Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and mixing together of diluents and medicaments. The container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by preferentially peelable seals, in which the diluents and medicaments are stored. The container is constructed of thermoplastic materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The peelable seals are ruptured by manipulation of the container to thereby mix the contents together for delivery through standard IV arrangement to a patient. The seals are constructed such that the seal between the diluent and medicament compartments is preferentially ruptured such that a liquid medicament and a diluent are always mixed before the combined solution is accessible for administration. The container is fillable with a single component liquid medicament which may be susceptible to sloshing or turbulence.

Abstract: A safety IV catheter includes an end cap or guard and a disc-shaped lock plate having an opening through which the needle passes. One end of an actuator member passes through a second off-center opening in the lock plate and its other end passes through a flange fitted about the needle hub. In the prepared or ready position of the catheter, the guard is mounted about the distal end of the needle hub. As the needle is retracted to the activated position, the needle tip is received within the needle guard and the lost motion of the actuator member is taken up by the engagement of the needle hub and the lower end of the actuator member. This, in turn, causes the lock plate to be canted or rocked at an angle about the distal end of the needle to grip and lock the needle tip within the needle guard and to prevent further axial movement of the needle.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and administration of medical solutions. The container incorporates a transparent front sheet made from a planar layer of a polymer and an opposing rear sheet. The rear sheet is made from a planar laminate layer. The front and rear sheets are sealed together along a common peripheral edge to form a volume enclosure. The volume enclosure is constructed of materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container thermoplastic to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The volume enclosure is then inflated with a pressurized gas to permanently stretch the front and rear sheets outwardly and to thereby increase the volume capacity of the container. An alternative embodiment of the container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, for containing a diluent and a medicament.

Abstract: An introducer for introducing an expandable implantable device into a catheter includes an outer tube and an inner core which slides in the outer tube. The distal end of the core has a tubular configuration with a slit which allows it to expand radially to grip an end of the device. The distal end of the core holding the device is pulled into the distal end of the outer tube which further tightens the grip on the device. A handle is then preferably attached to the proximal end of the core which extends beyond the proximal end of the outer tube to prevent the core from moving distally and releasing the device. The device remains in its relaxed condition attached to the introducer and mostly outside of it until use. At that time the core is moved proximally which pulls the device inside the outer tube and into its stretched condition as it does so.

Abstract: A syringe includes a threaded plunger disposed for axial movement within a housing. When it is designed to aspirate a fluid into the syringe barrel, a cam member mounted on the barrel is moved to a free flow position in which it is disengaged from the plunger to allow the plunger to be freely axially movable along the barrel. When it is desired to inject the fluid, such as into an angioplasty balloon, the locking cam is moved to an engaged or locking position, in which it threadably engages the plunger, such that the plunger can only be moved along the barrel in small, controlled increments by rotating the plunger, thereby to enable the operator to achieve the desired accurate control over the fluid pressure in the syringe.

Abstract: A torque device for attaching to and selectively gripping and releasing a catheter guidewire to permit rotational and longitudinal manipulation of the guidewire to steer the guidewire through a vessel. A spindle is threadably engaged in a cap, and a bore through the spindle aligns with a bore through the cap to accept the guidewire. The end of the spindle inside the cap has a pair of fingers straddling the guidewire. As the cap and spindle are rotated with respect to each other, the threaded engagement of the spindle and cap forces the end of the fingers to advance along a tapering bore in the cap, which causes the fingers to close and grip the guidewire. Reversing the direction of rotation releases the grip on the guidewire.

Abstract: A self-expanding cardiovascular occlusion apparatus including a predetermined pattern of wire and three collinear bands, whereby pushing the bands together causes the two exposed braided or helical sections between them to flatten to two disk-like shapes. The disks are then forced outward relative to the middle band, causing the exposed braided or wound pattern to invaginate. The final shape is similar to two cones attached end to end. The device is heat treated to maintain this configuration. In use, the device is straightened to its cylindrical form, installed in the distal end of a device pusher which is advanced through a small diameter catheter installed in a blood vessel When the device is expelled from the device pusher, it returns to its expanded shape and lodges in a blood vessel, for example. Once lodged in the vessel, the device will initiate thrombus formation which will occlude the vessel.

Abstract: A catheter guidewire dispenser is provided for inserting a guidewire into a blood vessel. The dispenser houses the guidewire in an interior coiled path having spaced apart protrusions which provide friction against the guidewire to retain it within the housing. The device is made from a material with a high coefficient of friction. Single-piece construction prevents disassembly and damage during transit, storage and use. An advancement mechanism having a ribbed surface provides improved feeding control of the guidewire.

