Abstract: A compact tube applicator is provided in which a nesting telescoping inner tube has slits on its leading edge to receive the tampon pledget and a ring positioned around the trailing end, the trailing end being narrower in diameter than the leading end when the inner tube is pulled backward, the tampon is expelled through the leading ends of the two tubes by the inwardly compressive forces provided by the ring.

Abstract: An implantable treatment device has a housing portion defining a chamber and a self-resealable cover portion which closes off the chamber to provide a fluid receiving reservoir. An exit port extends from the reservoir to the external surface of the housing, and a locking member affixed to the device permits a twist-lockable catheter connection to be securely sealed to the exit port. In one embodiment the locking member is a base plate having a slot therein to capture the flange of a catheter connection. A protruding tab on the catheter connection may be sutured to hold the twist-locked connection in a fixed orientation. A multi-reservoir and multi-catheter embodiment is shown. A preferred implantable multi-reservoir device includes tactile features palpable through the skin for distinguishing the different reservoirs, or identifying the contents thereof.

Abstract: An integrally formed single piece loop ostomy appliance includes a central rod portion, a cross piece transverse to the rod portion at one end, and a displaceable end piece at the other end, displaceable between a first position which extends in the same general direction as the rod portion and a second position transverse to the rod portion. The end piece comprise a catch disposed to be in locking engagement with a recess in the rod portion when the end piece is moved to the second position. The end piece further comprises first and second spaced apart walls partially forming an aperture and adapted to be squeezed toward one another to release the catch from the recess. The loop ostomy appliance is preferably made of plastic, e.g. polypropylene.

Abstract: The invention is an improved attachment strap for a large diaper or adult incontinent pad. It consists of an accordion pleated length of material, preferably a nonwoven fabric, with one end permanently attached to the diaper body. The final pleat at the opposite end is terminated by a length of peelable pressure sensitive tape which overhangs each edge of the pleat. The medially oriented overhang is relatively narrow while the laterally oriented overhang, which ultimately serves as an attachment tab, is relatively wider. When in stored position, the two overhanging portions hold the folded tape compactly against the back face of the diaper where they do not interfere with manufacturing or packaging operations. The peelable attachment tape has an adhesive coating that is relatively high in shear strength but modest in peel strength. These characteristics are chosen so that the tape can be peeled off without tearing the diaper backing sheet.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and at least one lumen therein opening at the proximal end, at least one extension tube, and a coupling for coupling the extension tube to the catheter body. The coupling includes an insert having a passage extending therethrough for receiving a portion of the extension tube and a main body extending over at least portions of the insert and a proximal region of the catheter body for use in retaining the extension tube, insert and catheter body together. The main body has at least one passage for use in joining the passage of the extension tube to the lumen.

Abstract: An infusion pump for controllable long-term injection of solutions from a syringe which can be emptied in a controlled manner for use with medical drugs in large doses. The infusion pump has a holding device for at least one syringe and an actuating device for the piston of the syringe which is connected to an electrical control drive, and an electrical battery for the drive. The actuating device is provided with a storage device for mechanical work acting through a detent member in the sense of the drive. The electrical control drive is adapted to release a retarding device when switched on, and to actuate the retarding device when switched off.

Abstract: An injection needle assembly has an elongate, flexible liquid feed tube adapted to be inserted into the insertion channel of an endoscope. A needle is fixed to the distal end of the tube and adapted to be stuck in the body wall. A rigid connecting pipe is fixed on the outer surface of the proximal end portion of the tube. The connecting pipe is fixedly inserted into a fitting portion of a connector.

Abstract: A gastrostomy-jejunal feeding tube comprises a gastrostomy tube having an enlarged resiliently, collapsible retainer element on the distal end thereof and a jejunal feeding tube which is removably received in the gastrostomy tube in a manner which allows fluids to pass through the gastrostomy tube despite the presence of the jejunal feeding tube therein. The gastrostomy-jejunal feeding tube is adapted to be installed in a patient so that the gastrostomy tube extends through the stomach wall, fascia and skin for draining fluids from the stomach and so that the jejunal feeding tube extends into the jejunum area of the intestines for feeding and medicating the patient. Since the jejunal feeding tube is removable from the gastrostomy tube it can be replaced without surgery, and since the retainer element is resiliently collapsible, it can be pulled outwardly through the stomach wall to allow the gastrostomy tube to be removed from the patient without surgery.

Abstract: Perfusion catheter adapted to be positioned in at least a partially occluded blood vessel having a lesion or restriction therein comprising an elongate flexible plastic tubular member having a flow passage extending therethrough. The member has proximal and distal ends and a fitting carried by the proximal end. The member has a plurality of holes spaced apart longitudinally from the distal end and permitting the flow of liquid from and into the flow passage through the holes when the catheter is positioned in the lesion or restriction so that at least some of the holes are on one side of the lesion or restriction and other holes are on the other side of the lesion or restriction.

Abstract: A multiple passage tube connector fitting is provided which includes a pair of connectors each having a passage open at one end. The fitting has a single-piece elastomeric tube adapter and plug device having a coupling element for connecting it to the connector. The device includes a tube adapter having a passage through it which is connected by a flexible strap to the coupling element and is adapted to fit in the passage of the connector. Another plug is connected by a strap to theadapter for closing the adapter passage. The device also has a plug connected to the coupling element by flexible strap for closing the passage of the other connector.

