Abstract: A needle guard assembly for a prefilled emergency syringe includes a cylindrical sidewall which extends coaxially with the syringe needle. The sidewall is joined to the syringe housing by spin welding or sonic welding an annular fusible portion that extends axially rearward from an annular flange on the base of the sidewall to contact the front wall of the housing. The sidewall is joined to the housing so that an annular clearance space for the hood is maintained between the hub and the sidewall guard.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a delivery device for controlling the injection of discrete quantities of fluid injectable materials through a conduit such as a hypodermic needle or a catheter. The delivery device is coupled to a pressurized driving fluid source, and the control means provides controlled passage of pressurized driving fluid into a syringe body to act against a piston which forces the fluid injectable material out the needle or catheter.In addition to the delivery device, the invention includes a needle depth guide which is preferably used in combination with the delivery device for cosmetic applications when a hypodermic needle is used to deliver a fluid injectable material to the dermis.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle system that comprises a hub engaging close-fittingly over the end portion of the cylinder of a syringe and coupling means that consists of flexible legs capable of gripping the proximal end of the needle. In another embodiment, the apparatus also comprises a connecting element that is fixedly attached to the needle and is releasably mounted inside the hub, and the coupling means consists of flexible legs capable of gripping the connecting element. As a result of these configurations, the number of components in the hypodermic syringes constructed according to this invention is limited and the products are relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A perfusion shunt device is used in conjunction with balloon catheters to provide blood perfusion across an inflated balloon in a blood vessel. The perfusion shunt device comprises a flexible conduit structure having one or more blood perfusion paths formed from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The flexible conduit structure is usually attached directly or indirectly to a proximal shaft structure. Discrete anchors or expansible sleeves or cages are provided for locating the conduit structure over the balloon on the catheter. The flexible conduit structure will not be directly attached to the balloon, but rather will be secured at locations distal to an proximal of the balloon. In this way, constriction and distortion of the conduit structure and/or balloon resulting from balloon expansion are minimized. The device may be loaded over a conventional angioplasty balloon catheter within or outside of the blood vessel being treated, either before or after an angioplasty procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for thoracoscopically arresting the heart and establishing cardiopulmonary bypass, thus facilitating a variety of less-invasive surgical procedures on and within the heart and great vessels of the thorax. In one embodiment, the invention provides a thoracoscopic system for arresting a patient's heart including a clamp configured for introduction into the patient's thoracic cavity through a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest. The clamp is positionable about the patient's ascending aorta between the coronary arteries and the brachiocephalic artery. The clamp is coupled to the distal end of an elongated handle means for manipulating the clamp from a location outside of the patient's thoracic cavity. A means for actuating the clamp is coupled to the proximal end of the handle means. When actuated, the clamp blocks blood flow through the ascending aorta.

Abstract: A pipe-shaped ureter splint of a resilient material which in its position of use is located in the renal pelvis with one of its ends and with the other end in the bladder, wherein on the outside of the end provided for insertion into the bladder a thin-walled, soft, collapsible hose, of one-piece construction at least in its cross-section, is closely attached and projects beyond the front face of this end of the ureter splint, the cross-section of the hose has a shape that is oval, elliptical, or approximately the shape of an elongated rectangle wherein the transitions from the long to the short sides are rounded off, and the hose functions as an anti-backflow valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to a balloon dilatation catheter which comprises a first, inflation lumen extending therethrough and having distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the first lumen opening into and being in fluid communication with the interior of an inflatable dilatation balloon having distal and proximal ends, and a second lumen extending coextensively with the first lumen and having proximal and distal portions. The distal end of the second lumen is open, the distal portion of the second lumen has an opening proximal to the proximal end of the dilatation balloon, the portion of the second lumen distal to the opening is enlarged as compared to the proximal portion to facilitate receiving a guidewire in a sliding fit, and the portion of the second lumen proximal to the opening contains a pushing wire.

Abstract: A fluidic infusion system introduces a select liquid chemical into the environment surrounding the functional end of an in vivo catheter or probe. The catheter/probe typically has a-sensor or electrode positioned near or at its closed distal end. A plurality of spaced radial openings are formed in an appropriate pattern adjacent to the end of the catheter/probe for introducing the select liquid chemical into the appropriate environment. The catheter/probe has at least one lumen extending through its length for directing the liquid chemical from a controlled pump to the radial openings. The openings are positioned within the catheter/probe so that when the catheter/probe is inserted into the appropriate environment, e.g.

Abstract: A syringe unit arranged for a single-use only. The syringe unit comprises a barrel substantially closed at one end by a nozzle and open at the other end. A plunger having a piston is received in the barrel and is movable therealong. A fluid chamber is defined within the barrel between the piston and the nozzle. A syringe needle is releasably secured to the barrel with the cannula extending outwardly from the barrel and communicating with the fluid chamber and is releasable upon rotation relative to the barrel. An engaging means is provided for releasably engaging the piston with the needle whereby when so engaged the piston can be rotated to effect release of the needle from the barrel and then retracted to move the needle into a protective position within the barrel. The engaging means comprises a socket defined in a cavity provided in the needle, and a projection provided on the piston for reception in the socket and engagement therewith.

Abstract: A micro-acupuncture needle for a finger of a hand comprises a sharp needle of a substantially cone-shaped protuberance made by molding a metal sheet of at least one of a group of aluminum and copper.

Abstract: A heat conserving bandage to cover human or animal tissue, comprising heat reflecting means (1) adjacent said tissue for reflecting heat from said tissue back to said tissue, insulation material means (2) covering said heat reflecting means (1), and textile means (3) covering said insulation material means (2). The heat reflecting means (1) includes a sandwiched structure of a first foil (1a) of plastics material adjacent said tissue, a second foil (1b) and bonded thereto. Further textile means (3') can be inserted between said heat reflecting means (1) and said human or animal tissue. Suitably, the textile means and the heat reflecting means are bonded together by sewing or by means of adhesive to create a pocket for receiving said insulation material means.

