Abstract: A retractable winged I.V. set has a slidable retraction body mounted in a hollow chamber of a housing. The retraction body has a hollow needle fixed in its front end and a tube connector for passing fluid from an external reservoir through the needle. The housing has a pivoting releasable latch preferably configured as dual opposed latches that are biased to normally encroach into the chamber through an opening in the wall of the housing. A catch portion on the retraction body is contacted by an encroaching latch portion to hold the retraction body in an unretracted position with the needle exposed for use. When the latches are released, a spring drives the retraction body to the back of the chamber and withdraws the needle into the housing.

Abstract: A shower douching system is shown. The shower douching system comprises; a solution reservoir, a shower passageway coupled to the solution reservoir, and a controllable shower douche coupled to the shower passageway and coupled to the solution reservoir for controlling a shower fluid flow diversion. The controllable shower douche comprises a valve coupled to a shower bypass channel for controlling the shower fluid flow diversion, and further comprises an eductor connected downstream of the shower bypass channel for creating a low pressure condition within the eductor. The eductor is coupled to a solution suction channel extending substantially within the solution reservoir, and a douche fluid outlet channel is coupled to the valve.

Abstract: An integrated nursing bottle and liquid medication dispensing apparatus enables precise and independent control of both the rate of administration of the medication, and the amount by which it is diluted before reaching the infant's mouth. A preferred embodiment utilizes a sleeve with a restricted tip for receiving a syringe that permits the optimal mixing of medicine and a diluting fluid in the nipple area of the bottle while minimizing the loss of fluid in the syringe tip, thus ensuring the easy and accurate administration of medicine dosages.

Abstract: An ophthalmic insert and method for sustained release of medication to the eye are provided. The insert includes a body portion sized to pass through a lacrimal punctum and be positioned within a lacrimal canaliculus of the eyelid. The insert further includes a collarette connected to the body portion and sized to rest on the exterior of the lacrimal punctum, the collarette having a pore provided therein. A reservoir is contained at least partially within the body portion and in fluid communication with the pore, wherein the reservoir is designed to store and release medication through the pore and onto the eye over time in a controlled manner while the insert is positioned in the eyelid. Preferably, the pore is constructed with a specific geometry appropriate to control the rate of release of the medication onto the eye.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter and guidewire exchange system in which the guidewire is contained within an indwelling portion of the catheter and with the guidewire and the catheter being separated externally of the patient. The catheter includes a guidewire lumen and a longitudinal slit which penetrates through the catheter wall and into the guidewire lumen. The catheter walls adjacent the slit are provided with reinforced edges which function to maintain the slit in a normally closed position during the catheterization procedure, when desired.

Abstract: A catheter having at least two lengths of tubular material axially joined together by a scarf joint with no perceptible change in outer diameter at the joint; the scarf joint including a substantially axially oriented seam component between the two lengths of tubular material with the seam visible along the peripheral surfaces of the axially joined sections and extending at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the catheter; and wherein one of the at least two lengths of tubular material includes an inner tubular reinforcement layer, wherein the reinforcement layer forms part of the scarf joint.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a elongate catheter having a longitudinal slit for facilitating removal of a rigid stylet after manipulating the catheter to a desired position. In one embodiment, the stylet is contained within the catheter prior to use. The stylet is removed by bending the catheter such that a proximal portion of the stylet protrudes from the slit to allow a surgeon to grasp and remove the stylet from the catheter. In an exemplary embodiment, the catheter system includes a ventricular catheter for draining fluid from a patient's brain ventricle.

Abstract: A portable diagnostic and medication delivery system that includes a housing and a monitor disposed in the housing for monitoring a characteristic of a bodily fluid sample obtained from an individual. A medication delivery pen and a lancer are each removably mounted to the housing. The monitor, which may be integrated into the housing, may monitor blood glucose levels, for example, and the pen may be employed for the delivery of insulin.

Abstract: In a body fluid analysis system having a sensor and a method for flushing and single-point calibration of the sensor, a container holding at least one flushing liquid has a first tube connected thereto at a first point and at a second point to form a closed system. The sensor is connected to the first tube, and to a second tube for connection to a patient. A pump is connected to the first tube between the container and the sensor.

Abstract: An aseptic protector for skin penetrating devices includes a body of deformable material for accepting and encapsulating a protruding portion of a skin penetrating device, such as a pin or drain, from a location where the skin penetrating device protrudes from a skin surface to a location spaced outwardly from the skin surface. The body of deformable material functions as a buffer and inhibits movement of the skin penetrating device. The body of deformable material includes an aseptic agent, preferably dispersed throughout the body of material, for contacting the skin surface and the skin penetrating device at the location where the skin penetrating device penetrates the skin surface to prevent, inhibit or arrest infection where the skin penetrating device penetrates the skin surface.

Abstract: A control system for a surgical system that includes an irrigation fluid flow sensing capability. The sensing capability may be placed in the control console or in the handpiece. Irrigation flow measurements provided by the sensing capability allows the control system to vary irrigation pressure and/or flow, aspiration pressure and/or flow and power supplied to the handpiece more accurately than prior art sensors that monitor aspiration flow.

