Abstract: A multiple cartridge syringe (2), especially useful for use in dispensing insulin, includes a body (4) housing first and second pharmaceutical-filled cartridges (30, 32). The cartridges are of the type with a septum (36) at one end (38) and a piston (42, 44) at the other end (40) with the liquid pharmaceutical (46, 48) between the two. The body also defines an accumulator chamber (10) within which an accumulator piston (26) is slidably mounted. The proximal end (12) of the body is open to provide access to the three pistons by a stem (22). When the cartridges are mounted within the body, the septums are pierced by hollow spikes (52, 53) which are connected to a flow path opening into the accumulator chamber. Check valves (58, 59) 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.

Abstract: A cholangiographic catheter is provided for delivering a contrast fluid for use in X-rays. The device comprises an elongated tube with a curved section. The curved section has a tapered tip and a means for discharging a fluid in a directional flow for reaching the proximal or intraheptic bile ducts as well as the duodenum. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter would have a first set of holes on the curved section and a second set of holes that are smaller than the first located below the first. This would allow for greater control of dispersion of contrast fluid used in X-rays. The catheter would be made of a medical elastomer with memory so that the catheter may maintain the shape of the curved section after the catheter has been inserted into the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cryogenically ablating a predetermined portion of tissue in the body of a patient. Cryoablation is accomplished by a cryoblation catheter having a hollow shaft insertable into the blood vessel of a patient. The shaft has a closed tip portion and a fluid flow passage for directing a flow of cryogenic fluid to the tip. Cryogenic cooling is effected by a liquid-to-gas fluid phase change adjacent the catheter tip. Electrical signal activity may be monitored by an electrode formed integral with the tip to confirm treatment of the paper tissue site.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter having a tube with a balloon-like member connected to the tube at the distal end thereof and a guidewire removably insertable within the lumen and capable of engaging the end of the catheter within the vicinity of the balloon-like member, the guidewire and the lumen being in close-fitting relationship such that there is insufficient space around the guidewire to allow inflation or deflation of the balloon-like member in a reasonable amount of time with the inserted guidewire.

Abstract: The introducer has an adapter with a pair of wings extending at an acute angle to each other wherein the wings are used in handling, holding and splitting. A splittable catheter mounts in a part of the adapter and extends in alignment with an axis of the adapter. The adapter is molded about the splittable catheter tube. A needle and hub are in axial alignment with one another so the needle fits within the splittable catheter coaxial with the axis and the hub removably locks to the adapter to hold the splittable catheter coaxially about the needle during insertion of the needle and splittable catheter with an over the needle technique. Interengagement means on the adapter and the hub lock the axial relationship of the needle within the splittable catheter.

Abstract: A subcutaneously implantable injection port includes an elastomeric outer housing which encloses an easily assemblage multi-piece rigid base structure. An injection chamber is defined between an upper septum, formed integrally with the elastomeric outer housing, and the underlying base structure. The outer housing includes an upper dome and a lower reinforced sheet. The septum, which is formed integrally with the upper dome, includes a septum flange which is compressed, interiorly of the outer housing, between two base members. A filter extends across the injection chamber dividing it into upper and lower portions. A needle guard, provided by one of the base components, prevents contact between a needle inserted into the injection chamber and the filter. An outlet connector integrally formed with one of the base components extends through the outer housing for connecting a catheter or the like, with the lower portion of the injection chamber.

Abstract: A fluid transfer system, including a channel member, adapted for connection between an arterial or venus catheter and an IV fluid administration system. The channel member includes a duct and an access port. An adapter including a recessed needle assembly is provided for mounting to the access port of the channel member. A syringe, IV tubing or an evacuated container may be mounted directly to the channel member via the adapter. Safety is substantially enhanced by recessing the needle assembly of the adapter.

Abstract: A self-discarding syringe has a tube having a spout at an end thereof, and a piston including two elements movable relative to each other. One of the two elements is rigid and another of the two elements is resilient. The tube has a limitation for limiting displacement of the piston means away from the spout.

Abstract: A self-venting balloon dilatation catheter and method for producing the same having a catheter tubing including a first lumen and a second lumen. An expandable balloon is positioned at a distal end of the catheter tubing. The first lumen is for a guide wire and the second lumen is in communication with the interior of the balloon. The balloon is expanded by filling the balloon with pressurized fluid via the second lumen. An air vent within the catheter tubing purges air from the balloon when the balloon is filled with fluid. Air purged via the air vent first moves substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the catheter tubing and then along the longitudinal axis to an opening at a distal end of the catheter tubing. A cylindrically marker band is secured around the distal end of the catheter tuving, and another cylindrical marker band is secured around the catheter tubing inside the expandable balloon.

Abstract: A connector for detachably securing an end of a tube, such as a catheter, to a fluid port of a fluid transfer assembly, such as an implantable device, the connector having a body part which defines a coupler for coupling to a coupler receiver of the transfer assembly. 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 assembly. The body part is rotatable about the sleeve to facilitate coupling of the coupler and coupler receiver. In one embodiment, the connector further includes bayonet pins for twist locking the coupler in the coupling receiver. A tie down may be provided to prohibit the coupler from being inadvertently detached from the coupling receiver. A tactile indicator may be included to indicate correct coupling of the coupler and the coupler receiver. The sleeve generates a compressive force to secure the tube to the fluid port.

