and a second switching device which connects the downstream side of the first circulatory fluid treatment device with a destination of the circulatory fluid.

Abstract: A process is disclosed to castrate large mature animals by ligation. A tool for accomplishing the process provides a handle with an elongate body supportin a tightening rod that is moved along the body. The forward body portion defines an orifice that supports a grommet through which elastomeric surgical tubing is inserted with a forwardly extending loop. The rearward portions of the tubing are releasably engaged in the tightening structure which is moved to create tension upon the looped portion and any animal body part carried within that loop. The tool body provides crimping structure that crimps a grommet about the ends of the tensioned surgical tube to fasten it when properly positioned.

Abstract: Pump block for interfacing an irradiation chamber with a roller pump in an apparatus for use in a photoactivatable agent, patient treatment system wherein photoactivatable agents, in contact with patient blood cells, are irradiated extracorporeally and then returned to the patient.

Abstract: In an artificial vagina for use in animal artificial insemination that includes a tubular section with an intromission orifice, a thin, flexible plastic sheet liner of a generally cylindrical shape with an intromission opening and a collection chamber is insertable into the artificial vagina, and disposable after one use. A filter mounted on a ring is located within the liner at a reduced diameter portion located intermediate the collection chamber and the main portion of the liner. An external strap frictionally engages the ring to secure the filter.

Abstract: An IV tube activator for use with a peristaltic IV infusion pump comprises means that require the closure of a tube associated clamp upon engagement of the IV tube with the pump and upon any subsequent disengagement of the IV tube from the pump. The activator further comprises means which simultaneously move the tube associated clamp to open the IV tube when the pump is being operated.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for providing a suckling infant with a liquid diet supplement simultaneously with normal breast feeding. Improvement in suckling in the child and stimulation of the mother's milk supply are thereby encouraged. The device includes a container for holding the supplement and at least one tube communication with the supplement having an end which is positioned adjacent the user's breast nipple. A valve mechanism seats on the container mouth, and is comprised of a valve mount on which a flexible valve member is received. A portion of the valve member covers an aperture formed in the valve mount. The valve member prevents liquid from escaping through the aperture, but allows air to enter the container through the aperture when liquid is removed by suckling. The valve mechanism also permits ready and thorough cleaning of the thin tubing used.

Abstract: Automatic operating zero insertion force socket for use in a photoactivatable reagent treatment system wherein photoactivatable agents, in contact with patient blood cells, are irradiated extracorporeally and then returned to the patient.

Abstract: A device for infusing a secondary fluid through a primary fluid administration set without mixing the primary and secondary fluids is disclosed. Two pistons which are releasably locked in tandem slide within a chamber having an output port, dividing the chamber into two portions. The portion having the outlet port contains the secondary fluid. One piston faces the secondary fluid, while the other has a bore which is in fluid communication with the primary administration set. The pistons can be decoupled, allowing them to move apart to create a third portion in the chamber which can fill with fluid from the primary administration set through the piston which is not in contact with the secondary fluid. When the latter piston is locked in position, a pump in the primary administration set generates pressure in the portion between the pistons. This pressure drives the piston facing the secondary fluid, forcing the secondary fluid out of the chamber and into the patient.

Abstract: An implantable arterial catheter, especially a multidose catheter, comprises a multidose injection receptacle that includes a shell which bounds a chamber having an open end and has a fastening flange. A pierceable diaphragm spans the open end of the chamber to sealingly separate the chamber from the exterior of the shell. An elongated catheter tube has one end connected to the multidose injection receptacle and communicating with its chamber, and another end portion remote from the multidose injection receptacle. A safety valve is secured to the other end portion of the catheter tube and includes a conical tip component disposed at the other end portion of the catheter tube and having a flow orifice at the apex thereof, and a protective cap component surrounding the conical tip component and the other end portion of the catheter tube, secured to the catheter tube, and having a free end provided with an additional flow orifice.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for removing pathological effectors brom body fluids of a patient is disclosed. Said device includes a chamber for receiving the body fluids and positioned within the chamber is a biospecific polymer. Said biospecific polymer interacts with and binds specific pathological effectors carried by the body fluid that is passed through the chamber.

Abstract: A suprapublic instrument for drainage of the bladder inserted through the urethra, characterized in that it includes at least one curved needle having a sharp tip at its end and fitted with means for connecting it to a catheter, a catheter designed to act as a drain, and a sound or sleeve designed to be introduced into the ureter, so constructed that the needle and the catheter are able to pass through it.

Abstract: A dual lumen cannula for use in haemodialysis has an improved leading end to facilitate insertion and an improved coupling for connection to blood extraction and return tubes. The improved leading end has a conical tip centered on the longitudinal axis of the cannula and, in the leading end, the extraction lumen is blanked off by using an insert to prevent blood flow downstream of the extraction lumen, and to minimize blood stagnation and damage. The improved coupling is generally Y-shaped and the extraction and return lumens of the cannula terminate in conical shaped ends which receive extraction and return tubes with similar shaped ends. The ends of the extraction and return tubes have minimal thickness so that when inserted the interior surfaces of the cannula lumens and the tubes merge smoothly to minimize blood impact problems. Methods of manufacturing the tip and a Y-shaped connecting piece for connecting the dual lumen cannula to tubing are also described.

Abstract: A totally subcutaneously implantable infusion reservoir and pump system includes a variable capacity reservoir for receiving and storing fluid medication for delivery to a catheter which directs the medication to a specific infusion location in the body. In a preferred form of the invention, a control assembly is interposed between the reservoir and the catheter to facilitate and control the transfer of the medication from the reservoir to the catheter in a safe and efficient manner. This control assembly includes a normally closed valve and a pump, both of which are manually actuable by percutaneous pressure when subcutaneously implanted, and defines a portion of a fluid flow conduit between the reservoir and the catheter. Moreover, the control assembly is constructed to prevent the backflow of fluid from the catheter to the reservoir, as well as the unrestricted flow of medication through the control assembly when the normally closed valve is opened.

Abstract: Manually overridable servo controlled valve mechanisms for controlling the flow of fluids through a flexible tube for use in a photoactivatable agent treatment system wherein photoactivatable agents, in contact with patient blood cells, are irradiated extracorporeally and then returned to the patient.

Abstract: A blood component collection system and method each utilizes centrifugation to first separate whole blood into red blood cells and platelet-rich plasma. Noncentrifugal separation is then utilized to further separate the platelet-rich plasma into platelet concentrate and plasma which is virtually free of platelets. The system and method are applicable for use in association with both batch and continuous flow procedures.

Abstract: There is described a device for performing therapeutic treatments, such as notably the moistening of the mouth cavity and lips of a comatose or terminal patient, the retaining in a moist and sterile condition of a wound or operating field, which device is formed by an ultrasound sprayer which receives water or a similar liquid from a tank, said ultrasound sprayer can spray droplets the size of which does not exceed 70 microns, and is mounted on the end of a movable arm, in such a way that the spraying may occur in the direct vicinity of the space or area to be treated, while means are provided to prevent with a stoppage of the sprayer operation, the conveying to the patient of condensed water or moisture spray.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetizing an identification tag prior to insertion thereof into a host macro-organism, the tag is provided with a magnetic field having an orientation opposed to the magnetic field of an injection wire from which the tag has been cut. The tag and the leading end of the wire repel one another and facilitate implantation of the tag into the macro-organism by preventing withdrawal of the tag with the wire upon termination of an injection operation.

Abstract: A method for performing emergency cricothyrotomy ventilation comprising palpating the cricothyroid membrane between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages and thereafter inserting an over-the-needle catheter, needle and syringe into the patient's airway through the incision. Determining that the needle is in the airway by applying gentle back pressure on the plunger of the syringe and, once the catheter, needle and syringe are determined to be in the airway, the needle and the syringe are removed. A guide-wire is fed through the over-the-needle catheter into the airway and, thereafter, the over-the-needle catheter is removed and the cricothyroid membrane is dilated. An air passage catheter is introduced into the dilated membrane along the guide-wire and the guide-wire is thereafter removed and the air passage catheter is secured in its position.