Abstract: An aspiration and flushing needle assembly having separable flushing and aspiration assemblies. The flushing assembly (2) has a flushing needle (27) extending from a handle (25) and a flushing fluid line (35) which can be connected to a source of flushing liquid. The aspiration assembly (1) has an aspiration needle (5) with a connector (9) which connects into the rear of the handle and an aspiration line (13) which can be connected to an aspiration arrangement. The flushing and aspiration needle assemblies are joined for use with the aspiration needle extending coaxially within the flushing needle to the distal end (29) of the flushing needle.

Abstract: A mould assembly (60) and a method of use in injection moulding of a part having a functional cavity therein. The mould assembly has a recess (72) to receive a hollow tubular insert (48) intended to be placed in the mould assembly before the injection of a mouldable material into the cavity and to remain in the part after moulding. A gas supply arrangement supplies pressurised gas to the hollow tubular insert at a selected stage during the injection process whereby to form the functional cavity in the part.

Abstract: An ovum collection device (20) includes a handle (4) and a collection needle (3) extending from the handle. The collection needle has a sharpened tip (44) for insertion into a follicle of an ovary. A collection duct (5) in fluid communication with the collection needle extends from the handle to a collection bottle (6). A heating arrangement (14) is used to maintain the collection needle at a selected temperature to prevent damage to an oocyte. The heating arrangement may be associated with a needle guide (72) on an ultrasonic probe such as a transvaginal ultrasonic probe (70).

Abstract: A bung for an aspiration assembly sample collection tube, the bung (1) has a top surface (3), a tapered side surface (7) for fitting into the sample tube and a lower surface (5). First and second apertures (9, 11) extend through the bung from the top surface to the bottom surface, the first aperture (9) being for an inlet tubing and the second aperture (11) being for an aspiration tubing, the first aperture has a recess (13) in the lower surface of the bung. This recess is adapted to sealingly receive a supply nozzle of a flushing fluid supply device such as a syringe so that in use flushing fluid may be directed through the inlet tubing.

Abstract: A cellular transfer catheter (10) is provided for implantation of cellular material into the uterus of a patient. The catheter includes a first component (11, 13) of a first material (26) which has a passageway (16) extending therethrough, and a second component (12) of a second material (27) having a higher durometer than the first material and suitable for assisting passage of the first component (11, 13) through a cervix and into the uterus of the patient. The first component (11, 13) includes a region (20) closely adjacent its distal end (18) having an ultrasonic reflectivity detectably different from the reflectivity of adjacent parts.

Abstract: A localization device (10) comprising an outer needle cannula (11), an optional inner sleeve cannula (13) and an anchor stylet comprising a plurality of preformed superelastic alloy wires (12). Once the distal portions (14) of the wires (12) are deployed from the ends of the sleeve and needle cannulae, they function as curved barbs (15) projecting outward to anchor the device into tissue, an organ, or a foreign body. A slidable locking member (18), such as a pin vise, can be included over the outer needle cannula for securing the localization device against a template.

Abstract: A surgical tissue morcellator (10) for percutaneously morcellating and debulking tissue during a minimally invasive, endoscopic surgical procedure. In an insertion configuration, the morcellator includes an outer cutting sheath (11) and an insertion member (15) inserted therethrough and positioned relative thereto via a connector (20). The connector includes an adaptor (18) positioned at the proximal portion (13) of the outer cutting sheath. The adaptor includes a lock member (22) such as a pin extending radially into the bore (19) of the adaptor. A second lock member (23) in the form of a T-shaped slot is formed in the surface of the insertion member to receive and position the pin therein. In a morcellation configuration, the morcellator includes a handle (24) that is positioned in the bore of the adaptor.

Abstract: A medical device 10 for collecting both endocervical cells and exocervical cells from a human or veterinary patient includes an elongate handle 12 having first and second handle ends 14 and 16, an elongate foam portion 18 carried by one of the handle ends 14 or 16, and a disk-like foam portion 19 carried by either the same or the opposite handle end 14 or 16. The device 10 includes at least one base plate 30 or 32 connected to the handle 12, to which the elongate and disk-like foam portions 18 and 19 are affixed. The elongate foam portion 18 can be cylindrical in shape, while the disk-like portion 19 can be a convex disk 20 or a generally flat disk 60 or 80. The first foam portion 18 is positioned about a tip 40 or 48 carried by the first handle end 14, for example, connected to the first base plate 30. The first and second foam portions 18 and 19 can be carried on opposite ends 14 and 16 of the handle 12, or can be unitarily formed as a single foam portion 22 carried by the first handle end 14.

Abstract: A suprapubic drainage catheter (10) for draining the bladder and maintaining the patency of the urethra of a patient following a radical prostatectomy. The catheter includes an elongated member (11) having a drainage passage(12) extending longitudinally therein and a plurality of drainage ports (21) in a drainage portion (14) thereof for providing external access for the drainage passage in the bladder of the patient. First and second retention balloons (17, 18) are connected with the elongated member and positioned distally and proximally of the drainage ports, respectively. The elongated member also includes first and second inflation passages (26, 27) for individual and independent inflation and deflation of the retention balloons. One-way connector valves (32, 33) are positioned at the proximal end of the catheter for controlling inflation and deflation of the balloons via the inflation passages.

Abstract: A back-up retention member drainage catheter (10) for insertion in the bladder and urethra of a patient undergoing a radical prostatectomy surgical procedure. The drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular member (11) having a drainage lumen (14) extending longitudinally therein with an external drainage port (15, 16) disposed near the distal end (12) of the tubular member. A back-up retention member (18) and, in particular, a first balloon (20) is disposed on the elongated tubular member near the distal end and proximal the external drainage port. A primary retention member (19) and, in particular, a second retention balloon (22) is also disposed on the elongated tubular member around the first retention balloon. First and second inflation lumens (21, 23) extend longitudinally through the elongated tubular member and communicate internally with the first and second retention balloons, respectively.

Abstract: A brachytherapy device 10 for exposing to radioactivity a patient includes an elongate member such as a needle or cannula 12 adapted for introduction into the patient and also includes a stylet 14 slideably receivable in a longitudinal throughbore 16 in the needle 12. The device 10 also includes a portion 64 near either the proximal end 18 of the needle 12 or the distal end 24 of the stylet 14 which provides a local, defined amount of friction between the needle 12 and the stylet 14. The device 10 further includes an anti-static handle 34 connected to the needle 12. The handle 34 has an interior ramp surface 40 in communication with the throughbore 16 of the needle 12, frustoconical in shape and possessing an included apical angle of at least about 16°. The localized friction portion 64 can be a crimp or flange 48 on the stylet 14, or a crimp 44 or deformation 46 in or of the needle 12.

Abstract: A minimally invasive medical retrieval device 10 useful for the removal of objects such as stones, calculi, concretions, foreign bodies and the like from the urinary, biliary, vascular or other systems includes a sheath 12 containing at least three wires 14 adjacently disposed in the sheath 12. At least one of the wires 14, and preferably all of them, can be moved longitudinally with respect to the sheath 12. The wires 14 have distal portions 16 which are formed so as to allow the engaging and removal of the object or objects. The distal portions 16 of the wires 14 preferably form a helical basket 22 or 40 particularly adapted for engaging urinary stones, calculi and concretions. Other grasping and manipulating shapes are useful as well. The wires 14 are substantially wedge-shaped in cross-section and substantially fill the entire cross-sectional area of the interior 26 of the sheath 12. The wedge-shaped wires 14 can be partly contained within a stainless steel cannula 28 positioned in the sheath 12.