Abstract: The present invention relates to over-the-wire PTCA balloon catheters (5), and more particularly, to a rapid exchange catheter with the guidewire lumen (50) at the distal tip. The present invention discloses a rapid exchange medical catheter having a wire guiding means external to the shaft (35) for slidably mounting over the guidewire (55), the wire guiding means being a short tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft (35) and terminating before the distal end of the balloon therapy means.

Abstract: Disclosed in an improved temporary stent and drug delivery catheter, for use in the prevention of restenosis of a dilated vascular region, and/or for use in the delivery of a medication to a preselected vascular site. The catheter comprises an elongate body, a perfusion conduit laterally offset from the axis of the catheter body, and an inflation balloon disposed about the perfusion conduit and at the end of the catheter body. In a drug delivery embodiment, a perforated drug delivery balloon is disposed concentrically about the inflation balloon. A first lumen extends through the catheter body for communicating with the inflation balloon, and a second lumen extends through the body for communicating with the drug delivery balloon. Methods of preventing restenosis during a post procedure observation period and of drug delivery to the vascular intima are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable surgical valve has a sealing body with an axial passage extending through it, a toroidal body axially aligned with the sealing body, and a device that selectively changes the relative axial positions of the sealing body and the toroidal body. The sealing body and the toroidal body have mating surfaces which radially compress the axial passage of the sealing body when the relative axial positions of the sealing body and the toroidal body are changed. This causes the axial passage to seal with an instrument inserted into it, or to seal with itself if no instrument is inserted. Alternatively, or additionally, the sealing body may include a braided sleeve coaxial with the axial passage and extending from the sealing body, and a device that selectively changes the relative axial positions of the sealing body and the extended part of the braided sleeve to elongate the braided sleeve. This causes the braided sleeve to contract radially, which compresses the axial passage of the sealing body radially.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for preventing needle pricks and for retaining and safely disposing of used needles, such as intravenous needles. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal body, having first and second ends, an entry and closure mechanism on the first end and needle retention means and an aperture on the second end of the longitudinal body. A pulling structure passes through the interior and both ends of the longitudinal body. The pulling structure is attachable to a needle. The other end of the pulling structure may be attached to a syringe or blood-drawing device. A user pulls on the pulling structure to draw the needle into the longitudinal body after use. Needle retention means, such as ribs and protuberances, prevent the needle from moving, once drawn into the longitudinal body. The entry and closure mechanism and needle retention means prevent the needle from exiting the longitudinal body after it becomes disposed within the longitudinal body.

Abstract: A catheter combination as disclosed for passing an endoscope along a vessel. The catheter combination includes a catheter having a hollow tubular member defining a lumen having a first cross-sectional area. The catheter has a proximal end, a distal end and an irrigation connector at the proximal end of the catheter with a wall defining a passageway connecting with the lumen. An endoscope has an endoscope body with a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The body has a cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area of the lumen. The endoscope proximal end portion extends proximally of the catheter proximal end and the endoscope distal end portion extends distally of the catheter distal end. The endoscope body extends through the lumen such that fluid from the passage in the irrigation connector can pass between the endoscope body and the lumen.

Abstract: A plastic catheter and a method for making the same, the catheter having radiopaque marker ring placed within a tube, whereby the radiopaque ring is inserted into the expanded section of the tube, followed by the relaxation of the tube to its original dimensions, such that there is no protusion of the ring on the tube inner-diameter, where the ring inner-diameter is equal or greater than the tube inner-diameter, and the ring outer-diameter protrudes a distance into the tube but not beyond the thickness of the tube; thereby, creating a smooth outer surface and an obstruction free inner surface.

Abstract: Hypodermic syringe with a blockable piston capable of preventing it recharge and reuse, comprising a cylindrical tubular body having a communicating container in its inlet end; a right-angled section piston rod; a first blocking means constituted by at least one member placed in abutment against rotation over the container bottom and opposed alternatively to on and the other of toothed intermediate sections of the piston rod; and a second blocking means slidingly mounted over the piston rod, placed in abutment with the first blocking means and urged in positional fastening by an elastic retention member constituting in turn, the lid of the container.

