Abstract: A dialysis catheter comprising a catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first longitudinally extending central lumen configured to deliver blood, and at least three longitudinally extending lumens positioned radially of the central lumen and configured to withdraw blood from a patient. At least one blood delivery opening is formed in the distal portion of the catheter body and in fluid communication with the first lumen and configured for passage of blood therethrough. At least three blood withdrawal openings are formed in the outer wall of the catheter body, wherein each of the openings is in fluid communication with one of the at least three lumens and is configured for passage of blood from a patient.

Abstract: A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle permits two-way flow when opened by a luer-taper nozzle. The valve also is able to resist large back pressures. The valve includes a substantially rigid housing that defines a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet section. The housing has an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens. The inlet section preferably has tapered and expanding zones. The tapered zone is adjacent to the exterior inlet face and is shaped to receive the nozzle. The expanding zone is adjacent to the tapered zone and has a larger inner diameter than the tapered zone's inner diameter. The exterior of the inlet section of the housing may have threads to accept luer-lock threads that may surround the nozzle.

Abstract: A medical device is adapted for at least partial implantation into a body and includes first and second sections along the length of the device. A first therapeutic agent is associated with the first section and a second therapeutic agent is associated with the second section. The first therapeutic agent can be one or more antiproliferative, such as paclitaxel, a paclitaxel derivative, or a paclitaxel pro-drug, anti-coagulant, antithrombotic, thrombolytic, fibrinolytic, or combination thereof. The second therapeutic agent can be one or more antimicrobials, such as one or more antibiotics. Each of the first and second therapeutic agents can either be posited on one or more surfaces of the respective section, or impregnated within the section. The device can include a separator to space the first and second sections. A method of making a medical device and a method of establishing access to a vessel within a body are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for the delivery of fluid medication across an anatomical region. In accordance with one embodiment, the catheter comprises an elongated tube with a plurality of exit holes along an infusion section of the catheter, and an elongated flexible porous member residing within the tube and forming an annular space between the tube and the member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes a tube having a plurality of exit holes in a side wall of the tube. The exit holes may combine to form a flow-restricting orifice of the catheter. Advantageously, fluid within the catheter flows through all of the exit holes, resulting in uniform distribution of fluid within an anatomical region. In one particular embodiment, the catheter comprises a tube having elongated exit slots therein. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated tubular member made of a porous membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable trumpet valve tube cassette assembly, as well as, a surgical irrigation instrument that includes a probe assembly, a pump, a removable pump cartridge, and a socket. The probe assembly provides passage of fluids for irrigating the body interior and for evacuating matter from the body interior. The pump provides for pumping irrigation fluid through the probe assembly into the body interior. A pump cartridge defines a pumping chamber. Electronic control circuitry includes an electronics controller and a trumpet valve switch interface. The electronics controller includes a pulse generator that generates pulses, the duty cycle of the pulses controlling the speed of the motor. The trumpet valve switch interface is in electronic connection to a switch, the interface providing a signal to the controller.

Abstract: Liquid infusion apparatus includes non-magnetic materials in a pumping structure and drive motor therefor, and in a controller that supplies drive signals to the motor to facilitate convenient operation in intense magnet fields without distorting the magnetic fields and without radiating objectionable radio-frequency interference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for puncturing a surface for extraction, in situ monitoring, and/or substance delivery uses microneedles with improved properties. Applications include easy to handle glucose monitoring using a group of hollow out-of-plane silicon microneedles to sample substances in interstitial fluid from the epidermal skin layer.

Abstract: An automatic medicament injector having a compartment for a dry medicament component and a compartment for a wet medicament component. The two compartments are separated by a seal structure that converts from a sealing condition to a mixing condition when the device is activated. The seal structure includes a wiper that scrapes the interior walls in the dry component compartment to prevent the dry component from accumulating at the seal/glass interface. A tapered insert funnels the mixed medicament components to an attached needle assembly, but can be removed when the device is filled. A filter is provided between the medicament compartments and the needle assembly. A chamber between the filter and the needle allows for better flow through the filter. An actuation assembly drives the seal structure into the mixing condition and forces the mixed medicament through the needle and into the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gas for delivery into a body cavity, body space or body surface of an animal. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having an entry port and an exit port. One or more agents are released into the gas stream that flows through the chamber so that the gas stream carries the agent to the animal. Also shown, for use with, or without, the chamber, is an agent chamber adapted to be coupled to at least one structure defining at least one fluid flow path extending at least a portion of the distance between an insufflation device and the body cavity, body space or body surface.

Abstract: A nasogastric tube insertion system comprises a nasogastric tube, a guide element, and an inserter element. The inserter element has a slim, elongate main body, a handle attached to the body, and an anatomically curved insertion section. The guide element comprises a swallowable weight attached to a cord, string, monofilament line, or other similar line. The nasogastric tube may be a nasogastric feeding tube and comprises a tube having one or more interior bores or lumina and a guide element capture structure. In use, the swallowable weight is placed onto the end of the inserter element. The inserter element is inserted through the patient's nasal passages and optionally into the oropharynx. The weight is released and the patient swallows it into the stomach. The guide element is threaded through the guide element retaining structure, and the nasogastric tube is safely inserted along the guide element into the patient's stomach. The tube and guide element are removed together when no longer needed.

