Abstract: A medical valve having an open mode to permit fluid flow and a closed mode to prevent fluid flow has a body and a valving element within the interior of the body. The body also has a valving element within its interior, and a proximal port and a distal port. The valving element controls fluid flow between the proximal and distal ports. Moreover, the valving element includes a resilient member and a plug. The resilient member forms a variable sized fluid chamber within the interior of the body, while the plug cooperates with the gland to provide an internal seal (within the interior of the body) that is spaced from the proximal port. The plug is capable of radially expanding the resilient member when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode. The fluid chamber has a larger volume when in the open mode than when in the closed mode.

Abstract: An automated instillation apparatus and method for instilling fluid into a patient having an intestinal stoma thereby administering an antegrade colonic enema. The automated instillation apparatus comprising in combination: a fluid reservoir, a pump, a pump control module, a fluid delivery line and an intestinal stoma catheter wherein the pump control module is operable to automatically stop fluid delivery to the intestinal stoma after a predetermined volume of fluid has been instilled at a predetermined flow rate and pressure range suitable for the particular patient. The automated instillation apparatus is optionally battery powered and of a size and weight suitable for carrying on a person.

Abstract: A winged angled needle assembly has a hub to which a proximal end portion of an angled needle having a sharpened tip portion is joined and a pair of wings attached to both sides of the hub and further includes a fixing member attached so as to support the wings and an extensible, contractible needle guard disposed between the hub and the fixing member so as to connect these two members. The guard extends in the direction from the proximal end portion to the sharpened tip portion of the angled needle when extended, so that the tip portion can be encased in said guard simultaneously with pulling the angled needle out of an implanted port. The guard has an exposure prevention mechanism attached thereto and is externally stopped, so that the sharpened tip portion is kept from exposing once it is encased in the guard. The angled needle can have a length as required regardless of the length of the wings.

Abstract: A compression hypodermic syringe is disclosed wherein two leaves are hinged together. One leaf contains a receptacle for a collapsible capsule which contains a pre-measured dose of medication. The second leaf has a structure that acts as a plunger when the second leaf is folded over the first leaf. A double ended hypodermic needle is provided that has one end that pierces a membrane on the collapsible capsule and a second end that is exposed for insertion into a patient when the two leaves are folded together.

Abstract: A medical infusion pump with a bar code reader having simplified and enhanced security features. The infusion pump with bar code reader is comprised of an infusion pump with a housing, a control display screen and control software for operating the infusion pump according to input infusion data. A bar code reader is contained in the infusion pump housing and operatively attached to communicate scanned bar code infusion data to the pump display screen and to the control software. At least one initialization button for starting execution of a bar code scanning program is operatively connected through circuitry in the pump, the program activating the bar code reader to scan for an authorized user code, for an authorized user ID code, for a patient ID code, and for infusion data compatible for operating the infusion pump. A confirmation program and confirmation buttons manually operable by the authorized user.

Abstract: A flow rate selection valve includes a gate cylinder having a gate cylinder rotational axis and having at least two flow rate determining passageways and passing laterally through the gate cylinder at orientations angularly displaced from each other and having cylinder rotation structure; and a valve housing containing a flow passageway and having a cylinder receiving bore intersecting the flow passageway into which the gate cylinder is rotatably and sealingly mounted, the gate cylinder dividing the flow passageway into a passageway inlet end and a passageway outlet end, the flow passageway containing a passageway registration barrier extending across the flow passageway and sealingly abutting the gate cylinder and having several flow ports with different minimum diameters, each flow port positioned to register with one of the flow rate determining passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating pneumothorax and/or hemothorax that does not require the assembly of parts and can be used by medical personnel with minimal experience and training in treating these conditions. The apparatus comprises a trocar obturator unit comprising a stylet having a point for puncturing the chest or other body cavity, and a stopper integrally attached to the stylet. The catheter assembly is comprised of a tube dimensioned to receive the stylet and a hub integrally attached to the distal end of the catheter assembly for receiving the stopper. The one-way valve composed of a pliable material covers the hub. The lumen of the one-way valve is continuous with the lumens of the tube and the hub of the catheter assembly. The trocar obturator unit also includes a pull handle for safely removing the trocar obturator unit from the catheter assembly in accordance with the method of the invention.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter device having an improved hemostasis valve which is self-sealing and which functions as a one-way valve. The self-sealing hemostasis valve can be factory preset to automatically seal with or without the inclusion of a guidewire at a certain desired pressure or allowable leakage. Such sealing is automatic without the need to manually manipulate a hemostasis nut to obtain hemostasis. The thrombectomy catheter device can, without hemostasis nut adjustment, be positioned along and about a guidewire while yet maintaining suitable pressure for sustaining hemostasis at a preferred level. Certain embodiments of the thrombectomy catheter device having a self-sealing hemostasis valve include an adjustable hemostasis nut which can be manually tightened to restrict flow or guidewire movement or loosened to reduce friction on the guidewire and allow fluid to flow out if desired.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and system for a aligning surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a stand-alone instrument guidance unit that is attachable to a patient's skull. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system and method of the present invention. In one aspect of the present invention, an instrument guide unit includes an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body in an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area. The adjustment mechanism is operative to adjust the instrument guide in x and y directions.