Abstract: In general, the medical infusion device of the present invention includes at least one check valve chamber through which a primary intravenous stream is arranged to pass by way of a primary fluid inlet port and a primary outlet port. Each check valve chamber has at least one physically associated infusion port through which a medicational or nutritional fluid can be injected in any number of possible ways. Each check valve chamber has an interior volume, a check valve opening formed between its interior volume and its associated infusion port, a check valve chamber opening formed through the check valve chamber and axially aligned with the check valve opening, a flexible check valve element, and a check valve support element.

Abstract: A valve having two elements each with a respective passageway, with one of the elements having a support and the other element having a shoulder, and a disc mounted between the elements and partially flexed over the support to form a seal on the shoulder preventing flow between the passageways until a relative pressure differential between the passageways fully flexes the disc over the support to allow flow between the passageways.

Abstract: In general, the medical infusion device of the present invention includes at least one check valve chamber through which a primary intravenous stream is arranged to pass by way of a primary fluid inlet port and a primary outlet port. Each check valve chamber has at least one physically associated infusion port through which a medicational or nutritional fluid can be injected in any number of possible ways. Each check valve chamber has an interior volume, a check valve opening formed between its interior volume and its associated infusion port, a check valve chamber opening formed through the check valve chamber and axially aligned with the check valve opening, a flexible check valve element, and a check valve support element.

Abstract: A formulation preparation device is provided herein which contains a valve assembly, transfer spikes, syringe port and tube, these components being interconnected so as to provide for controlled fluid flow between the spikes and port, through the assembly, in specific directions only. The device has an enclosed, sterilizable, gripable housing and can be used to mix combine fluids in reproducible and predetermined proportions. Combination is accomplished aseptically, avoiding contact between the device's operator and the fluids and the substances combined. Biologically active compounds can be combined with one or more fluids, including such aqueous liposome suspensions, using the device. A formulation preparation kit containing, in addition to the device, the fluids and compounds to be formulated is thus also provided herein; methods of using the device to prepare such formulations are further provided herein.

Abstract: A medical vascular introducer of the type having an elongated hollow shaft, a distal portion of which is insertable into the body of a patient, wherein the improvement comprises a pair of radiopaque markers disposed at two longitudinally distinct positions on the exterior of the shaft, the markers being separated a predetermined longitudinal distance. Also disclosed is a marker design which is circumferentially discontinuous and consists of at least one marker segment and at least one void area.

Abstract: A balloon consisting of braided fibers encapsulated between two plastic elastomeric materials affixes to a distal end of a catheter. The braided fibers provide reinforcement to contain pressure and determine the maximum diameter of the balloon on expansion. The elastomeric material provides for fluid containment and collapsing of the balloon after pressurization. An embedded spring in an elastomeric material internal to the catheter provides memory to assist in collapsing the balloon after pressurization. The embedded spring extends from the distal end of the catheter towards the proximal end of the catheter along a substantial length of the catheter. The catheter with the balloon are in a multilumen configuration or in a coaxial configuration. A guidewire passage extends through the elastomeric material with the embedded spring. An alternative embodiment illustrates a hub with a movable internal seal and inner tube connected to a balloon catheter tip with a free space collapsement spring.

Abstract: A method of completely filling an the interior cavity of a bourdon tube in a pressure gauge with a gelatinous substance ,comprising the steps of:a) evacuating the interior cavity of the bourdon tube to a vacuum level not greater than 50 millitorr;b) depositing a predetermined amount of a gelatinous substance in the interior cavity; andc) venting the interior cavity to remove the vacuum level, whereby increasing air pressure forces the deposited gelatinous substance to completely fill the interior cavity.

Abstract: A medical backcheck valve includes a hollow housing containing an upwardly biased piston assembly for controlling liquid flow therethrough. The piston assembly comprises a substantially rigid plug having one end protruding from the upper end of the housing, and a flexible sheath covering having a relatively small diameter upper end surrounding the plug, a main seal for controlling flow through said first flow space, and a tubular lower end, secured at the bottom of the housing, for preventing liquid from entering within the covering.

Abstract: A burette top vent which resists air blockage includes a peripherally skirted cap having a generally planar circular base transfixed by a short integral tube having an upper portion to which tubing from a source of fluid may be attached and a lower portion from which fluid can drip into the burette. The base is perforated by an array of arcuate slots that permit air to enter the burette, and the bottom surface of the base has a shallow annular relief intersecting the slots. A ring-shaped hydrophobic filter disk hermetically affixed beneath the relief. The relief prevents the filter disk from lying flush against the bottom surface of the base.

Abstract: A torque device capable of both securement to a guidewire and release with only one hand, is constructed of a pair of tubular elements, one terminating in a series of prongs with outer surfaces which form an outwardly expanding cone, and the other surrounding the prongs and containing an internal, inwardly extending flange which engages the outer surfaces of the prongs. When the tubular elements are slid apart relative to each other, the flange travels along the expanding outer surfaces of the prongs, forcing the prongs toward each other so that the prong tips grip the guidewire. Release is achieved by sliding the tubular elements back to a closed configuration.