Abstract: An infusion assembly comprises a cannula subassembly and a source subassembly. The cannula subassembly includes a substantially planar base, a cannula projecting from the base so as to be beneath the patient's skin when the subassembly is deployed, and a generally cylindrical docking structure having a center axis substantially perpendicular to the base. A liquid medicament is dispensed from the cannula. The source subassembly is arranged to dock with the docking structure and includes a supply of liquid medicament that couples to the cannula upon the source subassembly docking with the cannula subassembly. The source subassembly also includes a primer that automatically primes the insulin fluid path to the cannula tip when the subassemblies are joined.

Abstract: An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle section that includes an elongated body and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator portion that has a dilator and a dilator hub. The dilator is coaxially disposed and slideable over the elongated body of the needle section. The device further includes a sheath section that has a sheath and a sheath hub. The sheath is coaxially disposed and slideable over the dilator. The device further includes a first locking mechanism operably disposed between the needle hub and the dilator hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the needle section and the dilator portion and a second locking mechanism operably disposed between the dilator hub and the sheath hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the dilator portion and the sheath section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing material into an injection site of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a carrier. The cannula is inserted into an injection site of a patient. The carrier is connected to an injector containing a volume of material. Material may be pre-loaded into the carrier so that the material is delivered to a distal end of the carrier from the injector and the carrier is thus pre-loaded with material. A portion of the distal end of the pre-loaded carrier is inserted into the cannula and material is delivered to an injection site.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for a catheterization process, particularly useful for self-performed catheterizations. A catheter is enclosed in a sheath made from a gas-permeable material. This sheath maximizes gas permeability to prevent air build-up at the distal end of the sheath, resulting in easy self-catheterization for even those with limited manual dexterity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a vessel include devices having a main elongated element with a balloon at its distal end, an auxiliary elongated element wherein a distal end of the auxiliary elongated element is proximal to the balloon, and a core wire having a internal core wire portion and an external core wire portion, wherein the external core wire portion is external to the balloon. In some embodiments, a distal connecting element is attached to the distal end of the balloon. In some embodiments, the distal connecting element is positioned at a rotational distance from the auxiliary elongated element. In some embodiments, the balloon is a fixed wire balloon. Inflation of the balloon causes guidewires positioned within the device and external core wires to be pushed up against the lesion, providing a focused force for cracking the lesion.

Abstract: A fluid flow rate control system and method comprises a capillary tube having a proximal end that projects into a chamber with a cross-sectional area that is larger than or equal to the fluid supply tube's cross-sectional area. The inner cross-sectional area of the capillary tube is configured less than the inner cross-sectional area of the chamber. The chamber has a volume large enough to slow the fluid conducted to it by the upstream fluid line to permit contaminants to fall out of solution. In another aspect, a sleeve is used to mount the capillary tube into the chamber. The sleeve provides a mounting surface for tube segments from the pump and downstream of the capillary restrictor.

Abstract: A surgical fastening system for implantable devices is disclosed. The implantable device may contain a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, may have a housing fitted over or around it which contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, or may be a part of a two-part system into which it fits. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a deployment system or tool that optionally positions the implantable device, and which causes the fasteners to move into post-deployment position. The fasteners may be staples, metal loops, coils, springs or hooks formed of biocompatible materials, including shape memory alloys such as NiTi.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for packaging dual or multiple-component adhesive systems that provide enhanced convenience and efficacy. In one aspect, the components of such a system may be divided into containers that allow for foolproof mixing schemes to avoid mixing the wrong components while also providing a sterile surface for mixing materials, with the sterile surface having optimal physical properties for mixing the materials, especially in small amounts. Certain embodiments include a surgical delivery system for a medical sealant including a packaging system with a detachable a sterile surface for mixing the sealant as needed for application.

Abstract: A combined nasal spray and aspirator device includes an air pump disposed within a housing and comprises a spray and aspirator assembly. The air pump, at which an air suction connector and an air discharge connector are disposed, is driven by a driving component to perform air suction and discharge actions. The spray and aspirator assembly, mounted to the air suction connector and the air discharge connector, comprises a spray conduit and a first aspiration conduit; the spray conduit connects to an atomizer which is provided with liquids from a liquid storage container, and the first aspiration conduit connects to a mucus collector so that when some air carrying mucus enters the mucus collector, the mucus is left behind and the air enters the air pump through a second aspiration conduit. The device of the present invention integrates the operations of a nasal spray and a nasal aspirator, sucking the mucus away right after it sprays and liquefies the mucus, with said actions occurring almost simultaneously.

Abstract: A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.

