Abstract: A trocar system including a cannula and an obturator assembly being at least partially insertable through the cannula. The obturator assembly including a housing, a penetrating tip disposed at a distal end, an elongated shield including a guard extending from a shaft are movable relative to the penetrating tip, and a latch mechanism disposed generally within the housing. The latch mechanism facilitates changing the configuration of the obturator assembly between a fixed-shield orientation, wherein at least a portion of the guard is maintained to extend at least partially distal of the penetrating tip to prevent puncturing of tissue by the penetrating tip, to a non-fixed shield orientation whereby upon application of force to the distal end of the obturator assembly, the guard and penetrating tip are permitted to move relative one another to facilitate puncturing of tissue by the penetrating tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device such as an injector for self-administration of a medicament. Those using such devices are often infirm or have impaired vision. There is accordingly a dead for a medicament delivery device in which an amount of a dosage of medicament to be delivered can be selected relatively quickly by the firm and infirm alike and in which the amount of the dosage may readily be controlled and determined. Also there is a need to display the amount of the dialed dosage of medicament on the rotatable knob in figures sufficiently large and clear to be legible by those having a degree of impaired vision.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon includes a balloon layer having an outer surface and a strengthening rod connected to the outer surface of the balloon layer. The strengthening rod may be connected longitudinally on the outer surface of the balloon layer. Typically, the balloon is formed of a polymer like polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: Since this syringe has projections provided on the rear surface of a flange of a syringe barrel, when it is inserted in an insertion groove of a cylinder holder, the tips of projections are compressed and the flange is fixed. Consequently, even when a solution having high viscosity is injected at higher pressure, breakage does not occur easily. Further, pressure-receiving area may also be increased by providing a guide defining mounting direction of a syringe, alternatively, a positioning mechanism may be provided so as to obtain mounting at a correct position, or the surface of a flange may be roughened.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe has a hollow body adapted to hold a liquid, an inner cap fitted over an end of the body, and an axially extending needle seated in the inner cap and having an outer point projecting axially outward from the inner cap and an inner point projecting axially inward from the inner cap toward the body. An outer cap fittable over the inner cap and needle is connected to a clamp ring engageable around the inner cap by a frangible web. Interengaging formations on the ring and on the inner cap releasably retain the outer cap in an outer position spaced axially outward of the body and in which an interior of the outer cap is open to the exterior and an inner position spaced axially closely to the body and in which the interior of the outer cap is not open to the exterior.

Abstract: A syringe assembly having passive disabling structure includes a barrel and a plunger rod assembly. The plunger rod assembly includes a plunger rod and a stopper connected by an indexing locking element. The number of strokes of the syringe plunger before the stopper is locked into the barrel rendering the syringe assembly unusable is determined by the number of detents on the plunger rod and stopper which engage the locking mechanism. Upon completion of the final delivery stroke, any attempt to withdraw the plunger rod from the barrel will cause the locking element to engage the barrel and trap the stopper in the barrel preventing further use of the syringe.

Abstract: A syringe assembly having passive disabling structure includes a barrel and a plunger rod assembly. The plunger rod assembly includes a plunger rod and a stopper connected by an indexing locking element. The number of strokes of the syringe plunger before the stopper is locked into the barrel rendering the syringe assembly unusable is determined by the number of detents on the plunger rod and stopper which engage the locking mechanism. Upon completion of the final delivery stroke, any attempt to withdraw the plunger rod from the barrel will cause the locking element to engage the barrel and trap the stopper in the barrel preventing further use of the syringe.

Abstract: Pre-filled injection ampoules for administering a readily-available dose of fluid medication, are provided with a retractable needle. The needle is held in a projecting configuration from a barrel against a rearward bias exerted on the needle by a spring located within a spring housing. A piston is positioned within the barrel for expelling the fluid medication therefrom. The piston is configured to release the needle after completion of an injection stroke and to receive the needle in an internal cavity. In alternative embodiments, a retractable-needle injection device includes a housing for receiving a pre-filled medication cartridge of the type having a slidable piston positioned therein. A stationary plunger is located within the housing for maintaining the piston at a fixed location as the cartridge is urged into the housing to administer an injection. After the end of an injection stroke, the cartridge is further urged into the housing to release a effectuate retraction.

Abstract: A fluid collection or infusion set is provided. The set includes flexible tubing with a fitting attached to a proximal end and a needle assembly attached to the distal end. The needle assembly includes a needle hub and a needle cannula secured in the hub. An actuator arm extends proximally and outwardly from the needle hub and has an actuator button at its free end. The needle assembly is disposed in a barrel and can move from a distal position where the needle cannula is exposed to a proximal position where the needle cannula is shielded. A spring is disposed in the barrel for propelling the needle assembly to the proximal position. The barrel includes an actuating aperture that receives the actuator button for locking the spring in a compressed condition. Depression of the actuator button enables the spring to propel the needle assembly into its proximal shielded position.

Abstract: Cardioplegia is delivered to a heart vessel by conducting the cardioplegia through an infusion lumen of a cannula. The cardioplegia communicates with a balloon disposed on a distal end of the cannula to cause the cardioplegia to inflate the balloon into sealing contact with a wall of the coronary sinus. The flow of cardioplegia is halted while preventing drainage of cardioplegia from the balloon, to maintain the balloon in its inflated state until such time as the flow of cardioplegia is resumed. Drainage of cardioplegia from the balloon is prevented by causing a valve to be shifted to a closed position blocking communication between the infusion lumen and the balloon. The valve can be shifted manually, or automatically in response to the halting of the delivery of cardioplegia.

Abstract: A medical device known as an implantable therapeutic substance delivery device is configured for implanting in humans to deliver a therapeutic substance such as pharmaceutical compositions, genetic materials, and biologics to treat a variety of medical conditions such as pain, spastisity, cancer, and many other conditions. The therapeutic substance delivery device has a permanent magnet solenoid pump that is energy efficient, accurate, small, compatible with therapeutic substances, and has many other improvements. The implantable therapeutic substance delivery device has a housing, a therapeutic substance reservoir, a power source, electronics, and a permanent magnet solenoid pump. The therapeutic substance reservoir is configured to contain a therapeutic substance and is coupled to the housing. The power source is carried in the housing to power the electronics and solenoid pump. The electronics are coupled to the solenoid pump and the solenoid pump is coupled to the therapeutic substance reservoir.

Abstract: A safety syringe has a simple structure, is convenient to use, and has a low cost. The safety syringe includes a sliding casing, a needle, a syringe barrel, a piston, a latching casing, a spring and a plunger inside the syringe barrel. The safety syringe can be easily used to carry out an injection and has a safety mechanism that can be actuated using a single hand. The sliding casing can be automatically positioned and locked in two directions. This design guarantees that, during processing of the syringe after it is used, the needle's point is always protected by the sliding casing. The safey syringe is also auto-locking; after it has been used, the plunger is locked in the syringe barrel and cannot be pulled out any longer. Any attempt to use the syringe again will cause the plunger to be broken and the syringe to be damaged, thus ensuring a one-time use.

Abstract: A method of treating abnormal biological conditions arising in and/or affecting the vagina involves supplying a flow of water to the vaginal canal while a treatment device having an external surface of stainless steel is disposed therein so as to primarily or preventatively treat an existing or potential abnormal biological condition including fungal, bacterial, viral, inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. The supply of water to the vaginal canal while the stainless steel of the treatment device is disposed therein causes a natural reaction to occur in the vaginal canal which prevents and/or normalizes abnormal biological conditions.

Abstract: A medical cauterization snare includes a tubular member such as a catheter, a rod or wire disposed at least partially inside the tubular member, and a resilient loop of a first size attached to a distal end of the rod or wire. The loop includes a nose on a side of the loop opposite the wire. The loop further includes two loop sections each extending between the wire and the nose. The loop sections are each formed with a respective notch or dent for enabling a use of the loop in a second size smaller than the first size. Positioning the loop relative to the tubular member so that the notches or dents are disposed at a mouth opening of the tubular member generates this secondary deployment configuration.

Abstract: A method of treating an abnormal biological condition involves the steps of introducing a metal oxide into the vaginal canal and repeating the step of introducing at regular intervals to treat an abnormal biological condition. The abnormal biological condition treated in accordance with the present invention may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Treating may involve treating at least one of an abnormal fungal, bacterial, biofilm, viral, inflammatory or neoplastic biological condition.

Abstract: A catheter appliance having a catheter in fluid communication with a luer connector is releasably secured to a catheter applicator having a track for slidably mounting a needle carrier module. The needle carrier module includes a hypodermic which extends through the catheter for insertion and which is in fluid communication with a flashback indicator on the module. The catheter applicator includes a needle cavity for containing the hypodermic needle after use.

Abstract: A syringe or cartridge having a hollow barrel with an open end and a second end suitable for attaching a needle assembly. A master plunger assembly that includes a master plunger and a plunger member is mounted in the barrel for longitudinal movement therein. A slave plunger is mounted in the barrel for longitudinal movement therein, and is located between the master plunger assembly and the second barrel end so as to define two chambers. The first chamber a liquid chamber and is between the slave plunger and the second barrel end, and the second chamber is a pneumatic chamber and is between the slave plunger and the master plunger assembly. The liquid-containing chamber is suitable for containing a liquid to be dispensed from the syringe, and the pneumatic chamber contains a gas such as air.

Abstract: Flexible microconduits integral at a proximal end to a substrate and adapted for connection to a biological environment at the distal end are provided. Also provided are microsystems with at least one flexible microconduit integral at a proximal end to a substrate and with a distal end that is adapted for connection to a biological environment. The microconduits may be fluid conduits, electrical conduits, or electro-fluidic conduits that transmit both fluids and electrical signals. Methods for fabricating the microconduits and other structures integral with the substrate are also provided.

Abstract: A piston-type drive mechanism in combination with a positive pressure reservoir for delivery of infusion medium. A coil capable of being electrically activated to provide an electromagnetic field. The coil surrounds a piston channel extending in an axial direction. The piston channel provides a passage for communication of infusion medium from the positive pressure reservoir to an outlet chamber. A piston is located within the piston channel and is moveable axially within the channel to a forward position. The piston is moved toward a retracted position, when the coil is not energized. As the piston is moved to its forward position, pressure moves a valve member into an open position. When the valve member is in the open position, medium from the piston chamber is discharged into the outlet chamber. An outlet is provided in flow communication with the outlet chamber, for discharging infusion medium from the outlet chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for use in delivering formulation that allows modification of the formulation prior to or concomitant with its transport or at a delivery site. The catheter comprises an elongate body, which defines an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a modifying element, which provides for modification of one or more components of a formulation prior to or concomitant with release at the delivery site.