Abstract: A pain management kit for the administration of medication and a related method of use is disclosed. The pain management kit includes the primary medical supplies for performing a continuous nerve block procedure, preferably in a single, sterile container. Specifically, the kit may contain medical supplies to create a sterile field, perform a local anesthetic procedure and to perform a continuous nerve block procedure. Preferably, the contents of the kit are arranged in the general order of their use.

Abstract: A catheter is provided for uniform distribution of fluid medication within an anatomical region. One embodiment of the catheter is comprised of an elongate tubular catheter body defining a lumen. A distal end of the lumen is closed and a portion of the catheter body includes a plurality of openings thereby defining an infusion section of the catheter. A tubular sheath is constructed from a porous material and is positioned over the infusion section. The tubular sheath extends at least a length of the infusion section. The tubular sheath and the catheter body are configured such that fluid within the lumen must pass through the tubular sheath to exit the catheter. In at least one embodiment, a pore size of the porous material is less than about 0.5 microns.

Abstract: A catheter having features configured to provide a substantially uniform flow rate of a fluid exiting the catheter and also exhibits anti-microbial properties. The uniform flow rate features may include one or more of a flow restricting membrane or flow restricting component within an infusion section of the catheter. In other arrangements, exit holes defining the infusion section of the catheter may be configured to provide the desired uniform flow rate over the length of the infusion section. Furthermore, the catheter also includes anti-microbial properties to inhibit the growth of microbes on or within the catheter and, preferably, to inhibit microbe growth in an anatomical region surrounding the catheter. The desired anti-microbial properties may be provided by an anti-microbial layer, anti-microbial materials dispersed within the material from which components of the catheters are constructed, or a combination of anti-microbial layers and embedded anti-microbial materials.

Abstract: A variable pressure regulator control device comprising a valve body having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid pressure-sensing chamber, and a valve seat in fluid communication with said inlet and defining an opening into said chamber, a resilient member having an outer edge and a self-restoring wall of the chamber which is responsive to pressure in said chamber, a valve stem extending through said chamber towards the valve seat, a valve element cooperating with said valve seat, said valve element being located between the valve seat and said fluid inlet, an adjuster mounted to said valve body in a position to deflect said resilient member, thereby moving the valve element away from the valve seat while said member flexes in response to pressure changes within said chamber to control the position of the valve element with respect to the valve seat, wherein said valve body includes a base incorporating said inlet, said outlet, and said valve seat, a retainer mounted atop said base, said retainer having an

Abstract: A remotely programmable and accessible medical device system including an interface unit and a medical device connected to a patient is disclosed. Through a transceiver, such as a telephone or computer, a person may obtain status reports from a remotely located medical device in audible, electronic or paper form. In addition, the person may change a protocol associated with the medical device or be alerted at a remote location of an alarm associated with the medical device.

Abstract: A remotely or locally programmable and accessible medical device system including an interface unit and a medical device connected to a patient is disclosed. Through a transceiver, such as a telephone or computer, a person may obtain status reports from a remotely located or local medical device in audible, electronic or paper form. In addition, the person may change a protocol associated with the medical device or be alerted at a remote or local location of an alarm associated with the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for the delivery of fluid medication across an anatomical region. In accordance with some embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated tubular member made of a porous membrane. The porous membrane is configured so that a fluid introduced into an open end of the tubular member will flow through side walls of the tubular member at a substantially uniform rate along a length of the tubular member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated “weeping” tubular coil spring attached to an end of, or enclosed within, a tube. Fluid within the spring and greater than or equal to a threshold pressure advantageously flows radially outward between the spring coils. Advantageously, the fluid is dispensed substantially uniformly throughout a length of the spring. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes a tube having a plurality of exit holes in a side wall of the tube.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device is provided for transdermal delivery of fluid medications to patients. The device can comprise a thin envelope which is applied to a patient's skin. The envelope can comprise at least one diffusion layer coupled to at least one impermeable layer such that at least one chamber can exist therebetween. Other embodiments can include internal diffusion layers, and thus can possess additional chambers, as well. The impermeable layer can comprise a top surface of the device. A valve positioned in the impermeable layer can facilitate filling the device with fluid, as well as connection of the device to external fluid sources such as an intravenous bag, pump, or other external fluid delivery system. The diffusion layer can comprise a coiled wire member to control the rate of fluid flow from the device to the patient's skin.

Abstract: A pain management kit for the administration of medication and a related method of use is disclosed. The pain management kit includes the primary medical supplies for performing a continuous nerve block procedure, preferably in a single, sterile container. Specifically, the kit may contain medical supplies to create a sterile field, perform a local anesthetic procedure and to perform a continuous nerve block procedure. Preferably, the contents of the kit are arranged in the general order of their use.

Abstract: A catheter is provided for uniform distribution of fluid medication within an anatomical region. One embodiment of the catheter is comprised of an elongate tubular catheter body defining a lumen. A distal end of the lumen is closed and a portion of the catheter body includes a plurality of openings thereby defining an infusion section of the catheter. A tubular sheath is constructed from a porous material and is positioned over the infusion section. The tubular sheath extends at least a length of the infusion section. The tubular sheath and the catheter body are configured such that fluid within the lumen must pass through the tubular sheath to exit the catheter. In at least one embodiment, a pore size of the porous material is less than about 0.5 microns.

