Abstract: A method of treating or preventing adhesion formation during or following a surgical procedure comprising administering to a patient in need thereof at least one medicament selected from the group consisting of potassium channels; modulators of macrophage activation and leucocyte attraction through cytokines, or their inhibitors, antibodies or inhibitors blocking the effect of VEGF expression; prostaglandin E1; free radical scavengers, lipid peroxysomes; pregnatrienes; calcium antagonists; hypoxia; acidosis; MP; dopamine; and ATP-MgCl2, wherein the method prevents adhesion formation by preventing anoxemia.

Abstract: A metering receptacle has an elongate hollow body which at one end has a closable exit opening, and which at the other end is closable by way of a plastic plunger stopper. The plunger stopper is at the same time longitudinally displaceable in the hollow body by way of a plunger rod. The metering receptacle is configured such that the plunger stopper is formed of two parts, with a sealing stopper part of plastic which is rigidly positionable in the elongate hollow body and has a centric bore for the passage of the plunger rod, and with a longitudinally displaceable plunger part of lubricious plastic which is connected to the plunger rod.

Abstract: The need for a venous reservoir in a heart-lung machine is obviated by using a vacuum-purged negative-pressure air filter in the venous return line ahead of the main blood pump. The purging vacuum for the venous air filter can also be used to purge air from the cardiotomy reservoir if a backflow-preventing valve is used on the venous air filter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and method for minimally invasive access to the pericardial space of a human or animal patient. The disclosed pericardial access device includes a penetrating body axially mobile within the lumen of a guide tube. The distal end of the guide tube includes a shoulder to buttress pericardial tissue drawn into the guide tube by a suction force applied to the guide tube lumen. The penetrating body is subsequently distally advanced within the guide tube to access the pericardium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a needleless syringe (1), comprising the following' successively: a gas generator, a gas expansion chamber (3), a means for retaining particles of the active agent and a tube (6) for ejecting said particles. The main characteristic of the inventive syringe is that the gas generator is a pyrotechnic generator (2), comprising a pyrotechnic charge (10) which generates gas, a gas generator and an initiation device. The invention is also characterized in that the retaining means comprise at least one lid (8), which is fixed to the ejection tube and is configured to break under the influence of the gases generated by the combustion of said charge (10).

Abstract: A highly specific and easily purified form of hyaluronidase is described for use in ophthalmic treatments. The enzyme, from Streptomyces hyalurolyticus is specific for hyaluronidase and carries out an elimination reaction that results in the production of double bonds at the nonreducing end of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronidase from Streptomyces hyalurolyticus has a higher activity than comparable enzymes from other species. The enzyme is now capable of being purified in what is essentially a protease-free form making it applicable to medical treatments. The use of this source of hyaluronidase in ophthalmic treatments is now made possible by its high activity, specificity for hyaluronidase and purity.

Abstract: The injection syringe has at least one syringe body (12) provided with a needle (22) and a pusher (14) mounted so as to be able to move in the body (12). The syringe has a movable guard (36) for protecting the injection end (22A) of the needle. The guard (36) is able to move with respect to the body (12) between a position retracted in the body (12) and an active protection position. The guard (36) and the body (12) have associated projecting and recessed reliefs for holding the guard in a retracted position. It has a retractable member (70) for positive holding of the engagement of the said associated reliefs, when the guard (36) is in a retracted position. The pusher (14) and the said holding member (70) are adapted for a retraction of the said holding member (70) under the action of the pushing in of the pusher (14) into the body, at the end of injection, providing a release of the positive holding of the engagement of the associated reliefs.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for treating a body joint wound subsequent to surgical intervention. An infusion tube is insertable into the wound for transporting a prepared solution to the joint. A second tube is insertable into the wound for transport of fluid removed from the joint. A vacuum device is coupled to the second tube. Suction is automatically turned on to evacuate the wound for a prescribed period of time and then stopped for another prescribed period of time. The on and off cycle may be repetitive. During the entire period, the prepared solution is constantly infused. The infusion tube and evacuation tube are isolated from each other so that no contaminants can be infused. A plurality of preadjusted suction duty cycles are available, from which one may be selected as appropriate for the type of wound to be treated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catheter that is configured to self-regulate aspiration rates through a working lumen of the catheter. The catheter comprises a compliant member in communication with the working lumen that is configured to transition from an open position to a closed position when a predetermined aspiration threshold is exceeded. In the closed position, the compliant member is temporarily drawn inward to at least partially occlude flow through the working lumen, thereby mitigating the rate of aspiration imposed upon a patient's vessel. When the rate of aspiration is reduced below the threshold level, the compliant member returns to the open position.