Abstract: A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient-user and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient-user or with infusion medium are supported by the disposable housing portion, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics and a drive device. A reservoir is supported by the disposable housing portion and has a moveable plunger that operatively couples to the drive device, when the disposable and durable housing portions are engaged.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system enables connection of a hand switch as well as a foot switch, which is used to operate a driving signal generator, without the necessity of retrofitting a main unit including the driving signal generator used to drive an ultrasonic transducer incorporated in a connected handpiece. An extension unit is included for connecting the foot switch and hand switch to the main unit. The foot switch and hand switch are connected to the main unit via the extension unit.

Abstract: An implantable device is described. An implantable transducer converts between electrical energy and acoustic energy. An implantable electronics module is in communication with the transducer and processes electronic data signals associated with the transducer. A fluid filled catheter has a proximal end coupled to the transducer, and a distal end having a distal opening to cerebrospinal fluid in an implanted patient.

Abstract: A valve system is provided having a housing including a first end, a second end and a first passageway. The housing has a first port and a second port. A valve member is disposed within the housing and movable relative thereto. The valve member defines a portion of the first passageway that includes a first opening configured for alignment and sealed fluid communication with the first port and the second port. The portion of the first passageway further includes a second opening having a greater relative dimension than the first opening. The valve member is manipulable to establish sealed fluid communication between the first opening and the first port or the second port while maintaining continuous sealed fluid communication between the second opening and the first passageway adjacent to the second end of the housing. The valve member can be disposed within the housing for rotation relative thereto.

Abstract: A nasogastric tube insertion system comprises a nasogastric tube, a guide element, and an inserter element. The inserter element has a slim, elongate main body, a handle attached to the body, and an anatomically curved insertion section. The guide element comprises a swallowable weight attached to a cord, string, monofilament line, tube, or other similar line. The swallowable weight may be ablative in the presence of stomach fluids or may be deflated to allow the guide element to be removed while the nasogastric tube remains in place. The inserter element is inserted through the patient's nasal passages and optionally into the oropharynx. The weight is released and the patient swallows it into the stomach. The guide element is threaded through the guide element retaining structure, and the nasogastric tube is safely inserted along the guide element into the patient's stomach.

Abstract: A nasogastric tube insertion system comprises a nasogastric tube, a guide element, and an inserter element. The inserter element has a slim, elongate main body, a handle attached to the body, and an anatomically curved insertion section. The guide element comprises a swallowable weight attached to a cord, string, monofilament line, or other similar line. The nasogastric tube comprises a tube having one or more interior bores or lumina and a guide element capture structure. In use, the swallowable weight is placed onto the end of the inserter element. The inserter element is inserted through the patient's nasal passages and optionally into the oropharynx. The weight is released and the patient swallows it into the stomach. The guide element is threaded through the guide element retaining structure, and the nasogastric tube is safely inserted along the guide element into the patient's stomach. The tube and guide element are removed together when no longer needed.

Abstract: A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion comprising: a first elongate tubular body; a second elongate tubular body; and an elongate member joining the first and second elongate bodies. The first elongate tubular body is disposed proximal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first and second tubular bodies are permanently disposed so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other. The catheter also comprises a third elongate tubular body, at least the proximal portion of the third elongate tubular body being disposed within the lumen of the first elongate tubular body, the third elongate tubular body being slidable within the lumen of the first elongate tubular body, and the distal portion of the third elongate tubular body being able to be disposed in the lumen of the second elongate tubular body.

Abstract: An intravitreal injection device for administering a pharmacological agent formulation to an intravitreal compartment of an eye, comprising (i) a nozzle member having an internal formulation chamber that is adapted to receive and contain the pharmacological agent formulation therein, (ii) a microneedle having a first end that is in communication with the nozzle member and a second ejection end, (iii) and piercing depth limiter means for limiting the penetration depth of the microneedle into the eye, the microneedle piercing depth limiter means including guide means for positioning the limiter means and guiding the microneedle.

Abstract: An orifice device for delivering a drug includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end. A winding is helically wound around the inner member. The winding and the inner member define a first channel for carrying a drug therethrough. An inlet is at the proximal end of the winding and an outlet is at the distal end of the winding.

Abstract: A system and method for a patch-like, self-contained substance infusion device which provides one or more substantially hidden patient needles which can be placed in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir subassembly that includes a rigid bladder portion used in conjunction with a non-distensible bladder film, such as a metallized film. Simple removal of an interlock allows a disk, or Belleville spring assembly to apply an essentially even and constant pressure to the contents of the fluid reservoir assembly, and allows the device to then be attached to a skin surface via an adhesive contact surface. A push button activation assembly is provided which can then be used to release and seat one or more spring-loaded patient needles into the skin surface, and establish a fluid communication path between the patient needles and the pressurized fluid reservoir contents thereby delivering an infusion into the skin.