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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: An apparatus having a pump reservoir and one or more microcatheters, for use in delivering and/or recovering fluid to and/or from a tissue site or for performing tissue engineering outside of the body. The apparatus can be used in a method to perform site specific microtherapy, including for the treatment of avascular necrosis, compartment syndrome, cerebral edema, and to improve skin flap survival in the course of reconstructive surgery.

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: A device for alternate sterile connection of a peritoneal catheter, permanently attached to a patient, to a drain tube and to a feed tube for a dialysis liquid, which apparatus comprises a shell in which a first chamber, a second chamber and a connection channel between said chambers are formed and filled with a disinfecting liquid. The chambers include respective couplings for releasable and repeatable coupling the peritoneal catheter and the drain or feed tube with the chambers in conditions of full immersion in the disinfecting liquid. This arrangement makes a tight sterile connection between said catheter and, alternately, said drain and feed tubes via said connection channel.

Abstract: The present invention comprises homeopathic dilutions of growth factors and methods for their use. Disorders which may be effectively treated with the compositions of the present invention include chronic viral disorders, such as HIV, AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome and Epstein-Barr viral infections, cancer, diabetes and depression. Homeopathic dilutions of growth factors are preferably administered orally. In an alternative embodiment, patients are treated with radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors.

Abstract: A medical dye delivery system includes a medical dye container and a syringe for withdrawing the medical dye from the container and delivering the dye to a patient. A valve is disposed in the system having an inlet in flow communication with the medical dye container and an outlet in flow communication with the syringe. The valve includes a housing defining a flotation chamber with a valve seat and a flotation member disposed therein. The flotation member seals off the valve seat opening upon medical dye depletion, forcing any remaining fluid flow through a bypass channel that provides restricted flow to provide a tactile warning to the operator of the system that the medical dye container is depleted, yet allow the operator to purge remaining dye from the system.

Abstract: An automatic needle retraction device includes a housing and retraction device for completely retracting a needle back into the housing after use. A selector switch device includes an equalization part, which produces a negative pressure to accept the fluid compressed during the retraction of the hollow needle. Thus, during retraction of the needle, compressed injection solution is not sprayed outward from the needle.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter having a catheter shaft with an oblong transverse cross-section with one transverse dimension in a first direction being significantly larger than a second transverse dimension in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first dimension is about 1.1 to about 3 times greater, preferably about 1.2 to about 2.5 times greater than the second dimension. In one embodiment, a length of the distal shaft section has inner and outer tubular members where about 30% to not more than about 90% of the inner periphery of the outer tubular member takes the shape of and is secured to the exterior of the inner tubular member. In another embodiment the flexible distal shaft section is an extruded section having an oval or elliptical transverse cross-section. Preferably a pseudoelastic hypotube of NiTi alloy defines at least part of the inflation lumen within the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A needleless syringe capable of accelerating particles comprising a therapeutic agent across skin or mucosal tissue of a vertebrate subject is provided. The syringe comprises an elongate tubular nozzle having a bend along its length and is connected to or capable of connection to a suitable energizing means for producing in the nozzle a supersonic condition sufficient to cause delivery of the particles to a target surface. A method for delivering particles comprising a therapeutic agent from the needleless syringe is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for visually indicating fluid flow through a fluid system or apparatus such as a medical infusion device. The apparatus comprises a pair of thin, indicia bearing films disposed in an overlaying relationship. These films are shifted relative to each other by movement of mechanical actuators which are deflected solely by the pressure of the fluid within the fluid conduits of the system of the apparatus. The two films are stacked in closed proximity and are preferably constructed from a substantially transparent flexible material such as mylar. One surface of the inferior film is printed with a plurality of integrated symbols depicting various fluid flow conditions. The superior film functions as a mask over the inferior film and is printed with a pattern of diagonally extending, alternating clear and opaque stripes. The print ratio of the superior film permits viewing at any one time of only one of the symbols printed on the inferior film.

Abstract: A drainage catheter system including a catheter, a collection bag, and a collection bag saddle, is provided. The catheter includes a catheter body having an interior lumen, an elongate tubular sheath operatively associated with the catheter body, and a layer of lubricant disposed between the catheter body and the tubular sheath. The sheath is inflatable after deployment to provide sealing engagement with an inner wall of the urethra. One end of the catheter body is adapted to be connected to the collection bag which includes a fluid entry portion having a one-way fluid valve, a gas separation chamber, and a one-way gas valve. The collection bag also includes a main liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid entry portion and a sealed drainage member for permitting drainage of the main liquid reservoir.

Abstract: The invention provides a handheld, manually operable fluid applicator, particularly suited to the needs of surgeons, which can dispense multiple medically useful fluids, for example fibrin and thrombin components of a tissue adhesive, and which has a smooth feel and action. The applicator has a novel actuator mechanism providing a comparatively higher mechanical advantage in a commencement phase of the actuator stroke and a comparatively lower mechanical advantage in a completion phase of the actuator stroke.

Abstract: A device for dosing medicinal fluids, in particular a feeding solution for enteral alimentation, has a pump unit (2) with a displacement element (15) and a drive unit (3) for the displacement element. The pump unit (2) can be separated from the drive unit (3) and is realized in the form of a non-reusable, disposable item. After the device has been used, the pump unit is simply replaced with a new pump unit, so that it is unnecessary to clean the parts of the dosing device that carry the fluid.