Abstract: Sterile solutions containing pharmaceuticals suitable for use in low and micro-gravity environments are prepared with unit dose pharmaceutical dispensers having a pre-measured quantity of medicament. A compressed air reservoir may be activated to rupture the dispenser and positively expel the unit dose into solution. This can be accomplished by inverting a bag containing the pharmaceutical or by operation of a piston which pushes all the pharmaceutical from the dispenser. A robot either places the pharmaceutical dispensers inside a mixing chamber or connects the dispensers to the mixing chamber, which comprises a flexible bag expandable to receive sterile water and pharmaceuticals. The mixing chamber may collapse under cabin pressure to drive prepared solutions from the chamber through a sterilization filter into an intravenous bag or dispensing unit.

Abstract: A drop monitoring unit for monitoring the rate of drop formation in an infusion set includes an attaching section at its upper end for attaching the drop monitoring unit to the inlet tube of the infusion set, and a pair of spaced parallel arms depending below the attaching section to straddle the opposite sides of the drip chamber, one of the arms including a light transmitter, and the other including a light receiver.

Abstract: A sling device for surgical implantation into human recipient to support the urethra, the sling including an elongated strip of supple material. The elongated strip has a center portion, opposite first and second side portions, and a slot passing through the center portion, through which one of the side portions can pass, thereby forming a loop in the elongated strip. The material is a biological acceptable material for implantation into the human recipient, preferably selected from the group consisting of synthetic polymers, processed animal tissues, and combination thereof. A method of reducing the incidence of involuntary urination or restoring urinary continence in an incontinent human subject is also disclosed, including the steps of providing a sling device of the type previously described and surgically implanting the sling device in the human subject so that the urethra is biased upward so as to elevate the urethra.

Abstract: A two-compartment type prefilled syringe includes a first rubber stopper fitted into a front sleeve, a second rubber stopper fitted into a rear end portion of a cartridge, a third rubber stopper for hermetically dividing the interior of the cartridge into front and rear compartments and a bypass formed by radially outwardly bulging a portion of a peripheral wall of the cartridge. In an axial direction of the cartridge, a length of the third rubber stopper is slightly smaller than an inner length of the bypass. When the third rubber stopper has been displaced into the bypass, the sealing property of the rear compartment with the front compartment is cancelled such that the dissolving agent, suspension or the like in the rear compartment is carried, via the bypass, into the front compartment containing dry medicament or the like.

Abstract: A catheter assembly has a needle extending within a catheter and projecting from its patient end. A slider attached with the needle is slidable rearwardly along a protective housing so that the needle can be pulled out of the catheter into the housing. A resilient catch at the patient end of the housing has two plates with apertures through which the needle projects when extended, thereby holding two hooks on the catch in engagement with the catheter hub. The catheter cannot be pulled off the needle until the needle is pulled rearwardly of the catch and allows the hooks to release engagement with the hub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction/rinsing instrument comprising a suction channel for removing fluid and a rinsing channel for supplying rinsing fluid. The suction channel is provided for receiving an auxiliary instrument. Via a grip part of the instrument, the auxiliary instrument, for example a forceps, may be controlled. The auxiliary instrument is fixed on the suction/rinsing instrument by way of a receiver. The receiver can be traversed in the axial direction of the shank, the traversing is effected via operating means provided on or near the grip part, so that the operator, without having to let go of the grip part, may selectively, with only one hand, push forward the auxiliary instrument an thus operate or also retract the auxiliary instrument and clear the suction/rinsing channel.

Abstract: A method and infusion set for consecutively draining liquid medicines from a plurality of containers, such as two containers (1, 2) containing said liquid medicines, the liquid medicine via a differential pressure valve (5a) is fed into a drip chamber (6), wherein the fluid flow is permitted initially from one container (1) by the higher fluid pressure and differential force area from the first container (1) on a diaphragm disk (15), whereby the fluid flow from the second container (2) is stopped and, later an automatic switch to a second container (2) as a source of fluid is effected when the fluid flow from the almost drained first container (1) is at a lower fluid pressure and a smaller differential force area and is exceeded by a higher fluid pressure of the second container (2) and the larger differential force area.

