Abstract: One side wall of a rigid needle tube is provided at its front end with a curved bending directed towards the opposite, axial side wall and has a lumen opening formed therein. The lumen opening is provided with a rear inner cutting edge and a front punctuating portion which comprises a lancet-shaped tip having a facet grinding. The tip is arranged in a zone defined by two imaginary lines extending respectively from the inner surface and the outer surface of the axial side wall beyond the rear cutting edge of the lumen opening. When using the needle, no material is punched out of the material to be perforated.

Abstract: This invention provides a catheter for nasogastric intubation comprises a tube for nasogastric intubation and a plastic separator, said tube for nasogastric intubation consisting of a catheter and a plastic sheath tube having a longitudinal tear-off line over full length thereof together with elasticity and rigidity slightly larger than those of said catheter inserted slidably thereinto, and said separator for splitting said sheath tube fixing said tube at the vicinity of a nostril.

Abstract: A balloon tipped catheter and process for making the same is provided for the insertion into the suction channel of a bronchoscope. The balloon material is stretched across a recess formed in the catheter tubing. The stretched balloon forms an hour glass shape, thereby preventing the balloon material from becoming damaged while the catheter is being pushed through a curved bronchoscope.

Abstract: A catheter guide wire designed for use in guiding a catheter to a target site along a tortuous vessel path. The guide wire has a relatively long, torqueable proximal wire section, a more flexible intermediate section, and a most flexible distal end section designed to be advanced across sharp-bend vessel junctions. The intermediate section has greater lubricity than the adjacent proximal and distal sections. The greater frictional coefficient in the distal end segment acts to anchor the end of the wire in a branch vessel, when the guide wire has been advanced across the sharp-bend vessel junction, and the catheter is threaded axially over the wire, while the more lubricious surface of the intermediate section gives reduced sliding friction within the catheter during such advance. The invention also includes a catheter device containing the guide wire and catheter.

Abstract: A very low profile balloon catheter is disclosed that allows for an independently movable, steerable and removable guidewire. After removal of the guidewire, the balloon catheter retains adequately angiographic and hemodynamic characteristics. Such catheter construction allows for exchange of guidewires. A tracking mechanical device is included and provides excellent and easy advancement of the balloon catheter through severe obstructions.

Abstract: A nasal tampon, adapted for use during a nasal surgery comprises an expansible low pressure sealing cuff, an inflation conduit, a drainage conduit, and an absorptive member. The tampon is designed to control nasal hemorrhaging without exerting direct pressure on the bleeding area. The expansible cuff conforms to the inner walls of the choanae and forming a seal therebetween so as to occlude the passageway and thereby prevent the flow of blood and other fluids down the patient's throat.

Abstract: Medical instrument introduction cannula, which is useful as a guide means for introducing and indwelling a rod-like material instrument such as a catheter and a guide wire. This cannula is removed after use from the medical instrument by being splitted. This cannula is formed of a hollow tubular body having a strip member consisting of a material different from the other portion of the tubular body, which extends over the entire or almost the entire length of the tubular body. The strip member has a weld line along the length of the strip member, or consists of a resin which exhibits a good bonding property only to one of the other components forming the tubular body. The tubular body can be splitted by way of the weld line or the removal of the strip member having such a bonding property. The method of manufacturing the medical instrument introduction cannular by a two-color extruder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique for removing plaque from blood vessel includes passing a wire saw-catheter assembly through an artery to a location adjacent an area of plaque buildup. The wire saw is then moved out of the end of the catheter into engagement with the plaque buildup. The wire saw is reciprocated through a stroke of 0.01-4 millimeters at a rate of between 3,000-30,000 cycles per second. In one embodiment, the wire saw is straight while a second embodiment of the wire saw includes a a curved end. In both embodiments, a triangularly shaped cutting element is helically wound about the tube end. The cutting element reciprocates against and comminutes the relatively hard plaque without damaging the relatively soft blood vessel.

Abstract: A device for removing monitoring tubes, especially nasogastric tubes, which have come in contact with bodily secretions from hospitalized patients, in a sanitary manner using a plastic housing canister open at both ends in which is affixed a long, thin plastic sheath. The device is used by removing the attached cap and introducing the free end of the monitoring tube into the mouth of the canister and then into the blind tip of the fully retracted sheath. One hand grasps the indwelling tube by grasping the surrounding sheath and the tube and gently pulling the sheath and tube to its fullest extension. The completely encased tube remains in the sheath and the cap is replaced over the canister for disposal in a sanitary fashion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valvuloplasty device having a plurality of expandable chambers for valvuloplasty such that the arrangements and disposition of the expandable chambers conforms to the anatomy of the valve to be treated, thereby increasing the likelihood that inflation of the balloons will restore the valve more closely to its original anatomy and function. The expandable chambers can be expanded in various combinations or sequences in order to provide improved results from the treatment. The present invention also provides a method of performing valvuloplasty in which a plurality of expandable chambers having a fixed geometric relationship to each other are positioned within the valve to be treated and the expandable chambers are expanded in combination and/or in sequence to provide improved anatomical structure and function of the valve treated by the method.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling the discharge of materials through a body passage. The invention comprises a fluid actuated artificial sphincter mechanism that surrounds the body passage. The artificial sphincter includes an inflatable cuff surrounded by a hollow resilient C-shaped reservoir ring. The cuff, ring and pump are in fluid communication with each other. The fluid communication between the cuff and reservoir ring is controlled by a flow resistor means. In operation, the pump draws fluid from the cuff and diverts the fluid into a reservoir ring. By pumping the fluid from the cuff, the cuff deflates opening the body passage. Pumping the fluid into the reservoir ring increases the pressure in the ring causing the ring to open. As the ring opens the ring allows the cuff to move further away from the body passage opening the body passage further. The fluid displaced in the ring is continuously diverted from the reservoir ring back to the cuff.

