Abstract: A gastrostomy feeding tube including a main, flexible cylindrical body with a proximal end adapted for receiving conventional medical apparatus and a distal end having a locking mechanism. A locking ring is slidably and frictionally attached to the main body of the tube. The locking mechanism includes hinged legs and a membrane surrounding the mechanism, which is attached in a sealed fashion to the tube and to a distal end of the locking mechanism. Other embodiments of the locking mechanism include teeth or detents. Locking knobs are provided within the distal end. A long, rigid insertion tool having grooves for receiving the locking knobs is utilized, and is inserted through a bore through the tube until the locking knobs pass into the grooves. A needle is inserted in a conventional fashion into a patient's stomach, and a guide wire is passed therethrough, and the needle is then removed.

Abstract: A needle device and method of use are disclosed, wherein the needle moves out of and into a protective housing, between two operative positions, one of which causes the housing to shield the needle. Each operative position includes releasable locking detents to temporarily hold the needle in one of those positions, the holding force of one being less than the other. A third position beyond the one that shields the needle in the housing is used to permanently lock the needle in the housing against accidental reuse. The needle device can be used with a blood collection container or a syringe drug delivery container, each one releasably mating with the device during use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a therapeutic composition for detection and/or treatment of mammalian tumors which comprises at least one fluorescent porphyrin containing at least three carboxylic acid groups and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A catheter introducer comprises a tubular sheath for inserting and guiding a catheter into living tissue. In accordance with this invention, the sheath is typically made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, with a result that the catheter introducer sheath is highly flexible and non-kinking, but it also exhibits relatively high hoop strength so that burrs, notching, and kinking can be avoided as the catheter introducer is advanced through tissue while surrounding a dilator unit, to achieve advantages not found in prior art analogs.

Abstract: An implantable pump for the delivery of insulin to a mammal has a biocompatible housing which supports an aqueous-swellable glucose-sensitive member and a chamber containing a pharmaceutically acceptable insulin composition. The aqueous-swellable member is exposed to the body fluids which surround the pump when it is implanted; it initiates an insulin pumping cycle by swelling in response to an increase in blood glucose level and terminates an insulin pumping cycle by deswelling in response to the decrease in blood glucose level. When the glucose-sensitive aqueous-swellable member swells in response to an increase in blood glucose level, it generates a hydraulic force which causes insulin composition to be expelled from the chamber through a pressure-sensitive one way valve. The valve seals the chamber when the hydraulic force is withdrawn by deswelling of the glucose-sensitive aqueous-swellable member.

Abstract: An anticontagion device for injecting dental anesthetic solution contained in cartridges, comprising a cartridge-holding sleeve for once-only use, which is closed by a non-removable plug and fitted to a piston mechanism.

Abstract: An absorbent disposable article including an absorbent body covered, on one side by an impervious sheet, and on the other side, by a porous cover layer. An impermeable protective layer, having a coarse side and a smooth side, is provided along the edges of the porous cover layer, with the coarse side facing the porous cover layer. The impermeable protective layer is pressure bonded to the porous cover layer to produce a liquid impervious barrier.

Abstract: A liquid collection tube for collecting blood or like liquid with a liquid collection needle, comprises a tube member with a bottom and a cap member removably fitted on an open end of the tube, with thread structures. A sealing member is interposed between the cap member and open end of the tube member to enhance the close contact between the two. The sealing member is not bonded to the open end of the tube member, and it can be removed together with the cap member to open the open end of the tube member when the cap member is removed from the tube member. The cap member has a through hole permitting a re-sealing member of the sealing member to be pierced from the outside.

Abstract: A gasket is made of a composite comprising hydrogen-added derivative (component a) of a styrenebutadiene block copolymer, a plasticizer (component b), and a polyethylene resin having a density of 0.940 g/cm.sup.3 or more (component c). A medical device includes a cylindrical body and a gasket capable of moving in close contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical body. The gasket of the medical device is the same of the aforesaid type of the gasket.

Abstract: A system for the air reduction of intussusception in infants and children. The system comprises a main tube terminating of its distal end in an enema tip. The proximal end of the main tube is connected to an in-line filter which stops reflux of aerosol and liquid/solid contaminants therebeyond. The filter is connected to a three-way, lever-actuated stopcock which, in turn, is connected to a hand-operated insufflator bulb. The air reduction system is provided with an aneroid gauge. The guage and bulb may constitute a reusable, integral assembly, the remainder of the system being disposable. The entire system may be disposable with a disposable gauge connected ahead of the in-line filter. A reusable gauge may be remotely located and connected to the air reduction system via a branch tube and a T-fitting located between the filter and the three-way valve, all of the system save the remote gauge being disposable.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle apparatus (10) equipped with a latching unit (14) for selectively immobilizing a pair of sheath members (18, 23) relative to a needle (16) such that one of the sheath members (23) may be temporarily retracted to expose the needel (16) and then extended and permanently immobilized in a covering relationship relative to the tip of the needle (16).

