Abstract: Skin treatment solutions are applied to the face, for example, by use of a flexible opaque mask 10. On a timed basis, one or more treatment solutions from vials 24-26 are provided to various facial areas via flexible tubes 20. In order to enable use of active treatment solutions including vitamin formulations subject to oxidation degradation in the presence of air, for example, a neutral atmosphere is provided. This is accomplished by supplying a neutral gas, such as nitrogen, from a cylinder 50 to mask 10 via flexible tubes 48. The neutral gas is infused between the mask 10 and the underlying skin at a low over pressure sufficient to drive air out from under the mask. Single treatment quantities of treatment solutions can be intermittently applied on a timed basis by the action of pump 36 operating under the control of programmable timers 30 and 40.

Abstract: A multifunctional device for use in endoscopic medical procedures, capable of suction, irrigation and aqua-dissection, comprising an elongated tube that is open at both ends, a pair of valves in communication with the tube such that the device may be used for either suction, irrigation, or aqua-dissection, and further having an optional shield which may be attached for the suctioning of large volumes of fluid therethrough. A removable seal is attached to the proximal end of the tube, which seal can be replaced with an optional end cap for allowing the tube to be used to transmit other instruments into the operative field, which other instruments can be used simultaneously with the device while the device is performing suction or irrigation.

Abstract: An improved transdermal drug applicator for application to a living body for the migration of at least one medicament through the skin into the blood stream embodying at least two electrode elements forming the applicator and with the electrodes separated from each other by insulating means. A reservoir means, in at least one of said electrode elements of said applicator, containing said medicament; and a circuit, including a power source, for supplying electric power to said electrodes and such reservoir means. Suitable cover means partially enclosed at least said reservoir means, and adhesive means affixes the applicator to the skin, so as to complete an electrical circuit through the skin when the applicator is affixed thereto, thus creating at least one physico/chemical mass transfer phenomenon which causes said medicament to migrate through the skin.

Abstract: A selectively aspirating stylet assembly comprises a stylet having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end in fluid communication with a fluid supply and the distal end disposed at or near the end of a catheter, cannula or other generally tubular member that is to be inserted to a specified location within a patient's body, so as to create a fluid flow path from the fluid supply through the generally tubular member to the specified location. A valve assembly located within the fluid flow path is operable to close off a fluid column within the stylet assembly to facilitate placement of the tubular member within the body, and to control the flow of fluids within the assembly.

Abstract: A family of variously configured, new, improved and universally compatible infusion sites and medical connectors that employ a cannula and which function to interconnect uniquely configured T sites, Y sites, heparin locks and the like with a liquid source, such as an I.V. source.

Abstract: Syndiotactic polypropylene is blended with isotactic polypropylene and the blend melt processed into medical articles. The blends have molding cycle times which are up to 12 times shorter that for pure syndiotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: A flow directed catheter (2) includes a hollow catheter body (4) having a distal section (16) constructed of a hydrophilic material. The hydrophilic distal section, typically a hydrogel, has an equilibrium water content of about 80% water by mass when hydrated. The hydrophilic distal section is soft and supple but substantially inelastic and tough enough to permit use of guide wires to help direct the catheter through difficult areas (27) and also allow a wide range of therapeutic agents to be delivered to the target site (32, 34, 36). Both the inside and outside surfaces of the catheter body can be made lubricious by surface modification or by application of a secondary, lubricious coating.

Abstract: A needle and a cover with a needle having an elongate shank and a tip with a sharpened point. The cover is coaxially associated with the elongate shank for movement therealong toward the tip and includes a part for extending beyond the sharpened point when the cover is positioned near the tip. A lock associated with the needle and cover cooperates with and holds the cover to prevent axial movement relative to the needle tip after positioning the cover near the tip. A retaining member on the adapter and on the cover releasably attach the cover to the adapter while on the elongate shank of the needle allowing the needle and cover to be disengaged from the catheter and adapter after placement.

Abstract: An improved breast pump assembly allows two breast pumps to be connected to a motor drive unit for simultaneous breast pumping. In a preferred embodiment, the improved breast pump assembly can be adjusted for either single breast pumping or for double breast pumping, depending on the particular woman's needs.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus having a cylindrical shaft including a retaining shaft, an expansion shaft, and a frustoconical transition shaft extending therebetween. The expansion shaft has a recess sized to receive a flange radially extending outward on an elongated member. The shaft is configured to be received within a housing having a passageway extending therethrough. The passageway is defined by an interior surface which includes a cylindrical first surface positioned at the top of the housing. The first surface has in inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of the split ring. The interior surface also includes a frustoconical constriction surface positioned at the bottom end of the housing. The housing raises and lowers relative to the shaft for positioning the split ring onto the elongated body under the force of a weight.

Abstract: An improved catheter for delivering fluid to a body cavity or aspirating the cavity. The catheter includes a cylindrical tube having a proximal end for joining the tube to a source of fluid or suction and a distal end connected to a bolus. The bolus includes a tubular shaped body formed of semi-rigid plastic. The body includes a tube connector section at one end, a tip section at the other end and a passage section between the connector section and the tip section. The passage section also contains a radial passage portion adjacent the tip section that forms a port through the side of the body. The passage section further includes a bolus body segment opposite the port. The body segment connects the tip section with the tube connector section. A side wall is formed in each side of the body segment. Each side wall has a height which is less than 50 percent of the outside radius of the body such that the port extends around more than 180 degrees of the circumference of the body.

