Abstract: The present invention is a self-destructive syringe that includes a cylindrical body with a hypodermic needle at one end, a breakable circle, and a retaining ring. The syringe has a piston with a sharp point at the front of the piston. When the piston reaches the lower end of the stroke, the sharp point on the piston perforates the breakable circle while the edges of the piston are encased in the retaining ring. The retaining ring has cutting edges which will damage the seal of the piston if the piston is returned for reuse. A seal, supported by flanges, is positioned at an opposite end of the syringe so as to prevent the piston from reaching the destructive end of the syringe.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle provided with a protection device against infection risks, substantially comprising a cap (1), or a hollow member shaped like a cylinder or a truncated cone, with piercing-resistant walls (3) having an inner irregular profile (5), which member can be snap-secured to the base (7) supporting the needle (9), and provided at its base (7) with a resilient element (13) formed like a coil or sheath and exhibiting a marked propelling capability, and with a preferably eccentric hole (17) at the tip (15) thereof.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for use in a pen-type medicament injector includes a cartridge for holding a medicament suspension with an open end and an opposite capped end configured to receive a needle therethrough to permit the exit of the medicament suspension, and includes a plunger sized to be received and to seal the open end and to be telescopically movable therein, and the plunger defining a top surface and including at least one monolithic mixing vane formed therefrom and extending from the top surface and inwardly of the cartridge when the plunger is sealingly engaged with the open end.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate body defining a core wire having a projection extending radially outwardly adjacent a distal end. The projection may be an enlarged diameter portion of the core wire integrally formed with the core wire. A coil spring covers the distal end and has a proximal end engaging the projection. A tube, such as a tubular portion or leg of a balloon, has a distal end fusibly sealed to the proximal end of the coil spring. Because the coil spring is mechanically secured to the core wire, no solder is needed. In addition, the distal end of the tube further includes heat fused portions thereof filling interstices between adjacent coils of the coil spring and the core wire. The distal end of the tube is fusibly sealed to the coil spring so that adjacent coils of the coil spring are movable relative to one another to define a flexible tip portion for the catheter having substantially uniform flexibility. A method for making the catheter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cartridge retainer assembly is provided for a medication delivery pen. The cartridge retainer assembly includes a generally tubular body for receiving, supporting and accurately positioning the body and shoulder portions of a cartridge of medication. A needle mounting collar is floatably mounted to the body of the cartridge retainer assembly for receiving the neck, rubber septum and crimped metallic sleeve of the cartridge. The needle mounting collar will float into a position which compensates for eccentricities and dimensional variations of the cartridge.

Abstract: Thermal treatment apparatus for thermally treating selected tissues of a subject located in or near a body cavity, includes a catheter insertable into the subject's body cavity and having a proximal end formed with an inflatable anchoring section for anchoring the catheter in the body cavity, a distal end to be located externally of the body cavity, and an inflatable heating section adjacent the proximal end to be located near the tissue to be heated. The catheter is formed with passageways extending from the distal end to the inflatable heating section for circulating heated fluid through the inflatable heating section but not through the inflatable anchoring section, and a further passageway from the distal end to the inflatable anchoring section for inflating the inflatable anchoring section with a non-heated fluid.

Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved double locking blunt nosed shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The cannula also has an improved inexpensive flexible flapper valve and can be manufactured with a reusable cannula tube but disposable flapper valve assembly to minimize cost.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter having an elongated tubular body with a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular body is formed with: (a) an inner layer of a blend of (i) about 10-25 weight percent of a polyester-polyurethane having a durometer of from about 45D-55D, and (ii) about 38-53 weight percent of a polyester polyurethane having a durometer of from about 65D-75D; (b) a reinforcing means at least partially surrounding the inner layer; and (c) an outer layer comprising a blend of (i) about 10-25 weight percent of a polyester-polyurethane having a durometer of from about 45D-55D and (ii) about 38-53 weight percent of a polyester-polyurethane having a durometer of from about 659D-75D.

Abstract: A catheter for use with a radioactive source within the catheter to irradiate a selected area of a blood vessel in combination with angioplasty procedures, to prevent restenosis of that area of the blood vessel. The catheter has a guidewire channel formed near its distal end to facilitate use of the catheter as a rapid exchange catheter, allowing insertion of the catheter over a guidewire also used in performance of an angioplasty procedure. The catheter can also have a guidewire channel formed near its proximal end to provide an O-ring sealing surface and to facilitate free guidewire movement. The catheter also has a closed end to retain the radioactive source within the catheter. The catheter can also be provided with a centering balloon or a set of centering wire loops to center the radioactive source radially within the blood vessel.

Abstract: A syringe which has been prefilled to include a prescribed liquid and also a gas. The syringe includes a reservoir, a chamber which is in fluid communication with the reservoir and an outlet which is interposed between the chamber and the reservoir. Severing the chamber from the reservoir at the outlet will provide a syringe that includes a reservoir and an outlet. Prior to severing the chamber from the reservoir, the syringe may first be oriented such that all gas is directed into the chamber so that the syringe's reservoir will be completely filled with non-compressible fluid such as the medicating liquid.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter comprises a length of flexible plastic tubing which, in turn, comprises an outer plastic layer and an inner plastic layer. The plastic materials of the outer and inner layers are different, and may be chemically bonded to each other. Advantages in catheter design are achieved.

