Abstract: A one-way valve positioned between the nozzle and container of a disposable douche, which is opened and closed by axial movement of the nozzle relative to the container, permitting discharge of the douche contents without permitting backflow. The neck of the container opening having an intermediate cap with axial discharge holes and a flexible valve disk overlying such holes all within the bore of the base of the nozzle. In the closed position, the inner shoulder of the nozzle base seat against the flexible valve disk presenting discharge of the contents through the discharge opening of the intermediate cap. With the axial displacement of the nozzle away from the main body of the container the valve disk, freed of the internal restraining shoulders of the nozzle base, can flex to permit flow of the contents of the container into the nozzle.

Abstract: A dispensing device is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent. The device comprises (1) a housing defining an internal space, (2) an expandable composition in the space, (3) an aqueous sensitive beneficial agent formulation in the space, and (4) at least one passageway in the housing for delivering the beneficial agent from the dispensing device.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a wall surrounding a compartment housing a first layer comprising a drug formulation, a middle layer comprising a hydrophobic composition, and a third layer comprising a hydrophilic composition.

Abstract: An improved tip for a phacoemulsification needle having a proximal end attached to a phacoemulsification device, a distal end, a central longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end with a bore within the needle concentric to the central axis thereof, so as to form a lumen, the lumen includes needle sidewalls having an inner and outer surface with an opening at the proximal and distal ends of the needle, the tip is formed by the distal opening which, when viewed from an angle perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis has a side view including a top wall located at a needle sidewall on one side of the central longitudinal axis. The top wall terminates in a top wall end face. The needle tip further includes a bottom wall located at a needle sidewall on the opposite side of the central longitudinal axis and extending distal of the end face of said top wall to form a tip projection. An end wall is disposed generally perpendicular to the tip projection.

Abstract: An apparatus for use during examination of the colon of a patient includes an insertion member and a tube member. The insertion member, which occludes the opening into the colon, has first and second channels extending between inner and outer ends. The first channel receives a colonoscope, while the second channel receives the tube member. Seals are provided to prevent air leakage from inside of the colon out through the two channels. The tube member provides a conduit into the colon that is independent of the colonoscope. The tube member has an inside channel for receiving colonoscopic tools. There is an inflatable balloon at the inner end of the tube member, for blunting the tube member inner end. An inflation channel extending betwen the balloon and the tube member outer end allows the balloon to be remotely inflated. With the insertion member in place in the opening, the tube member is inserted into the colon, via the second channel.

Abstract: An indwelling ureteral stent positioning apparatus is provided for allowing single intrusion placement of a stent in the ureter of a patient. The apparatus is pre-assembled and includes a wire guide with floppy tip. The stent is positioned about the wire guide adjacent to the floppy tip of the wire guide, and is adjustably situated on the wire guide to expose a pre-determined length of the floppy tip for insertion into the patient. The stent is a dual open-ended tubular stent having a resilient retentive curved circular or pigtail shape at each end for retention in the kidney and bladder. A positioner is conveyed on the wire stent until the end of the positioned abuts the anatomically distal end of the stent. A pin-vise clamp abuts the external end of the positioner and releasably engages the wire guide to stabilize the apparatus during insertion. When used to position the stent within the ureter, the apparatus is conveyed along the ureter until the floppy tip is within the renal collecting system.

Abstract: A catheter useful in draining cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles of a brain. The catheter utilizes a series of holes arranged in a helical pattern at the forward or ventricular end portion of the catheter. Exterior grooves may be provided in the ventricular end of the catheter within which the holes are protectively sheltered from contact with surrounding ventricular tissue. The catheter, and particularly its ventricular end, may be capable of elastic elongation upon insertion of a rigid stylet within the catheter, the diameter of the ventricular end portion become reduced in response to its axial elongation to facilitate disengagement of the catheter with the surrounding ventricular tissue to permit the catheter to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A dual source parenteral infusion system includes a primary controller which controls the flow rate of a parenteral solution, a display which displays parameters associated with the delivery of a primary solution, and pushbuttons for entering solution delivery parameters into the controller. The primary controller communicates with a secondary infusion module which is programmed to deliver solution from a secondary source, with the flow rate being controlled by the primary controller. The secondary infusion module includes a display for displaying parameters associated with the delivery of the secondary solution and a drop detector, and mounts about a drip chamber for the secondary solution. The module may also include pushbuttons for entering fluid delivery parameters for the secondary solution into the module.

