Abstract: The present invention provides a sheath for at least removably covering the blunt end of the cannula. The sheath allows the cannula to be presterilized and utilized without subsequent sterilization. The sheath comprises a body member defining an interior for receiving at least a portion of the blunt cannula, the body member including a first end and a second end, the second end having an opening for receiving at least a portion of the cannula. The first end including a wall member so constructed and arranged as to rip upon the exertion of a sufficient perpendicular force by an end of the blunt cannula. The body also includes side walls extending between the first and second end, the side walls are so constructed and arranged so as to slide back along the cannula toward the second end upon the tearing of the first end by the cannula and the application of a sufficient force upon the side walls.

Abstract: A hollow lumen cable is formed by helically winding inner and outer coils with the helices of each coil being in an abutting relationship and the outer coil inner peripheral diameter being less than the outer peripheral diameter of the inner coil. Preferably, each coil is multifilar. After the coils are wound, an unwinding force is applied to the outer coil and the inner coil is inserted into the outer coil to have its winding inclined opposite to that of the outer coil; and thence, the outer coil is allowed to contract to form an interference fit with the inner coil. The cable may be incorporated as part of a medical apparatus. For example, the cable distal end is connected to an implantable pump or other rotatable medical apparatus and the proximal end to a powered prime mover.

Abstract: A catheter and stylet assembly comprising an elongate catheter having a lumen open at the proximal and distal ends of the catheter, and a connector adjacent the proximal end of the catheter for connecting the catheter to an extracorporeal support system. A stiff-flexible stylet is provided that is slidably receivable in the lumen of the catheter for providing rigidity to the catheter to facilitate introduction of the catheter into a chamber of a heart or other organ. First and second shoulders are provided on the catheter for abutting a latching portion of the stylet to secure the stylet in either of two positions relative to the catheter. The two positions include a first position wherein the distal end of the stylet extends outwardly from the distal end of the catheter for introducing the catheter into an artery or vein, or directly through the heart wall, and a second position wherein the distal end of the stylet is received within the lumen of the catheter for positioning the catheter in the heart.

Abstract: A guide catheter for use in coronary angioplasty, atherectomy and other cardiovascular interventions is provided with a side port having a one-way valve arrangement which permits the flow of aortic blood into the catheter lumen and out of the distal orifice of the catheter yet which closes in response to pressure injection of a liquid through the lumen of the catheter, such as injection of radiopaque contrast liquid. The valve element may be in the form of a thin flexible film constructed to be substantially immediately responsive to light pressure differentials across the valve element.

Abstract: An elongated tubular catheter adapted for use in an artery or vein is provided. The catheter has a central axis, a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter has a distal portion including a curved portion and an end portion. The end portion has a first opening. The curved portion defines a zone substantially encircling the central axis and has openings facing the axis. The catheter terminates in the end portion. The end portion extends from the curved portion to a position substantially along the axis facing proximally. In use the curved portion centers the catheter and causes the end portion first opening and all other openings to be spaced from the wall of the artery or vein.

Abstract: A low-profile angioplasty catheter is disclosed which is insertable through a guiding catheter. The angioplasty catheter has two balloons. The distal balloon dilates the stenosis. The proximal balloon is separately inflatable and selectively closes the annular passage between the angioplasty catheter and the guiding catheter. The angioplasty catheter has a central lumen with a series of openings allowing fluid communication from the central lumen into the annular passage proximally of the balloon which seals the annular passage. While the first balloon is inflated to dilate the stenosis, blood can be withdrawn from an arterial source through a lumen (or plurality thereof) in the guiding catheter and pumped into the annular passage between the angioplasty catheter and the guiding catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus clamps an intravenous (IV) tube used in an infusion device to control flow rate of IV fluid in the IV tube. A tube clip has first and second pinching members biased for exerting a pinching force on the IV tube. The first and second pinching members are positionable for insertion of the IV tube between them. A pair of clamping members are coupled to a clamp housing and are positionable for insertion of a portion of the tube clip between the pair of clamping members. The pair of clamping members operably engage the tube clip to variably offset the pinching force based on relative position of the pair of clamping members with respect to one another. A manual adjustment mechanism is coupled to at least one of the pair of clamping members and is used to manually adjust the relative position of the pair of clamping members relative to one another to set a desired flow rate in the IV tube.

Abstract: A disposable syringe for the dual extraction of a fluid for a plurality of vacuum glass tubes and other types of fluid reservoirs or alternately the delivery of an injectable fluid. A plunger of the syringe also functions as a conduit with one end thereof capable of sealably accepting a blood collection needle of a blood collection receptacle, and as such, allowing a fluid to flow from within the syringe, through said conduit, and into said plurality of vacuum glass tubes, without loss of the piston's ability to generate a positive or negative pressure within said syringe by advancing said plunger in a distal or proximal direction, respectively. Several embodiments of the plunger-conduit system are described.

