Abstract: A flexible fluid filled actuator has an elastic bladder and a guide surrounding the bladder. The guide has asymmetrical elastic properties. When the bladder is inflated the guide directs the bladder to expand preferentially in a selected direction or directions. The actuator has utility in the traction and/or unloading of portions of the body. A fluid-filled traction apparatus is disclosed which has particular advantages in spinal unloading.

Abstract: A shuttle valve (12,150,230) is provided having a body (44,152,232) defining an interior chamber (46,154,234). The valve (12,150,230) includes inlet (16,158,238), outlet (18,160,240) and common (14,156,236) ports that are coupled to the body (44,152,232). A shuttle (48, 162,242) is translatably disposed within the chamber (46,154,234) between a first position wherein the inlet (16,158,238) and common (14,156,236) ports are fluidicly coupled and the common (14,156,236) and outlet (18,160,240) ports are fluidicly uncoupled, and a second position wherein the outlet (18,160,240) and common (14,156,236) ports are fluidicly coupled and the common (14,156,236) and inlet (16,158,238) ports are fluidicly uncoupled. A first check valve (50,50,50) coupled to the inlet port (16,158,238) to permit fluid flow through the inlet port (16,158,238) into the chamber (46,154,234) and to prevent fluid from discharging therethrough.

Abstract: A flexible fluid filled actuator has an elastic bladder and a guide surrounding the bladder. The guide has asymmetrical elastic properties. When the bladder is inflated the guide directs the bladder to expand preferentially in a selected direction or directions. The actuator has utility in the traction and/or unloading of portions of the body. A fluid-filled traction apparatus is disclosed which has particular advantages in spinal unloading.

Abstract: An enclosed needle catheter insertion device (10) includes a catheter (12) and a needle insertion device (14) which are held together by cooperating arms (52, 53) with one or more detents (56) cooperating with a radially projecting surface (26) of the catheter hub (16). Insertion device (14) includes a guard housing (30) to enclose a needle (34) in a shielded position and a support housing (32) supporting the needle (34) for movement between a ready position, with the tip (36) of the needle (34) exposed, to the shielded position. Cooperating lock elements (47, 78) are provided for the housings (30, 32) which are positioned to define a lock actuation stage between the ready and shielded positions, whereat the needle is still within a passageway (54) defined by the cooperating arms (52, 53).

Abstract: A generally rigid molded plastic catheter hub attachment (16, 52, 74) includes one or more co-molded elastomeric gaskets (22, 58).

Abstract: An enclosed needle catheter insertion device (10) includes an elongated needle guard housing (20) and an elongated needle support housing (22). The support housing (22) is received for movement in guard housing (20) to pull needle (24) in from catheter (12) to be enclosed by guard housing (20). Support housing (22) is of sufficient length that a proximal end (42) thereof is accessible at or beyond a proximal end (28) of guard housing (20) even with the needle (24) extended out of catheter (12) for use, so as to allow for access to the fluid path (44) of support housing (22) to needle lumen (49).

Abstract: A valve (10) comprises a housing (12) with a valve element (14) which normally fluidicly couples a low pressure operating device, such as a transducer (30) and tubing (34) to be coupled to a patient (36) along a first flow path (42) including a flexible control wall (58) which normally interrupts a second flow path (72) between a high pressure generating source such as an injector syringe (32) and the tubing (34), but which flexes, in response to high pressure excursions from the syringe (32) to allow the second flow path (72) to open as it flexes into the first flow path (42) to thereby restrict same thus providing protection to the transducer (30) during the high pressure excursion from the syringe (32).

Abstract: A bodily fluid space entry detection system includes electrical contacts in non-conducting relationship and associated with a needle cannula. Entry of the distal, sharp tip of the cannula into a bodily fluid space such as a blood vessel or epidural space allows bodily fluid such as blood or spinal fluid to make a conduction path between the contacts which, in turn, causes an alert source to be energized to indicate entry into the bodily fluid space. The alert source could be an LED and/or a buzzer.

Abstract: A reservoir (10, 26, 80, 126, 226, 380) includes a rigid wall (12, 28, 82, 128, 228, 382), a flexible membrane (14, 34, 134, 234, 334) sealingly secured to the rigid wall (12, 28, 82, 128, 228, 382) to define a variable volume chamber (18, 38, 138, 238, 338), and inlet (40, 140, 240, 340) and exit (42, 142, 242, 342) ports in fluid communication with the chamber (18, 38, 138, 238, 338). A drive surface (24, 50, 150, 250, 350) engages the membrane (14, 34, 134, 234, 334) to position it adjacent the rigid wall (12, 28, 82, 128, 228, 382) to define a minimum volume position. The drive surface (24, 50, 150, 250, 350) may be moved so that the membrane (14, 34, 134, 234, 334) flexes out of the minimum volume position to an expanded volume position. The membrane (14, 34, 134, 234, 334) may be coupled to the drive surface (24, 50, 150, 250, 350) or be uncoupled from the drive surface (24, 50, 150, 250, 350).

Abstract: A needle guard (1) based upon a canting plate (6) becomes lockingly engaged with the needle (2) shaft both upon retraction of the needle tip within the guard (1), and upon any attempt to cause the needle tip to reemerge from the guard (1). The plate (6) is positioned to rotate into locking engagement with the shaft of the needle (2) both when an attempt is made to further withdraw the needle from the needle guard (1) and when an attempt is made to cause the needle tip to reemerge from the needle guard (1).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a one-piece introducer in which at least one finger tab is formed at one end of a tube.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a one-piece introducer in which at least one finger tab is formed at one end of a tube. The apparatus is formed from a molton polymer fed into the cavity of a mold. The cavity of the mold has a portion that forms a tube and a portion that forms a tab.

Abstract: A contrast dispensing system (10) reduces cost by directly connecting a check valve (210) to and between the reservoir inlet port (220) and the mating luer connector (204) of a disposable set (200). A contrast dispensing system (10) includes as part of the reservoir (212) an integrally molded cap (280) having the inlet port (200) and a lateral pipe (300) to confine contrast media (14) therein and disperse it at separate locations (334, 336) within the chamber (260) of reservoir (212). The reservoir (212) may have a vent port (284) with a flip cap (294) for selectively opening or closing same.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for manufacturing an integral one-piece catheter having a tube and a hub. A mold having a mold cavity into which molten polymer is fed to form the hub and tube, and into which gas is injected into an inlet of the mold.

Abstract: A contrast dispensing system (10) including a mating pair of luer connectors (112, 202) to couple a reusable set (100) and a disposable set (200), a mating pair of luer connectors (204, 218) to couple the disposable set (200) to a manifold (16), a pair of luer connectors (230, 232) to couple a control syringe (18) to the manifold (16), and/or a pair of luer connectors (234, 236) to couple the manifold (16) to a patient catheter (238), wherein one or both of the connectors of a pair of coupled connectors (112, 202; 204, 218; 230, 232; 234, 236) is comprised of low surface energy plastic material, such as high density polyethelene, to reduce or eliminate sticking together from expelled (312) contrast media (14).