Abstract: A holder for securely, but removably, attaching a medical tube to the body of a patient. The holder comprises a clip releasably connectable to the medical tube, a base for supporting the clip and a connecting component for connecting the clip to the base. An adhesive pad can be associated with the base to secure the holder to the patient.

Abstract: A blood containment, visualization and tactile confirmation device is provided for use with a vascular entry needle. The device includes a visualization channel and/or a compliant outer wall portion which indicates whether a needle connected to the device has entered a selected blood vessel. The visualization channel is vented to the outside to allow displaced air to escape, but has a gas permeable member to prevent blood from escaping. The visualization channel may have one, two, or more stages, with a first stage chamber which indicates initial penetration of a selected blood vessel, and a second stage chamber which fills more slowly and indicates that the needle remains positioned within the blood vessel. A third stage chamber with entrapped air which compresses slightly due to the heartbeat may also be used. Preferably, a compliant outer wall portion pulses with changes in blood pressure, thereby providing a tactile indication that the needle tip is properly positioned.

Abstract: A retractable catheter introducer structure includes a stepped housing and a retractable needle holder. The head of the needle holder is held in a first embodiment by means of a plunger tube having a landed front opening and in a second embodiment wherein the head of the needle holder is possessed of a surrounding ring member which can be pressed upon and released by the open mouth of an elongated tube. A catheter needle extends from the front of the housing to which a catheter assembly is removably attached. Both embodiments provide one handed operation. Retraction is triggered by pulling on the housing with the plunger tube backed against the palm of the hand to release the needle holder. Until the introducer structure is separated, the catheter assembly remains attached to the housing after retraction is triggered giving the operator greater control by reducing uncontrolled fluid egress.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catheter having an improved tape down wing. This wing is oval and has a length to width ratio of between about 1:1 to about 1:3. In addition, the wing has a flat bottom with a domed cross-section. The ratio of the cross-sectional thickness, edge to center, is between about 1:1.5 to about 1:4.

Abstract: A catheter anchoring device is provided for securely anchoring a catheter to a patient's skin. The catheter anchoring device is particularly well suited to secure an epidural catheter proximate to an insertion site. The catheter anchoring device includes a plurality of channels which receive a section of the catheter body such that a portion of the received section of the catheter body lies generally transverse to an axis defined by the indwelling portion of the catheter. An additional anchoring device also can be used to anchor a catheter/fluid supply tube interconnection to the skin of a patient. In connection with epidural catheterization, one anchoring device can be attached to the anterior of the patient's torso, and the other anchoring device can be positioned on the posterior of the patient's torso and proximate to the point of insertion. This arrangement improves the comfort of the patient and makes the interconnection between the catheter and the fluid tube more readily accessible.

Abstract: A vascular hemostasis device comprises a shaft coaxially received within a hollow tube, and having a distal end formed with an opposed pair of resilient grasping prongs. The tube has an open distal end that may be situated percutaneously adjacent a vascular puncture site. The shaft and the tube are axially movable with respect to one another, so that the distal end of the shaft may be selectively extended from and partially retracted into the distal end of the tube by means of an actuation member attached to the shaft. When the distal shaft end is in its extended position, the prongs are exposed from the distal end of the tube, and they resiliently expand to an open position. When the distal shaft end is moved to its retracted position, the prongs are partially retracted into the distal end of the tube, radially contracting them to a closed position. In contracting, the prongs grasp and gather tissue adjacent the puncture site to obstruct bleeding therefrom.

Abstract: A replaceable flexible protective cover for an infusion device formed from a transparent membrane adhesive on one side affixable to the skin of a person to surround at least a part of the infusion device, and the membrane includes a portion through which a portion of the device passes and grips the infusion device to assure stability as well as added water proof characteristic to the cover.

Abstract: A drainage system for use in the drainage of ventricles of a patient's brain or of the patient's lumbar region and which is connected to a catheter inserted in either the ventricles or lumbar region and secured to the patient, the system including tubing from the catheter, a four-way stopcock inserted into the tubing followed by a Y-connector providing a needle-less sampling site, and a one-way valve, a length of flexible tubing leading from the one-way valve to a burette clamped within a sliding panel mounted on a support panel, suspension means for the support panel onto an IV pole, said sliding panel being in frictional contact with the support panel so as to remain in adjusted position on the support panel, and a drainage bag connected to the bottom of said burette to receive the collected fluid from the burette after it is measured.

Abstract: A infusion set which comprises a base (11) which is adapted to be capable of being manipulated by a user to effect insertion or removal of the infusion set and supporting a hollow needle (12) where the hollow needle has a pointed free end (18) and the other end of the hollow needle is supported from the base, a flexible delivery tube having one end connected to the other end of the needle and a portion at a position spaced from its one end being supported from a housing (14) and where a flexible duct (23) is concentrically provided over the flexible tubing (13) between the base (11). The flexible tubing being capable of slidable movement within the duct to cause slidable movement of the needle (12) in the base (11). The housing (14) has an engagement means (27) movable on the housing (14) and in engagement with the flexible tubing (13) to cause the slidable movement of the needle (12) in the base (11) between an extended position and a retracted position on movement of the engagement means.

