Abstract: A needle point cover assembly for securely covering and protecting the needle point after a syringe has been used includes a cover in the form of an elongated hollow member that is open at one end for receiving the needle therein, and at its other end is mostly enclosed by an end wall having a hole through which the needle can pass. A lid encloses the otherwise open end of the cover member. The lid has a hole through which the needle may pass so that the needle may extend through both the lid hole and the hole in the end wall. When the syringe is being used to make an injection, the needle point projects through the hole in the end wall. After an injection has been made and the syringe is ready for disposal, a manually actuable extensible frame slides the cover to where its end wall is beyond the extremity of the needle point.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved balloon catheter apparatuses for use in therapies requiring delivery of uniform light to a treatment area. The improved apparatus comprises a balloon having a defined treatment window where the window is delineated using a reflective material. The apparatus may further include a fiber optic cable that terminates in a diffusion tip where the diffusion tip is longer than the treatment window. The present invention further provides improved therapeutic methods that use the improved balloon catheters of the present invention.

Abstract: An I.V. bag is connected to a drip chamber, then to a conventional tube clamp and a regulating tube containing a wick or other material that breaks surface tension of the liquid in the tube, which flows into a bubble separator that forces any remaining entrained air through one or more hydrophobic gas permeable membranes, and then into the patient. A check valve near the patient prevents back flow. A vent placed adjacent to the tube clamp isolates any pressure drop above the vent, allowing a pressure head to develop in the regulating tube, which insures a constant flow of I.V. liquid into the patient regardless of downstream or upstream hydraulic conditions.

Abstract: A self-destructing hypodermic syringe (1) comprising an optionally graduated barrel (2) having a Luer lock-tip (13) in one end and a plunger head (5) with plunger rod (3), of the type which has a breaking element (4) incorporated in connection with the plunger head or plunger rod, and where the breaking element (4) is broken when the syringe (1) is used for the first time, wherein the breaking element (4), is cast in one piece with the plunger rod (3) and initially, prior to destruction, is secured thereto via diametrically arranged cam follower hoops (6) and lugs (7) which, when loaded, are broken at perforations (7') while converting the lugs (7) to cam followers (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for holding an orally routed apparatus and for holding a flanged end of a body, the apparatus comprising a base including a channel, a bite block detachably engagable with the base and having a channel substantially alignable with the channel of the base, with the bite block engaged with the base defining a first configuration of the apparatus, the channel of the base and the channel of the bite block to substantially align and receive the orally routed apparatus, with the bite block detached from the base defining a second configuration of the apparatus, the channel of the base to receive a body having a flanged end with portions of the flanged end to overly and engage portions of the base, and an engagement assembly for securing the orally routed apparatus and the body with the base in the first and second configurations, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety catheter that automatically sheaths the needle upon withdrawal of the needle from a patient. The catheter can include a plunger for drawing a vacuum to draw blood or alternatively may delete the plunger and use nearly identical components with the addition of a blocking plug. The catheter also includes a cap/re-cap device that provides additional sheathing of the needle during assembly, shipping, and use of the needle. It also includes raised indicia that serves as a trademark as well as a friction gripping surface. The catheter includes improved catheter hub mounting structure as well as strengthened ribbed areas for grasping during use of the catheter.

Abstract: The apparatus for automatic administration and dosing of one or more drugs comprises a microdelivery device which may be implanted in or otherwise administered to an animal or human. The microdelivery device is configured to have at least one compartment containing at least one drug so that a plurality of doses of the drug(s) are held within the device. In accordance with the present invention, the microdelivery device selectively actuates a compartment to selectively release doses of the drug(s) to provide an efficacious dosing pattern. The microdelivery device employs a microprocessor, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), preprogrammed with a desired dosing regimen and a timing circuit, such as a quartz oscillator, in order to administer the drug(s) according to the dosing regimen. Thus, the microdelivery device is programmable to effectuate the release of the drug(s) at a desired time to maintain efficacious levels of the drug while minimizing the amount of drug which must be used.