Abstract: A compact, small, self-contained liquid containment and dispensing device is disclosed which included an elongated fluid reservoir/conduit, a liquid dispenser in the form of a liquid retentive matrix material, a gas pump and an electric pump activation circuit. The liquid to be administered or dispensed (e.g., a medication or fragrance vapor) is placed in the reservoir and the pump is activated, generating gas into the reservoir to expel the liquid from the reservoir to the matrix material at a controlled and essentially constant rate. Methods of use of the device to administer medications, provide vapors, and for other purposes are also disclosed. A substance to be administered (e.g., a medication or drug) which is soluble in the liquid can also be preloaded into the matrix material and administered by dissolution in the liquid. The device is sufficiently small to be easily portable and can be easily attached to a person's or animal's body for administration of medication to a human or animal patient.

Abstract: A microneedle includes an elongated body with a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side wall between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a second side wall between the top surface and the bottom surface. An end is defined by the bottom surface converging into a tip, an isotropically etched portion of the first side wall converging into the tip, and an isotropically etched portion of the second side wall converging into the tip. The elongated body is less than approximately 700 .mu.m wide and less than approximately 200 .mu.m thick. The elongated body may incorporate a fluid channel. The elongated body may be formed of silicon that is not doped with Boron. In such a configuration, integrated circuitry or a micromachined device, such as a heater or pump may also be formed on the device. A number of novel processing techniques are associated with the fabrication of the device. The device may be formed by relying solely on isotropic etching.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating thrombosis by driving the drugs or lytic agents through the thrombus by pressure, are disclosed. The system preferably comprises a guide catheter with an occlusion balloon for isolating the region proximal to the thrombus, a guide wire with an occlusion balloon for isolating the region distal to the thrombus and an infusion catheter for delivering drugs or other agents into the region distal to the thrombus under pressure. A lumen of the guide catheter is preferably provided to evacuate material proximal to the thrombus, decreasing the pressure in the proximal to the thrombus. The lumen can be coupled to a thrombus filter to remove thrombolytic material from the drug or lytic agent evacuated from the proximal region. The filtered drug or lytic agent can then be redelivered into the distal region. Recycling of the drug or lytic agent in this manner decreases the costs of the procedure.

Abstract: A flexible tubing device is used for intravenous infusion of medicine, particularly antibiotics, to all lumens of a multi-lumen central venous line catheter. The single input arm of the tubing device is connected to a source of medicine, and each of the several output legs of the tubing device are connected to different ports on the central venous line catheter. It allows a single input to be divided into a plurality of outputs. To allow this, the free end of the input arm has a female tube connector fitting while the free end of each of the output legs have a male tube connector fitting.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is steerable from the hub of the instrument to move a surgical tool to different offset positions. The instrument includes a shaft disposed along a longitudinal axis between a proximal region and a distal region at which the surgical tool is supported. A steering body is connected to the shaft proximally of the surgical tool and is configured to transmit proximally directed and distally directed forces applied by an actuator to a proximal end thereof to the shaft to bend the shaft in a flexible region of the shaft and offset the surgical tool from the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for adding a beneficial agent to a liquid for drinking during oral administration includes a support structure extending transversely across an imperforate walled zone such as the upper end or neck of a bottle or vessel, or of a funnel-like adapter attached to the top of the vessel, with a retention pocket with liquid penetrable walls held by the support structure and comprising at least one beneficial agent secured therein whereby the beneficial agent is taken up in the liquid for drinking during or just prior to oral administration. The beneficial agent may be in either or both of controlled release dosage form or non-controlled release dosage form and may be one or more of nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, electrolytes, rehydration solutions and diagnostic agents, to which a flavoring agent may be added.

