Abstract: A medical valve has a body which includes a wall structure defining an internal cavity having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has an opening sufficiently large to receive a tip of a delivery end of a medical implement which transfers fluid through the delivery end. The valve also has a spike with a tip contained within the cavity and at least one hole located distal the tip. The spike has a passageway in communication with the hole that allows fluid to flow through the spike. The valve also has a resilient seal in the cavity which surrounds the spike. The seal is adapted to be moved into a compressed state upon insertion of the tip of the medical implement into the opening. The seal is sufficiently resilient to return to a decompressed state upon removal of the tip of the medical implement from the opening. In Addition, the seal has at least two tires in contact with the spike proximal the hole, preventing the flow of fluid through the valve when the seal is in the decompressed state.

Abstract: This invention is a connection device that includes a housing whose shape is suited to be connected to a reception device. The connection device has several orifices including at least one electrical connection element and at least two sealed connection elements for a liquid. At least two of the connection elements are arranged coaxially in the same orifice. The orifices receiving the elements are arranged to cooperate in an aligned manner with connection reception elements of the reception device.

Abstract: A storage and delivery device for a highly viscous material comprising a delivery cap for connecting a catheter or needle to a cartridge, an interconnect insert and a compression sleeve disposed within the delivery cap for creating a leak proof seal between the cartridge and the delivery cap, and a slide lock to reliably lock the cartridge to the delivery cap. The slide lock includes two holes of a first and second diameter arranged in a figure-eight shape for positively securing the delivery cap to a cartridge.

Abstract: A method of determining the proper medication dosage for a patient, including the steps of correlating a plurality of dosages of a plurality of medications to respective weight-related values indicative of the proper dosage of each of the medications for a given patient weight range, assigning a color to each of the respective weight-related values within a predetermined, fixed sequence of colors collectively representing a dosage range for each of the medications, wherein each of the colors represents a proper dosage for each medication for a patient having a weight within the weight range to which the color is assigned, and providing a dosing system which correlates each of the dosages of the medications with the assigned color within the fixed sequence of colors without regard to the potency of said medication.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament chamber (6) included in an inhalation apparatus and provided with a container (2) containing a desiccant. The chamber (6) is tightly sealed and has a moisture permeability as poor as possible, and the container (2) is permeable to moisture.

Abstract: A cannula system having an internally slidable elongate tubular member frictionally anchored within a trocar, and optionally including a flange which acts as a positive stop against the trocar, that can be deployed for various treatments, including aortic cannulation during cardiopulmonary bypass, for example during CABG surgery. The tubular member has a proximal end, a lumen, and a flexible distal end which carries a preformed angled configuration relative to its proximal region and is bendable to a substantially linear configuration. The rigid trocar maintains the cannula in a substantially linear configuration. When the cannula is advanced through the lumen beyond the distal end of the trocar, the tubular member regains its angled configuration. Methods for using the devices herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drug or gene therapy solution delivery system including a balloon catheter having a balloon associated with a distal end of the catheter, the balloon having an exterior surface and comprising: a plurality of microencapsulated spheres containing a drug or gene therapy solution, the microencapsulated spheres being disposed about the exterior surface of the balloon so as to rupture upon application of a predetermined pressure to the balloon. In one embodiment, the microencapsulated spheres are encapsulated in a coating applied to the exterior surface of the balloon. In another embodiment, the microencapsulated spheres are extruded in the balloon.

Abstract: An elongate injection needle is passed through an applicator. When the needle is inserted into any desired insertion position, it is fixed to the applicator by means of an instrument fixing member of a handle section. In this state, the shape of a bendable portion on the distal end side of an insert section can be easily changed by turning one of two knobs of the handle section to bend the bendable portion.

Abstract: A plastic adaptor top for adapting to a chosen syringe a standard cartridge of the kind having a neck with a flange and being closed by a rubber membrane sealingly secured against the flange by a metal cover having its edge beaded behind the flange. This plastic top has a bore for receiving the neck part of the cartridge, which bore has a diameter making it fit over the metal cover and is provided with protrusions gripping behind the edge of the metal cover when the neck part is inserted in the bore. The outer contour of the adaptor top is provided with threads coaxial with the bore to receive a needle hub in a way causing the needle to penetrate the membrane of the cartridge when the hub is mounted on the thread of the plastic top.

