Abstract: Methods for delivering at least one medical device to a desired location for treatment, and then selectively deploy it in position, include an improved handle. One of the possible features of the handle may be to selectively hold the delivery system components at any desired configuration during deployment and positioning of the medical device. Another possible feature of the handle may be more than one mode of operation, in which the deployment of the medical device can selectively proceed at more than one speed. Yet another possible feature of the handle may be a locking mechanism that resists inadvertent or accidental movement or retraction of the stent delivery system components during packaging, sterilization, shipping, storage, handling and preparation of the stent delivery system.

Abstract: A dosage device includes an outer body and an inner body displaceable relative one another and each formed with formations that engage one another to increase resistance to the displacement and to produce an audible sound corresponding to a predetermined dose of liquid traversing a passage which is formed in the outer body.

Abstract: A drug delivery device having a base member defining a skin-contacting surface, a syringe serving as a reservoir for the drug, and means for expelling drug from the syringe. The syringe is connected to the base member such that the longitudinal axis of the syringe is substantially parallel to the skin surface. A delivery needle is in communication with the syringe. The needle has an angled bend which directs the tip of the needle substantially perpendicular to the skin-contacting surface. In use, the tip of the needle is adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an iontophoresis electrode device with superior performance which avoids entrance of metal ions from the electrode into the body, is reusable and can be mass produced at low cost, minimizes gas generation which causes polarization, can notably improve transport current, and can prevent skin injury by pH changes during prolonged application. The iontophoresis electrode device of the present invention has a construction provided with a backing 1 having an edge section 1a around an opening and a packing chamber 4 inside, an electrode terminal 2 situated in the packing chamber 4, a non-adhesive gel 5 containing an electrolyte solvent, depolarizer, pH regulator and drug packed in the packing chamber 4, an inert electrode member 3 covering the base of the electrode terminal 2, and a liner 7 attached to the adhesive layer 6 coated on the edge section 1a and covering the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a low profile catheter valve comprising a movable sealer portion positioned within the inflation lumen of a catheter. The sealer portion forms a fluid tight seal with the inflation lumen by firmly contacting the entire circumference of a section of the inflation lumen. The sealer portion may be positioned proximally of a side-access inflation port on the catheter, to establish an unrestricted fluid pathway between the inflation port and an inflatable balloon on the distal end of the catheter. As desired, the clinician may move the sealer portion to a position distal of the inflation port, thereby preventing any fluid from being introduced into or withdrawn from the balloon via the inflation port. Also disclosed herein is an inflation adaptor for moving the sealer portion within the catheter to establish or close the fluid pathway between the inflation port and the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: The manipulator includes a support and at least one member affixed to and extending away from the support. The member has at least two differentially activatable electrodes. The electrodes are configured to establish a first electromagnetic field in vivo between selected electrodes sufficient to manipulate a molecule relative to a target tissue and to establish a second, typically higher, electromagnetic field sufficient to cause transient permeability of a cell membrane within the target tissue. One method of using the device is for enhancing the delivery of a molecule into a tissue site. In a related embodiment the device may be used to cause the electromigration of at least two components of a multicomponent reactive system into apposition to permit a reaction to occur at a desired target tissue site. The target tissue may comprise a tumor, organ, or wound site.

Abstract: A device (10) for generating a pulsatile fluid drug flow comprises a housing (11) containing an expandable-contractible chamber (12) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (15), a valve (16) associated with the outlet (15) which is actuated by the expansion and contraction of the chamber (12), and means (13, 23) for biasing the chamber (12) to its contracted state. When the inlet (14) is connected to a pressurised fluid drug supply the chamber (12) is expanded by the drug, and this expansion of the chamber (12) actuates the valve (16) to open, thereby allowing release of the drug from the chamber (12), following which the chamber (12) contracts under the influence of the biasing means (13, 23), this contraction in turn actuating the valve (16) to close thereby allowing the chamber (12) to refill. By this mechanism, a constant supply of liquid, such as from an osmotic or elastomeric drug delivery pump, can be converted to a pulsatile flow, which may provide a more suitable delivery of certain drugs.

Abstract: Implantable cardiac drug delivery systems. The systems are installed endocardially into a chamber in the heart, and are variously capable of delivering anti-arrhythmia agents into the heart wall, and into the epicardial space outside the heart, and into other chambers in the heart through the septa of the heart.

Abstract: In an infusion set having a container for fluid medicines, which by a feed-line and a differential pressure valve is connected to a drip chamber and which by a further feed-line is connected to a front end controlled with a roller clamp according to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/800,779, the differential pressure valve has two inlets each with an associated differential force chamber and the two differential force chambers are sealingly separated from each other by a diaphragm disk, wherein both differential force chambers are connected to an exit line for the fluid medicine. To use the differential pressure valve, the valve is configured as a 3-way check valve by the fact that the first inlet is connected to the container for the fluid medicine and that the second inlet is designed for the connection to a syringe or the like.

