Abstract: A device for expressing milk from one or more breasts has at least one, and preferably two expressors and a pump. The expressors each have a cup for fitting on the breasts and a cup outlet to which a vacuum created by the pump can be connected. A filter that is substantially permeable to air but substantially impermeable to milk and water prevents milk from entering the vacuum pump. The filter is preferably permeable to air even when wet, though, so that the device can still be operated, even as the filter collects fluid.

Abstract: A breastpump assembly includes a hood member having a funnel-shaped shield portion for placement over a breast and a sleeve portion extending from the funnel-shaped portion. The breastpump assembly includes a substantially rigid plastic housing connected to the extending portion of the breast hood. A pump is fixed or functionally attached to the housing for applying a negative pressure to the housing. A container is attached to the housing, the container being in fluid communication with the breast hood to receive expressed breast milk. At least a portion of the breastpump exterior surface includes a compliant portion.

Abstract: A system for effecting fluid-tight coupling and mechanical joinder between a medical device and a catheter tube. An elongated catheter connection stem attached to the medical device is received in the lumen of the catheter. A catheter securement collar is advanced proximally along the exterior of the catheter and connection stem inside the catheter into the assembled condition of the connection system, passing a locking ring on the interior of the securement collar over an enlargement on the distal end of the connection stem. Maximum catheter compression occurs at the locking ring, while a void internal of the catheter system is filled with an enlarged securement lip of catheter material. Distal of maximum catheter wall compression, the catheter traverses a tortuous path between the locking ring and the enlargement, around the shoulder of the enlargement, and along the adjacent surface of the enlargement.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a needle or a catheter, insertable into a living body, which defines a plurality of holes in fluid communication with a central lumen. The holes may be of various patterns located and angled to create a desired injectate cloud pattern when an injectate is forced through the central lumen and through the plurality of holes. One embodiment provides various designs including a moveable sheath or stylet used to selectively occlude one or more of the holes while in use, thereby providing an operating physician a way to manipulate the cloud pattern anytime during the introduction of the injectate. A reducer may be used in conjunction with these needles which provides an increased degree of control when injecting very small quantities of fluid.

Abstract: The mechanism includes: an urging means for urging an inner needle (12) to the side opposite to an outer needle (11) with respect to the axial direction of a holder sleeve (1) for holding the inner needle (12); an actuator (6) which is positioned between the urging means (8) and inner needle (12), moves together with the inner needle (12) and has a puncture position retainer for keeping the inner needle (12) and outer needle (11) ready for puncture and an inner needle retraction actuating portion for allowing for the retraction actuation of the inner needle (12); and a slit (2) for assuring the path of movement of the actuator (6). The puncture position retainer has a puncture position engagement portion whereby the actuator (6) is engaged with the holder sleeve (1) at a position on the outer needle side (11).

Abstract: This invention is a cannulation apparatus, and related methods for providing indirect access to a surgical site within a patient. The cannulation apparatus includes at least two fluid flow paths that are slidable coupled (40) (50) to one another, and selectively positional within the patient. The first, the second flow path s may be advanced through a single incision disposed remotely from the surgical field to first, and second predetermined locations within the patient. Exemplary sites for the incision include the groin region or in the neck region of the patient. The cannulation apparatus, and method of the present invention are particularly suited for use in providing cardiopulmonary support during cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The cannulation apparatus of the present invention also provides an entry site for one or more support devices used in the surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined container-syringe comprising a syringe body containing a cylindrical-shaped cylinder; a cylindrical tip provided at the anterior end of said cylinder; a finger grip fitted to the posterior end of the cylinder; an injection needle fitted to the cylindrical tip; and a protector covering said injection needle. In addition, the present invention provides a method of assembling a combined container-syringe characterized in comprising an injection needle assembly preparatory process of preparing an injection needle assembly; a detection process of detecting the position of the cutting surface; a mark display process of indicating the detected position of the cutting surface; an aligning process of aligning the positions of the mark and a scale display provided on the exterior portion of the cylinder, on the circumference of the cylinder; and a fitting process of fitting the injection needle assembly to the cylindrical tip.

