Abstract: An assembly of a breakaway needle and catheter is provided for injection by the user, using only one hand. The needle and catheter are inserted by the user, and the needle is then retracted from the puncture site leaving the catheter in place. As the needle is retracted, it breaks apart and separates from the catheter.The assembly includes adhesive coated taping wings to which the catheter is attached. Hence, when the taping wings are attached to the user's body following splitting of the needle, the catheter will be secured in place for long term use.

Abstract: Colon washing apparatus and methods wherein water flow to the colon may be by gravity flow or by pumped flow, wherein temperature control of the wash water is controlled by mixing of hot and cold water or by means of a water heater means, wherein wash water pressure is controlled by water head or by pump output pressure, and by pressure flow valve controls, wherein pulsating water flow may be used, wherein oxygen may be introduced into the wash water, wherein water penetration into the colon may be assisted by abdominal massage, wherein the nozzle may be introduced through the colon by water jet action, and wherein angular water jets from the nozzle may cause washing action ahead of the nozzle. The apparatus is fail-safe in that alternative modes of operation are available in case of power failure. The patient can control the apparatus in case of operator absence or patient discomfort.

Abstract: A coupling device is disclosed for attachment to an end of a catheter. The coupling device includes a tubular member having a distal and a proximal portion with the distal portion being insertable within the end of the catheter. An elongate body member having a first and a second end defines a channel which extends between the first and second ends of the body member. The channel receivably supports the proximal portion of the tubular member such that the distal portion of the tubular member extends outwardly from the first end of the body member. A catheter clamp is hingedly secured to the first end of the body member for selectively clamping the end of the catheter around the distal portion of the tubular member.

Abstract: An improved universally-sized permanent/retrievable ureteral catheter adapted to be cystoscopically inserted and positioned within a patient and adapted to be removed from the patient without the use of a cytoscopic procedure is disclosed. It includes an elongated, relatively flexible, generally cylindrical member defining a plurality of apertures therein for avoiding catheter blockage during use and having a proximal end defining a single coil, a relatively straight, long intermediate section and a distal end. The coiled proximal end is made of an inert material and is adapted to be straightened so that the catheter may be cytoscopically inserted and positioned within a patient. The coiled proximal end reforms upon insertion and prevents the member from migrating. The elongated, relatively flexible, generally cylindrical member is adapted to be cut along its distal end to fit the needs of a specific patient.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved system for mounting a drop sensor onto a drip chamber having laterally projecting wing-like or flange-like extensions. A pair of mounting members, one fixed, one laterally movable, are provided on the drop sensor housing. The mounting members have inclined guiding surfaces which cradle both ends of the lateral extensions on the drip chamber during the initial stages of mounting the drop sensor to the drip chamber and guide drop sensor movement with respect to the drip chamber to its final mounted position thereon. The mounting system is particularly adapted to dedicated IV set and drop sensor combinations.

Abstract: A wound evacuator comprises a pair of walls which are pushed apart by springs to generate suction in a cavity. A strap coupled to one of the walls includes a plug to close an outlet, a slot cooperating with a peg on the one wall to retain the strap adjacent the one wall and a tab to prevent contact by an individual with the plug upon removal and reinsertion of the plug in the outlet.

Abstract: A multiple, metered dosage device having an elongated body provided adjacent one end with a compartment or an ampule to contain material to be dispensed, a piston movable against the material to discharge it from a nozzle, a rod-like plunger movable by a pressure device against the piston to discharge material and a combination stop and release unit movable intermediately of the ends of the body between depressed and elevated positions respectively to engage a pair of racks of teeth on the plunger and including first and second teeth respectively engageable with the racks of teeth sequentially to permit the pressure device to advance the plunger and piston in similar metered, precise or predetermined increments of feeding in discharge direction and then stop the feeding movement and maintain such stopped position until the stop and release unit next is depressed.

Abstract: A system of surgical instruments consisting of a helically wound coil of wire having a variable axial and circumferential pitch and a concentric outer radial cutting cannula and a method for the use of the system in the removal of stenotic and occlusive lesions from the vascular lumina of living mammals.

Abstract: An angioplasty device is disclosed comprising a woven tube of metal or plastic fibers and a retraction stylet that are attached at one end to a catheter tube for insertion into a vein, artery and the like for the removal of plaque and similar material. One or more guide wires or a stylet may be attached to the woven tube for rotation and manipulation inside the artery. When the stylet or guide wires are retracted, the woven tube expands and contacts the interior, plaque-coated wall of the artery. Movement of the guide wires and expanded woven tube will abrade atherosclerotic plaque from the artery to form particles which are trapped within the tube. An expandable fabric within the woven tube which opens and closes with the corresponding expansion and closure of the woven tube may be used to collect the trapped particles. Removal of the angioplasty device from the artery will them remove the atherosclerotic particles from the patient.

Abstract: A penetrator for fully draining the liquid in multi-dose vials when drawing liquid into a syringe is disclosed. The apparatus also provides a cuff and a sleeve that are encoded for preventing misidentification of the contents of a syringe by identifying the syringe with the vial from which the contents of the syringe were drawn. The cuff is mounted on the penetrator and the sleeve is mounted on the port end of the syringe, so that a mismatch between the cuff and sleeve is readily detected when the port end of the syringe is attached to the penetrator to withdraw liquid from the vial.