Abstract: A disposable hand piece providing irrigation and aspiration capability to a surgical field can adaptably hold within itself endoscopes of different manufacturers. Running through the hand piece is a bore; attached at the distal end of the hand piece is a reusable sheath. The tubular shaft of an endoscope is inserted into the bore of the hand piece and the reusable sheath. A first collet at the proximal side of the hand piece securely holds the endoscope by adjusting to the outer diameter of the tubular shaft of the endoscope. A second collet at the distal side of the hand piece holds the reusable sheath in a selected linear extension. The collets, however, permit the tubular shaft and the reusable sheath to be rotated in place and thus adjust the view of the surgical field. An annular space is maintained between the tubular shaft and the reusable sheath so as to provide a channel for irrigation and aspiration. Further aspiration capability is provided by a separate suction device.

Abstract: Implantable cylindrical device for connecting a hose arranged outside of the human or animal body to a hose arranged inside of the said body, wherein an anchoring plate falling away peripherally from the skin surface is arranged around the cylindrical device. This allows the skin to unroll over the anchoring plate subject to a tilting moment of the port body.

Abstract: A gas-powered, single-use, needle-less hypodermic jet injection device includes a hand-held injector, and a drug injection cartridge which provides a cylinder of liquid medication to be injected, an injection orifice, and an injection piston. Forceful movement of the injection piston in the cylinder causes an injection jet of medication to be expelled from the injection orifice. The injection device also includes a hermetically sealed gas pressure capsule which remains sealed until the moment of injection and powers the jet injection after opening of this cartridge.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump is provided with a housing, a pump head in the housing, and a receiving path defined along a housing and pump head for receiving tubing. A door is pivotable about an axis between a closed position covering the receiving path and an open position exposing the receiving path. A carrier is provided on the housing for holding an anti-free flow slide clamp on the tubing in the receiving path. The carrier is movable relative to the housing so as to automatically effect closure of the tubing by the slide clamp when the door is opened.

Abstract: A surgical instrument valve assembly is provided with a valve seal where the upper portion of the valve seal is rigidly mounted to the body of the valve assembly. The lower portion of the valve seal is configured to allow some radial movement while the upper portion of the valve seal remains rigidly mounted within the valve assembly. The valve seal may be provided with stay that prevents the valve seal from inverting when an instrument in withdrawn from the valve assembly.

Abstract: A guidewire or a catheter for crossing vascular occlusions comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a drive member having a proximal and a distal end, the drive member being rotatably disposed within and along a longitudinal axis of the guidewire shaft. An actuator is connected to the proximal end of the drive member, the actuator imparting a rotation to the drive member. An asymmetrical rotating tip is attached to the distal end of the drive member and driven in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft by the drive member. The rotating tip may include a protruding portion that projects from a plane defined by an outer surface of the guidewire shaft to render the rotating tip asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The protruding portion creates a volume of revolution as the asymmetrical tip rotates, which facilitates crossing a vascular occlusion by displacing and exerting pressure on stenotic material causing the occlusion.

Abstract: A disposable tracheostomy inner cannula connector that is compatible with prior art disposable inner cannula tracheostomy tube systems. The connector has an annular ring at a proximal end thereof which allows the inner cannula to snap in the connector and thereby secure the inner cannula in place. A locking mechanism of the connector, located at the distal end, permanently affixes the outer cannula to the connector.

Abstract: This is a catheter section having a number of radially placed holes through the catheter section wall and a catheter assembly including that section. That catheter assembly may be used in accessing and treating a tissue target within the body, typically one which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the catheter section is the presence of a braided metallic reinforcing member, typically of super-elastic alloy ribbon, situated in such a way to provide an exceptionally thin wall, controlled stiffness, high resistance to kinking, and complete recovery in vivo from kinking situations. The orifices in the section are optimally placed in the interstices between the turns of the braid. The braid may have a single pitch or may vary in pitch along the axis of the catheter or catheter section. The braided ribbon reinforcing member typically is placed between a flexible outer tubing member and an inner tubing member to produce a catheter section which is very flexible but highly kink resistant.

Abstract: The portable, locally washing hygienic device has a water container of a flexible synthetic resin film member, a water supply tube mounted on the water container and acting as a water passage, a spray nozzle mounted on an upper portion of the water supply tube, and a valve assembly interposed between the spray nozzle and the water supply tube, in which a lower portion of the water supply tube located within the water container is joined together through a connecting member with an inner surface portion of the water container by thermally fusing or otherwise.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic surgical instrument is disclosed having a design that extends horn or tip life and minimizes instrument breakage and disintegration during use. The instrument comprises an ultrasonic tip having a distal working end and a metal sheath around the tip; the tip further having projections located in the vicinity of nodal points near the tip working end, said tip radially extending from the tip towards the sheath so as to provide the tip with radial inward support. The instrument can further comprise said tip with a substantially flat or convex end and said sheath with an inwardly projecting portion located distally of said tip projection and extending sufficiently radially inward so as to capture the tip with its projection should a tip break occur.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a perfusion lumen communicating with a blood vessel, and a magnetically driven impeller disposed in the perfusion lumen to increase blood flow through the catheter and the arteries.