Abstract: An air-evacuated blood collection tube assembly comprising an air-evacuated tubular container having an open end and a closed end, and a cannula-penetrable self-sealing gas-proof closure in sealing engagement with the open end of the container so as to maintain the vacuum inside the container. The closure has an end interior of the container and an end exterior of the container. The end interior has a first notch formed adjacent to the container wall. The end exterior includes a first notch that is aligned with the notch on the end interior of the container. The tubular container is formed of a polyethylene terephthalate material. The open end of the tubular container is flared outwardly. A hump extends inwardly of the inner diameter of the tubular container. The closure has an indented ring that is formed so as to receive this hump during engagement with the tubular container.

Abstract: An autoperfusion dilatation catheter useful in angioplasty comprises a conventional catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon. The catheter is designed such that the balloon, when inflated, has an outer surface relief-structure whereby when this outer surface is fully inflated and exerts pressure on the inner surface of a blood vessel, blood continues to flow between the outer surface of the balloon and the blood vessel surface. Preferably, the relief structure is a channel formed in the outer surface of the balloon by the pressure of a band attached to the catheter and which presses against the outer surface of the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention is a means for accessing blood vessels for the insertion of a guide wire while preventing the free release of blood. Specifically, a hollow, thin-walled metal tube typically having a sharp point at its distal end is joined at its proximal end to a transparent viewing section. The viewing section has a distal narrow lumen and a proximal chamber which has a cap at its proximal end. The cap encloses a pressure sealing means through which a guide wire can be passed. After the distal end of the metal tube is placed in an artery, blood will rush through the metal tube and into the viewing section. The air in the air-tight proximal chamber will alternatively be compressed between diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Feedback to the operator that the distal end of the metal tube is properly placed within an artery can be achieved by observing the reciprocating pulsatile motion of the blood column within the distal narrow lumen of the viewing section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to angioplasty dilatation catheters. Specifically, the perfusion dilatation catheter of the present invention is used in coronary angioplasty, but it is equally applicable to renal, cerebral, and peripheral angioplasties. The catheter is comprised of a long flexible tubular shaft having an expandable balloon affixed near the distal end of the shaft and surrounding the circumference of the shaft. Upon expansion, the balloon's cross-section is circumscribed by the circular perimeter of the target vessel cross-section. The balloon tip has a minimum of two rounded apices, wherein the maximum height of the apices does not exceed the nominal radius of the target vessel, and further wherein multiple radii of the balloon tip cross-section are of lesser radial dimension than the nominal radius of the target vessel.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a multi-dose syringe both include structure for indicating the selected amount of liquid to be injected. A first element and a second element coupled respectively to the syringe housing and the plunger rod are adapted for calibrated movement with respect to each other, one of the first and second elements includes an outer portion having dose-indicating scale thereon, and another of the first and second elements surrounding said outer portion includes a window through which only a segment of the dose-indicating scale on said portion is visible, the visible portion indicating the amount of liquid selected for injection.

Abstract: An improved drug delivery catheter, for use in the prevention of restenosis of a dilated vascular region, and/or for use in the delivery of a medication to a preselected vascular site. The catheter comprises an elongate body, an inflation balloon disposed about a catheter body. In a drug delivery embodiment, a perforated drug delivery balloon is disposed concentrically about the inflation balloon. In another embodiment, the two balloons are heat sealed together at the distal and proximal ends of the catheter body. A first lumen extends through the catheter body for communicating with the inflation balloon, and a second lumen extends through the body for communicating with the drug delivery balloon. Methods describing the intraluminal delivery of drugs to a site specific location are also disclosed, including the delivery of a drug to a vascular area before, during or after a conventional PTCA procedure.

Abstract: A needle assembly for the sterile and physical protection of a needle cannula and a method for making the needle cannula is described. A removable sealing tube is integrally attached to one end of a holder which fixedly retains the needle cannula. A removable needle protector is integrally attached to the other end of the holder. The sealing tube, holder and protector define a unitary piece which encases the needle cannula. To make the needle assembly, an insert assembly including an annular die, the needle cannula and an outer cannula is positioned in a forming cavity. The forming cavity is then filled with molten plastic which upon cooling forms the unitary piece. The forward and rearward ends of the unitary piece are then sealed.

Abstract: An assembly for use in drainage of an abscess comprises an outer tubular member provided in a distal end portion with a plurality of longitudinal slits. The distal end portion of the tubular member has a spring bias tending to form the distal end portion into a substantially spherical expanded configuration to anchor the distal end portion of the tubular member in an abscess. An inner tubular member or obturator is inserted into the outer tubular member and has a distal end provided with a cutting edge projecting from the outer tubular member. Locking components on the obturator and the outer tubular member serve to maintain the latter in a stretched out cylindrical configuration enabling insertion of the distal end portion into an abscess. A needle on the distal end of the tubular member serves to inject a quantity of anesthetic into the patient at the abscess site. A similar structure is disclosed in an intravenous catheter assembly.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical component-mixing syringe assembly (2) is particularly suited for packaging, reconstituting and dispensing a series of equal doses of a multiple component pharmaceutical, such as human growth hormone reconstituted from a diluent component (128) and a lyophilized component (34). The pharmaceutical components are contained within first and second cartridges (10, 36) of the type having a movable piston (12, 40). The second cartridge is forced into the interior of the first cartridge causing a spike assembly (132) between the two to fluidly couple the two cartridges and drive the piston of the first cartridge into the first cartridge causing the contents of the first cartridge to be driven into the second cartridge, thereby mixing. A reciprocating ratchet plunger (104) is used to drive the second piston. The distance the ratchet plunger moves, and thus the dose, is determined by the position of a user-inaccessible dosing key stop (116) along the length of the ratchet plunger.

