Abstract: A catheter for cardiac procedures includes a generally C-shaped distal end which roughly conforms to the shape of an aortic arch. The catheter is made of a flexible material and includes a distal portion having a proximal section connected to an intermediate section at approximately 135 degrees. The distal most section attached to the intermediate section is generally perpendicular to the intermediate section and consists of a double or reverse curve. The structure allows the catheter to be utilized to enter either left or right ostia without catheter exchange by rotation of the catheter around its axis.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing flexible thick-wall capillary tubing, comprising the steps of extruding a plastics sheath around a filament of uniform diameter, and withdrawing the filament from the sheath to form a length of tubing having a capillary bore which has been defined by the filament. The method enables the manufacture of fine-bore capillary tubing having a tightly controlled bore diameter.The invention also provides a method of low flow rate metering of a liquid by utilising a length of such tubing as a flow restriction, and apparatus for carrying out the method. This method and apparatus are particularly suited to controlling very low rates of flow of drugs or other injectable liquids to a patient over a prolonged period, in an arrangement which can readily be carried on the patient's arm to alow the patient mobility while being injected.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a catheter shaft and a balloon carried on the shaft, an inflation lumen being provided. The balloon comprises a plurality of holes of a size to permit medication delivered through the lumen to pass outwardly through the holes. The balloon carries on an outer surface a substantially hydrophilic, tubular microporous membrane covering the holes, to break up streams of flowing medication.

Abstract: A self-aspirating plunger for power injector cartridges characterized by its ability to pump head space gas and aspirate the power injector cartridge without the need to draw backward on the plunger toward the proximal end of the cartride comprising:a female ring component;a male component having a stem and a cone-shaped portion, said stem slideably fitting into said female ring component; andan elastomeric diaphragm shell covering said female ring component and said cone shaped head portion of said male component.

Abstract: A connector for detachably securing an end of a tube, such as a catheter, to a fluid port of a fluid transfer device, such as an implantable device, the connector having a body part which defines a coupler for coupling to a coupler receiver of the transfer device. The connector includes a sleeve which fits within the body part and defines an aperture for compressively receiving an end of the tube which has been fitted over a fluid port of the transfer device. The body part is rotatable about the sleeve to facilitate coupling of the coupler and coupler receiver. In one embodiment the sleeve has an inner diameter at one end large enough to slide freely over the tube when it is fitted over the fluid port, and the diameter decreases at an intermediate point along the length of the sleeve to provide for compressive axial movement of the tube to form an annular thickness portion of the tube where it abuts the face of the transfer device.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis catheter has annular cuffs at one or more locations along its length. The cuffs are of a woven material to promote tissue ingrowth and thereby anchor the catheter to the body. The catheter has internal channels extending from ports located outside the body to deliver disinfecting fluid to the space between the cuffs and the catheter exterior, preventing infections from reaching the cuffs and reducing the frequency of new implants.

Abstract: An intravenous set includes a spike or luer connector for receiving pharmaceutical product solution, a pumping section, an air eliminating filter, an anti-siphon valve and a connector for an IV access device. The air eliminating filter includes an in-line hydrophilic membrane and a hydrophobic membrane upstream thereof to vent trapped gases to the atmosphere. The anti-siphon valve has a positive crack pressure and is located downstream of the air eliminating filter.

Abstract: A surgical device has a first cannula formed to define a first interior channel and a second cannula positioned substantially within the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second cannula is formed to define a second interior channel. Both the first cannula and the second cannula are attached to a conduit piece that defines a first passageway in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula and a second passageway in fluid communication with the second interior channel of the second cannula. A third passageway defined by the conduit piece is in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second passageway is covered by a breachable seal that permits insertion of instruments therethrough while limiting undesired fluid flow.

Abstract: A selectively controllable inflation-deflation device for use with a balloon catheter during angioplasty procedures is disclosed. The device is constructed so that the piston shaft can be 1) locked and then rotatably and incrementally moved within the syringe cylinder to enable controlled pressurization, or 2) unlocked and moved within the cylinder to enable fluid purging of the cylinder and retraction of the piston shaft to a vacuum position. The device has a cylinder with proximal and distal ends and a fluid conduit adapted for communication with a balloon. A piston shaft is received within the proximal end of the cylinder. The piston shaft includes a piston mounted on the distal end of the shaft and the shaft is movable in one direction during inflation and in a second direction during deflation of the balloon. Screw threads are positioned on at least a portion of the piston shaft. A cam mechanism in the preferred form of a flexible arm and half nut member is mounted within the cylinder.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for collecting fluid from a tubular organ into a drainage system includes a tubular body portion (12) having an end portion (14) and an intermediate portion (16) adjacent thereto. The end portion (14) includes a retaining balloon (30) for retaining the intermediate portion (16) within the tubular organ. The intermediate portion (16) includes a portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the catheterized tubular organ for allowing the free flow of fluid from the tubular organ and over the intermediate portion (16) to maintain the tubular organ infection free. A collection mechanism is operatively connected to the intermediate portion (16) and spaced from the end portion (14). The collection mechanism is insertable into the tubular organ for collecting the fluid flowing over the intermediate portion (16) and preventing fluid from escaping from the drainage system. A method of using the catheter assembly (10) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An infusion apparatus is provided with a clock, a power-on-time counter for counting a period of time in which power is supplied to the infusion apparatus from an AC power source or a backup battery for backing up the AC power source, a pump-on-time counter for counting a period of time in which a pump mechanism operates, and a battery-on-time counter for counting a period of time in which power is supplied to the infusion apparatus from the backup battery. A CPU displays a time value counted by the counters on a display unit. The time value displayed on the display unit indicates the degree of deterioration of charge capability of the backup battery, from which a time for replacing the backup battery and the other parts can be easily perceived.