Abstract: Catheter with a retractable cannula for delivering a plurality of chemicals comprising a flexible elongate member having a centrally disposed lumen and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart lumens including first and second fluid passage lumens Flexible elongate member has proximal and distal extremities. An actuator member is slidably mounted in the centrally disposed lumen. Springs are disposed within the centrally disposed lumen and engage the actuator member for moving the actuator member between extended and retracted positions. A tool having a distal extremity is carried by the actuator member and has a flow passage therein extending through the distal extremity of the tool. First and second fittings are secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member and having passages therein in communication with the first and second fluid passage lumens in the flexible elongate element.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter such as a guiding catheter of composite construction having a nontraumatic distal tip comprising a proximal elastomeric tubular element and a distal elastomeric tubular element formed of softer material that the proximal section. The proximal tubular section of the distal tip preferably has a radiopaque material incorporated therein to enable the distal tip to be fluoroscopically observable when in place within a patient. The shaft of the catheter, which exhibits excellent torquability and pushability, is formed with a very thin wall. The catheter shaft includes an inner tubular member of braided polymeric fibrous strands impregnated with a thermoset polyurethane and having an outer jacket or coating of thermoplastic polyurethane secured to the braided tubular member. In some embodiments it is preferred to include a lubricous liner within the braided tubular member.

Abstract: A urological instrument combining in itself a function of a prostate retractor and an instrument for the insertion of a suprapubic catheter. The instrument has a curved tubular body (10) inserted into which is a flexible metallic tubular catheter (32). The catheter (32) is moveable from a feed mechanism (24) and is pivotally connected to a pair of foldable jaws (40 and 42) located on the distal end of the instrument. When the catheter is shifted towards the proximal end of the instrument, the jaws (40 and 42) are opened and when the catheter is shifted towards the distal end, the jaws are folded and are used for the attachment of a bullet-like perforating cup (56). The catheter (32) has a leader (64).

Abstract: An improved diluent container having a small elongated wand (made of plastic or similar material), designed to secure a drug vial cap in place and simultaneously obstruct an I.V. port in a diluent bag similar to an ADD-VANTAGE flexible diluent container. The device is actuated by grasping a gripper ball portion located approximately midway down the wand shaped plug from outside the I.V. bag and removing the vial cap end from the discharge opening between the vial, holding medicament, and the flexible diluent container. Once the vial capped end is removed, the medicament enters the diluent and is mixed by shaking or squeezing the flexible diluent container while maintaining the other end of the wand in the I.V. port. The device has a length which is designed so that the end of the wand shaped plug cannot be removed from the I.V. port of the flexible diluent container until the end blocking the drug vial has been removed from that opening. This thereby prevents the inadvertent administration of I.V.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hypodermic syringe having the same general appearance as a pen which is specifically adapted to provide for multiple measured injections of materials such as insulin or human growth hormone.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a multi-dose syringe both include structure for indicating the selected amount of liquid to be injected. A first element and a second element coupled respectively to the syringe housing and the plunger rod are adapted for calibrated movement with respect to each other, one of the first and second elements includes an outer portion having dose-indicating scale thereon, and another of the first and second elements surrounding said outer portion includes a window through which only a segment of the dose-indicating scale on said portion is visible, the visible portion indicating the amount of liquid selected for injection.

Abstract: A wound clotting device is disclosed comprising a clotting device for dispensing a clotting agent onto a selected location in a patient while being retained adjacent to that location, comprising a tube having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; means defining an inflation lumen in said tube extending between said proximal and distal end portions; inflatable retention means carried by said tube at said distal end portion for retaining said distal end at a selected location within the body of a living patient, said retention means being in fluid communication with said inflation lumen; means defining a second lumen in said tube extending between said proximal and distal end portions; means for receiving a quantity of clotting agent located within said second lumen; and means disposed within said second lumen for dispensing said clotting agent from said distal end of said second lumen to deposit said clotting agent at said selected location within a patient.

