Abstract: A urine drainage bag having an outlet tube housing a microcidal tube is disclosed. The microcidal tube is manufactured from polymeric materials capable of absorbing and releasing antimicrobial substances in a controllable sustained time release mechanism, activated upon contact with droplets of urine, thereby preventing the retrograde migration of infectious organisms into the drainage bag.

Abstract: An anti-obesity balloon and a placement system for the balloon includes a balloon with a needle-pierceable, self-sealing plug and an insertion catheter having a needle at its distal end. The needle is movable between an extended position in which it protrudes distally of the insertion catheter and a retracted position in which it is withdrawn interiorly of the insertion catheter. A handle arrangement is provided at the proximal end of the insertion catheter to control the position of the needle. Means are provided for aspirating and inflating the balloon. The balloon structure and insertion catheter structure protect and enclosed the sharp tip of the needle at all times during insertion and withdrawal of the insertion catheter. The insertion catheter is detachable from the balloon, after the balloon has been inflated in the patient's stomach, in a manner which imposes no force or load on the balloon.

Abstract: A small diameter (no greater than about 0.020" diameter) steerable guidewire for cardiovascular surgical procedures or the like is provided with a means by which the curvature at the distal tip of the guidewire can be adjustable by control applied at the proximal end of the guidewire whereby the curve at the distal end of the guidewire can be adjusted without requiring removal of the guidewire from the patient.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved chest fluid drainage bottle of the type having a fluid collection chamber connectable to receive fluid sucked from the patient's chest, the improvement consisting of an improved air leak detection system characterized by a fluid filled U-tube downstream of the air space overlying the fluid collecting chamber cooperating therewith to define an air leak detector substantially insensitive to small intermittent variations in upstream pressure while, at the same time, providing an observer with a reliable visual indication of a continuous upstream leak. The improvement also encompasses an anti-splash baffle adjacent the outlet of the U-tube effective to prevent the fluid therein from leaving same and, perhaps, entering the vacuum system upon the application of larger than normal intermittent upstream positive pressure surges.

Abstract: A device and technique for percutaneous placement of a tubular prosthesis involves gripping the leading end of the prosthesis by an expandable member inserted into the lumen of the prosthesis from the trailing end of the prosthesis. The expandable member grips the prosthesis at its leading end so that when the member is pushed to advance it into and through the patient, it will tension the prosthesis. The prosthesis has radially extending portions which will serve to retain the prosthesis in place once implanted. During insertion, the tensioning of the prosthesis causes the radial projections to be drawn into a collapsed configuration to define a substantially continuous tubular shape along the full length of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fully implanted mechanical penile erection device. Two or more cylindrical segments lock into an axially aligned position. The locking is accomplished by the action of a spring plunger pressing a flat rider against the surface of an adjacent segment or a dumbbell shaped connector.

Abstract: A stent for the anastomosis of a vessel comprises an integral solid of biologically compatible material which is adapted to melt from a solid into a fluid in response to heat energy or body temperature into the fluid which flows through the vessel. Preferably the stent is formed of frozen material, and has a temperature which is substantially less than the temperature of the vessel upon insertion. Upon melting, the biologically compatible material naturally integrates with the fluid normally conducted by the vessel. The stent may be advantageously formed of frozen blood plasma or other blood fluid which is compatible with the blood normally conducted by an artery or a vein. When used in conjunction with thermal bonding techniques, the stent aligns the ends of the vessel for thermal bonding without the necessity for taking the time-consuming circumferentially-spaced stay sutures.

Abstract: A medical fluid suction canister and method of use are disclosed. Suction is drawn on a liner within the canister through a check valve, preferably a duckbill check valve and, as a result, fluid from a patient flows into the liner. The check valve prevents the reverse flow of air into the liner should there be an operating upset and ensures that the liner remains fully expanded.

Abstract: An overpressure safety valve assembly for use during heart surgery is disclosed. The assembly comprises an elongated tubular body portion having an inlet end, and an outlet end and an unidirectional valve disposed therebetween. A relief valve portion is joined to and in flow communication with the tubular portion. The relief valve portion includes a first relief valve configured to open if the pressure within the overpressure safety valve diminishes below a predetermined level, and a second relief valve configured to open if the pressure adjacent the outlet end exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A penile erection prosthesis fully implanted in a patient with a tubular section intermediate its ends containing a flexible zone. The flexible zone is formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves having sides of unequal length. The flexible zone contracts lengthwise with the grooves forming reentrant overlapping folds. The flexible zone is axially bendable and has the ability to retain a position without returning to its previous shape.

