Abstract: A device for the breaking-apart of occlusions includes a stationary fitting, a hollow tube and a second fitting configured to reciprocate so as to cause the hollow tube to be compressed and expanded. The hollow tube is coupled on one side to the stationary fitting, and the stationary fitting provides access to a hollow portion of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A device for the in situ clearing of blockages in a tube includes a controller and a clearing member. The controller can have a housing and an actuator for generating repetitive motion. The clearing member can be releasably coupled to the controller and suitable for insertion in the tube. The tube can be at least partially disposed within a living being. The controller can be located external to the living being. The clearing member can have a first end releasably coupled to the actuator, at least one flexible section which permits axial displacement of the clearing member, and a second end suitable for repetitively engaging and disrupting the blockage. The flexible section permits the clearing member to repetitively engage and disrupt the blockage within one of a straight and a curved portion of the artificial tube.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the force necessary to penetrate living being tissue using a variety of reciprocating motion actuators, including piezoelectric, voice coil, solenoids, pneumatics or fluidics. The reciprocating actuator drives a penetrating member, such as a needle, through the tissue at a reduced force while the device detects the passage of the penetrating member through the tissue. Upon passage of the penetrating member through the tissue, electrical power to the reciprocating actuator is automatically terminated. One exemplary method for detecting this passage is via a fluid-containing syringe that is coupled to a channel within the penetrating member. Once the penetrating member tip has passed through the living tissue, the fluid within the syringe no longer experiences any pressure and a plunger within the syringe displaces indicating passage of the penetrating member tip.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the effective clearing of artificial tubes, especially in-situ clearing of artificial tubes in a living being are covered in this disclosure. The devices and methods provide an elongated clearing member having a first end that is coupled to a driving mechanism and having a second working end that is subjected to repetitive motion for clearing blockages within the artificial tube. The elongated clearing member includes either a fixed or an adjustable element that selectively defines the portion of the elongated clearing member that is insertable within the artificial tube. The proximal end of the clearing member is releasably secured to the driving mechanism and the driving mechanisms may comprise a wide variety of repetitive motion drivers such as voice coil motors, piezoelectric actuators, pneumatic actuators, DC motors, etc. These devices/methods may comprise a free-standing console for hands-free operation or may comprise hand-held versions.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the force necessary to penetrate living being tissue using a variety of reciprocating motion actuators. The reciprocating actuator drives a penetrating member, such as a needle, through the tissue at a reduced force while the device detects the passage of the penetrating member through the tissue. Upon passage of the penetrating member through the tissue, a feedback system monitors electromechanical properties of a control signal of the device and automatically modifies control based thereon, e.g., electrical power to the reciprocating actuator is automatically terminated.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the effective clearing of artificial tubes, especially in-situ clearing of artificial tubes in a living being are covered in this disclosure. The devices and methods provide an elongated clearing member having a first end that is coupled to a driving mechanism and having a second working end that is subjected to repetitive motion for clearing blockages within the artificial tube. The elongated clearing member includes either a fixed or an adjustable element that selectively defines the portion of the elongated clearing member that is insertable within the artificial tube. The proximal end of the clearing member is releasably secured to the driving mechanism and the driving mechanisms may comprise a wide variety of repetitive motion drivers such as voice coil motors, piezoelectric actuators, pneumatic actuators, DC motors, etc. These devices/methods may comprise a free-standing console for hands-free operation or may comprise hand-held versions.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the force necessary to penetrate living being tissue using a variety of reciprocating motion actuators, including piezoelectric, voice coil, solenoids, pneumatics or fluidics. The reciprocating actuator drives a penetrating member, such as a needle, through the tissue at a reduced force while the device detects the passage of the penetrating member through the tissue. Upon passage of the penetrating member through the tissue, electrical power to the reciprocating actuator is automatically terminated. One exemplary method for detecting this passage is via a fluid-containing syringe that is coupled to a channel within the penetrating member. Once the penetrating member tip has passed through the living tissue, the fluid within the syringe no longer experiences any pressure and a plunger within the syringe displaces indicating passage of the penetrating member tip.

Abstract: A catheter intended for the administration of an anesthetic into a body space and methods of use such as introduction within the interpleural space are disclosed. According to the disclosure, the catheter is constructed so that only a soft distal portion resides within the body space. A relatively stiff portion joined to the relatively soft portion is intended to extend from the relatively soft portion through the dense body tissue to the proximal end of the catheter. A bio-compatible resin providing a softness of about 80A to 100A Rockwell is used for the relatively soft distal portion. A bio-compatible resin providing a catheter portion having a durometer value of about 65D to about 75D Rockwell is used for the relatively stiff portion. The relatively soft portion avoids damage to the delicate body tissue bounding the space whereas the relatively stiff portion resists kinking or collapse, both within the relatively stiff body tissue and outside the body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shield assembly for a catheter particularly useful for the protection of flow directed catheters used in the measurement of central venous pressure and pulmonary wedge pressure. The shield assembly includes front and rear hubs each with a central passage sized to permit movement of a catheter therethrough and a feed tube for interconnecting the front and rear hubs. The feed tube has a lumen extending between the passage and the hubs for guiding a catheter passed through the rear hub and out through the front hub. A flexible sheath interconnects the two hubs. The sheath is substantially longer than the feed tube and is collapsible to permit interconnection of the two hubs by the feed tube for catheter guidance during feeding of the catheter through the rear hub, through the feed tube and through the front hub and is extendable to shield a substantial length of catheter from contamination when the front and rear hubs are separated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable introducer kit for the introduction of a catheter into small vessels such as the radial artery of a patient. The introducer assembly is contained in a sterile package and removed as an entire unit including needle, catheter, wire guide and wire guide feed device. The catheter is mounted on the introducer needle with the tip of the needle extending slightly beyond the tip of the catheter. A guide tube extends rearwardly from a hub on the back of the needle. The wire guide is mounted in the tube with a wire guide actuating handle projecting through an elongated slot in the side wall of the tubing. In use, the needle is first inserted into the lumen of the vessel. The spring wire guide is next advanced by means of the actuating handle as far as possible into the vessel. The catheter is then advanced forwardly to track the spring wire guide into the vessel to the desired position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shield assembly for a catheter particularly useful for the protection of flow directed catheters used in the measurement of central venous pressure and pulmonary wedge pressure. The shield assembly includes front and rear hubs sized to permit movement of the catheter therethrough and a feed tube for interconnecting the front and rear hubs. A flexible sheath interconnects the two hubs. The sheath is substantially longer than the feed tube and is collapsible to permit interconnection of the hubs by the feed tube and is extendible to shield a substantial length of catheter.