Abstract: An endoscope comprising an elongated endoscope body having a proximal end and a distal end. The endoscope body is sized and adapted for insertion into an interior body region of a patient. Optical components are carried by the endoscope body to enable viewing of the interior body region of the patient. The endoscope body has an outer surface which defines a groove having a portion which extends distally of the endoscope body.

Abstract: A transpyloric jejunostomy cannulating apparatus includes an abdominal wall trocar having an elongated shaft and a sharpened tapered end for passage through a patient's abdominal wall. A tubular sheath is telescopically slidable onto the trocar for passage through the abdominal wall with it. An elongated generally tubular gastrostomy introducer has one end adapted for connection to a suction source and a free end portion tapering toward a free end of reduced width for insertion through the gastric wall into the lumen of a stomach. The introducer has an inlet opening adjacent the free end for aspirating the stomach. An elongated slotted cannulator, generally c-shaped in cross section, has an external width for passage through the sheath and an internal width to accommodate passage of the introducer therethrough.

Abstract: An improved hand syringe has been provided which allows a used needle to be retracted completely into the body of the syringe, and stored there such that the spent needle cannot be used again. This improvement thereby provides safety from accidental infection to persons required to use hand syringes as well as persons required to dispose of these syringes.

Abstract: The device for protecting against accidental butterfly needle punctures has a hollow body which delimits an internal accommodation seat for a butterfly needle which is connected to a flexible duct for feeding or withdrawing fluid. The seat has a proximal terminal portion, provided with two longitudinal lateral slits in each of which a respective wing of a butterfly needle can slidingly engage. The seat also has a distal terminal portion provided with retention members for engaging a butterfly needle. A butterfly needle can slide along the seat from a removal start position in the proximal terminal portion toward an irreversible complete retraction position within the distal terminal portion.

Abstract: Inflation apparatus for inflating a dilatation balloon of a catheter includes a frame having a first receiver supporting the barrel of a syringe. An operator has a second receiver supporting the plunger of the syringe. The syringe includes a fluid port for connecting the syringe chamber to the lumen of the catheter. A motor is supported by the frame and operatively connected to the operator to move the piston to change fluid pressure within the syringe chamber. A release device permits quick release of the pressure in the balloon catheter without the use of the motor. A pressure sensor is mounted to the frame to measure the pressure in the chamber through a diaphragm on the syringe. The pressure sensor operates a microprocessor-controlled display, which provides display of inflation and duration information and calculates other information. A circuit selectively operates the motor.

Abstract: An elongated catheter having an interior and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface defines a lumen passing through the catheter. The catheter further including an enclosed cavity between the interior and exterior surfaces which encircles of the lumen. The cavity having an inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall being a resilient sleeve which can stretch generally independently of the inner wall. The cavity containing an amount of a suitable lubricating substance effective to permit the resilient sleeve to slide along an outer surface of the inner wall while in lubricated contact therewith when stretched independently of the inner wall and including a bactericidal agent, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall are joined together at distal end proximal ends of the enclosed cavity. The resilient sleeve includes a plurality of micropores which permit the bactericidal agent to diffuse into suitable aqueous environments.

Abstract: A catheter with an integral steerable guidewire converts linear movement of the guidewire to rotational movement at the distal end of the guidewire. The catheter has a guidewire lumen to receive the guidewire. The catheter and guidewire are constructed so that the guidewire can be reciprocated and rotated with respect to the catheter. The guidewire and catheter cooperate in a manner so that when the guidewire is reciprocated axially with respect to the catheter, that axial movement of the guidewire is converted into rotational movement.

Abstract: A cased suctioning catheter assembly with a protective flexible sheath around the catheter tube, has a thumb or finger operable pump located near the patient end of the catheter assembly. This pump receives irrigation fluid from a bag hanging on an IV stand and, when operated, pumps it into an irrigation lumen in the suction catheter on an as-needed basis during suctioning. Thereby one hand of the administrator can both stabilize the cross piece at the patient end of the suction catheter assembly and operate the irrigator, while the other hand controls vacuum flow as needed for the suctioning function.

Abstract: A sustained release bactericidal cannula or catheter for residence within a portion of a human body through which aqueous biological fluids can pass. The bactericidal cannula for catheter including a tube having an inner surface, defining and interior lumen, and an outer surface. The tube has a polymeric matrix and antibacterial agent residing within at least a portion of the polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix includes cured silicon rubber and the antibacterial agent is a finely divided nitrofuran compound which is soluble in water and effective to prevent proliferation of certain bacteria in an otherwise growth supporting aqueous environment when dissolved in the aqueous environment to the limit of its solubility therein at 37.degree. C. The solubility of the nitrofuran compound is preferably about 0.2% by weight or less at a pH of about 6 and a temperature of about 25.degree. C.

