Abstract: A medical device 10 particularly adapted for debriding an abscess, phlegmon, or hematoma in a human or veterinary patient, for removing debrided and other materials from the abscess and for draining the abscess first includes a flexible catheter 12 having a longitudinally extending flow lumen 14, a rounded distal tip 16, a side portion 18 extending proximally from the distal tip 16 and an oval or other lateral opening 20, 44 or 46 extending through the side portion 18. The device also includes a cutting cannula 22 positionable in and longitudinally slidable in the flow lumen 14 in the catheter 12. The cannula 22 has an open distal end 24 and a sharp, beveled circumferential cutting edge 26 formed on the open distal end 24, the circumferential cutting edge 26 being disposed perpendicularly to the flow lumen 14 of the catheter 12.

Abstract: A probe and nozzle assembly for reducing the pressure at which a needleless injector must deliver medicament for proper delivery are disclosed. In one embodiment of the probe, the probe is retractably located within an injector nozzle assembly. Upon activation of the energy source a portion of the probe extends past the nozzle assembly to deliver the medicament through a discharge channel. After activation the probe retracts back into the nozzle assembly. In another embodiment, the probe is fixed to the end of the nozzle assembly. In both embodiments the ratio of discharge channel length to diameter is greater than 6/1. The present invention also relates to nozzle assemblies with a discharge channel length to diameter ratio greater than 6/1.