Abstract: A catheter, such as an angiographic catheter, comprises a flexible, tubular, catheter body which is attached at one end to a strain relief member. A coupling element or hub is carried at the same end of the catheter, with the strain relief member typically extending over a predetermined distance in secured relation with the coupling element. In accordance with this invention, at least a portion of the strain relief member protruding outside of said coupling element has a profiled outer surface to facilitate axial rotation of the catheter with the fingers. The profiled surface may comprise longitudinal ridges, or it may comprise a knurled surface, for example.

Abstract: A needleless injection port and automatic backcheck valve comprises a generally tubular body having a pair of vertically offset ports extending laterally therefrom, and a spool within the bore for controlling communication between the ports. The spool is urged by a spring toward one end of the bore, which is open so that a syringe tip can be inserted to displace the spool from a position in which the ports communicate to a position in which they are isolated and secondary medication can be injected from the syringe.

Abstract: A method for injecting viscous material into the eye. In the injection into the eye, sufficient material is injected to separate a membrane from the retina so that intraocular scissors may be manipulated between the membrane and the retina to cut the attachment points. The membrane is then aspirated away. The injection is done using a standard glue injector with a one-shot and a continuous mode. The glue injector is pneumatically coupled through a sterile filter and a custom adaptor to a sterile syringe storing the material to be injected.

Abstract: A feeding tube assembly for nasogastric and nasointestinal enteral feeding with a pH indicator carried by a stiffener used for inserting the feeding tube into a patient. After insertion of the end of feeding tube assembly into the patient but before the stiffener is withdrawn from the tube, the pH indicator is in communication with body fluids which ooze into the lumen of the tube through perforations provided along the distal end thereof. Misplacement of the end of the tube in the patient's tracheobronchial tree is ruled out by noting that the pH indicator has changed color indicating that it has contacted stomach acid.

Abstract: An adapter and retainer for field assembly to the proximal end of a catheter in the form of a plastic clip having a length of flexible tubing mounted thereon into which the end of the catheter is inserted after which two jaws of the clip are locked together to sealingly compress the flexible tubing about the catheter, the catheter also being wrapped one or more times about reel formations provided on the clip and then snapped into retention grooves provided on the clip whereby to absorb any force applied to the catheter which would otherwise tend to separate the catheter from the clip.

Abstract: A replacement gastrostomy tube device is provided comprising a catheter shaft having an outer surface wall, with the shaft enclosing a feeding lumen of substantially circular cross-section and a fluid flow channel. A port housing is located at the proximal end of the shaft with the port housing having a main food inlet port, a Y-port and a fluid inlet port. Near the distal end of the tube are an expandable component member and a food outlet port, which port is preferably located at the distal end. The feeding lumen is of a greater diameter than that of the fluid flow channel. The outer surface wall is of a non-circular cross-section. The feeding lumen is of a circular cross-section which permits the passage therethrough of a jejunal tube. The main food inlet port is of a greater diameter than that associated with the Y-port. The method for using this device permits jejunal feeding through a replacement gastrostomy tube without retraumatizing the patient.

Abstract: A sealless centrifugal blood pump is provided in which a rotatable impeller is supported in a pump housing by fluid bearings during operation. Rotational movement of the impeller is accomplished with an inverted motor for magnetic driving of the impeller and maintenance of the axial running position of the impeller relative to the housing.

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 device for use as an attachment for use with a main pump unit containing a prime mover and a control system for controlling the operation of a disposable cassette containing a fluid pump which is mounted on the main pump unit is disclosed which includes both a compartment for securely storing the medication supply and means for preventing either the cassette or the fluid line between the storage compartment and the cassette from being removed or tampered with. The device is locked onto the main pump unit with a single key operated lock which also locks the cassette in position on the main pump unit, the compartment for storing the medication supply, and a cover sealing the fluid line. The system is compact, and is capable of being used with a variety of fluid sources including both syringes and bags.

Abstract: A stent useful for treatment of prostatic urethral hypertrophy having a cylindrical conduit with a conical flange on one end and an annular flange on the other. The stent is constructed of a medical grade elastomer whereby it may be compressed for implantation and can thereafter be left in place for extended periods of time without adverse reactions by the patient. The stent is placed with a constructed endoscope with a novel everted, tubular retaining member to hold the stent in place during the implantation procedure.

Abstract: A swellable cannula is formed of concentric inner and outer hydrophilic and substantially non-hydrophilic layer structures. The hydrophilic layer structure comprises at least 2/3rds of the cross-sectional area of the wall of the cannula. The substantially non-hydrophilic layer structure is either substantially water impermeable or allows water to pass through at a controlled rate. The substantially non-hydrophilic layer structure may also control the diffusion of medicaments. The cannula has controlled softenability and swellability characteristics.

