Abstract: Water-soluble paramagnetic metalloporphyrins are used as contrast enhancing agents for magnetic resonance imaging. These agents exhibit excellent localization, non-toxicity and suprisingly high contrast enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery device designed to be implanted in an animal and for the administration of a stabilized growth promoting formulation. This device has a wall formed at least in part by a porous membrane which surrounds and defines a reservoir. The reservoir contains a growth promoting hormone and a stabilizer. Examples of such stabilizers include certain polyols, amino acids, polymers of amino acids having a charged side group at physiological pH, and choline salts.

Abstract: Autotransfusion apparatus is disclosed for employing a patient's blood as a source for providing a transfusion, and which can also supply anticoagulant and diluting solution to the blood collected from a patient. The apparatus including a cardiotomy reservoir for collecting the patient's blood, a blood filter for separating a filtrate from the blood, a blood retention bag for retaining the treated blood and from which the blood can be returned to the patient by gravity.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a base sheet of fluid impervious material, a top sheet of fluid pervious non-woven material, and an absorbent pad disposed between the top sheet and the base sheet. The top sheet is secured to the base sheet along the periphery thereof. The absorbent pad has a central portion and two side panels folded under the top sheet and over the central panel. A binder secures the side panels to the central panel to render the central panel more absorbent.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use in performing surgical operations such as anterior or posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions wherein the apparatus has means for positioning a target area at the center of an arc of a circle so that when the target area is positioned at a location relative to the anatomical center of the original attachment of the cruciate ligaments on the tibia and femur bones, kirschner wires may be pushed through guide means having a longitudinal axis coinciding with a ray emanating from the center of the circle and indicate the proper location for holes in the tibia and femur for the proper attachment of a cruciate ligament graft substitute. The apparatus is also used in the placement of kirschner wires to serve as guide wires in the performance of an osteotomy.

Abstract: Apparatus for accomplishing the permanent placement of a lockable clip around a target vessel to interrupt the continuity of the same in a rapid, safe and minimally invasive manner. The apparatus includes a trocar obturator and a hollow member in which the open locking clip is enclosed for delivery to a position proximate to the vas whereupon the trocar obturator is retracted such that the clip is locked onto the vessel to effect occlusion.

Abstract: A physiologically conforming solution for use in invasive medical procedures which is hypertonic with respect to blood serum and may, in fact, have a higher osmolality than synovial fluid. The solution is of particular utility as an irrigant in arthroscopic surgery in order to reduce the risk of swelling and injury of the synovial tissues and as a therapeutic treatment for swelling and subsequent inflammation of joints and soft tissue which occurs in certain traumatized and pathological states.

Abstract: This invention discloses disposable infusion delivery systems, in each of which fluid is drawn into a receiving and retaining housing and a piston is slideable in said housing. As the piston is moved away from a discharge end of the housing, at least one elastomeric member is stretched, with the stored fluid ahead of said piston discharged from said housing by the force developed by said stretched elastomeric member. This stored fluid provides a continuous flow of fluid to a patient. There are three arrangements shown. The first enables additive drugs to be infused into a fluid stream without purging. The second shows a syringe adapted to provide the disposable infusion device, and the third provides a fluid stream to and through a pressure transducer, enabling monitoring of blood pulses with minimum distortion.

Abstract: A dispensing device is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent. The device comprises (1) a housing defining an internal space, (2) an expandable composition in the space, (3) an aqueous sensitive beneficial agent formulation in the space, and (4) at least one passageway in the housing for delivering the beneficial agent from the dispensing device.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided to facilitate taping of the emplaced catheter onto the patient's body. The assembly comprises a catheter extending distally from a catheter hub. The hub has a hub axis co-axially aligned with the catheter and provided with a pair of opposed wings integral with the hub. Each of the wings having a proximal edge and a distal edge are such that a portion of at least one of these edges forms an acute angle with the axis of the hub of from about 35.degree. to about 55.degree. whereby the taping operation of the wings to the patient's body may be facilitated.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a wall surrounding a compartment housing a first layer comprising a drug formulation, a middle layer comprising a hydrophobic composition, and a third layer comprising a hydrophilic composition.

