Abstract: A cartridge assembly for holding a lyophilized product, forming a disposable portion of a pen injector includes a cylindrical glass cartridge adapted to receive the product, a closure cap, a cartridge case, and a plunger mechanism. The closure cap is adapted to retain an elastomeric disc seal during lyophilization and includes diametrically opposed ledges. The closure cap and seal are adapted to cover a neck portion of the ampule, the neck portion having on its end a radially extending circumferential flange. The ledges of the closure cap and the flange of the neck portion allow the closure cap to remain open during lyophilization, oxygen purge and nitrogen overlay. An oval-shaped indentation formed on the inside of the closure cap aids in snapping the closure cap about the flange without crimping to retain the closure cap underneath the flange.

Abstract: A unitary, flexible, substantially noncollapsible catheter tube of biocompatible material is comprised of hard and soft regions. The hard regions can be ring shaped or helical. The hard regions provide sufficient rigidity to the tube to prevent collapse under normal usage as the interior and exterior pressures vary. The soft regions provide sufficient flexibility to allow contoured placement of the tube. The hard regions can be created by exposing a polymer in the tube to radiation. The hard regions can also be created by periodically adding a harder material to the tube.

Abstract: A syringe comprises a cylindrical body (1), a plunger (11, 15) movable linearly in the body (1), a needle carrier (28) also movable linearly in the body (1) and relatively to the plunger (11, 15) and a needle (24). The needle (24) before the use of the syringe is disposed inside a watertight cylinder (1) and is mounted on the needle carrier through a coupling of the snap on type which makes possible its separation from the needle carrier. The body (1) of the syringe is obturated at its distal end by a closing member (4) provided with an elastomeric plug (9) which can be perforated by the needle. The needle carrier (28) and the distal closing member (4) are provided with a coupling (31, 10) which cannot disengage once engaged. The rear end of the needle (24) and the plunger (11, 15) have a snap on coupling (20, 26) which cannot disengage once engaged.

Abstract: High viscosity materials are dispensed or aspirated by an assembly of cartridges having plungers reciprocally mounted within them. A device for translating rotary motion into linear motion is connected to the output shaft of a small electric motor so that operation of the motor effects linear movement of the plungers. The assembly replaces hydraulic and pneumatic systems and enables better control of the dispensing or aspirating process. In a first embodiment, a single cartridge dispenses a high viscosity material. In additional embodiments, plural cartridges are employed. In the final embodiments, the apparatus is equipped with a suitable assembly of one-way valves and other auxiliary equipment so that it can be used to perform liposuction or aspiration procedures and irrigation of surgical sites.

Abstract: A instrument and method for effecting the dilatation of an artery. The instrument comprises a catheter and an expandable balloon. The catheter includes first and second lumens extending longitudinally therethrough and in communication with respective portions of the balloon. The balloon is an everted member having a cylindrical outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall disposed within the outer wall. The inner wall has a central passageway extending therethrough communicating with the first lumen through which a conventional guide wire may be extended. The inner wall of the balloon is collapsible radially inward, e.g., upon the application of a vacuum to the first lumen, whereupon it frictionally engages the guide wire to prevent relative movement therebetween and to enable the instrument and guide wire to be moved as a unit. The outer wall of the balloon is collapsible radially inward, e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for treating and preventing urethral stricture following surgery. The apparatus comprises a hollow cylindrical stent having a normally-expanded, contractible locating member attached at one end and a retrieving string attached at the other end. The contractible locating member is attached to the tube by two flexible strings. The contractible locating member is adjusted to its contracted condition by a cylindrical pusher prior to insertion into the bladder through the urethra. Once the contractible locating member is located in the bladder, the pusher is removed to permit the contractible locating member to return to its normally-expanded condition to provide an anchor in the bladder neck. The two strings connecting the stent and the contractible locating member are placed in the prostate and external sphincter, allowing the patient to remain continent. After healing is completed, the assembly can be retrieved by pulling the retrieving string.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe has a tubular body extending along and centered on an axis and having at an axial front end a small-diameter collar formed with a front radially outwardly open seat and, axially spaced backward therefrom, a rear radially outwardly open seat. An end piece provided with a deformable plug fittable sealingly in the collar is adapted to receive a needle. Mounting fingers extending axially back from the end piece have rear ends that engage in a front position of the end piece in the front seat and in a rear position of the end piece in the rear seat. The fingers are of such an axial length that the plug is fitted snugly into the collar in the rear position but is not snugly fitted in the collar in the front position. When the end piece is in the front position a medicament in the body can be lyophilized and when in the rear position the syringe is plugged.

Abstract: A trocar houses a pneumo-needle, the cutting tip of which emerges eccentrically or concentrically from the tip of the trocar. An obturator, in turn, is housed within said pneumo-needle and is controlled at the distal end of the pneumo-needle by a spring release button. A cannula and reducer housing surround the trocar and are selectively attachable to a needle retainer which controls the penetration of the obturator, pneumo-needle, trocar and cannula into the abdominal cavity. A latch mounted on the rear of the needle retainer permits the pneumo-needle to selectively slide with respect to the needle retainer. Graduations on the needle permit the surgeon to set the depth of penetration of the pneumo-needle. The latch controls the depth of penetration of the pneumo-needle beyond the front face of the needle retainer. The pneumo-needle, in turn, acts as a pilot and controls the depth of penetration of the trocar and cannula.

