Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisted embryo implantation using a specialized microcatheter to prepare an implantation site within the subject's endometrial lining and to transport and place an embryo into the implantation site.

Abstract: A single-use syringe has a barrel which can constitute a one-piece extrusion, and a shank which is reciprocably guided in the barrel and the distal end of which carries a plunger movable in the barrel toward and away from the needle-carrying front end portion of the barrel. The coupling between the plunger and the shank includes a set of circumferentially spaced-apart breakable spokes which can be of one piece with the distal end of the shank as well as with the plunger. The spokes break not later than when the shank completes a forward stroke during which the plunger expels a flowable substance, such as a medicine, from a chamber located in the barrel between the needle-carrying front end portion and the plunger. The plunger, the spokes and the shank can constitute a one-piece extrusion.

Abstract: A device for treating glaucoma in an eye is described. The device includes a body defining a lumen and having first and second ends and external and lumenal surfaces, wherein the body has a length sufficient to provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and tear film of the eye through the lumen when the device is implanted in the sclera. The device further includes a filter capable of providing outflow resistance to aqueous humor flowing through the lumen. Methods of treating glaucoma wherein the device is implanted in the sclera of an afflicted eye are also described.

Abstract: Tin-containing granular magnetic oxide particles comprising spinel-type crystal represented by the formula: Fe3-xSnxO4 wherein x is 0.14 to 0.48, and having a Fe2+ content of 17 to 22% by weight, a lattice constant of 8.41 to 8.49 Å, a magnetization value of 20 to 50 Am2/kg when measured under an applied magnetic field of 79.6 kA/m, and a depth of a groove of not more than 40 &mgr;m at which three or more continuous lines each having a length of not less than 10 mm are developed in a pigment dispersion test using a grind-meter when measured by Hoover's muller method according to JIS K5101 (1991) 9.1. The tin-containing granular magnetic oxide particles of the present invention exhibit a sufficient blackness, a small magnetization value and an excellent dispersibility.

Abstract: A valve assembly for the sealed reception of an elongated object is provided. The assembly includes a valve body defining at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated object and defining a central longitudinal axis, and an elongated seal member having a resilient sealing structure and defining an aperture in general alignment with the opening of the valve body whereby the aperture is configured and dimensioned such that upon insertion of the object into the aperture, the resilient sealing structure resiliently engages the outer surface of the object in a tight manner. The sealing structure includes a plurality of elongated bristle members attached to the seal member. The bristle members are positioned to engage the elongated object upon at least partial insertion of the elongated object into the valve body.

Abstract: A safety syringe with a hollow barrel housing and a retraction trunk coaxially formed within the housing to forming an annular chamber between the inner surfaces of said outer elongated hollow barrel and the outer surface of said retraction trunk. A needle cannula carriage is held within the distal end of the retraction trunk by a latching means and a biasing means. A needle cannula module is suitably fixed to the distal end of the needle cannula carriage wherein a cannula or passage provides fluid communication from the needle cannula module, through the needle cannula carriage, through the retraction trunk and into the annular chamber. An annular plunger is provided between the inner surfaces of the outer elongated hollow barrel and the outer surface of the retraction trunk, wherein said annular plunger forces fluid through said annulus and into a body.

Abstract: A self-deploying catheter assembly comprises an anchoring device mounted to a tube. A distal end of the anchoring device is held in a fixed position by a releasable suture while a proximal end is freely movable between a proximal position and a distal position defined by a stop on the tube. During insertion into a body cavity, the anchor automatically maintains a low-profile state with the ends spaced apart. Once fully inserted, the anchor self converts into a high-profile state when the tube is slightly withdrawn, bringing the ends closer together. The suture is disengaged to release the distal end of the anchor in order to facilitate a low-profile state for withdrawal of the assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lowering the body temperature of a patient while reducing shivering by using a heat exchange device in combination with an &agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonist, a non-opiod analgesic monoamine uptake inhibitor or neuropeptide that temporarily reduces shivering. The devices disclosed include a catheter having a heat exchange balloon thereon with heat exchange fluid circulating through the interior of the balloon. The heat exchange balloon is placed in the vasculature of a patient, and heat exchange fluid at a temperature other than the temperature of the blood in the vasculature is circulated through the interior of the balloon to add or remove heat from the blood of the patient. Various &agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonist&agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonists, non-opiod analgesic monoamine uptake inhibitors and neuropeptides are disclosed including dexmedetomidine, nepofam and neurotensin and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: An anchoring system includes a simply-structured device that permits a portion of a catheter tube or similar medical article to be easily anchored to a patient, desirably without the use of tape or needles and suturing. A unitary retainer desirably includes a base connected to a cover assembly by way of flexible hinges. The retainer is attached to a flexible anchor pad including an adhesive bottom surface, which can be attached to the patient's skin. A catheter is secured within a channel formed between posts of the retainer. The cover assembly is reproducibly positioned over the base by bending the flexible hinges, and the cover assembly is latched to the base. The posts provide a universal feature such that the anchoring system can adapt to and receive a variety of catheters and catheter fittings by providing at least one post that is movable relative to at least one other post.

