Abstract: A device for measuring the pressure in an infusion tube (12), including a pressure sensor (20) and a housing (14) comprising at least one chamber (16) with one side defined by a deformable membrane (18) contacting the wall of the infusion tube, and containing said sensor. A fluid (24) is provided between the membrane (18) and the sensor (20). The fluid is non-liquid and has a Poisson ratio of at least 0.49 as well as an instantaneous modulus of elasticity of under 10 MPa so that the sensor response curve is linear. The device may be used in an infusion apparatus, particularly a portable infusion apparatus.

Abstract: A sealable external access catheter including a portion implanted in the body of the patient, a fixation or anchoring sleeve extending through the skin, and a portion located outside the patient and provided as its free end with a self-sealing septum made of a material which is repeatably and sealably pierceable by an infusion instrument. The septum may include two fins forming a flat base enabling it to be easily attached to the patient's skin. The catheter is provided with a sealing plug whereby any danger of infection is avoided.

Abstract: An acoustic micropulverization device for the formation of microdroplets is disclosed having a cell that contains a propagating medium having an attenuation less than or equal to about 1 dB/cm. One wall of the cell comprises an ultrasonic generator. Another wall of the cell contains a reflective surface that operates to focus ultrasonic waves upward toward a point that is near the top surface of a liquid that is contained in a reservoir located above the cell, thereby producing microdroplets above the liquid's top surface. A chamber is located over the top surface of the liquid. This chamber includes means for diffusing the microdroplets.

Abstract: An infusion pump system for continuously injecting a medical substance contained in a supply chamber into a catheter connected to the body of the patient. The system includes a flattening means driven by a motor (10) and designed to flatten a portion (42) of the infusion tube and exert pressure in order to inject the medicinal substance into the catheter. The flattening means includes a rigid member such as a circular plate (32) of which the axis (34) has a geometrical position determined according to a hub (12) driven by the motor (10) in such a way that said axis (34) of the plate intersects the axis (14) of the hub at a fixed point (X). The plate (32) has projections (38, 40) which flatten the catheter (42) as the motor (10) rotates. A fork (43) held by a ball (44) prevents the plate (32) from rotating relative to the catheter. Friction on the walls of the catheter (42) is thus avoided and high infusion accuracy may be achieved.

Abstract: A portable and programmable infusion pump system is disclosed for injecting one or more medicinal substances into an individual under the control of the individual. A common controller unit and microprocessor is provided for one or more pump units. Each pump unit includes a chamber for holding a medicinal substance, an infusion tube that is connected to the chamber and is adapted to be connected to the individual, and a motor driven pump for pumping the medicinal substance through the infusion tube. The individual programs the microprocessor to perform one or more infusion processes by use of a keyboard, a card reader, a bar code reader, or a modem. Each motor and pump are controlled in accordance with its program parameters as contained in the programmed microprocessor. A pressure sensor and an air bubble detector is associated with each infusion tube, and these sensors and detectors are connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane intended to form the external wall of a reservoir which is capable of being implanted under the skin of a patient. It comprises at least one layer (3) of a fibrous material arranged between two layers of a biocompatible elastomer.

Abstract: A catheter introducer including a cannula, a stylet disposed within the cannula, and means for holding a catheter in close proximity to the cannula and stylet so that the tip of the catheter is positioned near the tip of the cannula after insertion within the human body. In the preferred embodiment, the stylet may be releasably locked in position within the cannula. The disclosed design allows the user to sample fluid through the tip of the inserted cannula and to inject medication into the insertion site without having to re-introduce a needle therein.

Abstract: A sonar dome having an external wall in which a central layer is formed by a plurality of woven webs of glass fibers impregnated with a resin and by two peripheral layers located on each side of the central layer, the peripheral layers being constituted by a plurality of woven webs of carbon fibers impregnated with a resin.