Abstract: A self-occluding catheter includes a body portion for connection to extracorporeal equipment. An elongated tubular extension is provided for insertion into a body cavity. The body portion includes a resiliently biased spool supported therein which is slidable between an open and a closed position for alternately permitting and stopping the flow of blood through the catheter during a given medical procedure. The biasing device for resilient biasing the spool preferably comprises one or more magnets fixed within the body portion which generate a magnetic force for urging the magnetically polarized spool to its closed position.

Abstract: A device is described for washing the external audtitory meatus comprising at least ne inlet channel (6) for the washing liquid and one discharge channel (8) which connects the end portion of the inlet channel with the outside environment, the discharge channel being designed to discharge the washing liquid outside if a further channel(9), designed to discharged the liquid and the products of washing (wax, epithelial scales, etc.) outside, is at least partially obstructed by the products of washing. The further channel may consist of the external auditory meatus, of an aural speculum in which the washing device (10) is inserted, or f an outlet channel made in the body of the washing device(10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating Alzheimer's disease is disclosed. The method comprises delivering indomethacin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents having cyclooxygenase inhibitor action directly to the hippocampus or the lateral ventricle through an implanted catheter. The catheter has a flexible distal end that is implanted directly in the hippocampus or lateral ventricle as the preferred embodiment. The distal end has either a porous tip or a closed end. Where the distal end is closed, or a plurality of elution holes are present indomethacin is delivered to the hippocampus or lateral ventricle through either the porous tip or the elution holes.

Abstract: A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle permits two-way flow when opened by a luer-taper nozzle. The valve also is able to resist large back pressures. The valve includes a substantially rigid housing that defines a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet section. The housing has an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens. The inlet section preferably has tapered and expanding zones. The tapered zone is adjacent to the exterior inlet face and is shaped to receive the nozzle. The expanding zone is adjacent to the tapered zone and has a larger inner diameter than the tapered zone's inner diameter. The exterior of the inlet section of the housing may have threads to accept luer-lock threads that may surround the nozzle.

Abstract: A device includes a plurality of microneedles for abrading the stratum corneum of the skin to form a plurality of grooves in the tissue having a controlled depth and width. The microneedles have a length of about 5-250 microns and generally about 5-200 microns. The device is rubbed over the skin to prepare an abraded site after which a transdermal delivery or sampling device is applied to the abraded delivery site. The abrasion increases the permeability of the skin and the rate of delivery and extraction of a substance without pain or irritation to the patient.

Abstract: A needle protective assembly in which a slidable sheath is mounted over a barrel which, in turn, encircles a needle. The sheath is adapted to slide along the barrel, and cover the needle after use, protecting against accidental needlesticks. The inner barrel is integrally formed with a hub in which the needle is mounted, and which may be used to attach the inventive protective assembly to a blood collection vial holder, or a hypodermic syringe, depending upon the application. In some embodiments, the protective assembly may also be formed integrally with either the blood collection vial holder, or the hypodermic syringe.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating vulnerable plaque deposits within a blood vessel, having an inner surface and one or more plaque deposits containing a core material are disclosed. A device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a balloon disposed about the elongate shaft for engaging one or more plaque deposits and extracting the core material therefrom, a first venturi section disposed proximally of the balloon, and a second venturi section disposed distally of the balloon.

Abstract: Desired portions of a balloon may be marked by varying the texture of the surface. Marking the balloon facilitates positioning of the balloon on a catheter and facilitates positioning a medical device on the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balloon catheter for positioning a stent, including a tubular basic body with a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one lumen extending in between, a balloon close to the distal end which is connected to the lumen, and a stent crimped around the balloon, wherein a filling body of elastic material is arranged inside the balloon and has a size corresponding to at least the dimensions of the stent in compressed state, where the filling body is compressed by the stent in the compressed state.

Abstract: An injector cap including a sleeve and a blocking means, wherein the sleeve is mounted slidably on a portion of an injection device, e.g., on an ampoule support, is forced by a pre-tensioning means into a first position in which it covers a cannula carried by the injection device, and can be slid against the pre-tensioning means into a second position in which the cannula emerges from the end of the sleeve, and wherein the blocking means non-detachably blocks the sleeve against sliding when it has been returned from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: The invention refers to a syringe of single-use type intended for injection or lab tests with an injection needle slidable into the syringe after usage. The intention with this is to eliminate the risk for prick injuries when the syringe is handled after usage. A design of a single-use syringe such that the needle becomes kept in the interior of the syringe after usage has proved to be involved by different kinds of complications and has made the syringe complicated and expensive to manufacture. An uncomplicated and reliable syringe of the kind stated in the introduction is achieved according to the invention by the fact that the plunger (2) of the syringe is provided with a coupling device (12) designed such that in the completely pushed in position of the plunger the rear part of the injection needle (6) is coupled to the plunger (2) and follows the plunger when the plunger is withdrawn.