Abstract: A medical intravenous line coupling device can be secured to standard "y" shaped junction tube. The device can comprise a single member which fits with the junction tube and has passages shaped to receive and secure with the junction arm. A "b" shaped slot can be provided in the member for that purpose. The container can have a menas for receiving a liquid for injection into the intravenous system, such as a receptacle, and a means for allowing liquid flow from the receiver into the junction tube, such as a needle. The device may include a second member which has a passage to interact with the junction arm. One member can fit about the other and be rotatably mounted hereto. The junction arm can be received by the two members when they are in a first position relative to one another, and can be secured when the members are moved relative to each other. With the two member assembly, the receiver, such as the receptacle, and the liquid flow means, such as the needle, can be mounted to the first or second member.

Abstract: A medical tubing connector includes an elongated generally cylindrical housing for universal coupling to an identically configured connector. The housing includes an open connecting end, a nozzle for connecting to sterile medical tubing and a base portion defining a fluid passageway from the nozzle. A valve assembly is disposed within the connector. The housing also includes an interconnecting portion between the open end and the base portion that comprises a pair of diametrically opposite fingers. The fingers are spaced circumferentially apart to define complementary slots interspersed therebetween. The fingers and slots are configured for engagement when a pair of connectors are interengaged to form a sterile enclosure about the valve assemblies of each connector. The valve assembly for each connector includes a piston that slides within the interlocking portion and contacts several piston retaining stops near the open end of the housing to keep the valve assembly within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting blood or other body fluid from a donor, in which a length of tubing has a first needle on one end for insertion into the vein of a donor, and a frangible joint between the ends of the tubing to separate the length of tubing into first and second parts. The frangible joint includes a combination needle shield and test tube receptacle on one end of the first part, disposed coaxially to a second needle used to fill test tubes with material drawn through the first needle. The combination shield and test tube receptacle is adapted to receive a test tube therein for operative relationship with the second needle so that the test tube may be filled with the material. A second shield is slidable on the tubing and has a retracted position adjacent the frangible joint and an operative position extended over the first needle when that needle is withdrawn from the vein.

Abstract: A blood collecting valve (10) is provided with a structural input part (11.1) with a half moon shaped separating wall opening (18) as well as a structural output part (12.1) which is rotatable with respect to the structural input part with a seal face opening (23). Both are disposed outside of the rotational axis of the associated structural parts. Thereby, it is possible to bring the two opening into congruence with each other by rotating around the rotational axis or to again sealingly separate the same from each other.The mentioned common rotating of the structural input part and the structural output part and thereby the opening and closing of the blood collection valve may be performed by rotating a blood collecting cylinder (16) being inserted into the structural output part with an application conus (15). Hence, no separate manual handling is required for using the blood collection valve.

Abstract: A catheter coupling system for connecting branch catheters to selected lumens of a multiple-lumen primary catheter. The system comprises a plurality of couplers each including a body having a primary passageway for receiving the primary catheter and a branch having a branch passageway for receiving one of the branch catheters. A fluid flow path between each branch catheter and the corresponding lumen in the primary catheter is established through an orifice in a side wall of the primary catheter which opens into the selected lumen and which is oriented adjacent a junction between the passageways in the coupler.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for preventing needle pricks and for safely disposing used intravenous needles. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal body, having first and second ends, an entry and closure mechanism on the first end and an aperture on the second end of the longitudinal body, and a pulling structure which passes through the interior and both ends of the longitudinal body. The pulling structure is attachable to an intravenous 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 intravenous needle into the longitudinal body after use. The entry and closure mechanism prevents the needle from exiting the longitudinal body after it becomes disposed within the longitudinal body. The longitudinal body, containing the needle within, can then be disposed of.