Abstract: An angiographic injector system and a method of controllably delivering medical fluid to a patient from an angiographic injector system are disclosed. A multiple processor control system is used to actively control the injection process and to monitor sensed functions of the system. The multiple processors provide dual redundancy safety circuits for critical control functions such as syringe motor drive speed and current. A motor/servo-amplifier nested control function is also disclosed. A unique method and apparatus are disclosed for establishing injection parameter default values just prior to an injection procedure that are based on physiological values of the patient to be treated. The injector system uses an interactive display panel that presents sequenced set-up screens to the user and which enables the user to select injection procedures, parameters and other modes of operation directly through the interactive panel.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis are provided. To this end, in part, a cam arrangement for operating a series of valves in cooperation with a pump that pumps fluid to and from a patient, the valves including a supply valve, a drain valve, a from-patient valve and a to-patient valve is provided. The cam arrangement includes a camshaft and a series of cams connected to the camshaft. The cams are positioned and arranged to toggle back and forth between a first open position for the supply valve and a second open position for the drain valve, a third open position for the from-patient valve and the second open position, and the first open position and a fourth open position for the to-patient valve.

Abstract: An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the contents of a needle-less injector that contains an injectable product are described. A needle-less injector includes an adjustment switch in mechanical contact with the driver of a needle-less injector. A user may displace the adjustment switch to expel air or gas contained in the product section of the needle-less injector prior to administration of a needle-less injection with the same. The adjustment switch may alternatively or additionally be used to expel at least a portion of the injectable product contained in the needle-less injector to reduce the volume of the product to be injected with the needle-less injector.

Abstract: A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy catheter including a top portion having a conical shape, wherein the conical top portion is hollow and has an opening formed at the top end thereof. The opening has such size that an engaging head formed at a top end of a guide wire passes there through. The inside of the conical hollow top portion is larger than the opening in diameter, and the hollow conical top portion is provided with an engaging piece on the inside thereof, the engaging piece allowing the head of the guide wire, which is inserted through the opening, to pass therethrough and preventing the head from being pulled out.

Abstract: This invention is a device for shielding a needle to prevent accidental needle sticks. The device contains two shields that surround the needle (cap the needle), one of which attaches to the needle hub, and the second which extends beyond the tip of the needle. The second shield slides into the first shield thereby exposing the needle during injection. The device also contains a spring that holds the second shield in the extended position except when compressed, and a locking mechanism that secures the second shield automatically after injection in the extended position except when unlocked by the user prior to injection. The spring ensures that the second shield remains in the extended position when mechanism is unlocked, shielding the needle, except when the spring is compressed by pressure against the injection site, and when the needle is withdrawn from the injection site, the second shield is pushed back and automatically locked into place for disposal of the needle.

Abstract: A motorized pump is disclosed that includes a flexible diaphragm fitting within a rigid member, a motor drive mechanism for drawing a puller member attached to the diaphragm away from the rigid member to create a space between the diaphragm and the rigid member and form a negative pressure region within that space, and an outlet communicating with the negative pressure region. In one embodiment, the pump provides a negative pressure in a single chamber which can be used to operate one or two breast shield assembles. In another embodiment, the pump is particularly adapted for double-pumping and provides two chambers which generate vacuum.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for use in perfusion applications are provided. In the subject methods, a subject or derivative thereof, e.g. isolated organ or tissue, is infused, perfused and/or transfused with at least two fluid compositions. The first fluid composition is a non-naturally occurring biological buffer free plasma-like solution and the second fluid composition is a fluid blood composition. In a preferred embodiment, an additional volume of the first solution, or a derivative thereof, is administered to the patient following introduction of the fluid blood composition. Also provided are kits and systems for performing the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in variety of perfusion applications, including the treatment of hypothermic surgical applications, cryogenic procedures, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing ocular surgery, after an anterior capsulotomy has been made, by forming a sealed expanded capsular bag. The method includes sealing the capsular bag with a viscoelastic material to provide a gas tight seal to prevent leakage into the anterior chamber of the eye during the surgical process; expanding the capsular bag by introducing a gas capable of exerting a pressure on the inner surface of the capsular bag wall; inspecting and/or treating the capsular bag with one or several devices and/or agents suitable for performing inspection and/or treatment. The inspection and/or treatment can comprise any of visual inspection, estimation of capsular bag volume; labeling any residual epithelial cells to detect the presence thereof; removing residual epithelial cells, implanting one or more intracapsular implants; injecting a lens forming material for molding a lens in situ; drying the lens capsule; alone or in any combination.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for providing fluid communication with a hollow viscus at the skin surface. Said device, which comprises a tube integral at its ends with intravisceral (8) and cutaneous (6) support flanges, is characterized in that the tube consists of two parts (2,4) integral with a respective flange (6, 8), mounted axialy mobile for their relative but not spontaneously reversible displacement, the tube part (4) integral with the intravisceral flange (8), comprising external locking means (10, 12, 26) enabling the practitioner to perform said length on the basis of the cumulated thickness of the patient's walls through which it passes.