Abstract: A composite implantable biocompatible vascular access port device for delivering a fluid medication to or withdrawing a fluid medication from the body. The device has a non-metallic housing defining an interior chamber with inlet and outlet openings, a self-sealing penetrable septum, a non-reactive chamber liner, and a non-reactive delivery conduit. The septum closes the inlet opening and provides a seal through which fluid medication may be injected into the chamber. The chamber liner underlies the septum and cooperates with it to isolate the injected fluid medication from the housing and from leakage into body tissue. The delivery conduit communicates with the interior of the liner, and extends through the outlet opening to convey fluid medication to the exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A fixation stent and a method for using the stent to repair canalicular lacerations and to block fluid flow through a canalicular canal are provided The stent includes a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an inflatable portion in fluid communication with the distal end, and a plug for sealing and anchoring the proximal end within a body canal. In ophthalmic applications, the distal end of the stent is inserted into a punctum of an eyelid and is then urged through the associated canaliculus towards a lacrimal sac at the end of the canaliculus Once inside the lacrimal sac, the balloon is inflated to a diameter greater than the diameter of the canalicular canal, thereby anchoring and sealing the distal end of the stent within the lacrimal sac.

Abstract: An endoscope has a handle and a bendable tube extending distally away from the handle. The tube has a selectively deflectable distal segment. An activating wire is connected to the distal segment and to the handle, and the handle has a knob which can be turned to impart force to the wire and thereby cause the distal segment of the tube to deflect. The wire is held by a hypotube column support which is attached to the handle and to the deflectable distal segment, such that when the knob is turned, the column support transfers the force of the wire to the handle to prevent buckling of the bendable tube when the distal segment deflects.

Abstract: Device for the separation of blood with a cannula with the aid of separation in a centrifuge with a blood pump in an inlet line and a collection storage bag, which can be emptied with the aid of a pressure device into a return line. The flow resistance R.sub.o of the return line is designed so that it has preferably about half of the flow resistance of the remainder of the return system. In a return/recirculation phase, the blood pump is operated at a predetermined recirculation flow rate F.sub.R, whereby a predetermined cannula infusion flow rate F.sub.N is established as a function thereof.

Abstract: A syringe for metering fluid in which a plunger contains a plurality of stop surfaces which contact a stop on a syringe tube. The stop surfaces are linearly displaced from each other along a longitudinal axis of the plunger by distances corresponding to predetermined volumes of fluid to be metered. The stop surfaces are also angularly displaced about the longitudinal axis of the plunger so that incremental rotation of the plunger permits successive stop surfaces to limit plunger motion, thereby effecting a precise metering of the fluid.

Abstract: A catheter has a radially expandable end region containing a plurality of fluid containing channels. A circular assembly containing a plurality of cylinders each containing a piston is arranged so that each piston is connected with one channel. A rotary mechanical assembly is connected so that movement of an arm extending from the rotary assembly causes actuation of one or more pistons to cause selected channels in the catheter to be pressurized, expanding the radial portion of the catheter adjacent the pressurized channels and enabling the catheter to be more easily guided in the desired direction through bodily passageways.

Abstract: A trocar houses a pneumo-needle, the cutting tip of which emerges eccentrically from the tip of said trocar. An obturator, in turn, is housed within said pneumo-needle and is controlled at the distal end of the pneumo-needle by a spring release button. A latch attached to the trocar permits the pneumo-needle to selectively slide with respect to the trocar to gauge and set the depth of penetration of the pneumo-needle. A cannula and reducer surround the trocar and are attached to a stabilizer housing which permits the cannula to selectively slide with respect to the stabilizer to gauge and set depth of cannula penetration. One or more duckbill seals located within the cannula housing prevent leakage of insufflation gases into the interior of the reducer housing. A stabilizer lock attached to a stabilizer housing connected to the cannula and reducer prevents the apparatus from being prematurely withdrawn from a puncture wound.

Abstract: A medical treatment device, in particular for surgical purposes, having at least one treatment instrument in the form of a hand piece which can be connected to a control unit by means of a flexible supply line, there being associated with the treatment device, preferably with the control unit, a source of treatment agent, in particular for cooling fluid, to which it is possible to connect a treatment agent line, which extends at least in part through the supply line to the front end of the hand piece, in the form of a hose, the treatment agent line having a hose section which extends with radial play for movement in the supply line as far as the hand piece and is there connected to a plug-in spigot which is plugged in a releasable manner in an axial plug-in socket in the hand piece and has an axial and a radial channel section, of which the axial channel section issues from the hose connection and the radial channel section is connected to the continuing treatment agent line.

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.

Abstract: A safety dental syringe of the type adapted to receive a medication cartridge therein but having a protective needle shield thereon which is movable between a retracted position wherein the needle is exposed and a locked and extended position wherein the needle is protected and the needle shield is prevented from returning to the retracted position. A collar is attached to the distal end of the dental syringe to selectively engage a key on the needle shield as the needle shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The needle shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the dental syringe to lock the needle shield in the locked and extended position. A locking mechanism is disclosed which preferably includes a series of ramps and slots adapted to engage portions of the keys on the needle shield to retain the needle shield in the locked and extended position.

Abstract: An improvement in the luer taper connectors used to join two fluid conduits, especially in medical applications. Construction of one, the other, or both luer taper members from a soft, resilient, elastomeric material makes it unnecessary to provide a separate threaded luer lock connection, thereby minimizing fluid leaks, thread stripping, cross-threading, infections and thrombus formation associated with rigid and semi-rigid luer taper connectors.

Abstract: A gripping-knob rotation tool for attachment to a medical guidewire as used in angioplasty and other medical procedures. The tool is installed laterally over the guidewire at any desired position along the length of the wire, and is secured thereto by a simple rotational or twisting motion. The tool provides a convenient gripping surface during rotation or translational movement of the guidewire, and is adjustable for repositioning along the length of the wire after initial engagement.