Abstract: A retracting needle syringe is described which allows safe and easy disposal of a syringe and prevents re-use of the syringe by destroying the plunger rod and needle hub and retracting the needle into the plunger rod. Once the safety feature is activated, positive or negative pressure in the barrel to draw out medication is defeated. The retracting needle safety feature requires only an increase of force along the same line of action as the injection stroke. This allows for safe, one-handed injection, which is critical in some situations. The retracting needle syringe of the present invention also minimizes the amount of wasted medication because the plunger rod incorporates a plunger tip that occupies the entire volume inside the barrel. Because the retracting needle syringe uses standard luer-lok fittings, it can be used with a variety of standard needles that do not have retracting cannula.

Abstract: A disposable syringe includes a hollow barrel, an annular outer neck and inner neck mounted on the top of the hollow barrel respectively, a first cavity contained in the inner neck and having two opposite abutting edges, a needle located in the inner neck and having a lower end secured in the top of the hollow barrel and an upper end projecting from the inner neck, a rotary cap rotatably mounted on the outer neck and containing a second cavity aligning with the first cavity, a guide slot contained in the top of the rotary cap to receive the needle therein and connecting to the first cavity, and a drive knob pivotally received in the second cavity and having a first end portion containing a needle hole to receive the needle therein, a mediate portion abutting one of the two abutting edges of the first cavity, and a second end portion secured to the rotary cap to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A cannula has a shank and a tip which is elliptical in cross-section having radially extending crescent-shaped fins for engaging the tissue lining the tunnel of an incision. The cannula is thus retained in position and is not forced out with fluid pressure or by traction on attached tubing with eye movements or inadvertently hooking instruments. The cannula is rotated to disengage the fins from the incision by stretching the incision with the major axis of the elliptical tip. The cannula of the present invention is suitable for penetration of organs or vessels under fluid pressure for surgical procedures, in particular for ophthalmic surgical procedures.

Abstract: An injection syringe comprises a housing (1), a piston rod (6) with a non-circular cross-section and an outer thread (7), a piston rod drive which includes a piston rod guide (85) mating with the cross-section of the piston rod (6), and a nut (4) which is not axially displaceable and which mates with the thread (7) of the piston rod (6) to form a self-locking thread connection. Rotation of a dose setting element (81) causes an injection button to be screwed out to project from the housing (1). When the injection button (88) is pushed axially, such axial movement is transformed, by way of the threaded coupling, into a rotation of one of the piston drive elements (85) relative to the other one (4). A unidirectional coupling between the nut member (4) and the piston rod guide (85) allows rotation in one direction by which the piston rod (6) is transported in a distal direction.

Abstract: A biolistic apparatus is provided with a housing having a carrier membrane disposed in a chamber for movement relative to an outlet plate having a plurality of apertures therein. The carrier membrane has a plurality of micro-particles adhered thereto on the surface of the membrane adjacent the apertures for delivery into cells or tissue. A plurality of rupturable membranes are mounted in spaced relation to the carrier membrane. Initially, a vacuum is provided within the assembly including the outlet opening to purge the apparatus of any undesirable gasses. High pressure helium is then delivered to the rupturable membranes and upon reaching a predetermined pressure, will cause the membranes to rupture allowing a shock front of high pressure helium to strike the carrier membrane and impel the articles through the outlet openings.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device. In one embodiment the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard that is slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle having a needle tip located at the distal end of the needle. The needle guard contains a movable needle trap that is biased against or toward the hypodermic needle. The needle trap advances over the tip of the needle, entrapping the needle tip as the needle guard is urged forward near the sharpened distal end of the hypodermic needle. A tether, or other limiting means, limits the forward movement of the needle guard along the needle. In one embodiment, the needle guard is manually urged forward along the shaft of the needle by the user. In yet another embodiment, a spring, or other biasing means, is used to move the needle guard along the shaft of the needle.

