Abstract: A needle shielding device in which, after use, a needle is confined in a chamber having a first hole through which the needle can enter the chamber. The needle is drawn into the chamber through the hole. The chamber is made up of telescopic members. The needle strikes the rear wall of the chamber causing the telescopic members to telescope apart. Once in the chamber, the needle will not readily escape through the first hole.

Abstract: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is used as an adjunctive or stand alone procedure for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. When used as an adjunctive therapy to Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty, laser angioplasty, atherectomy, stenting, or any other interventional or surgical procedure, it has been found that the treatment timing is critical to the success of the combined therapies. A photosensitizer is administered prior to the surgical or interventional procedure and then readministered after the procedure to maintain the photosensitizer concentration level in the atheromatous plaque and smooth muscle cells in the vicinity of the lesion for a period of about 5-18 days, the period in which cell proliferation can occur. The photosensitizer inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation and, thus, minimizes or eliminates the possibility of re-stenosis. The photosensitizer is then illuminated at the end of this period, thereby lysing the atheromatous plaque and smooth muscles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods and apparatus for noninvasively collecting substances through mucosal tissues. The concentration of a substance in blood is monitored noninvasively by correlation with the amount of the substance which permeates a mucosal membrane into a substance receiving medium over a specified time period. The substance receiving medium may include an substance permeation enhancer capable of increasing the substance permeability across the mucosal membrane. The substance receiving medium is positioned against the mucosal membrane. After sufficient time delay, the substance receiving medium is removed and analyzed for the concentration of a substance to be measured using known analytical techniques.The apparatus within the scope of the present invention includes means for supporting the substance receiving medium. The means for supporting the receiving medium provides an added benefit of isolating the substance receiving medium from contamination sources.

Abstract: A valved cannula assembly having a gasket retaining collar positioned internally within a gasket receiving member, the gasket retaining collar having a recess to receive and retain in a fixed position an annular gasket, which acts in conjunction with either a flapper valve assembly or an inserted instrument to seal the axial bore of the cannula and prevent escape of fluids or gases. A plugging member forces the retaining collar against the gasket receiving member. The recess of the gasket retaining collar is preferably provided with annular ridges to secure the gasket and a conical shoulder to allow some deflection.

Abstract: This syringe for dispensing multiple doses of a liquid medicament one at a time has a cylindrical barrel for containing the medicament. At one end of the barrel is a single outlet opening. A plunger in the barrel discharges the medicament. A syringe cap rotatable mounted on the barrel has guide means restraining the cap against axial movement. Ratchet means on the cap and barrel permit only unidirectional rotation of the cap and sequentially retain the cap in equally spaced detent positions on the barrel. Nozzles on top of the cap have passages for ejecting the medicament. Each passage terminates in a hole in the top of the cap. Only one nozzle at a time communicates with the barrel vis the outlet opening in each detent position of the cap on the barrel.

Abstract: A catheter (10) is disclosed having a stepped coaxial construction formed by and internal tube (12) and an external tube (14). The internal tube includes a distal pressure lumen (26), a balloon inflation lumen (28), and a sensor lumen (30). The external tube includes the first proximal pressure lumen (48), second proximal pressure lumen (50), injection lumen (52), and transducer lead lumen (54). A cylindrical transducer (16), sensor (18), and balloon (42) are supported on the internal and external tubes, which allow the transducer to be coaxially mounted thereon. The catheter has a high lumen count, large lumen cross-sectional area, is easy to construct and use, and allows cardiac output to be measured continuously without sacrificing other currently available catheter functions.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter compromising a torque-transmitting shaft, a flexible body surrounding the shaft, and an inflatable balloon having a proximal end mounted on the flexible body. The dilatation catheter also includes a tip spring having a proximal end fixedly mounted to the shaft proximal to the distal end of the balloon and a distal end fixedly attached to the distal tip of the shaft. The dilatation catheter further comprises a tip tube having a proximal end fixedly mounted to the shaft and a distal end exending through the distal end of the balloon, the distal end of the balloon being fixedly attached to the tip tube, the tip tube being sufficiently flexible and the proximal end being sufficiently removed from the distal end of the balloon so that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the tip substantially without twisting the balloon and substantially reducing rotation of the tip spring where it contacts the vascular system.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion has greater torsional stiffness than the distal portion, while the distal portion has greater dependability than the proximal portion. In accordance with this invention the distal portion carries a helical wire support member embedded therein, the helical support member being essentially free of crossing wires, to provide kink-resistance upon bending to the distal portion.

Abstract: A compound with topical anesthetic properties is incorporated in polymeric material making up the wall of a tube of intubation devices for introduction into body passages of an animal. A hydrophobic anesthetic compound is used which is more soluble in the polymeric wall material of the tube than in water. Because of the hydrophobic properties of the anesthetic compound, a quantity of anesthetic compound can be stored in solution in the polymeric wall material of the tube and this stored anesthetic compound is not washed out by the aqueous fluid which is present in the body passage. As a result, the anesthetic compound is transferred only to the contiguous tissue of the body passage and not disseminated systemically through the aqueous fluids. When the tube is in place within a body passage the anesthetic compound diffuses to the surface of body tissue touched by the tube where its anesthetic effect suppresses discomfort and undesired rejection reactions.

Abstract: An adapter for interfacing a needle-less syringe with a medication vial is disclosed. The adapter has a body and a detachable means for sealably receiving the inlet of the syringe at one end. The detachable means is substantially centered about the body and has a central bore fluidically connecting the adapter with the syringe. Extending substantially perpendicular to the body and opposite to the detachable means is a piercing means which is substantially elongated in shape. The piercing means has a longitudinal axis with a spike bore extending along the longitudinal axis fluidically connecting the central bore with the spike bore. An adapter inlet is positioned along the longitudinal axis fluidically connecting to the spike bore, at a distance such that the distance between the inlet and the body is greater than the thickness of the cap of the medicine vial.