Abstract: A needle apparatus having a quick and safe release mechanism is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a separable needle assembly and a device body. The needle assembly includes a needle, an insertion member supporting the needle, and a knob projecting from the needle assembly. The device body includes a receiver member and is configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion member inserted therein. The receiver member has at least one slot configured to receive the knob when the needle assembly is inserted inside the receiver member. In a preferred embodiment, the slot has a first slot section extending substantially axially, and a second slot section at an angle to the first slot section and extending substantially radially. Upon insertion of the needle assembly into the needle holder, the knob is pushed by the technician through the first slot section, and then rotated in the second slot section to secure the needle assembly to the needle holder.

Abstract: A method and system for shrinking dilatations of a body, removing excess, weak or diseased tissue, and strengthening remaining tissues of the lumen walls. A catheter is disposed near the dilatation and fixed in position by inflatable occlusion balloons. Body fluids present in the occluded dilatation are evacuated and treatment fluid is exuded under pressure into the dilatation. Pressure is maintained by the treatment fluid while energy is applied by the catheter to heat the treatment fluid, causing the lumen walls to absorb the treatment fluid. Additional energy is then applied so as to preferentially heat the lumen wall tissues which have absorbed the treatment fluid, while at the same time treatment fluid is circulated to cool the inner surface of the lumen walls.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis are provided. To this end, in part, a frame of a disposable unit for a medical fluid system is provided. The frame includes a body having a pair of opposing sides and defining a space between the sides, and a number of membranes sealed to the body along the opposing sides. The body and the membranes form at least one medical fluid pathway in the space between the opposing sides, and the opposing sides are bowed.

Abstract: A tubular medical catheter having a least one region of selectively varied lamination is provided herein.

Abstract: A flexible sheath is attached to an end of a rigid extension tube. The other end of the rigid extension tube is connected with a surgical handpiece. Two flexible sheaths may be used—one as a barrier against contamination of aspiration tubing and the other as a barrier against contamination of irrigation tubing. This is effected by securing two rigid extension tubes between the surgical handpiece and an associated one of the aspiration and irrigation tubings. Each flexible sheath is collapsible and expandable so they may be expanded from a collapsed condition over the associated aspiration or irrigation tubings and secured in the expanded condition. The aspiration and/or irrigation tubings are connected to a cassette of a surgical pack.

Abstract: Balloons for medical devices, particularly balloon agioplasty catheters, which have hybrid compliance curves in which growth rate slows at higher pressures are made from block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices. Specifically, the invention pertains to implantable medical devices that produces gaseous agents from precursors and releases them into the body. More specifically, the invention provides for the controlled release of the gaseous agent to the body to produce a local or systemic therapeutic effect.

Abstract: An implantable dual chambered catheter device includes a first chamber and a second chamber integrally joined. The first chamber includes a hollow first elastomeric member contained within a first slotted outer housing. A first end of the first elastomeric member is fitted with a first end cap shaped and dimensioned to accept conventional catheter tubes and the second end of the first elastomeric member is closed. The second chamber includes a hollow second elastomeric member contained within a second slotted outer housing. A first end of the second elastomeric member is fitted with a second end cap shaped and dimensioned to accept conventional catheter tubes and the second end of the second elastomeric member is closed. Needle access to the first and second chambers of the implantable catheter device is through respective slots formed within the first and second outer housings.

Abstract: A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve having a helical thread of a first lead, and a two-part piston rod. The two-part piston rod may include an outer part having a helical thread of a second lead and an inner part having a helical thread of a third lead. In such an embodiment, the first lead of the thread of the dose dial sleeve may be equal to the sum of the second lead of the thread of the outer part of the piston rod and the third lead of the thread of the inner part of the piston rod.

Abstract: A dose dial and drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device having a housing, a dose dial sleeve, a piston rod, a drive sleeve threadedly connected to the piston rod, a reset sleeve, which is located between the drive sleeve and the housing, and a dose display. When the dose dial sleeve travels towards the second end of the housing the reset sleeve is carried with the dose dial sleeve towards the second end of the housing resetting the dose display to a zero position and when the dose dial sleeve and/or the reset sleeve travels towards the first end of the housing, the dose dial sleeve and/or reset sleeve engage(s) with the drive sleeve thus advancing both the drive sleeve and the piston rod towards the first end of the housing.

Abstract: An anesthetic metering system includes an anesthetic reservoir (1) having an anesthetic reserve (2), which is limited by a flexible material wall and to which pressure is admitted by means of a propellant (3) acting thereon via the wall material. The anesthetic reservoir (1) has a first valve (4), which is in flow connection with the liquid anesthetic reserve (2) and can be inserted into a mounting element (6) of an anesthesia apparatus. The metered release of anesthetic to the anesthesia apparatus takes place via a volumetric nozzle (8). The present invention provides an anesthetic metering device which avoids, on the one hand, the drawbacks of the anesthetic evaporators used previously, which are to be refilled with anesthetics at the workplace, and makes possible the refilling of the anesthetic reservoir (1) at the anesthetic manufacturer, on the other hand.