Abstract: A reusable bacteria inhibiting hygienic device for vaginal/colon and external genital cleansing suited for use while seated on the toilet or standing in a tub respectively, including a rigid stationary/flexible portable container proficient in delivering a sufficient amount of douche, colon or external cleansing preparation provided with a vented cap, a volume sensitive valve, a retainer cap a short length of tubing with threads attached to retainer, and the other end of short length of tubing attached to the top of a control valve with backflush prevention ballcheck, an adequate length of tubing with one end attached to bottom of control valve and opposite end of adequate length of tubing attached to acessory of choice.

Abstract: A device for expressing milk from one or more breasts has at least one, and preferably two expressors and a pump. The expressors each have a cup for fitting on the breasts and a cup outlet to which a vacuum created by the pump can be connected. In use, the vacuum expresses the milk from the breast. The device has a vacuum adjustment and a vacuum release on each expressor. In this manner, the vacuum can be individually adjusted and released at the expressors. The pump includes a movable diaphragm in a chamber. The diaphragm is oscillated back and forth by a linear actuator motor such as a stepper motor. The motor has a shaft which moves back and forth axially, for direct linkage to the diaphragm, so that the size and weight of the pump are reduced. The expressors have a removable cap and removable cup assembly, and the cup assembly has a positively sealed liner, for easy disassembly and cleaning.

Abstract: A veterinary pill/capsule delivery device comprised of a dispensing head for holding a pill or capsule, the dispensing head being attached to the end of a syringe component for ejecting the pill or capsule out from the dispensing head into the animal's mouth while at the same time injecting a quantity of water into the mouth. The syringe component includes a push-rod that protrudes into dispensing head for ejecting the pill/capsule therefrom, plus water release holes near the dispensing head for simultaneously jetting water out of the syringe component into the animal's mouth, thereby compelling the animal to swallow the pill.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detectable heavy duty needle cannula (12) for use in hypodermic syringes and the like. Needle cannula (12) comprises a magnetizable or magnetized stainless steel alloy, which enables needle cannula (12) to be detectable in metal detectors that are commonly used in the meat processing industry to detect broken needle cannulas in the flesh of slaughtered animals. Needle cannula (12) further comprises a sidewall (17) that is thicker than the sidewalls of prior art needle cannulas. The thicker sidewall imparts to needle cannula (12) greater resistance to breakage during the process of injecting animal health products into an animal and greater detectability in a metal detector.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe includes a barrel, the barrel having two stop portions in the rear side, a radially compressible constraint member mounted in the barrel and stopped between the stop portions of the barrel, and a plunger holding a rubber stopper and axially movably inserted through the constraint member into the inside of the barrel, the plunger having a breaking portion, and front stop flange, which is stopped against the constraint member upon back stroke of the plunger after use of the syringe for enabling the user to break the breaking portion.

Abstract: A reconstitution device is disclosed and includes a first container receiver having a first component cannula disposed therein, the first component cannula having a withdrawal port and a first transfer port formed thereon, a second container receiver having a second component cannula disposed thereon, the second component cannula having a vent port and a second transfer port formed thereon, a device body coupling the first container receiver to the second container receiver and having a transfer lumen formed therein, the transfer lumen in fluid communication with the first and second transfer ports, a selectively sealing interface secured to the device body and in fluid communication with the withdrawal port, and a venting member in communication with the vent port through a vent lumen.

