Abstract: An aspiration system (10) having pressure-controlled and flow-controlled modes comprises connective plumbing (26), a collector (14), a pump (12), a variable flow resistor (20), a pressure sensor (18), and a control circuit (24). The connective plumbing (26) includes a conduit (28) which communicates with the surgical site from which fluid is to be aspirated and delivered to the collector (14). The pump (12) induces flow from the surgical site to the collector (14). The variable flow resistor (20) and the pressure sensor (18) are in fluid communication with the conduit (28) by the connective plumbing (26). In the pressure-controlled mode, the variable flow resistor (26) is adjusted to maintain a pre-selected pressure according to an output signal (50) from the pressure sensor (18). In the flow controlled mode, the pump (12) is adjusted to maintain a preselected flow according to a pressure differential in the connective plumbing across the variable flow resistor (20).

Abstract: The device comprises a tubular housing with two jackets and a container filled with the liquid component of a drug. Within the inner jacket of the housing, close to the closed end thereof, is a chamber containing the powdered components of a drug. A needle for piercing the stopper which closes the container enables the interior of the container to be put in communication with the chamber so as to allow the liquid component to flow out and consequently mix with the powdered component. The subsequent advance of the container into the housing, with the consequent penetration of the piston into the container, causes the further flow of the liquid component into the chamber carrying the drug solution to the exterior of the device generally like a syringe. Its use as a supplier of infusions is also foreseen.

Abstract: A container having a neck with a non-tapered cylindrical upper drain portion, and a frictional interference fit collar type gripper for the withdrawal member is disclosed which results in tight interference fit. Also total effective withdrawal of the contents of the container is promoted by providing a ring like stop or seat at the bottom of the neck. The construction also will accommodate flaws and defects in the manufacture of the withdrawal member or the drain portion resulting from scratches which will otherwise permit leakage upon withdrawal of the contents. The method of the present invention is directed to manufacturing the container by which the mandrel for insertion in the neck has a lower end portion providing a seating ring, and an upper portion defining the interior portion, with an interference collar protruding inwardly in a portion spaced from the lower end portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a surgical apparatus for irrigating an operative site during endoscopic surgery. The apparatus comprises a reservoir of irrigation fluid contained within an air actuated pouch, a pump for inflating the pouch so that the reservoir is compressed, pressure control means, a microprocessor for operating the system, heating panels contained within the pouch for providing heated irrigation fluid, and a nozzle and tube for delivering the irrigation fluid to an operative site. The apparatus also provides a stick fitting for attaching tubing to the fluid reservoir. In addition to the stick fitting, the apparatus provides a locking receiver system for insuring that the stick fitting will not disengage during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering system for a catheter tip. The system includes wire members that extend through a catheter wall that are used to pull a distal portion of the catheter tip. Anchoring members located near the catheter tip connect the distal end of the catheter with wire members. The steering system also contains control members which are located at a proximal portion of the catheter and are used to control the pull on the wire members. Steering enhancement members are also included in the steering system which facilitate the bending of the catheter wall.

Abstract: An organ support system and method adapted for use with a patient and designed to modify the blood from the patient includes a control system, a venous line coupled to an output of a patient, an arterial line coupled to an input of the patient, and a cell line inserted into a hollow fiber cartridge to form an organ assist device. Blood is passed through the organ assist device. A small flow is extracted from the extracapillary space to check the integrity of the organ assist device. With this closed loop arrangement, a proper fluid balance can be maintained for the patient without requiring any dialysate, and leaks from the cell line to the patient can be immediately detected and prevented from reaching the patient.

Abstract: A sleeve for attaching a medical balloon to a catheter utilizing a balloon (8). The sleeve comprises a plurality of co-extruded and coextensive layers of different polymeric materials (20A, 20B) at least one of which is a base structural layer (20B) and the other of which (20A) is formed of polyethylene and copolymers thereof or of Selar. The base structural layer is thicker than the other layer. The diameter of the catheter at the joint (10, 11) is substantially the same as the tube.

Abstract: In a sleeve catheter for supplying medicine to the walls of a vessel or tubular organ in which a number of outer lumina extend longitudinally around a central lumen, the outer lumina have radial discharge openings in the area of the head portion of the catheter, which is slidable onto a balloon catheter in order to be disposed at least partially on the balloon of the balloon catheter so as to be expandable thereby into abutment with the inner wall of a vessel to be dilated whereby medicine can be supplied through the discharge openings in the outer lumina under pressure directly to the tissue of the vessel adjacent the outer lumina, thereby applying the medicine solely to the area engaged by the outer surface of the head portion.

Abstract: A catheter device is described for the localized introduction of pharmaceutical material into the uterine cervix and the upper vagina. In one embodiment the catheter device comprises a flexible tube having a port at the proximal end and a rounded closed tip and an aperture away from the tip at the distal end. A diaphragm having a hole through which the tube may pass is used to seal off the cervix and upper vagina from the lower vagina, and a syringe is used to administer the pharmaceutical material through the port in the flexible tube. In a second embodiment two ports are provided in the flexible tube, enabling a flushing material to be ejected into the tube after the pharmaceutical material, thus ensuring that the entire dose of pharmaceutical material is delivered to the cervix and the upper vagina.

Abstract: An anchor sheet and anchor body for holding a cannula within the abdominal cavity of a patient is described. The cannula is used during a laparoscopic surgical procedure. The anchor sheet and anchor body assist in holding the cannula in a preferred orientation relative to the abdominal cavity. An attachment mechanism such as a hook and loop fastener may be utilized to connect the anchor sheet to the anchor body.

