Abstract: Full-flow cardiac assist is provided for cardiogenic shock patients without major surgery by a miniature axial-flow pump which can be inserted into the heart through the femoral artery and driven via a flexible cable from an external power source. The cable is contained within the catheter attached to the pump. The catheter also provides a conduit to supply the pump bearings with a blood-compatible purge fluid at a rate and pressure sufficient to prevent thrombus formation and introduction of blood elements between rotating and stationary elements of the pump. Due to the very small diameter of the pump, rotational speeds on the order of 10,000 to 20,000 rpm can be used to produce a blood flow on the order of about four liters per minute without significant hemolysis.

Abstract: A needleless hypodermic injector includes an elongated cylindrical casing defined by front and rear telescoping sections, with an injection orifice at the closed front end of the front section and a push button trigger at the rear end of the rear section. A piston slidably mounted in a cylinder in the front section of the casing moves rearwardly to define a medicine chamber for receiving medicine from a bottle directly or through a valve incorporated in the front end of the front casing section. The piston is moved rearwardly by an internally threaded collar on the externally threaded cylinder, the collar pressing against a bushing, which presses against disc springs in the rear section of the casing. A latch mechanism retains the bushing against the springs until the trigger is pressed, at which time the springs drive the piston forward to discharge the medicine from the chamber through the injection orifice.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for packaging in sterile condition within a protective removable envelope is provided. The catheter assembly includes a shield structure incorporating an elongated hollow body defining a bore therethrough. The body is separable into two halves and each half of the body has a portion of the shield structure supported therefrom. A catheter has its distal end slidingly telescoped into one end of the bore and a tubular lubricant reservoir is provided and includes a first open end and a second collapsible bulbous end. The open end is telescoped over the distal end of the catheter and into the corresponding end of the body bore. The reservoir has a frangible seal within its open end and telescoping engagement of the open end of the reservoir into the body bore functions to clamp the distal end of the catheter against withdrawal from the body bore.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprises a main body having a path formed therethrough, through which a tubular member is insertable or drawable. A valve body is provided in the path of the main body, maintaining at least a liquid-tight state with the rod-like member, when the path is opened by the rod-like member inserted through the path, and closing the path at least in the liquid-tight state, when the rod-like member is not inserted through the path. The valve body has two end faces. The valve body is formed with a first slit openable in one of the end faces and a second slit openable in the other of the end faces. The first slit and the second slit cross each other in the valve body.In consequence, rod-like members being of widely varied outer diameters are inserted through the path of the main body and held therein in a liquid-tight state to thereby reliably prevent blood leakage. Also, blood flow-out when the rod-like member or members are abruptly withdrawn from the path of the main body is reliably prevented.

Abstract: A dispensing device adapted to be attached to a container having a fluid-dispensing opening through which fluid is to be controllably dispensed into an eye of a user wherein the dispensing device includes an attaching member which is adapted to be operatively coupled to the exterior of the container and positioned with the fluid-dispensing opening extending in a predetermined direction therefrom and a support member including a first end which is operatively coupled to the attaching member and a second opposed end which is located in a predetermined direction and which extends beyond the fluid-dispensing opening wherein the second opposed end terminates in a curvilinear, blade-like everting member having an outer ribbed edge which is adapted to be positioned against the outer skin below the lower eyelid and over a portion of the bone structure defining the eye socket of a user wherein the outer ribbed edge is capable of being urged against the bone structure with the skin therebetween to urge the skin in a do

Abstract: A pressure regulated system for an irrigation system including a reservoir of irrigation fluid, a pump, catheters for providing access to and egress from the irrigation site and a pressure regulation circuit, all connected in series with one another. The pressure regulation circuit includes a flow restriction branch having a normally-open valve and a variable orifice, diaphragm-operated, restrictor and a pressure accumulation branch, having a check valve, accumulator, and a normally-closed valve. A conduit running from the pressure accumulation branch to the diaphragm controls the pressure regulator. The operator may raise the pressure by closing the normally-open valve to direct pump flow to the pressure accumulation branch and thereby restrict the orifice of the pressure regulator until the desired pressure has been reached, and then releases the valve to maintain that pressure.

