Abstract: Implantable ports and other devices are disinfected by the injection of an anti-microbial agent into a tissue pocket surrounding the device. In a first embodiment, the anti-microbial agent is injected through an aperture in the device to flush internal regions of the device before infusing the tissue pocket. In other embodiments, the anti-microbial agent is injected directly to a target site on the exterior of the device. Implantable devices may include special, usually hardened, target regions for receiving the sharpened end of a needle used to inject the anti-microbial agent.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus for a patient having a surgically created stoma in the stomach. The apparatus enables feeding liquids of varying viscosities without a suction pump. The simplified, replaceable feeding bottle design makes the apparatus useable by hospital personnel and by patients at home. A decorative cover provides additional privacy.

Abstract: A prefilled syringe including a barrel having an opening at opposite ends and an inwardly projecting annular wall at a distal end and a plastic film tube hermetically bonded to a needle-connecting member and the plunger at each end.

Abstract: Balloon catheters having the strength and maximum inflated diameter characteristics of an angioplasty balloon and having the recovery characteristics during deflation of an elastic embolectomy balloon. The balloon catheter can be made in very small sizes and has a lubricious and chemically inert outer surface. The balloon catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways, is capable of rapid inflation and deflation and has high burst strengths. Balloon covers having these same characteristics are also described for use with conventional embolectomy balloons or angioplasty balloons.

Abstract: A polymer with a hydrolytically labile backbone and having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.9 is an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group with up to 18 carbon atoms having a pendent carboxylic acid group or the benzyl ester thereof;R.sub.12 is an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group with up to 18 carbon atoms having a pendent carboxylic acid ester group selected from straight and branched alkyl and alkylaryl esters containing up to 18 carbon atoms and ester derivatives of biologically and pharmaceutically active compounds covalently bonded thereto, provided that the ester group is not a benzyl group or a group that is removed by hydrogenolysis;each R.sub.7 is independently an alkylene group containing up to four carbon atoms;A is selected from: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.8 is selected from saturated and unsaturated, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, aryl and alkylaryl groups containing up to 18 carbon atoms;k is between about 5 and about 3,000; andx and f independently range from zero to less that one.

Abstract: A urinary tract irrigating assembly for flushing a TURP-treated prostate gland having a surgically created central cavity. The assembly includes an elongated catheter having a drain port for draining the bladder contents; a discharge port for discharging prostate-irrigating fluid into the cavity; and a second drain port for draining spent prostate-irrigating fluid and other fluids from the cavity. Positioning means are provided for positioning the catheter with the first port located in the bladder and the second and third ports located within the prostate cavity. In use, a predetermined amount of irrigating fluid at predetermined time intervals is discharged into the prostate cavity through the discharge port while draining urine through the first drain port and spent prostate treating agent through the second drain port.

Abstract: A treatment of using pressure-driven blood infused with an antibiotic, analgesic or like pharmacological agent from a site of delivery to the patient to a site of pain or ache, in which significantly the noted blood movement is according to an established pressure gradient and supplements the pumping function of the heart, to thereby lessen the time interval of travel between the two sites.

Abstract: This invention pertains to blood vessel cannulation devices and methods for sensing the location of a blood vessel. The blood vessel cannulation device preferably comprises a mounting assembly for securing the device to a patient in the vicinity of a blood vessel, a rotating assembly mounted to the mounting assembly, and a guide housing mounted to the rotating assembly. Sensing guides in the guide housing receive one or more sensors which sense the blood vessel. Rotating the rotating assembly, and traversing the guide housing, enable bringing the bottom ends of the sensing guides into alignment with the blood vessel, correspondingly also bringing a cannula guide, in the guide housing, into alignment with the blood vessel. Cannulation, is improved by the alignment of the bottom end of the cannula guide with respective bottom ends of the sensing guides.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining the patency of urine flow through the human urethra, having an intra-urethral catheter (IUC), which has a potential through flow for the urine that extends over its length. The length of the IUC is shorter than the length of the urethra, and the IUC does not protrude from the urethral orifice at either of its ends. A transport means for the insertion of the IUC into the urethra is also associated with the apparatus. Devices are further provided on the ends of the IUC for producing a detachable connection between the IUC and the transport means. The IUC is disposed in the region of the urethra which passes through the prostate gland and the inner sphincter.

