Abstract: An autoinjector that automatically retracts a needle contained therein includes an injection assembly, having a plunger and a movable piston coupled to the plunger, a retraction assembly coupled to the injection assembly, and an end-of-dose visual indicator disposed within the retraction assembly. The retraction assembly includes an opaque section, a transparent or translucent section coupled to the opaque section, and a drug container having a hypodermic needle. The end-of-dose visual indicator is disposed within the retraction assembly such that the indicator moves upwardly from the opaque section of the retraction assembly to the transparent or translucent section of the retraction assembly upon full administration of a drug solution or medicine contained within the drug container. The end-of-dose visual indicator may be configured according to many preferred embodiments, among which may include a hollow cylinder, a split indicator ring, a co-extruded ring, and a multi-faceted polygonal cylinder.

Abstract: An autoinjector that automatically retracts a needle contained therein includes an injection assembly, having a plunger and a movable piston coupled to the plunger, a retraction assembly coupled to the injection assembly, and an end-of-dose visual indicator disposed within the retraction assembly. The retraction assembly includes an opaque section, a transparent or translucent section coupled to the opaque section, and a drug container having a hypodermic needle. The end-of-dose visual indicator is disposed within the retraction assembly such that the indicator moves upwardly from the opaque section of the retraction assembly to the transparent or translucent section of the retraction assembly upon full administration of a drug solution or medicine contained within the drug container. The end-of-dose visual indicator may be configured according to many preferred embodiments, among which may include a hollow cylinder, a split indicator ring, a co-extruded ring, and a multi-faceted polygonal cylinder.

Abstract: The surgical clip holder retains a plurality of surgical clips which are removed by clip carrying jaws of a clip appliance. The holder includes a pedestal base which defines clip retaining depressions between intervening lands. A superstructure with a plurality of flexible guide ribs is mounted on the pedestal base. In one embodiment, finger tabs from a rim of the superstructure retain lower clip leg segments. At least one of the tabs has an aperture for receiving a lower leg segment of the clip. The aperture helps ensure consistent placement of the clip within the depressions to facilitate alignment and registration of the clip with the jaws of the clip appliance.

Abstract: A vascular catheter includes a blade tip at its distal end. In the specific embodiments, a blade is mounted within the blade tip and a mechanism provided for extending the blade transversely when the blade tip is located within a region of stenosis. By extending the blade and axially translating the catheter so that the blade forms an incision within the region of stenosis, improved angioplastic treatment can be achieved.

Abstract: A one-piece molded plastic clamp provided with a guiding lug for engaging a channel to prevent twisting of the arms of the clamp as they are compressed, while simultaneously enabling the clamp to be molded in a simple, clam-shell mold. The clamp includes a pair of parallel toothed members extending inwardly from one arm of the clamp and intended to engage a locking hook extending inwardly from the other of the arms. The teeth on the parallel toothed members are alternatingly spaced so that while the teeth are uniformly spaced within the plane of the clamp, they are staggered within a transverse plane so they unobstructedly face away from the plane of the clamp.

Abstract: An atherectomy device having a housing at the distal end of a catheter adapted for insertion into the vascular system. The housing has a cutout in one side, and a cutter that is mounted in the housing for both axial and rotary movement with respect to the cutout. At least a portion of the housing is formed of a material which permits bending of the housing as it follows the contours of the vessel. The housing is also adapted to retain the severed atheroma materials.