Abstract: A blood pump having a motor housing and a pump housing which are rigidly connected to one another in an axially spaced relationship. Both housings are of substantially the same diameter and are sized to enable the pump to be introduced via catheter through the body's blood-vessel system. The impeller is mounted in the pump housing on a longitudinally and radially acting bearing designed as a point-support bearing. To avoid oscillation of the impeller, it is fitted with an alignment device which may have a hydrodynamic or mechanical action. Rotation of the motor is transferred to the impeller via a magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A drainage catheter includes a tubular member with an anchor at a distal end and suture threads extending from the anchor to the proximal ends of the tubular member. A locking mechanism attaches to the proximal end of the tubular member and includes a body with an extension of the lumen. A displaceable body in the locking mechanism body attaches to the proximal end of the sutures to control the amount of slack or tension in the suture threads. An extension of that displaceable body lies externally of the locking mechanism body to enable the operation of the displaceable body without handling the suture threads.

Abstract: A venous return catheter suitable for use in an extracorporeal circuit having a helical support member supporting the catheter about venting openings. A two-stage catheter is provided with a plurality of proximal openings at the midsection thereof with a substantially rigid helical support member being defined thereabout to prevent collapse or kinking of the catheter about the proximal openings when bent or twisted. The catheter has a proximal helical support member and a distal helical support member reinforcing the catheter body therealong. The spacing of the substantially rigid helical support member about the proximal openings is sufficient to permit large proximal openings. The cross section diameter of the substantially rigid helical support member is greater than the cross section diameter of the proximal and distal support members. The three helical support members are continuous with one another to support the length of the catheter body.

Abstract: An invention which provides for making low cost apparatus and one-hand activation methods for shielding a syringe needle as a safety precaution after each needle use. A shield, which may be used as a protective cover for the needle during initial transport to site of use, is linearly actuated to three distinct stops by action of a single hand, thereby leaving the second hand of a user free for patient care. The shield is releasible from two of the three stops to make possible uncovering of the needle preparatory to use and temporary needle protection between needle uses. The shield has an elongated hollow barrel shape which is sized to fit snugly about, yet slide smoothly over a body of a syringe associated with the needle. The barrel shape of the shield is longitudinally interrupted by a scissure in which an arm which is hingeably affixed to the shield resides.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously inserting an improved pediatric intra-aortic balloon. The improvement comprises a soft tip having a self occluding lumen capable of accommodating a guide wire. A removable pull tube is disposed within the self occluding lumen to prevent occlusion of the self occluding lumen. The catheter is designed without a guide wire lumen so as to be capable of rapid inflation and deflation of the balloon. The method comprises the following steps:(a)inserting an angiographic needle into the aorta;(b) passing the guide wire through the needle into the aorta;(c) removing the needle;(d) disposing the pull tube about the proximal end of the guide wire;(e) removing the pull tube from the self occluding lumen;(f) advancing the catheter into the aorta;(g) removing the guide wire from the aorta;(h) advancing the catheter up the aortic passageway to a position appropriate for pumping.

Abstract: A compact, patient controlled fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicament at a selected uniform rate. The device is of an all mechanical construction and is ideally suited for the reliable patient administration of pain killing drugs in the home care environment. To positively regulate the patient administration of the medicament, the intervals at which a selected medicament can be administered, as well as the volume of the dose of the medicament to be administered, is preset by the treating physician and, once set, cannot be altered by the patient. More particularly, the device setting can only be operated by a small physician's key that remains in the possession and control of the treating physician or health care worker.

Abstract: A digital fluid delivery and aspiration apparatus with a mechanical de-amplifier for the delivery or removal of discrete volumes of fluidic material from a surgical site. The apparatus has a syringe with a plunger designed to be powered by a pneumatic air supply system. A ratcheting mechanism attached to a pneumatic piston by a mechanical linkage causes the plunger of the syringe to inject discrete doses of the fluidic material into the surgical site or remove discrete amounts of fluidic material from the surgical site. The mechanical linkage increases the force provided to the plunger by the movement of the piston and also de-amplifies the movement of the piston into a lesser movement of the plunger.

Abstract: A lacrimal silicone stent has a very large diameter segment with a diameter greater than the largest diameter stent which can be pulled through the canaliculi readily without damaging the canaliculi, a thin central segment, a moderate diameter segment, and a distal segment with a lumen extending partway from its end. A lumen can also be provided in the very large diameter segment to enhance its flexibility. In addition, a lumina may be provided in the moderate diameter segment when it is formed as an extruded tube. Except for the lumina, the stent is solid. The stent may be molded in one piece, but it may also be made of molded and extruded segments which are fused together. To install the stent, according to a first method a sheath is inserted through the lacrimal system from the eye, through a DCR ostium into the nasal cavity. The distal segment is threaded into the sheath which is used to pull the distal segment back through the lacrimal system and out the superior canaliculus and punctum.