Abstract: A thermoset composition comprises a crosslinked blend of a metallocene copolymer of ethylene and an alpha olefin and a block copolymer of styrene and a diene. A medical article is made from the composition. The invention includes a method to make the composition and the article.

Abstract: A medical article is molded from a silane-grafted polyolefin copolymer and crosslinked to have improved compression set and sealability so that the crosslinked article can be sterilized with substantially no changes in size or shape.

Abstract: A sleeve assembly for use in the transition region of a catheter between a relatively stiff catheter body and a less stiff distal catheter region mediates the difference in stiffness between these two catheter regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices for inserting solid materials under a tissue, the devices particularly containing a penetration guide means designed to facilitate the implantation by limiting the insertion of the implants to positions under and substantially parallel to the plane of the tissue.

Abstract: A dispenser comprising a housing forming a cylinder which is at one end closed by an end wall provided with an outlet pipe, and at the other end closed by a plunger projecting from this open end of the cylinder and being axially displaceable into the cylinder towards the end wall. The dispenser is characterized in that the outer end of the plunger is secured to the bottom of a cup shaped cap and the cylinder is provided with outwardly projecting hooks that engage the cap preventing reuse of the device.

Abstract: A mixer for the mixing of components, comprising a continuous inner surface that is non-retaining to the components, wherein a first portion of the inner surface opposably contacts a second portion of the inner surface during mixing, and a means for supplying a component to the mixer; a kit including the mixer, and methods of using the mixer to prepare compositions.

Abstract: The present invention includes a guidewire device capable of delivering perfusion fluids to a vascular site while at the same time exhibiting handling characteristics associated with existing non-perfusion guidewires. Preferred embodiments include a perfusion guidewire which closely matches the dimensions and physical characteristics of standard guidewires. Preferred embodiments also permit high pressure perfusion of supersaturated solutions, and include a liquid flow path which will not promote bubble generation or growth, or destabilize a supersaturated solution.

Abstract: A catheter system having an epidural needle, an electrically conductive stimulation wire attached to the needle, a multi-purpose connector, which is adapted to connect to intravenous tubing for supplying local anesthesia, and an epidural catheter for supplying regional anesthesia. When the connector and needle are connected to each other, an operator can insert the needle into a patient with the needle's distal end within the nerve sheath and proximate to the nerve plexus. A voltage is applied via the wire to determine correct positioning. Then, the operator can slide the catheter through the connector and needle until the catheter's distal end is protruding out of the needle's distal end and into the nerve sheath, proximate to the nerve plexus. Then, the needle (and its associated wire) and the connector (and its associated tubing) are slidably removed from the catheter, and the catheter may be left in place.

Abstract: A dual chamber syringe for dispensing a dry medicine that is to be reconstituted just prior to administration to a patient includes a syringe housing having an outer wall and proximal and distal end portions. A syringe bore extends between the proximal and distal end portions. The bore is divided during use into upper and lower chambers for containing medicinal contents that are to be first mixed and then dispensed. In the preferred embodiment, the chambers contain an upper liquid component and a lower dry component. A first lower piston occupies a position generally in between the upper and lower chambers. The first lower piston engages a plurality of ribs at an enlarged diameter bypass portal section of the syringe housing with multiple longitudinally extending channels after the user applies pressure to a second upper piston in the bore and above the upper chamber. Continued downward movement of the two pistons causes the two components to mix to be dispensed from the distal end of the syringe.

Abstract: A novel enhanced needle splitting through-the-needle cannula placement apparatus includes a hinged housing, a scored splittable needle, a needle splitting means and sliding means for facile removal of a needle while leaving the cannula within a body vessel. A method of its use is also taught.

Abstract: A device and method for rapid access to the bone marrow for the infusion of drugs and other fluids into the bone marrow; sampling the bone marrow; and monitoring the physical properties of the blood and bone marrow. These operations may proceed sequentially or simultaneously. A "smart" controller may be utilized to direct or control these operations. An implantable intraosseous needle assembly and various means for injecting, utilizing, and extracting that assembly into a bone containing bone marrow are disclosed.

Abstract: An everting toroid for use in delivering a powdered or liquid or aerosolized drug to an internal body cavity, such as the urethra, is described. The drug may be distributed on the surface of the everting toroid or may be injected through the lumen thereof via an aerosol wand which is designed to release the drug as the toroid and/or wand are withdrawn from the body cavity.

