Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the localization of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method wherein gastric or intestinal contents at different locations in the gastrointestinal tract are continuously checked for their hemoglobin contents. The invention also relates to an apparatus adapted to carry out the method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides unique devices for implantation of deformable intraocular lens structures for surgical placement in the eye. In one embodied form, the inventive device comprises a generally cylindrical disarticulating lens holding member at a distal end of the device for receiving an intraocular lens having a deformable optical zone portion therein; a concentrically aligned sleeve for exerting a prescribed compressive force upon the intraocular lens once contained within the lens holding member; and a collar element disposed at a proximate end of the surgical device for facilitating placement of the lens and for effecting release of the compressed lens through a relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue.

Abstract: A method of treating a solid tumor, including the steps of localizing the tumor and the arterial vessel that supplies it, and injecting into the vessel, a vaso-occlusive collagen material adapted to produce occlusion of vessels having lumen diameters between about 10 and 150 microns. The injected material is effective to produce occlusion of the secondary and tertiary vessels supplying the tumor, distal to the collateral blood vessels which may also supply the tumor. The region of the occluded tumor is heated under conditions that produce tissue necrosis selectively in the occluded tumor tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the rapid infusion of circulatory supportive fluid or blood is disclosed. The apparatus includes an enclosed housing for retaining the fluid prior to infusion, means for warming the fluid, means for circulating the fluid within the housing, means for inhibiting cellular damage of the fluid, means for permitting oxygenation of the fluid, and means for transfusing the fluid to the patient. The method includes the steps of providing an apparatus as described above, supplying it with circulatory supportive fluid or blood, warming the blood, and infusing it into a patient's vein at a rate of up to 3,000 or more ml. per minute.The invention permits exceedingly rapid blood infusion at a single site, utilizing an apparatus which is easy to set up and very simple to use.

Abstract: A moisture-activated floatation device. In a first embodiment, a compound that evolves a gaseous fluid when wet is confined between two layers of sheet material capable of supporting a predetermined amount of weight when wet. The sheet material is hydrophilic and is specifically configured and dimensioned to fit into a water-flushed toilet bowl so that when the device is introduced into the bowl the water therein will activate the compound. The sheet material, when wet, is substantially impervious to the evolved gas so that such gas remains within the confines thereof and serves to provide buoyancy thereto. Feces deposited on the device will not sink but will be supported by the device until collected for testing. In a second embodiment, a gas-evolving compound is applied to one side of a single sheet of sheet material.

Abstract: A Finger Actuated Medication Infusion System (FAMIS) for delivering a dosage of medication into a living body. The FAMIS is fully mechanical and comprises a reservoir, a pump and connecting catheters. The reservoir includes a sealed bellows portion which contains a pressurant and exerts a substantially constant pressure on the medication in the reservoir, regardless of the amount of medication therein. The pump includes a bellows assembly disposed within an equalizing pressure chamber, and will deliver medication through the bellows assembly at a predetermined flow rate independent of ambient temperature, ambient pressure or the amount of medication remaining in the reservoir. The FAMIS design also provides safeguards against inadvertant overdosing, transmission of bacteria into the body and prevents gas bubbles within the reservoir from impeding the flow of medication through an outlet flow restrictor which forms part of the FAMIS pump.

Abstract: An inserter for a catamenial tampon, including an outer cylinder having an ejecting hole at the fore end thereof, an ejecting inner cylinder containing a catamenial tampon therein and telescopically fitted in the outer cylinder, a projection formed on the inner surface of the side wall of the outer cylinder to transpose the tampon from the inner to the outer cylinder, and a guide groove formed axially in the side wall of the inner cylinder for engagement with the projection. The guide groove is extended to such a length that a rear end portion thereof is exposed from the outer cylinder when the inner cylinder is fully contracted thereinto.