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: A syringe is disclosed which includes a needle body having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle attached to the distal end of the needle body, a plunger for drawing fluid into the needle body through the needle, and a protective sheath configured and dimensioned to be positioned about the needle body and movable between a first distal position whereby the needle is shielded by the sheath and a proximal position whereby the needle is exposed. A system of slots and pegs is provided to releasably retain the protective sheath in the first distal position and to releasably retain the protective sheath in the proximal position. Also disclosed is an improved locking system which includes a pair of opposed locking struts fixed to the sheath at respective proximal and distal ends thereof to securely retain and lock the protective sheath in a second distal position after use to prevent unwanted contact with the needle.

Abstract: A device for preventing accidental needle puncture injuries comprises a sleeve for attachment to a needle or a needle and syringe assembly prior to use. The sleeve has a relaxed condition in which the needle is passed through an eccentrically positioned opening in a top member and exposed for use. The needle hub and/or syringe is firmly anchored by a base member. The top and base members are interconnected by living hinges to a pair of opposedly inverted sidewalls each comprising two members of unequal length interconnected by sidewall living hinges which are open when the device is in a relaxed condition. After needle use, the sidewalls are manually biased toward each other by the user, thereby closing the sidewall hinges, and the device assumes an extended condition. The needle is thereby extracted from the top member opening and the needle tip is engaged by top member needle tip engaging configuration. Elements are also provided for trapping the needle in the device after use.

Abstract: A spring-loaded reciprocable stylet holder assembly includes a cap; a hollow body element partially nested within and reciprocable a major part of its length into the cap; a spring urging the body element outwardly of the cap; and a stylet supported at one end by the cap and extending through and beyond the body element. The remote end of the body element has a small borehole through which the stylet extends. The remote end is also provided with attachment means for a hypodermic needle with slotted tip for T-fastener emplacement, the needle telescopically surrounding the full length of the stylet. In a useful modification of the device an insufflation adapter having a side port for attachment of a hypodermic syringe is placed in line between the body element and the hypodermic needle. The stylet holder assembly with a slotted hypodermic needle attached thereto may be used for emplacing a T-fastener in a hollow organ of a person, such as the stomach.

Abstract: A spring-loaded reciprocable stylet holder assembly includes a cap; a hollow body element partially nested within and reciprocable a major part of its length into the cap; a spring urging the body element outwardly of the cap; and a stylet supported at one end by the cap and extending through and beyond the body element. The remote end of the body element has a small borehole through which the stylet extends. The remote end is also provided with attachment means for a hypodermic needle with slotted tip for T-fastener emplacement, the needle telescopically surrounding the full length of the stylet. In a useful modification of the device an insufflation adapter having a side port for attachment of a hypodermic syringe is placed in line between the body element and the hypodermic needle. The stylet holder assembly with a slotted hypodermic needle attached thereto may be used for emplacing a T-fastener in a hollow organ of a person, such as the stomach.

Abstract: A syringe for administering medicines, pharmaceuticals, and other liquid or semi-liquid materials includes a movable scale which is automatically reset to a zero position after a preselected dosage of material has been discharged from the syringe. The scale is adjustable for selecting subsequent dosages to be discharged, which may be the same or different in quantity from the previously discharged dosage. The automatic zero reset feature of the scale enables a user to administer multiple dosages of material from the same syringe, and vary the quantity of each dosage if desired, without the need to make calculations or adjust the scale to compensate for either the quantity of material previously discharged from the syringe or the quantity of material currently remaining in the syringe.

Abstract: An intravascular device having an elongated flexible tube sized for insertion into a coronary vessel beyond a distal end of a guide catheter. In use, the flexible tube has its proximal end within a guide catheter and has its distal end extending to a treatment site in a coronary artery. The device also including a push rod attached to a proximal end of the flexible tube to facilitate placement of the flexible tube within the coronary artery requiring treatment. In certain applications, the intravascular device is used as a drug (or other fluid) delivery device or as an aspiration device. In other applications, the intravascular device is used as a guiding means for placement of an angioplasty device, such as a guide wire or a balloon catheter. Additionally, an attachment tube may be provided which is designed to couple with a proximal end of the flexible tube to provide a continuous conduit for aspiration or fluid delivery to a treatment site in a coronary artery.

Abstract: A guidewire for placement within a blood vessel for penetrating an occlusion therein. The guidewire comprises a length of flexible wire having a lumen extending therethrough. The distal end of the guidewire is generally arcuate and has a diameter greater than that of the wire immediately proximal thereto. A flexible stylet substantially the same length as the flexible wire may be disposed within the lumen of the wire. In operation, the arcuate distal end of the guidewire is positioned in the blood vessel against an occlusion, and a dottering action is thereafter provided whereby the arcuate distal end of the guidewire repeatedly impinges on the occlusion until penetration of the occlusion occurs.

Abstract: A device comprises an elongate, tubular sheath (4) having an anterior and a posterior end (6; 8), a pointed needle (18) arranged in the sheath (4) for displacement between a first and a second end position, a catheter (26) initially supported by the needle (18), and an attachment for displacing the needle (18) between the first and the second end position. The novelty of the invention resides in that the sealing means for sealing the anterior, initially open end (6) of the sheath (4) is detachably connected to the attachment, that the sealing means further is detachably connected to the catheter (26), that the sealing means, during the displacement of the needle (18) from the first to the second end position, is moved towards the anterior end (6) of the sheath (4) to a sealing position, and that the sealing means is fixed in the sealing position for substantial sealing of the anterior end (6) of the sheath (4).