Abstract: A ureteral stent for assisting movement of urine along a patient's ureter and into the patient's bladder. The stent includes an elongated tubular segment extending toward the bladder from a kidney end region for placement in the renal cavity to a bladder end region. A central lumen connects at least one opening at the first end region to at least one opening in the bladder end region. Thin flexible tail(s) are attached to the bladder end region of the tubular segment at a point outside the bladder so as to receive urine from the opening in the bladder end region of the tubular segment and to transport urine from there across the ureter/bladder junction and into the bladder. The tails include an elongated external urine-transport surface sized and configured to transport urine along the ureter. The urine transporting surface(s) are sized and configured to extend along at least part of the ureter, across the ureter/bladder junction, and from there into the bladder.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a tip cap having a maximum diameter over a syringe subassembly having a syringe body with an end carrying a needle has a holder holding the subassembly with the needle substantially on an axis and a tubular guide having a feed passage generally centered on the axis adjacent the holder, of an inside diameter greater than the maximum tip-cap diameter, and open toward the holder. A stop can move between a blocking position between the guide and the holder and an unblocking position offset therefrom. The tip cap is fed through the passage to a position arrested on the stop in the blocking position thereof. A nozzle opening into the passage injects pressurized gas into the passage and thereby spins the tip cap in the passage about the axis. The stop can then be moved from the blocking into the unblocking position for displacing the spinning tip cap from the guide onto the syringe subassembly in the holder. The nozzle opens tangentially into the passage.

Abstract: A method for reducing distal embolization during insertion of devices to treat plaque, thrombi and other intravascular occlusions. Using a guide catheter, a guidewire is delivered to a site proximal to the lesion. An aspiration catheter is then introduced over the guidewire, and the two are moved together in a distal to proximal direction across the occlusion. The aspiration catheter is then moved in a proximal to distal direction while continuously aspirating, which prevents embolization of any particles which may be created during the crossing of the guidewire.

Abstract: A system for injecting controlled release medicinal implants has a syringe-like injector body with a lumen and plunger. A needle is attached to the injector body and receives therein an injectable implant with an internal hollow. The implant is retained in the needle by friction, which is overcome by the plunger upon dispensing. As the plunger moves from the retracted position to the deployed position, it forces a medicament previously loaded into the injector body into the implant hollow and then pushes the implant out of the needle into the creature into which the needle has been inserted. The implant may contain a filler to absorb flowable medicaments to aid in their retention within the implant. As in known implants, the medicament is released gradually depending upon the dissolution rate of the implant body which is formed from a biodegradable material.

Abstract: One form of the present invention provides a needle-free injection system including the following components: a cartridge for holding liquid drug prior to injection, the cartridge having a rear end and a front end; a plug mounted to the front end of the cartridge, the plug including a channel; a displaceable valve positioned within the channel prior to injection; and a nozzle portion for receiving liquid drug from the glass cartridge for injection, the nozzle portion including an injection orifice and a drug chamber having a valve seat designed to receive the valve to facilitate injection of liquid drug through the injection orifice.

Abstract: A method for injecting a fluid medicament into a patient uses a syringe having a plunger that can be advanced into the syringe chamber. As the plunger is advanced, the medicament is expelled from the chamber through an injection tube that extends from the chamber. Preferably, the injection tube is formed as a cone-shaped funnel with a taper of generally decreasing radius in a distal direction. The steps for the method include creating a gas pocket in the distal portion of the injection tube. Then, as the plunger is advanced into the chamber to accelerate the fluid medicament through the injection tube, the gas pocket allows the accelerating fluid medicament to gain momentum. The change in this momentum as the fluid medicament collides with the skin will generate an impulse force that is manifested as an initial pressure spike. This pressure spike creates a hole in the skin of the patient as the fluid medicament exits the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery device for mixing and delivering a drug by injection. The device includes a housing having a first port or opening therein that receives a first container that contains a fluid or powdered drug, for example a lyophilized drug. The housing can also include a second port or opening that receives a second container that contains a fluid to be mixed with the drug to form an injectable fluid. The device includes a manifold having a channel that fluidly connects the first and second containers. A penetrating membrane such as a needle is used to inject the drug into a patient which is in fluid communication with the first container. The needle is movable from a storage position in the housing to an injection position extending through the housing.

Abstract: An injection device has a housing (12) in which a container (14) for receiving an injectable fluid (18) is longitudinally movable. To its proximal end, an injection needle (26) can be releasably coupled. The injection device has a spring (50) associated with a releasable detent (52) for latching this spring (50) in a cocked configuration (FIG. 2). Further, there is a cocking member (40) insertable into the proximal end of the housing (12) for moving the longitudinally movable container (14) in the distal direction and for thereby bringing the spring (50) into the cocked configuration.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter including a reinforcement layer having a plurality of interwoven metal wire members and polymer members. The polymer members are thermally processed to permeate the metal wire members to form a polymeric layer having an orientation which is interwoven with the metal wire members.

