Abstract: A trocar is received in a trocar tube for movement relative to the tube between a position extended from the tube for piercing and a retracted position shielded by the tube. The trocar is mounted within a housing which carries a spring normally biasing the trocar to the retracted position. A latch mechanism within the housing is engageable with the trocar to maintain the trocar in the extended position. The latch mechanism senses the application of piercing force to the trocar and, upon the interruption of such force in response to the completion of a piercing operation, functions to release the trocar for retraction by the spring.

Abstract: An intestinal catheter is inserted into the gastrointestinal tract by use of an endoscope or a guidewire in combination with an inflatable bolus and performs the functions of aspirating the stomach and feeding the small intestine. The inflatable bolus may be filled with a heavy liquid such as water so that the downstream end of the catheter is moved through the gastrointestinal tract by peristalsis.

Abstract: A steerable catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft with a deflectable tip at the distal end of the shaft. The tip is deflected by means of a shapable handle coupled to pull wires fastened to the distal end of the deflectable tip. A core wire extends from the handle to the distal tip, providing fine positioning of the deflectable tip by applying torque through the core wire to the tip. A spring tube is further provided in the deflectable tip for improved torque transmission and kink-resistance. The catheter has an electrode at the distal end of the deflectable tip for positioning at a target site and applying RF power to accomplish ablation.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting structure such as a guidewire or catheter is formed of a generally flat band or wire twisted so that its longitudinal edge generally forms a helix. This twisted helical portion may be attached to a proximal shaft, and a tip member may be attached to the distal end of the helical portion. In some embodiments, the device is made of a single piece of wire, and in some embodiments, a spring coil may cover the helical portion. Where the device is a fixed wire balloon catheter, the helical portion may be attached to a proximal shaft, and the balloon mounted on the helical twisted wire, a plastic sheath encasing the main shaft and wire up to the balloon for inflation of the balloon. The helical guidewire may also be used in an over-the-wire balloon catheter.

Abstract: A method of making a self-capping needle and catheter assembly (10) includes placing a needle hub (16) and cap (34) on a pin with the pin extending through the passageways (24, 35) thereof. Two sheets of polymeric material (62) are placed about the hub (16) and the cap (34) with their edges welded together producing a sleeve (64) connected between the hub (16) and the cap (34). The sleeve (64) is then permanently stretched to a predetermined length. The cap (34), hub (16) and sleeve (64) are then placed on a needle (28) and the cap (34) is moved against the hub (16) folding the sleeve (64) therebetween for reception of the catheter assembly (14).

Abstract: A catheterization assembly comprises an elongate substantially cylindrical catheter having an outer surface, and a flexible collapsible guide element attached to the outer surface of the catheter at a distal end thereof. A guidewire extends generally parallel to the catheter and through the guide element so that the guide element is held in an extended guide configuration away from the outer surface.

Abstract: A model of arterial restenosis in domestic pigs using deep injury to the coronary arterial media resulting in extensive proliferative response. Metal wire coils are delivered percutaneously to the coronary arteries of pigs with an oversized, high pressure (14 atm) balloon and left in place for 5-6 weeks. During placement, the balloon expands the coils and delivers them securely within the arterial lumen causing fracture of the internal elastic lamina by the coil. An extensive proliferative response occurs and is associated with a lumenal area narrowing of at least 50% Immunohistochemical studies confirms the prominence of smooth muscle cells in the tissue. The histopathologic features of the proliferative response are identical to those observed in cases of restenosis post-angioplasty.This model closely mimics the proliferative portion of human restenosis both grossly and microscopically.

Abstract: A closed system suction catheter assembly has a valve which controls suction applied at the patient end of the assembly. The valve has a pinch tube connected in line with the catheter and secured at each end to the housing of the valve. An occluder bar midway along a pivoted lever is urged up by a spring to pinch the tube closed against a fixed occluder and close the valve. The valve has a button protected by a rotatable guard which bears on an end of the lever so that the valve can be opened by pressing down on the button. A snap mechanism engages the occluder lever.

Abstract: An eyedrop applicator attachment for attachment to a bottle having a large or small threaded neck. The applicator attachment is provided with a hollow cylindrical body, and an eyecup integral with the body at one end. The other end of the body has an opening, and interiorly of the body are two female threads, located coaxially and of different diameters, the threads with the larger diameter being adjacent the open end of the body. Thus, the applicator attachment may be attached to a squeeze bottle with a larger diameter neck, or to a squeeze bottle with a smaller diameter neck. In an alternate embodiment, axially of the threads for engagement with the neck of a bottle, there is an extension having a third female thread, into which a plug is threaded to provide a closure for the nozzle of a bottle attached to the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A catheter includes a body having tubular walls defining a lumen extending along an axis from the distal end of the body to a proximal end of the body. Portions of the walls define at least one balloon hole extending from the lumen through the walls of the body. Elastomeric material restrained to the hole defining portions interiorly of the body expand outwardly of the (catheter) body to form a balloon when the lumen is pressurized with fluid. The elastomeric material my take the form of a patch or a full lining of the catheter walls defining the lumen. A method for making the catheter includes the step of retaining portions of an elastomeric layer around the hole interiorly of the lumen. A preferred method of manufacturing the catheter includes the step of providing the catheter body and an inner layer of elastomeric sheet material simultaneously in a co-extruder.

Abstract: IV safety line connectors include a single piece male connector and a two piece female connector. The male connector has a luer on one end, one or more inwardly extending bayonet recesses on a middle portion and a reduced diameter second end enclosing a resilient septum. The female connector has a luer on one end and a two part receiving cylinder on the other with inwardly extending knobs. The luer and the first part of the cylinder are separated by a wall through which a hollow needle extends The connectors are mated by sliding the second end of the male connector into the receiving cylinder of the female connector with the knobs of the female connector being guided by the recesses of the male connector. The connectors are locked into place by bringing them together, and then rotating them such that knobs move past restrictions in the recesses and lock into place.

