Abstract: A multiple fluid delivery system usable for the delivery of intravenous fluids to a patient from a plurality of fluid sources includes flexible tubing members for coupling the sources to a fluid junction member. The fluid junction member, wherein little or no interfluid mixing occurs, is coupled by an output conduit to a controllable pump. Output from the pump, via a further fluid flow conduit, can be coupled to the patient's catheter. The system can multiplex a plurality of different fluids. Spaced apart sequences of fluid quanta are injected into the output conduit from the fluid flow junction. The fluids are either mixed, or not, in the output conduit as desired. Operator interaction and control of the system can occur either through a display screen or by means of a bar code sensor. Hard copy records can be provided of fluid flow delivery schedules or other related information.

Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of blood via a collapsible inflow pipe into an inflatable bag having an anticoagulant prefilled therein. The bag is placed on a weighing platform coupled to a load cell, which produces an electric voltage signal representative of the weight of the blood being collected in the bag. The load cell is mounted on a swing cradle capable of oscillation about a horizontal axis, so that the bag is shaken during blood collection for intimately intermingling the collected blood and the anticoagulant. When a predetermined amount of blood is collected, as ascertained from the voltage output of the load cell, a controller actuates a collection stop mechanism thereby causing the same to tightly grip and collapse the inflow pipe.

Abstract: A self-contained hand held medical aspirating device having a piston-grip type handle for holding in one hand with a standard connector for connecting to a catheter and a vacuum line for connecting to a vacuum source and a removable specimen container for receiving body fluids and a fluid barrier means to prevent body fluids from getting into the suction source.

Abstract: A percutaneous oxygenator has a Y-shaped tubular connector and a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers. One end of each fiber is located in the first upper arm of the connector. The other end of each fiber is located in the other upper arm of the connector, with each fiber forming a loop extending out of the lower opening of the connector. To guide insertion of the device into a patient's vein, and to provide structural support for the fiber loops, a support member extends downward from the connector with an aperture at is distal end. Each of the fiber loops pass through this aperture. The device is inserted through a single small incision into the patient's venous system. An oxygen supply is attached to one of the upper arms of the connector. Oxygen flows through the hollow fibers and diffusion through the fiber wall into the blood. Carbon dioxide diffuses across the fiber wall from the blood into the interior of the fiber tubes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for collection of blood components, such as plasma, from donors are provided. One method includes the steps of collecting a unit of whole blood froma donor; forcing the collected blood unit through a plasma separator; accumulating the plasma in a container; and returning concentrated cells to the donor. One system includes a disposable blood collection set and a reusable fixture into which the collection set can be mounted. The fixture is operated by a self-contained energy source, requiring no exterior electrical connection or other external source of energy.

Abstract: An article, suitable for use as a body implant, is made from a novel composition comprising a multiple phase polymer composition comprising:(a) a first phase which comprises a substantially nonhydrophilic polymeric component; and(b) a second phase which comprises a hydrophilic polymeric component;said composition (i) being capable of absorbing water to an extent that it softens with a softening ratio of at least about 2:1 and/or swells with a swelling ratio of at least about 1.3:1; and (ii) when substantially completely hydrated has an energy to break of at least about 700 N-cm/cm.sup.3 and a 2.5% Secant modulus of less than about 7,000 N/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and application of a goniectomy instrument for the purpose of diagnostically and therapeutically removing tissue from the anterior chamber angle of the eye and for retrieving this tissue for further examination. The surgical instrument of this invention comprises in combination: a hollow, tapered shaft having a cutting edge at one end as an integral part thereof; a retractable stylet contained within the hollow interior of the tapered shaft; and an irrigation port running along the outside of the tapered shaft. This instrument is useful for excising tissue to relieve an obstruction blocking the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye as well as for providing specimens of the excised tissue for histopathological examination.

Abstract: A novel suction catheter assembly received and removably stopper-sealed within an outer sheath holder adapted to be mounted in a fixed location to obviate inadvertent discharge of fluids after use and accidental slipping onto the floor and similar present-day mishaps.

Abstract: Hemodialysis port assembly including a port and a catheter assembly. The port includes an inlet septum subtended by an inlet plenum and an outlet septum subtended by an outlet plenum. The catheter assembly includes an inlet channel connected to the inlet plenum and an outlet channel connected to the outlet plenum. The port and catheter assembly are completely implanted in the chest of a patient with the port subcutaneous and the end of the catheter assembly remote from the port injected into the subclavian vein. The blood flow in this vein is in the direction away from the end of the catheter assembly. Near this remote end the catheter assembly or the inlet channel terminates in an inlet valve and the outlet channel terminates in an outlet valve. Each of these valves is essentially a flapper on which the blood is incident in a generally perpendicular direction so that its flow is substantially unimpeded.

Abstract: A system for selectively releasing materials, such as drugs or dyes, at a specific site in the body of an animal. The system uses laser radiation to rupture laser light-absorbing and heat-sensitive lipid vesicles containing the drugs or dyes, thereby releasing these materials at the specific site irradiated by the laser. By using this system, the location and concentration of the materials are controlled as well as the duration of the materials' release and the release can be triggered repetitively. The laser beam used is visible or its location can be made visible to the naked eye so that the location and size of the beam's contact with the irradiated tissue can be observed and adjusted.

