Abstract: Balloon catheter comprises a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inflation lumen extending therein, and a balloon on the shaft which has an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The balloon is formed of a blend of polymeric materials comprising a transparent amorphous nylon having a Shore D duromcter hardness of not less than 77D and being not more than about 40% by weight of the blend, and a polyamide or a polyether block amide having a Shore D duromcter hardness of no more than 73D. An increase in radial diameter of the balloon above nominal pressure for one atmosphere of pressure is no greater than 0.025 mm/atm. A guidewire catheter is also provided.

Abstract: A syringe assembly includes a syringe barrel having an inside surface defining a chamber, an open proximal end, a distal end, and an outlet; a plunger assembly disposed at least partially within the syringe barrel, including an elongate plunger rod having a locking flange formed thereon; and a plunger head having a distal sealing surface, the plunger rod being engageable with the plunger head such that the plunger rod is adapted to move the plunger head within the chamber of the syringe barrel through an injection cycle; and a flange lock disposed at the open proximal end of the barrel. The flange lock is integral with the open proximal end of the syringe barrel. During the injection cycle, the flange lock engages the locking flange of the plunger rod so as to prevent removal of the plunger rod from the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A drug delivery system includes an automatic injector that can deliver a small, precise amount of a therapeutic agent. The automatic injector includes a chamber for containing a liquid component and a thin porous member that carries thereon and/or therein the small, precise amount of therapeutic agent. Upon activation of the automatic injector, a flow path opens from the chamber through the porous member, enabling the liquid component to rapidly mix with the therapeutic agent before being injected.

Abstract: A safety trocar assembly incorporating an airbag is provided to prevent overpenetration of the safety trocar assembly through an abdominal wall and into a body cavity. The safety trocar assembly includes an airbag cannula having an expandable airbag proximal of the distal end of the cannula. A sensing device is located at a distal end of the cannula for detecting changes in conditions at the distal end of the cannula. A trigger mechanism is provided on the cannula and operates to inflate the airbag in response to a change in condition detected by the sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical system 10 for aspiration of a biological material comprising a source of irrigation fluid 24, a collection cassette 30, a pump 40 for creating a vacuum in the collection cassette 30, a handpiece 50 applied to a surgical area for infusing irrigation fluid and for aspirating a biological material, conduits 60 and 62 connecting the handpiece to each of the source of irrigation fluid and the collection cassette, and means 70 for stopping the pump and preventing creation of vacuum within the conduit 62 and collection cassette 30 after receiving a stop signal.

Abstract: A disposable safety syringe in one embodiment includes a syringe barrel; a plunger comprising a push rod; hollow first, second, and third adapters for forming an airtight engagement with an inner surface at one end of the syringe barrel; and a needle threadedly secured to the first adapter to establish a communication with inside of the syringe barrel prior to beginning a liquid dispensing operation with respect to a subject. After injection and pulling the needle out of a subject, a pulling of the plunger can be stopped, a further pulling of the plunger can also be stopped when an annular cutting groove of the plunger is about flush with the other end of the syringe barrel with the needle being retracted into the syringe barrel, and a breaking operation along the cutting groove can break the plunger.

Abstract: A cannula support serves in supporting a cannula relative to a non-contact lens assembly and a positioning mechanism for positioning the non-contact lens assembly. The cannula support includes a cannula holder and a gripper disposed relative to the cannula holder. The cannula holder is provided for receiving at least a portion of the cannula. The gripper is adapted to cooperatively engage a portion of one of the non-contact lens assembly and the positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical portal apparatus includes a portal housing, an elongated portal member connected to the portal housing and depending therefrom, and a seal member comprising a resilient material and being mounted to the portal housing. The portal housing and the portal member have an axial bore for reception and passage of a surgical object. The seal member includes leading and trailing faces and has inner portions defining a passage to permit passage of a surgical object. One of the leading and trailing faces defines a plurality of recessed cells formed within interconnected struts. The interconnected struts are relatively flexible to flex upon radial offset manipulation of the object to permit corresponding movement of the passage while substantially maintaining a seal about the surgical object. At least some of the recessed cells define a generally rectangular arrangement. Preferably, the leading end face of the seal member has the recessed cells.

Abstract: During cryotherapy, using an endoscope that extends within a patient to a cold treatment site, the device of the invention vacuums gas from the site through radial intake ports to a cylindrical space in an evacuation chamber held elastically circumferentially about the distal end of the endoscope tube that carries the cryoprobe to the site.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an inflation/deflation system for a dilatation balloon comprising a receptacle, a pressure member, a sensing system and a data processing and display unit. The receptacle is adapted to contain an inflation fluid to be introduced into the balloon during its inflation. The receptacle also has an inlet/outlet port adapted for connection to the dilatation balloon; The pressure member is adapted to be axially displaced within the receptacle to cause the fluid to exit the receptacle via the outlet port. The sensing system comprises a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is associated with the pressure member to sense its axial displacement. The second sensor is associated with the interior of the receptacle to sense in a non-contact manner the pressure P of the inflation fluid within the receptacle, and to provide a corresponding data signal.

