Abstract: A fully automatic organ pressure sensitive apparatus for dislodging and removing obstructions in bodily cavities or organs by both delivering and removing fluid thereto, operable by high rate continuous or intermittent infusion of fluid solvent over a set pressure range to effect rapid dissolution and removal of the obstruction without complications to the patient. By continuous feedback monitoring of fluid pressure in the bodily organ or cavity of interest, the apparatus can constantly vary infusion and aspiration rates to maintain the set pressure range. If the pressure persists above or below the set range, the apparatus activates a safety feature leading to a period of maximal aspiration and cessation of infusion, followed by cessation of solvent transfer and triggering of an alarm to alert the operator.

Abstract: A method of preparing bone for transplantation in which the internal matrix of the bone is contacted with an atmosphere at less than ambient pressure. The method may additionally, include a further step in which the bone is maintained in contact with a decontaminating agent or a detergent during the period of contact with the atmosphere.

Abstract: A needle-syringe assembly, operable in a normal mode and convertible to a retraction mode, comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical barrel, a plunger slidably mounted in the barrel, and a needle holder carrying a hollow needle on the distal end thereof. The barrel forms a hollow nozzle located at the distal end of the barrel. The plunger forms a coaxial cavity extending therethrough, and the plunger includes a helical slot exposing a proximal portion of the coaxial cavity. The needle holder is slidably mounted in the coaxial cavity of the plunger. During the normal mode, a distal portion of the needle holder is engaged within the nozzle by a taper lock. To switch from the normal mode to the retraction mode, the taper lock is disengaged by rotary movement of the plunger relative to the barrel.

Abstract: A syringe and adapter are constructed so as to provide a bend in the hypodermic needle allowing a dentist to reach hard to get to places inside the mouth. With a bend in the needle, the dentist can rotate the body of the syringe to point the needle in various directions while the body of the syringe is placed inside the mouth. Around the bend of the needle is a solid material to prevent the needle from breaking about the bend while in use.

Abstract: Catheters for drug delivery or for both dilatation and drug delivery are provided with a guide wire lumen terminating within the catheter shaft and having an opening through the catheter shaft to enable a guide wire to exit the catheter shaft substantially distal to the proximal end of the catheter. In one embodiment, drug delivery ports are provided between occlusion balloons. In another embodiment, a dilatation balloon is also provided between the occlusion balloons. In another embodiment, a double layered balloon is provided to simultaneously dilatate the stenosis and deliver medication to the site. Alternatively, a balloon can be provided which only delivers medication.

Abstract: A medicament injection apparatus for subcutaneous or intramuscular delivery of a medicament conceals the needle behind a needle shroud. On apparatus activation, the needle is trust forward, pushing the needle tip outside the needle shroud with enough force to puncture the skin. The needle is thus automatically introduced into the tissue at the proper needle.backslash.skin orientation. In the same action, the apparatus automatically dispenses an accurate pre-set dose. The dose can be set by a manual, variable dosing assembly or by an automatic dosing assembly. The automatic dosing assembly includes a safety mechanism preventing the pre-set dose from being changed except by a doctor or patient using a special wrench or tool.

Abstract: A cooling system including a thermoelectric module, a detachable chilling cassette unit, control electronics, and temperature sensors, the cooling system delivering an ocular infusion solution to an irrigation site at a desired temperature. The control electronics, in response to inputs from the temperature sensors, control the thermoelectric module which regulates the transfer of heat from the ocular infusion solution passing through the chilling cassette. The chilling cassette is reusable after autoclave sterilization.

Abstract: An elongated flexible housing for an atherectomy or other intracorporeal catheter which is formed of a shape memory alloy such as an alloy formed predominantly of NiTi intermetallic compound. The housing preferably has an inner chamber with a tissue cutter or other diagnostic or therapeutic system provided within the chamber to sever stenotic material which is urged into the chamber through a opening or window in the housing. In one embodiment the housing has at least one section which is relatively flexible with adjacent sections which are relatively stiff to provide an increase in the overall flexibility of the housing.

Abstract: A safety syringe adapter (4) has a hollow body (26) sized to house a cartridge-needle unit (6) to which a carrier (24) is fixed. The cartridge-needle unit and carrier therewith are movable from a use position, with the needle tip (58) exposed, to a safe disposal position, with the needle tip within the body. A stem assembly (28) has an elongate stem (60) and a coaxial tubular stem extension (64) and is movable to a post-injection position, at which the stem extension becomes secured to the carrier. Pulling the stem assembly proximally causes the cartridge-needle unit to move to its safe-disposal position so the needle tip is within the body for safe disposal.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has an inner tube communicating with a blood introduction port provided at a tip of the balloon portion. The inner tube is affixed to the inner wall of the catheter tube by adhesion, melt-bonding, or integral formation. The balloon catheter has a small channel resistance in the channel where the pressurized fluid which expands and contracts the balloon portion flows, even when the catheter tube has been bent, and enables expansion and contraction of the balloon portion with a good response. Another balloon catheter has the balloon portions at a range of the end sides of the balloon portions smaller in sectional area compared with the balloon portions at the tip sides. The catheter is able to effectively prevent side effects which occur only rarely but which are serious when they do occur. The catheter impairs as little as possible the effect of assisting the heart action inherent to the IABP method without special measurement of the diameter of the patient's blood vessels.

Abstract: A plurality of regions of a first transverse rigidity are formed in the flexible tip portion of a catheter having a second transverse rigidity along its length which is greater than the first transverse rigidity. The regions of the lesser first transverse rigidity are formed by areas of the catheter tip having an average transverse cross-sectional area less than a transverse cross-sectional area of the remainder of the catheter apparatus. The plurality of first transverse rigidity regions are formed by a respective plurality of circumferential cut out regions in the catheter tip.

