Abstract: An automatically shieldable blood collection set is provided. The blood collection set includes a needle assembly having a hub to which a needle cannula is fixedly attached. The needle hub includes a fin formed with a latch. A safety shield is telescoped relative to the hub and the needle cannula and can be moved from a proximal position where the needle cannula is exposed to a distal position where the needle cannula is safely shielded. The latch on the fin releasably engages the shield when the shield is in the proximal position. A spring is provided between the shield and the hub to propel the shield distally relative to the hub and into surrounding relationship with the needle cannula in response to movement of the latch.

Abstract: An animal fluid injector, replaceable syringe and method of replacement of the syringe in the injector are provided in which the syringe is loadable and unloadable into and from the injector without retraction of the syringe plunger drive or disconnection of the injection tubing. A mechanism in the injector, which includes, for example, a key on cam ring operated by a lever with one hand of an operator, interacts with structure such asymmetrically spaced notches on the back end of the syringe to, for example, rotate the syringe and simultaneously translate or rotate a coupling on the syringe plunger into and out of engagement with jaws of the plunger drive in the injector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for endoluminal delivery of fluid, such as therapeutic fluid, into the vessel wall that minimizes loss of the fluid. In one embodiment, a catheter for delivering fluid or therapeutic into a vessel wall is provided, wherein the catheter has at least one injector for delivering fluid and a sealing mechanism for preventing or minimizing passage of fluid through an unengaged injector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device, such as a stent or a balloon catheter that includes an expandable body portion which has an exterior surface that contacts a vessel wall during treatment. The medical device includes a first coating disposed over at least a portion of the exterior surface. The first coating includes a therapeutic substance that is intended for controlled release from the exterior surface. The medical device further includes a second coating overlaying at least a substantial portion of the first coating. The second coating includes a material that is generally impervious to elution of the therapeutic substance therethrough when the body portion is inserted into the vessel lumen. The material of the second coating is relatively inelastic so that the second coating fractures during expansion of the body portion to allow elution of the therapeutic substance through fissures formed in the second coating.

Abstract: A piston-type infusion pump is provided having an improved method of occlusion detection. The infusion pump includes processing circuitry for controlling the drive mechanism to infuse medication to a patient, including a sensor to track the position of the syringe plunger, thereby metering the amount of medication dispensed to the patient. The processing circuitry also includes a force sensor for providing signals indicative of the presence of occlusions along the infusion path. The operation of the drive mechanism causes delivery of medication to the patient. The infusion pump is constructed to be watertight.

Abstract: Embodiments of an injector, syringe, syringe interface, and piston/plunger assembly for an injector (of contrast medium, for example) are described. Preferably, the syringe is adapted to engage a syringe interface mechanism such that the syringe may be connected to an injector without regard to any particular orientation of the syringe to the injector or to the piston/plunger assembly.

Abstract: A housing that can be used to form and maintain a fluid-tight connection between a container and a medical device. The housing comprises an internal receiving surface circumscribing a cavity into which a fitting of the medical device can be inserted. The internal receiving surface comprises a first wall portion having a first contact annulus and a second wall portion having a second contact annulus. Upon insertion of the fitting into an opening in the cavity of the housing, the fitting forms a primary seal with the first contact annulus and a secondary seal with the second contact annulus. The primary seal is formed as the surface of the fitting contacts the first contact annulus of the internal receiving surface of the housing. The secondary seal is formed as the surface of the fitting contacts the second contact annulus of the internal receiving surface of the housing.

Abstract: A syringe having a breech and a slot adjacent an ampule chamber adapted to receive the body and nozzle of a collapsible ampule. A syringe includes a forward ampule chamber having a predetermined longitudinal length for dispensing a relatively low viscosity material. A closed ampule containing a relatively low viscous material is collapsible and is easily positioned and held within the syringe during dispensing. The nozzle slot permits easy insertion of the flexible collapsible ampule and removal once the ampule is collapsed. In one embodiment, a syringe barrel has flexible fingers used in combination with a plunger having a reduced diameter intermediate portion for preventing the plunger from falling out of the barrel. Low viscosity materials in a unit dose collapsible ampule are controllably and conveniently dispensed for use in many different applications. The present invention is particularly suitable for dispensing dental materials.

Abstract: A catheter handle includes a steering controller to be used in conjunction with a steerable catheter shaft, and a steering tendon tensioning device. The operator deflects the profile of a distal-end region of the catheter by rotating the steering controller. Spring devices located on the steering tendons maintain the steering tendons in tension during manipulation of the steering controller. A locking device locks the steering controller in place relative to the handle.

Abstract: A syringe for injecting a fluid, such as a contrast medium for radiological diagnostic imaging, is enhanced by hydrophilic treatment of interior surfaces of the syringe, reducing air bubble attachment to the syringe. Air bubbles that do form or that are drawn into the syringe fail to attach to, or readily release from, the interior surface and can be expelled prior to being used on a patient.

