Abstract: A needleless valve connector is disclosed. The needleless valve connector includes a movable diaphragm assembly and an internal central cannula. The proximal portion of the internal cannula has a tapered configuration or is slotted to allow it to be radially compressed to form a tapered configuration. The diaphragm is slit and includes cams formed therein to engage the slotted portion of the internal cannula during downward movement of the diaphragm. The engagement of the cams and the proximal portion of the internal cannula facilitates movement of the diaphragm past the proximal portion of the internal cannula.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new water soluble lubricant for a medical device, such as a catheter and an introducer needle. The lubricant is a silicone based water soluble compound. Preferably, a silicone surfactant is used such as a block copolymer polyalkylene oxide-modified polydimethylsiloxane. Alternatively, an alkylene oxide modified silicone glycol may be used as the lubricant. In addition, lecithin can be added as a lubricant. The lubrication solution includes a solution stabilizer to clarify the solution and antimicrobial agents to inhibit microbial growth in the water solution or on the coated product. Vitamin E or its derivatives may also be used in the lubrication solution.

Abstract: A catheter introducer is disclosed having a splittable introducer and an introducer needle. The splittable introducer includes a pair of wings and a tray with an open top extending from the proximal end of the introducer cannula between the wings to lead the distal end of a long, thin and flexible medical device into the open proximal end of the splittable introducer cannula.

Abstract: A method for automatically classifying multi-parameter data into cluster groups for the purpose of defining different populations of particles in a sample by automatically defining a position of at least one variable position, geometric boundary surface on a two-dimensional scatter plot so as to enclose a group of the displayed particles in a data cluster; with the boundary surface having a polygonal shape defined by a plurality of vertices about at least one cell cluster created by building at least one histogram from cross sections of the two-dimensional scatter plot. Preferably, each cross section of the geometric boundary includes a rectangular, two dimensional gate. The method is particularly useful in the field of cellular analysis using, for example, flow cytometers wherein multi-parameter data is recorded for each cell that passes through an illumination and sensing region.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a control program stored in a memory recommends an intravenous device for infusion therapy based on input entered by a user. The control program includes an execution program for interacting with the user to elicit responses and to provide output to the user. The user inputs parameters to the prompts of the execution program to provide the control program with information regarding the infusion and the patient. The control program further includes a logic engine which applies rules to user entered parameters to determine additional infusion characteristics and to thereby weigh various intravenous devices. Based on the assigned weights, the logic engine returns with a recommended intravenous device which is then displayed by the execution program to the user.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with needle shield is provided wherein the needle includes an enlarged diameter portion and a distally facing shoulder. The needle shield includes a means for engaging the distally facing shoulder to prevent unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a small diameter opening adjacent to its proximal portion to limit proximal movement of the needle out of the needle shield.

Abstract: A female part of a Luer connector is provided with at least one abutment 10 at or adjacent the distal end of its interior for limiting movement of a mating male part within the female part. The abutment 10 extends around a portion only of the periphery of the interior of the female part thereby minimizing the chances of air traps and allowing the free flow of fluid through the Luer connector.

Abstract: A single, disposable differential transducer having a molded plastic body in which there is a pair of chambers separated by a strain gage electronic chip that flexes in accordance with the difference in the pressures between the two chambers. The plastic housing has inlets to allow communication with the chambers and the overall unit is readily manufactured of inexpensive components that allow disposability of the unit when it has been used on a patient. The pressure transducer chambers are isolasted from each other such that differing locations of the patient may be sensed for pressure at the same time without the risk of inadvertant cross-contamination.

Abstract: A needle cover assembly is provided that incorporates a drug applicator therein. The needle cover assembly includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is formed from a hard material and acts as a needle shield. The inner sleeve also includes an absorbent material thereon that can absorb a drug such as an antimicrobial agent. This allows the absorbent material to be swabbed on the patient's skin prior to puncturing with a needle. The outer sleeve covers the absorbent material and prevents evaporation of the drug from the absorbent material.

Abstract: A medical catheter device that has a housing containing a needle and needle hub that are movable between a retracted position where the needle is safely within the protection of the housing and an extended position where the needle extends from the housing for insertion into a patient. After use, the needle can be moved to its retracted position to protect the user from inadvertent sticks from the needle. At the distal end of the catheter housing, there is a hub support having a through hole through which the needle extends when in its extended position. A flexible hollow trunk extends proximally from the through hole back into the housing and through which the needle passes. When the needle is withdrawn into its retracted position, the needle is physically caused to be moved off center so as to not realign with the through hole, however, the needle end remains encased within the flexible hollow trunk to prevent blood from entering the through hole into the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A side button is located at the distal end of a housing forming part of an I.V. catheter and which is movable between a first position to allow longitudinal movement of a needle ands a second position preventing movement of the needle. The side button is provided with a latching member which prevents release of a cannula assembly from its hub support unless the needle is fully retracted within the housing and the side button is in its second position.