Abstract: An irrigation kit for catheter irrigation and a prefilled piston syringe containing sufficient fluid for a unitary catheter irrigation. The syringe includes a catheter tip sized to operably connect to a conventional catheter tube and a cap on the tip removably mounted to selectively prevent escape of the fluid from the syringe when the tip is place. The kit further includes a disposable pouch for enclosing the filled syringe, the pouch and the filled syringe being sterilized after enclosure of the syringe herein.

Abstract: A completely disposable apparatus of single unit construction designed for operative use in conjunction with a transvaginal ultrasound probe when performing transvaginal surgical procedures with ultrasonic guidance. This invention consists of a probe covering sheath containing a probe securing mechanism, an instrument or needle guide, and an ultrasound cable sleeve. When this unit is surgically sterilized and applied to the transvaginal ultrasound probe it provides an uninterrupted covering that permits the ultrasound probe and cable to be introduced into a sterile operative field while at the same time eliminating contamination of the ultrasound equipment with body fluids. Embodiments of the present invention provide a sterile plastic sheath to cover the transvaginal ultrasound probe during daily non-operative diagnostic examinations and a durable plastic sheath that when fitted over the transvaginal ultrsound probe protects it from accidental damage during storage.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter for PCTA and other vascular procedures which provides for the perfusion of blood when the balloon is inflated to dilate the artery or otherwise impede blood flow. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular member having an inner lumen extending along the length thereof, a perfusion body secured to the distal end of the tubular member having a small diameter lumen in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the tubular member, and a large diameter lumen which allows for the perfusion of blood through the perfusion body, and a balloon disposed about the perfusion body and secured around the periphery thereof in at least two circular locations. An inflation/deflation port connects the small diameter lumen in the perfusion body to the interior of the balloon to pass inflation fluid therebetween. A guidewire is disposed within the small diameter inner lumen of the tubular member and facilitates the advancement of the catheter across the stenosis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating breast lesions in three dimensions and placing the tip of a biopsy needle in the lesion includes a compression apparatus having radiopaque grids on top and bottom compression plates. Two rotated x-ray views are taken, one on either side of the vertical, such that the grids are reproduced on the exposures. The coordinates of the lesions on the grids are plotted as intersecting lines to graphically determine the X, Y and Z coordinates of the lesion. The apparatus also includes a biopsy needle holder and guide which is adjustable according to the graphically determined coordinates and which allows release of the needle from the apparatus while maintaining its position in the lesion.

Abstract: A ureteral stent has a main body that is soft and flexible and a proximal hook portion which is stiffer to minimize expulsion from the kidney.

Abstract: The invention is related to a cannula used in medication for infusing liquid and/or giving a medicine injection into a vein, which cannula comprises a hollow body, an indication chamber part that, equipped with a steel needle, is coupled to it, a catheter, and a rear plug. To achieve a cannula that would be more advantageous to handle, the body and the indication chamber part, coupled to each other, are essentially at right angles to each other, in such a way that the indication chamber in said chamber part is in an essentially vertical position, having in its upper part an indicating device, and the chamber part is shaped to be held between the thumb and the forefinger.

Abstract: Medical instrument introduction cannula, which is useful as a guide means for introducing and indwelling a rod-like medical instrument such as a catheter and a guide wire. This cannula is removed after use from the medical instrument by being splitted. This cannula is formed of a hollow tubular body having a strip member consisting of a material different from the other portion of the tubular body, which extends over the entire or almost the entire length of the tubular body. The strip member has a weld line along the length of the strip member, or consists of a resin which exhibits a good bonding property only to one of the other components forming the tubular body. The tubular body can be splitted by way of the weld line or the removal of the strip member having such a bonding property. The method of manufacturing the medical instrument introduction cannular by a two-color extruder is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-occluding cannula assembly comprising a cannula sheath having a connector hub formed on one end thereof. A self-actuating occluding means is formed within the cannula assembly so as to prevent back flow of body fluids from the cannula. In the cannulae wherein an introducer needle is initially axially positioned within the cannula lumen, the occluding means will permit desired withdrawal of the needle but will thereafter immediately occlude the cannula lumen to prevent back flow therethrough. The occluding means is further adapted to shift to a "non-occluded" configuration upon connection of a second infusion or monitoring tube to the proximal end of the cannula. If, during use, the infusion/monitoring tube should become disconnected, the occluding means will again shift to its "occluded" configuration so as to prevent back flow of fluids from the cannula until such time as the infusion/monitoring line is reconnected.

Abstract: A housing is provided for insertion in an intravenous delivery system including a fluid source and a fluid conduit. The housing is adapted for receiving a beneficial agent to be mixed with fluid flowing through the fluid conduit. The beneficial agent is reconstituted within the housing, eliminating the need for manual reconstitution. The housing may comprise a separate receptacle and cartridge in which the receptacle is manufactured "in-line" in an administration set and the cartridge is adapted for receiving a beneficial agent. In one embodiment of the invention, the cartridge is a standard drug vial.