Abstract: The invention provides a dispensing device (10) comprising a loading dose (32) (first agent delivery device) for short-term and continuous delivery of agent, retained together with a long-term dispensing device (12) (second agent delivery device) capable of long-term and continuous delivery of agent. The combination of first and second agent delivery device provides a device in which a substantially constant dose of beneficial agent is delivered to the environment of use over time. A rapid delivery of beneficial agent is followed by continuous and prolonged delivery of agent.

Abstract: A syringe in which one or more injectable materials are filled, comprises a cylinder or barrel in which a front partition stopper, which can be fixed or movable depending on the embodiment, and one or more intermediate partition stoppers are slidably disposed. In the simplest arrangement, a single intermediate partition stopper is disposed between the front partition stopper and a rear piston, to define first and second chambers within the cylinder in which first and second injectable materials can be respectively filled. An outer periphery of the intermediate partition stopper is provided with a plurality of circular lips between which at least one peripheral groove is defined. One of the first and second chambers is communicated with peripheral groove or grooves of the intermediate partition stopper by small passages to allow the first medicine, which is in liquid form, to enter and fill the groove or grooves and exclude air and bacteria therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for internally administering a medicinal agent to a patient under the automatic control of a computer. A diagnostic imaging modality, such as a CAT or MRI scanning system, generates one or more images of the patient's anatomy showing a diseased area such as a tumor to which it is desired to deliver the medicinal agent by injection. For each such image, location coordinates with respect to a patient support structure are calculated by the computer for each individual pixel making up the image. Location coordinates are then defined for a select body region corresponding to pixels of the anatomical image(s) designated by a user of the system to receive the medicinal agent. The computer then operates a manipulator arm in order to position an injection needle mounted on the arm adjacent to the select body region and insert the needle into the region at the appropriate depth.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids between a main conduit and a plurality of secondary conduits includes a valve body having a wall defining a cylindrical bore, the wall having a plurality of ports in respective flow communications with the main conduit and the secondary conduits, and a valve element rotatably disposed within the cylindrical bore of the valve body. The valve element body has internal flow paths with openings flush with a peripheral surface of the valve element body and a channel in flow communication with one of the flow paths, the channel having an opening extending from one of the openings of one of the internal flow paths. In addition, one of the internal flow paths has an enlarged opening to accommodate flow through the channel. The valve element and valve body cooperate to permit fluid flow between the main conduit and a selected one of the secondary conduits by rotating the valve element to align the openings of the channel and the flow paths relative to the ports.

Abstract: Disclosed are shapes for guiding introducers to be used for the ablation and/or mapping of the discrete tracks within the left and right atrium.

Abstract: A hub to be attachably and detachably inserted into a hub insertion hole of a syringe body having a hub insertion hole cylindrically formed at a top thereof has a cylindrical hub body through which the hub can be inserted into the hub insertion hole and can be pulled out of the hub insertion hole in a syringe body. At an outer peripheral portion of the hub body, a hub stop groove in the shape of a groove is annularly formed capable of engaging with the hub stop rib. At an end face of the hub body, a needle insertion hole capable of inserting a needle therein is provided. A flow hole is provided with the hub body such that the needle insertion hole communicates with inside of the syringe body. At an end face of the hub body, a piston engagement hole is provided so as to engage with the piston.

Abstract: The invention provides a cylindrical elongate body extending from a proximal to a distal end, the body defining two similar longitudinally extending lumens separated by a septum and a further lumen defined within the septum, a tip extending from the distal end of the body defining a part of the further lumen, a connector at the proximal end, tubes coupled to the connector and in fluid communication through the connector one with each of the respective lumens, the body defining openings providing access one to each of the longitudinally extending lumens, the openings being spaced from one another longitudinally of the body and the further lumen extending longitudinally beyond the longitudinally extending lumens and through the tip, the further lumen terminating at an opening at the distal end of the tip and the tip being convergently tapered as it extends longitudinally from the body and the longitudinally extending lumens being blocked immediately adjacent and distally of the openings.

Abstract: A syringe for insertion of viscoelastic material into an eye includes a syringe body having an end with an opening therein and a pseudoplastic viscoelastic material disposed in the syringe body. The viscoelastic material is pseudoelastic and may have an initial viscosity of between about 5,000 and about 60,000 centipoise. Correspondingly a cannula is provided which includes a needle having a dispensing orifice on one end thereof and a first portion of between about 23- and about 18-gauge tubing, distal from the dispensing orifice and a second portion of between about 30- and about 23-gauge tubing, proximal to the dispensing orifice. Additionally a housing is provided for attaching another end of the needle, proximal to the first portion, to the end of the syringe body.

Abstract: A curable fluid material is caused to flow out of the balloon in a balloon catheter, through perforations therein, to form a stent in situ in the PTCA procedure.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a catheter and method of manufacture. The catheter includes an elongated core having a unitary lubricous liner and a reinforcement. The lubricous liner defines at least one lumen. The lubricous liner has the reinforcement over the its outer diameter and fused to the lubricous liner. The reinforcement terminates proximal to the distal end of the lubricous liner. The catheter also has an elongated shaft tube which defines a shaft tube lumen. The shaft tube lumen is sized to receive the core, the core which extends longitudinally through the shaft tube lumen. The shaft tube is fused to the core. The catheter also has an elongated transition tube which defines a transition tube lumen. The transition tube lumen is sized to receive the core which extends longitudinally through the transition tube lumen. The distal end of the shaft tube is fused to the proximal end of the transition tube. The transition tube is made of softer material than the shaft tube and is fused to the core.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for temporarily excluding an aneurysm or an arterio-venous fistula from a flow path by transluminally disposing a hollow balloon catheter structure within the aneurysm so that its proximal and distal ends extend past the aneurysm while maintaining continuity of the flow path, and then injecting a synthetic molding material or a biological hardening agent into the aneurysm cavity to cause solidification of the volume within the cavity. Once the material within the excluded aneurysm has solidified, the balloon catheter structure is deflated and removed, so that the hardened mass forms a new lining for the organ or vessel, and relieves the weakened tissue of the aneurysm or fistula from further flow-induced stress.