Abstract: An angioplasty pressure controller having a housing with a slidable pressure cylinder in it. A drive screw is connected to a piston in the cylinder and arranged for fine adjustment by turning the drive screw. An engagement slide to provide a rapid means to create pressure or vacuum. A connecting rod is attached at one end to the cylinder and at the other end to the plunger of a syringe. A pressure gauge is connected to the inside chamber of the cylinder.

Abstract: A device for a traumatic access to a blood vessel of a living organism through the cutaneous surface thereof. The device includes in combination an implantable device comprising a tubular segment for access to the blood vessel; a valving element for the tubular segment; a mechanism for controlling the blood flow through the valving element; a cover for sealing the proximal end of the tubular segment in the absence of the blood control mechanism; and a porous coating adapted to be colonized by tissue ingrowth and at least partially surrounding the implantable device. The porous coating is formed from a carbon-carbon composite material comprising a reinforcement formed from a carbon fiber porous substrate embedded in a carbonaceous matrix design to densify only partially the fiber substrate while connecting the carbon fibers together.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for artificial insemination of animals, and particularly carnivores such as dogs, foxes, wolves and even smaller animals such as mink.The apparatus comprises a flexible probe having apertures at each end, in which is mounted slidingly a semen reservoir tube, which is also flexible, a projecting end of the semen tube presenting a head and an orifice behind said head through which the semen is ejected from the tube, the other end of the semen tube being coupled with a sheath having a removable abutment limiting the stroke of the sheath and tube in the probe, a piston extending through the sheath to engage in the tube for actuation to eject semen therefrom, and balloons extending externally round the probe for inflation once the probe is disposed in the vaginal cavity of the animal by compressed air blown through a separate conduit in the probe from that receiving the semen tube.

Abstract: An adapter body for a catheter is described wherein the body is shaped to angle the catheter toward the blood vessel and maintain suturing about the body for holding same to the patient. In particular, a saddle is positioned across the top of the adapter body to locate a suture when same is used to tie down the adapter.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for the measurement and replacement of physiological fluids including a meter for measuring the amount of a physiological fluid flowing through the meter, a first conduit for continuously delivering the physiological fluid to the meter, a second conduit for replacing the measured amount of physiological fluid with a corresponding amount of a replacement fluid, and a pressure equalizer associated with the first conduit for equalizing the pressure in the physiological fluid flowing through the first conduit whereby the flow of the physiological fluid through the meter is substantially unaffected by pressure variations in the physiological fluid itself.

Abstract: A modular, portable water-jet system for attachment to the faucet of a kitchen or bathroom sink. The system includes a diverter valve assembly that can be screwed to the faucet and which has one outlet having an aerator and another outlet to which is removably attached a control valve assembly to which is removably attached a jet-flow device, such as an oral cleaning nozzle. The diverter valve assembly includes a spool valve slidably mounted in the housing. One end of the spool valve forms a passage from the inlet of the housing leading to the outlet port to the control valves assembly. A modular solution mixing and metering container can be optionally positioned between the diverter valve assembly and the control valve assembly when a liquid medicant or cleaning agent, for example, is desired. A cross-channel at the top of the container opens to the container where water mixes with and pressures the resulting mixture up a vertical pipe back to the cross-channel where it is pressured to the jet-flow device.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a valve body having first, second and vent ports and a generally tubular valve element having a peripheral wall with first, second and vent openings in the peripheral wall leading to the interior of the tubular valve element. The valve element is mounted in the valve body for rotational movement between first and second rotational positions and for axial movement between first and second axial positions. A pressure sensor is exposed to the fluid pressure within the valve body. In the first rotational position of the valve element, drip flow is provided between the first and second ports, and in the second rotational position, the vent port is open to provide communication between the pressure sensor and the atmosphere. To provide flush flow between the first and second ports, the valve element is moved to the second axial position.

Abstract: An apparatus used in association with a needle for infusing a liquid. This apparatus is for detecting the infiltration of the liquid through the vascular wall into the perivascular tissues. The apparatus includes a non-invasive conformal microwave antenna means adapted to be positioned over the area where liquid infusion occurs. A microwave radiometer connects from the antenna means for detecting sub-cutaneous temperature at the site thereof. A reference antenna means is also employed so that a proper temperature differential can be established. In an alternate version of the invention, switching means is provided so that upon detecting an alarm condition, the liquid can be immediately terminated and a neutralizing agent can be introduced to the needle.

Abstract: A disposable "third hand" holder for CAPD exchange sets holds a set connector and a cap in an aseptic condition until ready for use. The holder is adhesively secured to a work surface. After the set connector has been removed from the holder and the exchange is under way, a sterilant tube can be connected to the holder in place of the set connector, and its contents can be squeezed out through a passage within the holder into the interior of the cap. When the patient's catheter is eventually capped, the sterilant in the cap maintains all interior surfaces of the catheter connector in an aseptic condition.

Abstract: A harness for a naso-enteral tube for use in patient health care, particularly for naso-enteral feeding. The harness is a thin elongated length of material, preferably cyclindrical or tubular, secured to a naso-enternal tube for a distance along the length of the tube and inserted into the patient with the naso-enteral tube. The harness then may be secured about the patients nasal septum so that the connection between the harness and the naso-enteral tube along siad distance is within the patient's nostril.