Abstract: Catheter tubes of elastomeric material having novel lumen shapes which prevent occlusion and accommodate continued liquid flow even when kinked. Also, catheter tube slit valves are disclosed, the walls of which are not chemically weakened. Symmetrical and asymmetrical versions of said slit valves are disclosed. Combinations of highly reliable slit valves and catheter tubes are disclosed. Independently operable multi-lumen catheter assemblies of synthetic material, such as silicone rubber are disclosed, wherein the distal end of each lumen is normally closed by a three-position slit valve formed in a catheter tube covering.

Abstract: Catheter tubes of elastomeric material having novel lumen shapes which prevent occlusion and accommodate continued liquid flow even when kinked. Also, catheter tube slit valves are disclosed, the walls of which are not chemically weakened. Symmetrical and asymmetrical versions of said slit valves are disclosed. Combinations of highly reliable slit valves and catheter tubes are disclosed. Independently operable multi-lumen catheter assemblies of synthetic material, such as silicone rubber are disclosed, wherein the distal end of each lumen is normally closed by a three-position slit valve formed in a catheter tube covering.

Abstract: A layered peel away hollow sheath for temporarily creating a passageway into a desired body site of a medical patient for placement of one end of an indwelling device at the body site through the sheath, the sheath wall comprising at least two layers, the inside layer being cylindrical and the outside layer comprising two semi-cylindrical segments defining opposed axially-directed slits or slots therebetween which comprises tear lines such that the sheath manually tears axially along the single layer tear lines into two pieces for removal of the sheath from around the indwelling device.

Abstract: A port/catheter tube assembly which insures a stable essentially inseparable connection between the hollow male outlet stem of the port and the proximal end of the catheter tube, thereby insuring a continual supply of medication to the desired patient site while preventing inadvertent harm caused by unintended leakage of such medication into improper tissue sites due to separation of the catheter tube from the port or due to kinking.

Abstract: A port/catheter tube assembly which insures a stable essentially inseparable connection between the hollow male outlet stem of the port and the proximal end of the catheter tube, thereby insuring a continual supply of medication to the desired patient site while preventing inadvertent harm caused by unintended leakage of such medication into improper tissue sites due to separation of the catheter tube from the port or due to kinking.

Abstract: Catheter tubes of elastomeric material having novel lumen shapes which prevent occlusion and accommodate continued liquid flow even when kinked. Also, catheter tube slit valves are disclosed, the walls of which are not chemically weakened. Symmetrical and asymmetrical versions of said slit valves are disclosed. Combinations of highly reliable slip valves and catheter tubes are disclosed. Independently operable multi-lumen catheter assemblies of synthetic material, such as silicone rubber are disclosed, wherein the distal end of each lumen is normally closed by a three-position slit valve formed in a catheter tube covering.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed by which (a) the exposed length of an indwelling medical catheter tube is permanently extended, (b) a damaged exposed end of an indwelling catheter tube is repaired and thereby once more rendered safe and effective, and (c) a hub is easily and permanently connected to an exposed trailing end of an indwelling intravenous catheter tube or an extension thereof, all with little or no trauma to the patient.

Abstract: A blood-gas sampler in the nature of a syringe comprising a hollow internally stepped cylindrical barrel and a coaxial stepped plunger having one or more nesting stepped seals at the leading end thereof, the assembly accommodating arterial blood aspiration causing retraction of the plunger within the barrel and discharge of blood from the hollow of the barrel caused by advancement of the plunger. A clip prevents inadvertent excessive retraction of the plunger during the blood aspiration and blood discharge phases.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter apparatus comprising an intravenous catheter tube, a manually guidable circumferentially deformable elastomeric bore-defining tubular inserter integral with and in axial alignment with the catheter tube for use with a patient, and a needle concentric within the catheter tube and inserter and extending through at least part of the bore of the inserter to beyond the distal end of the catheter tube, the inserter comprising opposed laterally extending wings adapted to be manually compressed together from an at-rest position to a needle control position, the bore of the inserter being sufficiently large to permit retraction of the needle from the catheter tube and the inserter when the inserter is at rest, and when the inserter wings are compressed to the needle control position being sufficiently constricted to enable the inserter to grip the needle firmly to permit inserter-forced injection of the distal end of the needle into the body of a patient.