Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a side port for an introducer sheath which precludes the inadvertent excursion a guide wire (or other article or material) through a side port while advancing through the main lumen of an introducer sheath. To prevent inadvertent excursions of a guide wire, the introducer sheath has one or more non-circular side ports. The non-circular component of the side port has a minimum transverse dimension that is smaller than the diameter of the guide wire to be introduced through the lumen of the introducer sheath. Therefore, the small diameter of the non-circular component of the side port prevents a guide wire from inadvertently entering the side port.

Abstract: A needle mounting system and methods for mounting a needle assembly on a needle mount are disclosed. The needle mounting system includes a needle hub having protrusions extending radially inward. A needle mount has a plurality of slots to receive the protrusions. The slots have a first portion that defines a passageway substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the needle mount and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the axis. The needle hub and mount provide a method wherein a needle assembly may be mounted on an injection device without completely rotating the needle hub relative to the needle mount.

Abstract: An interactive fluid tube stabilization device for an intravenous feeding tube is formed of an acrylic material that has a cylindrical shape. A lengthwise slit forms two overlapping sides for the device that can be manually spread apart to fit over and clamp onto the top bed rail of a hospital bed. A flap formed in the side of the device that is opposite to the slit has an arcuate end and a fold line spaced from the end through a distance that is greater than the diameter of the intravenous feeding tube. When the arcuate end is bent toward the top of the bed rail, it forms a gap that accommodates the feeding tube between the device and the flap, enabling most of the drag applied by the feeding tube to be borne by the device and to permit relatively free movement of the tube transverse to the bed rail to accommodate the movement of the patient.

Abstract: A seal for laparoscopic port comprising: a base adapted to engage a cannula, the base including an axial aperture for a surgical instrument; a multiplicity of jaws mounted on the base, the jaws being moveable radially with respect to the aperture between an open position wherein the shaft of the surgical instrument may pass freely and the closed position wherein the jaws engage said shaft and provide a restraining force restraining radial movement of the shaft; and an actuator rotatable to urge the jaws to move between said open position and said closed position.

Abstract: A blood collection set including a non-patient needle assembly interconnected with an intravenous needle assembly through tubing is provided. The non-patient needle assembly includes a hub assembly adapted for mounting with a blood collection set, and an internal blunting member including a blunted tip. The non-patient needle assembly further includes an external cannula concentric with the internal blunting member and including a non-patient puncture tip adjacent the blunted tip. The external cannula is axially displaceable with respect to the hub assembly between a first retracted position in which the non-patient puncture tip extends beyond the blunted tip and a second activated position in which blunted tip extends beyond the non-patient puncture tip.

Abstract: A medical valve connector comprising a tubular body having an inlet fitting of the male luer or luer-lock type with an inner tubular element displaceable axially from a retracted position for closing a passage of flow towards an outlet fitting to an advanced position for opening said passage of flow. A tubular body made of elastic material, set between the inlet and outlet fittings, tends to keep the inner tubular element in the retracted position. Also the outlet fitting can rotate and axially translate between a retracted position and an advanced position.

Abstract: A needle mounting system and methods for mounting a needle assembly on a needle mount are disclosed. The needle mounting system includes a needle hub having protrusions extending radially inward. A needle mount has a plurality of slots to receive the protrusions. The slots have a first portion that defines a passageway substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the needle mount and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the axis. The needle hub and mount provide a method wherein a needle assembly may be mounted on an injection device without completely rotating the needle hub relative to the needle mount.

Abstract: A medical line securement device holds a medical article such as a connector fitting for a catheter or a catheter adaptor in position upon the body of a patient and inhibits axial motion of the medical article. The securement device includes a retainer with a base and a cover. The cover is hinged to the base such that it may be moved between an open and closed position. The base and cover each have a groove which cooperate when the cover is in the closed position to form a channel through the retainer. The medical article includes an elongated body which is received within the groove of the retainer, the elongated body lying between at least a pair of regions of larger radius of the medical article. By receiving the portion of the elongated body of the medical article between the regions of larger radius, axial motion of the medical article through the groove is inhibited. The retainer may also include one or more slots to receive any radial projections of the medical article within the retainer.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic agents to a target tissue of a human body are disclosed. A catheter in accordance with the present invention includes an injection catheter assembly having a first elongated member with a proximal end, a distal end, an external surface, and an inside surface defining a first lumen. The catheter includes a second elongated member having a proximal region and a distal region. The second elongated member is positioned at least partially within the first elongated member. The second elongated member has a second helical member fixed to an end. The catheter also includes a third elongated member. The third elongated member defines a lumen along a portion of the length of the first elongated member. The third elongated member has a first helical member. The second helical member is longitudinally moveable within the lumen of the first helical member to move the second elongated member longitudinally.

Abstract: A method of administering liquid medicine such as epinephrine to a patient includes administering a first dose followed by administering an optional second dose is described herein. Also described herein are devices useful for carrying out the methods described and kits containing these devices.