Abstract: A two-stroke pumping device for developing pulsatile fluid flow includes a housing with an internal resilient flexible element. The flexible element defines a pair of chambers within the housing, including a pumping chamber and a driving chamber. The pumping chamber is connected to a source of the fluid to be pumped and the driving chamber is connected to a pneumatic source adapted to create a pressure differential across the flexible element. The device includes a means responsive to the flexure of the element in one of the strokes to terminate that stroke and begin the other stroke. The flexible element oscillates to generate repetitive ejection and filling strokes. The pneumatic source may be a source of negative or positive pressure.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for automatically measuring and displaying the quantity of a liquid discharged by a patient during a defined real time interval. The apparatus is comprised of a reusable housing and a disposable plastic container adapted to be removably received in a cavity in the housing. A transducer is mounted in the floor of the cavity to engage the container and transmit sonic pulses through the container wall into a liquid pool in the container. A molded silicon rubber cap is fitted over the transducer to assure good acoustic coupling between the transducer and the container without requiring the use of an intermediate gel substance. The container is configured such that when it is received in the housing cavity, it is oriented to cause liquid entering an inlet port in the top portion to pool over the flat section of the container bottom wall.

Abstract: A catheter with a heater mounted on its distal end is used to melt atherosclerotic plaque to clear an obstruction within an artery. The catheter heater is a tapered cone that emits heat from its outer, leading edges. Several embodiments are disclosed in which the power for the heater is generated by electrical resistance heating or by laser energy absorption. In the disclosed method of use, the guidewire is inserted into the lumen of the catheter so that the distal tip of the guidewire extends a few centimeters beyond the heater tip. The catheter is directed into the proper coronary branch by means of the guidewire and the wire is advanced until it meets the obstruction. If the wire can be advanced through the obstruction, the catheter is advanced over the wire until the heater contacts the plaque. The heater is then operated and the catheter is advanced as the plaque melts.

Abstract: A new breathable, conformable, polymeric adhesive composition is disclosed which comprises a self-sustaining pressure sensitive adhesive material and a hydrophilic filler, wherein the adhesive material forms a polymeric matrix characterized by the physical encapsulation of the hydrophilic filler within the matrix.

Abstract: A medical electrode comprises a flat, resilient, electrically non-conductive backing member; a flat sensor element applied to one surface of the backing member and positioned for leaving a portion of this one surface exposed about a major portion of the periphery of the sensor element; and an electrically conductive coating applied to selected areas of the exposed surface of the sensing element.

Abstract: A urethral sphincter cuff is adapted to be surgically implanted so as to encircle the urethra. When the sphincter cuff is filled, the urethra is squeezed, and the patient is continent. When the cuff is deflated pressure is released from the urethra and urine may flow therethrough.The sphincter cuff is provided with a tongue and buckle to allow adjustment during surgical implantation. The tongue, on one side of the cuff, contains apertures which are adapted to fit onto studs on the buckle part. After placement and adjustment of the cuff an adhesive can be applied to secure the tongue to the buckle.The cuff also contains an occluding diaphragm which, when filled, squeezes the urethra to inhibit fluid flow, and when unfilled remains in a second position in which no tension is applied to the urethra. Even when the diaphragm area is reduced to its minimum value (with pressure on the urethra) the diaphragm remains under tension so that its smooth surface does not wrinkle.

Abstract: A cardiac pacing catheter system includes a main guiding catheter and a pair of electrical leads adapted to make direct electrical contact with the ventricle and the atrium of the patient's heart. The main catheter has a pair of lumens which guide and contain the ventricular and atrial leads. Each of the leads can be advanced and manipulated separately and independently within the main catheter body. The lumen for the ventricular lead exits at a port at the distal end of the main catheter body. The lumen for the atrial lead exits along a port at the side of the catheter, at a location proximal of the distal end. The atrial lead is spring-like and is formed with a J-shaped curve at its distal end which, when it exits from the catheter lumen, will assume the J-shaped configuration so that it may be manipulated into direct contact with the more upwardly disposed roof regions of the atrium.

Abstract: A bioelectric electrode arrangement is comprised of an electrode piece consisting of a metal and/or an electrically conductive carbon containing material whereby one side of the electrode piece to be intended for the skin-contact contains an ionic-conductive contact-electrolyte layer. The contact-electrolyte layer contains an iodine ions-forming salt of a metal which is the same as also present at least in the interfacial regions of the electrode immediately adjacent to the contact-electrolyte layer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a tamper-proof sealing cap for a syringe. The cap is made of a partially rubber-like flexible material so that it may be partially deformed from its preselected shape. At least one of its members is preformed into a shape which prevents the re-insertion of the syringe after it has been removed.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed which is made of a single pre-shaped flexible pipe. The pipe is formed into a shape resembling a figure 4. This shape prevents the catheter from being expelled from a body cavity however it is still flexible enough to be straightened by a wire pushed through the catheter for insertion.