Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the volume of surgical fluid present in a cavity in the body of a patient during surgery includes a conduit to the cavity for conducting the surgical fluid therefrom to at least one receptacle for receiving the fluid from said cavity. A source of vacuum assists in withdrawing fluid from the cavity and a vacuum controller interposed between the vacuum source and the receptacle controls the duration of time the receptacle is exposed to vacuum from the vacuum source. The apparatus preferably has a vacuum sensor for sensing vacuum levels in the receptacle when disconnected from the source of vacuum and shares the source of vacuum with another application, giving priority to maintaining a proper vacuum level in the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pre-filled tamper evident syringe assemblies, including a tubular syringe body with a nose portion for receiving a hollow needle communicating with the interior of the syringe body, a needle cap for protecting at least the nose portion and a label bonded to an outer surface of the syringe body. The tamper evident feature of such an assembly is provided by a simple construction. Therefore, at least a portion of the needle cap adjacent to the syringe body is of essentially the same diameter as the syringe body, and the label of the syringe body extends onto the needle cap and is bonded and/or positively engaged thereto, so as to produce evidence of tampering when the needle cap is removed.

Abstract: A device for delivering a fluid to a patient, including an exit port, a dispenser for causing fluid from a reservoir to flow to the exit port, a local processor programmed to cause a flow of fluid to the exit port based on flow instructions from a separate, remote control device, and a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving the flow instructions. The device also includes a housing free of user input components for providing flow instructions to the local processor, in order to reduce the complexity and costs of the device so that the device lends itself to being disposable in nature. A system and a kit are also described that include the fluid delivery device, a separate, remote control device, and accessories for transcutaneous delivery of fluid medications. Methods of utilizing the fluid delivery device to infuse fluid medications are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a branch blood vessel of a major blood vessel, generally comprising an elongated shaft having at least one lumen in fluid communication with an agent delivery port in a distal section of the shaft, an expandable tubular member on the distal section of the shaft, and a radially expandable member on the tubular member. The tubular member is configured to extend within the blood vessel up-stream and down-stream of a branch vessel, and has an interior passageway which is radially expandable within the blood vessel to separate blood flow through the blood vessel into an outer blood flow stream exterior to the tubular member and an inner blood flow stream within the interior passageway of the tubular member. The radially expandable member is located down-stream of the shaft agent delivery port, and has an expanded configuration with an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for electroporation which are useful in elevating a percutaneous absorbability of drugs, etc. By adding polyhydric alcohols to compositions for electroporation, the percutaneous absorbability of drugs is elevated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inventive apparatus and method for docking of a male luer connector fluidly interconnected or interconnectable to a medical liquid source during one or repeated periods. As such, the invention has particular application to multiple-dose medication therapy procedures. The docking apparatus comprises a holding receptacle having a single access opening and a depressible member disposed in the holding receptacle. The holding receptacle is adapted for retentive engagement with a male luer connector (e.g. via complementary threading), wherein upon docking a nozzle of the male luer connector is isolated within the holding receptacle. An anti-bacterial material may be readily applied to a top surface of the depressible member prior to docking so that the forward edge of the nozzle of the male luer connector contacts the anti-bacterial material when docked. The docking apparatus may be provided with lateral and rearward handling members to facilitate docking procedures.

Abstract: A luer connector is described that is angled away from the patient's scalp in the direction of the drip assembly line. In the preferred embodiment, the luer connector has a female luer connector that mates with a male luer connector on the drip assembly line. The luer connector also has a hollow protrusion that extends into a catheter thereby allowing the luer connector to be fluidly connected to the catheter. A fluid passage is formed through the angled luer connector from the female luer connector, through the body of the angled luer connector and through the hollow protrusion. The luer connector has a pair of “wings” that extend outwardly from the luer connector and allow the luer connector to be sutured to the patient's scalp.

Abstract: An apparatus for administering a substance, including a housing, a piston, a container and a propelling device, the propelling device including a base element, a first shifting stage shiftable relative to the base element, and a second shifting stage shiftable relative to the base element and to the first shifting stage and slaving the first shifting stage, wherein the propelling device, container and piston are operably coupled to the housing and the first shifting stage is in contact with the piston.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system has a housing, a collapsible reservoir, a microfabricated flow channel, and at least one magnet. The collapsible reservoir is disposed in the housing. The microfabricated flow channel is connected at one end to the collapsible reservoir and opens at an external surface of the housing. The magnet is disposed within the housing adjacent a membrane defining the flow channel and is movable in response to a magnetic force to deflect the membrane into the flow channel for inhibiting drug flow from the collapsible reservoir to the external surface of the housing, and for pumping drug flow from the collapsible reservoir to the external surface of the housing.