Abstract: A microkeratome is provided for use in lamellar surgery on the cornea of the eye. The microkeratome includes a base carrying a camshaft for rotation by a cable connected to the shaft. The base also supports a moving blade assembly slidably mounted on an applanator assembly, with the blade being thin and under tension. The moving blade assembly moves above and sidewardly relative to a suction ring. The moving blade assembly is sized to oscillate side-to-side approximately 1 mm. The moving blade assembly is driven by a connecting cable, wherein longitudinal movement of the cable produces responsive longitudinal movement of the frame and blade to cut a flap or disc of a desired configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a phacoemulsification needle having an improved distal tip. The distal tip is provided with a generally rounded closed distal end having a plurality of longitudinally extending ports provided therein communicating between the interior lumen of the needle and exteriorly of the needle. The outer surface of the distal end is rounded to provide a smooth surface so as to not cut or snag an eye tissue. Two embodiments of the phacoemulsification needles are shown having five and nine ports therethrough, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device for treatment of disease in biological conduits. The device has inner and outer coaxial catheter members, each having an inflatable balloon attached near its distal end. When the balloons are inflated, a sealed treatment chamber is created between the balloons. The length of the treatment chamber is adjustable by sliding the coaxial catheter members with respect to each other to obtain a desired separation between the attached balloons before inflation. Biological debris is trapped within the chamber and removed by infusion and aspiration of a flushing fluid, reducing the risk of myocardial infarction. Adjunctive treatment devices can be inserted into the sealed treatment chamber through a lumen of the outer coaxial member.

Abstract: A catheter system facilitates blood treatments such as apheresis that require simultaneous withdrawal and return of blood to a patient at high flow rates. A multi-lumen catheter has an external coupling device connected to a pump and blood treatment device. All of the lumens are designed to be used in the blood treatment process. The catheter includes two or more lumens for withdrawing blood and a return lumen for returning treated blood. The combined flow resistance of the withdrawal lumens is less than or equal to the flow resistance of the return lumen so that the flow rate of blood through the withdrawal lumens does not require a pressure differential sufficient to collapse the lumens. High flow rates are achievable through the catheter by using a pair of withdrawal lumens instead of a single, large withdrawal lumen. The lumens may be used for general medical use when the catheter system is not being used for exchange treatments.

Abstract: A female urinating aid for permitting a female user to direct the flow of urine therefrom. The female urinating aid includes a bendable corrugated tube with a pair of opposite open ends. A disk-shaped shield outwardly radiates about the tube and is located towards and spaced apart a first end of the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a subcutaneous infusion device comprising: a housing, a flow channel within the housing, a cannula extending from the housing and being in flow communication with the flow channel, a self-sealing septum covering the flow channel, a connector for delivery of fluid into the flow channel, a needle on the connector for penetrating the self-sealing septum covering the flow channel in the housing, a guide means for guiding the connector with the needle into a correct position in relation to the housing, where the guide means has incorporated means for interlocking the connector and the housing. Hereby a simpler and easier operable product is obtained.

Abstract: A sealed, implantable, encapsulation device (20) for diffusing a biologically active product or function to an individual which includes a substantially non-porous fitting (32) including an inner surface (33) defining an access port (34). A permselective, porous, membrane (21), having an interior surface (22), cooperates with the fitting inner surface (33) to form a storage cavity (23) therebetween. The membrane interior surface (22) is in substantially cell-tight dry sealing engagement with fitting (32) to seal cavity (23). Living cells (24) are disposed in the cavity (23) which are capable of secreting the biologically active product to an individual. The membrane (21) is of a material capable of permitting the passage of substances between the individual and cells required to provide the biological product or function. A plug member (35) is positioned in the access port (34) and seated in cell-tight sealing engagement with the fitting inner surface (33).

Abstract: A syringe is modified to permit gradual administration of its contents with reduced problems due to seizing or stiction of its piston by dividing its piston axially into two parts, a front detached part and rear part which is the only part having provision for attachment to a syringe actuator. The rear part has a passage through which fluid can be gradually introduced from an actuator into a chamber between the parts so as to force the front part forward while the rear part is restrained against rearward movement. The passage may be initially closed by a septum which is penetrated by a cannula on the actuator. If the syringe actuator is a plunger, the syringe can be used conventionally.

Abstract: Balloon catheters having the strength and maximum inflated diameter characteristics of an angioplasty balloon and having the recovery characteristics during deflation of an elastic embolectomy balloon. The balloon catheter can be made in very small sizes and has a lubricious and chemically inert outer surface. The balloon catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways, is capable of rapid inflation and deflation and has high burst strengths. Balloon covers having these same characteristics are also described for use with conventional embolectomy balloons or angioplasty balloons.

Abstract: A catheter introducer assembly includes an introducer sheath mounted on a dilator. The distal end of the dilator protrudes beyond the distal end of the sheath and defines an arrowhead having a proximally facing surface that cooperates with the distal end of the sheath to reduce the risk of tissue trauma while facilitating smooth entry into and through tissue. The proximal hubs of the dilator and sheath are configured with respect to the relation between the distal end of the dilator and sheath to provide smooth controlled withdrawal of the dilator through the sheath. The sheath is attached, at its proximal end, to a housing with a mechanical connection that does not require the use of adhesives, welding or other bonding techniques. The connection also may incorporate an integral strain relief for the proximal end of the sheath.

Abstract: A safety needle and blood collection and sampling system precluding needlstick injury by contaminated needles wherein a used needle is captured immediately within its carrier upon retraction of the needle flush with the carrier. Blood sampling is effected without reverse flow through the system and without reuse or exposure of a contaminated needle. Simplified means of assembling the needle are also set forth to minimize cost with maximum reliability notwithstanding withstanding a minimum of components.