Abstract: A balloon dilation catheter which has a long shaft and an inflatable balloon connected to its distal end. The shaft includes a guide wire lumen which has an inner diameter that is substantially larger than the guide wire diameter used in the procedure. An atraumatic tip is connected to the distal end of the inflatable balloon and includes an aperture which the guide wire passes through. The diameter of the aperture remains constant but is substantially less than the inner diameter of the guide wire lumen and matches the maximum diameter of the guide wire used in the procedure. The atraumatic tip minimizes the potential for vascular damage and eliminates the need to change catheters or guide wires and thus reduces the time and cost of the PTA procedure. The tip also includes holes which allow for dye injection and pressure measurement while the guide wire extends through the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping fluid at a steady rate. A first drive chamber having a movable outer surface, and a second drive chamber having a movable outer surface are provided. The apparatus further includes a block having a plurality of internal passages including a first passage for receiving the fluid into the block and a second passage for discharging the fluid from the block at the steady rate. The block has first and second internal chambers which are in fluid connection with the first and second passages. The first internal chamber has a first flexible surface for mating with the movable outer surface of the first drive chamber, and the second internal chamber has a second flexible surface for mating with the movable outer surface of the second drive chamber.

Abstract: A microcatheter for infusion in which a tip portion of its shaft 2 comprises a porous tubular structure 3 having no communicating pores is provided. It can be inserted into fine peripheral blood vessels along a guiding wire and/or on a blood stream, and thus a contrast medium, a curative drug, an embolismic substance or the like can be infused in the desired portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device and method for removing obstructive matter from an anatomical structure or passageway (e.g., blood vessel). The device comprises an elongate pliable catheter having a distal tip member attached to the distal end thereof, and an ultrasound transmission member which extends longitudinally therethrough to carry ultrasound from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal tip member. The distal tip member has a concave indentation formed in the distal surface thereof, and at least one inlet passageway extending therethrough in communication with a catheter lumen to facilitate suctioning of severed matter which becomes located within the concave indentation of the distal tip. The device may further incorporate means for infusing fluid (e.g., irrigation fluid, medicaments) separately or concurrently with the aspiration of the severed obstructive matter.

Abstract: An anti-cross contamination valve for use in medical fluid delivery systems comprises a valve housing having a first port, a second port, and a third port that open into a hollow interior. A valve body is rotatably mounted within the hollow interior and has at least one fluid passageway therethrough. A knob is attached to the valve body and extends outside of the valve housing. The at least one passageway includes a first fluid passageway that opens the first port to the third port when the valve body is rotated to a first position with respect to the valve housing. The second port is closed when the valve is in its first position. The at least one passageway also includes a second fluid passageway that opens the second port to the third port when the valve body is rotated to a second position with respect to the valve housing. The first port is closed when the valve is in its second position.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into a patient's urethra is provided, comprising: (a) first and second tubular members having such a diameter for enabling drainage of physiological fluids therethrough, the first and second tubular members being interconnected by means of a connecting tube of substantially smaller diameter; (b) an inflatable balloon attached to the second tubular member, the inflatable balloon being in fluid communication with the connecting tube. The inflatable balloon is inserted to the patient's urinary bladder so as to locate the second tubular member substantially within the patient's prostatic urethra such that the connecting tube is held by the patient's sphincter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a yoke latch for coupling a needle puller and a catheter adaptor of a vascular access device. The yoke latch generally comprises a push bar, at least one prong attached to the push bar, and at least one locking tab attached to the prong. The yoke latch is generally horseshoe-shaped and straddles the needle puller. When the needle puller and catheter are joined, the locking tab of the yoke latch engage the catheter adaptor preventing its movement relative to the needle puller. A clinician, therefore, can grip the vascular access device by the catheter adaptor, or any part thereof, for better control without having the catheter prematurely uncouple from the needle puller during catheter insertion. The yoke latch also permits one hand yoke latch disengagement and needle puller removal.