Abstract: A guide wire/obturator catheter system for minimizing the possibility of cavity back wall penetration is disclosed. The device is provided with tactile and visual indications of obturator and catheter positioning within the cavity to aid in the precise placement. Another embodiment provides a functionally double-ended obturator which is a trocar when needed and tapered when needed.

Abstract: A syringe and method for use which may be selectively operated between a free position and a locked position. A triggering device configured with a trigger attached to the plunger of the syringe is employed. The triggering device includes a set of threads located on the plunger and a corresponding set of threads on the barrel of the syringe. Upon actuation of the trigger, the threads on the plunger are retracted from their position of engagement with the threads on the barrel, thereby placing the syringe in position for free movement of the plunger with respect to the barrel. The threads are biased in the engaged position. Thus, when the trigger is released, the threads on the plunger return to their position of engagement with the threads on the barrel. In the locked position, the plunger may be screwed into or out of the barrel by rotating the plunger, enabling the operator of the syringe to maintain strict control over the amount of pressure in the syringe.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven orthopedic broach inserter comprising a continuously reciprocating piston which strikes a proximal anvil during each cycle. The impact of the piston with the proximal anvil drives the broach out of a bone. To drive the broach into the bone, a surgeon pushes on the power broach inserter, bringing a distal anvil into the path of the piston, and creating a forward action which dominates over the on-going reverse action produced by the piston striking the proximal anvil. The piston is provided with a low-friction sleeve so that completely oilless operation is possible. A fast-acting chuck having a key and a wedge is provided whereby broaches of different size can be quickly attached to the power broach inserter.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an improvement in the T-shaped tracheal stents and in the tracheal cannulas of the prior art, permitting one to conveniently have a complete and unitary unit including a closure member affixed to the device of the invention. Unidirectional retention sleeves are also described, which may be used in conjunction with the cannulas and the stents of the invention.

Abstract: An improved liposuction handle incorporates a vacuum control for regulating the amount of suction applied during the liposuction procedure. An alternative embodiment allows for sequential performance of both the step of administering anesthetic to the surgical area and performing the liposuction procedure by the same instrument, the device additionally allowing for sterile collection of cells and tissue. Additionally, an improved liposuction method is disclosed, particularly suited for performance under local anesthesia.

Abstract: A method of administering less than 20 .mu.l of a solution of an ophthalmically effective substance to the eye characterized in that the formulation has a viscosity and resistivity which makes it suitable for electrodynamic spraying, and the formulation is supplied to a spray nozzle wherein a sufficiently large electrical potential, relative to earth, is applied to the formulation that a sufficient electrical gradient is provided at the spray nozzle to atomize the formulation as a spray of electrically charged droplets. Also liquid solution formulations of opthalmically effective substances for use in the method of the invention; and electrodynamic spraying apparatus, convenient for hand held use, for use in the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety-syringe providing a needle with a hollow core having a spring coiled around the needle. The spring is capable of expanding to retract the needle into the body of the syringe. A pressure hinge is provided with a plurality of teeth-shaped triggers for retaining the needle in a position for use and for preventing the piston from moving after use. Further, a vacuum may be provided within the piston for facilitating in the retraction of the needle into the syringe.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in fluid flow lines to or from a living body in order to reduce the incidence or growth of bacteria comprising in the flow line a connecting member which includes water-soluble silver impregnated glass, whereby the glass undergoes slow dissolution with concomitant release of silver into the fluid. The silver has antibacterial or bacterial static properties.

Abstract: Equipment is disclosed for the controlled insufflation of a fluid into a body cavity through a probe inserted thereinto, particularly for insufflating gas through the conduit of an endoscope partly inserted into the body cavity. The equipment comprises a supply device for delivering the fluid and on which a selected nominal value for the pressure in the body cavity can be set and the relevant actual value of the body cavity pressure can be displayed by means of a measuring instrument. The inlet side of a circulating pump, is connected by way of a filter to the body caviy. During an operation the pump draws off fluid from the body cavity and circulates it back to the body cavity. Part of the circuit on the delivery side of the pump and part of the circuit leading to the measuring instrument have a common portion leading to the body cavity. When the pump is running, therefore, a retroactive dynamic pressure is applied to the measuring instrument.