Abstract: The invention concerns a connecting device (1) comprising a base (5) mounted on the receptacle (2) and extended by a flange (9) forming an inner bore (A) and a piston (10) capable of sliding in said inner bore (A) between a released position relative to a plug (4) and a transfer position wherein a hollow needle (11) borne by the piston (10) passes through the plug (4). A scaling lip (22) is arranged on an internal surface (8d) of the bore (A) opposite the piston (10) or a surface of the piston, said lip (22) being shaped to be urged to press sealingly against the piston (10d) or against an internal surface of the bore, in the transfer position.

Abstract: An internal catheter has a flexible plastic inner tube with an integrally formed protruding head with an axial channel. The internal catheter extends through an axial channel in an exterior catheter. With the internal catheter head withdrawn within the foam or spiral tip of the exterior catheter, the assembly is advanced into a sow cervix, and the internal catheter is then advanced through the tip of the catheter and remaining portion of the cervix and into the uterine body and possibly into a uterine horn. Semen or embryos are then introduced through the axial cavity. The tip of the exterior catheter may have a protective flap which is not penetrated until the inner tube is advanced therethrough. The internal catheter axial channel may have a constricted portion within the head, to engage a semen or embryo containing straw.

Abstract: A method of treating the upper urinary tract of a mammal having a urethra extending to a bladder and a ureter extending from the bladder to a kidney. The method comprises initially extending a catheter system into the upper urinary tract, the catheter system having a urethral catheter infusion tube section extending through the urethra for infusion of a liquid; a urethral catheter drain tube section extending through the urethra for drainage of a liquid; a ureteral catheter tube section extending through a ureter into the kidney and having a first tube portion for infusion of a liquid connected to the urethral catheter infusion tube section, and a second tube portion for drainage of a liquid.

Abstract: A balloon catheter and method of use for inflating the balloon more effectively, particularly during stent deployment. The balloon catheter includes a catheter shaft and a balloon, wherein the proximal end of the balloon is connected to the distal end of the shaft. A tip is disposed in the interior of the balloon, with the proximal end of the tip extending from the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal end of the tip connected to the distal end of the balloon. The tip includes a fluid path to facilitate the passage of inflation fluid from the inflation lumen to the interior of the balloon, and the tip may further include a guide wire lumen extending therethrough. The fluid path may be configured to inflate the balloon uniformly or to initially inflate the distal end of the balloon such that a stent loaded on the balloon will not have a tendency migrate distally during deployment.

Abstract: A catheter system comprising a catheter including a tip having a distal opening, a first opening, and an insertion wire lumen extending from the distal opening to the first opening provided on a surface of the catheter, and an insertion wire having a length substantially smaller than a length dimension of the catheter. The catheter system in accordance with the present invention may include a sensor lumen and a pressure lumen. The sensor lumen terminates at a second opening and includes an optically transparent closure and the pressure lumen includes a third opening. In the preferred embodiment, the first opening and the second opening are positioned on the catheter at substantially same axial distance from the distal opening and further includes a perforation that allows fluidic communication between the pressure lumen and the second opening. The catheter system may also comprise a pressure hose, at least one optical fiber and a thermal sensor element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an improved catheter introducer needle capable of introducing a catheter into a body at a deflection angle in the range of 40-75° from the axis of the needle. This invention provides for a continuous perineural placement of a catheter. The present invention is also directed toward an introducer needle/catheter system comprising the needle of the present invention and a catheter extending through the needle such that it extends out beyond the tip of the needle at an angle of deflection in the range of 30-75° from the axis defined by the catheter within the main channel of the needle. This invention is useful in delivering pharmacological agents, such as local anesthetics, to nerves in various regions of the body including, but not limited to, the arms and shoulders.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evacuating an anatomical fluid from a body cavity is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus and method is particularly useful in the performance of a pericardiocentesis procedure under emergency conditions. The apparatus consists of a needle and an integrated alarm that uses the needle tip as the probe for a current sensor. As the needle tip approaches conductive media, such as myocardial tissue, the audible alarm sounds, thereby warning the operator to stop the progress of the needle to prevent contact with such tissue.

Abstract: An indwelling needle assembly includes an outer needle hub having an outer needle fixed to the distal end portion thereof, an inner needle hub having an inner needle at the distal end portion thereof, and a needle guard that can accommodate the inner needle and the inner needle hub therein. The needle guard has a double-tube structure including an inner tube and an outer tube, and a connector for connecting the inner needle hub and the inner tube via the proximal end of said needle guard. The needle guard is also expandable by sliding the outer tube toward the proximal end of the inner tube. When the needle guard is extended, the inner needle hub is slid in the needle guard toward the proximal end of the needle guard by the connector.

Abstract: A glaucoma device includes an aqueous tube shunt implant with a foldable reservoir plate for injecting below the conjunctiva of a patient's eye via a hollow cannula. The device has an internal ostium with a flared lip at one end of a shaft having a flattened wing extending to the sides. A foldable plate and reservoir are provided at the at the other end of the shaft and connected to an external ostium of the shaft. The flattened wing presents a flat surface to the overlying conjunctiva and helps position the device when used. The device is preferably made of silicone or acrylic so that the entire implant is foldable and may be rolled up for insertion via the cannula. Other improvements and a method for implanting the device are disclosed as well.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery device comprising a microencapsulated drug contained within at least one capsule, a carrier fluid that will dissolve the drug when freed from the capsule, a drug releaser for freeing the microencapsulated drug from the capsule, a reservoir in which the carrier fluid dissolves the drug, and an electromechanical pump to convey the dissolved drug to a catheter, through which the drug is delivered to a target site within a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates an anti-free flow valve for a fluid administration systems having a tube assembly with a lumen formed through therethrough coupled to a pump. The anti-free flow valve comprises a body including a cylindrical portion having an opening and a tapered portion which has opposing beveled surfaces with ends that form a slit bounded by side walls. The opening communicates with the slit through a passage formed through the body which is adapted to receive the tube assembly therethrough. Fluid free flow through the tube assembly is prevented by the slit being placed in the closed position when the ends of the opposing beveled surfaces are urged together when the tube assembly is in a relaxed condition. However, when a tensile force is applied along the tube assembly the inner diameter of the lumen decreases which urges the ends of the opposing beveled surfaces away from one another and places the slit in the open position, thereby permitting fluid flow through the body.