Abstract: A catheter or catheter sheath introducer, for insertion into a vessel of a patient. The catheter has a rigid housing at its proximal end. The housing has an annular valve for access to the lumen of catheter. The catheter further includes a flexible tube for insertion into the patient. Lastly, the catheter has a resilient transition member intermediate and separating the housing and the tube. The member has a greater flexibility than the tube such that if the catheter is bent, after it is inserted into the patient, it will bend along the transition member where there is no substantial reduction of the cross-sectional area of the lumen adjacent the bend.

Abstract: Multi-lumen balloon catheter with a closed tip and with an expandable balloon arranged at a short distance from the proximal end of the catheter, with at least one contrast marking at one location on the catheter, which marking permits a determination of the positions of the balloon, with at least two lumina extending in the longitudinal direction of the catheter, of which one communicates with the inside of the expandable balloon and the second lumen has a number of lateral openings in the catheter wall, the distance of the lateral openings increasing in the distal direction from the balloon, and the proximal opening in the side wall being arranged at a distance of 2 mm to 5 mm from the distal end of the balloon, and its use in a device for the isolated perfusion of therapeutically active substances.

Abstract: An improved fluid supply and suction apparatus and method for supplying and suctioning fluid through a cannula into and through the body of the fluid supply and suction apparatus is shown. The fluid supply and suction apparatus, which is intended for use in a surgical enviornment, preferably comprises a body having a plurality of ports in fluid communication with a tool insertion thru-hole. The tool insertion thru-hole provides a substantially unobstructed portal from one end of the apparatus body to the other end of the apparatus body. In a more preferred embodiment, the plurality of ports are open to one end of the apparatus body only and they comprise at least a fluid supply port, a fluid suction port, and a regulated port having a suction regular to selectively control the amount of suction through the regulated port. Valves are preferably provided to control flow to and from the ports into and out of the tool insertion thru-hole.

Abstract: A method is described for delivering a beneficial agent, such as an antiinflammatory agent, to the site of a painful condition in the oral cavity of a human being that utilizes an oral dosage form having an immediately releasable topical anesthetic and a sustained release beneficial agent. The topical anesthetic is released substantially independently of the beneficial agent to provide immediate pain relief and the application of the beneficial agent is continued over a long period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel douche nozzle suitable for vaginally administering a douche fluid.

Abstract: An injection device for intramuscular or subcutaneous injection of solid or semi-solid medicaments is disclosed. The device includes main body member having a needle attached thereto. A protective sleeve covers the needle and retracts into the main body member when the device is pressed against the skin of a patient. A plunger with an attached rod maintains the medicament in the patient as the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: A flexible and kink-proof intra-cavity delivery catheter for precise placement and injection of therapeutic agent(s) into and/or through the wall of a body cavity at a precise treatment site with even distribution throughout. One or more needle assemblies are disposed around a calibrated balloon which, when inflated, brings each needle assembly into contact with and enables the piercing of the cavity wall to a calibrated depth. Each needle assembly consists of a plurality of tissue insertion needles along the longitudinal axis of the needle assembly. Precise amounts of the therapeutic agent are then quickly delivered through the needle assembly directly into the diseased body tissue. When the calibrated balloon is deflated, retraction members pull the needle assemblies back into the catheter body for catheter repositioning or catheter withdrawal.

Abstract: An implantable catheter comprises a flexible elongated catheter body having an inflatable balloon positioned near its distal end. At least one distal delivery port is located distal of the balloon and at least one proximal delivery port is located proximal of the balloon. The balloon and the distal and proximal delivery ports are connected in fluid communication with individual lumens. The lumen connected to the balloon is connected to a balloon inflation port at the proximal end of the catheter. The lumens connected to the distal and proximal delivery ports are connected to distal and proximal injection ports. Preferably, the balloon inflation port and the distal and proximal injection ports are all built into an integrated port assembly adapted for implantation under the skin of a medical patient. In use, the distal end of the catheter is inserted and fed into a passageway such as a blood vessel until the balloon and delivery ports lie within a region of interest.

Abstract: A support for reinforcing a fluid infusion tube to prevent it from kinking during a surgical operation. The support runs to the distal end of the tube and is either embedded in the wall of the tube, adhered or heat sealed to the tube either on the tube's interior surface or on the exterior surface, or loosely retained within the lumen. The support may be coiled about the exterior or interior of the tube to provide the desired rigidity to prevent kinking.

Abstract: A sleeve apparatus for use in combination with a surgical instrument for the removal of a cataract through an incision in a patient's eye. The sleeve apparatus includes a first sleeve member having an interior longitudinal bore through which at least a portion of the surgical instrument is insertable. A second sleeve member, substantially concentric to and operatively attached to an outer surface of the first sleeve member, substantially surrounds a portion of the first sleeve member to create a chamber for receipt of expansion material therebetween. The second sleeve member is resilient and expansile in circumference due to the presence of expansion material within the chamber, so as to substantially conform to the shape of the incision and/or the interior of the wound and substantially seal the incision and reduce the loss of fluid from the patient's eye during surgery.

Abstract: An irrigation/aspiration apparatus is provided for use with surgical instrumentation requiring irrigation and aspiration of fluids and a peristaltic pump. The apparatus includes a housing and a manifold for connecting a transfer tube with aspiration and irrigation lines from the surgical instrumentation and with waste and supply lines. An opening the housing enables access to the transfer tube in order to control fluid flow therein. A diaphragm mounted to the housing and in fluid communication with the aspiration tube enables both pressure measurement and pressure control in the tubing when the housing is inserted into a drawer in the console and in operative engagement with a peristaltic pump head disposed therein.

Abstract: A nasogastric suction catheter is disclosed consisting of a long, slender, flexible tube member having independent suction and vent lumens, both lumens being open at both the proximal and distal ends of the long, flexible tube member. The open proximal end of the suction lumen of the long, flexible tube is adapted for coupling to the conventional suction pump. The open distal end of the long, flexible tube is provided with a short, soft, hollow distal end member securely bonded thereto. The short, soft, hollow distal end member is provided with a number of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending ridges located upon its outer surface, with the space between adjacent, parallel ridges forming longitudinally extending troughs. A number of spaced-apart suction apertures are located between the parallel, extended ridges and through the bottom of the troughs into the short, hollow distal end member.