Abstract: A body lumen access system comprises a distal access cannula and a proximal access cannula. The distal access cannula is attached to or within the body lumen and the proximal access cannula is attached to an implantable port or is transcutaneously positioned and attached to a luer or other external connector. The distal and proximal access cannulas are usually implanted separately, cut to length, and attached at a subcutaneous junction location. Preferably, the proximal access cannula has a larger lumen diameter than that of the distal access cannula in order to reduce flow resistance within the cannula system. In some cases the distal and proximal access cannulas may be formed integrally. Replacement of a proximal portion or distal end may be performed by accessing the cannula, removing either the proximal portion or distal end, and reattaching a replacement portion of the cannula.

Abstract: An epidural needle has an elongate tube defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end, a distal end and an axial hollow bore having an inside diameter therethrough. The needle has a hub with a proximal end, a distal end and an open passageway having an inside diameter substantially similar to the hollow bore therethrough, the distal end of the hub being fixedly attached to the proximal end of the elongate tube so that the hollow bore of the elongate tube is in fluid communication and substantial axial alignment with the open passageway. The hub further has a cavity disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the hub. There is a resilient member with an opening therethrough that has an inner diameter substantially similar to the inside diameter of the hollow bore disposed in the cavity so that the opening is substantially axially aligned and in fluid communication with the open passageway.

Abstract: A mechanical latching device is provided for threaded connections, such as a barrel and hub member of a medical syringe. The latching device includes an abutment and a receptacle for receipt of the abutment whereby relative movements between reciprocal members in one direction is initially terminated and subsequent movements in another direction are resisted. Movement termination in one direction and resistance in another direction may be overcome in one, or both, of the members forming the threaded connection are radially distortable to permit the members to overcome movements interference by the abutment/receptacle relationship.

Abstract: A laparoscopic applicator device for the selective directional application of one or more liquids to a surgical site is disclosed. The device comprises a handle with liquid inlets at one end, discrete channels within one or more tubes connecting with said inlet and exteding through said handle to a nozzle, and a dual injection shaft at the nozzle end for inserting the shaft and nozzle through a surgical trocar. The dual shaft comprises s rigid portion immediately adjacent the handle and a flexible portion near the nozzle tip. Means are provided, preferably within the handle, for the controlled articulation of the flexible shaft/nozzle assembly, thereby providing application of the liquids in a desired direction. The present invention is particularly useful in the application of surgical sealants, e.g., fibrin sealants. Methods of applying such components are also a part of the invention.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes an instrument having an operative zone defined thereon for physical engagement with a patient's body tissue. The instrument has a foraminous outer shell disposed in the operative zone. The foraminous outer shell has a multitude of relatively uniformly dispersed, small perforations defined therein. The instrument has a fluid supply channel communicated with the perforations for diffusing a flushing fluid out of the perforations throughout the operative zone so that adhesion of tissue to the operative zone of the instrument is reduced. The flushing fluid preferably includes a cytotoxic solution and/or an anti-adhesive solution. Additionally, or alternatively, the outer surface of the instrument may be permanently coated with a cytotoxic material and/or an anti-adhesive material.

Abstract: An injector instrument and a forceps tap for use with an endoscope. The injector instrument is provided with at least one needle formed of a synthetic resin and is further provided with a variety of stopper devices which limit the amount that the needle can extend from the endoscope. The injector instrument may be formed having a curved or easy-to-bend portion. The forceps tap is provided at the entrance to a forceps channel of the endoscope to accommodate at lease two injector instruments or other treatment accessories such that the treatment accessories can be inserted in a single forceps channel and such that substances (such as internal fluids from a human cavity) are held inside the forceps channel.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system generally having an elongated catheter shaft with enhanced flexibility to facilitate more distal advancement within a patient's body lumen. The catheter shaft has a relatively stiff proximal shaft section, a relatively flexible distal shaft section and an intermediate shaft section which provides a smooth, flexible transition between the proximal and distal shaft sections. The intermediate shaft section has an improved construction with a tubular reinforcing member secured by its proximal end to the distal extremity of the proximal shaft section and a distal end secured within the proximal end of the distal shaft section. The tubular reinforcing member preferably has an inner tubular support member which has a proximal end secured to the distal end of the proximal shaft section. Preferably, the proximal shaft section has an outer jacket which extends over the tubular reinforcing member of the intermediate shaft section.

