Abstract: The invention is directed to a novel method and apparatus for treatment of a diseased internal organ, specifically, the male prostrate gland. The method and apparatus are specific to a transperineal approach to the prostrate gland. The apparatus comprises a catheter containing a plurality of lumens therethrough, an inflatable transparent member in fluid communication with one of the lumens and placed on the distal end of the catheter, and visualizing means to allow for visualization of the area to be treated through said inflatable member. Upon inflation, the inflatable member aids in the separation of the prostrate gland from the rectal wall. Additionally, treating means can be inserted through another of the lumens in order to obtain the desired systemic effect on the prostate gland.

Abstract: A trocar consisting of a trocar in a central opening in a cannula. The cannula is provided with at least one separate passage running parallel to the central passage. The separate passage is connected to a source of cleansing fluid and a pumping means for pumping fluid through the separate passage. The separate passage terminates in an orifice near the distal end of the central opening of the cannula. In operation, when the cannula is used to provide access for a laparoscope or other viewing instrument, the end of the viewing instrument may become clouded with moisture and other debris. In this case, the end of the viewing instrument may be withdrawn into the distal end of the cannula adjacent the fluid orifices. The pumping means is actuated and cleansing fluid is forced over the end of the instrument cleaning away the obstructing matter without removing the instrument from the cannula.

Abstract: Universal connectors suitable for use during the operation of vacuum or aspiration systems are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to augmented polymeric hypodermic needles and lancets. A flexible polymeric hypodermic needle or lancet is stiffened and made to more readily pierce the skin by working in conjunction with an augmenting structure. The devices are by their nature safer than present metal hypodermic needles or lancets. "Anti-stick", one-time use, and safety shielded models are demonstrated. Novel manufacturing methods will lead to devices that are less expensive than their metal counterparts. Unlike metal hypodermic devices these can be easily incinerated. This invention makes possible safe, easy to use, low cost, disposable hypodermic devices for injection, blood sampling and testing.

Abstract: Delivery devices which include a beneficial agent and an activating mechanism in separate compartments separated by a moveable partition are designed to deliver the beneficial agent in a pulsatile manner through an orifice. The pulsatile delivery is achieved by a band of resilient material which is placed over the orifice. The resilient material is sufficiently tight to substantially seal the orifice when the pressure within the device is below a threshold level while at the same time being capable of being stretched when the internal pressure exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A liquid can be dosed advantageously using a syringe-like device, from a container fitted thereon, by means of a plunger mounted displaceably in a dosing chamber, this dosing chamber being connected to the container via a channnel passing through this plunger, a valve and a channel arranged together with the plunger in a connection tube.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter with an expandable region formed of a tubular material that continues the distal end of the catheter body in a one-piece configuration and is radially expanded and contracted by means of a control wire. The interior of the expandable region is in fluid communication with a lumen in the catheter body to allow the delivery of a fluid to the artery via openings in the surface of the expandable region. The catheter is particularly adapted to hold open an artery after a vascular procedure therein such as a balloon or other type of angioplasty, and if desired to introduce a therapeutic drug or other fluid to the site of the vascular procedure.

Abstract: Safety device for taking samples and performing infusions which comprises: a grip end provided with a coupling for connection to a fluid supply duct; a delivery end for a container for collecting fluid; a double-tip needle in which the tip proximal with respect to the supply duct is directed toward the grip end and the distal end is directed toward the delivery end; a needle support engaging an intermediate portion of the needle and movable from an inactive position to an active position toward the grip end in order to cause the proximal tip of the needle to penetrate the supply duct; elastic return means for said support; and an element for abutment at the delivery end for acting as a locator for a collection container, which moves with respect to the needle between a retracted needle protection position and a protruding position for insertion on the needle in order to expose its distal tip and simultaneously insert it in the collection container.

Abstract: A medical ablation method for reducing snoring wherein a flexible RF electrode wire surrounded by an insulating sleeve axially moveable thereon is inserted into an uvula; the sleeve is retracted to expose a predetermined portion of the electrode; and RF energy is applied to the uvula tissue through the electrode to cause internal lesions in the uvula and reduce snoring.

Abstract: Catheters manufactured by extrusion are described along with methods and devices for their manufacture. Catheters are manufactured according to the invention by simultaneously conveying a plurality of streams of different materials to a molding nozzle and merging the streams together to form a catheter. An apparatus for the manufacture of such catheters includes means for opening and closing the flow of materials in a controlled manner to thereby vary the composition within the finished extrusion profile. The finished extrusion profile is provided as a catheter containing at least one wall section having bands of different materials extending longitudinally along the length of the catheter.

Abstract: A steerable catheter is disclosed which can treat luminal surfaces such as those occurring in the vascular tree, pulmonary tree, gastrointestinal tract, urological organs, etc. with Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) or other optical diffusing treatments. The catheter, which may include an inflatable balloon portion, has a light diffusing tip which can be deflected allowing the catheter to be steered precisely. The light diffusing tip on the steerable catheter is able to gain access to and enter virtually any sub-branch of the luminal system being treated. Since this catheter does not require a guidewire lumen for insertion, the profile is reduced. A low profile device allows treatment light to be delivered to the walls of the most distal, small diameter lumen.

