Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for controlling or adjusting the penetration depth of a needle, specifically designed for application to an injection syringe, comprising an element designed for contacting a person's skin, said contact element including a surface which encompasses, at least partially, the tip of the needle. The contact element is operatively associated with syringe coupling means and comprises a plurality of throughgoing micro-holes passing through the surface.

Abstract: A disposable syringe mainly used in medical treatment facility and formed so that the piston (4) is pulled into the inside of the syringe body (21) with the needle support (6) by pulling out the piston (4) after the locking projection (9) of the piston *tip is inserted into and engaged with the locking hole (70) of the needle support (6) by pressing in the piston (4).

Abstract: Disclosure of methods and apparatus providing bases for design of compact small bore medical needle retraction safety devices wherein actuators are displaced away from slender needle sheathing bodies to initiate a needle retraction cycle for safely containing a medical needle after use. Such actuation guards against inadvertent acts, such as depression of an actuator, which may result in untimely needle retraction. Four embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, needle retracting energy is stored as a medical needle is extended for use and is expended to retract the needle into safe containment. Other embodiments comprise power assist mechanisms which store energy during an initial phase of needle retraction to be used to enhance and assist needle retraction during a needle retraction completing phase.

Abstract: A tamper evident protector cap for a pre-filled syringe or cartridge barrel stoppered by an elastomeric closure. The protector cap securely retains the elastomeric closure during in-line processing, handling and shipment. The protector cap includes frangible brackets which on tampering break away from the protector cap evidencing that product integrity might have been jeopardized and the product should not be used.

Abstract: A system for delivering an anaesthetic-containing fluid to a desired site in a patient includes a catheter for channeling the fluid into a unitary portal penetrating a body. A pump capable of delivering fluid at a constant flow rate is dimensioned to retain sufficient fluid for at least a one-day delivery and is adapted to permit being affixed to the body to permit portability. A fluid line, such as tubing, transports fluid from the pump to the catheter. A kit further includes an introducer needle dimensioned to permit the catheter to pass therethrough. A method of relieving pain at a surgical site postoperatively over an extended period of time includes the steps of inserting an anaesthetic-containing fluid into a pump interior having a capacity sufficient for at least a two-day delivery.

Abstract: A catheter includes a manifold and a proximal shaft portion coupled to the manifold. A distal shaft portion is coupled to a distal end of the proximal shaft portion and is flexible relative to the proximal shaft portion. A fiber reinforcement layer is disposed about the distal shaft portion.

Abstract: A disposable syringe assembly generally including a cylinder assembly 10, a needle assembly 20, a piston assembly 30, a seal cap assembly 40, a piston stem 50 and handle 60. The cylinder assembly 10 may be engaged with the needle assembly 20 substantially near the needle end of the cylinder assembly 10 and the cylinder assembly may be engaged with the seal cap assembly 40 near the seal cap end of the cylinder assembly 10. The cylinder assembly 10 may further including a fluid region 14 and an air region 15. As fluid is drawn into the fluid region 14 by movement of the piston assembly 30, air is displaced from the air region 15 through a one-way valve. As fluid is discharged from the cylinder assembly 10, a low pressure is created in the air region 15.

Abstract: A safety hypodermic syringe is constructed to include a barrel, a needle assembly, a female connector, a plunger, and a male connector, wherein the female connector is disposed in the front end of the barrel and fastened to the needle assembly, having a rear retaining hole; the male connector is provided at the front side of the plunger and adapted to engage the rear retaining hole upon forward stroke of the plunger, for enabling the needle assembly to be pulled backwards with the plunger and received inside the barrel after the service of the hypodermis syringe.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which has an elongate shaft with an inflatable balloon connected to its distal end and a manifold connected to its proximal end. The manifold may be fixedly or removably attached to the shaft and includes a barrel with a plunger movably disposed inside it. The barrel has an internal volume of less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. A pressure transducer may be mounted to the manifold to permit measurement via a sensor tube. A pressure source for a balloon catheter including a barrel with a plunger inside it. The barrel is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen of the catheter and has an internal volume less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. A pressure sensor may be connected to the barrel with a sensor tube defining a fluid path from the interior of the barrel to the pressure sensor. A lock mechanism may be connected to the barrel to control longitudinal movement of the plunger.

