Abstract: Safety connector for infusion therapy for supplying several lines and having a casing (1) in which there is a chamber (4) that is bordered by an essentially cylindrical inside wall (5) of the casing into which several connecting channels (2) for joining infusion lines open and which has an outlet channel (9) for attaching an outlet line. The cylindrical outside wall of an elastic ring-shaped valve body is in contact with the inside wall (5) of casing (1) that surrounds chamber (4). The safety connector is simple and inexpensive and has an uncomplicated design. The cylindrical contact surfaces between the ring-shaped valve body and the cylindrical inside wall (5) surrounding chamber (4) result in a good seal for the non-return valves even at a low contact pressure. The sealing force can be determined even down to a very low pressure. Thus, for the first time a safety connector suitable for gravity infusion systems is available.

Abstract: A port catheter, designed to be implanted by puncturing, has a cylindrical casing (1) in which there is a chamber (22) dosed off on one side by a membrane (4) which can be punctured by an injection needle and connectable on the other side to a catheter (8). Securing loops (9, 10) project from the casing (1) and can be folded together by special means during insertion and unfold when the means are released. The securing loops (9, 10) are made of spring wire surrounding the casing (1) at two separate points. The securing loops (9, 10) are thus relatively stiff in the securing direction but can be bent circumferentially about the casing (1) and held in this position for implantation.

Abstract: Described is a shelf-life indicator for repeatedly sterilizable plastic products. The shelf-life indicator consists of a polymer incorporating heterogeneously distributed pigments. These pigments are further distributed, under the repeated action of heat, by diffusion so that a change in color takes place which indicates the end of the useful life of the plastic product. The shelf-life indicator can be combined with the plastic product.

Abstract: A catheter (1, 18) is essentially rigid in cross-section in the peripheral region, and has at least two lumina (3, 4, 19, 20), which are mutually separated by a wall (2, 21) which can be expanded and/or deformed in the transverse plane. The flow cross-sections of the lumina change owing to the deformation of the separating wall (2, 21), depending on the prevailing differential pressure. If drugs are introduced through the lumina one after another, then there is used, in the lumen, an over pressure in relation to the other lumen or lumina, which causes a deformation of the separating wall (2, 21), and hence a reduction in the resistance to flow. The catheter (24) can, therefore, be given a smaller cross-section than that of the prior art multi-lumen catheters (32, 33, 34), resulting in easier manipulation by the doctor and less risk for the patient.

Abstract: Coupling for connecting an implantable port catheter to flexible catheter tubes of varying size and diameter. A rigid tapered tube extends from a port opening in the catheter system housing and the catheter tube slides onto the end of the rigid tube. A clamping sleeve having a bore larger than the outer diameter of the tube has a circular gripping shoulder which bites into the flexible tube as the tube and sleeve are pushed onto the tapered surface of the rigid tube extending from the port opening to clamp the flexible catheter tube firmly between the shoulder and the tapered surface. The distance between the gripping shoulder and the tapered tube is variable to accommodate the size of the flexible catheter tube.

Abstract: An anesthesia instrument consists of a single lumen epidural cannula with a Touhy-type beveled aperture, an epidural catheter and a spinal cannula. The anesthesia instrument is characterized in that, the diameter or the cross-section of the epidural cannula is so dimensioned that, even with the epidural catheter positioned within the same, there is still sufficient space for the sliding through of a spinal cannula. In one form of the invention, marking means are provided to indicate at the proximal end of the epidural cannula, the position of the tip of the spinal cannula being inserted in the epidural cannula.

Abstract: A subcutaneous portcatheter for injecting fluid into a patient through a catheter tube. The tube connects to a generally flat housing having a central chamber surrounded by an annular chamber containing a band filter. A soft needle-pierceable cover overlies the chambers. The central chamber connects to the annular chamber through a hole in the circular wall separating the two chambers, the hole being located diametrically opposite the outlet to the catheter tube. Fluid injected through the cover into the central chamber flows through the hole, through the filter, into the annular chamber outside the filter, exiting the housing through the outlet to the catheter tube.

Abstract: One side wall of a rigid needle tube is provided at its front end with a curved bending directed towards the opposite, axial side wall and has a lumen opening formed therein. The lumen opening is provided with a rear inner cutting edge and a front punctuating portion which comprises a lancet-shaped tip having a facet grinding. The tip is arranged in a zone defined by two imaginary lines extending respectively from the inner surface and the outer surface of the axial side wall beyond the rear cutting edge of the lumen opening. When using the needle, no material is punched out of the material to be perforated.

Abstract: A safety cap having radial projections which comprise a slide flank inclined in the peripheral direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve of the safety cap. The slide flanks are engaged by the longitudinal wings of the cannula hub, which wings fit tightly to the inner wall surface between the radial projections.Subject to the orientation of the peripherally inclined slide flank of each radial projection, the rotation of the safety cap loosely put together with the cannula hub causes a clamping lock in one direction or the other of the safety cap and the cannula hub by a mutual blocking of the radial projections and the longtiudinal wings, on the one hand, or an axial displacement of the safety cap from the cannula hub on the other hand.

Abstract: A retentive catheter having a cannula tube through which medications may be injected into a patient. A mandrin may be left in the retentive catheter during the injection. The medication is injected through an injection port and flows through a fluid channel between the mandrin and the cannula tube and is discharged from the cannula tube through a valve. The valve may be of the nonreturn type. The mandril tip prevents blood components from entering into the cannula tube. The protection against contamination is increased because the mandrin need not be removed from a proposed injection.