Abstract: A catheter access system comprises and integrally molded base sheet which forms first and second opposed slide valve walls. The slide valve walls form an upwardly-open longitudinal valley therebetween. An elongated sliding member is received for slidable movement within the longitudinal valley. A plurality of slide valve inlet ports extend through the first slide valve wall. A slide valve outlet port extends through the second slide valve wall. A plurality of syringes are mounted on the integrally-molded base sheet for fluid communication with the slide valve inlet ports. The elongated sliding member is movable between a plurality of discrete longitudinal positions to individually select slide valve inlet ports for connection to the slide valve outlet port. The sliding member has a plurality of sliding member passageways corresponding to the slide valve inlet ports.

Abstract: A link for use between a needleless syringe and a liquid medicine vial may be used equally well with both Luer lock and slip tip syringes. An adapter flange forms both an anchor for a conventional Luer lock and a receiving receptacle for a conventional slip tip syringe. The bottom end of the receiving receptacle is capped with a cylindrical sieve providing multiple fluid flow paths. The vial end of the link is formed with a pocket for collecting fluid when the vial is inverted. Two separate versions are provided, with one having a flip-top cap flush with the top of the medicine vial and the other having a twist-off top extending above the top of the vial. An outer jacket, surrounding the vial top is an optional variation on either version and provides for resealing of multiple dose vials.

Abstract: An irrigation system contains a safety relief valve and a safety relief valve control valve. The safety relief valve control valve acts to modulate the operation of the safety relief valve when there is flow from an outflow port. By this mechanism high flow rates are accommodated without causing premature activation of the safety relief valve.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for holding a lyophilized product, forming a disposable portion of a pen injector includes a cylindrical glass cartridge adapted to receive the product, a closure cap, a cartridge case, and a plunger mechanism. The closure cap is adapted to retain an elastomeric disc seal during lyophilization and includes diametrically opposed ledges. The closure cap and seal are adapted to cover a neck portion of the ampule, the neck portion having on its end a radially extending circumferential flange. The ledges of the closure cap and the flange of the neck portion allow the closure cap to remain open during lyophilization, oxygen purge and nitrogen overlay. An oval-shaped indentation formed on the inside of the closure cap aids in snapping the closure cap about the flange without crimping to retain the closure cap underneath the flange.

Abstract: In a cardiac catheter comprising a tubular guide catheter having a catheter hose movably disposed therein and electrodes projecting from the hose and forming sensors which are pretensioned so as to extend outwardly when the catheter hose is moved forwardly out of the guide catheter and a fiber disposed in the hose in spaced relationship from the walls of the hose for transmitting light to an area ahead of the catheter, a funnel-shaped foil is connected to the hose and the sensors so as to provide a forwardly open funnel around the axis of the light transmitting fiber when the sensors are extended from the guide catheter for containing rinsing liquid supplied through the annular space between the light transmitting fiber and the hose and for limiting access of blood into the space within the funnel formed by the foil.

Abstract: The device comprises a receiving housing for receiving and maintaining the vial, this latter being comprised of a pocket (10) containing the product and a nozzle (11 ) in which is inserted a pump (8) which has a variable volume chamber (8000) controlled by a movable actuating member (85); the device according to the invention comprises a pushing means (42) capable of acting against this actuating member (85) through the wall of the casing so as to displace it in a so-called "forward" direction against a resilient release means, a locking means (46) capable of locking the pushing means (42) in a position in which it maintains the actuating member in a mobile state at the end of the "forward" stroke, and an unlocking control means (52) of said locking means (46).Device for distributing successive and precise doses of a fluid product, in particular medicinal or cosmetic, for instance for the instillation of an eye lotion.

Abstract: A device for holding an IV tube in a pumping apparatus and for selectively occluding the tube when the door of the pumping apparatus is opened, to prevent free flow of fluid in the tube. The device consists of a base member to which the IV tube is attached or through which it passes, and a slide clamp which slides relative to the base member and relative to the tube. The IV tube is passed through an elongated aperture in the slide clamp, and the slide clamp is slidingly mounted on the base member. The aperture in the slide clamp has a relatively open hole at one end, through which the tube passes when the slide clamp is in one position, allowing fluid to flow through the tube. The aperture also has a relatively constricted slot at the other end, through which the tube passes when the slide clamp is in a second position, preventing fluid flow through the tube.

Abstract: Valve apparatus and method with an elastomeric disk fixedly disposed between inlet and outlet members and being deformable to permit flow through the inlet to the outlet. Deformation of the disk in the direction of pressure through the outlet is limited. The elastomeric disk can be circular with a linear or non-linear slit and be clamped between the inlet and outlet members. The structure for limiting disk deformation can take the form of a pilot integrated into, and extending across, the inlet member in centrally or non-centrally apertured form.

Abstract: A medical system for transferring fluids (e.g. blood) to or from patients which includes a needle having a proximal end, a distal end attached to a syringe (or other comparable fluid transfer device), a medial section, and an internal passageway. The medial section is elliptical in cross-section with dual arcuate side walls. The proximal end is blunt and rounded. Also included is an access site having a conduit with a resilient tubular port extending outwardly therefrom. The port includes a bore therethrough. The port and the bore are both elliptical in cross-section. A resilient compression member having an elliptical opening therein is positioned on the port to exert pressure thereon and close the bore. In use, the needle is urged into the bore, temporarily deforming the compression member. After removing or delivering fluids using the syringe (or other device), the needle is withdrawn from the bore which is self-sealing by the compressive action of the compression member.