Abstract: Vibration is conveyed to the proximal orifices of an indwelling catheter to disintegrate accumulated clogging deposits, large suspended particles and contaminating bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. Orifices may be recessed, hooded or enclosed, and in some cases the catheter tip should be of absorptive material, to deter propagation of the vibration to the parts of the patient's body outside the catheter. Vibration may be conveyed to the orifices by (1) a solid fiber embedded in the catheter walls or positioned in an auxiliary lumen of the catheter; or (2) by a liquid in an auxiliary lumen--which may be formed as an annular space surrounding the main lumen. Preferably the apparatus measures the amount of vibration absorbed by the deposits or bacteria, etc., as a function of frequency, and automatically concentrates the vibration at frequencies where absorption is particularly high, to maximize the disintegration of deposits, particles, bacteria or other bioactive objects.

Abstract: To separate drugs within a chamber (66) formed beneath a dome-like housing (24) from another biomedically active substance, the chamber (66) is subdivided into two chamber portions (166, 266) by enclosing, within said chamber, a plastic bag (101) or by stretching a membrane (102) thereacross. The plastic bag, or the membrane, respectively, is ruptured upon depression of a terminal element (34) located at the apex of the dome of the housing. The subdivision of the chamber into two chamber portions prevents intermixing of the biologically active substances during storage. One of the chamber portions may retain liquids which are suitable in the article, and preferably are separated from another one of the liquids, such as a surfactant, and thus permits a wide choice, of, respectively, biologically active and other substances. Unintended leakage of the substances through a microporous membrane (76) closing off the housing is prevented by applying a cover strip across the membrane.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into a biological duct such as an artery, comprised of a flexible aspiration tube disposed within a delivery sleeve and connected at one end to a source of vacuum for providing suction within the duct in the vicinity of a biological obstruction, such as a blood clot. An injection tube extends through the aspiration tube for injecting medication into the duct, and an ultrasonic energy source also extends through the aspiration tube for transmitting ultrasound in the vicinity of the obstruction. The transmitted ultrasound and injected medication cooperate to emulsify and fragment the obstruction, and the fragmented obstruction is removed through the aspiration tube in response to suction being applied thereto. The catheter is compact and easily manipulable, providing substantial surgical accuracy.

Abstract: A tamper-evident band for a liquid drainage system comprising an elastic catheter having an elongated shaft, a connector adjacent the proximal end of the catheter, and a drainage lumen extending through a major portion of the catheter and the connector. The tamper-evident band comprises elastomeric annular band of stepped diameter which is fit over the juncture between the connector and the proximal end of the catheter. The band has a slot longitudinally arranged on one outer peripheral portion of the band. It also has a semi-circumferential tear tab disposed on one end thereof. To separate the connector from the proximal end of the catheter, the band must be broken. The tab may be pulled and the band separated along its longitudinal slot. A small ring comprising the remaining stepped portion of the band remains on the adapter after the tab has been pulled, the slot fractured and the top band portion removed.

Abstract: This invention provides a surgical wound drain device which is adapted for postoperative multiphasic suction withdrawal of physiological fluids and coagulated solids and tissue debris from a wound cavity in a closed drainage system.The drain device consists of an inner catheter member, and an outer tubular member which has one or more thin pliable strips extending form the distal end periphery. The catheter withdraws accumulated body fluids in a postoperative first stage. The catheter is removed, and the remaining outer tubular member with its extended pliable strips is adapted to withdraw body fluids and coagulated solids and tissue debris in a second stage over an extended period.

Abstract: An improved dual mode peristaltic device is provided for infusing I.V. solutions to a patient through an I.V. tube. In a first mode of operation, the device functions as a peristaltic pump and in the second mode of operation it functions like a controller. Included in the device and associated with the I.V. tube is a pressure sensing strain gauge assembly that monitors dimensional changes in the outer diameter of the I.V. tube as an indication of fluid pressure changes in the tube. The strain gauge assembly is positioned relative to the device's peristaltic means to alternately monitor fluid pressure in a patent I.V. tube upstream and downstream from the gauge assembly. A pair of stationary fingers surround the strain gauge assembly to isolate it from the pulsitile nature of the peristaltic action of the device. In the first mode (pump mode), the device is programmed to alarm and cease operation when fluid pressure downstream from the gauge assembly reaches a preselected value.