Abstract: A needle guard assembly for a syringe adapted to receive a hypodermic needle assembly. The guard assembly includes a needle guard that is slidably mounted on a needle-supporting hub. The needle guard may be moved from a latched position wherein the needle is fully protected by the guard to a position wherein the injection end of the needle is exposed. The assembly further includes a locking mechanism for permanently locking the needle guard in an extended position over the needle to prevent further use of the needle and to facilitate safe disposal of the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid conveying catheter comprising a collecting tube inserted into an object for sucking a liquid from its tip, a mixing bar extending through the collecting tube, and a drive unit for rotating the mixing bar. The collecting tube has on its inner wall a helical convex to define a helical groove serving as a flow path.

Abstract: An improved aortic cannula is provided for use in heart by-pass surgery. The cannula includes an elongated tube with a terminal end. The terminal end has a ramped surface leading to the discharge opening. The ramped surface terminates in a spoon-shaped lip. The spoon-shaped lip directs blood out of the cannula opening toward the ascending aorta or aortic arch in a U-shaped dispersion so as to preclude impact on the aortic wall. A bead adjacent the opening facilitates dispersion of the exiting blood. The opening has an upper edge with an inverted V-shaped contour which also facilitates dispersion of the blood.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-use device for injection, which comprises a conventional syringe (1) and a device for protection of the injection needle (2) of this syringe (1) after use, comprising a protective sheath (7) which consists of two, rear (9) and front (8) bodies, which are designed to be rendered integral, one in the extension of the other, and a ring (24) which is accommodated in the rear body (9) and is provided with means (29, 31) for locking the syringe (1), the said ring being designed to be displaced between a first position, for injection, and a second position, for protection after use of the injection needle (2), by means of a spring (42) which is kept compressed in the position for injection, and is released when injection is completed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safety cap for sharps which includes a handle which extends away from the sheath holding and covering the sharp.

Abstract: An irrigator (20) useful for surgical and medical procedures. The irrigator includes a handpiece (22) to which a tip assembly (30) is attached. The handpiece (22) includes a drain tube (50) that extends through the body of the handpiece and outside of the handpiece to the complementary suction system. The tip assembly includes a discharge tube (32) that is snap secured into the front of the handpiece and a suction tube (48) that seats in the open front end of the drain tube. A removable splash shield (181) is attached to the front end of the tip assembly. A trigger (44) allows one-handed control of, the position of the handpiece, the on/off state of the irrigator and the rate at which fluid is discharged from the irrigator. A rechargeable power pack (222) can be used to supply the energization current needed to activate a number of different handpieces at different speeds.

Abstract: A catheter and method of use as an aortic balloon catheter having an integral expandable/collapsible lumen. The catheter comprises a main catheter body having a plurality of lumens extending therethrough, and further includes an expandable/collapsible lumen disposed thereabout and carried by the main catheter body. The expandable/collapsible lumen has a relatively large diameter when inflated with respect to the main catheter body, and is self-inflating by fluid pressure when the fluid flows therethrough. The large inflatable/collapsible lumen is attached at its distal end to the main catheter body and thus is carried therewith into a body vessel, and thus is also supported by the catheter body to avoid kinking.

Abstract: A safety medical device having a sharpened needle is provided. After use, the needle is retracted so that the contaminated needle is shielded to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. In one embodiment, the device includes a barrel and a plunger that is slidable within the barrel. The sharpened needle is operable between a projecting position and a retracted position. In the projecting position, the needle projects forwardly from the front end of the barrel. In the retracted position, the needle is shielded to prevent inadvertent contact with the needle. When the plunger is displaced forwardly to expel fluid from the barrel, the plunger actuates retraction so that the needle is automatically retracted after use. The needle may be included as an element of a needle assembly that is connectable with the barrel. The needle assembly includes a spring for biasing the needle toward the retracted position and a connector for attaching the needle to the barrel.

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 dual use needle cap having a before use portion and an after use portion. The before use portion including an outer surface and an interior surface defining a chamber sized to enclose a needle of a syringe. The after use portion includes a clamp and a hood attached to the outer surface of the before use portion at opposite ends thereof. The clamp is configured to fit on to at least one of a barrel of a syringe or a needle assembly connected to the syringe and the hood is configured to cover a tip of the needle.

Abstract: A stent system and method for use in the prostate gland. The stent is made of a shape memory alloy such as nitinol, and has a low temperature martensite state, with a martensite transition temperature below body temperature, and a high temperature austenite state, with an austenite transition temperature at or above body temperature, and a memorized shape in the high temperature austenite state which is a helical coil of diameter large enough to hold the prostatic urethra open. The stent is used to heat the prostate and is left in the prostatic urethra while the prostate heals. After the prostate is substantially healed, the stent is cooled to its martensite state and is easily removed from the urethra.