Abstract: Process for introducing a fluid into a cavity or a blood vessel of a human or animal body, particularly for gas insufflation in preparation for or during a minimally invasive surgical procedure or investigation of the body cavity or blood vessel, the fluid being conveyed from a pressurised gas store (11,12) through a fluid supply line (4) and an introduction instrument (T) of a fluid introduction system (1) into the body cavity or blood vessel and the internal pressure produced in the body cavity or blood vessel being determined from the insufflation pressure measured at a measuring point in the fluid introduction system and a correction magnitude reflecting the drop in pressure between the measuring point and the body cavity or blood vessel, wherein the internal pressure is determined substantially without interrupting the introduction of fluid from substantially continuously detected measurements of the insufflation pressure and the fluid volume introduced per unit of time (fluid flow), the gas flow yieldin

Abstract: The closed system medication administering system employs an adaptor having a hollow penetrating which can directly access a drug vial by piercing through a bung in the drug vial. A collapsible sleeve is placed around the hollow penetrating member and a membrane is disposed across the end of the sleeve to seal the hollow penetrating member when not in use. The hollow penetrating member also pierces the membrane when pushed into a drug vial. Resilient locking prongs may be provided to fixedly secure the drug vial to the adaptor or may be omitted. A reservoir bag may also be provided in a second line to fill with fluid from the primary line in order to effect reconstitution or dilution of a powdered or crystalline type drug in the drug vial. Simple manipulations of the unit consisting of the flexible bag, adaptor and drug vial allow the powdered drug to be reconstituted or diluted and subsequently dispensed.

Abstract: Intravascular catheters that include a flexible catheter body, a distal housing secured to the catheter body, a work element disposed within the housing and exposed to the external environment through a side window, and a guiding structure for the work element, are disclosed. An axial path through the housing is defined by the guiding structure. Embodiments of the guiding structure include a slot or channel formed in the housing, a coaxial tube attached to the housing, a radially offset ribbon attached to the housing, or the external surface of the housing itself. The work element, such as a rotatable cutting blade in an atherectomy catheter, is coupled to the guiding structure such that the work element is retained within the housing during insertion and operation of the catheter and even when the housing is bent or distorted as a result of bends in the blood vessel.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the percutaneous administration of a composition to a desired in vivo location. The composition comprises a biologically active substance and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is preferably non-solid and a polymer, which is preferably capable of being transformed into a gel, thus allowing timed-released delivery of the substance. A preferred use for this invention is to provide local delivery of biologically active substances for the prevention of restenosis following angioplasty or other blood vessel injury.

Abstract: A syringe tip device and method wherein a safety chamber is provided at the end of the hub for a slip tip, eccentric tip, or threaded tip syringe. The hub is placed on any conventional syringe in a convention manner; the safety sheath protecting the needle cannula is removed and the syringe is filled with the desired amount of medication wherein the medication is injected into a patient wherein when the process is complete, a button or lever is depressed, releasing an internal biased spring that strikes the needle cannula and bends the needle cannula within the hub chamber until the entire needle cannula is bent and destroyed within the hub chamber thus rendering the needle cannula safe from an accidental needle cannula prick.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system continually adjusts the speed of an implanted cardiac assist blood pump to an optimum level for the varying physiological needs of the patient. It does this by periodically iteratively incrementing the speed setpoint of the pump. When the system detects the imminence of a ventricular collapse at diastole, it decrements the speed setpoint by a predetermined safety margin. An alarm condition is provided if the setpoint decrease results in an insufficient blood flow rate through the pump. The flow rate and imminence of ventricular collapse are computed in real time as functions of only the pump's motor current and speed setpoint.

Abstract: A radial guiding catheter comprising a first straight leg connected to a first curve. The first curve has an angle such that the first curve can be disposed just proximal to the coronary ostium. The first curve is connected to a second straight leg. The second straight leg is connected to a second curve such that the second curve can be disposed within the aortic valve. The second curve has a direction opposite the first curve. The second curve is connected to a third straight leg. The distance between the second straight leg and the third straight leg is sufficient to cause the distal end of the first straight leg to engage the left coronary artery. The third straight leg is connected to a third curve, the third curve having a direction opposite the second curve such that the third curve is disposed along the ridge of the brachial artery.

Abstract: A dilation catheter for use in performing angioplasty procedures. The catheter includes a relatively long catheter shaft which has two lumens. A relatively short guidewire receiving tube is thermally bonded to the distal end of the shaft, with its lumen approximately aligned with one of the lumens of the catheter shaft and a stiffening wire positioned therein. A dilation balloon, preformed with a shape that enables it to be used in an offset configuration, is thermally bonded to the distal and proximal ends of the tube, with its lumen aligned with the remaining lumen of the catheter shaft. The balloon and tube together define channels for the perfusion of blood past the balloon, which channels remain open even when the balloon bears against the tube during the inflation thereof.

Abstract: Needleless jet-injection device, characterized in that it consists of a body (1) having at one of its ends (4, 5) a cap (3), which, thanks to a relative movement between these elements, may drive a loading mechanism (2), co-operating with an impact component (17) which has to strike the piston of a cartridge (28) which is made of a material that does not pollute the environment and which contains the active product to be injected, this cartridge (28) being moreover placed at the other end of the said magazine-less body (1) and in the axis of said impact component (17), for single use.