Abstract: A dilator assembly for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations into body cavities includes an elongate guide member and one or more elongate dilation members. The guide member includes a retractable anchor near its distal end so that an outward force or tension may be maintained on the body cavity wall as successfully larger dilators are introduced over the guide member. In this way, the alignment of the guide member is maintained along the initial penetration and the tendency for the wall of the body cavity to separate from and invaginate into the surrounding fascia is reduced. Alternatively, means may be provided for internally tensioning or stiffening the guide member so that the guide member will remain aligned and resist withdrawal, buckling, and kinking as a dilator or working catheter is introduced.

Abstract: A reusable dental syringe having a hollow cylinder, a prefilled medication carpule to be received within the cylinder, and a hypodermic needle cannula communicating with the carpule and extending outwardly from the cylinder for administering an injection. The syringe also includes a retaining collar which can be moved, against the normal bias of a compression spring, axially and distally through the cylinder and into engagement with the carpule. A slide lock is adapted to lock the retaining collar at the distal position within the cylinder. After a injection has been administered and the carpule emptied, the slide lock may be moved to release the retaining collar from the distal position. The compression spring is now free to return to its normal bias, whereby to drive the retaining collar and the empty carpule connected thereto axially and proximally through the cylinder.

Abstract: A hygiene and treatment device wherein it comprises a pipe having a chamber at one of its ends, suitable for being put into communication with an endpiece connected to a supply of water under pressure, the other end of the pipe being curved and having a longitudinal slot. The invention is particularly suitable for anal and gynecological hygiene.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous local anesthetization set to be used for setting a catheter in a spinal subarachnoid space, the continuous local anesthetization set consisting of a puncturing guide needle 2, a guide member 3 and a catheter 4, the puncturing guide needle 2 is known. The guide member 3 is composed of a guide pipe 3A, the diameter of which is substantially equal to that of a guide needle 2A1, and a knob 3B fitted firmly around a substantially intermediate portion of the outer circumferential surface of the guide pipe 3A, the guide member 3 being formed so as to be fitted detachably in the puncturing guide needle 2.

Abstract: A method of gasification of an environment having the characteristic of a low concentration of gas. The method is particularly suited for oxygenation of hypoxemic blood. The method comprises the steps of preparing a powdered oxygen hydrate; mixing the hydrate with powdered ice; pulverizing the mixture of the hydrate and the ice into small particles; encapsulating the mixture of the hydrate and the ice within a pressure vessel; applying a high pressure to the mixture; warming the pressure vessel and its contents to provide an aqueous suspension of the hydrate within liquid water formed from the ice upon warming; providing a conduit in communication with a catheter, the catheter having one or more high resistance exit ports; and intravenous injection of the suspension of particles at a rate which permits mixing of the hydrate with its environment before decomposition of the gas hydrate or bubble coalescence can occur.

Abstract: A fastening system includes a membrane assembly which can comprise a pair of body panels secured together at a seam. The membrane panels can comprise a semi-permeable material. A sheath assembly has a tubular configuration with proximate and distal ends and a sheath passage extending therebetween. The sheath assembly can be fastened to the membrane assembly by adhesively securing the sheath assembly adjacent to its proximate end between the membrane panels at the membrane assembly seam. A sheath-to-tube fastener is provided for fastening the sheath assembly to a tube. A fastening method includes the steps of fastening two panels of a membrane assembly together at a seam, fastening a sheath assembly to the membrane assembly between the panels at the seam, and fastening a tube to the sheath. In one embodiment of the present invention a surgical sponge is fastened to the membranes in fluidic connection with the sheath, which is fastened to a suction tube for drawing blood from a surgical site.

Abstract: A needleless syringe comprising a barrel, a plunger and a truncated cannula secured to said barrel by an externally stepped hub connector comprising (1) a tubular skirt section of greatest circumference secured to the constricted distal end of said barrel through which said fluid transfer tube extends; (2) a tubular male tapered section of smaller circumference situated beyond the constricted distal end of said barrel and through which said fluid transfer tube extends; and (3) a tubular forward extension of smallest circumference into which said fluid transfer tube projects to a point near the discharge aperture of said forward extension, said forward extension having an annular projection about its circumference set forward of said tapered section a distance sufficient to create a seal between said tapered section and a female Luer slip fitting of a valve actuated intravenous port device when said annular projection opens said valve, said annular projection having a circumference smaller than the smallest ci

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of treatment of an atherosclerotic blood vessel. Protein kinase C and tyrosine protein kinase inhibitors are delivered by means of a specialized catheter system to the deeper layers of the vessel wall with only minimal interruption of the vessel endothelium. This system will allow high local concentrations of otherwise toxic agents directly at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque to prevent and/or reduce the incidence of late restenosis attributed to cellular hyperplasia or rethrombosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue bondable cystostomy tube for use in a human patient. The present invention also relates to a method for surgically implanting the tissue bondable cystostomy tube in a human patient.

Abstract: A measurement test for gastrointestinal transit time, including the steps of administering a dose of labeled glycosyl ureide, measuring the labeled CO.sub.2 and determining the amount of CO.sub.2 over time is described. The assay can be used for measuring the effectiveness of drugs, the effect of drugs on gastrointestinal motility diagnoses of gastrointestinal motility disease measuring the effectiveness of treatment, and the effect of diet on motility.