Abstract: A balloon catheter system is provided which includes a balloon-on-a-wire assembly and an over-the-wire catheter which slidably passes over the elongated body of the balloon-on-a-wire assembly, but not over its balloon. In the procedure by which the system is used, the balloon-on-a-wire assembly achieves an initial dilation or predilation of a lesion or stenosis, after which it is moved somewhat distally to clear the predilated stenosis. The over-the-wire catheter then is slidably moved over the balloon-on-a-wire assembly until its balloon reaches and dilates the predilated stenosis. After dilation is completed, the system is removed from the body vessel thus treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cannula with a fixation mechanism actuable to secure the cannula above and below the body wall with minimal amount of manipulation and damage to the body wall. The preferred embodiment involves arms attached to springs secured to the body of the cannula over which a sleeve is slidingly mounted to restrain and release the springs. When the spring is released, it causes the arms to press against the inner body wall to fixate the cannula. A stop mounted on the sleeve can be positioned to apply a compressive force on the outer body wall, further securing the cannula.

Abstract: A device for implanting an object, such as a hormone pellet or an electronic transponder beneath the skin of an animal, includes a hollow needle (1) with an actuating rod (11) slidable therein, a cover (2) movable relative to the needle to enable at least the sharp end of the needle to be shrouded, and a locking mechanism in the form of an abutment (10) movable into a rebate (6), from which it cannot then return. The needle (11) may be mounted at one end of a body (4) which incorporates the locking rebate (6).

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument formed of relatively movable, cooperating, inner and outer elongate tubular members wherein one of the inner and outer tubular members is made of a gall-resistant material providing an elongate bearing surface along substantially the entire length of the surgical cutting instrument to allow the inner and outer tubular members to be mounted with virtually no gap therebetween for precision cutting without wear or abrasion, metal flaking, galling and seizure and while permitting the other of the inner and outer tubular members to be made from 300 Series stainless steel. When the outer member is made from gall-resistant material, the inner member made from 300 Series stainless steel can be provided with an elongate bearing surface therealong formed by surface hardening the inner member or coating the inner member with thin, dense chromium.

Abstract: A medical instrument including a tubular extension within which and to which two movable end effectors, such as jaw members, are rotatably attached by a pivot. The proximal end of each end effector is pivotally attached to and butts against a drive surface of its respective arm of a dual action drive member also located within the tubular extension. As the dual action drive member is moved proximally or distally within the tubular extension, the distal ends of the end effectors rotate or counter rotate about the pivot in opposition to one another. The dual action drive member paired arms have end surfaces which transfer, to the end effectors, the force required to rotate the end effectors toward one another, thereby reducing the shear force applied to pivot posts on the arms used to open the jaws. The dual action drive member may be used with a variety of different end effector devices including but not limited to medical grippers, hole punches, dissectors, extractors, scissors, and clamps.

Abstract: The invention involves a system for the deployment of biologically active materials in a bodily passage, particularly in vascular wall tissue, in the form of an elongated multi-lumen catheter having a plurality of serially situated functional zones. One embodiment includes an externally accessed dispersion zone adapted to address a vascular segment and having a dispersion chamber subtending a major arc of the vascular circumference provided with a pattern of openings for deploying biologically active materials in the vascular segment and supplied through an externally connected lumen. An electrode member is provided associated with the dispersion zone for applying a controlled electrical charge to the biologically active material at the point of deployment. A pair of spaced inflatable balloons define proximal and distal occlusion zones for temporarily occluding normal vascular blood flow in the vascular segment during deployment of the biologically active materials.

Abstract: The device described herein comprises a surgical forceps designed to prevent slipping of the tips of the forcep jaws, to avoid injury to the surgeon's thumb or finger and to provide non-slip grip of a patient's blood vessels and tissues. Originally such forceps had no provision for preventing the slipping of the forceps jaws. Then a pin or tiny rod was fixed vertically to the inside surface of one jaw of the forcep and a receptive opening in the other jaw positioned to receive the pin and thereby prevent slipping of the tips of the jaws away from each other and thus allowing a firm, non-slipping grip on a blood vessel and tissue and allowing the surgeon to use his other hand to manipulate a needle for suturing. Unfortunately the surgeon occasionally places a thumb or finger over the opening and when the pin is pushed through the opening, the pin sometimes pierces the flesh on the thumb or finger.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical instrument and specifically is a device for delivering an embolic coil to a selected site within the vasculature of a human body via use of a catheter. In particular, the device uses embolic coils having interlocking clasps on the coils which are secured to each other by a control wire within the catheter. Retraction of the control wire into the catheter body uncouples the distal coil.

Abstract: A coil spring shaped stent to reinforce an arterial wall, along a length thereof, where plaque has been removed by a balloon catheter; the stent is of a wire of a suitable material, such as stainless steel or gold, which is sized and configured to define spaced coils; the wire has axially spaced, enlarged bearing portions and a roller between each of the bearing portions to facilitate advancement and withdrawal of the coil spring shaped stent upon final positioning in an artery.

