Abstract: An improved catheter applicator package includes a catheter container or storage cartridge, a dilator separate from the container until usage is desired, and a separate interconnecting tubing ready for connection at one end to the container and at the other end to the dilator as the assemblage is made ready for use.

Abstract: A catheter including an elongated highly flexible hollow lumen and a guide wire positioned within the lumen, the guide wire fabricated from nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy, the guide wire having greater than three percent (3%) elasticity over the temperature range of use of the catheter allowing high-elastic deformation at low stress and low rolling and sliding frictional resistance of the guide wire when moved and bent within the lumen producing a high degree of tactile control is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for injecting viscous material into the eye. In the injection into the eye, sufficient material is injected to separate a membrane from the retina so that intraocular scissors may be manipulated between the membrane and the retina to cut the attachment points. The membrane is then aspirated away. The injection is done using a standard glue injector with a one-shot and a continuous mode. The glue injector is pneumatically coupled through a sterile filter and a custom adaptor to a sterile syringe storing the material to be injected.

Abstract: A silicone catheter wound drain with parallel lumens or passageways formed inside to convey fluid from a wound. The drain has both holes and slots on the outside surface to admit fluid to the lumens and internal openings between the lumens to divert fluid from a blocked lumen to an adjacent lumen and back again after the blockage. The silicon wound drain may contain an embedded, elongated reinforcing fiber to strengthen the wound drain and prevent necking down during removal.

Abstract: A combination ureteral stent-ureteral catheter comprising an elongated flexible tubular member which has proximal and distal ends in the form of curls when present in its internalized stent form and which further comprises an elongated tubular rigid extension attached to the distal end of the stent which allows the combination to function as an externalized ureteral catheter. On extracting the rigid extension from the stent while the device is in place, the distal end of the stent reforms itself into a preformed curl and thereafter functions as a Double J internalized catheter or stent.

Abstract: An infusion alarm system comprised of a housing, an upper cover attached to the housing at the top, a control circuit set in said upper cover, a battery box set inside the housing and an inner shell set between the housing and the battery box, a tension spring set in the inner shell having a hook coupled thereto at the bottom for suspending a drip infusion bottle, an adjusting key set set in the housing to adjust the tension of the tension spring. When the weight of the drip infusion bottle is reduced to a predetermined range due to reducing of infusion solution during drip infusion operation, the control circuit is triggered to produce audio and visual alarm signals through an audio and a visual alarm device respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing a nasogastric tube into a patient by inserting and releasably anchoring a pH detector in the bore of the tube adjacent the distal end. The detector is connected through the proximal end of the tube to a pH monitor. The tube and detector are inserted into the patient while monitoring the measured pH of the detector for determining the placement of the tube. After placing the tube, the detector is released from the bore of the tube and removed from the nasogastric tube while leaving the tube in the patient. The detector is releasably anchored by inflating a balloon connected to the detector.

Abstract: This invention concerns an absorbent pad which is particularly useful for absorbing body fluids. The absorbent pad comprises a fluid-absorbent fibrous layer having a central portion and a peripheral portion, and a flexible fluid-pervious covering sheet for covering at least one side of the fibrous layer. A first wicking means is provided, conveniently by embossing, in the fibrous layer to conduct fluid outwardly from the central portion towards the peripheray of the fibrous layer. A second wicking means is in fluid conductivity with the first wicking means and conducts fluid from the first wicking means in a direction away from the first wicking means. Generally, the second wicking means conducts fluid around, but spaced from the periphery of the fibrous layer. A liquid-impervious, vapor permeable backing sheet can be provided. Helical or radial paths may be utilized for the wicking means.

Abstract: A balloon angioplasty system includes a balloon dilatation catheter having an inflation and deflation lumen for the balloon and a main lumen extending the full length of the catheter to provide fluid communication from the proximal to the distal end of the catheter. A microdilatation probe has a small diameter and can be passed through the main lumen of the dilatation catheter. The microdilatation probe has a balloon at its distal end which is collapsible to enable it to be passed through the main lumen of the dilatation catheter so that it can be projected distally beyond the distal tip of the dilatation catheter. The probe balloon is inflatable to a diameter no smaller than the diameter of the uninflated dilatation catheter.

Abstract: A clinical suction tube holder assembly (10), and a method of its use, involve the use of a receiver (12), having a wall (13), for defining a tube-receiving passage (18) attached to a mounting block (14) having pressure sensitive adhesive (16) thereon for selectively mounting the clinical suction tube holder assembly to a fixed structure at a support surface (36) on which a subject (40) to be treated is resting. After treating the subject with a fluid-flow tube (26) a portion thereof is selectively folded on itself and inserted into the tube receiving passage for being held therein at a fixed location with a blocked lumen (30) and for being selectively removed therefrom and unfolded, to thereby unblock its lumen, for further treatment.