Abstract: A two-piece coupling device is provided for the exchange of liquid or gaseous material. The first coupler has a sleeve with a longitudinal central passage and an axially projecting extension with at least one step. A jacket at least partially surrounds the extension. The first coupler also has a detachable fastener and a resilient tubular connection which is secured at one end within the jacket. The second coupler has a detachable fastener which cooperates with the fastener of the first coupler, and a hollow projection extending toward the first coupler. The hollow projection surrounds the entire extension of the sleeve of the first coupler, as well as part of the jacket. The device also includes an automatic blocking element for preventing the flow of the media through the tubular connection when the first coupler is separated from the second coupler.

Abstract: A method of creating connections between blood vessels and other biological structures by the application of electromagnetic energy capable of the generation of heat and biophysical alterations in intracellular particles and particles within the edges of the biological structure as well as within the edges of the biological structure itself. The process allows for the creation of connection between biological structures without damaging the biological structures themselves.The process comprises introducing minute particles into the edges of the biological structures to be connected. These particles are either intracellular and/or extracellular and can be introduced at the time of connection and/or prior to connection. These particles are suspended in an appropriate solution and are of a size generally having a diameter of approximately 1 micron or less and are of a material with properties such as ferromagnetic, paramagnetic or diamagnetic so as to be inductively heated when subjected to the radiation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for purging air from a tubing network finds particular utility as a component part of a blood constituent processing system. Collection and return needles of a disposable tubing network are initially contained within a common antiseptic enclosure. A purge fluid (e.g., saline solution) may then be introduced into the interior chamber of the enclosure via one of the needles and withdrawn from the interior chamber via the other of the needles. Air entrained in the tubing network may thus be trapped within the common enclosure itself and/or vented therefrom via a one-way valve and hydrophobic microbe filter and/or the entrained air pockets may be encouraged to flow to a separate suitable air trap location of the tubing network whereby the network is purged of air.

Abstract: A brain ventricle shunt system having a first catheter to be inserted into brain ventricle, a second catheter to be inserted into another part of a human body, and a shunt main body connected at one end thereof to the first catheter and at the other end to the second catheter. A check valve is provided for preventing cerebrospinal fluid from flowing back from the second catheter to the first catheter. The shunt main body has a reservoir formed therein and communicated with the first catheter to store the cerebrospinal fluid therein. A dome-shaped flexible portion is formed on the shunt main body and defining the reservoir. The dome-shaped flexible portion is provided to be upwardly projected from the shunt main body by pressure of brain ventricle and provided to be pressed through a scalp by a rod of an external pressure sensor to compress the reservoir.

Abstract: This connection system has particular application to releasably securing a flexible elastic catheter to a rigid portal outlet stem received in the catheter lumen. The system includes a radial enlargement on the outlet stem and a retainer sleeve that slidably encircles the stem. The sleeve is slidable along the stem between a clamping position wherein it tightly engages around the stem enlargement and the segment of catheter encircling same at a circular contact surface and a release position wherein it is spaced from the catheter segment. The system assures a secure, fluid-tight connection of the catheter to the stem and provides strain relief for the catheter.

Abstract: An indwelling urethral catheter arrangement for the prevention of ascending bacterial infection which is of such a design that, on the one hand the bacteria are flushed downwardly by urine permitted to flow along the inside of the urethral wall and, on the other hand, the entire urinary stream is conducted, with the aid of a condom-like sheath fittable over the tip of the penis, to the outside of the catheter arrangement; in this fashion soiling of the patient's clothing will be avoided regardless of the flushing provision.

Abstract: A gas pressure neutralizing device for use with a working channel of an inspection instrument. The device comprises means for providing a first gas pressure buffer, a second gas pressure buffer, a chamber formed therebetween and means for reducing the pressure in the chamber whereby gases are substantially prevented from exiting the instrument through a working inlet of the device at an elevated pressure or high velocity.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device useful as an inexpensive, light-weight ambulatory disposal drug infusion pump comprises a flexible reservoir for liquid to be administered parenterally to a patient, a mechanism for placing the liquid in the reservoir under a constant pressure for dispensing the liquid from the device, a distal septum for introducing liquid in the reservoir, and a flow control mechanism for adjustably controlling the flow rate of the liquid dispensed from the device.

Abstract: There is disclosed an autotransfusion system which essentially is contained in a unitary housing section which enables a practitioner to utilize the system in a rapid and efficient manner. The housing section has integrally associated therewith a blood reservoir, which is a major component of an autotransfusion system. The housing has secured thereto a set of instructions which are adapted to be mounted on the arm of an IV pole and which, when positioned on the arm of the IV pole, specifies vertical distances necessary to perform autotransfusion during a blood collection or blood distribution mode. The housing section, as containing the reservoir, with the package and instruction component, is used as a yardstick to establish specified distances in order to control pressure as afforded by gravity.

Abstract: The invention provides an universally applicable transfer device for material such animal sperm or embryos to be implanted, having a catheter covered by a sleeve which is generally discarded after use and which is detachably held in place by a clamp, more especially an eccentric gripping device at the proximal end of the catheter. The design of the sleeve end is unimportant. At the distal end the sleeve tapers conically and externally it has a shaped member securing the conical form and a rounded form. The shaped member is mounted on the wall material of the sleeve. The external shaped member may be supplemented by an internal shaped member so that the distal sleeve end is gripped between the two. A cutting means integrated in the device ensures that the cartridges are cut accurately in the desired plane.