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 unique device for long term percutaneous enteral feeding through a surgically formed stoma, such as a gastrostomy, includes a tubular member having a fluid lumen and an inflation lumen. One end of the tubular member is perpendicularly joined to a retention platform through which passes an ambient air port for the inflation lumen and an inlet for the fluid lumen. An other end of the tubular member is provided with an outlet for the fluid lumen. A one-way valve on the outlet prevents reflux of gastric contents into the fluid lumen. Disposed near the one end of the tubular member is an inflatable member, inflatable and deflatable through the inflation lumen. The inflatable member provides retention and anchoring of the device within the patient's stomach.

Abstract: One end of a tee adaptor connects to the proximal end of an endotracheal tube. The other end of the adaptor connects to one end of an elongate transparent flexible bag. The other end of the bag is attached to a catheter tube at a point remote from the adaptor and remote from the distal end of the catheter tube so the catheter tube is sheathed by the bag. A reed valve is between the distal end of the catheter tube and the adaptor connection to the endotracheal tube. The distal end of the catheter tube can be pushed through the reed valve and through the endotracheal tube into the lung for suctioning. The catheter tube has a lumen in its wall through which irrigation fluid is delivered to the distal end as suctioning occurs.

Abstract: A tubular channel usable in endoscopy for flexible auxiliary instruments such as forceps, electrodes and the like to be passed through, in which structuring of the outer wall face by means of a plurality of radial grooves is employed to obtain high flexibility on the one hand and on the other hand a cross-sectional strength which improves its resistance to collapse when suction is applied and also to internal pressure.

Abstract: A safety needle for use in the vascular system. The needle has a first end adapted to be placed in the vascular system and a second end with a stopper and adapted to pass a guide wire. The needle has a port positioned between the first and second needle ends. The port is adapted to be connected to a blood collection device. The blood which enters the first end of the needle is diverted through the port to the blood collection device which avoids having the blood reach the second end of the needle.

Abstract: The guide catheter system for use in the treatment of coronary artery disease includes a first single-lumen catheter of a relatively large internal diameter to pass a second guide catheter therethrough. The first guide catheter comprises an elongated flexible tube having a stainless steel braid embedded in the wall thereof for imparting desired torqueability characteristics to it. The first guide catheter is intended to be inserted at an appropriate point in the vascular system and then advanced until its distal end reaches the coronary ostium. The second guide catheter is fabricated by extruding a plastic, such as polyurethane thermoplastic resin over a tubular Teflon.RTM. core and because it is to be used within the lumen of the first catheter, it need not include a braided structure within its walls to prevent it from kinking.

Abstract: A device for delivering medication into a human body, comprising a catheter having proximate and distal ends, and first and second lumina extending substantially the entire length of the catheter. A first opening in the catheter near its distal end drains fluid from a body when the catheter is inserted therein. There is a second opening in the catheter between the first opening and the distal end of the catheter. The second opening is fluidly connected with the second lumen. A diaphragm is located adjacent to the second opening for blocking off the second opening from the second lumen, and the diaphragm is burstable by a predetermined pressure for unblocking the second opening for fluidly connecting it with the second lumen. Thus, medications can be safely administered without the possibility of premature contact of the medication with the body. The catheter is particularly well suited to the administration of toxic substances such as BCG vaccine into the bladder of bladder cancer patients.

Abstract: A safety device for an injection syringe comprising an outer casing (1) defining an injection fluid space with a plunger (11) movable therein, said plunger being adapted to be coupled with a plunger rod (6) provided with an actuating knob or ring, while at the opposite end of said casing a needle foot (16) equipped with a hollow needle (15) may be fixed thereto in such a manner that the needle bore communicates with the interior of the fluid space, the needle foot (16) being movable inwards relative to the outer casing and adapted to be coupled to the piston in order that the needle may be retracted into said outer casing; the needle foot (16) and the casing (1) are provided with mutually engageable locking means for locking the needle foot (16) in its non-retracted position, and the plunger (11) or the plunger rod (6) and the needle (15) or the needle foot (16) are provided with means for coupling the plunger (11) or plunger rod (6) with the needle (15) or needle foot (16) and releasing the needle or needle

Abstract: A rhomboid piece of paper and plastic laminate has a central rhomboid region scored with parallel lines of weakening. Border regions are provided with appropriate layers of adhesive such that when the blank is wrapped around a needle cap, the border region nearest the open end of the cap bonds to the cap and provides a first circumferentially continuous end band, while the border region nearest the closed end of the cap provides a second end band which is axially moveable relative to the cap. The two end bands are joined by a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentailly contiguous regions which separate into strips which project radially to form an umbrella-like structure when the second end band is urged toward the first end band. The strips extend along a slight helix angle before formation of the umbrella-like structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and methods for initial, or replacement, central venous catherization using a flexible guidewire with markings thereon and a substantially translucent non-thrombogenic catheter. In operation, the guidewire is inserted along a catheter positioned in a vein. The marks on the guidewire are then used to establish, and maintain as constant, the position of the guidewire. Next, the catheter already in the vein is removed by sliding it over the guidewire, and a new catheter is slipped over the guidewire into position. Once the new catheter is positioned, the guidewire is removed.