Abstract: Disclosed are an instrument for expanding a tubular organ such as a blood vessel and for keeping the tubular organ expanded for a predetermined period of time, and a catheter for mounting said instrument at a desired position within the tubular organ, said catheter being capable of moving and recovering the instrument mounted within the tubular organ. The instrument is formed of a two-way shape memory alloy and expands or shrinks in the radial direction, in accordance with changes in temperature. At least one side hole is formed at the distal end portion of the catheter, on which the instrument is detachably mounted.

Abstract: A wholly implantable continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis system comprises a first part (20) including tubing (21) for location as an access catheter affording a flowpath for dialysing solution from a subcutaneous portal, accessible by percutaneous needle, to the peritoneal cavity (11), and a second part (30) including a pump (33) and a further tubing (31, 32) serially interconnectable for location as a shunt affording a flowpath for the solution, following dialysis, from the cavity to the bladder (12), the pump being operable under control by the patient (10) to effect the shunt flow.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided which has two concentric transfer tubes: an outer tube and an inner tube. One tube is used for aspiration of fluid, the other for infusion of fluid. The concentric tubing section has proximal and distal ends, the distal end being tapered and having openings for simultaneous aspiration and infusion eye fluid. On the proximal end, the inner transfer tube extends a proximal length greater than the outer transfer tube. The concentric inner and outer transfer tubes are both connected to independent supply tubes. The proximal end of the inner transfer tube, being longer than the outer transfer tube, pierces and protrudes through the wall of the flexible fluid tube connected to the proximal end of the outer tube. This protrusion provides a place on the inner transfer tube for its own independent connection to a supply tube. The tubing assembly is contained within and supported by an elongated, generally tubular housing.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter having an inflatable member and a method of using same to restore patency to an obstructed portion of the lacrimal system. The catheter is inserted into the lacrimal system and its inflatable member is positioned in the obstructed portion. The inflatable member is inflated to dilate the obstructed portion to restore patency to the lacrimal system. Preferably, the catheter includes one or more visually perceivable markers having a known spaced relationship to one of the ends of the inflatable member. Positioning of the inflatable member is assisted by aligning the marker relative to an opening into the lacrimal system.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing medicinal agents into an ambulatory patient at specific rates over extended periods of time. The apparatus is of a compact, low profile, laminate construction and includes an elastic distendable membrane, which, in cooperation with a thin planar base, defines a fluid chamber having a fluid outlet. Disposed within the fluid chamber is a thin fluid permeable member which precisely controls the rate of fluid flow through the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A pneumatic retinopexy injector includes a syringe to which is communicated a controllable gaseous pressure source. A desired volume of a gaseous substance can be injected by the syringe by utilizing a controller to introduce the pressurized gas to the syringe to cause the piston of the syringe to eject any contents of the syringe. The manual controller can comprise a foot pedal having a variable flow pneumatic valve. The invention can also utilize a vacuum source which is switchable to the syringe to allow automatic filling of the syringe.

Abstract: The disclosure of this application is directed to a medicament injection adjunct which provides a source of sterile air for loading into a medicament syringe prior to use of the syringe for withdrawing liquid medicament from a multi-dose vial. The disclosure also describes the sequence of steps involved in loading the syringe with sterile air. Embodiments involving inclusion of the adjunct in a tandem medicament package and also use of the adjunct in hospital wards or outpatient areas are also described.

Abstract: An improved applicator for applying a topical anesthetic to a patient's mucosal tissue is disclosed, and includes a sponge-like dispenser member characterized by a relatively large surface area. The dispenser member is attached to an elongated handle. A predetermined quantity of the topical anesthetic is preapplied to the applicator member. A number of the applicators are stored in a refillable dispenser apparatus, wherein a refill dispsenser housing defines a number of applicator wells, each for receiving one of the applicators. The handles of the applicators can be color coded to indicate the flavor of the topical anesthetic which has been preapplied to the applicator.

Abstract: A sheath introducer apparatus and method which includes a unique headed introducer/dilator that protects the leading edge or tip of the sheath from damage during insertion and which includes a sheath which is expandable along its longitudinal length.

Abstract: An intermittent patient suction system, a self-contained control device therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the self-contained control device having a housing that contains two restrictor units therein for respectively controlling the "on" time and "off" time that the control device applies a vacuum and does not apply a vacuum through the output of the control device to the patient.

Abstract: A wc disposable ostomy bag has a wall formed from an inner layer of polyethylene and an outer layer of polyvinyl alcohol. Two flexible layers of aluminum are located between the inner and outer layers to reduce odor transmission through the wall. The material of the walls may be formed by vapor depositing the aluminum layers on respective faces of the inner and outer layers and then laminating the inner and outer layers together with the aluminum layers facing one another. Alternatively, both aluminum layers may be deposited on the same one of the inner or outer layers with a thin non-metallic layer between them to prevent the aluminum layers having common grain boundaries.