Abstract: A catheter with a locking device is formed of a catheter and a locking device attached to a proximal end of the catheter. The locking device is formed of a cylindrical portion fixed to the proximal end of the catheter and having a dent at one side thereof, and a movable ring rotatably attached to the cylindrical portion and having a slit. The movable ring is rotatable to open and close the dent, so that when a portion of the catheter is placed in the dent through the slit, the movable ring is rotated to close the dent to securely hold the portion of the catheter in the slot. Accordingly, the catheter can be locked in the looped condition.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is a catheter suitable for accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of at least pair of wound or counterwound reinforcing members situated within the wall of the catheter body in such a way to achieve a catheter having an exceptionally thin wall, excellent kink-resistance, and controlled stiffness.

Abstract: An angiographic syringe and plunger therefor, having utility in a power-driven angiographic syringe injector apparatus comprising an axially extending drive shaft and a frustoconical-shaped driving head attached to the shaft. The plunger is constructed to engage the driving head, with a circumferentially extended array of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members which compressively bear on the side and rear surfaces of the frustoconical driving head. The flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly offset from the edge of the plunger, to avoid contact with inner surfaces of the syringe barrel contamination of the interior volume of the syringe. The syringe is mounted on the injector apparatus by a face plate adapter assembly serving to position the flexible resilient engagement members for coupling to the driving head.

Abstract: A highly safe catheter assembly exhibiting excellent torque transmission, pushability and kink resistance and operation of a guidewire is provided. The catheter assembly comprises a catheter having a lumen extending between an opening on its distal end and an opening in its periphery in distal end portion of the catheter for insertion of a guidewire therethrough, and a covering sheath for covering said catheter together with the guidewire, said covering sheath having a guidewire passage means for enabling passage of said guidewire from its interior to its exterior. The catheter of this assembly may be a PTCA catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injection syringes comprising a housing accommodating an ampoule containing medicine sufficient for a number of dosed injections. The syringe has a dose setting mechanism by which doses may be set by rotating a dose setting element relative to the housing and the dose set is indicated on a scale. The scale is formed as a clock dial having a first part secured to the housing and a second part which is rotatable relative to the first part and which is coupled to the dose setting element, one of parts carries the scale and the other carries an indicating member indicating a point on the scale. The angular distance between the divisions of the scale corresponds to the minute divisions on an ordinary clock. Holes are provided along the scale which holes can receive a pin forming a stop which cannot be passed by the indicating member.

Abstract: A drug delivery system includes a container having proximal and distal ends and a rapidly openable divider, replaceably disposed within the container to separate the container into a proximal chamber that is selectively gas impermeable and able to receive a pressurized gas and a distal chamber having an opening at a distal end thereof. A membrane is disposed between the opening in the distal chamber of the container and a biologic material, such as a patient's skin, treated with a medicament. In operation, rapid opening of the divider causes a shock wave to be generated and transmitted through the opening in the distal chamber to impinge on the membrane which transfers the shock wave to the biologic material. The system may further include a drug housing mountable in a fluid tight manner on the biologic material and an optional sealing element by which the fluid tight seal is created.

Abstract: The present invention is anti prick needle which is extendable and retractable only under positive user control. The present invention has an auto stopper that prevents inadvertent extension of the needle to an operable position without user invention. In operation the present invention is fitted to the end of a syringe. The user pushes down on an extending device which releases a latching device permitting the needle to slide forward to an operable position against a spring bias. The needle remains extended as long as the user continues to push on the extending device. When the user has completed an injection and releases the extending device the needle is automatically retracted by the spring bias. Further, once the needle is retracted into the needle holder an auto stopper latching device is activated which closes the opening preventing the needle from being extended with the extending device or other means.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a catheter with a distal anchor. Suture threads extend from the anchor to the control mechanism. A first body contains a reel with a radial port through which the suture threads extend to be received in a termination structure on a second, partially concentric and axially coextensive body of the control mechanism. Rotation of the second body wraps and unwraps the sutures about the reel thereby to remove or introduce slack into the suture threads after the anchor device forms. Removing slack in the suture threads prevents complete straightening of the anchor device and therefore inadvertent removal of the catheter from the patient.