Abstract: A cannula for infusion of blood into a blood vessel includes a flexible membrane member which is secured to the leading end of a blood admitting pipe. An end insert is secured to the leading end of the flexible membrane member, and a core member is fixedly connected to the end insert. A fluid passage opening is formed in either the end insert or the flexible membrane member so as to permit the discharge of a blood which is infused into the flexible membrane member from an external source through the blood admitting pipe. The flexible membrane member may be folded and wrapped around the core member when the cannula is to be inserted into a blood vessel. As the blood begins to be fed into the pipe, the flexible membrane member is caused to be inflated, and blood flows into a blood vessel from the flexible membrane member.

Abstract: Process/apparatus for the processing of body fluids, advantageously comprising plasmapheresis technique for the fractionation of whole blood, features (i) means, e.g.

Abstract: A medical device for the transdermal delivery of highly ionized, fat insoluble drugs comprises an aqueous drug reservoir having a physiological pH, said reservoir preferably being a gel maintained in an impermeable receptacle by a highly permeable support member disposed between the gel and a permeable contact adhesive. A permeation enhancer reservoir delivers a permeation enhancer to the skin through the aqueous reservoir and through a permeation enhancer release rate controlling membrane which is permeable to the permeation enhancer and impermeable to the drug and water. In a preferred embodiment the permeation enhancer release rate controlling membrane forms at least a portion of said receptacle.

Abstract: A dispensing system is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent formulation instantly and continuously over time to an environment of use. The dispensing system comprises an outer housing surrounding at least a part of a dispensing device. The dispensing device comprises a wall surrounding a compartment with a passageway in the wall connecting the compartment with the interior of the dispensing device. A beneficial agent formulation is present in the housing for instant delivery and a beneficial agent formulation is present in the compartment for continuous delivery.

Abstract: A method and article for medical diagnosis and/or treatment of body disorders, comprising a sleeve unit insertable in a natural body vessel to isolate material flowing into the vessel from direct contact with the interior surface of the vessel. When applied to the treatment of obesity, the sleeve is disposed along a zone in the digestive tract to interfere with the digestive or absorptive function of that zone and thereby reduce net caloric intake.

Abstract: An aspirator for withdrawal of secretions from wounds has an evacuated vessel wherein the subatmospheric pressure prior to admission of secretions into its interior is maintained at a level of between about 0.8 and 1 bar. The vessel carries indicia denoting (e.g., in percent or in milliliters) the known-in-advance maximum quantity if secretions which can be sucked into the vessel by way of a cannula as well as lesser quantities which accumulate in the vessel while the pressure rises above the predetermined level as a result of admission of secretions.

Abstract: A urethral catheter composed of olefin polymer, diene polymer or silicone polymer as a base material wherein an antimicrobial substance being chemically bonded with the inside wall and/or the outside wall thereof, and a process for producing the same. This urethral catheter effectively prevents urinary tract infection for a long period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method useful for the removal of a mass of tissue from an animal which includes an elongated instrument, such as a needle, with a sheath device having a sleeve for treatment fluid delivery at the area of operation. The needle can be vibrated at ultrasonic frequency, preferably in the lateral direction, and treatment fluid, along with reduced pieces of tissue mass, can be removed from the area of treatment by means of aspiration through a conduit in the needle.

Abstract: A flexible tubular assembly has a distal end disposed within the trachea of a patient and a proximal end outside the body of the patient. An inflatable balloon carried on the distal end of tubular assembly can be inflated into sealing contact with the trachea. A first conduit in the tubular assembly conveys anesthesia and ventilation gases through the assembly and a second conduit is used to inflate the balloon. The flexible tubular assembly includes a polymeric matrix having a reflective filler embedded therein. The filler includes finely divided particles having a metallic surface coating which is reflective to infrared laser radiation. The tubular assembly also includes a smoke removal lumen with an opening proximal the balloon to remove smoke generated during laser surgery.

Abstract: An intravenous needle assembly includes a hollow needle having a beveled point, the needle being positioned transversely of a central section of an elongated, flexible, foldable body having oppositely disposed wing sections. The needle is provided with a flexible connecting tube and a connector for attachment to a desired device, such as a syringe, bottle, etc. The central section mounting the needle and the oppositely disposed wing sections carry a tapered foam pad with a pressure sensitive adhesive on the lower surface thereof when applied to the skin of a patient's body. After the insertion of the needle in a vein, the needle is angled downwardly into the vein to position the beveled pointed end away from the walls of the vein.

Abstract: A coextruded tri-layered medical-surgical tubing for the administration of common medicines such as insulin and nitroglycerin solutions is disclosed. Improved flexibility and uniformity and increased peel strength are obtained by interposing a layer of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer between an outer layer of polyvinyl chloride and a core layer of low-density polyethylene. The composite tubing exhibits excellent fluid flow characteristics and is readily employed in the transportation of intravenous fluids and the like without absorbtion or contamination difficulties.

