Abstract: A self-deploying catheter assembly comprises an anchoring device mounted to a tube. A distal end of the anchoring device is held in a fixed position by a releasable suture while a proximal end is freely movable between a proximal position and a distal position defined by a stop on the tube. During insertion into a body cavity, the anchor automatically maintains a low-profile state with the ends spaced apart. Once fully inserted, the anchor self converts into a high-profile state when the tube is slightly withdrawn, bringing the ends closer together. The suture is disengaged to release the distal end of the anchor in order to facilitate a low-profile state for withdrawal of the assembly.

Abstract: An anchoring system includes a simply-structured device that permits a portion of a catheter tube or similar medical article to be easily anchored to a patient, desirably without the use of tape or needles and suturing. A unitary retainer desirably includes a base connected to a cover assembly by way of flexible hinges. The retainer is attached to a flexible anchor pad including an adhesive bottom surface, which can be attached to the patient's skin. A catheter is secured within a channel formed between posts of the retainer. The cover assembly is reproducibly positioned over the base by bending the flexible hinges, and the cover assembly is latched to the base. The posts provide a universal feature such that the anchoring system can adapt to and receive a variety of catheters and catheter fittings by providing at least one post that is movable relative to at least one other post.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lowering the body temperature of a patient while reducing shivering by using a heat exchange device in combination with an &agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonist, a non-opiod analgesic monoamine uptake inhibitor or neuropeptide that temporarily reduces shivering. The devices disclosed include a catheter having a heat exchange balloon thereon with heat exchange fluid circulating through the interior of the balloon. The heat exchange balloon is placed in the vasculature of a patient, and heat exchange fluid at a temperature other than the temperature of the blood in the vasculature is circulated through the interior of the balloon to add or remove heat from the blood of the patient. Various &agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonist&agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonists, non-opiod analgesic monoamine uptake inhibitors and neuropeptides are disclosed including dexmedetomidine, nepofam and neurotensin and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The disposable set includes an infusion device having an outflow conduit and a needle. The packager is defined by a single bag made of transparent, flexible, plastic material and having a first compartment enclosing the medicinal fluid, and a second compartment enclosing the infusion device. The two compartments are formed from two sheets of the aforementioned material, heat sealed along the outer edges of the sheets, so as to be sealed with respect to the outside environment, and the compartments are also separated in airtight manner from each other by another seal. The conduit communicates with the first compartment via a chamber formed by a further seal and acting as a drip for visually controlling the infusion treatment.

Abstract: An arrangement apparatus comprises a base (10) and an elongated arranging member (12) mounted thereon, wherein the arranging member includes a plurality of channels (123) and a plurality of reference wires (1253) with predetermined colors. The reference wires are arranged in a sequence that corresponds to the arrangement of pins of a connector to be connected with the multi-core round cable. Each reference wire is disposed in alignment with a corresponding channel. The color of each reference wire is the same as the color of a core (21) of the multi-core round cable to be placed in the channel corresponding to that reference wire. An operator can freely pick up any one core and place it in the correct channel simply by matching the color of the reference wire with the color of the selected wire.

Abstract: A fluid transfer and mixing device for use in the aseptic intermixing of a powder component with a fluid component. The device is of a simple, compact construction that includes a first adapter that can be easily connected to a container containing the powder component and a second adapter that can be removably interconnected with the first adapter and can also be readily connected to a container containing a fluid such as a diluent so as to permit aseptic intermixing of the diluent with the powder. In use a conventional needleless syringe can be easily connected to the first adapter so that the mixture of the powder and diluent can be aseptically aspirated from the first container for subsequent delivery to the patient.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dialysis machine (10) comprising a dialyzer (20) having a first inlet (21) and a first outlet (22) for the bloodstream, dialysate supply mechanism (25), an arterial line (16) connected between the patent's arteriovenous fistula and the dialyzer, a venous line (17) connected between the arteriovenous fistula and the dialyzer, a pump (28) coupled with the arterial line, a dialysate supply line (31), connected between the dialysate supply mechanism and the dialyzer, a dialysate evacuation line (33) connected between a dialysate recuperating container (27) and the dialyzer. The sterile dialysate bags are arranged in a chamber (26) under a gas pressure.

Abstract: A cryoablation catheter having an expandable cooling chamber in which the cooling fluid, preferably a gas, serves to expand the expandable cooling chamber while simultaneously cooling the chamber.

Abstract: An electrokinetic system for delivering a substance into tissue includes an alternating current source of a predetermined frequency. A first electrode is coupled to a first terminal of the alternating current source and a second electrode is coupled to a second terminal of the alternating current source. A rectifying circuit is coupled between the first electrode and the first terminal of the alternating current source. One of the first and second electrodes is adapted for electrical contact with a substance-delivery site. A current rectified by the rectifying circuit flows in a current path between the first and second electrodes when the one of the first and second electrodes is in electrical contact with the substance-delivery site to effect delivery of the substance into the tissue.

Abstract: A device and method are provided that minimize the changes in flux encountered during iontophoresis and reduce inter-subject variability. For drug delivery, the active agent to be delivered is administered in conjunction with at least one background ion having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the active agent when an electrical current is applied. For analyte extraction, the extraction reservoir contains at least one background ion having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the background ions of the analyte in the tissue when an electrical current is applied.