Abstract: A stent delivery catheter system employing a retractable protective sheath for protecting a body lumen from a stent delivered by the catheter. The catheter has a plurality of lumens, with at least one lumen devoted to housing a rod, wire or hypotube that retracts the protective sheath. The lumen housing the retracting member can carry a flushing fluid to purge the distal portion of the catheter.

Abstract: An aspiration and irrigation system, in particular for performing surgical operations on an eye of a living being to maintain the intraocular pressure, includes a pressure unit for supplying gaseous fluid to the eye via a first fluid passageway and communicating with an infusion unit comprised of successively arranged first and second infusion bottles, both containing a liquid fluid. An irrigation unit is connected with the second infusion bottle for conducting liquid fluid from said second infusion bottle to the eye via a second fluid passageway; with the liquid fluid in the second infusion bottle being pressurized by gaseous fluid supplied from the pressure unit. A multiport valve selectively controls the flow between the first and second fluid passageways to the eye. Tissue and/or gaseous and liquid fluids are removed from the eye by an aspiration unit.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a catheter shaft, an inflation lumen defined in the catheter shaft, an inner balloon attached to the catheter shaft, with the interior of the inner balloon communicating with the inflation lumen, and an outer balloon surrounding the inner balloon. The inner balloon can be expanded by applying pressurized fluid through the inflation lumen for expansion of the inner and outer balloons, with the outer balloon being driven to expansion by the inner balloon. The inner balloon has a maximum inflation diameter which cannot be exceeded without bursting, while the outer balloon is capable of inflation to a diameter which is at least about 10 percent greater than the maximum inflation diameter of the inner balloon. Thus, upon further inflation, the inner balloon breaks at a predetermined diameter, permitting the outer balloon to be further expanded by further addition of inflation fluid through the lumen. Thus two balloons are controlled by a single inflation lumen.

Abstract: Apparatus for irrigating and suctioning a patient during ventilating wherein in one operation the irrigation fluid is directed solely to the patient and in another operation the irrigation fluid is directed solely to flush the internal lumen of the catheter and in another operation suctioning of the patient is permitted.

Abstract: A low velocity aortic cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. There is a diffuser at least partially blocking the distal end of the cannula, and a plurality of outlet openings in the side of the distal end of the cannula. In one embodiment the distal end of the cannula is closed with a cap, and the diffuser is a rounded cone extending generally upstream in the lumen. The outlet openings are located in the sidewall of the cannula. In a second embodiment of the invention, the diffuser has a helical configuration, and partially blocks the distal opening of the cannula. Additional openings are provided in the sidewall to permit flow. According to the method of this invention, an opening is formed in the aorta, the distal end of one of the embodiments of the cannula is inserted into the opening, and blood flow through the cannula is established.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for injecting/removing non-solid substances is diclosed. The instrument comprises a body formed from two legs (1, 2) pivotally articulated to each other at one of their ends, one of said legs (1) being provided with means (15,17) for receiving and retaining a syringe or squirt (16) while the other of said legs (2) is provided with means (20,22) for selectively retaining a plunger (19) which cooperates with said syringe or squirt, said legs being selectively pivotable between a first position wherein said plunger (19) is received within said syringe (16) and a plurality of positions wherein plunger (18) moves within syringe (16) in order to inject/remove a non-solid substance.

Abstract: A tri-fold dilatation catheter balloon and a method for preparing the same. The disclosed balloon has a tri-fold configuration in which the longitudinal creases defined by three flaps of the balloon are softened to ensure symmetrical deflation of the balloon into its tri-fold form. The tri-fold configuration initially imparted to the balloon by drawing the balloon into an longitudinal interstitial channel defined by three substantially cylindrical pins arranged in a pyramid-type stack. While the balloon is secured within this channel, negative pressure is applied to an inflation lumen of the balloon to deflate the balloon. Negative pressure is maintained on the inflation lumen as the balloon is withdrawn from the interstitial channel, and continues to be maintained while the creases defined by the three tri-fold flaps are heated with a longitudinal heating element. This softens the balloon material in longitudinal creases, so that the same creases will tend form whenever the balloon is deflated.

Abstract: An automatic means and method for preventing and/or treating hypotension in hemodialysis patients. To this end, a system is provided wherein the patient or healthcare practitioner can cause the hemodialysis machine to automatically deliver sodium to the patient through the dialysate so as to increase blood and extracellular osmolarity, increase blood volume from vascular refilling, and raise blood pressure. This would thereby alleviate any clinical symptoms caused by hypotension during hemodialysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a syringe assembly which greatly reduces the chances of an operator coming in contact with an infectious needle. The syringe assembly is initially provided with its needle retracted within its barrel, in a sterile and safe environment. When used, the needle is engaged by the plunger, and locked in place at the forward end of the syringe barrel. Before disposal, the needle is withdrawn back into the barrel, and the plunger is broken off. Thus, the disposed of syringe is incapable of being reused, and there is little or no danger of accidental punctures, because the needle is retained within the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A two component mixing syringe for mixing and then self-administering a pharmaceutical by injection. A first liquid component is contained within an annular volume between a pair of coaxial housings. A pair of sealing bands defines the upper and lower boundaries of the annular volume. The lower sealing band is located above an aperture communicating with the inner housing interior. A driving sleeve is mounted with a driving end resting on the upper sealing band, the sleeve being located in the annular space between the two housings. Downward motion of the sleeve forces the upper sealing band downwardly causing the liquid component to drive the lower seal downwards past the cross bore. Thereafter, the liquid is free to flow through the cross bore and mix with the second component in the interior of the inner housing element.