Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for implanting helical or dart-like implants into the myocardium or other body tissue. The catheter system includes a helix for fixing the distal end of the catheter to the myocardium, an implant held by the helix, mechanisms for driving the fixation helix into the myocardium, and mechanisms for driving the implant into the myocardium, removing the fixation helix and leaving the implant behind. The implant may be coated, filled, or made of a drug or drug eluting compound, or drug delivery matrix of any composition.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having a lumen communicating with a proximal end and a distal port at a distal end. A chamber, filled with gas or fluid less dense than blood, is mounted at the distal end. Methods of using the aspiration catheter for removing embolic air or gaseous bubbles within a body cavity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter comprising a dual lumen tube with a bullet nose bolus at its distal end. A venous port is formed in one side of the bolus adjacent the bullet nose of the bolus. An arterial port is formed in the bolus circumferentially displaced 180° around the catheter from the venous port. The bolus contains a venous passage which transitions from a smaller diameter D-shaped cross-section to a larger diameter circular cross-section. The bullet nose is thinner than the tube but is inclined on an angle to the axis of the tube so that a portion of its outer periphery is substantially tangent to a hypothetical cylinder containing the trailing edge of the venous port.

Abstract: A hemostasis valve which has a varying diameter. The hemostasis valve is actuated by a mechanism which provides mechanical advantage. Actuation of the hemostatis valve provides selective incremental sizing such that the valve will fit a variety of different intravascular devices.

Abstract: A device for treating an illness or infection in the respiratory tract of a body is provided. The device administers an antimicrobial mist, which coats the tissues in the respiratory tract where the infection is colonizing.

Abstract: Use of radiation-absorbing dyes (e.g., indocyanine green (ICG), fluorescein, rose bengal) and photodynamic dyes (e.g., hematoporphyrins, aminolevulinic acids, porphyrins, merocyanines, porphycenes, porfimer sodium, verteporfin, Photofrin II, PH-10, chlorins, zinc phthalocyanine, purpurins, pheophorbides, monoclonal antibody-dye conjugates of any of the foregoing dyes) for the treatment of conditions associated with abnormal vasculature, including, generally, lesions, and, more specifically, tumors (cancerous and benign) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

Abstract: Implantable ports and other devices are disinfected by the injection of an anti-microbial agent into a region in the device or in a tissue pocket surrounding the device. In a first embodiment, the anti-microbial agent is injected through an aperture in the device to flush internal regions of the device before infusing the tissue pocket and flushing outwardly through a tissue tract leading to the device. In other embodiments, the anti-microbial agent is injected directly to a target site on the exterior of the device. Implantable devices may include special, usually hardened, target regions for receiving the sharpened end of a needle used to inject the anti-microbial agent. Kits will include devices, syringes, access devices, and instructions for disinfection according to the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A needle assisted jet injector and method for jet injecting medicament are disclosed. In one embodiment of the injector, the needle is retractably located within an injector nozzle assembly. Upon activation of the energy source, a portion of the needle extends past the nozzle assembly and penetrates the outer layer of skin to deliver the medicament via jet injection to a deeper region. After activation, the needle retracts back into the nozzle assembly. In another embodiment, the needle is fixed to the end of the nozzle assembly. In both embodiments, the length of the portion of the needle that penetrates the skin is less than 5 mm.

Abstract: A catheter guidewire includes an elongate solid body about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. The elongate body includes a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end being curved. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along the length of the body to increase its lateral flexibility. Integral beams are also formed within the body to maintain its torsional strength. The relative location and size of cuts and beams may be selectively adjusted so as to control the direction and degree of flexure, and the change in torsional stiffness relative to flexibility.

Abstract: It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an automated system based on an integral fluid bag for administering a variety of intravenous drug regimens and reducing the vagaries of existing manual systems. The fluid has multiple chambers configured to implement a prescribed intravenous medical therapy. Each chamber's geometry (size, shape), sequence and position, alone and in combination with the other chambers, matches the prescribed intravenous therapy or drug regimen. The bag's configuration assures that the intravenous therapy is administered in accordance with the prescribed drug regimen, thus automating the previous manual method. A choice of fluid bag configurations may be stocked so that a prescription for well known and widely accepted drug regimens may be filled by merely selecting a bag with the appropriate chamber configuration and filling it with the prescribed medications.

Abstract: A threaded quick disconnect adapter is used to connect one or more different surgical probes, such as laparoscopic probes, to a valve device, such as a trumpet valve. The threaded quick disconnect adapter includes an adapter body having first and second ends. A valve engaging portion is disposed on the first end of the adapter body and is preferably threaded to threadably engaging an outlet on the valve. A threaded probe engaging portion is disposed on the second end of the adapter body for threadably engaging a probe base on one of the probes. A sealing portion, such as an O-ring, is also disposed on the second end for sealing with the probe base. The threaded probe engaging portion has a larger outer diameter than the sealing portion. In one example, the probe is attached with first a linear motion to engage the probe base with the sealing portion and then a rotating or twisting motion to thread the probe base on the threaded probe engaging portion.