Abstract: A valved adapter for connecting a fluid handling device to a medical device includes a body with a longitudinal axis having a proximal end, a distal end and a chamber therewithin. The body includes a passageway from the proximal end to the distal end and has a valve contained within the chamber in a normally closed position that is operative to an open position. The valve also includes a hollow tube having a bore therethrough with a closed proximal end mounted coaxially within the passageway and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the body. The tube has at least one side port opening into its bore that is located a distance distally from the closed end. The valve also includes a resilient member located coaxially about the tube that is biased to occlude the side port in the valve's normally closed position. The valve is opened by a distal movement of the resilient member to overcome the bias and to uncover the side port thereby allowing a fluid flow into the tube and through the valve.

Abstract: The catheter includes a catheter hub at its proximal end having a radially extending wing. The needle is connected at its proximal end to a needle hub. The needle may have at least one notch therein. The needle hub defines a radially extending fin thereon. When the introducer needle is inserted through the catheter such that the distal tip of the needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter, the fin on the needle hub extends beyond the distal end of the wing on the catheter hub. This arrangement allows the distal tip of the needle to be retracted into the catheter with a simple proximal motion by the healthcare worker.

Abstract: The reusable device handle of this invention includes a nosepiece, a body, an activation rod, an ejector rod and a biasing mechanism. The nosepiece and the body are generally hollow. The nosepiece is connected to the body. The activation rod and the ejector rod are connected together and are disposed in the nosepiece and the body. The biasing mechanism is disposed in the body and biases the activation rod toward the proximal end of the body so that the proximal portion of the activation rod extends proximally from the proximal end of the body. The distal end of the nosepiece is designed to accept a cartridge therein that holds a blade or some other tool. The cartridge can be removably connected to the nosepiece. By pressing the proximal end of the activation rod, the distal end of the ejector rod contacts the cartridge and ejects the cartridge from the nosepiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a yoke latch for coupling a needle puller and a catheter adaptor of a vascular access device. The yoke latch generally comprises a push bar, at least one prong attached to the push bar, and at least one locking tab attached to the prong. The yoke latch is generally horseshoe-shaped and straddles the needle puller. When the needle puller and catheter are joined, the locking tab of the yoke latch engage the catheter adaptor preventing its movement relative to the needle puller. A clinician, therefore, can grip the vascular access device by the catheter adaptor, or any part thereof, for better control without having the catheter prematurely uncouple from the needle puller during catheter insertion. The yoke latch also permits one hand yoke latch disengagement and needle puller removal.

Abstract: The one step catheter advancement automatic needle retraction system of this invention includes a generally hollow barrel, a needle hub which can include a flashback chamber disposed in the barrel, a secondary flashback chamber disposed in the barrel, a biasing mechanism for retracting the needle into the barrel and a clip associated with the secondary flashback chamber for engaging a catheter hub. The needle hub in conjunction with the secondary flashback chamber retain the needle in the extended position against the force of the biasing mechanism until the catheter has been advanced a certain distance from the distal end of the barrel.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a combination of a microscope and an interactive image analysis system comprising a camera and a computer work station. The purpose of the apparatus is to facilitate the interactive control of coordinate displacements of the stage of the microscope. For each coordinate x and y an electromechanical control channel is established. At the input of the control channel two cascaded wheels in a coaxial arrangement and two angle encoders are used as a detached, independent tool which is not kinematically linked to the stage. In the middle of the control channel, the pulses of the angle encoders undergo a non-linear transformation. A processor performs a calculation which discriminates between slow displacements and fast displacements. At the end of the control channel, a flat, easily accessible platform of the microscope stage has two working areas, one for manual previewing and one for interactive scanning of a specimen.

Abstract: A single, disposable differential transducer having a molded plastic body in which there is a pair of chambers separated by a strain gage electronic chip that flexes in accordance with the difference in the pressures between the two chambers. The plastic housing has inlets to allow communication with the chambers and the overall unit is readily manufactured of inexpensive components that allow disposability of the unit when it has been used on a patient. The pressure transducer chambers are isolated from each other such that differing locations of the patient may be sensed for pressure at the same time without the risk of inadvertant cross-contamination.