Abstract: A controlled medicament security enclosure system that houses liquid filled reservoirs which consists of a portable enclosure (20) formed with a top half (22) and a bottom half (24) that permanently snap together to form a secure inseparable repository for the reservoirs. Inside the enclosure is at least one glass vial (36) for storing the liquid medicament with each vial having a sliding piston stopper (42) within that seals the inside of the vial and slides to maintain the liquid air free regardless of the volume. An adapter socket (48) is removably attached to the stopper and includes a hollow needle that pierces the stopper and permits a flowpath for the liquid. A flexible outlet tube (62) along with connectors on each end transmit the medicament to a mechanical drug delivery system that has a peristaltic pump and a control module.

Abstract: A disposable double pointed injection needle has a needle hub to which a thin needle cannula is permanently fasten and which needle hub can be mounted on to a syringe comprising a dose setting and injection mechanism and a cartridge containing a liquid medicine to be injected subcutaneously into a human body. The needle hub is provided with a safety shield guided on the outside surface of the needle hub. The safety shield is urged in a direction away from the needle hub by a spring located between the needle hub and the safety shield. The safety shield has a number of protrusions guided in guiding tracks on the outside surface of the needle hub. The guiding tracks are designed such that the safety shield during injection is moved towards the needle hub, and after injection is moved away from the needle hub by the spring and locked in an irreversible position where the safety shield covers the needle cannula and prevents accidental needle stick injuries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for blinding the administration of nonsolid pharmaceutical presentations. The device is in particular an opaque container which has at least two attachments, one of which is intended for connection to a dispenser for the pharmaceutical presentation, and the other of which is intended for connection to an applicator, the inside of said container having means for holding back the pharmaceutical presentation.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal section for retaining the embolic coil and an aperture for purging air from the device. The aperture is sized to allow air under fluid pressure to freely escape from within the catheter but to highly restrict the flow of more viscous fluids. At higher fluid pressures, the wall of the distal section expands outwardly to release the coil.

Abstract: The invention concerns a connecting device (1) comprising a base (5) mounted on the receptacle (2) and extended by a flange (9) forming an inner bore (A) and a piston (10) capable of sliding in said inner bore (A) between a released position relative to a plug (4) and a transfer position wherein a hollow needle (11) borne by the piston (10) passes through the plug (4). A scaling lip (22) is arranged on an internal surface (8d) of the bore (A) opposite the piston (10) or a surface of the piston, said lip (22) being shaped to be urged to press sealingly against the piston (10d) or against an internal surface of the bore, in the transfer position.

Abstract: An internal catheter has a flexible plastic inner tube with an integrally formed protruding head with an axial channel. The internal catheter extends through an axial channel in an exterior catheter. With the internal catheter head withdrawn within the foam or spiral tip of the exterior catheter, the assembly is advanced into a sow cervix, and the internal catheter is then advanced through the tip of the catheter and remaining portion of the cervix and into the uterine body and possibly into a uterine horn. Semen or embryos are then introduced through the axial cavity. The tip of the exterior catheter may have a protective flap which is not penetrated until the inner tube is advanced therethrough. The internal catheter axial channel may have a constricted portion within the head, to engage a semen or embryo containing straw.

Abstract: A method of treating the upper urinary tract of a mammal having a urethra extending to a bladder and a ureter extending from the bladder to a kidney. The method comprises initially extending a catheter system into the upper urinary tract, the catheter system having a urethral catheter infusion tube section extending through the urethra for infusion of a liquid; a urethral catheter drain tube section extending through the urethra for drainage of a liquid; a ureteral catheter tube section extending through a ureter into the kidney and having a first tube portion for infusion of a liquid connected to the urethral catheter infusion tube section, and a second tube portion for drainage of a liquid.

Abstract: A balloon catheter and method of use for inflating the balloon more effectively, particularly during stent deployment. The balloon catheter includes a catheter shaft and a balloon, wherein the proximal end of the balloon is connected to the distal end of the shaft. A tip is disposed in the interior of the balloon, with the proximal end of the tip extending from the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal end of the tip connected to the distal end of the balloon. The tip includes a fluid path to facilitate the passage of inflation fluid from the inflation lumen to the interior of the balloon, and the tip may further include a guide wire lumen extending therethrough. The fluid path may be configured to inflate the balloon uniformly or to initially inflate the distal end of the balloon such that a stent loaded on the balloon will not have a tendency migrate distally during deployment.

Abstract: A catheter system comprising a catheter including a tip having a distal opening, a first opening, and an insertion wire lumen extending from the distal opening to the first opening provided on a surface of the catheter, and an insertion wire having a length substantially smaller than a length dimension of the catheter. The catheter system in accordance with the present invention may include a sensor lumen and a pressure lumen. The sensor lumen terminates at a second opening and includes an optically transparent closure and the pressure lumen includes a third opening. In the preferred embodiment, the first opening and the second opening are positioned on the catheter at substantially same axial distance from the distal opening and further includes a perforation that allows fluidic communication between the pressure lumen and the second opening. The catheter system may also comprise a pressure hose, at least one optical fiber and a thermal sensor element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an improved catheter introducer needle capable of introducing a catheter into a body at a deflection angle in the range of 40-75° from the axis of the needle. This invention provides for a continuous perineural placement of a catheter. The present invention is also directed toward an introducer needle/catheter system comprising the needle of the present invention and a catheter extending through the needle such that it extends out beyond the tip of the needle at an angle of deflection in the range of 30-75° from the axis defined by the catheter within the main channel of the needle. This invention is useful in delivering pharmacological agents, such as local anesthetics, to nerves in various regions of the body including, but not limited to, the arms and shoulders.