Abstract: A needle guard assembly is provided for mounting to the hub of a needle assembly. The needle guard assembly includes a guide that is engageable on the hub. An elongate U-shaped cover is hingedly mounted to the guide and can be rotated from a first position where the needle cannula is substantially surrounded by the U-shaped walls of the cover into a second position where the needle cannula is exposed for use. The needle guard assembly further includes a slide that is slidably engaged in the guide and movable from a first position where the slide cooperatively engages the cover for completely surrounding the needle cannula to a second position where the slide is spaced proximally from the cover, thereby permitting the cover to rotate into its second position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a drug delivery device. The device includes an interior chamber and a seal structure. In accordance with the present invention, the interior chamber may include a first, liquid medicament compartment and a second medicament compartment. The seal structure is conditionable to permit fluid to pass therethrough upon pressurization of the fluid. The seal structure preferably includes a sealing member which moves from a first sealed position into a second by-pass position upon pressurization of the liquid injection solution in the wet compartment of the housing assembly. Such by-pass movement of the sealing member enables the liquid injection solution to flow through the seal structure into the second ingredient compartment and mix for injection.

Abstract: A combination cantilever push tab and finger rest is associated with the needle shield and extends distally from the distal end of the needle shield. The cantilever push tab and finger rest includes a cantilever portion that extends distally from the needle shield, preferably from an exterior surface of the needle shield, and an upstanding tab portion at the distal end of the cantilever portion. This configuration causes the upstanding tab to extend over the proximal portion of the catheter adapter and allows a clinician to insert a catheter using virtually any clinically acceptable technique for inserting a catheter into a patient.

Abstract: An infusion catheter is formed with a catheter lumen extending from a proximal end connector assembly to a distal end valve that is normally closed but is penetrable to allow introduction of a guidewire through the catheter lumen and distal end valve and to thereby allow advancement of the infusion catheter over the guidewire, thereby allowing access of a distal infusion segment to a wide number of locations in the body. A plurality of, closely spaced, side wall infusion holes infusion holes extend from the catheter lumen through the catheter side wall in a high strength, catheter distal end, infusion segment. A therapeutic or diagnostic substance is pumped in a pulsatile manner through the catheter lumen under high pressure after removal of the guidewire and closure of the distal end valve. The infusion segment is preferably moved back and forth as jets of the therapeutic or diagnostic substance are emitted.

Abstract: An implantable drug infusion device includes a pump tube for holding a liquid to be pumped. A race is configured to support the tube. A roller assembly is configured to compress the tube against the race at one or more points along the path, and the roller assembly includes at least one roller. A tube guide is operably connected to the roller assembly to align the pump tube with respect to a corresponding roller.

Abstract: Disclosed is medical device, such as a mass injector, that has a protective cap disposed on it that minimizes or eliminates cross contamination, wherein the cap can be ejected in a quick manner.

Abstract: A surgical device for cleaning and removing obstructing material from within a vascular conduit or other bodily passageway. The device comprises a balloon catheter having an independently operable outer woven sleeve having a plurality of mesh openings. The woven sleeve surrounds the radially expandable and contractible balloon. In one embodiment, the outer woven sleeve is configured into a predetermined shape through manipulation of the catheter and used to maintain the inflated balloon within that predetermined configuration. In another embodiment, the woven sleeve is radially expanded by the inflated balloon such that the woven mesh is driven into the vascular conduit. The woven sleeve may be used to abrade the surface of the vascular conduit and increase the flow passage or alternatively as traction for various other surgical procedures within the vascular conduit.

Abstract: A pain management system for the infusion of drug to a wound site includes a guide needle placed within an introducer tubing. The needle and tubing are pierced through the patient's skin, after which the guide needle is withdrawn The infusion catheter is threaded through the introducer tubing and advanced to the wound site. The introducer tubing is withdrawn and preferably peeled off of the infusion catheter. In accordance with one embodiment, the catheter comprises an elongated tube with a plurality of exit holes along an infusion section of the catheter, and an elongated flexible porous member residing within the tube and forming an annular space between the tube and the member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes a plurality of exit holes, which combine to form a flow-restricting orifice of the catheter.

Abstract: A medication delivery device is disclosed having a hollow drill bit with a lateral opening that is adjacent to a beveled or sharpened tip of a hypodermic needle. The lateral opening, which can be a slot or a notch or hole, is located a distance proximal of the sharpened tip that is not less than the thickness of the tissue to be penetrated. This structure allows the hollow drill to penetrate bone and/or other hard tissues without being completely clogged by drilling debris. After drilling into the bone or hard tissue, medication can be delivered through the bore of the hollow drill. The lateral opening provides a clog-free passage for injection of the medication.

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.