Abstract: A guidewire for penetrating an occlusion within a duct or vessel, such as a blood vessel, has an elongated main guidewire body of a small, first diameter. The guidewire is terminated at its distal end with an enlarged resilient tip portion having a lubricious outer surface, and is shaped and constructed to penetrate the occlusion. The guidewire body is constructed to be to be relatively flexible in the distal end corresponding to the enlarged tip and relatively stiffer in portions proximal thereof for manipulation of the wire from its proximal end to cause the distal tip portion to penetrate the occlusion and form a passage therein. In an embodiment, an outer sleeve is slid over the main body and butting against the proximal end of the enlarged tip portion contributes to axial stiffness of the combination to enable manipulation through the occlusion. After placement this sleeve is removed and a dilatation catheter is slid over the main body, and enters the occlusion behind the enlarged tip portion.

Abstract: An instrument for injecting implants through animal hide is comprised of an injector having a tubular body divided into two adjacent segments with a hollow interior bore extending through the segments of the body. The second segment of the body has a generally tapering configuration as it extends to the distal end of the body and is formed as a pair of laterally adjacent tines that extend longitudinally from adjacent the first body segment to the distal end of the body. One of the tines has a larger lateral width than a second of the tines at laterally adjacent cross sections of the tines, and one tine has a terminal end at the distal end of the body for making incisions through animal hide when employing the instrument in injecting implants. A push rod having a longitudinal length at least equal to the longitudinal length of the body is inserted through the interior bore of the body pushing the implant before it.

Abstract: In a method for removing a myoma, a distal end portion of a tubular member is inserted through laparoscopic trocar sleeve disposed in the patient's abdomen. The distal end portion of the tubular member is inserted into the myoma tissues to form a core thereof inside the tubular member. The myoma core is fragmented via an energizable laparoscopic instrument and the fragments are aspirated from the tubular coring member. The tubular member may be provided along a distal edge with a cauterizing element for facilitating the insertion of the distal end portion of the tubular member into the myoma.

Abstract: A closed-end catheter having a flat-surfaced valve positioned in a recess about the distal portion of the catheter for preventing retrograde flow of blood therethrough when positioned in a blood vessel of a patient. The valve catheter comprises a flexible material, cylindrical tube having a semi-circular cross-sectional wall extending longitudinally about the distal portion thereof. The laterally facing valve is formed in a planar surface of a flexible material layer attached to the wall in the distal portion of the cylindrical tube. One or more passages extend through the cylindrical tube in which medicaments or fluids can be simultaneously injected or aspirated. The valve is formed by inserting one or more flat-surfaced rods in the passages of the tube to stretch the surrounding wall. A flat-surfaced layer of flexible material is applied over the flat-surfaced rod to the stretched wall.

Abstract: A medication dispensing apparatus comprising a liquid container having an open end and a cap assembly engagably removable from the open end of the container. The cap assembly comprises an external cap having a lower end, an inner fixing element adapted to be fitted into the open end of the liquid container and connected to the lower end of the external cap. The cap assembly further comprises a dropper connected through the inner fixing element and having a fluid passageway and activation element for aspirating liquid from the container into the dropper.

Abstract: A method of positioning an elongated instrument in an everting catheter is disclosed. The everting catheter includes an inflatable everting element which circumscribes a region of the instrument and which is inflated to grip the instrument. The everting catheter and instrument extend into a patient to a desired region within the body. Flush solution is introduced between the everting element and the instrument, and the instrument is moved relative to the everting element while the flush solution is between the everting element and the instrument.

Abstract: A multiple pharmaceutical syringe (2, 160, 402), especially useful for use in dispensing insulin, includes a body (4, 162, 404) housing first and second pharmaceutical-filled cartridges (30, 32; 182, 184; 478, 480). The cartridges are of the type with a septum (36, 190, 484) at one end and a piston (42, 48; 224, 225; 562, 564) at the other end with the liquid pharmaceutical (46, 48; 226, 228; 534, 536) between the two. The body also defines an accumulator chamber (10, 202, 654) within which an accumulator piston (26, 238, 464) is slidably mounted. The cartridge interiors are connected by a flow path (70, 752) to the accumulator chamber. Pressing on the cartridge pistons forces desired amounts of the liquids from the cartridge into the accumulator chamber. The mixed pharmaceutical is dispensed by driving the accumulator piston.

Abstract: The present invention provides a casing having a plurality of sources of pressurized liquid. The sources of pressurized liquid are preferably contained in at least one elastomeric bladder. Housing is provided to establish fluid communication between the sources of pressurized liquid. Additionally, at least one flow restrictor is provided to regulate the flow of pressurized liquid. A single or a plurality of flow restrictors can be used to regulate the flow of liquid between the sources of pressurized liquid. The plurality of sources of pressurized liquid can be contained under different pressures which can be provided by varying the size of the elastomeric storage area. The casing further contains an inlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with the sources of pressurized liquid to provide for filling and dispensing of the fluid.

Abstract: A perfusion catheter is provided which increases the static pressure gradient across a portion of the catheter so that the flow through the catheter having the flow amplifier is greater than the flow through an unamplified catheter. A low pressure region is created at or downstream of the perfusion ports so that a greater volume of blood is drawn in and subsequently discharged through the distal end of the catheter.