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: An exchangeable catheter-guidewire system is disclosed in which the guidewire can be manipulated to seize and to release itself from the catheter body while both are in place in a vasculature or other body vessel. For balloon dilatation catheters, this arrangement permits one to transmit the fluid used for perfusion and/or balloon inflation through the same lumen through which the guidewire passes. Balloon catheters which utilize the invention have the capacity to secure the position of the guidewire relative to the catheter body, as well as to seal the lumen and balloon to retain fluid under pressure, both by remote control from the proximal end of the catheter. The seizure and sealing are achieved by a deformable section on the guidewire, which expands upon deformation to seize a tubular section of the catheter body.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for facilitating balloon catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient. The apparatus and method concern means for holding a guidewire longitudinally fixed with respect to a guiding catheter while a balloon catheter is moved over the guidewire. Specifically, the guidewire is held longitudinally fixed with respect to the guiding catheter by way of magnetic coupling. A first magnetic element constitutes a portion of the guide wire or is attached to the guide wire to move with it. A second magnetic element is located proximate the balloon catheter but is not fixed to the balloon catheter. When the guidewire is moved within the guiding catheter to a location at which the first magnetic element reaches its point of closest approach to the second magnetic element, magnetic force holds the guidewire against movement relative to the guiding catheter even while a balloon catheter is being moved over the guidewire.

Abstract: A safely-disposable, one-use limited, sealingly-enveloped, injectant-saturated, elastic foam sponge, axially encompassing a hypodermic cannula, depressably slidable there-thru for simultaneous, subcutaneous tissue injection.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is disclosed having a catheter body and one or more loops external to the body and spaced from the balloon for insertion of a guidewire. A peelable sheath with a guidewiare lumen can instead be mounted exterior to the catheter body for holding the guidewire. The catheter body may optionally be reinforced with a stylet.

Abstract: A catheter is provided to maintain minimally invasive access for exchanging internal biliary stents. The catheter includes a catheter housing and a catheter obturator. The catheter housing includes an elongated hollow tube with an enlarged flange member at one end, and the diameter of the tube is sized such that a guidewire may pass through it, gaining access to an occluded internal biliary stent. The catheter obturator is used to seal off the hollow tube of the catheter housing for preventing any backflow of bile from occurring through the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or atherectomy catheter is acoustically enhanced by placing at least two ultrasonographically detectable markers, one at the proximal and one at the distal limits of the catheter balloon. The location of the catheter in the artery is thereby correctly positioned by ultrasonographic imaging.

Abstract: A safety hypodermic needle and a method of using the same are disclosed. The safety needle comprises a hypodermic needle and a protective sheath molded of an flexible polymeric material. The protective sheath comprises a needle cup which encloses the sharp needle point and is supported on a plurality of outwardly flexed ribs. The needle cup has a needle opening which is misaligned with the needle axis in the at rest or unflexed condition of the protective sheath. Application of transverse and axial forces to the needle cup aligns the needle with the opening and cause the ribs to bow outwardly so that the needle passes through the opening and into the patient's body.

Abstract: A patient implantable vascular catheterization system incorporating an anchoring element for maintaining the tip of an implanted catheter at a desired position within a blood vessel. The anchoring element comprises a deformable element such as a coiled wire or one or more expandable legs. The anchoring element is caused to assume a streamlined or compressed condition through placing it within an introducer catheter to facilitate placement or removal of the implanted catheter. Once positioned, the introducer catheter is retracted allowing the anchoring element to expand into engagement with the blood vessel. A material to induce occlusion of the blood vessel through clotting can be incorporated into the anchoring element.

Abstract: An inflatable medical device for the delivery of medications to an organ in the body including a catheter having a plurality of lumens disposed therein. The distal end of the catheter is adapted to be disposed within a bodily organ. A hollow, inflatable, medication-deliverable balloon is disposed on the distal end of the catheter and the interior of the balloon is in fluid flow relationship with one of the lumens to enable the balloon to be inflated. An array of conduits is disposed within the walls of the balloon for the delivery of medications to predetermined locations within said bodily organ. Another lumen in the catheter shaft is provided to deliver medications to the conduits in the wall of the balloon and an egress for the medications so that they may be dispensed at the site being treated.

Abstract: A suction and irrigation apparatus is provided for selectively delivering suction or irrigation fluid to a patient during surgery or the like. A pair of resilient tubes are provided which is connected with a suction source and irrigation source at one end and is connected through a Y-shaped connector at the other end with a handpiece having clamping valves thereon disposed between the ends of the resilient tubes. The handpiece has a housing with openings in the ends thereof to provide passageways for the resilient tubes. Clamping valves are mounted in the housing which are spring urged to close the resilient tubes. A bracket is slidably mounted on the sides of the handpiece housing and the bracket is slidable to a position overlying the clamping valves so as to maintain the clamping valves in an open position. When the clamping valves are held in an opened position by the bracket, the handpiece can be moved along the length of the resilient tubes to position the handpiece at any desired location.