Abstract: An implantable port assembly (10) having a lower housing (12) and an upper housing (14) and at least one chamber (20,22) and a corresponding septum (16,18) associated therewith. The upper housing (14) includes a plurality of latch arms (30) depending therefrom that latch with corresponding catches (34) of the lower housing for mechanically securing the assembly together during bonding or welding. Each septum (16,18) includes a peripheral flange (40) held in compression by and between the upper and lower housings (14,12) upon and after assembly. In a dual port assembly (10), a pair of septa (16,18) are disposed side-by-side with overlapping flanges (54), and the upper housing (14) includes posts (52) extending through apertures (54) through the overlapping flanges (56) that extend into holes (58) in the lower housing (12).

Abstract: A catheter tunneling adapter including a generally elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end and a through passageway. The proximal end of the adapter is connectable both to a proximal hub of a stylet and subsequently to the distal end of a tunneler. The distal end of the adapter comprises a connector for connecting a plurality of proximal catheter tubes thereto, wherein the proximal end of one tube is affixed within the passageway at the adapter's distal end and the proximal end of the second tube is plugged by a plug extending distally from a free end of an elongate flexible arm that also extends distally of the adapter's distal end, such that the plug is offset laterally therefrom. The flexible arm and the affixed second tube end are deflectable toward the first tube to reduce the profile of the assembly during tunneling.

Abstract: A venous access port assembly having a housing base, a flange, and a septum. The housing base defines an interior reservoir. The flange includes integrally molded X-ray discernable indicia identifying that the assembly is rated for power injection. The X-ray discernable indicia may extend through a height of the flange from a top surface to a bottom surface of the flange. According to one aspect, the flange may be formed from X-ray discernable material, and the X-ray discernable indicia may be formed from the X-ray discernable material of the flange, or they may be formed by voids in the X-ray discernable material. According to another aspect, the flange may be formed from a radiotransparent or radiolucent material and applied with a radiopaque agent, and the X-ray discernable indicia may be one or more voids in the radiopaque agent or may be portions of the flange applied with the radiopaque agent.

Abstract: A dilator (100) for expanding a vessel incision to assist insertion of a catheter thereinto and having a distal end (104) and a proximal end (106). The dilator has two portions (110,210) that are assembled together at a hinge (112,212) permitting angled-apart proximal ends (122,222) of the two portions at the proximal end (106) to be squeezed together about the hinge which slightly spreads apart the respective distal ends (114,214) of the two portions to enlarge the incision into the vessel. A spring (150) biases apart the proximal ends of the two portions to maintain the two distal ends (114,214) together until pried apart as desired to dilate the vessel incision.

Abstract: A device (10,110,210) for the expression of liquids, such as for the maintenance treatment of vascular catheters. A syringe (16;116a,116b;216) has a support structure (15,215) and includes at least two separate compartments (11,12;111,112;211,212) in which liquids for treating the lumen (L,283) of a catheter (C,280) with which the device is associated. The syringe further includes a closure plug (13,213) to be associated with the lumen being treated, which is coupled, by virtue of a releasable securement arrangement, to support structure (15,215). At least one plunger (16;116a,116b;216) is also included for infusing, in preset order, the different treatment liquids into the lumen to be treated, and the syringe further includes a duct (17,217) which is in fluid communication with the two compartments and is arranged through a through hole through the closure plug (13,213) in order to allow access of the treatment liquid to the interior of the lumen (L,283) upon activation of the plunger.

Abstract: A device (10,110,210) for the expression of liquids, such as for the maintenance treatment of vascular catheters. A syringe (16; 116a,116b; 216) has a support structure (15,215) and includes at least two separate compartments (11,12; 111,112; 211,212) in which liquids for treating the lumen (L,283) of a catheter (C,280) with which the device is associated. The syringe further includes a closure plug (13,213) to be associated with the lumen being treated, which is coupled, by virtue of a releasable securement arrangement, to support structure (15,215). At least one plunger (16; 116a,116b; 216) is also included for infusing, in preset order, the different treatment liquids into the lumen to be treated, and the syringe further includes a duct (17,217) which is in fluid communication with the two compartments and is arranged through a through hole through the closure plug (13,213) in order to allow access of the treatment liquid to the interior of the lumen (L,283) upon activation of the plunger.

Abstract: An information ring for use with a catheter is disclosed. The information ring includes a body having a first end and a second end. The body has a first body face extending between the first end and the second end, and a second, generally convex face extending between the first end and the second end. The body has an opening extending therethrough between the first body face and the second face. A first indicia portion is located at the first end. The first indicia portion has a first indicia face sized to allow indicia to be printed on the first indicia face.

Abstract: A catheter tunneling adapter including a longitudinal body having a distal end and a proximal end and a passageway extending from an entrance at the proximal end to an exit at the distal end. The passageway has a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere with the first hemisphere defining a generally unobstructed first passageway portion from the entrance to the exit. A guide ramp is positioned within the second passageway and tapers towards the first hemisphere moving from the proximal end to the distal end. The ramp defines a longitudinal notch therethrough such that a second passageway portion extends from the entrance to the exit.

Abstract: A locking component (100,200,300,400) for locking a catheter proximal end onto a stem (16,56) of a medical device. The locking component has upper and lower parts (104,102;204,202) that self-secure to each other, preferably in a first position partially open but still assembled, and a second position, locked fully together. The locking component has a compression surface (106,206) to compress the catheter lumen wall against the stem at a location axially offset from the protuberance(s) along the stem of the medical device. A method is disclosed for mechanically securing a catheter to a medical device that can involve placing the pre-assembled locking component along the catheter prior to securing the proximal catheter end to the stem of the medical device and then moving the locking component into position around the stem and then pressing it together into its second locked position, compressing the catheter lumen wall against the stem.

