Abstract: An inflatable face seal (1?; 30?) for a respiratory mask, the inflatable face seal comprising an annular air-tight hollow portion (12?; 40?) where a cross section through one section of the annular hollow portion (12; 40) comprises a bonded joint (11; 41) which joins two overlapping flanges (6,7; 35,36). The two flanges are bonded together such that an inwardly facing surface (10; 39) of a first flange (6; 35) of the two overlapping flanges is in contact with an outwardly facing surface (9; 38) of a second flange (7; 36) of the two overlapping flanges. In this way, the bond is strong and only exposed to shear stresses when the annular air-tight hollow portion is exposed to increased pressure.

Abstract: A medical device for advancement over a guidewire includes a number of lumens therein including a working channel lumen, one or more control wire lumens, and a guidewire lumen. A flexible support within the device includes a number of interlocking elements that resist longitudinal compression, transfer rotational torque, and can bend side to side. The flexible support also includes a slot that is aligned with the guidewire lumen. An outer jacket includes a perforation, slot, slit, or thinned area that is aligned with the slot in the support member and the guidewire lumen in order to allow a device such as a guidewire to be removed from the guidewire lumen and through the support member.

Abstract: An electrode system include a flowable and cohesive surface contact element comprising a hydrophilic polymer swollen with an electrolyte fluid, the contact element having a Q? ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation Q ? = W W W G wherein WG is the dry weight of the hydrophilic polymer and WW is weight of water in the sample after absorption of the electrolyte fluid comprising water and an electrolyte salt. The surface contact element can consist essentially of the hydrophilic polymer swollen by the electrolyte fluid. Another electrode system includes a contact element including a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer matrix. The contact element has a Q? ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation Q ? = W W W G . The contact elements can also have a Q? ratio of at least 6, at least 7, at least 10 or even at least 11.

Abstract: An injector or applicator is used for dispensing a liquid or pasty drug. It comprises an injector body (1), a piston body (2) and a closing cap (3). The closing cap (3) has a cap portion and a connecting portion. The cap portion is used for closing the opening of the injector or applicator. The connecting portion is used for connecting the closing cap (3) with the injector or applicator. The cap portion and the connecting portion are releasably connected by a tear edge. To create an improved tamper-proof feature, the housing portion (1) has an undercut, and the piston body (2) has a protrusion (FIG. 6).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for implanting ocular implants in eyes are provided which include a bent cannula having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen having a length and a diameter and being configured to receive an ocular implant. The ocular implant is made up of a plurality of substantially uniformly sized particles, preferably a plurality of uniformly sized microspheres, arranged in a one-by-one array along the length of the lumen. The apparatus further comprises a mechanism for delivering the implant through the distal end of the lumen and into the eye, preferably without the use of a liquid or gel carrier medium located in the lumen along with the implant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for delivering two predetermined doses of a product (3), comprising: —a container (2) for containing said product, said container having a distal end (2d) through which the product is delivered under the distal pressure of a piston, —a pusher (7) movable with respect to said container for causing said piston (4) to move in the distal direction from an initial position, in which none of said product has been expelled to a first position, in which a first dose of said product has been expelled, and to a second position, in which a second dose of said product has been expelled, —a holder body (15) receiving said container and said pusher (7), —biasing means (22) for urging said pusher (7) in the distal direction, from the initial to the first position, and to the second position, —first and second retaining means (9, 11, 19) for maintaining said pusher (7) in said initial position, and in said first position, —first and second actuation means (18) to deactivate said first an

Abstract: The present invention relates to a syringe (1) for use in spectroscopy to identify drugs within the syringe (8). The syringe comprises a optical window section (8) either integral with or attached to the syringe (1). The optical window section (8) has predetermined physical and optical properties that allows radiation to pass through in a known manner to facilitate spectroscopy.

Abstract: Method of preparing a clogged animal vessel, e.g. chronic total occlusion of an artery so as to be capable of crossing by a guidewire of an intraluminal device, e.g., angioplasty balloon. The method includes delivering an angiogenic agent to the occlusion site to promote angiogenesis within the occlusion to increases susceptibility to crossing.

Abstract: A method for delivering RF energy to living tissue includes the steps of extending a guidewire to a tissue treatment site in a body. A controllable stiffness catheter is provided with a stiffness device having non-metallic properties and a temperature-changing device. The stiffness device is in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the given temperature. While supplying power to the temperature-changing device, the catheter is threaded along the guidewire up to the treatment site in the soft state. Power is removed from the temperature-changing device to alter the non-metallic properties of the stiffness device and directly result in a change of the stiffness device to the stiff state without straightening the catheter. The RF energy supply device is physically contacted with the treatment site and RF energy is delivered to the treatment site from the RF energy supply device.

Abstract: A disposable skin-worn device for the transdermal delivery at least one dose of charged therapeutic substances, including granisetron, by iontophoresis, the device comprising a donor reservoir containing an amount of a therapeutic substance to be delivered transdermally by iontophoresis, a counter reservoir, a source of electric power connected in a circuit between the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir and a control system for controlling current flow in the circuit to enable at least one dose of the therapeutic substance to be delivered transdermally by iontophoresis and wherein the control system includes a control element selected from the group consisting of a sensor activated by an external signal and a switch.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress.