Abstract: A non-thrombogenic surface is provided by forming a reservoir from which anticoagulant solution can permeate through a flexible wall (5, 6) of bio-compatible permeable material. Such reservoirs can be used in catheters one form of which includes a hollow-walled tube reservoir with outer wall (5) and inner wall (6). The reservoirs may also be used in cardiac assist devices comprising a bladder (56) with an outer permeable wall (54) and an inner impermeable wall (55), means to introduce anticoagulant solution into the reservoir defined between these walls, and means (60) for the controlled inflation and deflation of bladder (56).

Abstract: A disposable medical testing device (17) adapted to be held against the skin of a patient, which enables the performance of skin testing for the diagnosis of both immediate hypersensitivity and delayed hypersensitivity immune reactions. The device is comprised of a hollow body with a sealed chamber in which is mounted a movable needle (3) capable of penetrating a patient's skin to a predetermined depth and a test reagent container (2). The device (17) is manipulable by a user to reduce the volume of the chamber and moving the needle thus releasing the reagent and causing penetration of the skin. The released reagent is delivered to the skin penetration site, and any resulting skin reaction is observed and recorded. Embodiments of the invention marked with a calibrated scale on a releasable transparent layer and details of patient and test date which allow multiple antigen tests to be performed are also disclosed. A method of testing for immune response using the device (17) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The ambulatory infusion pump is provided with a preloaded spring having a fixed spring constant. A tab is provided to release the preloaded spring to impose a biasing force on the piston of the pump. The piston slides within the housing against a substantially constant friction force when moving from the filled position toward the empty position. The biasing force of the spring and the stroke of the piston are coordinated so as to maintain a pressure on the fluid being dispensed from the pump housing which decreases at a slow rate and within a range of about 15% of the referenced pressure.

Abstract: A tube holder adapted to be applied to the body to correctly position a tube and comprising a flat base for application to the body, and on the base at the center thereof being a tube holder comprising a length of material riveted to the base and having connection means on the end portions of the material to make a tie. The rivet may be one piece and permanent or in two pieces and snap fastened and unfastened.

Abstract: A disposable infuser is provided having a source of pressurized liquid contained in a liquid chamber (14). The liquid chamber (14) includes housing (20) defining an access aperture (83). A one-way duck-bill valve (80) is contained in the access aperture (83). A separate outlet conduit (84) is provided having a blunt cannula (98). When the outlet conduit (86) is attached to the housing (20), the blunt cannula (98) extends into the duck-bill valve (80) sufficiently to open the duck-bill valve (80) to establish fluid communication between the source of pressurized liquid (14) and the outlet conduit (84).

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 improved apparatus and system for withdrawing and collecting body fluids is disclosed. The system includes an adapter which is arranged to cooperate with a handheld aspirator apparatus and a syringe assembly having an open end portion. The adapter includes a sealing asembly which engages the interior of the syringe assembly and a barrier which is insertable into the syringe assembly to prevent clogging, but permit body fluid aspiration.

Abstract: A replacement gastrostomy tube device is provided comprising a catheter shaft having an outer surface wall, with the shaft enclosing a feeding lumen of substantially circular cross-section and a fluid flow channel. A port housing is located at the proximal end of the shaft with the port housing having a main food inlet port, a Y-port and a fluid inlet port. Near the distal end of the tube are an expandable component member and a food outlet port, which port is preferably located at the distal end. The feeding lumen is of a greater diameter than that of the fluid flow channel. The outer surface wall is of a non-circular cross-section. The feeding lumen is of a circular cross-section which permits the passage therethrough of a jejunal tube. The main food inlet port is of a greater diameter than that associated with the Y-port. The method for using this device permits jejunal feeding through a replacement gastrostomy tube without retraumatizing the patient.

Abstract: A peritoneal catheter for introducing and withdrawing fluid from an abdominal cavity which catheter has a plurality of ingress and egress ports spaced about the circumference and along the length of the intra-abdominal portion, which ports are arranged to decrease in size from the proximal to the distal end and, further which has a body portion formed into at least a one-half turn. The catheter tubing and the ports therein are coated with Ultra-low Temperature Isotropic carbon.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided with a needle guard that slides along the needle to shield the distal tip of the needle after the needle is withdrawn from a patient. The needle passes through an aperture at the distal end of the needle guard. To prevent the backflow of blood through the aperture and into the needle guard, a gasket is formed in the aperture about the needle. The gasket is formed with the needle in place by filling the aperture around the needle with adhesive. After the adhesive has substantially cured but before the adhesive has tightly bonded to the needle the needle guard is moved along the needle to prevent bonding of the adhesive to the needle. The needle guard will thereafter slide along the needle with the needle passing through the formed-in-place gasket.