Abstract: A brush for in situ cleaning of one or more passageways defined by a medical device. The brush includes a NiTiNOL shaft attached to a fill section by way of a proximal connector sleeve that is resistance welded to the fill section and the shaft. The fill section is preferably composed of braided wire and includes bristles, or fill, interweaved with the braided wire. The fill section in turn, is attached to an atraumatic tip by way of a distal connector sleeve which is resistance welded to the fill section and the atraumatic tip. The atraumatic tip includes a NiTiNOL core wire about which is disposed a gold-plated tungsten coil readily visible under a fluoroscope. The coil is bonded to the core wire. A bulb disposed on the coil helps effectuate cleaning of the passageway while also protecting the patient and the medical device from cleaning-related trauma.

Abstract: A valve apparatus is provided that includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and defining a passageway therethrough. An access port of the housing defines a bore configured for selective communication with the passageway. The valve apparatus includes a hollow insert which is disposed in the distal end of the passageway and includes a portion that is disposed beneath the bore defined by the access port. The housing additionally includes retention tabs on the distal end that engage corresponding openings in a fitting that is attached to the housing and includes a nipple slidingly received within the insert. A seat on the nipple contacts a flange of the insert to form a substantially leak proof connection. A substantially identical fitting engages corresponding retention tabs on the access port and is configured to slidingly receive a plunger, disposed in the bore, within a passage defined by the nipple.

Abstract: A valve apparatus is provided that includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and defining a passageway therethrough. An access port of the housing defines a bore configured for selective communication with the passageway. The valve apparatus includes a hollow insert which is disposed in the distal end of the passageway and includes a portion that is disposed beneath the bore defined by the access port. The housing additionally includes retention tabs on the distal end that engage corresponding openings in a fitting that is attached to the housing and includes a nipple slidingly received within the insert. A seat on the nipple contacts a flange of the insert to form a substantially leak proof connection. A substantially identical fitting engages corresponding retention tabs on the access port and is configured to slidingly receive a plunger, disposed in the bore, within a passage defined by the nipple.

Abstract: A brush for in situ cleaning of one or more passageways defined by a medical device. The brush includes a NiTiNOL shaft attached to a fill section by way of a proximal connector sleeve that is resistance welded to the fill section and the shaft. The fill section is preferably composed of braided wire and includes bristles, or fill, interweaved with the braided wire. The fill section in turn, is attached to an atraumatic tip by way of a distal connector sleeve which is resistance welded to the fill section and the atraumatic tip. The atraumatic tip includes a NiTiNOL core wire about which is disposed a gold-plated tungsten coil readily visible under a fluoroscope. The coil is bonded to the core wire. A bulb disposed on the coil helps effectuate cleaning of the passageway while also protecting the patient and the medical device from cleaning-related trauma.