Abstract: A safety indwelling syringe has a hollow needle to be inserted into the body of a patient, a fixed sheath fixing the hollow needle and covering the needle partly, and a protective sheath slidably fitted to the fixed sheath. The hollow needle is exposed when used. After use, the protective sheath is pulled out toward the tip of the hollow needle so as to cover the needle entirely.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing a fluid sample from a patient is disclosed comprising the steps of: a) providing a sampling device (10) having a housing (20) and a needle (40) having a sharpened tip for piercing the skin of the patient; b) withdrawing fluid from the patient into the housing; c) retracting the needle so that the sharpened tip of the needle is enclosed within the housing; and d) expelling the fluid from the housing after the needle is retracted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument for creating a cavity for an endoscopic intervention in a human or animal body, comprising a hollow cylindrical encasing trocar tube which can be inserted into an artificial body opening and an expander which can be extracted from and retracted into said tube. The above-mentioned medical instrument consists of a small number of parts and is easy to handle. It is characterized in that the expander comprises a retaining element which is arranged outside the trocar tube in addition to at least two spring blades which are made of a flexible material and form an arc in the respective median sections thereof, whereby the two ends thereof are respectively fixed to the retaining element, extending through the tube of the trocar. The invention also relates to a method for the use of said medical instrument.

Abstract: A modular system is described for construction of fluid applicators for open or endoscopic surgery from modular components. Lengths of tubing of various lengths, and devices to be carried by said tubing, are pre-fitted with standard adapters to mate with each other, thereby forming cannula sections and applicator sections. Interconnectors may also be provided, particularly for provision of articulation. The tubing is preferably rigid, but may also be either flexible or permanently bendable. A device can then be constructed by selection of a suitable set of tubing lengths, adapters and applicators. Devices customizable for particular uses can be created with minimal expense. The system is especially suitable for delivery of fluids to tissue in endoscopic or other minimally invasive surgical procedures. Delivery of fluids forming structure at a tissue site, especially as a hydrogel, is a preferred use of the devices.

Abstract: An intradermal delivery device for delivery a substance into the skin of a patient has a fluid chamber for containing the substance, at least one micro skin penetrating member, and a valve controlling the flow of the substance from the fluid chamber to the micro skin penetrating member. An adhesive releasably attaches the device to the skin of the patient, the fluid chamber can be sized to hold a unit dose of the substance, and, in some embodiments, the fluid chamber can be releasably coupled to a housing of the device.

Abstract: A low cost, accurate, single use, disposable, iontophoretic fluid delivery device having cationic and anionic chambers separated by container structure and arranged to promote a flow of treatment ions into a body. The device desirably uses rugged minibatteries safely to provide increased electromotive force to the ion transfer process compared to galvanic cells having electrolyte matched to a human body's electrolyte. Minibatteries may be located in one or both cationic and anionic chambers, and/or attached to structure of a container outside the chambers. A shunt resistance may be arranged in a parallel circuit to the body to control delivery of a beneficial agent in any amount between 1 mAmp-min to 500 mAmp-min, or more. Substrates, located in the chambers and adapted to hold electrolyte or treatment drugs, may be electrically conductive to resist polarization of the chemicals near a conducting terminal.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to an accessing system for a patient's coronary sinus which includes a tubular support member with a distal extremity extending into the right atrium of the patient's heart. A guide member is disposed within a first lumen of the tubular support member and advanced out an angled distal tip, through the patient's coronary sinus ostium and into the coronary sinus. A stabilizing member, similar to a conventional intravascular guidewire, is disposed within a second lumen of the tubular support member and extends into the right ventricle of the patient and is seated in the apex thereof. To advance the guide member into the CS ostium, the position of the distal extremity of the tubular support member is adjusted within the atrial chamber by moving longitudinally along or rotating about (or both) the stabilizing member and the guide member is advanced into the CS ostium. These steps may be repeated in a predetermined pattern in order to pass into the coronary sinus ostium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a deflectable catheter-based system for assisting in the delivery of therapeutic agents, cellular materials and the like to one or more sites in a target body tissue. The system provides for one or more injections to a predetermined needle insertion depth with a single core needle that can be advanced and retracted from the tip of the catheter. The catheter assembly includes a handle subassembly having a mechanism for setting and limiting the depth of insertion of the needle, a slide for moving the injection needle between retracted and extended positions, a return spring for biasing the needle to the retracted position, and a modified pulley mechanism for compensating for catheter shaft compression when the catheter is deflected.

Abstract: An x-ray catheter has an x-ray tube having an x-ray source therein and an x-ray transparent window through which x-rays may pass is positioned with retractable needles or suction. The needles, if present, are retractably attached to a hinge which is operatively connected to a control that extends or retracts the needles from the device, the needles positioned adjacent the x-ray transparent window so as not to impede the flow of x-rays. Alternatively, suction opening operatively connected to a vacuum source positions the x-ray source at the desired site.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter body that extends from a distal end to a proximal end. The catheter body includes a delivery lumen, and an actuator lumen, where the actuator lumen extends from a position near or at the distal end to an intermediate portion that does not extend through the proximal end of the catheter body. The catheter body optionally includes an accessory lumen that extends from at or near the distal end and terminates at an intermediate portion that does not extend through the proximal end surface of the catheter body, for example, on a side wall.

Abstract: A device for delivering a fluid to a patient, including an exit port, a dispenser for causing fluid from a reservoir to flow to the exit port, a local processor programmed to cause a flow of fluid to the exit port based on flow instructions from a separate, remote control device, and a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving the flow instructions. The device also includes a housing free of user input components for providing flow instructions to the local processor, in order to reduce the complexity and costs of the device so that the device lends itself to being disposable in nature. A system and a kit are also described that include the fluid delivery device, a separate, remote control device, and accessories for transcutaneous delivery of fluid medications. Methods of utilizing the fluid delivery device to infuse fluid medications are additionally disclosed.