Abstract: A medical probe device for treatment of the prostate of a human male having a bladder with a base with a urethra formed by a urethral wall extending into the base of the bladder with the prostate having tissue surrounding the urethra near the base of the bladder with a catheter having a control end and a probe end and a passageway extending from the control end to the probe end along a longitudinal axis. A flexible stylet assembly is slidably mounted in the passageway in the catheter and has a distal extremity. The stylet assembly includes a conductive electrode and a sleeve of insulating material surrounding the conductive electrode and permitting a predetermined portion of the conductive electrode to be exposed.

Abstract: An applicator 10 includes a barrel 12 for containing a semisolid medicinal, the barrel including a large diameter cylindrical section 16, a small diameter cylindrical section 18 and an annular sloped transition section 20 that connects the large diameter cylindrical section and the small diameter cylindrical section, the sections being coaxial with each other, the small diameter cylindrical section including an inner surface defining an internal cavity for containing the medicinal, a first end 30 with a first opening 32 and equiangularly spaced, axially aligned evacuation channels 28 in the inner surface for venting air out of the barrel when the internal cavity is filled with the medicinal, and the large diameter cylindrical section includes a second opposite end with a second opening 24; a rubber plunger 58 for pushing the medicinal through the first opening, the plunger being slidably positioned in sealing contact with the inner surface of the small diameter cylindrical section; a plunger rod 86 connected

Abstract: A multifunctional visceral catheter having a self-guiding system in the form of a pair of fiberoptic sensor systems which are sensitive to a predetermined analyte, the analyte being one which is removed from the vascular circuit of interest to a high degree, such as galactose in the hepatic venous system or creatinine in the renal venous system. One of the sensors is disposed on the catheter so as to be positioned within the venous system of interest, while the other sensor remains outside the venous system in the vena cava. A substantial difference between analyte concentration values as measured via the two fiberoptic sensor systems provides immediate confirmation that the catheter is properly positioned. In addition to being self-guiding, the catheter provides for direct sampling of venous blood; includes a fiberoptic system for continuously monitoring oxygen saturation in the hepatic or renal venous blood; and is capable of measuring absolute hepatic or renal blood flow.

Abstract: A piercing device for use with an essentially rigid medical instrument having a proximal portion and a distal portion including working means for performing some medical procedure in an internal portion of the body of a living being. The piercing device comprises a guide member having a handle at the proximal end. The guide member comprises an elongated trough shaped, U-shaped, sidewall having an inner surface, and a distal end in the form of a piercing tip. The device is arranged to be held so that the piercing tip can be pierced through the skin and at least a portion of the underlying tissue to form a trough shaped percutaneous puncture. The tissue contiguous with the puncture engages the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall to form a generally fluid tight interface therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to disposable devices for introducing substances into body cavities of a patient. The device comprises a container for holding a substance which is connected to a tube ending in an opening which is inserted into a body cavity. The opening is sealed by a frangible seal located inside the opening. An actuating rod ruptures and removes the seal upon actuation. The actuating rod is provided with supporting rods extending to the container which are connected to the container by frangible connections. The supporting rod serves as a safe-guard against accidental rupture of the seal and as a guide for a controlled movement of said the actuating rod. The supporting rod also defines and protects an area to be kept sterile. The invention also relates to a moulding apparatus and to a method for making said device.

Abstract: A device for intermixing a first component, such as a parenteral fluid with a second component, such as an immobilized drug carried by a scaffold to form a beneficial agent which, following the mixing step, can be dispensed directly from the device for infusion into a patient. The device includes novel mechanisms for mateably interconnecting a container, such as a glass vial containing the first component with a housing having a fluid outlet which houses a sealed container containing the second component, and then for controllably mixing the components under sterile conditions to form an injectable solution which is automatically dispensed through the fluid outlet of the device.

Abstract: A non-contaminating catheter includes a hollow tube having an axial lumen extending along the length thereof, and an elongated, tubular, flexible membrane disposed within the lumen. The leading end of the membrane is circumferentially folded back over the leading edge of the tube and fixed to a guide assembly. As the catheter is inserted into a patient, the membrane is drawn through the tube and out the leading edge of the tube. Once the catheter is fully inserted, the membrane circumscribes the tube; thus, contact between the tube and the patient is substantially, if not entirely, prevented during insertion of the catheter over the length of the membrane. More particularly, the membrane is laid out as the catheter is urged along the anatomical canal and thus remains interposed between the exterior wall of the catheter and the patient's internal organs (e.g., the urethra).

Abstract: A coupling system for transferring fluids from a medicament-containing cartridge to an injection site comprises a fluid flow channel, a blunt cannula defining the distal end of the fluid flow channel, a needle cannula defining the proximal end of the fluid flow channel, and means for fixedly connecting the needle cannula to the blunt cannula.

Abstract: A fastening system includes a membrane assembly which can comprise a pair of body panels secured together at a seam. The membrane panels can comprise a semi-permeable material. A sheath assembly has a tubular configuration with proximate and distal ends and a sheath passage extending therebetween. The sheath assembly can be fastened to the membrane assembly by adhesively securing the sheath assembly adjacent to its proximate end between the membrane panels at the membrane assembly seam. A sheath-to-tube fastener is provided for fastening the sheath assembly to a tube. In one embodiment of the present invention a surgical sponge is fastened to the membranes in fluidic connection with the sheath, which is fastened to a suction tube for drawing blood from a surgical site.