Abstract: A medical catheter introducer and hemostasis valve assembly consists of a sheath having an elongated tube defining a conduit, a housing disposed at the proximal end of the sheath and further defining a conduit and an orifice, and a flexible elongated dilator sized for insertion through the hub and sheath conduit. The dilator has a tapered distal tip end and defines an axial conduit and an annular ridge having distally- and proximally-directed inclined surfaces. The sheath, when assembled with the dilator, has its distal end immediately adjacent the proximally-directed inclined surface of the ridge. A hemostasis valve for sealing the conduit is disposed in alignment with the conduit, and defines an aperture for passage of dilator and ridge therethrough in sealing engagement, into the conduit, and seals when the dilator is removed. The valve has a housing defining an orifice of a first diameter, and a valve element of a second diameter, greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: An over-the-needle catheter assembly is provided in which a restriction of the inner diameter of the catheter tube is formed in the proximity of the needle hub. The restriction is formed by heating a portion of the catheter tube to the softening point of the catheter material, stretching the catheter tube to cause the heated portion of the catheter tube to tighten about an inner needle or mandril, then releasing the stretching force to allow the stretched portion to relax, leaving a small gap between the inner wall of the catheter tube and the outer diameter of the insertion needle. The small gap is preferably sized to be on the order of the size of the diameter of blood cells to restrict the flow of liquids past the restriction and into the catheter hub.

Abstract: A plug for medical use includes a plug body having a column member made of a soft resilient material, and a core made of a material harder than the soft material of the plug body and disposed in the column member. The core displaces a portion of the column member outwardly and forming an outwardly bulging portion on the column member. The plug is inserted in a female opening of a BCP port of an extracorporeal blood circulation apparatus, for example, to prevent blood from leading from the BCP port.

Abstract: A steerable vascular catheter having an expandable cage mounted on the distal end of a tubular member which is radially expanded and contracted by means of a guidewire which is disposed within an inner lumen in the tubular member and secured to the distal end of the expandable cage. A helical coil is disposed about the secured to a distal portion of the guidewire which extends out the distal end of the expandable cage facilitate steering the catheter through the patient's coronary anatomy. The catheter assembly is particularly adapted to hold open a blood vessel after a vascular procedure therein such as an angioplasty.

Abstract: An iontophoretic device is taught which is positionable on skin of a recipient. An insulating member includes therethrough at least one reservoir containing a drug between outer and inner (recipientwise) electrodes adhered to surfaces of the insulating member. The inner electrode preferably is spaced from a rim of the drug reservoir by the same distance as the depth and width of the reservoir. The electrodes are connected to field generating means which draw the ionic drug into the patient and outward from the rim of the reservoir.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for the removal of stool comprising an auger assembly, a helical auger and a hand crank connected to said auger to apply torque to the auger rotatably mounted in a cylindrical connecter housing. A bayonet lock mounted to said connecter housing is adapted to lock and hold a rectal insertion tube in a fixed position. The rectal insertion tube comprising a tube body having a diameter greater than the helix of the auger and has a handle at one end extending therefrom, the other end of the tube body being adapted to be inserted into a rectal ampulla.

Abstract: An introducer sheath assembly having an improved valve assembly including at least three elastic disc shaped membranes. A first membrane has a circular hole through the center to sealingly receive a catheter while a second membrane has a center hole smaller than the hole in the first membrane to sealingly receive a guidewire. The second membrane also has at least one slit through the hole to accommodate passage of the larger catheter through the second membrane. A third membrane contains at least one slit through its center to seal the valve assembly in the absence of a guidewire or catheter.

Abstract: A device is described for expressing liquid absorbed by the tip of a medical swab. The device comprises a barrel and a plunger slidable within the barrel for squeezing the tip of the swab. Liquid is discharged through a flow channel in the container or in the swab shaft. The device is useful particularly to recover small volumes of swab-absorbed liquid where necessary e.g. to carry out clinical essays.

Abstract: Disposable diapers comprising an absorbent body (1) which is surrounded by a casing consisting of a liquid permeable outer layer (3) facing the wearer during use of the diaper, and a liquid impermeable outer layer disposed on the opposite side of the absorbent body. The distinguishing feature of the invention is that an elastic waist means in the form of a comparatively wide elastic strip (9) extending in the transverse direction of the diaper is applied in a prestretched state at least at one end portion of the diaper, said strip being connected via an edge portion with the liquid impermeable outer layer while being arranged to constitute, together with said outer layer, a liquid absorbing pocket sealing around the end portion of the absorbent body.

Abstract: A suppository applicator for inserting suppositories into body cavities comprises a tubular body having an open end and a closed end. A plunger is slidably disposed in the tubular body for reciprocal movement between a withdrawn position and an extended position and a combined spring is situated between the plunger and the closed end of the applicator to urge the plunger toward its extended position. The tubular body is formed with a longitudinal slot along its side which has a notch that extends from the slot to engage a latch on the plunger and hold the plunger in its withdrawn position. The open end of the tubular body is shaped to stationarily hold a suppository against the withdrawn plunger until the suppository is to be inserted into the body cavity. When the latch is released, the spring pushes the plunger against the suppository to insert the suppository into its desired placement in the body cavity.