Abstract: An interactive drug delivery system includes a drug delivery module, an optical probe, a local controller, and an optional central controller. The drug delivery module is constructed and arranged to deliver selected amounts of a drug into a subject. The optical probe is constructed and arranged to detect in a selected tissue region of the subject a manifestation caused by the delivered drug. The local controller is constructed and arranged to receive data from or transmit data to the optical probe and the drug delivery module. The local controller is arranged to correlate optical data, received from the optical probe, to selected data and provide signals to the drug delivery module for adjusting the amounts of the drug to be delivered into the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to catheters for performing medical procedures including percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. More particularly, the present invention relates to guide catheters, diagnostic catheters and balloon catheters with an improved shaft design. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a catheter shaft comprising an elongate support member having an outer surface, the elongate support member preferably defining a lubricious liner; a first layer disposed over the lubricious liner, a second layer disposed over the first layer, a third layer disposed over the second layer, a fourth layer disposed over the third layer, and a fifth layer disposed over the fourth layer. In preferred embodiments, the first and third layers comprise an ultraviolet-curable epoxy which is cured to desired degrees at select axial locations on the shaft to provide desired stiffness.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter having a shaft, at least a portion of which includes a braid reinforcement with an axial wire or fiber disposed between the helical members that form the braid. The axial member prevents the elongation of the shaft of the catheter thereby maintaining one-to-one correspondence in axial manipulation of the catheter, even when the shaft is placed in tension. By positioning the axial member between the helical members, the axial member does not create a protrusion and does not become fixed to any adjacent polymer layer. Thus, the axial member limits axial strain of the catheter, without creating the undesirable effects of friction caused by an axial protrusion and without creating the undesirable effects of limited flexure caused by an adjacent polymer layer becoming fixed to the axial member.

Abstract: A medical device (10) including a tube (11) having a highly uniform and repeatable inner and outer diameter, the tube (11) possessing good trackability, pushability and torquability, and the tube (11) being highly resistant to collapse, necking or kinking during use. The tube (11) first includes a metal coil (14) in a stressed, radially expanded condition, the metal coil (14) preferably being formed as a flat wire. The tube (11) also includes a metal braid (16) extending over at least part of the coil (14). The tube (11) further includes a polymeric bonding layer (18) positioned over and contacting at least the coil (14). The polymeric layer (18) is preferably heat-shrinkable shrinkable tubing made of one or more of nylon or polyurethane. The tube (11) optionally includes an inner liner (20) beneath and in contact with at least part of the coil (14), the liner (20) preferably being composed of PTFE.

Abstract: An introducer for a catheter and a closed-end infusion catheter are provided. The catheter may be porous or may have a number of holes in which to infuse anesthetics into a body area of a patient. The introducer allows for introducing and proper placement of the catheter in the body of the patient. In addition, a method for using the introducer to place the catheter in the body of the patient is provided. The introducer may pierce the skin of the patient and may be inserted through the subcutaneous layer to an exit site. After a portion of the introducer protrudes through the exit site, the catheter may be attached to the introducer. The introducer may be pulled into the body, through the subcutaneous layer and out of the body at the original entry site. The introducer may then be removed, and the catheter may be pulled into place and sutured to the skin.

Abstract: An injector for liquid medicine comprises a cylindrical body 1, first and second gasket 2, 3 contained in a lumen of cylindrical body 1. The cylindrical body 1 is provided with a fluid inlet 13 and a fluid outlet 14 in opposite sides of the cylindrical body 1 with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof. Second gasket 3 is spaced from the first gasket 2 to form a fluid chamber 4 between them. The first gasket 2 is adapted to be moved by sliding along the inner wall of the cylindrical body 1 from a first position to the distal end 11 of cylindrical body 1 via a second position. The fluid inlet 13 is opened at a position closer to the distal end 11 of the cylindrical body 1 than the outlet 14 is. The first gasket 2 is stopped at a second position where the fluid chamber 4 is communicated with the fluid outlet 14 but prevented from fluid-communication with the fluid inlet 13.

Abstract: A medical shaft or tubing includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft also includes a tubular wall extending between the proximal and distal ends to define a first lumen. The elongated tubular member further comprises a second lumen extending through at least a portion of the tubular member. The tubular wall additionally includes a reinforcing element that surrounds at least a portion of the first lumen and that surrounds and overlaps at least a portion of the second lumen.