Abstract: A body fluid drainage device that includes a wedge-shaped reservoir evacuator which has a first sidewall and a second sidewall integrally formed and joined along a coextending common edge. A third collapsible bellows-shaped sidewall extends between the nonjoined edges and is sealed to the nonjoined edges of the first sidewall and second sidewall to enclose and form a fluid tight reservoir between the first, second and third sidewalls. An inlet port and outlet port are provided in fluid communication with the reservoir. A one-way valve is provided in the inlet port for permitting fluid flow into the reservoir but preventing fluid flow out of the inlet port. A spring element is provided for storing energy to force the first sidewall away from the second sidewall following compression of the first sidewall towards the second sidewall such that as the first sidewall moves away from the second sidewall a partial vacuum is created within the reservoir for drawing fluid into the reservoir.

Abstract: A temporary circulatory assist pump is disclosed for implantation in the heart of a patient through the femoral artery. The pump is driven by a flexible drive shaft extending through a catheter and being connected to a power source outside the body of the patient. The pump utilizes a helical-shaped foil impeller to pump blood at a rate of approximately three to four liters per minute through the circulatory system of the patient.

Abstract: A disposable decontamination device, comprising a foldable frame expandable to define a rectangular shape sized to accommodate a patient, a fluid resistant fabric formed into a basin sized to enclose said frame when positioning a patient on a backboard in one said basin and a collection vessel and drain means for transferring fluid from said basin to said vessel.

Abstract: A combination fluid collection and disposal apparatus for collecting and disposing fluid aspirated from a patient from a surgical procedure is disclosed which comprises a collection unit for collecting the fluid and a treatment unit for coupling with the collection unit to remove the fluid from the collection unit and to dispose the fluid. The collection unit comprises a reservoir for the temporary storage of fluids aspirated from the patient, a vacuum port for connecting the collection unit to a vacuum source, and a vacuum line connecting the vacuum port to the reservoir. The collection unit also comprises at least one suction port adapted for connection to a suction tube for aspirating fluids from the patient, a suction line connecting the suctioln port to the reservoir, and a drain generally adjacent the bottom of the reservoir.

Abstract: A closure device for use in the closure of stomas and the like is described and comprises a bellows like reservoir which is integral with and in fluid communication with a bell-shaped inflatable bung. The inflatable bung can be positioned with a body channel of the stoma and inflated to a predetermined degree defined by the volume of the reservoir. A filter channel is provided in an annular ring of the device and is positioned so as to permit escape of flatus without becoming blocked by liquid or solid materials from the body channel.

Abstract: An improved nasal tampon for controlling and arresting hemorrhaging comprises an absorptive member, shaped to fit the gross contours of the nasal fossa, which is easily inserted in and removable from the nasal cavity. Affixed to one end of the tampon is a length of cord, having a weighted member appended thereto. The weighted member serves as a counter balance to aid in maintaining the tampon in place so as not to interfere with normal respiration through the mouth.In an alternative embodiment, the tampon is equipped with a drainage conduit, connected to a source of suction, so as to aspirate blood from the nasal cavity. In a further alternative embodiment, a breathing conduit is provided to enable the patient to breathe through the nose when the device is operatively inserted.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling has a pair of coupling rings. The body side ring has a flange attached to a medical grade adhesive pad and a chute wall surrounding a stomal aperture. The bag side ring has a rib member and a seal strip. To provide easy disengagement, the bag side ring has an integral flexible latching arm having a hook portion positioned to engage under a hook flange on the body side ring when the rings are coupled. The hook portion is disengagable from the hook flange by a lifting movement of the latching arm.

Abstract: Infant nursers use a disposable, flexible plastic liner in a rigid, reusable shell. Previously, it has been the practice when breast pumps are used to pump the breast milk into an intermediate storage container and then pour it into the disposable liner of the nurser, or another intermediate container for freezing. The present invention provides an adapter for use with existing breast pumps which allows the breast milk to be pumped directly into the liner of the nurser without the need for any valves or moving parts. The adapter snaps onto the existing nipple-retaining cap and uses the liner of the nurser itself to form a valve. In a second embodiment, the adapter is provided with a unitary threaded circular rim to attach directly to the threaded end of the nurser shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the atmospheric contamination in an operating room as a result of anesthetic gas that escapes from an anesthetic gas mask. The mask has a double wall structure and includes a deflector positioned within the mask body to cause turbulent flow of anesthetic gas therewithin so that the gas is substantially confined within the inner mask cavity and does not escape directly outwardly from the mask opening when the mask is removed from the face of the patient. The double wall construction provides an extraction slot around the inner mask body that is in communication with a source of reduced pressure to extract any anesthetic gas that escapes from within the inner mask body. A connector is provided for supplying anesthetic gas and for withdrawing exhaled gas.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising a receptacle having a front wall, a back wall, and a chamber for collection of liquid therein. The system has a housing secured to an upper portion of the receptacle, said housing having a drip chamber, an annular wall in a lower portion of the drip chamber defining a valve seat, with said seat being disposed at an acute angle relative to the horizontal when the receptacle is in an upright position. The system has an anti-reflux valve comprising a sheet of flexible material having an upper portion and a lower portion and extending across said drip chamber such that the sheet is sufficiently large to engage against said seat peripherally around the drip chamber.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a biodegradable incontinence device such as a diaper. The incontinence device has biodegradability enhancer granules containing an enzyme such as cellulase or hemicellulase embedded therein. The outer layers of the device are preferably made of a biodegradable material such as treated paper or rayon.