Abstract: A liquid metering and injecting device has a reservoir (10), a pump means (11) and a delivery tube (13) in fluid communication. A motor (19) of the pump means (11) is controllably operated so that a plunger (18) is reciprocated within a cylinder (17). A valve means (32) directs the flow of liquid from the reservoir (10) to the pump means (11) as the plunger (18) is retracted and from the pump means (11) to the delivery tube (13) as the plunger is extended without backflow. With this construction, a selected amount of liquid (14) is periodically metered and injected to a patient.

Abstract: A balloon for use in a catheter, wherein the balloon is formed from an aromatic polyester, preferably a blend of a major component comprising an aromatic polyester, and a minor component comprising a compatible secondary thermoplastic semicrystalline polymer having a crystallinity less than that of the aromatic polyester of the major component.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods using rotational advancement and emplacement of various devices for catheterization, dilation and occlusion of mammalian genito-urinary and gastro-intestinal passages and organs, where devices and assemblies have an external helical element present near the distal end which provides a longitudinal pull on the wall of the passage when rotational force is applied to the proximal end of the device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a means for the manual placement of a jejunal feeding tube within the small intestine comprising the insertion of a single lumen tube within the jejunal feeding tube. The placement tube has an inflatable stylet located at the distal end thereof. Once the tube is placed in the stomach of the patient by way an ostomy, the placement device is passed through until the inflatable stylet exits the distal end of the feeding tube. A syringe is attached to the placement device using a luer hub stopcock and the inflatable stylet is inflated like a balloon with air, water or other suitable material. The surgeon may then manually grasp the inflated stylet and by moving it place the end of the feeding tube at the desired position in the small intestine. The stylet may then be deflated and the placement device withdrawn from the feeding tube once the tube is properly placed.

Abstract: An intravenous metering device having automatic stopper comprises a connecting tube that can be inserted into a liquid bottle at one end such that a fluid communication therebetween can be establish. The transfusion tube being connected to a liquid barrel that has a relative larger diameter and is adjacent to the liquid bottle. The liquid barrel serves a buffering device in which the liquid from the bottle is firstly and temporary stored thereof. The second end of the transfusion tube is connected with a catheter that can be punctured into the vein of patient. A regulating device being enveloped onto the transfusion tube at suitable position. Characterized in that the junction between the lower end of the liquid barrel and the upper end of the transfusion tube is formed with a cone-shape recess in which a valve that can be axially engaged thereof is disposed. The valve is floated over the liquid surface of the liquid barrel. The lower end of the valve is provided with a cone-shape stopper.

Abstract: A device and method for rapid access to the bone marrow for the infusion of drugs and other fluids into the bone marrow; sampling the bone marrow; and monitoring the physical properties of the blood and bone marrow. These operations may proceed sequentially or simultaneously. A "smart" controller may be utilized to direct or control these operations. An implantable intraosseous needle assembly and various means for injecting, utilizing, and extracting that assembly into a bone containing bone marrow are disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device for delivering a drug internally to a patient's body. The medical device includes a catheter with a catheter shaft and a balloon attached to a distal end of the catheter shaft and a flexible, thin-walled sheath extending over the balloon. The sheath includes a balloon-enveloping portion having an inner diameter sized to fit closely around the balloon and a collar distal to, and having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the balloon-enveloping portion. The collar terminates in an opening, and a tab extends distally from a wall of the sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compliant catheter balloon with an improved elastic response and reduced longitudinal expansion, and a method of forming the same. The balloon comprises a SEBS block copolymer, which is longitudinally prestretched during the balloon manufacture process.

Abstract: Balloon catheters having the strength and maximum inflated diameter characteristics of an angioplasty balloon and having the recovery characteristics during deflation of an elastic embolectomy balloon. The balloon catheter can be made in very small sizes and has a lubricious and chemically inert outer surface. The balloon catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways, is capable of rapid inflation and deflation and has high burst strengths. Balloon covers having these same characteristics are also described for use with conventional embolectomy balloons or angioplasty balloons.

Abstract: A surgical cannula assembly is provided having a housing defining a channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the housing, at least one fluid flow regulator member disposed across the channel, which forms a substantial barrier to the passage of fluids in at least one direction, a cannula extending from the housing distal end in fluid communication with the channel, and a selector valve operatively connected to the cannula assembly housing and movable to at least a first orientation establishing a first fluid pathway from the channel to the environment outside the housing and a second orientation establishing a second fluid pathway from the channel to the outside environment.

Abstract: A fluid deliver system including a pair of bags having an opening formed in a bottom edge thereof. The bags include a first bag for containing a first liquid and a second bag for containing a second liquid. Further provided is a pair of elongated lumens each with a top open end and a bottom open end. Each top open end of the lumens is connected in communication with the openings of a corresponding bag. The bottom ends are in communication with each other to form an exit conduit and communicable with a dispensable apparatus for inserting into an arm of a patient. Finally, a drip control means is provided with a roller for manually controlling the amount of the first fluid and second fluid which exits the lumens and enters a patient.