Abstract: A needlestick prevention device for an injection device having a hollow needle comprises a sheath for attachment to the injection device. The sheath has three positions. In a first, inoperative position the sheath sealingly encloses the needle. In a second operative position a first part of the sheath is removed, a second part remains attached to the injection device and a third part is pivoted about a hinge to expose the needle. In a third, cover position the third part is pivoted about the hinge to cover at least the tip of the needle and is retained in position by a retaining device acting between the second part and the third part. The needlestick prevention device is simple to manufacture and use.

Abstract: A safety shield apparatus including a safety shield and mounting structure for mounting the safety shield to a medical needle. The safety shield includes a distal segment, a proximal segment and a retention member. The distal segment is pivotally secured to the proximal segment and the proximal segment is pivotally secured to the retention member. The retention member includes an opening for receiving a nose of a medical needle device, e.g., a blood collection device. In one embodiment, a retaining collar is provided which is dimensioned to be press-fit about the nose of the medical needle device to secure the safety shield to the medical needle device. Alternatively, mounting structure is formed directly on the retention member to secure the safety shield to the medical needle device.

Abstract: A disposable clip (10) is used to releasably attach an ampoule (13) to a syringe (11). The clip (10) includes an ampoule engaging portion (19) and a syringe engaging portion in the form of a recess (17). The ampoule engaging portion (19) comprises a compressible projection which is inserted into the neck (21) of the ampoule (13). The ampoule engaging portion (19) is thereby compressed and frictionally engages the inside of the neck (21) to secure the ampoule (13) firmly to the clip (10). The clip (10) does not obscure the label on the ampoule (13).

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering a drug depot at or near the spinal column of a patient. In various embodiments, the drug depot comprises a drug cartridge containing drug pellets for delivery at or near the spinal column of a patient.

Abstract: A medication and needle module (20) for an injection device. The module (20) includes a housing (22) including a first portion (39) and a second portion (38) detachably connected together, the second housing portion having a periphery complementarily shaped with a cavity (154) in the injection device (150) to be loadable therein, a primary container (120) within the first housing portion and including a medication filled reservoir (124), a secondary container (70) within the second housing portion and including a medication tillable reservoir, a needle cassette (60) rotatably mounted within the second housing portion and including a plurality of delivery needles (64), and a transfer needle assembly (100) within the housing. The detachability of the second housing portion from the first housing portion permits the second housing portion with the secondary container and the needle cassette to be loaded as a unit independently of the first housing portion into the injection device cavity for use.

Abstract: A hemodialysis use adjunctive device comprises an artificial blood vessel to be transplanted in the body at a location between an artery and a vein, a T-shaped tubular body comprising a straight tube portion and a stem portion and interposed in the artificial blood vessel, and an access tube provided at one end portion thereof with a jack having a pair of needles. A throttling unit is provided in the straight tube portion and is arranged so that it can be located between the pair of needles of the jack projecting from the stem portion to the straight tube portion when the jack of the access tube is connected to the stem portion of the tubular body. This arrangement can provide the result that while hemodialysis can be performed properly, internal membrane thickening of the vein and the resulting stricture or obstruction of the same can be prevented.

Abstract: A method is described including introducing a delivery device to a point within a renal artery or a renal segmental artery and delivering a treatment agent from the delivery device according to conditions that create a turbulent blood flow and wherein the treatment agent is capable of inhibiting a biological process contributing to nephropathy. In other embodiments, an apparatus and kit are described including a delivery device for insertion to a point within a renal artery or renal segmental artery and delivery of a treatment agent capable of inhibiting a biological process contributing to nephropathy.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus has a surgical instrument to treat a diseased part of a patient. An energy supply unit supplies energy for driving the surgical instrument. A sensor obtains information about states of the surgical instrument. An energy change detector detects whether magnitude of energy supplied to the surgical instrument is changed or not. A control unit controls driving of the sensor, based on a result of detection by the energy change detector.

Abstract: A device is provided for controlling the depth of sedation of a respirated patient. The device includes a respirator (2) and a sensor array (1) for detecting the tidal volume and/or the respiration rate of the patient being respirated. A computing unit (5) is provided for calculating the measured values determined with the sensor array (1). A drug regulating unit (3), a drug dispensing unit (4), and a central control device (6) are provided. The central control device (6) has stored desired values for the drug concentration to be dispensed as a function of a preselected depth of sedation corresponding to the corresponding variability over time of the tidal volume and/or respiration rate. The drug regulating unit (3) sets the drug dispensing unit (4) as a function of the tidal volume detected and/or the respiration rate for a preselected depth of sedation of the patient.

Abstract: A medical connector is described which is formed by a body having an inlet port, an outlet port through a male luer portion of the body, and a fluid path between the inlet port and the at least one outlet ports. A retractable post extends through the fluid path in the male luer sealing a tip of the male luer thereby closing the fluid path when the connector in not activated. Barbs extending along the exterior of the male luer and connected to the retractable post, wherein when the connector is activated, the barbs force the retractable post away from the tip of the male luer thereby opening the fluid path through the medical connector. A retention member applies force to the post to force the post to seal the tip of the male luer with the medical connector is not activated.