Abstract: This invention is directed to specific methods and a system for the retrograde delivery of fluids containing a pharmacologic or diagnostic agent (via a catheter inserted into a patient's regional venous system) supplied into the microcirculatory system of the same region to which the arterial blood in flow is blocked or otherwise restricted. A catheter having an inflatable balloon on the distal end thereof is passed through the patient's venous system (e.g., for myocardial retroinfusion, and so that fluid containing pharmacologic (thrombolytic drugs or antiarrhythmic agents) or diagnostic agents is directed therethrough in a direction opposite to the normal blood flow and into the microcirculatory system of the jeopardized tissue. The fluid is held in the microcirculation for a period and at a pressure which facilitates its absorption or other function such as clot dissolution, pharmacologic action, or diagnostic contrast assessment with minimally invasive imaging methods.

Abstract: A self-contained I.V. set for infusing drugs and secondary medications is disclosed. A mini-I.V. container having a filtered air vent and a valved filling port is filled by a disposable syringe. A drip chamber below the mini-I.V. container receives medication through a drip device at the bottom of the container. From the drip chamber, the medication enters a small bore tube equipped with a roller clamp and an infusion needle fitting. A convenient hanger for the device is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intubation assembly for nasogastric intubation comprising a catheter and a plastic sheath tube for encasing the catheter along substantially the full length thereof, the sheath tube having a longitudinal tear-off line over the full length thereof and having elasticity and rigidity slightly greater than the catheter which is slidably inserted in the sheath tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for ambulatory intravenous delivery of substances to a recipient comprising a container and delivery means for pressurized delivery of the substance. The container communicates with a source of pressurized gas to provide the pressurizing force and is uniquely attachable to the recipient so as to provide portability to the system. The flow rate is controlled by feedback electronics connected to a flow rate meter and a throttle valve. The flow rate meter has a heating resistor in the flow path of the substance and a thermistor to detect a temperature rise in the substance downstream from the resistor. A constriction in the flow tube is disposed between the resistor and thermistor to cause a flat wavefront of temperature increase. The throttle valve is a pin disposed partially within a tube to form an annular gap. The flow rate is adjusted by changing the distance the pin extends into the tube and thereby change the length of the annular gap.

Abstract: A medical device has an outer cylinder and an outer cylinder hub which has a hollow portion communicating with the interior of the outer cylinder and fixed to a proximal portion of the outer cylinder. An inner cylinder is provided which can be detachably inserted into the outer cylinder through the hollow portion of the outer cylinder hub. An inner cylinder hub is provided which has a hollow portion communicating with the interior of the inner cylinder, can be fitted within the outer cylinder hub, and is connected to a proximal portion of the inner cylinder. Means is arranged between the outer and inner cylinder hubs, for preventing relative axial movement of the outer and inner cylinder hubs when the inner cylinder is inserted into the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder hub is fitted into the outer cylinder hub. Means is arranged between the outer and inner cylinder hubs, for preventing relative circumferential rotation of the outer and inner cylinder hubs.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for insertion through a surgical opening into an interior body space for enabling a fluid to be introduced into said body space and for enabling unwanted flowable material to be drained from the body space including fluid after the same has been introduced therein. The catheter assembly comprises three separate fluid passages extending within exterior and interior end sections thereof. A balloon structure is in communication with a first passage. A second passage has outlet openings communicating therewith through which treating fluid is introduced into the body space. A third passage has drain openings communicating therewith through which fluid and/or unwanted flowable material in the body space can pass therefrom.

Abstract: A self contained portable apparatus for the rapid warming and infusion of massive amounts of a parenteral fluid into a patient under conditions where time is of the essence. The apparatus comprises a portable cabinet, a parenteral fluid supply system, a fluid warming system, and apparatus monitoring and failure warning systems. The portable cabinet has a rectangular shaped enclosure which houses portions of the fluid supply and warming systems and the monitoring and failure warning systems. Extending upwardly from the top of the rectangular enclosure is a vertical support member which carries upper and lower horizontal crossmembers. The upper crossmember carries a plurality of disposable parenteral fluid bags and their respective pressure cuffs which surround the bags.