Abstract: A trocar assembly for use in surgery in a patient, comprising an elongated outer tubular member having a first or proximal end and a second or distal end. The proximal end has a housing enclosing a fluid pressure chamber therein. The distal end of the outer tubular member has a gaseous fluid discharge arrangement therethrough, through which a medical instrument is disposed for surgical manipulation of the patient.

Abstract: A disposable flow set for use with a pump includes a first administration tube, at least one tube-segment having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first administration tube, a second administration tube connected to the second end of the at least one tube-segment; and an identifying key member connected to the at least one tube-segment. The identifying key member includes a number of teeth that define a unique code, including a combination of location and width. The teeth fit into compatible niches located in the pump.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an infusion device that can be easily inserted into the body and that when inserted into a blood vessel reliably ensures the flow of blood. The infusion device is provided with a needle-shaped tube member having a sharp tip in any one lumen of the three lumens provided within a tubular member that can be inserted into the body in such a manner that it can move axially, an extrusion aperture provided in the tubular member through which the needle-shaped tube member is extruded, and a reagent supplier for supplying a predetermined reagent into the needle-shaped tube member. Additionally, recessed portions extending axially are formed in an outer circumferential surface of the tubular member in such a manner that the cross sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular member is a shape in which at least a portion of the outer circumference of an annular shape has been recessed radially inward.

Abstract: A medical delivery device comprising an elongate body having a plunger slidably and sealingly engaged to form a cavity to receive fluid materials and a first outlet disposed at an end of said body and has a male luer end portion and a valve assembly is disposed within the first outlet. The valve assembly has a valve means movable between an open position and a closed position and biasing means for biasing the valve means to a closed position. Actuating means are disposed within the male luer end portion and coupled to the valve means such that the valve means is movable to an open position when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is coupled with the male luer end portion. A second outlet is disposed at the same end as the first outlet for controlling the exchange of gases from the environment to said cavity under the action of the plunger.

Abstract: The syringe is formed according to DIN ISO 11040 and has a syringe barrel (1) with a syringe head (1a) formed on one end and a grip plate (4) formed at the other open end. An elastomeric piston stopper (6) is insertable in this open end, which is movable back and forth and which has a cruciform-cross-sectioned piston rod (7) screwed into it. A stop element, which reduces the interior diameter of the syringe barrel, is provided at the open end of the syringe barrel to perform a back-stop function, i.e. to prevent unintended withdrawal of the piston stopper. For this purpose a plastic part (2) connected to the grip plate (4) is provided with snap catches (3), which snap onto the inner side of the syringe barrel (1). These snap-catches (3) prevent the piston rod (7) from being rotated out of the piston stopper and the piston stopper (6) from being withdrawn from the syringe barrel. At the same time the finger support is enlarged.

Abstract: A breast pump includes a pump that produces both vacuum and pulsating pressure, at least one express kit, and hoses or the like for connecting the pump to the express kit. The express kit includes a manifold, a milk collection vessel, a rigid cup and a flexible liner. The liner is made of a pliable material, and includes a funnel and a throat. The inside surface of the funnel, which is between the liner and the cup when the liner is installed, has an optional honeycomb structure that creates a forced space between the liner and the cup, while maintaining some degree of flexibility. At the end of the liner inside the throat, a rigid insert or suitable bond maintains some rigidity inside the throat, supports the liner and creates a seal between the liner and the cup at the throat end of the liner.

Abstract: A multiple tube catheter, such as a hemo-dialysis catheter, has first and second tubes which are attached to each other over a zone by one or more longitudinally extending wires which joins the two tubes over that zone. When a catheter is implanted in the patient, the attached zone is within the patient so that the catheter cannot be removed or advanced. When the catheter is to be removed, the longitudinally extending wire or wires are pulled proximally out of the tubes involved so that the two tubes can be separated and individually removed. A flexible separating prong within the patient and proximal of the zone holds the tubes apart to further assure that the catheter cannot be moved.

Abstract: An infusion pump has a base and a holder for a syringe extending along a longitudinal axis and having an axially shiftable plunger. The holder is pivotal on the base about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the syringe. A first actuator connected between the base and the holder can oscillate the holder about the first axis relative to the base. A pusher is displaceable linearly on the base transversely of the first axis by a second actuator that can press this pusher against the plunger and thereby slide the plunger of the syringe and empty the syringe's contents. A controller is connected to the first and second actuators for moving the pusher out of engagement with the plunger during oscillation of the syringe and for operating the second actuator only when the first actuator is not oscillating the syringe to express the contents of the syringe.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for the maintenance of an operative pneumoperitoneum in a patient comprising an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. A removable valve is securely arranged in the proximal end of the cannula to provide a seal and minimize the escape of gas introduced into the patient's pneumoperitoneum when an operative instrument is passed therethrough.

Abstract: Improvements in a mini-osmotic pump and coating compositions are described. The dispensing pump includes an inner fluid-filled bag encased by an osmotic layer and outer, semi-permeable membrane. The inner bag is formed with an arcuate edge at the open end of the bag to inhibit formation of fissures in the outer membrane in this edge region. The coating compositions include cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, and polymethylmethacrylate polymers, optionally mixed with ethyl cellulose in acetone based solvent systems.

