Abstract: The balloon of an angioplasty dilatation balloon catheter is covered by inner and outer balloon protector sleeves. The inner balloon protector sleeve has an expansion slit to facilitate application over the balloon.

Abstract: A device for injecting serum or the like into animals while remaining at a distance from the animal. The device uses air pressure from a tank built into the device to eject the serum from a syringe on the tip of the wand. The wand is long enough to provide relative safety for the user.

Abstract: The specification discloses a disposable low-cost constant pressure infusion pump intended to be used with an infusion cuff, or other infusion device for the infusion of sterile physiological solutions into the human body. The device utilizes an enclosure, which may be an infusion cuff or a pressurizing chamber that is adapted to receive a disposable bag of physiological solutions therewithin. A pressurizing chamber is formed about and around the bag of physiological solution, to define a pressure chamber to which is supplied a regulated pressure. The regulated pressure is provided from a small low-cost disposable canister of freon or other pressurizing fluid through a pressure regulating mechanism. The canister is equipped with a springloaded discharge valve, and the pressure regulating mechanism balances the spring constant of this discharge valve against an elastic wall or other resilient diaphragm to balance the loading between the elastic wall and springloaded discharge valve.

Abstract: A cannula adapted for antegrade administration of cardioplegic solutions during surgical procedures on the heart. The cannula includes a flow lumen having a smooth interior surface to reduce hemolysis when blood is passed therethrough during reperfusion. Structures are included to allow the wall of the vessel, generally the aortic root, to be readily pierced so that fluid may pass through the flow lumen of the cannula into the heart. A suture flange is provided to secure the cannula to the heart. A pressure lumen is provided to communicate the pressure within the heart to a location where it can be monitored. A vent line is also provided to allow a surgeon to readily vent fluids out of the heart.

Abstract: The breast pump comprises a milk reservoir and a flanged closure member for connection with the reservoir; the closure member comprises a suction bell and a suction pump suitable for single-handed manual operation and includes (a) a cylinder integrally connected with the closure member; (b) a piston for reciprocating motion within the cylinder between a first or lower position and a second or upper position, and (c) a spring-loaded actuator for insteraction with the piston.

Abstract: An instrument for packing wounds with gauze or the like is provided having an elongated shaft, a rounded tip at a distal end of the shaft, a notch within the tip with the notch bieng sufficiently narrow to grip the gauze yet wide enough to prevent the gauze from being pulled from the wound when the probe is pulled from the wound. The shaft and tip may be hollow to allow for flushing and aspirating of the wound, and a cutting blade may be provided along the shaft to sever the material at a desired length.

Abstract: Method for treating leg wounds requiring both bandaging and the application of compressive pressure wherein a dressing is applied to cover the wound and an elastic stocking is put on to provide the compressive pressure; the improvement wherein a loosely knit stocking which easily slips on is first put on over the dressing and then the elastic stocking, the coefficient of friction between the stockings being relatively low, thereby greatly facilitating putting on the elastic stocking.

Abstract: Drug-resistant tumor cells are rendered drug-sensitive by administering to the tumor cells a pump-affecting compound which suppresses the pumping action of P-glycoprotein on the tumor cells. In the case where the tumor cells have higher .beta.-glucuronidase activity than that of the surrounding tissues, the pump-affecting compound is in the form of a .beta.-D-glucuronide.

Abstract: A single use syringe including a mechanical means permitting a single withdrawal of the plunger to load the cylinder an a single advance of the plunger to inject the material, thereafter incapacitating the mechanism. The mechanical means may well be retrofit to existing syringes.

Abstract: A urinary catheter designed to fit on a male patient including a substantially firm, rigid material cup having an elongated tube for concentric, surrounding relation about the male organ and adjustably attached to the cup for selective positioning of an open proximal end of the tube into and out of a hollow interior portion of the cup and into engagement with the pubic area of the user. A drainage conduit or the like is connected in fluid receiving relation to the distal, exteriorly located end of the tube for removal and collection of urine passing from the patient.

Abstract: A wound dressing which comprises an absorbent layer comprising an open cell foam of a hydrophilic polymer and a wound facing layer comprising either a conformable net of elastomer coated with adhesive on its wound facing surface or an adhesive layer, pattern spread in a conformable net-like configuration, the dressing optionally also having a conformable moisture vapour transmitting outer layer; and a process for making said dressing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dissolving cholesterol-rich calculi, most preferably gallstones in vivo, comprising contacting the calculus with a fluid compound of the formula R-X, R having 2 to 4 carbon atoms with substituents consisting of hydrogen of halogen, X being halogen, and wherein if X is fluorine, at least one substituent is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. Usually R-X is 2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (also referred to as Halothane.) Other compounds of particular interest are 2-chloro-1,2,-dibromo-1,1,2-trifluoroethane, 1-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane, 2,3-dibromo-1,1,1-trifluoropropane, 2-iodo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-2,3,3-trifluorocyclobutane, hexafluoro-1,1,3,4,-tetrachlorobutane, 1,1,1-trichlorotrifluoroethane, and 1,2-dibromo-tetrafluoroethane. Furthermore, Halothane and MtBE in combination effectively dissolve cholesterol-rich calculi.