Abstract: A guide for assisting in the cannulation of a patient comprising a flexible, tubular body having a hollow interior, a proximate end, and a distal end. The proximate end has an opening in communication with the hollow interior of the tubular body, and the distal end has a rounded, reinforced tip with a passageway therethrough which is in communication with the hollow interior. The guide is inserted and advanced to a position desired by the surgeon within a vein or artery, and then a cannula is threaded over the guide and advanced to the desired position before the guide is removed from the patient. The guide may be used in conjunction with a guide wire and/or a dilator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a medical needle used for injection, drip infusion, blood sampling, biopsy, puncture, examination, artificial dialysis, indwelling and so forth, and more particularly to a medical needle for single use such as a so-called disposable injection needle, has as its object the provision of a medical needle covering a wide range of safety before use, during use, and after use, and the needle comprises: a cannula having a sharp point; a supporting-connecting member for supporting the cannula and connecting the cannula to another functional member; and a cover member capable of being engaged with the supporting-connecting member, being movable back and forth in the lengthwise direction of the cannula and capable of covering the point of the cannula, in which cover member, a semi-stable position and a stable position are provided at a position for covering the point of the cannula, and, once the cover member fits in the stable position, it cannot move to any other position.

Abstract: A trocar penetration depth indicator has a first, inner housing including a first threaded section and longitudinally extending gripping fingers, and a second, outer housing including a camming surface and a second threaded section to engage the first threaded section. The first and second housings slidably mount onto a trocar tube and can be secured relative to the guide tube by rotatably tightening the housings to cause the gripping fingers to firmly grip the trocar tube. Depth penetration indicia is provided on the guide tube surface and sufficient guide tube grasping force is obtained to prevent the depth indicator from being dislodged during trocar insertion. A guide tube positioning device is provided to engage the penetration depth indicator and to secure the guide tube relative to the surrounding skin of the patient in order to prevent inadvertent withdrawal or further insertion of the trocar.

Abstract: An improved instrument for and method of performing a transurethral balloon dilatation procedure of the prostate is disclosed. The instrument includes a hollow catheter comprising a shaft having at least its distal end portion made of an optically transparent material, and a substantially non-compliant, inflatable, optically transparent balloon attached at the distal end portion of the catheter and sized to dilate the prostatic urethra so as to post-operatively open that passageway. The catheter is provided with at least one suitable marking so as to indicate at least the location where the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the catheter body. Preferably, the marking is provided at a location that when positioned at visible landmarks, preferably the external sphinter, or the apex or verumontanum of the prostate, the balloon will be correctly positioned relative to the external sphincter muscle at the apex of the prostate.

Abstract: The dilatation catheter has a shaft which consists of two separately produced shaft portions. Both portions have a first lumen for a guide wire and a second lumen for a pressure liquid. The two portions overlap at a connection point and are preferably welded to one another at this point. The proximal portion consists of two coaxial tube portions and the distal portion consists of an extruded two-lumen tube piece. The proximal portion is stiffer than the distal portion, which permits an optimal adaptation to a non-straight course of a blood vessel. The dilatation catheter according to the invention is particularly suitable for the treatment of arterial occlusions, which are situated in or downstream of a vessel curve.

Abstract: A medical-surgical tube having a major lumen defined by an inner periphery of a wall of the tube, an injection lumen within the wall of the tube, and at least one one-way valve in the wall. The valve allows fluid to flow from the injection lumen through an outer or inner periphery of the wall of the tube and prevents return of the fluid back into the injection lumen. The tube can include a plurality of spaced-apart valves. The valve can be a piercing in the wall of the tube which is defined by opposed surfaces resiliently biased against each other and extending from the injection lumen to the outer or inner periphery of the wall of the tube.