Abstract: Pneumoperitoneum needles for providing and/or insufflating a corporal and/or abdominal cavity are provided. The pneumoperitoneum needle can include a housing, an elongate tubular body extending from a distal surface of the housing, and an elongate hollow tubular rod slidably received within the tubular body. The tubular body preferably includes a passage formed therethrough for connection to a gas administration system. The tubular rod preferably includes a blunt distal end defining an opening, and a proximal end portion defining an opening formed therethrough.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes a transparent or translucent housing with a fluid inlet end, a fluid outlet end, a flashback chamber and a venting mechanism therebetween. Substantially axially aligned inlet and outlet cannulas extend from the housing and communicate with the chamber. A sealable sleeve covers the external end of the outlet cannula. Relative volumes of the cannulas, the chamber and the sleeve are selected to provide rapid reliable flashback indicative of venous entry with an internal vent plug over the outlet of the flashback chamber to inhibit leakage of blood from the needle on withdrawal from the patient.

Abstract: A warming device for an IV fluid line according to the present invention includes a warmer unit and a wye type fitting with an injection site. The warmer unit includes a tube for intravenous fluid and channels containing a warming fluid to heat the IV tube. One fitting branch is connected to an intravenous fluid source, while the remaining branch houses the injection site. The injection site branch includes an injection safety member that ensures a syringe needle or other instrument is contained within the fitting to prevent rupture of the IV tube. The warming device may include an additional wye type fitting coupled to the initial fitting and including another injection site, where the fittings typically exclude the safety member. A syringe needle is inserted into the additional injection site to prevent rupture of the IV tube. In addition, the warming device may be configured for needleless injections.

Abstract: A vascular access port is disclosed for subcutaneous implantation. The port is particularly adapted to be affixed to a bone to securely hold the port in position, to assist medical personnel in finding the port and to decrease a visibility of the port. The port has a chamber therein which is accessed by a needle through a septum adjacent the chamber. The chamber is placed into fluid communication with the vascular structure of the patient, such as through catheter tubing. The chamber is surrounded by a body with an outer surface which is preferably fitted with threads to facilitate secure but removable attachment of the port within a hole in the bone where the port is to be implanted.

Abstract: Medical connector comprising a tubular body with an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting of the female luer-lock type connected to the body in a rotary and axially translatable way between a retracted position and an advanced position. One-directional detent assemblies enable rotation of the outlet fitting in one direction in the retracted position and in the opposite direction in the advanced position.

Abstract: A multiple catheter system is described. In one embodiment a medical catheter system includes a first catheter having an entrance orifice, an exit orifice, a channel connecting the entrance orifice and the exit orifice, and a wall surrounding the channel. In this embodiment the hardness of the wall surrounding the channel decreases in in hardness, increases in hardness and then decreases in hardness again, when considered from an initial reference point at the entrance orifice and traveling towards the exit orifice. Another medical catheter system includes a first catheter having an entrance orifice, an exit orifice, a channel linking the entrance orifice and the exit orifice, and a first wall surrounding the channel wherein the first wall has a bendable curve memory portion.

Abstract: A hand-held aspiration apparatus includes a handle configured for suspending and using the syringe with a single hand. The handle includes pivotally connected first and second members. The members of the handle may be pivotally connected at intermediate positions along the lengths thereof. The first member is associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe barrel, while the second member is associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe plunger. The members are configured and associated with one another in such a way that movement of portions thereof toward each other moves the plunger proximally through the barrel, which may create a vacuum in the barrel that may facilitate aspiration, and that movement of portions of the members away from one another moves the plunger distally through the barrel. The aspiration apparatus may be configured for a single-use (i.e., it may be disposable). Applications of use and methods of using a hand-held syringe are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery apparatus for the discharge of a specific and constant volume of medical fluids includes a two-layered tubular body that is wound on a projecting holder, which reduces the change in expansion pressure. Having the tubular body wound up enables a variety in design. The utilization of an intermediate ring enables a variety of products just by exchanging the intermediate ring to provide different capacity volumes of the tubular body.

Abstract: An infusion device for continuous infusion of medication is disclosed, in which infusion is controlled over two separate fluid communications. The infusion is in each fluid communication controlled by restricting means and valve means, and one of the fluid communications farther contains a holding device for bolus rate of infusion for a short period. The device comprises a flow regulating device comprising a passage defined by at least a first element and a second element, wherein at least one of the first and second element is a primary deformable element adapted to be elastically deformed so as to change the cross sectional area of the passage. Furthermore the device comprises a container for storage and supply of a medication in fluid form, said container comprising a first and a second chamber being arranged relatively to each other so that when volume of the first chamber Increases the volume of the second chamber decreases.

Abstract: An injection catheter is provided. The injection catheter comprises a catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. The needle control handle comprises an outer body having a piston chamber therein, a piston slidably mounted within the piston chamber; and a compression spring in the piston chamber between the outer body and the piston. An injection needle extends through the catheter body and at least a portion of the needle control handle. The injection needle has a proximal end attached to one of the outer body and the piston and a distal end within the catheter body.