Abstract: An infusion pump has a removable reservoir including a piston and drive member. The drive member is an internally threaded elongated portion of the piston. A motor rotates a short drive screw, which engages the threads of the drive member to displace the piston in the reservoir. In one embodiment the piston is attached to the drive member by a severable central stem which breaks away to allow engagement with the drive screw. With the stem severed, the piston cannot be retracted, or the reservoir refilled. Other safety features are shown for locking the displaced piston in the reservoir. A digital metering system has a safety circuit to prevent dangerous failure modes of the rotation sensor and motor drive systems.

Abstract: A device for anchoring catheter tubing to the skin of a patient which includes a resiliently flexible pad attachable to the patient's skin. The pad has a predetermined dimensioned arcuate passageway disposed therein for snugly receiving and redirecting the tube. The passageway is externally accessible along its length by manually spreading the pad along a slit.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter placement apparatus for use in inserting a catheter to a preferred depth, the device comprising a surgical needle with a longitudinal window through which a catheter inserted into the needle can be viewed, and a catheter having a colored patch of the same length as the window and a series of spaced, visually distinct markings, proximal to the patch. The position of the catheter can be accurately located by aligning the colored patch with the window and then inserting the catheter until at least one mark appears in the window, recording the distance of a mark from the surface of the skin and using this recorded distance to relocate the catheter, if necessary.

Abstract: This invention relates to a "plungerless" means of drawing blood and for administering liquids via parenteral injection. This means is used in conjunction with a pouch bearing an injection means, to which it is releasably attached. It comprises hinged plates which, when folded, expand the pouch; and which, when straightened, compress it.In a preferred embodiment, the plates fold along a line essentially parallel to the general direction of fluid flow, and extend beyond the distal end of the pouch. The expanded pouch may then be rested on the distal edges of the plates, which form a "diamond" configuration.

Abstract: The valve is positioned in the left ventricle drain line and includes a check valve which permits flow only away from the heart and downstream of the check valve includes a vent valve which prevents buildup of pressure. In addition, the valve includes a manually adjustable vacuum control orifice whereby the surgeon can control the left ventricle drain line vacuum intensity applied to the heart.

Abstract: A method for producing elastic disposable diapers, apparatus therefor and product therefrom which includes applying a continuous stripe of adhesive to stretched elastic ribbon, V-folding longitudinally spaced portions of the ribbon to immobilize the adhesive in the spaced portion, applying the intermediate flat portions of the stretched ribbon with exposed adhesive to a substrate, to form discreet diapers which have contractable portions therein.

Abstract: Position locating device for interstitial radiotherapy of a body portion comprising a flexible sheet member for being received about and conformed with a body portion which is to receive radiotherapy, the sheet member having a plurality of spaced position locating means, and attachment means for releaseably securing the sheet member about the body portion. The position locating means of the sheet member comprises a plurality of spaced openings arranged in rows and columns, and the attachment means comprises a pair of clamping units securing a plurality of bands with the ends of the sheet member. The clamping units are detachably secured with the sheet member for being replaced and repositioned therewith and the first ends of the bands are pivotally secured with the respective clamping units, while the second ends of each of the bands of one of the clamping units is detachably securable with a corresponding one of the second ends of the bands of the other clamping unit.

Abstract: Cerebrospinal fluid is drained from a ventricle of the brain of a fetus and into the amniotic cavity in an antenatal procedure that does not require a hysterotomy, such being carried out by a shunt and introducer system. The introducer portion of the system includes a plurality of components that are slidably assembled and that provide a guiding sheath through which the shunt is passed with the aid of a pushing tool and a stylet that passes through the pushing tool and into the shunt. The hydrocephalus valve within the shunt is radially offset from the longitudinal axis of the shunt in order to permit stylet passage therethrough.

Abstract: A blood pump apparatus and method for pumping blood and pressure treating blood for minimizing hemolysis, platelet degradation, microthrombus and bubble formation. A blood pump apparatus for pumping and pressure treating blood comprising a flaccid chamber having an inlet for accepting fluid and an outlet for expelling fluid, a pressure housing associated with the flaccid chamber for applying pressure isotropically to dissolve or crush gaseous bubbles in the blood, an inert, heavier than blood, immiscible fluid acceptable in said flaccid chamber for displacing blood from said flaccid chamber and for drawing blood into said flaccid chamber, means for displacing said flaccid chamber and a hydraulic system and associated valves for controlling the flow of the inert fluid.

Abstract: The free ends of two tubular tissue members to be anastomosed are each pulled over the outside of a respective ring joined by an integral frame which holds the rings rigidly a short distance apart and sewn to the respective rings and to each other across the gap formed by the frame. When the tissue members and apparatus have been completely sewn about their circumference, the frame is cut away, and the sutures are pulled taut so that the edges of the tubular tissue members are inverted and drawn into apposition between the rings. The adjacent suture ends are then tied together with proper tension to complete the anastomosis.