Abstract: A balloon catheter that has at least one shaft, and a balloon. The balloon has a first weld region, a first cone region, a middle region, a second cone region and a second weld region where the first weld region engages the balloon to the at least one shaft, the first region is adjacent to the first weld region, the middle region is between the first cone region and the second cone region, the second cone region is adjacent to the second weld region, and the second weld region engages the balloon to at least one shaft. The balloon has an uninflated state and an inflated state, where the balloon has at least one fold extending from the first weld region to the second weld region in the uninflated state and the first and second cone regions of the balloon have at least one fold in the inflated state.

Abstract: A computer-controlled injector of the type having a motor which advances and retracts a plunger located within a syringe housing toward and away from a nozzle located in the front of the syringe to inject fluid into or out of an animal subject. Manual motion is induced by operating a manual motion control; the operator can manipulate the control to indicate the desired direction and velocity of motion. The manual motion control also has a locking mode in which manual motion of the plunger will continue once initiated without requiring the operator to continue manipulating the manual motion control. The injector performs injections in accordance with one of several pre-programmed protocols, and automatically tracks the fluid volume remaining. The injector compensates for plunger extenders found in some partially pre-filled syringes by applying a stored offset value to the computed plunger position.

Abstract: The connector of the present invention provides fewer connections and attachments to a breastpump configured for expressing breast milk from both of a woman's breasts simultaneously, thereby facilitating easier use of the breast pump and yielding fewer pieces for the user to carry or misplace. The connector includes a manifold with four ports. Individual tubes extend from three of the four ports and each has a plug member. One tube engages with a vacuum source and the remaining two tubes engage with a breastshield assembly for double breast pumping. When single breastpumping is desired, one of the two tubes connected to the breastpump assemblies is disconnected and engaged with the dock port of the manifold.

Abstract: An introducer assembly for accessing a target site in the anatomy of a patient includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a lumen extending therethrough. At least a portion of the sheath distal end has a curved configuration. A tapered dilator has a proximal end and a distal end, and is sized to be received in the sheath lumen. The dilator has a length such that at least a distal tip portion of the dilator extends beyond the distal end of the sheath when the dilator is received in the sheath lumen. The dilator may be formed of polyurethane, and has a stiffness not exceeding a stiffness of the sheath curved portion such that the sheath substantially maintains the curved configuration when the dilator is received in the sheath lumen.

Abstract: A surgical fastening system for implantable devices is disclosed. The implantable device may contain a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, may have a housing fitted over or around it which contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, or may be a part of a two-part system into which it fits. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a deployment system or tool that optionally positions the implantable device, and which causes the fasteners to move into post-deployment position. The fasteners may be staples, metal loops, coils, springs or hooks formed of biocompatible materials, including shape memory alloys such as NiTi.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for monitoring a metering of at least one medication administered to a patient. The concentration of the active ingredient of the medication, which is measured in the breathing gas of a patient, is balanced with a computed concentration in the breathing gas. When a change of the administered quantity of the medication takes place, the concentration range (13) is adapted. The concentration, which is measured in the breathing gas, must lie by computation within this range. An arrangement for administering at least one medication and a method for monitoring a metering or dosing of the medication as well as a method for treating a patient are provided.

Abstract: A device for regulating the concentration of glucose in the blood of a diabetes patient includes a measuring component for measuring the concentration, a pump component for selectively introducing glucagon, or glucose instead, or insulin into the body of the patient, for instance by way of at least one hypodermic needle to be inserted into the body of the patient; and a control component which receives signals from the measuring component which are representative of the concentration and which control the pump component on the basis of at least one reference value for the concentration pre-entered into the control component and a program; wherein the device is embodied such that the measuring component and the pump component can be in substantially permanent contact with the bodily fluid or the blood of a patient.

Abstract: A liquid coinjector is provided in which one or more connection ports may be connected to an outlet port and in which a valve body is provided for selecting the connection arrangement, the valve body being movable in an axial direction within a chamber of a main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved barrel type plunger for use with needle-retractable safety syringes. The plunger includes a barrel, a needle retracted trigger and a supporting member. A front portion of the barrel is fitted over a sealing rubber pad, a slotted hole is provided at a wall of the front portion of said barrel, a bearing piece is provided in the slotted hole, and one end of the bearing piece is connected to the front side wall of the slotted hole. The supporting member is releasably engaged in the barrel. After having released from the barrel, the supporting member is able to translate backwards under the action of a needle retraction force so that the bearing piece can be returned to such a position that the needle can be retracted backwards to the interior of the barrel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon which achieves diameters greater than 6 mm for securement to a catheter. The balloon includes an elastomeric generally hollow pressure expandable body which exhibits essentially radial symmetry and constant length when expanded under an internally applied minimum working pressure from an uninflated state.