Abstract: A surgical dressing comprising a sheet of silicone gel having a wound-facing surface and laminated to the other surface a film of silicone elastomer.The dressing is particularly adapted to the treatment of burns.

Abstract: A serum inoculator for inoculating birds is disclosed. The inoculator includes a reservoir and a reciprocable needle having a portion movable into and out of the reservoir for insertion in and removal from the bird to be inoculated. The needle includes in that portion which enters and exits from the reservoir, an elongate diametric slot defining a side opening in each side of the needle. The slot includes flared sides and a projection extending into the slot at each end thereof and being adapted to positively attract and hold a predetermined measured serum dose for a single inoculation. A wiper fixed in position at the dispensing end of the reservoir for removing from the needle the serum other than that contained in the elongate diametric slot. A plunger is provided for imparting reciprocating strokes to the needle for drawing the elongate diametric slot into the reservoir and for charging it with serum and to project it therefrom to an exposed position for inoculating use.

Abstract: The invention features a needle guard for a hypodermic syringe that will prevent repuncture by a used needle. The needle guard has a flexible membrane that expands when pressure actuated to cover and protect the injecting tip of the syringe needle. The membrane is characterized by a small, unobtrusive profile in the inactivated state.

Abstract: This cannula assembly for injecting medicinal fluid into an animal's teat has a first tapered cannula formed with a circumferential bead at its wider end. A flexible jacket encloses the cannula and has another bead detachably engaging the bead on the cannula. A tapered second cannula extends forwardly from the jacket. This cannula is shorter than the first cannula. A flexible cap has an internal bead which detachably engages a corresponding bead at the sider end of the second cannula. This assembly provides the user with a choice of cannulas of two different sizes in treating a teat. In another form of the invention, a second flexible jacket has a bead which detachably engages a bead on the second cannula. A third cannula extends forwardly from the second jacket. The flexible cap detachably engages a bead on the third cannula, so that the user has a choice of cannulas of three different lengths in treating a teat.

Abstract: A single use hypodermic syringe is provided and has a reversible stop member which permits movement of the plug in one direction but not in the opposite direction so that the plug may be moved in the direction to aspirate fluid in the hypodermic syringe during which the reversing member moves into a reversing chamber so that it may be reversed to permit movement of the plug to eject fluid from the hypodermic syringe but to prevent movement of the plug in the opposite direction after the ejection of fluid has been commenced and after all of the fluid has been ejected.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for conducting peritoneal dialysis with a decreased total volume of dialysis fluid used and increased efficacy parameters such as ultrafiltration rate, urea clearance rate and dialysate volume as compared to conventional techniques. In the method of this invention, a fluid communication through the peritoneal membrane into the peritoneal cavity of a patient in need of peritoneal dialysis treatment is established. An initial volume of an aqueous peritoneal dialysis composition containing an osmotic agent is instilled into the peritoneal cavity through the fluid communication.

Abstract: A drug formulation chamber for an intravenous administration set is provided. The intravenous administration set includes a container of an IV fluid, a drip chamber, a drug formulation chamber, and an adapter-needle assembly. The drug formulation chamber has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for maintaining a flow of IV fluid through the chamber. A portion of the chamber wall is comprised of a window material which allows the drug to diffuse therethrough but which prevents convective loss of the IV fluid. A flow distributor is provided within the chamber for distributing the flow of IV fluid along the interior surface of the window. A transdermal-type drug delivery device is adhered to the exterior surface of the window. Drug is delivered by the delivery device through the window and into the flowing IV fluid. The device delivers drug into the IV fluid at a rate that is independent of the flow rate of IV fluid through the formulation chamber.

Abstract: An athlete's foot bandage is set forth utilizing a generally "T" shaped configuration for securement between adjacent toes of an individual. The bandage utilizes a first and second horizontally aligned first and second leg with a medially positioned downwardly depending shank therefrom having secured thereto a medicant pad secured to outer surfaces of the opposed sides of the shank spaced somewhat above lower terminal edges of the shank to position the treated pads to confronting surfaces of adjacent toes to simultaneously space the toes to prevent reinfection therebetween and apply an anti-fungal medicant to preselected areas.