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 U-shaped outer wall extending longitudinally about the distal portion thereof. A flat-surfaced valve is positioned in the recess along the U-shaped distal portion and attached to the outer wall. The valve is formed by inserting a flat-surfaced rod in the U-shaped portion of the tube to stretch the outer wall. A flat-surfaced layer of flexible material is applied over the flat-surfaced rod to the stretched outer wall. The flexible material layer is cured and a longitudinal fluid aperture formed therein with the rod remaining in the passage of the U-shaped portion. The rod is then removed and a plug inserted into the passage to close the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A hysterography device is provided which avoids the various disadvantages inherent in prior art devices, namely patient discomfort, incomplete seal-off of the cervical canal, complexity, and lack of provision for introduction of catheters or filberoptic devices into the uterine cavity through a sterile conduit. A handle having a conduit therein is provided for the introduction of catheters, coaxial catheter systems, fiberoptic devices, and contrast media. A cup at the distal end of the handle is vacuum or suction seated on the cervix of the patient to seal contrast media in the cervical canal. A movable cone may be provided for an enhanced seal. Preferably, the cup and the handle are soft and flexible plastic allowing for better seating on the cervix and better operator manipulation. A variety of cup shapes and sizes may be used. Vacuum suction in the cup may be provided by an independent flexible conduit. A method of use of such device is provided.

Abstract: A safety syringe having a hollow barrel member with first and second open ends and female threads on the inside surface of the first end. A special cylindrically shaped needle holder body is positioned inside the first end of the barrel. The holder body has male threads on the curved outer surface thereof adapted to coact with the female threads, and a needle receiving member on one end for receiving and holding a standard hollow needle. The special holder also has a recess in the other end, a first torque transmitting member located in the recess, and a central bore. An elongated piston rod has at one end a piston having, at the distal end, an integral central axially extending protrusion adapted to fit within the recess of said needle holder body, the protrusion having a second torque transmitting member adapted to coact with said first torque transmitting member, and a locking member adapted to coact with said body.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a flow path, which valve comprises a housing defining a flow path and having two indented portions about the flow path, a poppet mounted within each indented portion such that the internal end of each indented portion defines a seat which provides a fluid tight seal when the associated poppet head is held against the seat, a spring associated with each poppet for holding each poppet against each seat, a rigid moveable member associated with each poppet and adapted to alter the orientation of the associated poppet relative to its seat and thereby seal or unseal the flow path around the poppet, and an actuator for moving each movable member; and inflator apparatus incorporating at least one valve.

Abstract: A steering mechanism including a steering shaft coupled to a controller which includes a handle and apparatus for manipulating the distal end of the steering shaft. The steering shaft includes a flexible coiled spring having a lead spring fixed in position with respect to a distal end thereof in the distal end of the steering shaft. One or more steering wires is affixed at the distal ends thereof to the lead spring. The steering wires extend through the steering shaft to the controller, and the steering apparatus of the controller is used to place tension on one or both of the steering wires. The attachment of the distal ends of the steering wires to the lead spring may be opposite one another or may be offset for providing greater maneuverability.

Abstract: A percutaneous access catheter is employed for examining and treating internal body cavities and organs via an access tract. For example, the catheter can be employed for examining and treating the gallbladder via a transhepatic tract. The examination may employ endoscopic, fluoroscopic, ultrasonic, or other techniques; the treatment may employ surgical, chemical, or physical modalities. The catheter includes two inflation elements. These inflation elements control hemorrhaging and leakage of fluids from the internal body cavity or organ and reduce migration of the catheter within the internal body cavity or organ during the examination and/or treatment. The first inflation element is a toroidal elastic balloon located at the distal end of the device which serves to restrict the accidental or unintended removal of the distal end from the internal body cavity or organ.

Abstract: A ferrule for use as a medical device which maker mechanical connection with external connector tubes provided; the ferrule comprises an inner wall defining a conduit extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening; a first taper lock surface is defined by a first region of the inner wall for forming a taper lock with a first connector portion having first dimensions; and a second taper lock surface is defined by a second region of the inner wall for forming a taper lock with a second connector portion having second dimensions.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon (1) for less traumatic arterial dilation is carried on a part (5) of a catheter (2), the catheter having lumens for inflating the balloon. The surface of the balloon that contacts the endothelium of the vessel being treated is irregularly formed, defining a plurality of grooves and radially projecting parts (7) therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical device has a longitudinally extending cannula formed to define an interior channel. The cannula is attached to a conduit piece that defines first, second, and third passageways in fluid communication with the interior channel of the cannula. A surgical knife is positioned within the interior channel of the cannula so that its cutting edge extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Abstract: An enteral feeding device for the admission of fluids into a patient. The device includes a female proximal end connector, a flexible feeding tube, a fluid discharge tube, and a probe, respectively, joined axially to provide a diametrically uniformed outer periphery the entire length of the enteral feeding tube. The guide wire has a male proximal end connector affixed to the proximal end thereof and a coiled helical spring immovably attached to the distal end thereof. An annular stop flange is located interiorly adjacent the proximal end of the fluid discharge chamber which restricts the axial movement of the guide wire when inserted into the enteral feeding tube. A plurality of fluid discharge orifices are radially disposed equidistantly apart around the outer periphery of the fluid discharge chamber. A concave slope is interiorly located juxtaposed the bottom surface of the fluid discharge chamber.

Abstract: A ferrule for use as a medical device which makes mechanical connection with external connector tubes is provided; the ferrule comprises an inner wall defining a conduit extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening; a first taper lock surface is defined by a first region of the inner wall for forming a taper lock with a first connector portion having first dimensions; and a second taper lock surface is defined by a second region of the inner wall for forming a taper lock with a second connector portion having second dimensions.