Abstract: An infusion system comprises a disposable wearable infusion device having a body arranged to be adhered to a patient's skin and a reservoir for holding a liquid medicament to be infused into the patient and a filler assembly arranged to be detachably received by the infusion device. The filler assembly is configured to receive a source of liquid medicament and provides a negative pressure to pull liquid medicament from the source of medicament to the infusion device reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter introducer comprising: a tube-like introducer sheath; an introducer hub having a distal section and a proximal section, wherein the distal section is joined to the proximal end of the introducer sheath and the proximal section defines a chamber; a needle extending through the introducer hub and the introducer sheath and having opposite proximal and distal ends, the distal end forming a needle tip; a needle hub attached to the proximal end of the needle; and a needle safety device slidably arranged on the needle, wherein the needle safety device is retained in the chamber of the introducer hub when the needle extends through the introducer hub and the introducer sheath, and is removable from the introducer hub once the needle tip is received in the needle safety device upon withdrawal of the needle from the introducer sheath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection device (1) comprising:—a container (5) receiving a product, and provided with an injection needle (6),—a housing (9, 11) receiving said container, said container being movable relative to said housing between an initial position, an insertion position, and a final position,—retaining means (12, 15), for maintaining said container in said insertion position,—deactivating means (20), for releasing said retaining means, said device being characterized in that it comprises:—temporizing means (19, 26, 27), for controlling the release of said retaining means until substantially all of the product contained within said container has passed through said injection needle before said container moves to said final position, and—a needle shield (2) coupled with said housing (9, 11) removal of said needle shield being with limited or no rotation of said needle shield. The invention also concerns a kit comprising such a device.

Abstract: An automatic pump relay system includes controllers coupled to drivers for sequentially discharging fluid from a plurality of medication containers into a coupler having a reflux barrier from which fluid is administered to a patient. The internal fluid pressure of the coupler is determined by a pressure sensing device or devices that provide signals to the controllers that, based at least on the sensor signals, cause the drivers to operate in reverse and forward directions so as to rapidly decrease and raise the fluid pressure within the coupler during a relay from an empty syringe to a filled syringe, thereby avoiding bolus formation and an interruption in infusion therapy. Independently operable syringes pumps are contemplated to be connected in relay fashion to form a modular system. An associated method is also disclosed wherein a fluid administration pressure is stored for use as a reference during a syringe changeover.

Abstract: Apparatus with a pneumatic or hydraulic or mechanical therapeutic catheter. The therapy energy required to treat internal vessels of the patient is transferred by the same fluid or the same elements from the proximal end section to the distal end section of the catheter that transfer information from the distal end section to the proximal end section of the catheter. The information provides understanding of the state of the vessel and how the therapy fluid of the therapy element of the catheter acts on the vessel.

Abstract: A relief valve incorporated within a Luer connector regulates the amount of air pressure applied by a syringe to a balloon at the end of a catheter to prevent bursting of the balloon.

Abstract: A connecting device for a catheter assembly is disclosed allowing a user to connect a catheter assembly to an adhesive pad which is then capable of anchoring the catheter assembly to a patient's leg. The connecting device may have an introducer body with an extension body and an attachment mechanism. The connecting device can be rotated along with or within a collar in a circular manner in order to facilitate the making of the connection with the adhesive pad. Additionally, the connecting device may contain an enlarged portion to enhance operability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-chamber medical bag, which is capable of obtaining a positive mixture of medicines, prior to the discharge thereof. A weak seal 24 is provided for dividing the space inside the medical bag 10 into the left-handed and right-handed partitions 26-1 and 26-2. The weak seal 24 has a first portion 24-1 extending between the partitions 26-1 and 26-2 and a bifurcated adjacent to and faced with an outlet port 12. Additional strong seals 30-1 and 30-2 are arranged on both sides of the second portion 24-2 and extend at right angle to the first portion 241 toward the strong seal 14 at the outer periphery of the medical bag. When the partition 26-1 or 26-2 is pressed, the resultant inflated deformation of the medical bag is mainly directed to the first portion 24-1 due to the existence of the additional strong seals 30-1 and 30-2, which allows the last portion to be separated, resulting in a mixing of the medicines in the partitions 26-1 and 26-2.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for sealing, or pinching, high-pressure fluid tubing (e.g., braided tubing) that may be used to deliver medical fluid from a powered medical fluid injection device, such as an injector that delivers contrast media and/or saline during angiographic or computed tomography (CT) procedures. In some cases, one or more low-friction, solenoid-based pinch valve mechanisms may be used. One example powered medical fluid injection device comprises an injector head and at least one pinch valve mechanism that is coupled to the injector head. The at least one pinch valve mechanism comprises a plunger, a reciprocating arm driven by the plunger, and a tube pinching area. The at least one pinch valve mechanism, when deactivated by the injector head, is configured to cause the reciprocating arm to pinch fluid tubing that runs through the tube pinching area.

Abstract: A prefilled syringe may be interfaced with and used to fill an infusion pump with therapeutic liquid. The dispensing end of the prefilled syringe may be coupled (either directly or indirectly using a syringe cap) to a syringe coupling region of the infusion pump, for example, using a threaded engagement or snap fit engagement. As the dispensing end of the prefilled syringe is coupled to the syringe coupling region of the pump housing, a needle passes through the pump housing and/or a needle passage region of the dispensing end such that the prefilled syringe is fluidly coupled to a reservoir in the pump. In various embodiments, the needle may be located in the syringe coupling region or in a syringe cap coupled to the dispensing end of the prefilled syringe.