Abstract: A catheter comprises an inner tubular member, a braided reinforcement layer, and a soft outer layer. The inner tubular member extends from a proximal end of the catheter to a first distal location. The braided reinforcement layer extends from the proximal end of the catheter to a second distal location which is usually located proximally from the first distal location. The soft outer layer extends from the proximal end of the catheter to a third distal location which is usually located distally of the first distal location. In this way, a catheter having a shaft region, a transition region, and a distal region, each with different strength and flexibility characteristics, can be obtained. Such catheter constructions are particularly useful for very small diameter access catheters.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for use in determining the location of a tip of a catheter inside biological tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes a catheter, a detector positioned within the catheter, and a polyimide sheath containing the detector and forming a detector assembly. The sheath is comprised of a first member, a polyimide layer, and a second member having an undulating outer surface sandwiched therebetween. The detector assembly may be removed from the catheter without damage thereto once the tip of the catheter is in its desired location inside biological tissue.

Abstract: A tubular guard 14 encircles the needle 6 and exhibits a conical connection surface which, in the protection position, cooperates with a conical connection surface of the joining piece bearing the needle 6. By pushing on the cap 16 covering the needle 6, the joining piece and the associated guard are secured to the handpiece 1. The collar 17 is then pressed onto the guard 14 and frees the guard from the joining piece. The guard 14 is then hooked onto the handpiece 1 by freeing the end of the needle 6.

Abstract: Guide catheter unibody and method for manufacturing such a catheter. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention is a unibody guide catheter for use in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedures. The catheter includes a base layer and a structural layer formed over the base layer. The structural layer includes strands which cross at a plurality of points, the strands being attached together for structural integrity at a substantial number of points where they cross. The structural layer may be at least partially embedded in the base layer. Additionally, a cover layer is formed over the structural layer.

Abstract: A syringe outer cylinder is split into a front chamber outer cylinder and a rear chamber outer cylinder. Powdered medicine is sealed in a sterilized state in the front chamber outer cylinder. Liquid medicine is sealed in a sterilized state in the rear chamber outer cylinder. Thereafter, the front chamber outer cylinder is coupled to the rear chamber outer cylinder with a coupling component, and the dual chamber prefillable syringe is assembled. Therefore, sealing of powdered medicine and liquid medicine can occur in parallel.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter carries a helical reinforcement member embedded within at least a portion of the tubular wall of the catheter. The helical reinforcement member comprises a helical first portion having coils of greater pitch than the pitch of helical coils of a second portion. Preferably, the catheter is for insertion into brain arteries, and comprises a flexible tube having an outer diameter of no more that about 0.05 inch, for example 3 French or smaller. The flexible tube defines outer and inner tubular layers. The inner tubular layer surrounds a catheter lumen and comprises a chemically inert fluorinated polymer such as PTFE. The outer tubular layer comprises at least three longitudinally spaced, connected tubular sections. The sections are of successively increasing flexibility from the proximal toward the distal catheter end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a significantly improved guiding catheter for use in catheter systems. It utilizes a segmented body to tailor the catheter strength and flexibility for optimal responsiveness at the distal end. The segmented body utilizes progressively softer materials in the distal direction in order to improve overall maneuverability. The longest and proximalmost segment is substantially straight and harder or stiffer than the rest of the catheter and than typical guiding catheter bodies. This segment performs the function of a handle having a platform at its distal end in order to improve response in the distal segments of the remainder of the catheter. This invention improves the transmission of torque, axial and lateral forces and reduces the likelihood of kinking both laterally and radially. Achieved is improved control of the distal portion through input from the hub at the proximal end of the elongated stiff handle segment.

Abstract: An animal fluid injector, replaceable syringe and method of replacement of the syringe in the injector are provided in which the syringe is loadable and unloadable into and from the injector through the open front end of a pressure jacket of the injector, thereby permitting replacement without retraction of the syringe plunger drive or disconnection of the injection tubing. The syringe is provided with a pressure restraining front end, such as an integral or removable cap with structure such as threads that lock the syringe to the front end of the jacket by mating with threads on the jacket. A mechanism in the injector, which includes, for example, a key on cam ring operated by a lever with one hand of an operator, interacts with structure such as symmetrically spaced notches on the back end of the syringe to, for example, rotate the syringe and simultaneously translate or rotate a coupling on the syringe plunger into and out of engagement with the plunger drive in the injector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a refillable dispenser for separately dispensing each of two biological fluids contained therein for intermixing at a site outside of the dispenser to produce hemostasis or a tissue adhesive. The dispenser is compact, contains integrally formed internal reservoirs for the two biological fluids, an injection port on each reservoir for refilling the reservoir, and is designed for efficient filling without compromising the integrity of the sterile field. The dispenser is capable of dispensing the biological fluids, such as fibrinogen and thrombin, at either a focused point or in an aerosol mist. In addition, spray elements are disclosed for uniformly distributing the two biological fluids along either the interior surface or the exterior surface of an implantable vascular graft.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pump provided with a control module and an attachable fluid reservoir cassette. The control module includes a pumping mechanism for pumping fluid from the fluid reservoir to the patient. The cassette is provided with appropriate indicia to identify differences between a plurality of cassettes. The control module further includes cassette indicia identification structure for identifying indicia on the cassette. One type of cassette identification system includes a projection extending from the cassette and structure associated with the control module which engages the projection. Another type of cassette identification system includes a light reflecting system which utilizes light from the control module and reflected off the cassette. Still other types of cassette identification systems utilize other non-contact switches or sensors to sense indicia on the cassette to identify the cassette from a plurality of cassettes.