Abstract: A body member provides a mounting panel for attachment pieces which provide an identification tag for respective ones of a plurality of service tubes or lines, and which, instead of merely identifying the tube by attaching to it, provide the double function of holding the tube to the mounting panel and identifying the tube; and the plurality of separate identification attachments, in the kit with the mounting panel, provide that the array of tubes are not only respectively identified but are easily mounted in an orderly arrangement on the mounting panel. Velcro (hook and loop type fastener material) material preferably is used on both the attachment pieces and the other surface of the panel member; and adhesive material is preferably used for the rear of the panel member, providing easy but removable attachment to any associated support.

Abstract: A catheter grip comprises a pair of members which can be folded about a hinge and pressed lightly together with one hand to hold a catheter firmly, but without damage, in a passage formed by grooves in the members and projecting portions thereof which form a tapered spigot through which the catheter extends. The grip facilitates insertion of a catheter into a vein through a peel sheath and the subsequent removal of the sheath, for which purpose the catheter is held steady by the grip with the tip of the spigot forming a seal in the lumen of the sheath while it is withdrawn over the spigot and thereby split longitudinally along its length.

Abstract: An assembly for connection to at least one medicant supply tube, includes (a) a septum assembly including a distal end cap having opposite first and second ends, an outer peripheral wall extending between the first and second ends and a bore extending therethrough from the first end to the second end; a septum cap including a puncture sealing section positioned over the first end and a securing section integrally formed with the puncture sealing section and positioned in fluid sealing contact with the peripheral wall adjacent the first end so as to secure the septum cap to the distal end cap; and a proximal connector connected with the distal end cap in covering relation to the septum cap, the proximal connector including a bore extending therethrough and a connection at one end thereof; and (b) an external adapter fitting having a septum piercing tube for piercing the puncture sealing section when the external adapter fitting is connected with the proximal connector, and a luer lock connection cooperating wi

Abstract: An introducer valve has a connecting housing enclosing a generally cylindrical elastomeric valve body having a proximal end, a distal end, a central axis, and a central longitudinal opening. The central opening has a proximal aperture tapering inwardly to the central axis and has a distal aperture tapering inwardly to the central axis, and is adapted to receive an elongated guidewire or catheter element. The valve body has an exterior surface which tapers from the proximal end inwardly and from the distal end inwardly generally parallel with the respective apertures (in a somewhat hourglass configuration). The central opening of the valve body is normally sealed closed, and further surrounds and seals a penetrating catheter which is introduced or changed within the valve. The valve further comprises an elastomeric ring which circumscribes the center of the valve body.

Abstract: Blood is stored under refrigeration at a temperature of about 4.degree. C. When it is utilized on a relatively rapid basis within a surgical theater it is transported by tubing through a blood warming apparatus which, while warming the blood, causes an outgasing of entrained air. This air is trapped in an air trap receptacle having a drip chamber within which a gas-blood interface is developed. To assure that the capacity of the trap is not exceeded, an improved technique of gas removal and interface level setting is provided wherein access is achieved essentially through the entrance region of the gas trap receptacle.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling has a first channel shaped element for attachment to an ostomy bag and a second element for attachment to a pad of medical grade adhesive. Each of these elements surrounds a stomal orifice. The second element is made into parts. The first attaches to the pad and the second is slidable axially relative to the first part. Moreover, the second part has a flange under which fingers can be placed when joining the elements to substantially prevent the application of pressure to the peristomal area.

Abstract: A disposable IV infusion device for ambulatory patients comprises a disk-shaped cover plate and a disk-shaped impeller plate which are interconnected by a stretched membrane that joins the edge of the cover plate with the edge of the impeller plate. The effect of the membrane is to urge the plates into juxtaposition. A fluid port is formed on the cover plate for fluid communication through the port with a collapsible fluid chamber established between the plates. Fluid, when injected into the chamber between the plates, is subsequently expelled through the port for controlled infusion to a patient as the membrane pulls the plates toward each other to collapse the chamber.

Abstract: The medical intromission kit comprises an inner sleeve (10), a distal end portion (13) of which tapers externally in the distal direction, the outer sleeve (30), a sleeve (20) intermediate the inner and outer sleeves (10, 30), a seal means (34) at a proximal end portion of the outer sleeve (30) to receive therethrough at least the inner sleeve (10) so as to occlude completely the inner lumen of the outer sleeve (30), and a proximal outer shoulder (15) having an outside diameter not larger than the outside diameter of the intermediate sleeve (20), provided on the distal end portion (13) of the inner sleeve (10), the three sleeves (10, 20, 30) being formed of flexible material and being arranged coaxially for relative axial displacement one within the other between a retracted position wherein the intermediate sleeve (20) is withdrawn into the outer sleeve (30) with the distal end portion (33) of the outer sleeve (30) abutting the proximal outer shoulder (15 ) of the inner sleeve (10) and being no larger in dia

Abstract: A frame for spreading relatively large adhesive backed bandages into a generally flat configuration for applying to a patient. Such bandages might be for a wound dressing, burn dressing, surgical incise drape, etc. The frame is attached to the bandage when the bandage is being stuck to the patient, but the frame is removed so as not to interfere with subsequent movement of the patient's anatomy.