Abstract: A syringe holding and ejecting assembly which has an open ended cylindrical syringe holder with a syringe holder cap rotatable mounted on the rear end of the syringe holder and an elongated plunger slidable along the axis of the holder and its cap. The syringe holder has a spring biased cylindrical shield slidably mounted on the outside of the syringe holder. The elongated syringe filled with liquid medicant has a hypodermic needle axially mounted on its front end and a medicant-sealing piston at its rear end operated by the plunger. The syringe is designed and sized to fit into the open end of the holder and by rotation of the cap, locked into the syringe holder. Means activated by the forward movement of the plunger in administering the injection of the needle and then the medicant into a patient's body causes the shield to slide forward and lock into a position surrounding the withdrawn needle. The entire assembly can now to taken to and held over a waste disposal box.

Abstract: A multiple pharmaceutical syringe (160), especially useful for use in dispensing insulin, includes a body (162) housing first and second pharmaceutical-filled cartridges (182, 184). The cartridges are of the type with a septum (190) at one end and a piston (224, 225) at the other end with the liquid pharmaceutical (226, 228) between the two. The body also defines an accumulator chamber (202) within which an accumulator piston (238) is slidably mounted. When the cartridges are mounted within the body, the septums are pierced by hollow spikes (188) which are connected to a flow path opening into the accumulator chamber. Check valves (230) are used at the distal ends of the spikes to prevent liquid flow back into the cartridges. Pressing on the cartridge pistons forces the liquids into the accumulator chamber. Once the desired amounts of both liquids are in the accumulator chamber, the needle assembly is mounted to the replaceable fluid path assembly which fluidly couples the needle to the accumulator chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating the interior surfaces of a hollow organ or orifice of the human body for the treatment of viral infections, microbial infections, and cancers, the apparatus including an insertion body 11 having a semi-rigid support tube 12 and an inflatable balloon 17. Conduits 38 and 39 connect the interior of the inflatable balloon 17 with a heating and pumping unit 31 for heating liquid and circulating liquid within the inflatable balloon to heat the outer surface of the inflatable balloon. For treating infections and cancers, the insertion body is inserted into the organ or orifice and inflated and heated to a selected temperature, e.g., 44.degree. C., and maintained at the temperature for an extended length of time, e.g., for four hours.

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 microsurgical irrigation/aspiration system is provided, including a controller having a pump roller head, actuators for occluding fluid lines, a suction sensor, and means for mounting a pump cassette. The system cassette is suitable for mounting on the controller and has an opening with a pump segment passing along an arcuate wall of the opening. When the cassette is mounted on the console, the roller head is engaged in the cassette opening and compresses the pump segment against the arcuate wall. An infusion line passes through the cassette and is occludable by one of the actuators, and a vent line connected to the pump segment is occludable by a second actuator. A suction sensing port on the cassette couples with the suction sensor in the controller. In an alternate embodiment, a cassette is disclosed within which both vacuum and peristaltic pumping is possible. Latching may be accomplished by a plunger attached to the sensory port of the cassette.

Abstract: A safety inflation apparatus for preventing full inflation of a catheter balloon in a small body cavity of lesser internal diameter than that of the fully-inflated catheter balloon. The apparatus includes a safety reservoir which inflates to absorb excess fluid volume from a catheter inflation device (such as a syringe) when the catheter balloon comes into contact with the wall of the small cavity, thereby preventing damage to the cavity wall and injury to the patient. In one embodiment of the invention, sensors and cooperating electronic displays are employed to provide an indication of the operating state of the system as the catheter balloon is inflated, and in another embodiment of the invention, the catheter inflation device is automatically actuated and driven, in addition to employing sensors and displays.

Abstract: A self-destructing disposable safety syringe system, suitable for preventing needle sticks, preventing syringe reuse, and dispensing fluids from, drawing fluids into and mixing fluids within the system.

Abstract: An intravenous infusion set and/or blood collection assembly includes a feature for covering the used needle. The cover is slidably disposed on the assembly and is adapted to be slid relative to the assembly to cover the used needle. The cover is locked in a fully extended position over the used needle so that the assembly is ready for subsequent disposal.

Abstract: In a device for combining a plurality of liquid infusions to form a mixture comprising a chamber having a circumference and a plurality of separately closable inlets for various infusion liquids and an outlet for the mixture, and improvement is provided which comprises a chamber having a first chamber portion having inlets, a second chamber portion and an elastic sealing element held in an outer region of the circumference and interposed between the first and second portions, the sealing element extending over and covering the inlets, and segments of the sealing element being prestressed against such inlets to close same, each of the inlets communicating with the chamber and the outlet when the elastic sealing element is removed from covering each such inlet, wherein the separately closable inlets are disposed radially about an axis and the outlet is disposed longitudinally along the axis, wherein the inlets are located proximate the circumference of the chamber and each inlet ends in a sealing element openin

Abstract: The sight of a large I.V. needle makes one shiver with fright due to one's association of an I.V. needle with pain. An apparatus and method for anesthetizing the intended site for I.V. needle insertion is provided to reduce or eliminate the pain. The apparatus (10) comprises a storage chamber (12) containing an anesthetizing agent (22) and coupled to a seat member (14). The seat member (14) further holds a needle (16) in place and pierces the storage chamber (12). Alternate embodiments of the apparatus (10) include a seat member (46,56) which allows the needle (52,68) to penetrate the storage chamber (40,62) just prior to use. The apparatus pierces the skin, injects the anesthetizing agent and induces a skin wheal at the intended site.