Abstract: A catheter which allows the rotational orientation of the distal end of the catheter to be adjusted in discrete intervals as the physician rotates the proximal end of the catheter. The catheter is designed to intentionally induce whipping but to limit the amount of whipping to a desired rotational interval.

Abstract: A safety shield apparatus including a safety shield and mounting structure for mounting the safety shield to a medical needle. The safety shield includes a distal segment, a proximal segment and a retention member. The distal segment is pivotally secured to the proximal segment and the proximal segment is pivotally secured to the retention member. The retention member includes an opening for receiving a nose of a medical needle device, e.g., a blood collection device. In one embodiment, a retaining collar is provided which is dimensioned to be press-fit about the nose of the medical needle device to secure the safety shield to the medical needle device. Alternatively, mounting structure is formed directly on the retention member to secure the safety shield to the medical needle device.

Abstract: Microcannulae are constructed with multiple components in a composite design, allowing the microcannulae to have varying mechanical and delivery properties that will enable ophthalmic treatments by minimally invasive means. The microcannula includes at least one flexible, tubular communicating element with an outer diameter of 350 microns or less, a proximal connector for introduction of materials, energy or tools. It may also include a reinforcing member attached to the communicating element, which may be designed to create variable stiffness along the length of the microcannula. The microcannula may also include other features such as a signal beacon near the distal tip.

Abstract: A PFO closing device for bringing the septum primum and the septum secundum into contact with each other and joining them together includes a clamping mechanism and energy supplying device. The clamping mechanism includes a needle part for puncturing the septum primum, and a clamping member for cooperating with the needle part in clamping therebetween tissue of the septum primum and the septum secundum. The energy supplying device supplies energy for joining the tissues clamped by the needle part and the clamping member. The clamping mechanism is mounted in a catheter so as to be protrudable from and retractable into the catheter.

Abstract: A method for accelerating subcutaneous absorption of a fluid or drug into the systemic circulation of a specific targeted tissue. A first drug operative to produce local capillary vasodilatation and/or increase the rate of bulk flow of solution through the interstitial space is mixed with a fluid. The fluid may contain a crystalloid solution or a dilute solution of a pharmacologic drug required for a routine or emergency therapeutic treatment for a patient. The first drug is substantially non-toxic to the patient. The fluid mixed with the first drug is then delivered subcutaneously or into deeper tissues of the patient, by use of a hyperdermic needle or infiltration cannula. As the capillaries are dilated, the fluid is efficiently absorbed and circulated systemically.

Abstract: A medical device is provided comprising a cannula having a distal portion adapted to be arranged through the skin of the subject, and an outer needle arranged coaxially with and being axially moveable relative to the cannula, the needle comprising a pointed distal end, wherein the device is adapted for advancing the cannula with the distal end of the needle projecting there from through the dermis of the subject, and subsequently retract the needle.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system utilizes a needle through which fluid is aspirated from a surgical site, and a sleeve coaxially received over the needle to define a flow passage between the sleeve and needle through which fluid is communicated to the surgical site. The system further includes a container that provides an adjustable infusion pressure for urging the flow of irrigation fluid to the surgical site. An aspiration pump urges aspiration of fluid from the surgical site, and a sensor detects the rate of aspiration flow. A controller is configured to calculate an intraocular eye pressure based on the infusion pressure and a pressure drop due to a resistance to the flow rate, which flow includes the sensed flow rate and a predicted leakage selected from a look-up table based on a size of the needle, a size of a sleeve, and a size of an incision through which the needle and the sleeve are placed.

Abstract: A diluent/medication mixing syringe assembly is described which includes a cannula which extends through a syringe plunger assembly into a reservoir of the syringe assembly. The cannula facilitates injection of a diluent, medication or other fluid into the fluid reservoir of the syringe assembly immediately prior to use for mixing with a medication in the reservoir. In one embodiment, a mixing element is secured to a distal end of the cannula within the reservoir to improve mixing efficiency.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides access ports for use in surgery. The access ports possess a distal end which adopts an alternate shape upon the application of energy, thereby securing the access port to tissue. Alternatively, the access port may have barbs on a surface thereof which are formed upon the application of energy, thereby securing the access port to tissue.

Abstract: A an arm band or strap is provided adapted to be adjustably and comfortably worn about the wrist or forearm of a patient receiving dialysis treatment. Located on the exterior of the band or strap is a pair of oppositely and axially extending tabs having an underside of hook or loop fastener material complimentary to hook or loop fastener material provided on the band or strap exterior. A pair of infusion tubes are adapted to be removably secured respectively between the tabs and the exterior surface of the strap by the interengaging action of the complimentary hook or loop fastener on the surface of the worn band or strap and the underside of each tab, respectively. The worn strap or arm band and the tabs combine to stabilize the infusion tubes during such treatment all of the while permitting safe use of the patient's hands.