Abstract: A suction drainage system for body cavities includes a suction collection container, and a disposable suction control chamber through which an essentially constant level of suction is applied to a body cavity. Drained fluids flow into the suction collection container, into the suction control chamber through an elastomeric check valve which precludes backflow of fluids to the patient. A pressure monitoring tube in the suction control chamber has a lower end communicating with ambient pressure and an upper end communicating with the interior of the suction control chamber. A ball in the tube rises to a level which is proportional to the negative pressure inside the suction control chamber. The suction control chamber can be removably mounted to the collection container.

Abstract: A detachable balloon catheter apparatus and method. The apparatus includes an introducer catheter which is attached at its trailing end to a source of pressurized fluid. The leading end of the catheter is attached to an inflatable balloon which may be inflated as the pressurized fluid is injected through the introducer catheter. A valve mechanism is positioned inside the assembled introducer catheter and balloon and the leading end of the valve mechanism is bonded to the interior of the balloon. As the balloon is inflated by the pressurized fluid, a forwardly directed lateral force is exerted on the valve mechanism so that it is pulled forward into fluid-tight engagement with the valve seat placed at the opening of the balloon. Once the valve mechanism is pulled into fluid-tight engagement so as to close off the opening of the balloon, further injection of the pressurized fluid serves to detach the inflated balloon from the introducer catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for effectively eliminating the risk of introducing air bubbles into a fluid delivery system such as to administer parenteral fluids to a patient. The apparatus comprises a baffle positioned within a drip chamber for deflecting fluid expelled from a fluid resistor in order to eliminate turbulence and the formation of micro-bubbles during rapid filling or flushing of the fluid delivery system. The drip chamber also comprises a filter membrane positioned across the outlet of the drip chamber. The filter membrane is attached to a filter carrier assembly which enables the filter membrane to be momentarily displaced so that air bubbles trapped beneath the filter membrane may escape.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for suppressing unwanted resonance in an electromanometry system. The apparatus includes a compliant air cavity connected through a variable impedance device which is coupled in parallel to the liquid-filled catheter of the electromanometry system. By varying the hydraulic impedance through which the compliant air cavity is coupled to the system, precise impedance matching capability is provided over a wide range of hydraulic impedance values, thereby permitting suppression of unwanted resonance and improved frequency response of recorded waveforms in a wide variety of catheter-transducer systems.

Abstract: A detachable balloon catheter apparatus and method. The apparatus includes an introducer catheter which is attached at its trailing end to a source of pressurized fluid. The leading end of the catheter is attached to an inflatable balloon which may be inflated as the pressurized fluid is injected through the introducer catheter. A valve mechanism is positioned inside the assembled introducer catheter and balloon and the leading end of the valve mechanism is bonded to the interior of the balloon. As the balloon is inflated by the pressurized fluid, a forwardly directed lateral force is exerted on the valve mechanism so that it is pulled forward into fluid-tight engagement with the valve seat placed at the opening of the balloon. Once the valve mechanism is pulled into fluid-tight engagement so as to close off the opening of the balloon, further injection of the pressurized fluid serves to detach the inflated balloon from the introducer catheter.

Abstract: A manometer for measuring the hydrodynamic pressure of fluids parenterally administered to a patient. The manometer includes a transparent housing which has a passageway formed in the housing that accommodates continuous flow of fluid therethrough. A pressure measuring chamber is formed in the housing and one end of the pressure measuring chamber is in fluid communication with the passageway. The other end of the pressure measuring chamber communicates with an enclosed air space. The fluid flowing through the passageway enters the pressure measuring chamber and rises to a level which is dependent upon the pressure of the fluid flowing through the passageway. Markings are provided on the housing of the manometer which permit the pressure exerted on the fluid flowing through the passageway to be read directly from the level of the fluid in the pressure measuring chamber.

Abstract: A needle valve and a method of manufacturing the needle valve. The needle valve has a metal needle with a leading end that is elongated and tapered so as to provide carefully restricted fluid flow along the length of the tapered end. A portion of the needle is threaded so that the position of the tapered end may be adjusted by screwing the needle. A housing for the needle is manufactured by placing the needle into a mold. The housing is then injection molded around portions of the metal needle. The molded housing forms an inlet port around the tapered end of the needle and a collar around the threaded portion of the needle. An outlet port is molded adjacent to the tapered end and is in fluid communication with the inlet port of the housing. As the housing cools, the plastic shrinks thus conforming the inlet port to the tapered end of the metal needle and creating a hermetic seal around the tapered end. A plastic knob is also molded onto the opposite end of the metal needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing continuous flushing of intravascular catheters. The apparatus consists of a small block having passages which define a continuously open path through which flushing solution is introduced into a catheter. A flow resistor is placed in the continuously open path in order to limit the flushing solution to a desired small amount. At least a portion of the block consists of a resilient sleeve which surrounds the flow resistor. The resilient sleeve provides a by-pass passage around the flow resistor. A disk placed in the by-pass passage cooperates with the resilient sleeve selectively opened to permit relatively large amounts of flushing solution to be introduced into the catheter when desired.

Abstract: A cannula and method for bidirectional blood flow, the cannula being constructed so as to provide a bifurcated flow path, each branch of the flow path independently communicating through telescoping cannulae and a venipuncture needle initially projecting beyond the exterior cannula to facilitate venipuncture and thereafter being displaceable away from the venipuncture site to permit unobstructed simultaneous fluid flow in opposite directions through each of the bifurcated flow paths.