Abstract: A gastric tube apparatus comprising a tube and a weighted leader which are releasbly attached by a material which dissolves in the patient's gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus is introduced into a patient through a nasal opening. After the tube and leader are properly placed in the gastrointestinal tract, the attachment material dissolves and the weighted leader may be removed from the patient, leaving the tube in place for treatment of the patient.

Abstract: A guide catheter employs a retractable inner guide movably disposed within an open lumen of a splittable outer guide. The outer guide includes a longitudinal pre-stress line extending from distal to proximal ends. The inner guide includes an open lumen adapted to receive a payload. The inner guide is translatable and rotatable relative to the outer guide. The guide catheter further includes a proximally attached guide handle which is separable into at least two sections. Separation of the guide handle splits the proximal end of the outer guide. Proximal outer guide retraction continues the splitting of the outer guide along the longitudinal pre-stress line.

Abstract: An implantable device for delivering a drug includes a housing and a source of drug contained within the housing. An orifice mechanism is located at the housing and communicates with the source of drug. The orifice mechanism includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end and a winding helically wound around the inner member. The winding and the inner member define a first channel for carrying the drug therethrough. An inlet is at the proximal end of the winding and an outlet is at the distal end of the winding. The drug is carried by the orifice mechanism and dispensed outside of the housing.

Abstract: Microchip device arrays that can conform to a curved surface are provided for the controlled release or exposure of reservoir contents. The arrays comprise two or more microchip device elements, each of which includes a plurality of reservoirs that contain molecules for controlled release or components for selective exposure, and a means for flexibly connecting the device elements. The reservoirs can contain one or more drugs and/or one or more secondary devices, such as a sensor or a component thereof. Preferably, the microchip devices contain and controllably release therapeutic, prophylactic, and diagnostic molecules to and into the eye of a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: A fluid control apparatus is disclosed for controlling fluid flow between a catheter, an injector, a saline supply, a waste dump and a contrast supply. The apparatus includes a valve stem movable within a cavity disposed in a valve body. The valve stem is movable to a plurality of positions including a contrast position where the valve stem provides communication between the injector and a contrast supply, a saline/waste position where the valve stem provides communication between the injector and a saline/waste line and an injection position where the valve stem provides communication between the injector and an outlet port connected to the catheter.

Abstract: The invention concerns an implantable device (1) for delivering medicines in liquid form comprising: a reservoir (2) provided with an inlet (3) and an outlet (10), said reservoir (2) being adapted to expel the liquid; a variable volume chamber (5) provided with an inlet (11) and an outlet (12), the volume of the variable volume chamber (5) being in particular smaller than that of the reservoir (2); a first conduit (6) communicating the outlet (10) of the reservoir (2) with the inlet (11) of the variable volume chamber (5) to fill the latter; a second conduit (8) whereof one of the ends is connected on the outlet (12) of the variable volume chamber (5).

Abstract: A syringe assembly for administering a variety of fluids includes a syringe provided with a plurality of flow-isolated chambers, each of which is in flow communication with a respective lumen of a multi-lumen needle located downstream from the syringe. Each lumen is flow-isolated from the rest of the lumens and guides a respective one of the variety of fluids toward an outlet port formed in the needle so that the fluids mix with one another only upon exiting the outlet port.

Abstract: A device for administering an injectable product in doses including a casing having a receptacle for a container which contains the product and accommodates a piston such that the piston can advance towards an outlet for delivering a selected product dosage, a dosing member, with which a dosing movement can be performed relative to the casing for selecting the product dosage, a drive unit, which can be coupled to the casing and the dosing member such that the drive unit can be adjusted relative to the casing from a dosing starting position to a dosing end position by the dosing movement of the dosing member, an operating mechanism which causes the drive unit to perform a delivering movement by which the piston is advanced towards the outlet, and a restoring spring, which is secured in a tensioned state and is coupled to the drive unit by a release for causing a restoring movement of the drive unit towards its dosing starting position.

Abstract: The technical field is that of pre-filled disposable needleless syringes, operating with a gas generator (100) and used for intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections of liquid active principle for therapeutic purposes in human and veterinary medicine. The inventive needleless syringe (1) is characterised in that it comprises a compact architecture body (2) and the gas generator (100) is released by a cap (17) covering said body (2), said cap (17) being adapted to slide along said body (2). Said releasing mode provides the syringe with great stability (1) at the time of injection.

Abstract: A transdermal delivery device includes a plurality of microneedles for injecting a substance such as a pharmaceutical agent into or below the stratum corneum of the skin. The device has housing formed from a top and bottom wall to define a chamber for containing a pharmaceutical agent. An inlet port is provided in the top wall of the housing for supplying the pharmaceutical agent to the chamber and directing the agent to the microneedles. The housing can have a Luer lock type fitting for coupling with a syringe having a Luer lock collar to inject the pharmaceutical agent into the housing. The housing can be divided into a plurality of chambers by an internal wall for supplying different agents simultaneously or sequentially to a patient. The microneedles have a length of about 5–250 microns and generally about 50–100 microns.