Abstract: Disposable syringes are marketed with a plastic cover which protects the needle assembly inserted within. Typically, the end of the cover that extends towards the barrel of the syringe is designed with a surrounding lip. The holder of the invention is fixed to a surface or stand to receive the cover and grasp, secure or envelop its surrounding lip. In use, the syringe, with its cover, is placed into the holder, slid to one side for the lip of the cover to be grasped, and then the syringe and needle assembly can then be safely pulled away from the cover. To dispose of it, the syringe is reinserted into the grasped cover, then slid with the cover out of the grasp of the holder to the other side, where a pair of nibs are provided to limit its movement and allow for the syringe, with its cover in place, to be lifted out. The holder of the invention makes almost impossible any accidental jabbing of one's fingers or hand in removing the needle assembly from, or inserting it back into, the syringe cover.

Abstract: Devices are provided having a polymer coating incorporating compounds inhibiting inflammation and infection, along with subsequent tissue growth onto and around the device. Preferred embodiments include catheters, tubes, and implants that abut tissue following implantation into the body, especially for use in the naso-oto-pharyngeal areas of the body, where localized chronic infection/inflammation of the tissues surrounding the implant may be decreased by sustained release of antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, anti-inflammatories, and other compounds, such as anticoagulants and anesthetics. Preferred polymeric coatings are thin, well adhered to the underlying device, and formed of a biocompatible, non-bioerodible polymer such as polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate. The drug is incorporated either by solvent casting or by absorption into the solidified polymer. The drug incorporated polymer can also be used to form devices, or portions of devices, for implantation.

Abstract: A stabilized bio-inert sensor for the determination of an analyte, especially pO.sub.2, pCO.sub.2 and pH, in a medium which comprises a chemical indicator sensitive to the analyte in association with a stabilizing substrate formed from a polymer which is inert to the medium and analyte and does not affect the sensitivity of the indicator, which polymer is a cross-linked, solid silicone rubber formed from a silicone carbinol having a molecular structure compatible with said indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for surgical decompression and irrigation/lavage of a patient comprising a tube (12) having a distal end (14) which is inserted into the intestine and a proximal end (16) which is located outside the patient. The tube (12) has a wall which surrounds a plurality of longitudinally extending lumens. A suction lumen (22) is connected to a suction means located exteriorly in relation to the patient. There are one or more pores capable of delivering irrigation fluid and for syphoning the contents of the patient's intestine. An irrigation lumen (24) is connected to irrigation means (32) located exteriorly in relation to the patient. There are one or more openings extending from the suction lumen (22) to the irrigation lumen (24) for ducting irrigation fluid or gastrointestinal content and for avoiding plugging of the pores by particulate matter or by a stomach lining when the stomach is aspirated.

Abstract: An improved medicine dispensing pacifier of unitary construction comprising a pierced hollow nipple fixedly attached to a rigid mouth guard with a hollow interior, a reservoir with an end opening opposite the nipple, fixedly attached to the mouth guard, sealing means operable to seal the reservoir end opening in a fluid-tight manner, and retaining means to fixedly attach the sealing means to the reservoir chamber to eliminate potential choking hazard.

Abstract: A slip-layered balloon catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit, especially an artery. The catheter comprises a shaft (21) having at least one lumen (26) for delivery of a fluid inflation media and a slip-layered balloon (12) made up of a plurality of layers with a low-friction substance between the layers. The low-friction substance causes the layers to slide readily relative to one another, softening the balloon while maintaining its strength. Optionally, the balloon includes a plurality of slip-layered segments radially disposed about the balloon wall, and separated by lengthwise ridges joining the layers of each segment together. Also optionally, an elastic sleeve surrounds the balloon wall to improve refoldability of the balloon.

Abstract: A system for controlling drainage of the female bladder comprising a valved catheter, a stylet for placing the catheter in the female urethra, and a spike for opening the valve in the catheter to allow voiding of the contents of the bladder. The system also includes a sizing device for determining the length of the urethra so that the proper fitting catheter is used. The catheter comprises a hollow shaft with a extendable holding portion on one end for placement through the urethra and a crown on the other end for placement external of the body. The valve nay integral with the shaft or insertable after the catheter is placed in the urethra.

Abstract: The invention concerns a display for a medical injection device (1) wherein an injection dose is pre-selected by rotating an operating head (2) and then is administered by axially displacing said head. Switching devices (7, 8) are apposed to the operating head (2) to actuate switches (7, 8) of which the switch positions are transmitted to a printed circuit board (13). The printed circuit board (13) preferably contains a processor, so that values such as set injection dose, the sum of administered injection doses etc. and signals concerning operational states are shown on a display system (15).

Abstract: A medical balloon and catheter in which the balloon (14) is wrapped and folded upon itself tortuously and tightly so outer surfaces (12) contact each other for insertion into the body and in which the balloon is free of bridging and adhesion between abutting surfaces. The balloon has a base of a continuous polymeric surface (10) expandable from a folded, wrapped configuration with surfaces touching each other into a balloon when inflated. A lubricious, biocompatible, hydrogel coating (11) is disposed on the polymeric surface and a thin, lubricious, blood-compatible coating (12) is disposed upon the hydrogel coating and adheres to it to prevent abutting surfaces of the folded polymeric surfaces from adhering to each other during inflation and to prevent delamination of the hydrogel coating and/or rupture of the balloon. Preferably the blood-compatible coating (12) is polyethylene glycol, methoxy polyethylene glycol or mixtures thereof having a molecular weight between about 100 and 20,000 grams per gram mole.