Abstract: A protector sheath for winged needle capable of accommodating a winged needle having a needle tube with a sharp blade edge, a hub firmly attached to a proximal end portion of the needle tube, and a wing provided on the hub is provided. The protector sheath has a cylindrical main body, at least one slit is provided in a side wall of the main body, a proximal end portion of the slit is provided so as to be parallel to the axis of the main body, and a distal end portion of the slit is provided so as to extend in a direction which is not parallel to the axial direction of the main body.

Abstract: A single-use syringe includes a barrel having front and rear passageways and a shoulder disposed there between, a plunger movable in the rear passageway, a carrier having a tail portion extending from a front end wall of the plunger, and pushing and retained regions formed forwardly of the tail portion, and a deformable sealing member in fluid-tight and slidable engagement with the barrel. The sealing member includes an inner surrounding wall surface with a yielding segment engaging the pushing region, and a retaining segment in frictional engagement with the retained region by a frictional force so as to confine a fluid-tight surrounding area. The frictional force is diminished when the yielding segment is depressed by the pushing region so as to facilitate release of the retained region from the retaining segment, thereby disrupting the fluid-tightness of the surrounding area and rendering the syringe unreusable.

Abstract: A safety device for a needle is provided. The device includes a spring biased sheath which acts to cover the needle before and after use. The safety device also includes a spring biased lock which is operable to lock the sheath in a safe position unless the biasing force of the lock is countered by a user.

Abstract: A releasable medical device connector comprises a connector fitting with a spin nut which connects to an adaptor. The connector fitting has at least one radially extending member with a variable radius cross section. The spin nut is disposed upon the connector fitting proximal of the radially extending member and is both axially slidable and rotatable upon the elongated body of the connector fitting. A screw thread within a proximal portion of the spin nut is used to secure the tapering portion of the connector fitting to an external thread disposed upon the adaptor. To release the connector, the spin nut is unscrewed from the adaptor and slid so that a distal receptacle of the spin nut engages the radially extending member of the connector fitting. With the spin nut and connector fitting engaged, the medical line can be released from the adaptor by twisting and pulling upon the spin nut.

Abstract: An improved protective cap and method for capping medical male luer fittings is provided. The protective cap may include inner and intermediate annular members extending from an end wall and defining a slot therebetween. At least one and preferably a plurality of depressible members project from an outer surface of the inner annular member, wherein the depressible member(s) conforms to the internal threads of a male luer fitting upon interconnection. For such purposes, the depressible member(s) may comprise a resilient material, e.g. most preferably having a modulus of elasticity of between about 5000 psi and 20000 psi. Each depressible member may be of an arcuate configuration in cross-section to present a convex surface for depressible engagement by the collar of a male luer fitting when positioned in the annular slot. The protective cap may be readily employed in automated capping/uncapping procedures via direct linear advancement/retraction relative to a male luer fitting.

Abstract: A fluid warming cassette useful in a system for warming parenteral fluids is provided. The cassette comprises a thermally conductive, flexible fluid container with a fluid channel. Rails are disposed in the fluid container near its periphery, and a stiffener is disposed in the fluid container, between the rails, near an end of the cassette. Together, the rails and stiffener impart structural rigidity to the fluid container. The fluid container, rails and stiffener are joined into an integrated structure useful as a fluid warming cassette. One or more of the rails has a multilateral shape to key the cassette for insertion into a fluid warming unit.

Abstract: A dual-chamber type prefilled syringe comprises a cylindrical body within which a front plug member, a middle plug member and an end plug member are hermetically fitted to form a first chamber and a second chamber. The cylindrical body has an inner surface formed with a bypass. When the middle plug member moves to a position where the bypass is formed, the first chamber is communicated with the second chamber for the first time via the bypass. In this beginning state of liquid transfer (S), an inner volume (VS) of the cylindrical body between a leading end of the cylindrical body and a rear end of the front plug member is set to be at least 60% of a volume (VC) of a second component. When liquid component within the second chamber flows into the first chamber, it is possible to prevent part of the liquid component from passing through the first chamber to reach a portion for attaching an injection needle at a leading end of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A disposable syringe includes a tubular needle seat inserted into a barrel for fixing a needle cannula. The needle seat has an axially extending cavity with a radially yieldable catch disposed therein. A plunger is movable in the barrel, and has an engaging head defining a rearwardly facing shoulder wall which is retained by the catch when the engaging head is extended into the cavity by a pushing force applied to the plunger. The barrel defines friction diminishing regions such that when the needle seat is moved past the friction diminishing regions to be placed to a disposal position, friction between the needle seat and the barrel is diminished, thereby facilitating a subsequent pulling action of the plunger for retracting the needle cannula into the barrel.

Abstract: A reloadable medicine injector and methods are described in which a barrel with a receiving cavity is adapted to slidably receive a syringe subassembly for axial movement therein. Upon removal of a safety and release of a syringe driver, the syringe driver moves forward and injects the syringe needle. A plurality of penetration controls are shown for controlling injection needle penetration depth. The penetration controls have an abutment and various lengths to provide different needle penetration depth positions. In one form of penetration control a sleeve is used against which the syringe or related parts contact. In another form the front return spring is used as a penetration control. A cushioning ring may be used to reduce syringe breakage. A load distribution and guide ring may be used to distribute loading applied to the syringe and help guide the moving syringe.

Abstract: A trocar assembly for use in surgery in a patient, comprising an elongated outer tubular member having a first or proximal end and a second or distal end. The proximal end has a housing enclosing a fluid pressure chamber therein. The distal end of the outer tubular member has a gaseous fluid discharge arrangement therethrough, through which a medical instrument is disposed for surgical manipulation of the patient.