Abstract: A catheter is provided for uniform distribution of fluid medication within an anatomical region. One embodiment of the catheter is compromised of an elongated, proximal tube defining a lumen and an elongated, distal tube having a closed end. The distal tube is constructed from a bio-absorbable material and also defines a lumen, which communicates with the lumen of the proximal tube. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the distal tube defines a porous side wall that permits fluid within the lumen to pass through the portion of the distal tube. In another embodiment, the proximal tube and the distal tube overlap one another and are secured to one another at the overlapping surfaces.

Abstract: A remotely programmable and accessible medical device system including an interface unit and a medical device connected to a patient is disclosed. Through a transceiver, such as a telephone or computer, a person may obtain status reports from a remotely located medical device in audible, electronic or paper form. In addition, the person may change a protocol associated with the medical device or be alerted at a remote location of an alarm associated with the medical device.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device is provided for transdermal delivery of fluid medications to patients. The device comprises a thin envelope which is applied to a patient's skin. The envelope comprises at least one diffusion layer coupled to at least one impermeable layer such that at least one chamber exists therebetween. Other embodiments include internal diffusion layers, and thus possess additional chambers, as well. The impermeable layer comprises a top surface of the device. A valve positioned in the impermeable layer facilitates filling the device with fluid, as well as connection of the device to external fluid sources such as an intravenous bag, pump, or other external fluid delivery system. The diffusion layer may comprise a semi-permeable membrane which controls the rate of fluid flow from the device to the patient's skin.

Abstract: A tissue tunneling device is configured to be delivered within the body. The tunneling device includes a shaft with a blunt distal end to prevent coring or other damage to tissue during the delivery of the tunneling device. In some arrangements, the shaft includes one or more lumen, through which medication or another fluid may be administered. An anesthetic or other pain relieving medication may be delivered through the lumen to lessen the discomfort of delivering the tunneling device to the desired anatomical site. The handle of the tunneling device can be adapted to receive a syringe or another type of fluid source. The shaft may also include a retractable needle for facilitating the advancement of the tunneling device through skin or other tissue. The shaft may also be provided with an outer sheath, which may be left within the anatomy after the tunneling device has been removed.

Abstract: A pain management system for the infusion of drug to a wound site includes a guide needle placed within an introducer tubing. The needle and tubing are pierced through the patient's skin, after which the guide needle is withdrawn. The infusion catheter is threaded through the introducer tubing and advanced to the wound site. The introducer tubing is withdrawn and preferably peeled off of the infusion catheter. In accordance with one embodiment, the catheter comprises an elongated tube with a plurality of exit holes along an infusion section of the catheter, and an elongated flexible porous member residing within the tube and forming an annular space between the tube and the member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes a plurality of exit holes, which combine to form a flow-restricting orifice of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of a substance to an anatomical region in a body can include a catheter comprising a catheter body, and one or more electrically conductive elements supported by the catheter body and in electrical communication with one or more sources of electrical stimulus. The catheter body can comprise a lumen therein, a substantially closed distal end, and an infusion section configured to permit fluid to pass through the catheter body and that can have a length that is less than or equal to the length of the catheter body. In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise a coiled member positioned within the lumen of the catheter body. The coiled member can comprise adjacent coils and can permit the uniform flow of the substance through one or more holes formed in the catheter body.

Abstract: A device for regulating the flow rate of a fluid includes a housing containing a plurality of flow conduits fluidly connecting an inlet and an outlet, each of the flow conduits comprising a flow control tube (310, 312, 314) and a resiliently compressive occlusion tube (316, 318, 320), wherein the flow control tubes are of substantially equal internal diameter. Each of the flow control tubes has a length associated with a different flow rate. A resilient flow-blocking element (212a, 212b, 212c) is operatively associated with each of the occlusion tubes and is movable into a flow-blocking compression against its associated occlusion tube. An actuation mechanism (206) in the housing is operable: (a) to selectively engage and move one or more of the flow-blocking elements into the flow-blocking compression against its associated occlusion tube, and (b) to selectively be disengaged from any of the flow-blocking elements.

Abstract: A catheter is provided for uniform distribution of fluid medication within an anatomical region. One embodiment of the catheter is comprised of an elongated, proximal tube defining a lumen and an elongated, distal tube having a closed end. The distal tube is constructed from a bio-absorbable material and also defines a lumen, which communicates with the lumen of the proximal tube. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the distal tube defines a porous side wall that permits fluid within the lumen to pass through the portion of the distal tube. In another embodiment, the proximal tube and the distal tube overlap one another and are secured to one another at the overlapping surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for the delivery of fluid medication across an anatomical region. In accordance with one embodiment, the catheter comprises an elongated tube with a plurality of exit holes along an infusion section of the catheter, and an elongated flexible porous member residing within the tube and forming an annular space between the tube and the member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes a tube having a plurality of exit holes in a side wall of the tube. The exit holes may combine to form a flow-restricting orifice of the catheter. In one particular embodiment, the catheter comprises a tube having elongated exit slots therein. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated tubular member made of a porous membrane. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated “weeping” tubular coil spring attached to an end of, or enclosed within, a tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is an infusion pump and a fluid container for expelling a fluid from the fluid container to a patient. The pump comprises a housing having a chamber therein for receiving the fluid reservoir. A first wall is provided on the housing for contacting the fluid reservoir, and a second wall is movable from a first position distanced from the first wall to form the chamber therebetween, and a second position relatively closer to the first wall. Advancing the movable wall from the first position to the second position expels fluid from the collapsible reservoir. Preferably, the first and second walls are provided with non-planar complementary surface configurations for contacting the collapsible reservoir. Retraction mechanisms for retracting the movable wall from the second position to the first position, and user readable indicium of the status of the dispensation cycle are also disclosed.