Abstract: A locking assembly for the plunger of a syringe locks the plunger head inside the body of the syringe when the plunger is depressed at the end of an injection cycle. The inner wall of the syringe body has a constriction which projects inwardly toward the center. The head of the plunger has a catch adapted to cooperate with the constriction and hook the plunger when the plunger is depressed. A flexible shield or seal member is mounted on the plunger head adjacent the catch to prevent trapping of air bubbles under the catch during movement of the plunger while the syringe is being filled with injection fluid and readied for use. The locking assembly is particularly suited for use with a retractable syringe design.

Abstract: A syringe assembly includes a syringe body, and a plunger having a main body and a gasket mounted on its distal end portion. A needle-mounting member is detachably mounted on a distal end portion of the plunger main body. A plunger-engaging mechanism is provided on the needle-mounting member. An engaging member is provided on a distal end of the gasket, for engaging with the plunger-engaging mechanism. The needle-mounting member and the plunger further have a first structure which transmits a torque from the plunger in a direction to release an engagement between the syringe main body and the needle-mounting member to the needle-mounting member, and a second structure which releases an engagement between the engaging member and the plunger-engaging mechanism through a rotation of the plunger in a direction to keep an engagement between the needle-mounting member and the plunger main body.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent to an animal. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds a lumen, said wall comprising a composition that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a composition that permits the passage of fluid into the system. The lumen comprises a beneficial agent and an expandable member. The delivery system comprises an exit means for delivering the beneficial agent.

Abstract: A pen shaped syringe for repetitive injection of individually set doses of a medicine from a cylinder ampoule reservoir comprises a dose setting member which may be rotated to cause a rotative movement of a dosing member and a combined rotative and axial movement of an indicator member indicating the set dose, and a piston drive member which when rotated in one direction moves the piston into the cylinder ampoule. A unidirectional coupling is established between the dosing member and the piston drive member by each member carrying a disc having surfaces with sector shaped saw teeth riding over each other when the dosing member is rotated in the dose setting direction and engaging each other when the dosing member is rotated in the opposite direction corresponding to the direction of rotation by which the piston is moved into the cylinder ampoule.

Abstract: Heat transfer catheter apparatus and methods of making and using same are disclosed wherein fluid connection means is provided between the distal portions of two adjacent, thin-walled, high strength fluid lumens to define a closed loop fluid circulation system capable of controlled delivery of thermal energy to or withdrawal of thermal energy from remote internal body locations.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for preventing secondary cataracts. A cytotoxic agent is employed which is introduced into the anterior chamber of the eye to inhibit proliferation of remnant tens epithelial cells after extracapsular cataract extraction. Desirably a non-cytotoxic agent crossreactive with the cytotoxic agent is introduced prior to introduction of the cytotoxic agent. The agents can be provided as kits.

Abstract: A pen-shaped syringe comprises a first part containing a dose setting and driving mechanism from which a piston rod is advanced by a carrier to actuate a piston of a reservoir in a second part. The first and second parts are coupled together by a bayonet coupling, wherein the bayonet coupling element of the second part has members for rotating a piston rod guide mounted on the bayonet coupling element of the first part. The piston rod determines the rotational position of the piston rod which rotational position again determines the engagement between the carrier and the piston rod.

Abstract: This invention provides prosthesis delivery systems with atraumatic tips that can be dislodged from the catheter so that the catheter can be easily removed from the body after expanding the prosthesis, by pulling the catheter proximally. With the tip dislodged, the catheter, which is of smaller diameter than the tip can be removed even in instances where the prosthesis does not expand the lumen to a large diameter. This invention also provides prosthesis delivery systems with a contoured protective outer sheath having smaller diameters in proximal portions that normally are acutely bent when the system is in the body, than in distal portions corresponding to the position of the prostheses. These systems are more flexible and the sheaths less likely to kink, especially when configured as part of a large delivery system.

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: Valve assembly for sealed reception of an elongated object includes a valve body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated object and defining a central longitudinal axis, an elongated seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture in general alignment with the opening of the valve body whereby the aperture is configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the object into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently engage the outer surface of the object in a substantially fluid flight manner, and at least one elongated guard member disposed within the seal member in supporting contact with the inner surface thereof. The guard member is positioned to engage the elongated object upon at least partial insertion of the elongated object into the valve body.