Abstract: An applicator for applying fluid from a squeeze bottle to various parts of the body that may be difficult to reach includes two rigid arms connected by an adjustable angle joint. One end of the first arm screws onto the bottle. The other end of the second arm ends in a tubular connector such as a grease gun fitting. A flexible tube provides a fluid passage between the bottle and the tubular connector. A variety of terminals for different purposes can sealingly snap onto the tubular connector. The terminals preferably have a grease fitting for easy connection. The terminals may include an enema tip, a douche tip, a bidet tip and a suntan lotion spreader. The arms may retract telescopically for compact transport and storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter positioning system which serves to control and stabilize a distal end of a catheter at a treatment site within a patient so that a medical procedure can be performed with accuracy. Generally, the positioning system operates by providing a deformable mechanical members at the distal end of the catheter which can be operated from the proximal end of the catheter to extend radially outward to engage surrounding tissue adjacent to treatment site. In one embodiment of the invention a flexible superstructure comprising the plurality of flexible veins extending longitudinally along the distal end of the catheter can be deformed to bow radially outward to engage surrounding tissue. The distal tip of the catheter joined to one of the veins was correspondingly displaced or rotated angularly as the veins bow outward.

Abstract: A method for inducing therapeutically-effective protein includes selecting a syringe having inner structures coated with an inductor, disposing a therapeutically-effective protein therein with a body fluid and incubating the syringe and its contents. The inductor can be coated onto the interior of the syringe itself or can be placed on other structures and inserted into the interior of the syringe. A variety of inductors and body fluids may be used. Anticoagulants may also be used.

Abstract: A filter flush system for temporary placement of a filter in an artery or vein is disclosed. The system typically includes a guidewire insertable within a guiding catheter, which has an occlusion balloon disposed about its distal end. The guidewire has an expandable filter, which can be collapsed to pass through a lumen and distal port of the guiding catheter. The lumen is adapted to receive a variety of endovascular devices, including angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting catheters. Fluid medium or blood can be infused through the lumen of the guiding catheter to flush embolic material or mobile plaque generated during the endovascular procedures toward the expanded filter deployed downstream from the region of interest. Methods of using the filter flush system to entrap and remove embolic material from the vessel are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus having a steerable distal end portion for insertion in a body lumen comprises a superlastic shape memory member which adopts a memorized shape in an unloaded austenitic state, and stationary heating means for heating at least a portion of the superlastic shape memory member to a temperature above the temperature inside the body lumen. Heating the superlastic shape memory member inside the body lumen causes it to increase in stiffness and tend toward the memorized shape, and subsequent discontinuation of heating causes the superlastic shape memory member to decrease in stiffness, allowing the distal end portion to be deformed from the memorized shape, thereby resulting in movement of the distal end portion which assists in steering it through the body lumen. Preferably, the elongate shape memory member is tubular, having a lumen extending therethrough, and the heating means comprises electrical heating means.

Abstract: An improved valve port system provides blood access in a patient through a subcutaneous fluid flow conduit during a dialysis procedure. The system includes several elements, including a engagement member defined by a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a tubular lumen therebetween. The distal end has a tapered bevel defined thereat and a tapered protrusion proximate thereto defined upon an exterior surface of the tubular body. In addition, the system provides a dialysis port member having a housing with a generally cylindrical valve rotatably positioned therein. The valve includes an open end, a closed end and an orifice near the closed end. The valve further includes a longitudinal groove defined along an interior surface thereof. The groove, which is capable of being in registry with the protrusion, is coincident with the protrusion so as to intussuscept the protrusion therein.

Abstract: A removal system and method to facilitate removal of a sheath from a medical device such as a hypodermic needle. The removal system comprises a sheath having an exterior housing defining an internal cavity for accommodating a hypodermic needle therein. The sheath is open at one end thereof to facilitate receiving the hypodermic needle therein. An exterior surface of the sheath supports at least one appendage comprising at least one tension leg which interconnects a pushing surface with the sheath. The at least one tension leg partially bows, once a sufficient removal force is applied thereto, facilitating removal of the sheath from a hypodermic needle via a clinician via a one handed technique.

Abstract: A microinjection pump for administration of fluid pharmacological compounds to unrestrained and freely behaving animals is provided. The micro-pump employs a screw drive mechanism that is actuated by a small stepper motor. The pump moves fluids by direct mechanical displacement from two micro-syringes arranged in parallel. The drive mechanism incorporates a threaded central drive screw that is attached to the stepper motor drive shaft, The threads of the central drive screw engage the threads of two parallel, but oppositely turned (left hand turned and right hand turned) threaded rods. By the frictional action of the helical threads of the threaded drive screw with the threads of the threaded rods the threaded rods are moved linearly and depress the plungers of the attached micro-liter syringes. Medications are administered to animals through flexible tubing.

Abstract: Devices, compositions, and methods for achieving non-surgical lung volume reduction (e.g., bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR)) are described. BLVR can be carried out by collapsing a region of the lung, adhering one portion of the collapsed region to another, and promoting fibrosis in or around the adherent tissue.

Abstract: The suction tube set employs a compressed cellulosic sponge mass as a fluid absorber in the suction line for absorbing an amount of fluid, for example 1.5 cc, without any significant increase in resistance to air flow. The compressed sponge mass is secured in place within a tubular housing of the suction tube set with a gap formed between each end of the sponge mass and an end cap of the housing to avoid blockage of air flow.

Abstract: An improved surgical console for use with a handheld tissue fragmentation device includes portable base having an upper portion. An adjustable display head is mounted to the upper portion of the base. The display head provides rotational and translational adjustment relative to the base. An aspiration system is coupled to the fragmentation device for aspirating fluid and tissue fragmented by the fragmentation device from a surgical site. An irrigation system is also coupled to the fragmentation device for supplying irrigating fluid to the surgical site for suspending tissue fragmented by the fragmentation device. A power system is coupled to the fragmentation device for energizing a transducer of the fragmentation device for fragmenting tissue.