Abstract: An automatic sampling device is formed of a syringe with a hollow needle, a plug formed of a soft elastic member and slidably engaging the needle to cover at least an opening of the needle, and a guide mechanism situated between the plug and the syringe. The guide mechanism holds the plug to allow the plug to hold the tip of the needle along a center axis of the syringe and to allow the needle to move through the plug from the tip to a root of the needle. When the tip of the needle is located in the plug, the opening of the needle is closed to prevent passage of a fluid therethrough. Thus, a sample gas does not leak through the opening of the needle due to diffusion. Also, since the mechanism for holding the rubber plug provided at the needle tip also acts as the guide for holding the needle tip on the center axis of the syringe, the needle does not generally bend even if a force in an oblique direction is applied to the needle tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an osmotically driven agent delivery system for delivering a beneficial agent. The osmotic delivery system includes an osmotic agent which operates by imbibing fluid from an outside environment, causing the release of a beneficial agent. The osmotic delivery system includes a liquid or gel additive surrounding the osmotic agent for enhancing start-up and lubricating the osmotic agent. The liquid or gel additive is an incompressible lubricating fluid which fills any air gaps between the osmotic agent and the walls of a chamber and substantially reduces start-up delays.

Abstract: A catheter balloon is provided with a balloon body that includes at least one bump provided on the outer surface of the balloon body, with the bump being made in one piece with the balloon body. The bump can include a pattern of bumps provided on the outer surface of the balloon body, with the pattern of bumps assuming one of many configurations. A method is also provided for making a balloon for use with a catheter, including providing a tubing having an outer surface and at least one longitudinal bump provided integral with and in one piece with the tubing on the outer surface, and forming a balloon from the tubing.

Abstract: A simple automatic opening and closing type of urination apparatus (10) comprises a flexible tube (110), a plunger (120), a bearing table (130), an elastic member (140), an electromagnetic solenoid (150), and an actuator (160). The flexible tube (110) has an inlet port (111) and an outlet port (112). The plunger (120) has a pushing portion (121) at one end and a contact portion (122) at the other end. The bearing table (130) is disposed below the pushing portion (121) of the plunger (120) for supporting the flexible tube (110). The elastic member (140) normally biases the pushing portion (121) of the plunger (120) onto the flexible tube (110) on the bearing table (130) to squeeze the flexible tube (110) between the pushing portion (121) and the bearing table (130). The electromagnetic solenoid (150) selectively attracts and repulses the contact portion (122) of the plunger (120). The actuator (160) selectively couples the electromagnetic solenoid (150) to a power source (170).

Abstract: A vascular access that can be used for hemodialysis and other conditions where a vascular access may be needed. A soft main tube made of PTFE is used with two extension tubes. The ends of the main tube are anastomosed to an artery and a vein. The extension tubes connected to the main tube at one end are connected to the dialysis machine at an opposite end. The entire graft (main tube) is placed in the subcutaneous or deep tissues except for the two exposed ends of the extension tubes which remain in the external position allowing an easy, non-traumatic access to the blood flow.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a flexible media bag having an outlet spout projecting therefrom. A passageway longitudinally extends through the outlet spout and communicates with the interior of the media bag. A diptube connector is mounted to the outlet spout. The diptube connector includes a stem having a first end with a barb radially projecting out therefrom and an opposing second end with an annular flange radially projecting out therefrom. The flange has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the passageway in the outlet spout. The first end of the diptube connector is received in sealed engagement within the first end of the diptube. The second end of the diptube is passed through the passageway in the outlet spout such that the flange on the diptube connector rests on the outlet spout. The outlet spout having the diptube connector mounted thereon is received in sealed engagement within a delivery tube.

Abstract: A vial comprises a tubular syringe barrel (1) closed at one end (2) and open at the other, a stopper in the open barrel end formed by a piston head (4) of a syringe, and valve means (10) in the barrel between the stopper and the closed barrel end. The valve means (1) is normally closed and actuatable to an open condition by movement of the stopper into the barrel, and is slidable with the piston head (4) to the closed barrel end (2).

Abstract: The method of applying screening or treatment fluid to tissue, and employing an elongated carrier, having a first end portion; a flexible outer container having a generally tubular second end portion and a frangible inner container protectively located within the outer container, there being screening or treatment fluid within the inner container, and a fluid applicator carried by the flexible outer container, to communicate with the interior of the outer container which includes a connector having a body defining oppositely projecting third and fourth end portions, and interfitting the third and fourth end portions with the first and second end portions, respectively, so that the elongated carrier is substantially rigidly joined to first end portion of the flexible outer container, exerting pressure on a pressure application region of the outer container spaced from the connector body, and sufficient to rupture the inner container, thereby releasing screening or treatment fluid into the interior of the outer