Abstract: A volumetric infusion actuator providing a slot means for receiving a valved cassette having exposed valve pads. An actuation means for automatically moving individual arms into and out of engagement with the valve pads according to a predetermined cycle which governs flow through the cassette.

Abstract: A central venous pressure catheter has a long flexible tube containing at least three channels or lumens. At a tip end of the catheter a balloon surrounds the tube and is inflatable via one of the channels. A distal port and a proximal port in the wall of the tube are located on either side of the balloon, respectively, and are connected to the other two channels, respectively. The tip end of the catheter may be inserted via a jugular vein into a patient's superior cava vein near the heart. The balloon is inflated to partially obstruct the flow of blood and to increase the blood pressure at a site of surgery at the head or neck of a patient in the upright position to avoid air embolism as well as to prevent bleeding there. The differential pressure, e.g. in cm H.sub.2 O, between the two ports is made equal to the vertical distance between the distal port and the site of surgery by adjusting the size of the balloon.

Abstract: An aortic root cannula for use in open heart surgery which combines a luer line for connection with an extracorporeal circuit outside the chest cavity with a left heart vent line and a pressure monitoring line all merging into a base unit having a single cannula for heart wall penetration. A composite base unit is formed of two parts integrated to provide the merging passages to perform the multiple functions.

Abstract: An dispenser characterized by provision for use of a replaceable needle and a prefilled cartridge.The dispenser comprises an elongated body separable into two body sections, with the front end section adapted to contain a prefilled cartridge and with provision at the front end for mounting a needle removably thereon.The back end section contains the operating mechanism shown by FIG. 10 to convert the longitudinal movement of a pushable element into unidirectionally rotary movement, then into longitudinal movement of a piston rod that acts to expel fluid through the needle.A multipurpose cap is protective of the needle end when mounted on the front end, and is an operating member when mounted on the rear end, as is illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2.

Abstract: The intravascular expandable device is adapted to be inserted within and through the lumen of a blood vessel and to be manipulated therethrough to a stenotic area where it can be operated for re-establishing desired blood flow through the blood vessel. The device comprises an elongate tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end, an expandable pressure applying assembly including a flexible tubular member mounted to the distal end of the tubular body and a mechanism operable to expand the tubular member outwardly. A tip member is connected to the distal end of the flexible tubular member and an expansion and retraction control mechanism is coupled to the pressure applying assembly for expanding, maintaining expanded or retracting the flexible tubular member relative to a stenotic area within the blood vessel. Preferably, passage means are provided around or through the pressure applying assembly in the device so that the flow of blood through the vessel is not interrupted.

Abstract: A tracheostoma valve assembly for use with a tracheostomy tube or a speech prosthesis device includes a tubular housing structure containing a spring biased main valve which, during normal vegetative breathing, will remain open, and which, during normal air flow associated with speech, will close. The valve assembly includes a separate external relief valve which is closed during normal vegetative breathing and speaking and which opens to release the increased air pressure within the tubular housing resulting from a substantially increased air pressure within the valve assembly and automatically closes when the air pressure is reduced in the valve assembly.

Abstract: A plural dosage automatic injector comprising an elongated tubular housing assembly having side by side first and second medicament injecting assemblies each including a container, a hypodermic needle, a liquid medicament and a plunger within the forward end portion thereof and, first and second stressed spring assemblies in the rearward end portion thereof disposed in operative relation with said first and second medicament injecting assemblies for operating the latter. A manually operable safety device is provided which includes a first safety pin operable (1) when in a safety position with respect to the first spring stressed assembly to prevent actuation and release thereof and (2) when removed from its safety position to permit the actuation and release of the second stressed spring assembly.

Abstract: A trocar apparatus and method for introducing a drainage catheter into a drainage area of the body. The trocar includes a hollow cannula and a rod. The rod has a closed distal end and is longer than the cannula so that it can slide into the cannula and, when fully inserted, project a predetermined distance past the distal end of the cannula. The proximal ends of the cannula and the rod have respective supports which will contact one another to limit the forward motion of the rod into the cannula and an interfitting device cooperatively disposed on the supports to permit the user to hold the rod and the cannula in fixed relationship during insertion of the trocar. A catheter holder is placed on the cannula support. The projecting end of the rod is inserted into a drainage opening in the distal tip of the catheter, and a proximal portion of the catheter is held in the catheter holder, so that prior to insertion the catheter is aligned generally along the outside of the cannula.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device to one end of which a syringe can be connected and to the other end of which the mouth or opening of a bottle containing a drug or medicine can be connected. The device comprises a closed chamber having enclosed therein a needle which is in connection with the syringe. Members are provided by means of which the mouth or opening of the bottle is steadily connected to the device and means enabling the needle to perforate a seal plug and then a small rubber plug mounted on the bottle only when the device is blocked onto the bottle so that in any case it cannot be disconnected therefrom. Such a device can be disconnected from the bottle only after the needle has been caused to reenter the closed chamber, so as to prevent any possible dripping of the liquid outside of the device.

Abstract: System for stereotaxic lateral extradural disc puncture has a frame fitting over the patient which provides for proper location of the cannula of the needle. The frame has a pair of right-angle members. A lower bridge frame extends horizontally and is clipped to the vertical legs of the right angle members by magnetic clips. A bridge clip fits onto the lower bridge frame and is longitudinally slidable thereon. The stem of the cannula guide slides vertically in the bridge clip. A half-channel on the top of the stem comprises the cannula guide and a bead chain fixed near the half-channel insures that the stem is vertical. Forward and rear heading guide supports are magnetically attached to the horizontal legs of the right-angle members. These supports hold magnetic strips by which a transverse disc overlay strip is held in place. A second bead chain depends from the forward end of the disc overlay strip to locate the proper alignment of the point of the cannula.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe capable of pre-filling aseptically from either end. Both ends of the rimmed syringe barrel are sealed and capped with standard vaccine or syringe vial closures and crimped aluminum seals. Both ends of the pre-filled and sealed syringe maintain assured sterility integrity by guaranteed microbe-proof barriers during the entire shelf life of package or container. The syringe is prepared for use by simply removing protective caps or seals. The needle assembly is packaged separately and placed in position on syringe by a simple action.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis which is adapted for surgical implantation includes a pair of fluid fillable prosthetic members and a fluid reservoir containing a supply of the fluid. A pump pumps fluid from the reservoir to the prosthetic members. The pump includes a valving section which is fluidly connected with the reservoir and the prosthetic members, and a pumping section for pumping the fluid from the reservoir to the prosthetic members. The valving section includes a deformable housing with a supply inlet passage fluidly connected to the reservoir and two outlet passages, each outlet passage fluidly connected to a corresponding prosthetic member. Each passage has a check valve for directing the flow of fluid from the reservoir, through the pumping section and into the prosthetic members. When the valving section is manually deformed, the check valves are placed in an inoperable state permitting flow of the fluid from the prosthetic member, through the pumping section, and back into the reservoir.

Abstract: A locking mechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in use with a drug delivery system having a control module and a reservoir module. The reservoir and control modules are removably hinged together at one end and are held by the locking mechanism of the present invention at the other end. The locking mechanism includes a latch button rotatably and slideably mounted about a longitudinal axis in the control module. A locking bolt is further provided rotatably received on an eccentric portion of the latch button. The locking bolt is prevented from sliding on the latch button by a pin extending in the latch button and is also prevented from rotating with the latch button by its slideable receipt in tracks formed in the control module.

Abstract: An elongated aspirating needle guide made of flexible plastic such as polypropylene and an elongated flexible aspirating needle having a medial plastic tubular portion made of PVC and terminating at ends with metallic needle portions. The guide has a base portion and an upper portion and has an elongated opening through the upper portion which receives the elongated aspirating needle. The opening in the elongated guide terminates short of the distal end of the guide. The base portion of the guide is wider than the upper portion and the base portion also extends distally from the upper portion. The distal end of the base portion is adapted to overlie the inner surface of the operator's finger adjacent the distal end of the finger of the operator who will utilize the device so that the flexible base portion protects the inner surface of the finger while being sufficiently thin enough to allow tactile palpation to be conducted through the distal end of the base portion.