Abstract: A filter comprising a porous material is arranged in a generally conical shape having an expandable base and a vertex. A reservoir tip is located at the vertex for collecting filtered embolic material. The tip communicates with a distal port and lumen of an aspiration tube for removing embolic material under vacuum. A vessel occluding device comprising a non-permeable material having an expandable conical shape and communicating with an aspiration tube is also disclosed. Methods of using the filter and occluding devices for protecting a patient from embolization during cardiovascular procedures are described.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and kits are provided for isolating a target lung segment and treating that segment, usually by drug delivery or lavage. The systems include at least a lobar or sub-lobar isolation catheter which is introduced beyond a second lung bifurcation (i.e., beyond the first bifurcation in a lobe of the lung) and which can occlude a bronchial passage at that point. An inner catheter is usually introduced through the isolation catheter and used in cooperation with the isolation catheter for delivering and/or removing drugs or washing liquids from the isolated lung region. Optionally, the inner catheter will also have an occluding member near its distal end for further isolation of a target region within the lung.

Abstract: Phaco tip apparatus for a phacoemulsification/irrigation and aspiration handpiece having an ultrasonic drive assembly includes a needle having a tip for emulsifying a cataractic lens and a lumen for aspirating emulsified lens. A compressible sleeve establishes an annular passage around the needle and enables irrigation fluid to pass into an eye through a cornea/sclera wound while cooling the needle. The compressible sleeve includes a wall configuration for controlling compression of the sleeve in order to cause the compressible sleeve to shape and conform to the cornea/sclera wound and limit fluid egress from the wound. A bypass port, disposed in said needle and under said compressible sleeve, establishes fluid communication between the lumen and the annular passage in order to enable irrigation fluid to pass into said lumen upon clogging of the tip, thus providing fluid surge protection.

Abstract: A tubular medical device comprises a tubular body, a lumen, a compression-resisting member inserted in the lumen so that it cannot move in the direction of the axis of the tubular body, with its distal end located at a predetermined distance from the distal end of the tubular body toward the proximal end, a pull wire whose distal end is secured near the distal end of the tubular body at a position deviated from the axis of the tubular body and which is led in the tubular body to the proximal end of the tubular body, and a pulling mechanism for pulling the pull wire toward the proximal end of the tubular body which is attached to the proximal end of the tubular body and has an manipulating dial. The compression-resisting member consists of a main body and a secured portion. The compression-resisting member main body, and has a property of resisting compression in the axial direction of he tubular body. The secured portion retains the rain part in place in the lumen.

Abstract: A cap and Luer connector arrangement with an improved external seal is provided for a fluid transfer connector or fitting that has a nozzle with a surrounding annular collar located coaxially within a surrounding sealing lip. The cap includes a structure of resilient material which defines an end wall, an annular, inner sleeve extending from the end wall, and an annular, outer skirt extending from the end wall to define an annular receiving channel between the outer skirt and the inner sleeve. At least a portion of the inner sleeve has an inner surface for sealingly engaging the nozzle. A distal end of the outer skirt includes a seal region having a V-shaped cross-sectional crevice. The Luer connector sealing lip and seal region are distorted when the sealing lip is received into the crevice during initial screwed-on installation of the cap to the Luer connector, forming an external seal.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for one-step preparation of fibrinogen adhesive by polyethylene glycol-mediated precipitation from plasma are disclosed. The methods and apparatus of the invention permit preparation of autologous fibrinogen adhesive composition from the patient during surgery, and can be applied generally to provide such compositions. Also disclosed are an apparatus and method for application of sealant comprising this fibrinogen adhesive composition.

Abstract: A device that converts a diaphragm prior to its first penetration for clinical use, to be more readily penetrable by a needle or cannula after conversion, by creating a prehole or preslit in the surface of the diaphragm.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood set may be primed with physiological solution for use in a blood transporting process such as hemodialysis. The set comprises tubing having a patient connector on an end thereof, and a first branch tube in connection with a source of the solution. The branch tube connects with the set between the ends of the set. The branch tube also connects with further branch tubing, having a second connector which is capable of sealing connection with the patient connector. The method comprises the steps of connecting the patient connector and the second connector to form a closed loop of tubing. One then passes the solution from the source in flow through the first branch tube and further branch tubing to fill them and the set tubing with the solution. One then disconnects the patient connector for subsequent connection with the vascular system of a patient.

Abstract: A breastpump is provided with a universal suction hood base that can be used with a set of different shields. An improved shield is further disclosed which is more flexible and conforms more readily to the breast, and also provides massage.