Abstract: A thin wall catheter introducer system for penetrating through intravascular tissue walls and for facilitating the introduction of a catheter through the tissue wall is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a sheath having a thin wall tubular member and a wire braid positioned about the tubular member for reinforcing the tubular member. The wire braid may include at least two intertwined wires wound about the tubular member. In another embodiment, the system includes a dilator for penetrating through an incision in an intravascular wall of a patient. The dilator may include a first tubular member and a reinforcing member which is positionable about the first tubular member to substantially inhibit buckling or kinking of the first tubular member. In yet another embodiment, the system includes a vascular access system for use in dilating and penetrating through an incision in an intravascular tissue wall and for facilitating introduction of a catheter into the incision.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe is disclosed wherein the medicine in the outlet tube leading to the hollow needle is caused to be injected into the patient. The expulsion of the fluid medicine from the outlet tube of the syringe is accomplished by an auxiliary piston which is normally carried by a primary piston. The mechanism used to force movement of the primary piston continues to drive an auxiliary piston, after the primary piston is stopped, to effectively force fluid medicine out of the outlet tube. Thereby, the amount of fluid medicine which may be discarded will lessen considerably.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is a catheter suitable for accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a stiffener ribbon, typically metallic, wound within the catheter body in such a way as to create a catheter having controllable stiffness. The stiffener ribbon is adhesively bonded to a flexible outer tubing member so to produce a thin wall catheter section which is exceptionally flexible but highly kink resistant. The catheter sections made according to this invention may be used in conjunction with other catheter sections either using the concepts shown herein or made in other ways. Because of the effective strength and ability to retain a generally kink-free form, these catheters may be effectively used in sizes which are quite fine, e.g., 0.015" to 0.020" in diameter, and usable within typical vascular catheters.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a low profile catheter valve comprising a movable sealer portion positioned within the inflation lumen of a catheter. The sealer portion forms a fluid tight seal with the inflation lumen by firmly contacting the entire circumference of a section of the inflation lumen. The sealer portion may be positioned proximally of a side-access inflation port on the catheter, to establish an unrestricted fluid pathway between the inflation port and an inflatable balloon on the distal end of the catheter. As desired, the clinician may move the sealer portion to a position distal of the inflation port, thereby preventing any fluid from being introduced into or withdrawn from the balloon via the inflation port. Also disclosed herein is an inflation adaptor for moving the sealer portion within the catheter to establish or close the fluid pathway between the inflation port and the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: An automated injection module is comprised of a housing, a piston drug capsule disposed within the housing, a piston core including a puncture seal membrane defining a reservoir for holding a drug between the puncture seal membrane and the piston drug capsule, an injection device having at least one sharp end for puncturing the puncture seal upon activation of the device, an end cap on a distal end of the housing, and a pressure source on a proximal end of the housing. The pressure source is preferably a propellant that ignites and forces the piston toward the distal end. Substantially simultaneously, the injection device pierces the puncture seal membrane, the piston core is forced into the piston drug capsule, and the drug is evacuated from the reservoir through the injection device and into a patient.

Abstract: A urethral occlusion device having a very malleable, flexible, deformable polymer occlusion band which may be easily wrapped about the exterior of the penis to provide sufficient pressure to prevent urine flow, but without restricting blood circulation. The occlusion band includes a silicone rubber shell with silicone gel liner surfaces which provide a washable, reusable, skin-sensitive bond when wrapped, and allow the band to be tightened to the patient's desired degree of compression. A plurality of pliant, deformable ribs are positioned on the occlusion band and oriented along the underside of the penis to mildly stretch the urethra to an occluded position.

Abstract: An implantable injection port consists of a very low profile housing with virtually no residual volume while maintaining a large target area for the needle.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter has a catheter body with an expandable member, such as a balloon, mounted to the exterior surface thereof. Preferably, means for preventing sticking of the expandable balloon to the exterior surface of the catheter body are provided. In one aspect, the catheter has an expandable member, preferably a balloon, positioned substantially equidistant from the proximal and distal ends of the catheter body. The retention catheter is positioned externally of the heart and partially surrounds the heart so that the balloon is positioned immediately adjacent the coronary sinus and when inflated, the balloon bears against the coronary sinus and at least one of the inferior vena cava and diaphragm thereby preventing inadvertent movement or removal of the RCSP catheter from the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for overpressure protection of a catheter from an indwelling catheter. A method in one embodiment includes injecting an agent into the catheter and relieving overpressures in the catheter during the injecting step. The agent is typically a declotting agent and the obstruction is typically a clot (e.g., blood clot). In one embodiment of the apparatus, a catheter includes a cannula and a first hub and a second hub, each of which are coupled to the cannula. The first hub is for receiving an agent which is placed into the cannula to remove an obstruction, and the second hub includes an overpressure relief valve for relieving an overpressure condition in the cannula. Other embodiments of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the percutaneous placement of gastro-intestinal tubes, the apparatus comprising a longitudinal penetration device; a hollow, tapered dilator; and a sheath having a central lumen extending therethrough. The penetration device is placed within the sheath, pushed distally to penetrate the target organ, and then removed from the sheath. After the penetration device is removed, the dilator is inserted into the central lumen of the sheath until it penetrates the target organ, so that the sheath and the penetration are radially dilated as the dilator passes through the sheath. The sheath is then pulled in the proximal direction to counter-balance the distal insertion force. A gastro-intestinal tube is inserted into the hollow center, and pushed distally until it exits the distal end of the dilator. The dilator and sheath are then removed from the target organ.

Abstract: An ear piercing assembly includes a disposable cartridge assembly including a first and second ear piercing earring and an ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly for releaseably supporting the ear piercing earring therein. A clutch retaining sub-assembly is integrally formed with the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and releaseably supports a first and second clutch therein. An ear piercing instrument is adapted to receive the cartridge assembly and includes a plunger assembly for ejecting an ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and is displaceable for selectively moving between a first position for ejecting the first ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and a second position for ejecting the second ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly.