Abstract: An applicator device for applying an agent to a target site with a malleable tip that can be cut to length with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or similar type of scissors and a malleable tip with a formable tube that that can be cut to length with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or similar type of scissors. The malleable tip is configured for passage of fluid therethrough and includes a malleable member. The malleable member is made of a soft metal that is strong enough to retain the shape of the tip after is has been bend into configuration, but soft and weak enough to be easily cut with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or the like. A method for preparing an applicator device that is suitable for applying an agent to a target site during or before an operation, comprising providing an applicator device with a formable tip, forming said tip to a desired configuration and cutting said formable tip to a desired length with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or similar type of scissors.

Abstract: A retractable syringe comprises a cutting head mounted on a plunger of the syringe. When the plunger is advanced to expel fluid from the syringe, the cutting crown cuts a retention mechanism which holds a needle unit of the syringe, allowing a drive mechanism to drive the needle unit into the syringe. The cutting crown is shaped to reduce the force which has to be applied to cut the retention mechanism. Furthermore, a disposable needle assembly for attachment to a syringe unit comprises a needle and connector element for connecting the needle to the syringe unit. The connector element encircles the needle and has a thread on its outer surface for mating with the syringe unit. When the needle assembly is mated with the syringe, a central bore of substantially constant bore extends from the tip of the needle into the interior chamber of the syringe.

Abstract: Methods and devices for biasing a balloon catheter are disclosed. In one example, a medical device may include a catheter shaft and a balloon assembly coupled to a distal region of the catheter shaft. The balloon assembly can define a chamber configured to be inflated and deflated using a fluid supplied from the catheter shaft. A biasing member may be positioned in the chamber of the balloon assembly and may be configured to bias the balloon assembly to a longitudinally extended state without obstructing an exhaust lumen of the catheter shaft. In some cases, the biasing member may be a spring. In other cases, the biasing member may be a coiled portion of a fluid supply line.

Abstract: Some embodiments of an infusion pump system include an occlusion detection system to detect when an occlusion exists in the fluid path between the medicine reservoir and the infusion site located, for example, on the user's skin. The occlusion detection system can be configured to self-calibrate in a manner that accounts for changes in environmental conditions, such as ambient temperature, pressure, or the like, so that the occlusion detection system provides reliable feedback to a user as to the occluded or non-occluded state of the medicine flow path.

Abstract: A medical procedure kit is disclosed. Preferably, the medical procedure kit includes at least a frame configured to communicate with a body of a patient, an instrument positioning assembly supported by the frame, and means for advancing an instrument confined by the instrument positioning assembly into the body of the patient. Preferably, the medical procedure kit further includes an instrument carrier positioned between the instrument and the means for advancing the instrument. The instrument carrier preferably secures the instrument in a fixed position relative to the carrier, and the frame preferably includes a base portion configured to maintain the instrument positioning assembly in a stable position relative to the patient's body.

Abstract: This invention is new apparatuses and methods for treatments to be used from inside conduits or biological pathways. Examples of the biological pathways in which these new apparatuses and methods may be used include arteries, veins, and respiratory ways. Multi-purpose catheters (10) and catheter systems using structures including wires (2108), balloons (2150), and cords (2204) are described as well as methods to use such catheters and catheter systems. One of the embodiments is a configurable wire system which carries or transports radioactive sources. The wire is used in conjunction with a closed-end channel catheter.

Abstract: Methods and devices for bonding a balloon assembly, such as a balloon assembly including an inner balloon and an outer balloon, to a catheter shaft are disclosed. In some cases, a proximal waist of the inner balloon may be bonded to an interior surface of an outer tubular member of the catheter shaft and a proximal waist of the outer balloon may be bonded to an exterior surface of the outer tubular member. In other cases, the proximal waist of the inner balloon may be bonded to a reduced diameter portion of the outer tubular member of the catheter shaft and the proximal waist of the outer balloon may be bonded to the outer tubular member, such as a non-reduced outer diameter portion of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A safety carpule system with integral retractable needle includes a piston element disposed between a needle hub assembly and a plunger element, each being axially slideable within a cylindrical housing. A medication-filled fluid chamber is defined between the plunger element and the piston element. The piston element is forced to into a fluid release position by way of an increase in fluid pressure within the fluid chamber, which in turn is caused by actuation of the plunger element toward the needle hub assembly by way of a syringe plunger rod. When the piston element is in fluid release position, the medication is able to flow from the fluid chamber through the needle as the syringe plunger rod is further compressed. Once the carpule system is spent, the piston element is latchably engaged by both the needle hub assembly and the plunger element, thus allowing the needle to be fully retracted into the housing upon return of the syringe plunger rod to its extended position.

Abstract: A portable, low maintenance apparatus is provided for cooling down athletes following strenuous exercise. The apparatus has a repository that holds ice, and a fan configured to blow air through the ice and out of a face adapter part. The face adapter is shaped to provide a cool, breathable stream of air to a user who presses his face up against the adapter.

Abstract: A waste management system includes a waste transport device and a waste collection device. The waste management system may include a securement device for maintaining the position of the waste transport device following insertion. The waste transport device may include a modular medication delivery apparatus with a disposable delivery device for delivering medication to the patient following insertion of the waste transport device.

Abstract: A medical balloon catheter including a shaft comprised of a cross-wound coil tube and a sleeve surrounding the cross-wound coil tube. The cross-wound coil tube includes a monofilament inner coil disposed within a monofilament outer coil. The inner and outer coils are wound in opposite pitch directions. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the inner and outer coils includes a tapered distal section having a tapered diameter. In at least another embodiment, the inner coil extends distally beyond the distal end of the outer coil, providing increased flexibility in a distal portion of the shaft. An inflation balloon is attached to the distal end of the shaft. The shaft includes an inflation lumen formed through the inner coil and a wire guide lumen formed through the distal portion of the shaft and extending through the chamber of the balloon.

Abstract: A cordless cautery and cutting surgical device includes a modular battery and a surgical handle operable to removably hold the battery thereto. The handle has a cordless radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly and a surgical bipolar end effector having jaws and a cutting blade therebetween. The signal-generation assembly selectively supplies radio-frequency signal to the end effector when powered for electrocautery of tissue between the jaws. The handle defines therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment selectively exposed to the environment and removably holding therein the battery. A motor assembly is disposed in the handle and is electrically connected to the battery and/or the signal-generation assembly and is powered and controlled thereby. The motor assembly physically couples to the blade and/or at least one jaw for moving the blade/jaw(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for selective ventilation of one or both lungs of a patient, comprising an endotracheal tube to be arranged in the trachea of the patient and having a proximal and a distal end, an endobronchial tube connected thereto and having a proximal and a distal end, the distal end of which extends beyond the distal end of the endotracheal tube, and means for positioning by feel the distal end of the endobronchial tube in at least a longitudinal direction of the trachea. The positioning means are herein adapted to also position the distal end of the endobronchial tube in a peripheral direction of the trachea. The positioning means can be arranged close to the distal end of the endobronchial tube and can extend so far outside the periphery thereof during use that they come to lie on the carina of the patient. The positioning means can also be asymmetrical relative to the periphery of the endotracheal and/or endobronchial tube and can be adapted for co-action with the trachea wall.

Abstract: An autoinjector comprising an outer housing in which can be mounted a syringe for holding a volume of medicament, the syringe for holding medicament having a needle at one end thereof, a syringe holder for supporting the syringe in an axial position relative to the outer housing, and an intermediate housing at least part of which is located within said outer housing, characterised in that said intermediate housing is provided with a blocking means capable of abutting the syringe or the syringe holder so as to be capable of preventing forward axial movement of the syringe when a forward axial force is applied to said needle before actuation of the autoinjector to deliver an injection, but incapable of preventing forward axial movement of the syringe during actuation of the autoinjector to deliver an injection.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for implementation and use of a fluid connection assembly, having a locking mechanism, which may be connected to a medical fluid injection device. An example fluid connection assembly includes at least one fluid connector, a mating mechanism coupled to the at least one fluid connector and configured to connect the at least one fluid connector to a medical fluid injection device, and a locking mechanism coupled to the mating mechanism and movable into a locked position or an unlocked position. In this example, the fluid connection assembly becomes affirmatively coupled with the medical fluid injection device when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, and the fluid connection assembly becomes removably decoupled from the medical fluid injection device when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-use injector (4) and a dual-chamber system (99), wherein at least one first chamber (105) is part of a cylinder-piston unit (100) that can be received in the single-use injector, and wherein the second chamber (255) is part of a container (250) that can be at least temporarily closed by means of a stopper (257) and that is inserted in a container adapter (200) releaseably supported on the single-use injector. To this end, the plug comprises a plug hole. The container adapter comprises a transfer tube that is closed at first. When the container is inserted in the container adapter, the transfer tube (242) connects the interior of the cylinder-piston unit to the interior of the container.

Abstract: A device for administering a product (e.g. a medicinal or therapeutic substance), the device including a receptacle for the product or constituents of the product and a casing, wherein the receptacle and casing are engaged, and an outer sleeve, wherein the casing can be moved relative to the receptacle into the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A robotic catheter rotatable device cartridge may include a housing member attachable to a drive mechanism for rotating the cartridge and a catheter attached to the cartridge along an axial direction of the catheter. A slider block may be generally slidable relative to the housing and engaged with one or more steering wires for controlling movement of the catheter in a transverse direction relative to the axial direction. The catheter may include the steering wire(s) engaged therewith and movable in the transverse direction when the slider block is linearly driven in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a nasal cannula for delivering continuous positive airway pressure (“CPAP”) to a patient's nares during operative procedures or in critical care areas. A malleable metal or plastic is encased in the bridge of the cannula to allow it to be shaped to the patient's face. As a result of contouring the cannula to the face, air leaks are minimized allowing a seal to be provided when an op site is applied to cover the upper lip, nasal cannula and nose. The cannula's nasal inserts can end in nontapered or slightly tapered non-sealing beads, which may be slightly angled out to accommodate various facial anatomies. When approximately several liters per minute of oxygen are flowed through the cannula, CPAP is obtained.

Abstract: A robotic catheter device cartridge may include a finger or a slider block generally disposed in a channel and engaged with a steering wire. The steering wire may control movement of a component having the steering wire engaged thereto when the finger or the slider block is linearly driven in a predetermined direction. The cartridge may be a transseptal cartridge having a transseptal needle connected thereto, a catheter cartridge having a catheter connected thereto, or a sheath cartridge having a sheath connected thereto.