Abstract: A rigid puncture-proof sterilizable shield or guard device and method of use for stylet-type stainless steel needles, functioning preferably in two ways: 1) to protect the user from inadvertent needle sticks when placing the stylet back in the needle hub, and 2) to serve as a needle depth guide insuring exact placement of the needle into the desired body space. Adjustable and fixed or nonmovable versions of the guard may be made preferably as a flared, conical member available at the hub to prevent inadvertent needle sticks.

Abstract: A drainage device includes a vessel having a plurality of sub-chambers one of which is a regulated drainage collection chamber, and two of which cooperate to maintain a selected suction level in the drainage collection chamber. A stopcock proximate to the vessel communicates directly with the two cooperating sub-chambers, and allows quick adjustment and stable operation in varying environments. A float ball arrangement provides an indication of water loss that may compromise the water seal. The device is suitable for wound drainage, and may be used as a cardiotomy reservoir or a thoracic cavity drain device. Different embodiments collect blood for autologous infusion.

Abstract: An IV quick-connect/disconnect device is provided and generally comprises suitably molded single piece male and female connectors. The male connector has a male luer-lock on one end, one or more outwardly extending bayonet knobs on a middle portion and a reduced diameter second end which terminates in a resilient septum. The female connector has a female luer-lock on one end and a receiving cylinder with a bayonet cut out on the other; the luer-lock and the cylinder being separated by a wall through which a hollow needle extends that has been insert molded in the wall. The male and female connectors are mated by sliding the reduced diameter second end of the male connector into the receiving cylinder of the female connector, with the bayonet cutouts of the female connector serving as a track for the extended knobs of the male connector.

Abstract: A sheath and method for the removal and disposal of removable needles used to guide insertion of catheters. The sheath having a one way entrance for allowing the removable needle to be taken into the sheath by pulling on a wire attached to the removable needle and passed through the sheath, but to prevent the removable needle from coming out of the sheath after the removable needle is in the sheath.

Abstract: An angioplasty syringe has a half-threaded surface which engages a threaded hydraulic plunger for generating balloon inflating pressure. The threaded nut is part of a component having a cam which engages a cam is part of a pistol trigger. The cam positively raises and closes the threaded surface depending upon the trigger position.

Abstract: A device for gripping a medical shaft such as a guide wire or catheter tube has two operative components: a body member with a longitudinal slot for receiving the shaft and an insert member slidably received in the slot of the body member. The body member and insert member have opposed, generally parallel shaft engagement surfaces which extend longitudinally along the shaft on each side thereof. Moving the insert member longitudinally relative to the body member activates a slide arrangement which moves the opposed surfaces laterally toward one another to grip the shaft therebetween while remaining generally parallel.

Abstract: A transfer instrument (50), consisting of a prefilled disposable syringe, comprises a container (51) containing the liquid to be injected, a piston (52), and a piston rod (53) attached to the bottom of a capsule (54) with a tubular tip (58). This tubular tip has an inner surface (62) in the shape of a truncated cone to admit an insert (66) and an outer surface (64) in the shape of a truncated cone with a taper of 6%, capable of receiving a standard cap (59) fitted with a needle (60). A throat (73) is provided at the periphery of the insert (66) to permit the flow of the injection liquid and to obviate the need for a large dead volume.

Abstract: A disposable pressure wound irrigation device is provided having a reservoir of cleansing solution disposed therein and a pressure chamber for providing a force upon the reservoir such that a liquid stream of cleansing solution is expelled at a constant pressure therefrom. Preferably, the propellant chamber will be provided with a regulator valve fitted within the pressure chamber for constantly monitoring the pressure which urges the chamber against the reservoir. An aimable outlet nozzle is provided through which the cleansing solution is expelled, the nozzle directing the flow of the cleansing solution to the wound surface. A release valve is further provided in order to selectively couple the nozzle with the reservoir, such that the cleansing solution may be evacuated therefrom through a passageway formed by a depression of the valve.

Abstract: A safety locking device is provided for assuring proper matching relationship between a surgical instrument and a trocar guide tube housing. The safety device is slidably mounted on the elongated portion of the surgical instrument, and includes locking fingers with locking tabs projecting radially inward to releasable a circumferential groove in the surgical instrument elongated portion. The locking fingers include a camming surface to engage a corresponding camming surface associated with an appropriate guide tube housing. As the surgical instrument is inserted into an appropriate guide tube housing, the guide tube housing camming surface engages the locking finger camming surface to disengage the locking tabs from the circumferential groove and permit complete insertion of the instrument. A sleeve surrounds the locking fingers to prevent tampering, and as unlocking tool is provided.

Abstract: A connector for applying to the exterior of an elongated member of circular cross-section circumferentially uniform radially directed compressive forces by which to effect attachment and fluid-tight sealing thereagainst. The connector comprises an attachment fitting having formed therethrough a bore for slidably receiving the elongated member and a coaxially disposed, radially enlarged compression recess communicating therewith. A flexible annular gripping member resides in the compression recess slidably circling the elongated member. A locking hub disposed at the end of the compression recess remote from the bore has a compression face which extends into compression recess.

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.