Abstract: The disposable set includes an infusion device having an outflow conduit and a needle. The packager is defined by a single bag made of transparent, flexible, plastic material and having a first compartment enclosing the medicinal fluid, and a second compartment enclosing the infusion device. The two compartments are formed from two sheets of the aforementioned material, heat sealed along the outer edges of the sheets, so as to be sealed with respect to the outside environment, and the compartments are also separated in airtight manner from each other by another seal. The conduit communicates with the first compartment via a chamber formed by a further seal and acting as a drip for visually controlling the infusion treatment.

Abstract: An arrangement apparatus comprises a base (10) and an elongated arranging member (12) mounted thereon, wherein the arranging member includes a plurality of channels (123) and a plurality of reference wires (1253) with predetermined colors. The reference wires are arranged in a sequence that corresponds to the arrangement of pins of a connector to be connected with the multi-core round cable. Each reference wire is disposed in alignment with a corresponding channel. The color of each reference wire is the same as the color of a core (21) of the multi-core round cable to be placed in the channel corresponding to that reference wire. An operator can freely pick up any one core and place it in the correct channel simply by matching the color of the reference wire with the color of the selected wire.

Abstract: A fluid transfer and mixing device for use in the aseptic intermixing of a powder component with a fluid component. The device is of a simple, compact construction that includes a first adapter that can be easily connected to a container containing the powder component and a second adapter that can be removably interconnected with the first adapter and can also be readily connected to a container containing a fluid such as a diluent so as to permit aseptic intermixing of the diluent with the powder. In use a conventional needleless syringe can be easily connected to the first adapter so that the mixture of the powder and diluent can be aseptically aspirated from the first container for subsequent delivery to the patient.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dialysis machine (10) comprising a dialyzer (20) having a first inlet (21) and a first outlet (22) for the bloodstream, dialysate supply mechanism (25), an arterial line (16) connected between the patent's arteriovenous fistula and the dialyzer, a venous line (17) connected between the arteriovenous fistula and the dialyzer, a pump (28) coupled with the arterial line, a dialysate supply line (31), connected between the dialysate supply mechanism and the dialyzer, a dialysate evacuation line (33) connected between a dialysate recuperating container (27) and the dialyzer. The sterile dialysate bags are arranged in a chamber (26) under a gas pressure.

Abstract: A cryoablation catheter having an expandable cooling chamber in which the cooling fluid, preferably a gas, serves to expand the expandable cooling chamber while simultaneously cooling the chamber.

Abstract: A device and method are provided that minimize the changes in flux encountered during iontophoresis and reduce inter-subject variability. For drug delivery, the active agent to be delivered is administered in conjunction with at least one background ion having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the active agent when an electrical current is applied. For analyte extraction, the extraction reservoir contains at least one background ion having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the background ions of the analyte in the tissue when an electrical current is applied.

Abstract: A controlled medicament security enclosure system that houses liquid filled reservoirs which consists of a portable enclosure (20) formed with a top half (22) and a bottom half (24) that permanently snap together to form a secure inseparable repository for the reservoirs. Inside the enclosure is at least one glass vial (36) for storing the liquid medicament with each vial having a sliding piston stopper (42) within that seals the inside of the vial and slides to maintain the liquid air free regardless of the volume. An adapter socket (48) is removably attached to the stopper and includes a hollow needle that pierces the stopper and permits a flowpath for the liquid. A flexible outlet tube (62) along with connectors on each end transmit the medicament to a mechanical drug delivery system that has a peristaltic pump and a control module.

Abstract: An electrokinetic system for delivering a substance into tissue includes an alternating current source of a predetermined frequency. A first electrode is coupled to a first terminal of the alternating current source and a second electrode is coupled to a second terminal of the alternating current source. A rectifying circuit is coupled between the first electrode and the first terminal of the alternating current source. One of the first and second electrodes is adapted for electrical contact with a substance-delivery site. A current rectified by the rectifying circuit flows in a current path between the first and second electrodes when the one of the first and second electrodes is in electrical contact with the substance-delivery site to effect delivery of the substance into the tissue.

Abstract: A disposable double pointed injection needle has a needle hub to which a thin needle cannula is permanently fasten and which needle hub can be mounted on to a syringe comprising a dose setting and injection mechanism and a cartridge containing a liquid medicine to be injected subcutaneously into a human body. The needle hub is provided with a safety shield guided on the outside surface of the needle hub. The safety shield is urged in a direction away from the needle hub by a spring located between the needle hub and the safety shield. The safety shield has a number of protrusions guided in guiding tracks on the outside surface of the needle hub. The guiding tracks are designed such that the safety shield during injection is moved towards the needle hub, and after injection is moved away from the needle hub by the spring and locked in an irreversible position where the safety shield covers the needle cannula and prevents accidental needle stick injuries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for blinding the administration of nonsolid pharmaceutical presentations. The device is in particular an opaque container which has at least two attachments, one of which is intended for connection to a dispenser for the pharmaceutical presentation, and the other of which is intended for connection to an applicator, the inside of said container having means for holding back the pharmaceutical presentation.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal section for retaining the embolic coil and an aperture for purging air from the device. The aperture is sized to allow air under fluid pressure to freely escape from within the catheter but to highly restrict the flow of more viscous fluids. At higher fluid pressures, the wall of the distal section expands outwardly to release the coil.