Abstract: An injection spray gun with a holder comprising: a sheathing adapted to receive a cylindrical ampule; a handle fastened to the gun; an actuating lever pivotally attached to the handle; a plunger guided in the holder and connected with the actuating lever; a piston located in the cylindrical ampule wherein movement of the plunger causes forward thrust of the piston; and a pressure limiting device being provided for acting on at least one of the actuating lever and/or the plunger.

Abstract: A bone nail for the treatment of upper arm fractures comprises a hollow shank adapted to be introduced into the medullary canal and slotted at the distal end, and an expansion screw adapted to be advanced into the shank through rotation of the screw so as to radially expand the slotted end of the shank. An inner thread is formed on the inner wall of the shank outside the slotted region for cooperation with the expansion screw. At least in the slotted region, the cross sectional profile of the shank is provided with alternating elevations and depressions on the inner surface of the wall of the hollow shank.

Abstract: A formulation chamber is disclosed comprising a wall surrounding a lumen containing a device for delivering a beneficial agent. The chamber has an inlet for admitting a fluid into the chamber and an outlet for letting an agent formulation leave the chamber. The chamber is adapted for use in an intravenous delivery system for delivering an agent formulation to a patient.

Abstract: A vacuum blood-collection tube comprising a tube-shaped vessel having an opening through which air can be removed, and a plug that makes the opening air-tight to maintain low-pressure conditions inside the said vessel, the raw materials of the said vessel being polyethyleneterephthalate, a copolymer of polyethyleneterephthalate, or an acrylonitrile resin, and the inner walls of said vessel incorporating a hydrophilic substance that is either difficult or impossible to dissolve in water and that prevent blood clots from adhering to the inner walls of said tube, a water-soluble substance, and a adsorptive inorganic substance.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for introducing anti-bacterial agents, for example, quinolone carboxylic acid derivatives into blood bag systems for preventing massive bacteria growth in stored blood and blood components. The quinolone carboxylic acid derivative can be added to a collection container before, during or after the collection of blood and blood components. The addition of a quinolone carboxylic acid derivative to blood bag systems allows for increase in storage time for blood and blood components without the threat of massive bacterial contamination.

Abstract: Radiation sensitive human cancers are treated with combined interferon and radiation therapy.

Abstract: A protective device and method for the removal and disposal of spinal needles. The protective device is comprised of a needle pulling assembly upon which is slidably mounted an external housing. In operation, a needle to be removed from a patient is engaged in the needle cradle portion of the needle pulling assembly. The external housing is moved into contact with the patient's skin and the needle is withdrawn by pulling on the pulling rod portion of the needle pulling assembly in a direction away from the patient. The needle is withdrawn into the interior of the external housing, thereby covering the entire length of the needle. The pulling assembly is then locked into place and the entire assembly including the withdrawn needle can be disposed of, thereby avoiding the possibility of needle pricks by contaminated spinal needles.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved injection reservoir of the type which is employed to permit subcutaneous inflation of inflatable, implantable prostheses such as tissue expanders. The improved injection reservoir has a lozenge shape when viewed from above which permits this injection reservoir to be more easily inserted and removed subcutaneously. In a more preferred embodiment, the injection reservoir has a low profile shape such that its height is no more than forth percent of its width.

Abstract: A needle attachment to be removably attached to the distal end of a syringe cylinder. The needle attachment comprises a needle carrying hub and a coaxially aligned hypodermic needle which is retained by friction within a hole extending through the hub. The needle includes a needle stop to prevent the detachment of the needle from the hub in a distal direction through the hole. The needle terminates at a needle catch that is spaced inwardly from the distal end of the cylinder. A piston assembly having a needle capturing receptacle located at one end thereof moves axially and distally through the syringe cylinder to expulse fluid medication and to selectively engage the needle catch of the hypodermic needle at the most distal aspect of the cylinder. The piston assembly is then moved axially and proximally through the syringe cylinder to detach the hypodermic needle from the needle carrying hub and relocate said needle from the distal end to a relatively proximal position within the cylinder.