Abstract: A tube and stylet assembly for the controlled deflection of the tube is shown. The stylet is received in the lumen of the tube. The stylet includes a first filament having proximal and distal ends and a second filament having proximal and distal ends wherein the proximal and distal ends of the second filament are joined to the first filament such that a surface of the second filament abuts a surface of the first filament. Deflection of the first and second filaments along a plane substantially perpendicular to the abutting surfaces of the first and second filaments necessarily results in a corresponding, opposite deflection of the first and second filaments a spaced distance from the first deflection point. Therefore, a user can control deflection of one portion of the tube and stylet through manipulation of a second portion of the tube and stylet. This structure is particularly useful in inserting a gastric tube either nasally or orally.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system includes a disposable cartridge which is receivable in a shifting carrier body portion of a control module. The disposable cartridge houses a disposable pump and a pressure transducer element which are fluidly interconnected by an internal fluid flow circuit formed in part by an elastomeric separating sheet within the cartridge. Following loading of the cartridge, shifting of the carrier body portion automatically results in a drive connection to the pump, the positioning of various flow control valves within the cartridge and the seating of the pressure transducer element to the control module. External flow lines are readily placed in fluid communication with the internal fluid flow circuit through exterior connection ports provided on the cartridge.

Abstract: An injectable medicament dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments such as insulin, antibiotics, oncolytics and the like from a prefilled container at a uniform rate. The dispenser includes a unique stored energy source in the form of a compressively deformable, polymeric elastomeric member that provides the force necessary to controllably discharge the medicament from the prefilled container which is housed within the body of the device. After having been deformed, the polymeric, elastomeric member will return to its starting configuration in a highly predictable manner.

Abstract: A drill guide is disclosed including a sleeve mounted on a handle. The sleeve of the drill guide has a bore which is dimensioned for slidably receiving a bit sizing ferrule therein. The bit sizing ferrule has a sized bore for demountably inserting a drill bit or other instrument therein having a particular width.

Abstract: A sealing conduit for use with a portal formed on the body which enable surgical, diagnostic and assistive instruments to be inserted into the body during least invasive medical procedures. The sealing conduit includes an elongated cylindrical member with a continuous central lumen therebetween. A flexible annular lip structure is attached or formed on the inside surface of the cylindrical member which is folded in a retracted position inside the cylindrical member or extended through the distal opening thereof. During use, a penetrating member is disposed inside the cylindrical member which is moved downward to forcibly move the annular lip structure from the retracted to the extended position. When the annular lip structure is in the extended position, distal end of the sealing conduit is located just inside the desired vessel or conduit and outward migration of the sealing conduit through the portal is prevented.

Abstract: A dialysis probe combination with a microdialysis probe (1) which can be inserted into tissue with the aid of an insertion device that includes a canula tube (9). In order to be able to remove the canula tube (9) after insertion, the tube is provided with a slot along the whole of its length, this slot preferably including an angle of about 65.degree. in the radial direction. During insertion, the probe is held within the canula tube by virtue of the major part of the probe being larger than the slot. However, the proximal portion of the probe includes a flattened part which is able to pass through the slot, and the canula tube can be drawn past the flattened part by lifting this part, while leaving the probe in the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device comprising an external, flexible shell forming a fluid reservoir and housing a non-obstructive, self-regulating valve, having a folded membrane which forms a slit-like opening in a chamber. An inlet tube in communication with the chamber through an aperture in the membrane extends outwardly through an opening in the shell. The free end of the inlet tube, including holes, is in communication with the brain or cranial vault. There is an outlet tube in communication with the reservoir. The free end of the outlet tube, also including holes, is in communication with either the heart or the abdomen. If the outlet tube is in communication with the abdomen the preferred configuration of the free end includes rigid fins. Also disclosed is a method of using this device to treat hydrocephalus and a process for making the device.

Abstract: A device for the pulsed pumping of liquids, particularly blood, has a body in which are formed a pumping chamber in which a pulsed flow is imparted to the liquid, an inlet duct upstream of the pumping chamber and communicating therewith, and a delivery duct downstream of the pumping chamber and communicating therewith. Two valve members constituted by lip valves are provided for regulating the one-way flow of fluid in the body from the inlet duct to the pumping chamber and from the latter to the delivery duct. Low levels of hemolysis can be achieved, if the device is pumping blood. Moreover, the device has a low production cost and is quiet. The pumping device may be incorporated into a cardiopulmonary bypass device which includes a venous reservoir, a heat exchanger and an oxygenator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing fluid from the body of a patient, such as in paracentesis and thoracentesis, is provided. Fluid may be withdrawn via a needle assembly including a sharp introducing needle and a retractile blunt needle. The needle assembly may be withdrawn after the introduction of a drainage catheter, and a valve with multiple sealing points prevents body fluids from leaking from the device through the needle space and prevents communication between the atmosphere and the patient through the needle space. A second drainage port may be used after the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: A syringe driver device is able to effect the controlled, parenteral infusion of a medical fluid using an available disposable syringe. The driver device includes a frame heaving a movable carriage, which houses a force applying element, mounted thereto. A disposable syringe mounts upon the frame and a lengthy microbore tubing attaches to the outlet tip of the syringe. As a force is applied to the syringe plunger, fluid is expelled from the syringe, but its flow rate is dependent upon the diameter of the microbore tubing. The driver device enables the delivery of multiple, sequential doses of fluid.

Abstract: A securement device retains an indwelling catheter at a desired incident angle while allowing incremental adjustments of the incident angle without disconnecting the catheter from the retainer. The retainer includes an arcuate slot which curves in a direction toward an insertion site of the indwelling catheter. The slot receives a portion of a hub of the catheter. Movement of the catheter hub along the arcuate path defined by the slot changes the incident angle of the catheter. The retainer also includes protrusions which project into the slot and capture a hub of the catheter at discrete positions within the slot. These positions correspond to commonly desired incident angles of the catheter for given medical applications. The retainer also connects to an anchoring base in order to secure the retainer to the patient's skin proximate to the catheterization site.