Abstract: A guidewire straightener assembly (50,200,300,400) including a guidewire tube (56,250,450) with a tubular passage therethrough having a first diameter and a distal end including a collar (58,260,462) having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A guidewire (52,202,402) having a third diameter, smaller than the first diameter is disposed within the tubular passage. When a guidewire straightener (10,210,410) is affixed to the guidewire tube distal end in a first position with its biasing member in the tubular passage, the at least one finger (26,216,416) is biased by the tubular passage into frictional engagement with the guidewire; when disposed in a second position in the collar, the at least one finger is disposed away from frictional engagement with the guidewire.

Abstract: A luer connector assembly (100) including a luer connector body (102), a luer cap (110) and a protective flexible sleeve (120). The protective sleeve is assembled to the distal end (116) of the luer cap (110) to define a cap/sleeve subassembly (130), and the luer cap proximal end (112) is removably affixable to the distal end (106) of the luer connector (102). A prepared end (202) of a proximal catheter lumen (200) of a patient-implanted catheter assembly is inserted through the protective sleeve (120) and through and beyond the luer cap (110) to be affixed to the luer connector distal end (106). The luer cap/sleeve subassembly (130) is then slid proximally to be removably affixed to the luer connector distal end (106), whereafter the clamp (204) on the catheter lumen (200) is positionable onto and around the protective sleeve (120), to protect the catheter lumen (200) during clamping.

Abstract: An implantable port includes a body with a reservoir in the body, a tunnel extending from the reservoir to an outer surface of the body, a pivoting coupling connected to the body near the tunnel on the outer surface, and a stem connected to the pivoting coupling.

Abstract: A venous access port assembly having a housing with a discharge port, and a needle-penetrable septum. An interior reservoir is defined in the assembly, and a passageway extends from the reservoir through the discharge port. The needle access area of the septum includes a tactilely identifiable differentiation along the top surface thereof, such as a ridge, a recess, an X-shaped protrusion, a V-shaped groove, or a bipartite dome.

Abstract: A multi-port assembly includes a base with a surface, a port receiving area on the surface, and a port coupling connected to the base. The port receiving area is adapted to receive a mating surface of a port, and the port coupling is adapted to mate the port to the port receiving area.

Abstract: A multiple lumen catheter (110,150) having at least first and second lumens (112,114; 152,154). At least one of the first and second lumens (112,152) is generally C-shaped in cross-section, with a septum wall (120,160) dividing the first and second lumens providing a generally straight side to the C-shaped cross-section. A stylet or guide wire (130) may be disposed along the C-shaped cross-section lumen (112,152,154) having a larger diameter than one used with catheters of the same outer diameter but that have lumens of only D-shaped or circular shaped cross-sections.

Abstract: This invention provides a guidewire adapted for the catheterization of very small vasculature of the neonates, infants and children. In one embodiment of the invention, a guidewire of 0.010 inch diameter is described. The present invention also provides an alignment adaptor that facilitates catheterization of small vasculature utilizing said guidewire, and method of using the same.

Abstract: A Huber needle assembly includes a needle, a safety tube substantially around at least a portion of the needle, and a skin plate at one end of the safety tube. The safety tube is adapted to irretractably extend over the needle.

Abstract: A Huber needle assembly. The Huber needle assembly includes a housing, a Huber needle having a bent tip, a base through which the Huber needle is slidably disposed, a tip block mechanism, and a safety or restraint mechanism. The tip block mechanism includes a needle block slidably disposed within the base and urged by a spring to block the tip of the Huber needle when the tip of the Huber needle is retracted into the base. In one exemplary embodiment, the safety or restraint mechanism includes a cable having a first end anchored within the housing and a second end anchored within the base. The cable restrains movement of the housing relative to the base. In another exemplary embodiment, the safety or restraint mechanism includes a collar disposed within the base. The collar is configured to prevent passage of the bent tip of the Huber needle.

Abstract: A tearaway sheath assembly (100) having a splittable sheath tube (102) a splittable hub (110), a split valve (150,250) and a split cap (180). The valve (150,250) has a slit (158,258) at least partially across the transverse distal section (154) such that transverse distal section may be displaced laterally during insertion through the slit (158,258), of a dilator (200) or a catheter. The valve (150,250) is formed in two separate halves (152A,152B;252) that are fused or adhered to each other to form a sealed weak bond (154) that is easily broken during splitting of the sheath; each valve half is mechanically affixed in a proximal valve-receiving recess (130) of the hub such as by anchor posts (136) extending through apertures (166A,166B) in ears (164A,164B) of each valve half. A two-part cap (180) is affixed to the hub proximal end (120) and traps the valve between itself and the hub.

Abstract: An insertion device for taking samples within a body. The insertion device includes a trigger housing, an outer sheath assembly, a sampling device, and a resilient member. The trigger housing includes an interior channel in which the resilient member is disposed to urge the outer sheath assembly away from a proximal end of the trigger housing. The outer sheath assembly is disposed within the interior channel of the trigger housing. The outer sheath assembly includes a body and an outer sheath attached to a distal end of the body. The sampling device is removably disposed within the outer sheath assembly and the trigger housing. The sampling device may be a removable biopsy needle assembly which is used to cock the insertion device. The removable biopsy needle assembly may be removed from the insertion device and be replaced by a needle assembly for fine needle aspiration.