Abstract: Treating a patient by collecting a bodily sample from deep within the body of a patient and collecting the sample outside the body to facilitate treatment of the patient. A sampling probe is provided in the form of an elongate catheter having a proximal portion that remains outside the body and a distal portion that can be located within the body. The distal portion includes a polymer on its outer surface capable of receiving a substantial amount of bodily sample. The catheter is positioned within the body and the sample is taken by exposing the polymer by placing it in proximity within a desired location so that said bodily sample is received by the polymer. The catheter is removed from the patient and the sample is collected outside the body.

Abstract: A catheter for preventing the stenosis or restenosis of a body vessel or cavity, e.g., a blood vessel, whereby a membrane may be applied to the inner surface of the vessel or cavity. The inventive catheter tip utilizes (a) two inflatable chamber balloons which, when inflated, isolate a portion of the vessel or cavity for treatment and (b) an inflatable treatment balloon disposed between the two chamber balloons which provides a means for treating the isolated site. The invention permits the flow of body fluid, e.g., blood, to the distal side of the catheter tip while the balloons are in an inflated state. The invention further permits the rinsing and flushing of fluids or medications of an isolated longitudinal portion of the vessel or cavity prior to and after an application of a membrane located on the treatment balloon.

Abstract: A method of electrosurgically obtaining access to the biliary tree of a patient and visualizing a duct thereof using a catheter having at least a first lumen and a second lumen defined therethrough, each lumnen terminating in an opening defined at a distal end of the catheter, the first lumen of the catheter having a needle-knife disposed therein and the second lumen of the catheter enabling infusion of a contrast medium to visualize the duct of the patient while the needle-knife remains in the first lumen of the catheter, the needle-knife having a distal end and being connected to a deployment mechanism at a proximal end of the catheter for extending and retracting the needle-knife between a deployed position and a fully sheathed position relative to the distal end of the catheter, the deployment mechanism having an adjustable stop for adjusting the distance between the distal end of the needle-knife and the distal end of the catheter, the needle-knife electrically communicating with a power source to enable

Abstract: An improved drug delivery system comprising a gun style injection device used for holding and administering a disposable pre-filled drug cartridge, a holster device used for receiving an end of the gun style injection device and thereafter severing cannula from cartridge and disposing of spent cannulas and cartridges, and an improvement to the drug cartridge is disclosed. The gun style injection device conprises a barrel, a handle, a hinged and spring loaded squeeze lever, and a safety trigger. The holster device comprises a leg protection panel to which a housing is coupled for disposing of spent cartridges. The holster housing is adapted for receiving the barrel of the gun style injection device. The holster housing provides a means for severing the cannula from a used cartridge and disposing of both the cannula and cartridge in separate containers. The cartridge design itself is improved in order to increase the performance of the gun style injection device and the holster cannula severing mechanism.

Abstract: A catheter sleeve includes a radially expansible distal region having a plurality of axial blood perfusion lumens or channels formed thereon. The catheter sleeve may be introduced over a conventional angioplasty balloon catheter with the expansible region lying over the balloon. When the balloon of the angioplasty catheter is expanded, the perfusion lumens will provide a flow path for blood around the expanded balloon. Optionally, the catheter sleeve may further include drug infusion lumens over the radially expansible region. In this way, drugs can be delivered over prolonged periods while the underlying angioplasty balloon is inflated and blood flows through the lumens or channels to perfuse the distal myocardium.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for delivery of a gas, such as oxygen, solution into an environment (such as a coronary artery). The apparatus includes a high pressure tubular housing 12 defining a lumen 14 therewithin. A plurality of axially disposed concentric tubes 16 are supported within the lumen 14. Each defines an annular space 18 between adjacent tubes. One or more supports 20 extend radially inwardly from the tubular housing 12. The supports are connected to the concentric tubes 16 to prevent radially or axially migration thereof during high pressure infusion of the oxygen supersaturated physiologic solution.

Abstract: This catheter is suitable for treating a tissue target within the body, which target is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the catheter is the use of a multi-component section having an interior stiffener comprising a spirally cut tubing member and an exterior tubing member. Depending upon the choice of materials of construction for the interior and exterior layers (and their respective thicknesses), the section may be placed at any place within the length of the catheter. The multi-component section is kink-resistant, has good pushability and flexibility, and (in some variations) has variable flexibility along the axis of the spirally cut section.

Abstract: A rotatable connector having an enlarged annular flange positioned at the distal end of a tubular body. An annular cap having an aperture is received on the tubular body through the aperture so as to rotatably encircle the tubular body proximal of the retaining flange. A split ring rotatably encircles the tubular body between the retaining flange and the cap. The split ring has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the retaining flange and an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the aperture of the cap. An access chamber positioned at the proximal end of a tubular hub receives the distal end of the tubular body in mating relationship to enable the proximal end of the hub to be ridgedly coupled to the cap. A transfer duct communicating with the access chamber in the tubular hub is rotatably fluid coupled with the passage in the tubular body.

Abstract: A catheter for retroperfusion of myocardium has an infusion tip, such that when retroperfusing myocardium, the tip extends within the coronary sinus to a depth in a range of about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) from the coronary sinus ostium. The catheter also comprises a tube defining at least three channels. The channels include an infusion channel, which has a first infusion end coupled to an infusion port located in the infusion tip and a second infusion end coupled to an outlet orifice of a pump; a withdrawal channel, which has a first withdrawal end coupled to a withdrawal port located in the superior vena cava and a second withdrawal end coupled to an inlet orifice of the pump; and a pressure monitoring channel for monitoring pressure at pressure port at the infusion tip having a first monitoring end coupled to the pressure port and a second monitoring end coupled to a pressure sensor.