Abstract: A venipuncture device package which when opened serves as a combination needle cover and venipuncture device tray from which a venipuncture device may be withdrawn or inserted with one hand without having to apply any force to the package. In one preferred embodiment, a blister cover made of ductile plastic is configurated to form a venipuncture device tray which is separably joined to a strip of paper backing to form the package. The tray is constructed so as to facilitate angular deformation of the tray into a hand-displaceable needle cover once the strip of paper has been partially peeled away to expose the handle of the venipuncture device while maintaining the needle of the venipuncture device enclosed within the package.

Abstract: A double lumen cannula mounted upon a hub and constructed to penetrate the human vascular system, the cannula assembly having an interior cannula and an exterior cannula spaced from the interior cannula. A bushing is normally situated in the space between the interior and exterior cannula which bushing facilitates venipuncture without damanging the tissue. After venipuncture, the bushing is removable from the space between the interior and exterior cannulae by withdrawing the bushing from the cannulae through the hub.

Abstract: Needle restraining apparatus is provided which serves to prevent a stylet needle of a venipuncture device which fits telescopically within a catheter of the venipuncture device from longitudinally moving with respect to the catheter during venipuncture. In one embodiment, the needle restraining apparatus provides a collar constructed of heat-shrinkable plastic releasably conforming to a needle hub and the hub of a tube adaptor of the venipuncture device. The collar is shrunk so that the leading and trailing ends of the collar form a non-slip fit over the irregular contour of the hub of the tube adaptor and the hub of the stylet needle. In a second embodiment of the invention, the collar is constructed of rigid plastic and preformed to engage the hub of the tube adaptor of the device and the hub of the stylet needle thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the stylet needle relative to the catheter.

Abstract: An autologous blood system comprising at least two interconnected blood receptacles, the first of which is evacuated and connected to a suction device for aspirating blood. The second receptacle takes blood from the first by overcoming the vacuum in the first without interrupting the ability of the suction device to simultaneously aspirate blood. An infusion set is connected to the second receptacle to permit simultaneous collection of the blood from the patient and infusion of the blood back into the patient. The method includes aspirating blood from the patient and collecting blood in the first receptacle. Blood is thereafter transferred to the second receptacle by overcoming the vacuum in the first receptacle without interrupting the ability of the suction device to simultaneously aspirate blood. Blood is then returned to the patient either with or without disconnecting the second receptacle from the first, the infusion step taking place concurrently with blood collection.

Abstract: An autologous blood transfusion system having at least two interconnected blood receptacles and an associated filter assembly, the first receptacle being evacuated and connected to a suction device for aspirating blood. The second receptacle takes blood from the first by overcoming the vacuum in the first with a greater vacuum in the second without interrupting the ability of the suction device to simultaneously aspirate blood. The second receptacle may comprise a transfer bag for reinfusion into the patient or an infusion set may be connected to the second receptacle to permit simultaneous collection of the blood from the patient and infusion of the blood back into the patient. In either case, the second receptacle is selectively exposed to positive pressure to force blood through the filter assembly and expel the blood from the second receptacle into the transfer bag or patient. The method includes aspirating blood from the patient and collecting blood in the first receptacle.

Abstract: An autologous blood transfusion system comprising at least two interconnected blood receptacles, the first of which is evacuated and connected to a suction device for aspirating blood. The second receptacle takes blood from the first by overcoming the vacuum in the first with a greater vacuum in the second without interrupting the ability of the suction device to simultaneously aspirate blood. The second receptacle may comprise a transfer bag for reinfusion into the patient or an infusion set may be connected to the second receptacle to permit simultaneous collection of the blood from the patient and infusion of the blood back into the patient. In either case, the second receptacle is selectively exposed to positive pressure to expel the blood from the second receptacle into the transfer bag or patient. The method includes aspirating blood from the patient and collecting blood in the first receptacle.

Abstract: An anticoagulant delivery device forming part of an aspiration wand for use in connection with autologous blood transfusion wherein an anticoagulant is delivered along essentially the entire internal periphery of the aspiration wand in the vicinity of the aspiration tip and intimately mixed with aspirated blood.

Abstract: A self-sustaining rigid body drainage collector including two or more sections each equipped with means for interlocking with another section when snapped together to provide a fluid tight joint; one of said sections having fittings for connection to the patient and to a vacuum line. The collector may be disposed of, empty or full, in an asceptic manner or emptied and reused on the same patient.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for sampling gases in biological tissue in vivo, including a catheter constructed of a hollow tube sheathed in a gas-permeable membrane, and an impermeable barrier between the tube and membrane to define the boundary of a sampling tip. A catheter hub slideably surmounts the catheter and detachably receives a calibration chamber normally surrounding the sampling tip. The method includes purging the calibration chamber with a calibration gas and thereafter removing the calibration chamber and inserting the catheter into the tissue to be sampled.

Abstract: An aspiration wand assembly having an associated metering valve for metering liquid anticoagulant to blood aspirated by the wand. The metering valve includes a flexible diaphragm normally obstructing conduit which transmits anticoagulant from a remote source to the tip of the aspiration wand. An orifice communicates the diaphragm with the interior of the aspiration wand so that various negative pressures in the wand correspondingly draw the diaphragm into any one of a plurality of positions away from the obstructing position.

Abstract: An anticoagulant delivery device forming part of an aspiration wand and method for use in connection with autologous blood transfusion wherein an anticoagulant is delivered to and intimately mixed with aspirated blood in the vicinity of the aspiration tip of the wand.