Abstract: A double-lumen angioscopy catheter is provided which includes separate passageways for a guidewire and for an optic fiber bundle, which passageways are joined into a single tubular component for the portion of the catheter which enters the body. The passageways are separated from each other at the location external of the body whereby each of the guidewire and the optic fiber bundle can be inserted and removed in separate stages. An assembly can also be provided for passing flushing liquid through either or both of the passageways. The guidewire can be used to maneuver the distal end of the optic fiber bundle so as to accomplish controlled inspection within the body vessel. The angioscopy catheter facilitates a procedure whereby a single guidewire is inserted and remains in place throughout use of the angioscopy catheter, whether during pretreatment or posttreatment inspection.

Abstract: An improved injection cap having a lug for locking the injection cap to a tubing connector. One embodiment has a lug integrally constructed on the injection cap. Another embodiment has a lug rotatably attached to the injection cap. Still another embodiment has a lug connected with a wing rotatably attached to the injection cap. An improved Y-injection site having a lug for locking a tubing connector on the Y-injection site. As before one embodiment has a lug integrally constructed on a side branch of a Y-injection site, while another embodiment has a lug rotatably attached to the side branch. The invention includes an improved tubing connector having a tubular needle sheath that is open at one end and closed by needle hub at another end. The sheath incorporates a catch mechanism to receive a lug-shaped attachment on an injection cap or a Y-injection site and ensure a secure connection.

Abstract: The present invention is a two-compartment syringe which may contain a medical substance, such as a freeze-dried powder, and a solvent separately. When used, the medical substance and solvent are mixed for injection. A silicone coating is used inside the syringe barrel. The syringe is further provided with finger hooks to enable use of the syringe with one hand.

Abstract: A self priming tubing set for infusing a medical solution from an infusion device to a patient includes a supply tube, an air/particle filter, and a restrictor tube. The air/particle filter is adapted to remove air, particularly air contained in the supply tube at the initiation of fluid flow. The air/particle filter also removes particles from the medical solution. The restrictor tube is adapted to reduce the pressure of the medical solution from the delivery pressure of the infusion device to about a mean venous pressure of the patient. The length and inside diameter of the restrictor tube are calibrated to achieve a desired pressure drop dependent on design criteria of the system. The tubing set also includes a slide clamp for closing fluid flow from the supply tube and a connector for connection to a patient interface such as a hypodermic needle or cannula.

Abstract: A tubular adapter and check valve for Luer fittings. The end of the adapter that receives the Luer fitting is expandable radially outwardly in a substantially uniform manner so that Luer fittings of all sizes are snugly received by the adapter. Deep longitudinally extending grooves are formed in the adapter to provide the expandability. The adapter, when in repose, is designed to tightly receive the smallest in diameter Luer fittings, but it receives even the largest Luer fittings when in its expanded configuration. The adapter is also improved by providing radially inwardly extending fingers that hold a check valve in the adapter against axial displacement and by providing an annular shoulder that limits the depth of insertion of the Luer fitting into the adapter, which shoulder prevents over distortion of the check valve.

Abstract: An inflation device is disclosed for inflation of a balloon of a balloon catheter. A housing defines a fluid-receiving reservoir in fluid communication with the balloon and an interior space for completely receiving a pressure gauge which accesses the fluid for measurement of the pressure within the system.The reservoir has a piston and threaded plunger extending from a proximal opening in the reservoir. The threaded plunger is selectively engaged by a biased rotatable arm on the housing. The piston and plunger are part of a syringe received within the reservoir, and the housing defines an aperture for visual readout of the level of liquid in the reservoir.The pressure gauge contains a Bourdon tube and further contains a gauge fluid in communication with the tube.

Abstract: A safety connector is provided for connection to the branch port on a fluid flow line. The connector comprises a tubular body having an opening at its distal end to receive a branch port and a channel in the wall of the tubular body adjacent to the distal end. The channel is adapted to receive the fluid flow line when the branch port is engaged within the tubular body. The connector also comprises a locking rotatable collar located on the distal end of the tubular body. The collar is rotatable from a first position wherein the channel is adapted to receive the fluid flow line when the branch port is engaged within the tubular body, and a second position wherein the collar prevents the removal of the branch port from the tubular body.

Abstract: A safety hypodermic device includes a protective sleeve carried on the barrel of a syringe or the needle holder of an intravenous line. The sleeve has an extended position which envelops and protects the needle and a retracted position which exposes the needle for injection purposes. A coil spring carried on the barrel urges the sleeve toward the extended position. The open end of the sleeve may be provided with internal resilient tabs and a flange for receiving and grasping the head of a medicine bottle and for allowing the needle to penetrate the medicine bottle to the proper depth for filling. The spring may extend into the interior of the sleeve and abut against an internal rim of the sleeve. The plunger and barrel may be provided with tactile feedback to enable a visually impaired person to determine the amount of medicine being filled or dispensed.

Abstract: A catheter clamp. The clamp comprises a snap-acting device which contains a rotatable inner and outer member. The inner member has an inner passageway for a catheter and an outer surface containing at least one protrusion. The outer member has an interior beveled sidewall. When the outer member is twisted or rotated in a first direction relative to the inner member, the protrusion on the inner member is compressed by the beveled sidewall, thereby compressing the inner member and the catheter. When the outer member is twisted in the opposite direction relative to the inner member, the protrusion disengages from the beveled sidewall and the catheter is decompressed. Use of the clamp in conjunction with a catheter contamination sleeve is disclosed.