Abstract: A kink inhibiting device is provided for inhibiting kinking in a length of curved flexible tubing, and in particular IV or drip tubing. The device comprises a pair of U-shaped shell halves which are joined back-to-back at their bight portions by an integral hinge formation. The shell halves each define channels having semi-circular cross-sectional profiles, and are formed with connecting lands carrying studs and complemental apertures for allowing the shell halves to mate with one another. The shell halves each have a radius of curvature (R) which is greater than the maximum radius of curvature at which the flexible tubing starts to kink when unsupported.

Abstract: A medical needle for endoscopic surgery has an external cannula tube in which a protective element is mounted so that it can be shifted axially against a spring. The distal, front protective surface of the protective element in a forward position projects beyond the sharp tip of the cannula tube and in a rear position is behind this tip. The protective surface of the protective element is transparent and can be observed through an optical system installed in the protective element.

Abstract: A needle retraction device for removing a needle from a patient. The needle retraction device comprising a housing having an exterior wall which defines an interior compartment. A moveable member, having a pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders, separated from one another by an elongate slot, is located within the interior compartment. The pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders are also spaced from a remainder of the moveable member by a cavity or area which is sized to receive a coupling hub of a needle therein. The moveable member is movable from a first position, in which the pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders are located outside of the interior compartment of the needle retraction device for receiving a needle, and a second retracted position, in which the pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders, along with a supported needle or needle assembly, are completely retracted inside the interior compartment of the housing to prevent an inadvertent needle stick.

Abstract: An access catheter for percutaneously connecting to a subcutaneously implanted port comprises a catheter body having a distal end and a proximal end. A needle or other access tube is connected to the distal end of the catheter body through a fitting, optionally at a right angle relative to the catheter body. A compressible element impregnated with an antiseptic, antibiotic, anesthetic, or other active agent, is provided adjacent the distal end of the catheter body and surrounding the needle. When the needle is percutaneously introduced to the port, the compressible element will be compressed to express the agent onto the skin surface surrounding the penetration site.

Abstract: A single use retractable medical device dispenses fluids from a separable carpule. A retraction mechanism having a spring loaded needle holder with a double ended needle is mounted the in front of a housing by means of a push ring slidingly mounted on a widened portion of the needle holder. An outer edge of the push ring grips or is restrained by the inner wall surface of the housing to hold the needle holder in place. A carpule positioned through an opening in back of the housing is progressively received by a plunger which drives a separable two-part piston to unload medicine from the carpule through the needle. At the end of an injection, the plunger is depressed further to remove the push ring in cooperation with the carpule thereby freeing the needle holder for retraction through the front opening of the carpule. As the needle is retracted into the housing from one end, the edge of the thumb cap of the plunger disappears into an opening at the opposite end of the housing.

Abstract: Finger grip collar positioned on the proximal end of a syringe or cartridge barrel by a snap-on motion to facilitate manipulation of the syringe or cartridge during the injection or withdrawal of a medical fluid into or from a site. The finger grip collar requires no special orientation or positioning on the barrel of the syringe or cartridge for the practitioner to manipulate the assemblage.

Abstract: A disposable syringe with an automatically retractable hypodermic needle of the type consisting of an injector plunger, a container cylinder with needle-carrier head and a needle with connection ferrule. The ferrule is housed in an inner hollow of the head of the cylinder, wherein the tube of the needle has passing axially though it a guiding channel to the outside, the hollow having a plurality of elastic retention tabs and the rear face of the needle-carrier head of the cylinder being in contact with an elastomeric washer interposed in an annular manner between it and the plunger which is defined by a cover whose attack front part has a slightly conical circular crown coinciding with said elastomeric washer and which is equipped centrally with a frustoconical core coinciding in a closely fitting manner with the opening of the ferrule of the needle.