Abstract: A intravenous catheter device having a biased spring hard needle, disposed in a soft catheter. The biased spring hard needle is held within an elongated hollow barrel wherein the biased spring hard needle is extended past the first end of the soft catheter, and is further disposed in the inside of the soft catheter and further extends past the first end of the elongated hollow barrel wherein the biased spring hard needle is pulled into an almost straight line wherein the second end of the biased spring hard needle is fixed to an end cap at the second end of the elongated hollow barrel. The biased spring hard needle is held within the soft catheter and the elongated hollow barrel by an inclined plane latching device.

Abstract: A pre-slit injection site (34) includes a housing (40) with a flow path therethrough. A first end (42) of the housing (40) carries a pre-slit septum (52). One form of a blunt cannula (98), usable with the injection site (34), carries a locking member (100). When the pre-slit injection site (34) slidably receives the blunt cannula (98), the locking member (100) latches to the injection site (34) and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula (280) includes a tube having a tapered distal end region (298) and having elongate discharge slots (294) for reducing contact surface area and for directing the flow laterally out of the cannula. The cannula may also include a rounded lead post (330), an annular barb (394), and axially oriented grooves (268).

Abstract: A gastro-intestinal tube which provides rigid support during stomal formation, while allowing tube removal by pulling from outside the abdominal wall. The tube has proximal and distal ends, a deformable internal bolster attached to the distal end, and a dissolvable support bolster placed around the tube proximal to the internal bolster. The support bolster is made of a dissolvable material, such that the bolster provides a high degree of securement to the gastro-intestinal tube during formation of the stoma, and dissolves to allow tube removal after the stoma has formed. In an alternate embodiment, the bolster has a coating of a medicating agent.

Abstract: A modular drug delivery system for use by cardiothoracic surgeons and interventional cardiologists for delivery of molecular and cellular therapies that target genes, molecules and peptides. The regulated drug delivery devices comprise a modular mechanically actuated drug delivery module (DDM) that can be attached to either a surgical viewing endoscope hand-piece or specialized catheter for interventional procedures. The DDM provides metering of drugs to treatment sites and allows for quick interchangeability with other component parts such as a viewing scope end portion for MIS or other surgical procedures or a flexible catheter shaft for percutaneous procedures.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having two coaxial tubes or channels mounted within a body. The first tube is used for aspiration and is smaller in diameter than the second tube so as to create an annular passage between the first and second tube. The annular passage communicates with a pumping chamber formed between two electrodes. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the annular passage. The distal end of the annular gap is sealed by sealing together the distal ends of the first and second tube and a plurality or orifices or ports may be formed near the seal. As the expanding gas is propelled down the annular gap, the gas/liquid stream is forced out of the distal orifices in a controlled and directed manner.

Abstract: A transdermal electrotransport drug delivery device having an anode, a cathode and a source of electrical power electrically connected to the anode and the cathode. The cathode includes a cathodic electrode and a cathodic reservoir comprised of a housing composed of a polymeric material and an aqueous medium in contact with the housing. The aqueous medium includes i) a drug or an electrolyte salt or a mixture thereof and ii) a cetylpyridinium salt in an amount sufficient to inhibit microbial growth in the aqueous medium. The polymeric material is compatible with the cetylpyridinium salt. A process is also provided wherein when electric current flows from the source of electrical power so that the drug is transdermally delivered to the patient by electrotransport from the anodic reservoir, the cetylpyridinium salt is not transdermally delivered to the patient by electrotransport from the cathodic reservoir. A process for preparing a transdermal electrotransport drug delivery device is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus 101 for applying treatment gas to a wound, burn, infection or otherwise damaged skin area comprises an inflatable dome 103 attached to the surrounding skin portion 105 by a seal gasket 107. An age-degradable adhesive 215 seals and attaches the seal gasket to the surrounding skin portion. A re-sealable adhesive 213 releasable attaches the dome to the seal gasket. A treatment gas hose 109 and nozzle 111 provide treatment gas to the interior portion 107 enclosed by the inflatable dome. Stimulator electrodes 117, attached to the apparatus provide electrical stimulation to skin portions 105A surrounding the wound area, which together with the treatment gas, promote healing of the wound. The re-sealable adhesive allows quick and easy removal and reapplication of the inflatable dome without removal of the seal gasket.

