Abstract: A penile erection assist method and apparatus treats male impotence by providing physiologically active vasodilating drugs to the penile erectile tissues in a manner which minimizes pain therein. The penile erection assist device includes an implantable storage unit which is implanted remote from sensitive penile tissue. The drug is delivered to the penile erectile tissue through sterile thin tubing which is implanted into the patients body with the proximal end in fluid communication with the storage unit and the distal end configured to be positioned adjacent proximal penile erectile tissues. This configuration advantageously preserves the intact function of penile erectile tissues by minimally intruding therein. Further, the device and method can be employed with patients having various etiologic origins whether the need is acute or permanent, according to the needs of the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed relating to an infusion catheter for treating a subject region with a treatment solution. A guide catheter allows the infusion catheter to be inserted into the subject and placed near a treatment region within the vascular system. A solution source is used to selectively inflate an infusion device. A passageway in the catheter body extends to an infusion device which has inner and outer chambers. Holes in a wall of the inner chamber route solution into the outer chamber and holes in the wall of the outer chamber route the solution into a subject vasculature. Solution pressure in the inner chamber is greater then the solution pressure in the outer chamber due to the relatively greater area of the holes in the outer chamber wall.

Abstract: An adjustable inflatable catheter having a shaft, two or more inflatable portions disposed on the shaft and means for adjusting the position of at least one of the inflatable portions relative to the shaft while the catheter is disposed within a body passageway, and a method for adjusting the position of at least one inflatable portion of a catheter relative another inflatable portion of the catheter while the catheter is located in a body passageway.

Abstract: A method of obtaining x-rays of blood vessels of the circulatory system involving injection of radiopaque dye using a novel balloon catheter is described. The novel balloon catheter has a tube with two separate lumens, for each conducting a separate fluid flow along the length of the tube. An orifice is provided in each lumen at the proximal end of the tube for separately introducing a fluid flow into each lumen. A distal tip end of the tube has perforations for perfusing fluid flow from only the first lumen to an exterior of the catheter. A balloon, provided proximal of the perforations of the distal tip end of the tube, is in fluid flow communication with only the second lumen to provide selective fluid inflation of the balloon.

Abstract: An aortic balloon catheter including an elongated tube device formed with a first lumen sized to communicate blood between an aortic lumen of an adult human patient and a location external to the aortic lumen. Mounted on the tube device is an inflatable balloon which is sized to resist or block blood flow through the aortic lumen. The associated method of using the aortic balloon catheter includes introducing the catheter into the aortic lumen of an adult human, positioning the first lumen and the balloon, inflating the balloon and withdrawing and perfusing fluids through the first lumen.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for administering local anesthetics and therapeutic medications during endoscopic surgery. The method of administering the medication includes inserting an endoscope having a hollow channel through a nasal cavity of a patient, inserting a syringe through the hollow channel and into a selected anatomical site, and inserting medicine into the selected anatomical site through the syringe. The apparatus used for administering the medication includes a tip portion, an outer flexible tube and a flexible member disposed at least in part within the flexible tube. The flexible member has a distal end and is connected to the tip portion at the distal end thereof. The flexible member may also be movable in an axial direction relative to the outer flexible tube such that in a first position the tip portion is disposed within the outer flexible tube and in a second position the tip portion is extended out of the outer flexible tube.

Abstract: A veterinary implanter includes an attached disinfectant dispenser including a reservoir for holding a quantity of disinfectant, a pump attached to the reservoir, and a special needle holder spray tip with the implanter including a conduit which has an inlet opening connected to the disinfectant pump. An exit opening of the conduit is coupled to the needle spray tip which is designed to spray disinfectant 360 degrees about the inlet end of a hypodermic needle cannula which is held in place against the spray tip by a threaded needle holder extension. The inventive disinfectant dispenser thus allows an operator of the implanter to selectively inject a quantity of disinfectant into the needle with each implant, with the disinfectant then being carried by the implanted pellets into a wound created by the needle.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to guide catheter exchange devices for exchanging a guide catheter advanced over a balloon catheter and a coronary guide wire without removing the coronary guide wire in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. In one embodiment, the invention pertains to a guide catheter exchange device for exchanging a guide catheter employed by a over-the-wire balloon catheter. In this embodiment, the exchange device comprises Section 1, Section 2, and a connecting device for connecting Section 1 and Section 2. Section 1 is a hollow wire having a soft tip, an inner diameter from about 0.012 inches to about 0.020 inches, an outer diameter from about 0.030 inches to about 0.040 inches, and a length from about 120 centimeters to about 160 centimeters. Section 2 is a hollow coiled wire having an inner diameter from about 0.012 inches to about 0.020 inches, an outer diameter from about 0.030 inches to about 0.040 inches, and a length from about 120 centimeters to about 160 centimeters.

Abstract: An injection cartridge of the dual-chamber type, which comprises a cylindrical cartridge barrel having a front chamber for a solid product and a rear chamber for a liquid product. The chambers are sealingly separated by a displaceable piston of a resilient material, and have an openable bypass connection for liquid from the rear chamber to the front chamber and a resilient sealing closure of the front end of the front chamber.

Abstract: An arrangement for mixing together two fluids includes a base and first, second, and third holding members each secured to the base. The first holding member is constructed and arranged to hold a first fluid holding device, such as a syringe, relative to a second fluid holding device, such as a syringe, and a connector. The second holding member is constructed and arranged to hold the second fluid holding device relative to the first fluid holding device and the connector. The third holding member is constructed and arranged to hold the connector relative to the first fluid holding device and second fluid holding device. The third holding member is positioned on the base in axial alignment with both the first holding member and the second holding member. A method for mixing two fluids includes connecting first and second syringes with a three-way stopcock. The connected syringes are positioned on a base containing three holding members.

