Abstract: A stent having an elongate tubular configuration is formed of a plurality of elongate elements interwoven or braided to form a tubular configuration. The elements may be relatively strong and rigid, but movable relative to each other within the weave or braid in order to provide the stent with generally soft characteristics. The elements may be formed of different materials, such as an absorbent material permitting the stent to be doped with materials such as drugs and chemicals. Even the absorbency can be controlled and varied to provide a predetermined time-release of the absorbent.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports and has an elongate configuration with a width greater than the diameter of the ports. A flow channel is formed between mating members of a housing and provided with a U-shaped configuration. Projections along the flow channel direct fluid flow into valve cavities associated with the ports to clear dead spots around the valve elements. A check valve included in the manifold tends to direct high pressures against the valve elements which respond by forming surface seals thereby avoiding deformation. An aspiration port can be formed with a second seal disposed on the side of the valve element opposite the first seal. Opening this second seal by negative pressure in the lumen of the port provides for the aspiration of fluids in the flow channel. Two-way aspiration can be provided by a valve having a cage with or without compressible characteristics to accommodate low tolerance fittings.

Abstract: A toilet fill valve includes a housing defining a water fill passage and a water inlet. A valve disposed in the passage divides the housing into a upstream portion and a downstream portion. A pressure regulator vertically oriented in the downstream portion of the housing has a spiral configuration providing a significant pressure drop in the water flow. Noise abatement is enhanced by pressure regulation which reduces the flow velocity, flow directors which inhibit turbulence, and energy drops provided in a downspout.

Abstract: A flush valve is adapted for placement through a hole in the bottom of a toilet tank. The valve seat has an axis with a lower section adapted to extend through the hole and an upper section defining an opening generally perpendicular to the axis. A first sleeve communicates with a central channel in the upper section. A valve elbow has a second axis with an overflow section and a second sleeve registerable with the first sleeve to provide fluid communication between the overflow section and the (central channel) an associated method includes injection molding steps wherein first and second core pins are removed laterally and the second sleeve is inserted into the first sleeve to provide fluid communication between the overflow section of the valve elbow in the central channel of the valve seat.

Abstract: The invention includes a protective eye device for an oral treatment patient including an eyepiece having bridge portions that form a seal with the nose. The bridge portions are a fulcrum between attachment portions that extend downwardly and outwardly from the bridge portions, and upper portions disposed above the bridge portions. A retaining member is coupled to the attachment portions below the fulcrum such that tension on the retaining member causes the attachment portions to extend toward the face and facilitates the sealing relationship between a lower rim and a middle surface of the face between the eyes and mouth. The tension on the retaining member simultaneously causes the upper portions to extend away from the face, and facilitates the spatial relationship, or a gap, between the forehead and an upper rim. The invention also includes a method for shielding the eyes of a patient.

Abstract: An expandable intraluminal catheter is used for removing occlusive material from a body passage. The catheter includes a handle having both a proximal handle end and a distal handle end. Attached to the distal handle end is an elongate tubular body, which includes a proximal body end and a distal body end. The elongate tubular body further includes a lumen between the proximal body end and the distal body end. A number of expandable segments are disposed on the elongate tubular body near the distal body end. These expandable segments can be mechanically activated by a user when the distal body end is within a blood vessel, to thereby isolate and partition occlusive material within the blood vessel. The isolated and partitioned occlusive material within the blood vessel can then be removed.

Abstract: A catheter adapted to increase the patency of a body conduit includes an elongate tube having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a balloon disposed at the distal end of the tube and having properties for being expanded to a high-profile state and for being contracted to a low-profile state. A sleeve disposed over the balloon has a pair of ends disposed on opposing sides of a central section, the ends having a floating relationship relative to the tube with the central section disposed circumferentially of the balloon. An electrode disposed outwardly of the sleeve has properties for being electrosurgically energized to incise materials defining the body conduit when the balloon is in the high-profile state. The electrode can be formed of a plurality of elements stranded to increase the surface area of the electrode.

Abstract: An access device having a single sheath is inserted into a body passage puncture, with an expandable member of the access device held to a minimum diameter. The expandable member is held to the minimum diameter using structure that does not increase the diameter of the access device, rather than a large-diameter external sheath. The structure for holding the expandable member to a minimum diameter can subsequently be removed from the lumen of the access device., once the expandable member has been expanded.

Abstract: A trocar having a cannula and a valve housing with a polygonal configuration, provides for a floating septum where the float is encouraged in a first direction and restricted in a second direction. The septum includes multiple septum valves which may function with a comnron zero-closure valve, or individually in a valve assembly with an associated zero-closure valve. Various seals can be configured to prevent blow-back. Cup valves, check valves, and reciprocating valves are contemplated, along with various skirt configurations for maintaining pressurized air within the trocar.

Abstract: A disposable seal assembly for use with a reusable cannula, where the seal assembly is designed for use with the cannula during a single medical procedure and the cannula is designed for multiple uses (each time with a different seal assembly) during a number of medical procedures. The seal assembly includes both a flapper valve fluid seal (for sealing the cannula when no medical instrument is inserted through the seal assembly) and at least one instrument seal (for sealing the cannula when a medical instrument is inserted through the seal assembly). Preferably, the seal assembly has a body with a flange which can be snapped onto the cannula before use, and readily removed after use. Also preferably, the flapper valve has an over-centered hinge. In other embodiments, the invention is a seal assembly which includes at least one double instrument seal including a sacrificial flange and a sealing flange, and optionally also a flapper valve.

