Abstract: A catheter assembly including a wire stiffener or a dilator and modified wire stiffener which are used in combination to assist in the insertion of a relatively soft catheter into the patient wherein the wire stiffener temporarily stiffens the catheter and the modified wire stiffener temporarily stiffens the dilator for insertion of the combined wire stiffener and dilator into the catheter. The catheter preferably includes one or more lumens therein and includes an end opening and one or more side openings thereon.

Abstract: A system for the transmission of physiological signals from a patient to a display analysis and/or recording device using a spread spectrum transmission technique to reduce interference with the detection of the transmitted physiological signal wherein multiple channels of the physiological signals are transmitted over a bandwidth of approximately 3 MHz.

Abstract: An elongated catheter formed of coextruded materials such that the inner surface of the extension members or body portion of the catheter have a higher durometer than the outer surface of the extension members or body portion of the catheter to reduce septum deflection during normal use, and the likelihood of tearing or sticking of the extension members is reduced.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a plunger rod and a plunger tip which are designed to provide a low frictional resistance against the interior surface of the syringe barrel while the plunger rod is at rest but which will increase the sealing pressure between the plunger tip and the interior surface of the syringe barrel in proportion to the amount of force applied to the plunger rod. Additionally, the plunger rod may be moved in the syringe barrel in a laterally offset manner with respect to the longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel without significantly affecting the seal between the plunger tip and the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A safety dental syringe of the type adapted to receive a medication cartridge therein but having a protective needle shield thereon which is movable between a retracted position wherein the needle is exposed and a locked and extended position wherein the needle is protected and the needle shield is prevented from returning to the retracted position. A collar is attached to the distal end of the dental syringe to selectively engage a key on the needle shield as the needle shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The needle shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the dental syringe to lock the needle shield in the locked and extended position. A locking mechanism is disclosed which preferably includes a series of ramps and slots adapted to engage portions of the keys on the needle shield to retain the needle shield in the locked and extended position.

Abstract: A device and method of closing an incision or puncture in a patient by inserting a vessel plug into the incision or puncture until the distal end of the vessel plug is adjacent to the outer lumen of the blood vessel or target organ so that the vessel plug does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the blood vessel or target organ. The precise positioning of the vessel plug in the incision or puncture is accomplished through the use of a balloon catheter or a cylindrical insertion assembly having a proximal plunger member associated therewith.

Abstract: A serum or plasma collection device including a gel material for partitioning and separating heavier and lighter phases of a fluid sample such as a blood sample. The device preferably includes a member such as a disc-shaped or ring-shaped member or a combination thereof to prevent the separated material from interfering with the sampling of the separated fluid sample. The member is preferably formed of hydrophobic and/or non-wetted material and has a specific gravity different than the specific gravity of the lighter phase. The member also physically separates the separated material from the fluid to be sampled to allow the user to obtain an uncontaminated fluid sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensed member and sensing member for use on a medical fluid infusion device and support device wherein the fluid infusion device is usable in a conventional manner such as on an IV pole and in an ambulatory manner such as in a support device for use in an ambulatory backpack. The sensing member of the present invention detects when the fluid infusion device is to be used in an ambulatory manner to adjust the operation of the infusion control member to account for the difference in fluid flow rates caused by the different fluid pressures within the fluid delivery set when the fluid infusion device is used in a conventional manner and an ambulatory manner.

Abstract: A serum or plasma collection device including a gel material for partitioning and separating heavier and lighter phases of a fluid sample such as a blood sample. The device preferably includes an affinity member such as a disc-shaped or ring-shaped member or a coating on the collection tube which has an affinity for the separated oil or degradation material from the gel material to prevent the separated material from interfering with the sampling of the separated fluid sample. The affinity member is preferably formed of hydrophobic and/or non-wetted material and has a specific gravity different than the specific gravity of the lighter phase.

Abstract: A protective needle shield for use on a syringe type device wherein the shield is movable between a retracted position such that the needle is exposed and an extended or locked and extended position wherein the needle is protected and the shield is prevented from returning to the retracted position. A collar is operatively attached to the distal end of syringe device to selectively engage a key on the shield as the shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the syringe device to lock the shield in a locked and extended position. A locking mechanism is disclosed which preferably includes a series of ramps and slots adapted to engage portions of the keys on the shield to retain the shield in the locked and extended position.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery set is provided with a magnetic field source in the region of its mounting to a fluid flow control apparatus. The flow control apparatus includes a magnetic field sensitive switching component which detects the proper placement of the delivery set on the flow control apparatus and prevents operation of the fluid delivery system unless a set is in proper position.

Abstract: A chest drainage apparatus (CDU) and method is disclosed for accurately measuring gas flow or leakage from a patient's chest cavity even at very low or near zero flow rates. The CDU has a collection chamber for receiving fluid and gas to be drained from a pleural cavity of a patient, a vacuum source for applying suction to the collection chamber and a valve for connecting the CDU to the vacuum source. A pressure transducer measures the gas pressure in the collection chamber. A microcomputer controller, responsive to the pressure measured by the pressure transducer, causes the valve to disconnect the vacuum source from the CDU when the gas pressure in the collection chamber is less than a first predetermined threshold and connects the CDU to the vacuum source when the gas pressure in the collection chamber exceeds a second predetermined threshold. The time period during which the vacuum source is disconnected from the CDU is measured as an indication of the rate of gas flow into the CDU.

Abstract: A device and method of closing an incision or puncture in a patient by inserting a vessel plug into the incision or puncture until the distal end of the vessel plug is adjacent to the outer lumen of the blood vessel or target organ so that the vessel plug does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the blood vessel or target organ. The precise positioning of the vessel plug in the incision or puncture is accomplished through the use of a balloon catheter or a cylindrical insertion assembly having a proximal plunger member associated therewith.

Abstract: A medical device particularly adapted for use with a blood collection tube including a nonlinear needle having first and second needle points wherein the first needle point is selectively protected by a movable protective shield and the second needle point is designed to pierce the stopper of an evacuated blood collection tube. The needle guard is movable axially along a portion of the nonlinear needle between a needle tip exposing retracted position and a needle covering locked extended position.

Abstract: A rotary type of peristaltic pump having the rotor member mounted on one side thereof and including a swing arm rotatably mounted along the side of the peristaltic pump such that the swing arm is movable between a fluid delivery set loading open position and a pair of closed positions which automatically align and stretch a portion of the fluid delivery set around the rotor member to allow for the convenient loading of the fluid delivery set on the peristaltic pump and to ensure that the fluid delivery set is properly aligned about the rotor member of the peristaltic pump. A latch member on the swing arm provides a secondary position wherein the flow of fluid through the fluid delivery set is prevented.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for use in medical devices having a single valve disc therein to allow a medical fluid to be drawn from a bulk container through the inlet opening and secondary opening of the valve assembly and into a syringe and then subsequently dispensing the fluid from the syringe through the secondary opening and outlet opening of the valve assembly and into a second container or to the patient. Alternately, the valve assembly may be used with a squeeze bulb of an aspiration device such that as the bulb is squeezed, the air in the bulb passes from the secondary opening to the outlet opening of the valve assembly and then, as the bulb is released, the negative pressure from the bulb is transmitted through the secondary opening and inlet opening of the valve assembly to the aspiration device to draw fluids from the patient and into the aspiration device.