Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatuses and systems for storing, dispensing, and reconstituting materials. Apparatuses may comprise a container to store a material having an open end and a dispensing aperture. A cover may be configured to seal the open end of the container and a sleeve can include a passageway to slidably receive the container. The container may be moveable within the sleeve between a storing position wherein the dispensing aperture is covered and a dispensing position wherein the dispensing aperture is uncovered to dispense the material. Systems may additionally comprise a reservoir having an opening and the sleeve configured for mounting on the reservoir opening so that when the container is moved to the dispensing position the material is dispensed into the reservoir to form a reconstituted material.

Abstract: A system for monitoring blood pressure within a blood vessel of a living being. The system includes an implantable sensor unit and an associated externally located energy application transceiver. The sensor unit is in the form of a housing including a movable deflection member and a tuned circuit including an inductor coil and a capacitor. The housing surrounds the wall of the blood vessel and includes a wall portion arranged to flatten a portion of the periphery of the blood vessel. The deflection member extends through a slot in the wall portion of the housing for engagement with only the flattened portion of the blood vessel to move in response to the pressure applied to the flattened portion of the blood vessel by the blood. The deflection member includes a ferrite core. The ferrite core is arranged to move with respect to the coil in response to the movement of the deflection member, thereby changing the inductance of the tuned circuit.

Abstract: A piercing device for use with an essentially rigid medical instrument having a proximal portion and a distal portion including working means for performing some medical procedure in an internal portion of the body of a living being. The piercing device comprises a guide member having a handle at the proximal end. The guide member comprises an elongated trough shaped, U-shaped, sidewall having an inner surface, and a distal end in the form of a piercing tip. The device is arranged to be held so that the piercing tip can be pierced through the skin and at least a portion of the underlying tissue to form a trough shaped percutaneous puncture. The tissue contiguous with the puncture engages the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall to form a generally fluid tight interface therebetween.

Abstract: An instrument and method for performing some medical procedure in an interior portion of the body of a living being from outside the body of the being via a small percutaneous incision or puncture. The instrument includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a working head coupling to the proximal portion to be operated thereby. The proximal portion is arranged to be held outside the body of the being by the user of the instrument. The distal portion comprises a tip having a tissue engagement surface which is sufficiently blunt so that it does not present a hazard to internally located tissue, yet which will form at least a portion of the percutaneous incision or puncture. The distal portion of the instrument is arranged to be extended through the skin and underlying tissue, which is internally supported, e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of use performing some medical procedure, e.g., positioning tissue, in the body of a being. The apparatus having a proximal portion and a distal portion, with the distal portion including a piercing end for forming a small percutaneous incision or puncture to enable the distal portion be inserted into the being's body to a desired internal position without the use of a trocar or other introducing device. The distal portion of the apparatus is elongated and has a longitudinal axis. An actuatable mechanism, e.g., a pair of moveable jaws, is located at the distal portion and is arranged to project outward laterally of the longitudinal axis for engagement with tissue located at the operative site to perform some operation, e.g., clamping. The actuatable mechanism is actuated by the proximal portion of the apparatus.