Abstract: A cannula for deposition of an object in the body of a living organism, comprising a cannula holder having a first handle and a sleeve with a second handle surrounding said cannula holder at least in part and being axially movable in relation thereto, and having a mandrin extending inside the cannula, said object such as a medical long-term preparation, identification carrier or capsule containing a radioactive substance being depositable by a relative movement between the mandrin and the cannula receiving the object.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprises an elongated flexible member that has a proximal end and a distal end. The flexible member further has a plurality of lumens which extend from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. In one embodiment, a stylet is slidably receivable in one of the lumens and has a bent portion formed along the length thereof. The bent portion causes a segment of the flexible member in contact with the same to bend. In a second embodiment, the stylet is straight and the flexible member has a bent portion. In yet another embodiment, both the stylet and flexible member include a bent portion. A plurality of electrodes are secured around the periphery of the flexible member in a predetermined pattern. A plurality of electrical leads extend through the proximal end of the flexible member and through a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens. The electrical leads are adapted to supply electrical current to the electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering an agent to a treatment area. The apparatus includes a catheter that has a distal portion and a proximal portion. The catheter defines a lumen. A pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the lumen. A selectively inflatable member is also in fluid communication with the lumen, and is formed from a membrane. The membrane has first and second portions. The first portion defines pores sized from about 0.05 .mu. to about 1 .mu. and has a pore density from about 10.sup.6 pores/cm.sup.2 to about 10.sup.9 pores/cm.sup.2. The flux rate is from about 0.001 ml/(min.multidot.cm.sup.2 .multidot.atm) to about 0.4 ml/(min.multidot.cm.sup.2 .multidot.atm). The second portion is substantially impermeable.

Abstract: According to the invention, hydrating agents in ultrafine form may be incorporated in an organic coating solution with a uniform distribution that does not change due to settling. In preferred embodiments, the coating solution comprises salt dissolved in an appropriate organic solvent blend. In another embodiment, the hydrating agent may be in the form of ultrafine particles dispersed in the polymer solution. The dispersion may be obtained by adding a stream of the aqueous hydrating agent solution to the organic polymer solution in a controlled fashion, or salt particles may be formed in the polymer solution by acid-base neutralization in solution. The coating solutions are storage stable. When applied to a medical device, the coating solution produces a homogenous coating with desirable performance characteristics. The coatings of the invention adhere to the substrate but not to moist tissue with which they are placed in contact.

Abstract: The present invention includes a guidewire device capable of delivering perfusion fluids to a vascular site while at the same time exhibiting handling characteristics associated with existing non-perfusion guidewires. Preferred embodiments include a perfusion guidewire which closely matches the dimensions and physical characteristics of standard guidewires. Preferred embodiments also permit high pressure perfusion of supersaturated solutions, and include a liquid flow path which will not promote bubble generation or growth, or destabilize a supersaturated solution.

Abstract: A medical tube/wire holding device and method. The holding device (10) includes a flexible body (14) defining first and second end portions (16, 18), and defining an opening (20) therethrough disposed between the first and second end portions such that the body defines first and second engaging straps (22, 24) disposed on opposite sides of the opening (20) for engaging at least one medical tube (12) or wire. The holding device (10) also includes a mechanism for releasably securing the first end portion of the body of the device to a patient, and a mechanism for securing the first and second engaging straps about at least one medical tube or wire. The holding method includes the steps of releasably securing the first end portion (16) of the body (14) to the patient at a desired location, and positioning at least one medical tube or wire such that it traverses the body (14).

Abstract: A catheter-advancement actuated needle retraction system is disclosed herein. The invention includes a generally hollow barrel that houses a needle hub, which can include a flashback chamber. A needle is affixed to the distal end of the needle hub and is aligned to extend through an opening in the distal end of the barrel. The needle extends through a catheter hub and catheter affixed to the catheter hub. A spring is disposed in the barrel lumen to cooperate with the needle hub to urge the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel. A latch actuator is releasably engaged with the catheter hub. A latch which cooperates with the latch actuator is movable between one position which maintains the needle hub adjacent to the distal end of the barrel and a second position allowing the spring to urge the needle hub to the proximal end of the barrel. A mechanism may be provided to cushion the needle hub as it contacts the proximal end of the barrel by the force of the spring.

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 useable within typical vascular catheters.

Abstract: A new apparatus and method for irrigating wounds and for performing gastric lavage utilizes a novel cap that has a threaded end sized to screw onto available plastic bottles of sterile irrigation fluid or saline and a nozzle end having the shape of a syringe tip. The threaded end of the cap is screwed onto the plastic bottle of irrigation fluid and an intravenous (IV) catheter attached to the nozzle end. The plastic bottle of irrigation fluid is held and squeezed to direct a stream of irrigation fluid through the IV catheter and into the wound. For gastric irrigation, a nasogastric tube is attached to the nozzle end and the bottle of irrigation fluid held and squeezed to force irrigation fluid into the stomach.

Abstract: Catheter and method of manufacturing such catheter. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having an interior lumen extending therethrough. The interior surface of the lumen is geometrically configured to reduce friction and increase catheter performance. Additionally, the geometrically configured inside surface allows dye or blood to perfuse past the distal end of the catheter when engaged in the coronary artery. The catheter may also include a geometrically configured outer surface at its distal end having perfusion channels to allow blood to perfuse past the distal end of the catheter during catheter engagement.