Abstract: A syringe, for injecting anesthetic contained in a medicine vial. The syringe includes a housing having a needle end and a plunger end, connected by a body; to which housing is attached a plunger assembly having a plunger at the plunger end. There is a vial slot in the housing, cooperatively sized for receiving a medicine vial. A needle assembly slot is in the body, at the needle end, for receiving a needle assembly from a side of the body. A seat at the needle end of the housing receives and locates a corresponding seat portion of the needle assembly within the housing. Depressing the plunger housingward impales the vial onto a penetrator of the needle assembly and seats the assembly firmly.

Abstract: Adapters for use with an angiographic injector. A face plate adapter includes a channel for receiving a rearward end of a syringe. First and second mounting flanges on the adapter overlay a portion of the channel, to cooperate with mounting flanges on a rearward end of the syringe, so that the syringe mounting flanges may be inserted between the adapter mounting flanges, and then rotated in the channel behind the adapter mounting flanges, to thereby lock the syringe to the adapter. The adapter further includes one or more locking pins, which in a locked position extend across the channel, to block the syringe from rotating in the channel and thereby prevent a syringe from being dismounted from the adapter. A collar incorporated in the adapter interacts with a drive ram of the injector to move the locking pins into their locked position whenever the ram is forward of a rearwardmost position.

Abstract: The invention provides a safety syringe for extracting blood, with retractable or removable needle that can be retracted into the syringe body or removed after use and safety locks that lock the retractable needle in an extended position during use and in a retracted position after use to ensure that the syringe is not reused or that the needle is not inadvertently extended. When retracted, the needle assembly is cocked at an angle identifying the syringe as used and adding further protection to prevent the needle from being inadvertently extended and exposed from the tube. These safety features work in conjunction to enhance the usability and increase the safety of the syringe. Thereby protecting medical workers from being injured by an exposed needle or contaminated by disease or infection from contact with the patient's blood present on a used needle.

Abstract: A safety syringe comprises a barrel, which has a body forming a receiving hole, a stop portion in the receiving hole. A needle holder has a hole therein, an elastic lock piece formed a claw at distal end, and a dragged portion. The needle holder is received in the receiving hole of the barrel for the claw can lock with the stop portion of the barrel. A supporter, which is slidable received in the hole of the needle holder for supporting the elastic lock pieces to make the needle holder fixed secured in the barrel. And a plunger set has a bumper to move away said supporter and withdraw said needle holder.

Abstract: A central venous catheter includes coolant supply and return lumens which communicate coolant to and from first and second heat exchange membranes arranged along the distal segment of the catheter. The coolant in the heat exchange membranes removes heat from the patient. Additional lumens are provided for conventional central venous catheter uses.

Abstract: A pinch clip occluder system for infusion sets includes a housing and a clamp movably disposed within the housing to selectively occlude an infusion set. The pinch clip nests in an adapter placed on an enteral feeding pump such that when the pinch clip occluder is properly position, flow is allowed through the infusion set, but when the pinch clip occluder is not properly positioned in the adapter, flow through the infusion set is prevented.

Abstract: A device and method for treating an illness or infection in the repiratory tract of a body is provided. The device administers an antimicrobial mist directly to the tissues to be treated, which coats the tissues in the respiratory tract where the infection is colonizing. The administration of the mist is reapplied in order to maintain a predetermined antimicrobial tissue density concentration of a uncompounded silver colloid suspended antimicrobial substance for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart failure using a catheter having an inlet end configured for placement in the source of arterial blood such as the aorta, left ventricle or a femoral artery, and an outlet end having at least one conduit configured to be placed in the renal arteries. The catheter includes a lumen through which blood passes from the aorta or left ventricle directly to the renal artery, means for engaging the first conduit with renal artery. The means for engaging also may reduce backflow of blood into the abdominal aorta. The catheter preferably is configured to permit percutaneous, transluminal implantation. Methods of using and implanting the catheter are also provided.

Abstract: A needle assisted jet injector and method for jet injecting medicament are disclosed. In one embodiment of the injector, the needle is retractably located within an injector nozzle assembly. Upon activation of the force generating source, a portion of the needle extends past the nozzle assembly and penetrates the outer layer of skin to deliver the medicament via jet injection to a deeper region. After activation, the needle retracts back into the nozzle assembly. In another embodiment, the needle is fixed to the end of the nozzle assembly. In both embodiments, the length of the portion of the needle that penetrates the skin is less than 5 mm.