Abstract: A retention catheter comprises a length of flexible tubing having first and second ends, including first, second, and third axial lumens running therethrough. The first lumen includes first and second apertures located proximately to the first and second ends of said tubing, and is adapted to conduct fluid therethrough to or from a body cavity or vessel through the catheter. First and second inflatable balloons are circumferentially disposed about the outside of the tubing located proximate to a first end thereof. The first and second balloons are separated by a selected distance, and communicate with the second lumen through the tubing. The third lumen through the tubing terminates at a first end in a first aperture located on the outer wall of the tubing between the first and second balloons and at a second end in a vacuum aperture located proximate to the second end of the tubing opposite to the balloon end.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation tube which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube is radially expandable from a small diameter configuration to a larger diameter configuration. The dilation tube is percutaneously introduced to a desired target site within a patient's body and thereafter radially expanded by axial insertion of the expansion member through the axial lumen of the tube. The tube prevents the application of axial forces on the surrounding tissue as the expansion member is introduced. The expansion member may include a separate outer sleeve member which remains in place to maintain the enlarged access channel. Optionally, an inflatable balloon at the distal end of the dilation tube may be provided to enhance retention of the device and sealing of the penetration.

Abstract: A device for the removal and replacement of a needle shield having a distal end, an open proximal end and a side wall therebetween having an outside surface includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The housing includes a bore therein beginning at the proximal end. A threaded portion is provided in the housing along the bore and accessible through the bore. The threaded structure is spaced from the proximal end of the housing and is capable of engaging and holding the outside surface of a needle shield which is placed into the bore through the proximal end of the housing and rotated in a direction to advance the needle shield distally along the threaded structure.

Abstract: A medical syringe has a plunger bore (1 and 2) that is flexible. A hermetically-sealed glass ampule (3) containing a drug in the form of a liquid referred to generally as a sterile preparation (4) is placed in the plunger bore (1 and 2). When the plunger (1) is pulled outwardly a select distance to expose the flexible plunger bore (2), the glass ampule (3) is broken by hand-squeezing the plunger bore (2) against it. Liquid preparation (4) from the glass ampule (3) is directed through a check-valved orifice (16) at a tip of a resilient piston section (21) of the plunger (1). At the check-valved orifice (16), the preparation (4) enters into a syringe bore (6). There the preparation (4) can be injected through a conventional luer (38-40) and hypodermic needle (37) by the standard practice of depressing the plunger (1) into the syringe (7). Variations are provided for storing ampules of preparation either in or separately from the syringe. Embodiments are described for various adaptations.

Abstract: A detachable balloon with two self-sealing valves mounted at the opposite ends thereof. A guide wire and catheter can be inserted through one end of the balloon, and the guide wire extends all the way through the balloon and beyond the balloon out the other end of the balloon, so as to provide easy guidance of the balloon to any desired location in a blood vessel by use of the guide wire. The balloon can also include a material which can be detected by X-rays.

Abstract: Valved self-perfusing guiding catheter comprises an elongate, flexible catheter body, passageways disposed along at least a portion of the catheter body for permitting perfusion through a central lumen of the catheter body, and one-way valves for preventing passage of injectable agents, such as contrast media, through the passageways.

Abstract: The invention concerns a surgical apparatus for the irrigation and aspiration of the operative cavity during endoscopic surgery. The apparatus comprises a reservoir of liquid for irrigation of the cavity, a pump for circulating the liquid in the cavity, a pressure measuring and control means, such as a piezometric cell and valve for measuring and controlling pressure in the cavity and a flow control means for controlling the flow of the liquid. The apparatus also provides temperature control means by which the temperature of the liquid may be adjusted, which along with pressure control means and adjustment of pressure of the liquid in the cavity, provides a desired hemostatic effect during the surgical process.

Abstract: To protect against accidental needle prick a catheter and insertion device are provided wherein the needle is retractable within the device after insertion of the catheter. The device comprises a hollow barrel or tube of semi-rigid plastic material into which the needle can be retracted after use. The insertion needle is mounted on a carrier with the sharp end oriented toward an open insertion end of the barrel with the catheter snugly fit about the needle. A sliding tab is mounted to the carrier by an outwardly biased flexible member and extends through a longitudinal slot in the barrel. Near either end of the slot V notches are provided in the internal wall of the barrel to engage locking hubs on the sliding tab to releasably lock the carrier in either the exposed or retracted position.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon catheter which is capable of being removed from a patient while leaving a guide wire in place has a longitudinal slit extending from its proximal end to a position near its inflatable balloon. The catheter has an inflation lumen for applying fluid to inflate the balloon, and an insertion lumen through which the guide wire passes. The slit communicates with the insertion lumen so that the catheter can be peeled off of the guide wire as the catheter is withdrawn from the patient and the guide wire remains in place in the patient.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body having a lumen with a distal opening, an elongated inner tube having a flexible distal end portion and a flexible everting element coupled to the catheter body and the inner tube so that the everting element can be inverted and everted to the distal opening. The inner tube has an inner tube lumen which extends through the distal end portion of the inner tube. The distal end portion of the inner tube includes a flexible tubular layer and a flexible reinforcing layer which reinforces the tubular layer and inhibits radial collapse of the inner tube lumen in the distal end portion of the inner tube.