Abstract: In a catheter (10) with wings (26,27) which are brought into a retaining disposition by pulling on a distal tip insert (11) with an actuating means (16) manipulated from the proximal end of the catheter, the retaining surfaces (10B,31) move freely into their co-operative holding disposition from a transport disposition because they are spaced from one another in the transport disposition. The actuating means (16) is preferably a trocar and has a sleeve (19) which not only drives the catheter into position but also controls liquid flow down the catheter tube. Stop surfaces (29,10C) prevent "overshoot" of the wings past the desired retaining disposition and make more positive the disengagement of latching surfaces (22,23) between the tip element (11) and the trocar (16).

Abstract: A wound dressing material comprising a sheet of a synthetic plastics material which is permeable to water vapour and to air, having on one side a surface for application to a wound, and immediately behind the said surface a cellular region having a structure of collapsed, open cells which intercommunicate with one another, and a more dense region behind the cellular region, and an intermediate region in which there is a gradual transition from the cellular region to the more dense region, so that on contact with liquid exudate from a wound, the dressing material will absorb a limited amount of exudate into the cellular region but prevent it from passing right through the dressing material.

Abstract: Thermally formed annealed surgical devices made from unoriented polymers of p-dioxanone and methods for manufacturing the same. The preferred device is a ligating clip having good in vivo performance characteristics. The method includes initially drying the thermally formed device followed by heating the device without restraint at specific temperatures for specific time periods.

Abstract: A coaxial double lumen tube for use in hemoaccess which comprises an outer tube positioned over an inner tube, both tubes having an internal and external diameter and a wall thickness, the outer tube having an internal diameter which is at least 1 mm larger than the external diameter of the inner tube creating a space between the outer tube and the inner tube and a self-sealing, nonbiodegradeable, biocompatible polymer adhesive which evenly fills the space between the outer tube and the inner tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for accurate insertion of a ventricular catheter through the cranial surface into the ventricular system of the human brain. The method includes providing an orifice through the human cranial surface, cutting and coagulating the dural membranes separating the cerebral substances from the interior cranial surface, and inserting a flexible catheter rendered rigid by incorporation of an obdurator in its lumen, or central cavity, through the cranial orifice and the cerebral substances into a ventricle of the brain. The catheter defines its path of entry into the ventricular system through a guide assembly mounted on the exterior of the cranial surface. The guide assembly is disposed to enable the catheter and incorporated obdurator to enter the cranial orifice and cerebral substances and hence the ventricular system at an angle of 90.degree. in relation to an imaginary plane formed by a tangent to the cranial suface at the point of entry through the orifice.

Abstract: A gastroenteric feeding tube comprises a tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends, an enlarged intermediate portion which extends from the distal end of the shaft, and a weighted bolus which extends from the intermediate portion. The shaft has an imperforate sidewall and a side aperture in the intermediate portion communicates with the interior of the shaft for dispensing a feeding formula from the tube. The feeding tube is constructed so that it is sufficiently flexible to permit the passage thereof through a nostril of a patient during intubation of the tube, but nevertheless sufficiently rigid to permit the intubation of the tube without the use of a stylet therein.

Abstract: A grooved stylet having a puncture point aligned with the stylet axis is mounted through a catheter to form an assembly. The aligned puncture point enables more accurate piercing of a vein, and reduces the possibility of double piercing the vein.The stylet near its proximal end is provided with a circular shoulder which abuts the proximal end of the catheter, and the catheter end is positioned on the stylet so that only the stylet puncture point projects beyond the catheter.The catheter is constructed of a hydrophilic polymer which expands away from the stylet and permits the stylet to be withdrawn from the puncture site, leaving the catheter in place in the vein.

Abstract: A catheter or the like is steerable through cavities within a body and aimable toward organs or tissue within the body. The catheter includes an elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the body, a plurality of temperature-activated memory elements in the distal end of the tubular member, and a core for supporting the memory elements. Each memory element assumes a preset shape when heated to a predetermined temperature. A sleeve is provided to couple slidably each memory element to the core so that each memory element is permitted to slip in relation to the core and also to couple each memory element so that movement of one element results in movement of the other elements. Each memory element is moved to another shape when the memory element coupled thereto is heated to the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A tear-away introducer tool for a disposable introducer set used in introducing a catheter into a blood vessel comprises an elongate sheath having a pair of opposed splits in the proximal end thereof to define a pair of tabs. A handle is secured to the sheath and includes a pair of handle members, each comprising a pair of clamping elements which clamp the tabs of the sheath therebetween. The handle has opposed weakened portions which facilitate the tearing of the sheath along axial lines and the handle also facilitates manipulation of the introducer tool during the catheter introduction procedure.