Abstract: A rapid exchange fluid jet thrombectomy device for removal of thrombus or unwanted tissue debris from a vein, artery or the like. The device includes a semi-rigid intermediate tube between a proximal and a distal exhaust tube which accommodates a guidewire tube exit located along the catheter at less than one-half the length of the catheter measured from the catheter most distal point. Such a location of the guidewire is convenient for maneuvering and longitudinal advancement of the guidewire, as well as maneuvering and longitudinal advancement of the catheter by one practitioner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for mechanically-assisted liposuction treatment. The apparatus includes a hand-holdable housing, an electro-cauterizing cannula assembly, and a reciprocation mechanism. The hand-holdable housing has a cavity adaptable for receipt of a portion of the electro-cauterizing cannula assembly. The electro-cauterizing cannula assembly has a distal end and a proximal end and at least one aspiration aperture about the distal end. The reciprocation mechanism is disposed within the housing and is operably associated with either the cannula so that the cannulas can be selectively caused to reciprocate relative to the housing. As the cannula is caused to reciprocate relative to the housing, the aspiration aperture formed through the distal end of the cannula assembly is caused to undergo periodic displacement.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter that exhibits the combined features of superior flexibility, softness, radiopacity and oval/kink resistance. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having a proximal region, a distal region and a lumen extending therethrough. The proximal region of the shaft includes an inner lubricious polymer layer, a reinforcement layer and an outer layer. The reinforcement layer comprises a braid having one or more metallic members and a plurality of polymer members wherein each polymer member comprises a plurality of monofilaments, preferably formed of LCP. The polymer members of the braid provide improved flexibility and softness in addition to high burst pressure. The metallic member(s) of the braid provide improved radiopacity and oval/kink resistance. The catheter may also include a longitudinal member extending along the reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A safety needle assembly which is adapted for blunting of both an intravenous puncture tip and a non-patient puncture tip is provided. The needle assembly includes a cannula having a first end with an intravenous puncture tip and a second end with a non-patient puncture tip, and a blunting member in concentric relation with the cannula which includes a first blunt end proximate the intravenous puncture tip of the cannula and a second blunt end proximate the non-patient puncture tip of the cannula. An actuator is in engagement with the blunting member and the cannula. Activation of the actuator causes blunting of the intravenous puncture tip and the non-patient puncture tip by the blunting member. The needle assembly is particularly useful in connection with a blood collection system.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system flow modulator assembly, an osmotic delivery system with a flow modulator assembly, and a method of assembling an osmotic delivery system. The osmotic delivery system flow modular assembly includes a body having a hole located through the body and communicating two opposing ends of the body. The use of the osmotic delivery system flow modulator assembly lessens the chance that air or gas pockets will form in the enclosure of the osmotic delivery system during assembly of the system. Because less air is within the osmotic delivery system, performance of the system is enhanced. Use of the flow modulator assembly also lessens the chance that beneficial agent will be wasted during assembly of the osmotic delivery system.

Abstract: This invention is a multichannel catheter for extracorporeal circulation of blood to a patient undergoing cardiovascular treatments or surgery. The catheter has three independent channels, an obturator and an expandable balloon at one end of the catheter. The first channel is the largest and is of a size that allows for delivery of blood through outlet parts in the wall of the first channel to a patient in an amount sufficient to maintain the patient's metabolism and perfusion throughout the treatment or surgery. The obturator is longitudinally insertable into the first channel. A second channel, smaller than the first, is integrated into the wall of the first channel, and is suitable for delivering a biologically active fluid (e.g., for cardioplegia) to the heart and/or venting the left heart.

Abstract: A catheter anchoring system is provided to securely anchor to a patient's skin a catheter and fluid supply tube interconnection. The anchoring system comprises a retainer configured to receive a catheter adaptor in a variety of positions. The adaptor interconnects the catheter and the fluid supply tube. In one embodiment the adaptor takes the form of a conical-shaped fitting permanently attached to the collar and includes a recess which extends around the circumference of the adaptor. The anchoring system additionally includes a flexible, adhesive anchor pad which supports a tube clip, as well as the retainer. The retainer includes a channel that is configured to receive the adaptor in a snap-fit manner. The retainer also includes a plurality of projections. Each projection is sized to be received by a recess of the adaptor to prevent the adaptor from sliding within the channel.

Abstract: An integral data logging system for a jet injector includes at least one electrical switch that changes state (e.g. from OFF to ON) during an injection procedure. The switch(es) are connected to an electrical circuit having a microprocessor, a clock and an electronic memory. When a switch changes state, this information along with the applicable date and time is recorded in the electronic memory. A communications link is provided to upload the stored data to a remote computer for subsequent manipulation and analysis to determine compliance with a prescribed dosing regimen. In one implementation, the injection duration is logged by using a trigger release switch and an end-of-stroke switch. The end-of-stroke switch is configured to change state after the drive bar of the injector transits through the injector tube. The injection duration is indicative of dose amount and can be used to distinguish between valid and invalid injections.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a substance intradermally into the skin of a patient including a housing for contacting the surface of the skin and a disposable cartridge to be received in the housing. The cartridge includes an internal reservoir containing a substance to be delivered to the patient, a plurality of micro skin penetrating members and a fluid channel extending between the micro skin penetrating members and the reservoir. The housing includes a bottom wall with a central opening and a cover member. The cartridge is positioned in the housing with the micro skin penetrating members extending through the central opening of the bottom wall and positioned on the surface of the skin of a patient. The cover is closed onto the cartridge to dispense the substance from the cartridge through the micro skin penetrating members and into or through the skin of the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual lumen access catheter, for facilitating placement of two procedure wires across a treatment site. In one application, the catheter is used to place a first wire extending between a contralateral iliac and an ipsilateral iliac across the terminal bifurcation of the aorta, and a second wire extending through a portion of the ipsilateral iliac and into the aorta. Methods of placing the wires, such as for subsequent deployment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm bifurcation graft, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wound drain including a plurality of ducts 24, a plurality of lumens 26 and a plurality of portals 28. The ducts 24 provide an entrance for exudate from the wound site into the wound drain. The lumens 26 and ducts 24 provide drainage channels for exudate from the wound site. The portals 28 provide fluid communication between the ducts 24 and the lumens 26. The portals on the wound drain are adapted and arranged to provide uniform suction along the length of the wound drain.