Abstract: A protective cap for use with a luer lock system. The protective cap includes a tubular body having an inner surface and a closed end. Internal threads are formed on the inner surface which are sized and shaped to engage with an external threads on the associated luer component. A crush thread is formed adjacent to a portion of the inner threads and protrudes radially inward from the inner surface of the protective cap. The crush thread is configured for engagement with the external threads on the luer component such that when the protective cap is threaded onto the luer component, the crush threads frictionally interfere with the external threads. This frictional interference resists decoupling and thus removal of the protective cap from the luer component.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier for use in applying ligation as well as fixation surgical clips or fasteners to a vessel or other tissue at a surgical site. The clip applier includes an elongated hollow outer body having a proximal end attached to an actuating mechanism and a distal end. A pair of generally opposing jaws are coupled to the distal end of the outer body and are configured with guide slots for receiving a surgical clip. Means are provided for advancing a clip from within the outer body into the guide slots. Movement of the actuating mechanism moves the jaws between an open position, a first closed position and a second and fully closed position. The jaws are placed over a section of tissue and closed to the first closed position such that the tissue is compressed. The clip site is tested for proper ligation, and if acceptable, a clip is advanced into the jaw members.

Abstract: A vacuum assist toilet provides an efficient flushing in a tank of relatively low height. A container assembly (36) includes a largely sealed container (34) that lies within the tank (12) to hold water that is dispensed in a flushing so as to create a vacuum at the top of the tank for application to the toilet bowl outlet. The flush valve (40) lies within the container, and the lower portion of the container is isolated from tank water surrounding the container, so water used during a flushing is obtained primarily by the outflow of water within the container and through a valve seat at the bottom of the container. A baffle (130) largely surrounds the region containing the flush valve, to produce an earlier dosing of the flush valve.

Abstract: A disposable seal assembly for use with a reusable cannula preferably includes a flapper valve fluid seal and at least one instrument seal. The instrument seal has a sacrificial flange and a sealing flange that protrude from an inner baffle connected to the assembly's main body by a flexible outer baffle, and at least one elastomeric rib extending between the inner baffle and the body to prevent inversion of the inner baffle. Preferably, a surface of the sacrificial flange is configured to prevent the flanges from sticking together during use. An adaptor, tethered to the assembly's main body, has a central channel with an hourglass profile, a concave distal flange, distal bumpers for preventing the adaptor from translating too far into the main body, and a grip portion shaped to allow a user conveniently to separate the adaptor from the main body. Other aspects include systems with a reusable cannula, and methods for using such systems.

Abstract: A system is provided for treating water to reduce calcium carbonate deposits. At least three or four pairs of magnets (30a-30d and 32a-32d in FIG. 2) form a group of magnets that are mounted around a water-carrying pipe (12), with the magnets spaced apart parallel to the length of the pipe, and with the magnets of each pair lying on opposite sides of the pipe. Each pair of magnets (e.g. 30a, 32a) and a frame (34) that holds them, forms a unit which clamps individually around the pipe, to facilitate changing of the spacing between adjacent magnets. Two different groups of magnets (16, 18) can be employed, with the spacing of magnets in a first group being nonharmonic to the spacing in a second group.

Abstract: A tape roll carrier is adapted for removable attachment to apparel worn by a user. The carrier has a backing plate with a first side and an opposing second side. A support structure extending from the first side is adapted to receive at least one roll of tape. An attachment mechanism fixed to the second side of the backing plate has an open position facilitating attachment to the apparel, and a closed position facilitating firm engagement of the apparel. The support structure can have a hook or basket configuration and may accommodate multiply tape rolls of different width.

Abstract: A flush valve is adapted to be mounted in the tank of a toilet and includes a selector assembly and a flush valve. The selector assembly is accessible from outside the toilet and provides for initiation of the flushing operation and an alternative choice between a larger flush water volume and a smaller flush water volume. A support structure provides for both axial and radial movement of the selector assembly relative to the flush valve in order to facilitate mounting and alignment of the flush valve assembly. A slide mechanism provides for variation of at least the smaller flush water volume.

Abstract: A plumbing connector is provided to communicate water between a wall valve and a toilet. An adapter is provided to facilitate a mating relationship between threads of a first configuration on the valve and threads of a second configuration on the connector. The adapter has a cylindrical configuration with outer threads mating with the connector, and inner threads mating with the valve. The adapter can be positioned within a cap associated with the connector so that no separate gaskets are required for sealing purposes. With the adapter, a single connector size can be inventoried to accommodate different thread configurations associated with the wall valve.

Abstract: A suturing apparatus is adapted for joining two objects which define a near side and a far side. The apparatus includes an elongate support structure having a working channel and an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The structural support is adapted to be positioned over a guidewire extending between the two objects, in an operative position wherein the proximal end is disposed on the near side and the distal end as disposed on the far side. Removal of the guidewire permits use of a stylet for positioning a suture to extend within the working channel from the proximal end to the distal end. A pair of hooks are movable from a proximal position at the proximal end of the support structure through the objects and a pair of slots in the support structure, to a distal position wherein the hooks engage the suture within the working channel at the distal end of the support structure.