Abstract: A glass cartridge (C) for an injection syringe prefilled with pharmaceutical liquid, wherein a glass barrel (1a) having an entrance end (1i) portion and the exit end (1e) portion are formed. Further, a stopper serving also as a piston is fitted into the glass barrel (1a), and a gasket (3) is provided on the exit end (1e). A lure lock lid (4) and a lid holder (5) are provided on the exit and (1e). An inner member (41) of the lure lock lid (4) is preferably made of polypropylene, PP while its outer member (42) is preferably made of polybutylene terephthalate, PBT. The lid holder (5) and a flanged cap (6) are preferably made of polycarbonate, PC, and the stopper (2) and the gasket (3) are made of isobutylene-isoprene copolymer rubber, IIR. Even when the glass cartridge for an injection syringe is prefilled with pharmaceutical liquid and subjected to pressurized steam sterilization (121.degree. C..times.20 min), alkaline metallic ions will be eluted.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a stent delivery method and system which generally includes an elongated delivery sheath and a catheter disposed within an outer lumen of the sheath having an expandable member on its distal extremity. An expandable stent is mounted on the expandable member of the catheter. The distal portion of the sheath tapers down and is tucked within an elastic cone during transport of the stent to a stenotic region. A manipulating device is provided on the proximal end of the delivery system to effect relative axial movement between the sheath and the catheter so as to expose the stent mounted on the expandable member on the catheter within a body lumen such as a coronary artery and allow the expansion of the stent by the expansion of the expandable member. The elastic cone thereby disengages from the sheath and collapses about the distal end of the catheter.

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: A method and apparatus for injecting radiographic dye during angiography are provided. A deformable holding chamber is interposed between a contrast dye bottle and a syringe manifold. A one-way valve and an integral disconnect/flow-stop are connected between the bottle and the holding chamber. A vent is provided in the holding chamber, with a second one-way valve. Squeezing and releasing the deformable chamber fills the chamber from the bottle. The holding chamber contains a floating baffle which acts as a shut off valve by plugging the chamber outlet if the chamber becomes empty. The syringe is used to withdraw dye from the holding chamber. If dye remains in the bottle after performance of the procedure, the disconnect/flow-stop fitting can be disconnected, and the dye can be saved.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter for increasing the patency of a body vessel by altering an obstruction in the body vessel includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. At least one electrical conductor is disposed at the distal end and movable from a low profile position to a high profile position in proximity to the obstruction. A non-distensible balloon disposed between the conductor and the shaft is inflatable from the proximal end of the shaft to move the conductor between the low profile position and the high profile position. In the high profile position the conductor can be electrosurgically energized to ablate the obstruction and thereby increase the patency of the body vessel. The conductor may include a circuit which is printed on the exterior surface of the balloon. An overlying insulation layer can be provided with a slot to limit the exposure of the conductor to the obstruction thereby increasing the current density in the electrosurgical procedure.

Abstract: A soft tip guiding catheter for atraumatic insertion into delicate, tortuous coronary vessels and introduction of an angioplasty balloon catheter therethrough. The guiding catheter includes a main tubular portion and a soft tubular tip with cooperating bonding surfaces for increasing the contact area and strength of the thermal bond therebetween. The cooperating bonding surfaces each include a proximal ground taper portion with a braid material included therein and a distal longitudinal portion without the braiding material. The main portion preferably includes an inner layer of lubricous material, an outer layer of a polyether block amide, and a reinforcing braid positioned therebetween. The main tubular portion also includes distal and proximal segments heat shrink bonded together to provide changes in durometer along the length of the catheter. The layers of the main portion provide a thin catheter wall with pushability, torquability, and kink resistance.

Abstract: A safety syringe including a hollow barrel member having a substantially cylindrical shaped plunger receiving cavity formed therethrough, the plunger receiving cavity terminating in a plunger receiving opening at a first end thereof and a cavity bottom member having a needle mounting portion at a second end thereof, the needle mounting portion being centrally oriented on the cavity bottom member and secured thereto by a breakaway plastic bridge seal, the needle mounting portion having a fluid port member having a cavity facing opening including at least one plunger engagement member extending from a defining sidewall thereof; and a plunger member having a plunger shaft a plunger bulb in connection with an end thereof that has a needle portion engagement member adapted to engage the plunger engagement member when the needle portion engagement member is inserted into the cavity facing opening.

Abstract: A medical method utilizes a medical instrument such as a suturing needle made of biocompatible material. In addition, a medical operating room is provided with a container of a solvent fluidic material. During a medical procedure, the instrument is used to operate on a patient in the operating room. Upon completed use of the instrument, it is deposited in the container in the operating room, whereupon the instrument dissolves in the container.

Abstract: An expansible balloon catheter with a stent thereon has at least a first exterior surface with a given coefficient of friction and a second exterior surface with a different coefficient of friction. In a compact form only the first exterior surface is exposed to produce one coefficient of friction during transfer of the collapsed or uninflated balloon and stent to and across a lesion. When inflated, the second surface dominates the first surface and produces a second coefficient of friction.