Abstract: A system for administering gas to a patient during an endoscopic or medical procedure includes elements for regulating the temperature, pressure, and volumetric flow rate of the gas. A gas source operating with a heated pressure regulator and filter provide a smoothly regulated flow of any medically necessary gas, such as CO.sub.2, to a main body of the gas delivery system. The main body comprises a primary heater for control of the temperature of the gas administered to the patient, a fine pressure regulator for controlling its pressure in a safe manner, and a flow regulator for controlling its volumetric flow rate. Temperature, pressure, and volumetric flow rate indicators allow the physician continuous monitoring of the quantitative status of each of these important physiologic parameters; this data may also be recorded for documentation purposes.

Abstract: An improved safety syringe is disclosed herein comprising a locating ring positioned on the distal end of a syringe barrel and a pair of first and second sleeves which interact with a projecting tab on the locating ring to movably retain the first sleeve in retracted and extended positions and wherein in the extended position one of the sleeves enclose the syringe needle in an irreversible locked arrangement.

Abstract: A dual chamber pumping apparatus and method for infusing fluids to a patient includes a disk having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. Resilient membranes are attached to opposite sides of the disk to establish dual pumping chambers, and a network of one-way valves connects the fluid inlet in alternating fluid communidation with the pumping chambers. A one-way outlet valve connects the pumping chambers alternately in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. The one-way valves utilize a hollow, elastomeric tube fixedly disposed in passageways within the disk for covering and uncovering respective ports in response to fluid pressure differentials on the inner and outer surfaces of the walls of the hollow, elastomeric tube.

Abstract: Catheters having three lumens for injection and removal of fluids comprise an elongated tube having an integrally formed septum which extends throughout the length of the tube and defines the three lumens which may have the same or different cross-sectional areas. A smooth conical tapered tip is provided at the distal end of the tube and one of the lumens extends continuously through the tip to an opening at the apex of the tip. The other lumens extend continuously from the proximal end of the tube to openings in their sidewalls at a location axially spaced from the tip at the distal end. These catheters permit higher rates of fluid transfer in dialysis and like procedures than do double lumen catheters and are less prone to occlusion.

Abstract: A hypodermic injection system with a retractable needle wherein the needle retracts within the interior cavity of a syringe plunger, so that the needle is safely and confinedly held within the plunger for ease of handling and transport, while remaining safely therein. A cylindrical spring housing has resilient fingers which can capture a coiled spring which biasly holds a needle holder against the retaining force of the resilient fingers. The plunger has a frangible end, which, when engaging the resilient fingers under a pre-determined amount of force, dissociate while remaining inwardly-tapered shoulders spread the resilient fingers, allowing the coiled spring to eject the needle and its holder into the interior cavity of the syringe plunger.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus and method for collecting, freezing and removing a liquid such as blood or blood components, and particularly blood plasma. In accordance with the present invention, a container (16) for blood plasma is defined by a pair of substantially flat, flexible opposing sidewalls (40, 42) which are substantially adjacent when the container is empty. The sidewalls are peripherally sealed together to define an interior compartment, and the side seals (44, 46) converge toward one end (48) of the container. After a selected quantity of plasma is collected in the container, the filled container is formed and frozen in a wedge-shaped configuration, with the opposed sidewalls (40,42) converging toward the end of the container. An air space (82) may be provided in the top of the container so that a knife (86) may be easily inserted into the frozen container without contacting the frozen liquid (88) therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-attaching fastener of the buckles and grips type supplied notably as fastening means (2,3) in disposable articles (1). It relates in particular to a buckles part (3), of open structure fabric.In order to be able to fix by means of a cold adhesive glue this part to a support such as a sheet of plastic material constituting the external face of a complete diaper, the invention proposes to associate the element to a film of synthetic resin on at least part of its surface not provided with buckles.In a particular mode of embodiment, the film acts as linking layer for an additional layer consolidating the part.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, having a liquid impervious backsheet, a urine pervious liner, and absorbent core intermediate the backsheet and liner is disclosed. The liner has a passageway to allow communication of solid waste materials to the core, thereby isolating such waste from the skin of the wearer. The liner, is at least partially composed of elastic panels. The elastic panels register the passageway with the anal opening to minimize the size of the passageway and prevent unnecessary exposure of the skin to the solid waste materials.

Abstract: A tube holding assembly particularly suitable for supporting a nasogastric feeding tube so that such a tube is not shifted accidentally out of position during use. The assembly includes a flexible nose pad adapted to be adhesively secured to a wearer's nose, a mounting pin projecting from a distal edge of the pad, and a pair of clamping jaws pivotally carried by the projecting end portion of the pin. The jaws have interdigitating tube-clamping plates disposed beneath the pin and a latching mechanism located in a readily viewable and accessible position above the pin.