Abstract: An iontophoresis device including an active electrode assembly or a counter electrode assembly with a polarizable electrode containing any one of a conductive material having a capacitance per unit weight of 1 F/g or greater, a conductive material having a specific surface area of 10 m2/g or greater, and activated carbon is disclosed. The generation of gas or ions due to an electrode reaction occurring in an electrode assembly may be reduced or prevented. In addition, the alteration of an active agent due to a chemical reaction upon energization may be reduced or prevented.

Abstract: A disposable injector with a housing (10) in which a mechanical spring energy reservoir, a cylinder/piston unit (100), a piston-actuating ram (60) and a trigger unit are arranged, wherein the spring energy reservoir comprises at least one pretensioned spring element, wherein at least part of the piston-actuating ram is positioned between the spring energy reservoir and the piston of the cylinder/piston unit, and wherein the piston (111) of the cylinder/piston unit is separately moveable via pump rod (140). The pump rod can be coupled releasably to the piston or to a piston rod of the piston. The cylinder of the cylinder/piston unit has a rear sealing element (105) that permits sterile closure of the cylinder interior located between the piston and the cylinder.

Abstract: A device for delivering an agent into breast milk while breastfeeding. In one embodiment, the device includes a breast shield modified to engage a non-woven material which has been impregnated with a milk soluble active agent such as sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). A lactating animal, e.g. a woman, uses this agent-delivering breast shield during breastfeeding to administer prophylactic or therapeutic agents to a suckling infant. The inventions are particularly well suited to preventing transmission of HIV virus from mother to child. Alternatively, the agent-laden material could be used with a baby bottle nipple or pacifier.

Abstract: A heat and steam generator for eye application includes a heat and steam generating member making use of oxidative reaction of an oxidizable metal and is adapted to supply steam to eyes and surroundings. The heat and steam generator is adapted to release steam from its side brought into contact with eyes and surroundings for a period of 1 to 30 minutes to maintain the skin surface temperature to which it is applied at 34° C. to 43° C. over a period of 1 to 120 minutes. The heat and steam generator has a stiffness of 0.01 to 10 N/7 cm-width. The heat and steam generator is effective in improving near triad causing reduction in vision.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining whether an implanted catheter used to deliver fluids to a selected internal delivery site is malfunctioning. The malfunctions may include that the infusion section of the catheter is not located at or has migrated away from the selected internal delivery site, is leaking, is blocked, etc. The determination is made by analyzing the pressure modulation of fluid within the catheter and determining whether the pressure of the fluid in the catheter is modulated by physiologic pressure changes experienced at the selected internal delivery site. The physiologic pressure modulations at the selected internal delivery site may be caused by, e.g., cardiac activity, respiration, changes in patient's posture, etc.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining whether a catheter malfunction is present in a catheter by analyzing changes in the pressure of fluids being pumped through the delivery lumen of the catheter. The pressure changes that may be monitored may include, e.g., the peak pressure within the catheter and/or the pressure decay profile. The catheter malfunctions that may be determined using the methods and systems of the invention may include, e.g., leaks, blockages, the presence of gas bubbles, etc.

Abstract: A medical catheter assembly including a multi-piece connector. In one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a PEG implanting assembly comprising a tubular dilator and a silicone feeding tube having an internal bolster at its rear end. The assembly also comprises a multi-piece connector comprising an inner ring, a fitting and an outer ring. The inner ring has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube and is coaxially disposed within the feeding tube by a friction-fit. The fitting comprises a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion, the intermediate portion including a shoulder having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube. The front portion of the fitting is inserted through the rear end of the dilator and is secured to the dilator by a plurality of barbs.

Abstract: Safety catheter introducer 135 (see FIG. 13) comprises catheter 131, needle 136, a safety means including needle protector 138 and actuated by trigger 149, as well as catheter cap 150. The latter is initially detachably retained on hexagonal shank 153 of protector 138 by moderate friction forces, and male luer member 145 is protected from contact with personnel by cap lateral wall 147. After the catheter emplacement, needle withdrawal and needle sharp point protection, operator turns protector 138 through 180 degrees and fixes cap 150 on catheter 131 by thread 152 using protector 138 as a cap holder. In doing so, male luer member 145 occludes the catheter entrance. Thereafter, operator easily detaches the protector from the cap. As a result, catheter 131 remains in patient's vein being closed with cap 150.

Abstract: A method for treating an occlusion in a coronary artery of a patient includes percutaneously advancing an occlusion treatment tool (such as an angioplasty balloon or stent delivery device) through the vasculature of the patient and into a coronary artery to a site of the occlusion. Following the treatment of the occlusion, a therapeutic agent is admitted into the first coronary artery. The therapeutic agent is selected to treat microvasculature obstructions at a target cardiac tissue site distal to the site of the occlusion.