Abstract: A blood pump comprises a drive portion (11) and a pump portion (12) prolongated by a flexible hose (13). Pressure sensors (60, 61) determine the differential pressure between the inlet side and the outlet side of the pump. The volume flow can be determined from the differential pressure in conjunction with the rotational speed. Further, the differential pressure may be used to find the correct position of the pump in the heart. As an alternative to measuring the differential pressure, the motor current consumed by the motor (21) is measured and the volume flow of the pump is calculated therefrom under consideration of the known rotational speed. The signal from the pressure measuring device or the motor current may be used to establish the correct position of the pump in the heart.

Abstract: A drug-infusing device is implanted into a body cavity such as a bladder. The device is implanted in an uninflated, low profile state. After insertion into the body cavity, the device is filled with a substance, such as a drug, and assumes an increased profile. After the device is filled, it is allowed to float freely within the body cavity. Alternatively, the device can be tethered to a wall of the body cavity. The device delivers the drug at a controlled rate over an extended period of time. In order to deliver the drug at a controlled rate, the device preferably has a pressure-responsive valving member. The flow resistance of the valving member is responsive to the pressure at which the drug is stored within the infusing device. The resistance of the valving member decreases as the pressure within the infusing device decreases, thereby providing a resultant controlled flow rate.

Abstract: A delivery device including a) a housing, b) a container for a fluid arranged in the housing, the container having an opening, c) a delivery conduit connected in fluid communication with the opening, the conduit having a front end in flow respect distal from the container and a rear end in flow respect proximal to the container, the front end and the rear end defining an axis therebetween and a forward direction and a rearward direction, and d) a pump arranged to deliver fluid at least in a direction from the container through the conduit, the device comprising, a sensor able to change state in at least one respect in response to a predetermined proximity of an object to the sensor in a sensing direction, a converter, separate from or integral with the sensor, converting at least one of the sensor states into an electromagnetic signal, and a processor, receiving the electromagnetic signal and delivering a control signal to an operational component of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiopaque catheter tip and catheter assembly having radiopaque elements associated with a catheter. The preferred materials for the radiopaque elements are made of a 90% platinum and 10% nickel composite structure or a 90% platinum and 10% iridium composite structure.

Abstract: This invention includes protective devices for protecting against needle-stick injury by a medical catheter or needle. More particularly, the invention is concerned with guards for use with wingless needle assemblies of the type used by blood banks. However, it is also applicable to winged needle assemblies used for other medical purposes, such as the intravenous (IV) infusion of fluids. The needle or catheter assemblies of the type concerned here, comprise a needle, a needle mount or block, and a flexible tube, which are connected at one end to the needle via the needle mount and at the other end to a blood collection bag or to an IV fluid source. A winged catheter or needle assembly is one having a pair of flexible wing-like protrusions extending laterally from its mount, the wings being taped to the user's skin to keep the needle in place over the long periods of time often needed for IV infusions.

Abstract: A urinary catheter includes a cannula having a urine passage, a urine inlet and a urine outlet; and a valve positioned in said urine passage between said inlet and said outlet and having a valve passage having at least a portion which is moveably positioned between a substantially blocked positioned and a flow position, and structure for moving said portion, said structure for moving being biased toward a blocking position wherein said portion is in said substantially blocked position and flow through said valve means is substantially blocked, and said structure for moving being moveable to a position at least partially moving said portion toward said flow position wherein flow through said valve means is allowed.