Abstract: A method for producing a temperature control means (5c, 5c) of an elastic heating profile (1), which heat and/or cool a medical instrument inserted into a cavity (3) of the heating profile (1), are provided in bores (4a, 4b, 4c, . . . ) having a bore diameter (110, 110?) which is smaller than the outer diameter (120, 120?) of the temperature control means (5c, 5e) to be inserted into the bores (4a, 4b, 4c, . . . ). A positive and/or non-positive connection between the heating profile (1) and the received temperature control means ensures good thermal contact. The production costs for an operable heating profile or temperature control means are also reduced.

Abstract: A retrograde coronary sinus perfusion catheter including a tubular catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen, and an inflatable balloon spaced proximally from the distal end of the catheter body, wherein the balloon is echogenically enhanced.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying an anesthetic include an elongated tubular housing having an upper end, a substantially hollow interior, and a lower end having an injection needle extending therefrom. A first chamber is formed within the housing interior for holding an anesthetic cartridge therein. A second chamber receives a cannister containing an endothermic gas that rapidly absorbs heat when released to the atmosphere. The cartridge is penetrated by a plunger that forces the anesthetic through the injection needle. A depressible trigger propels the gas through an outlet nozzle that is oriented to project a stream of gas along a delivery axis that intersects a delivery axis of the needle; therefore, the gas and anesthetic can be successively delivered to an injection site with minimal repositioning of the housing. Accordingly, a dental practitioner can initially disperse the endothermic gas onto the injection site to minimize any pain and discomfort associated with an injection.

Abstract: A needleless fluid delivery system for delivering therapeutic fluids to treatment sites within a patient. The fluid delivery system can include an automated injector source and a needleless access device. The access device can include a delivery scope and a treatment specific applicator. The automated injector source, delivery scope and applicator can be operably coupled with quick-connect style fittings so as to allow for quick replacement and maintenance of used or damaged components. The automated injector source can include a hands-free input mechanism allowing a medical professional to use both hands in manipulating the delivery scope and needleless applicator at the same time an injection is desired. The delivery scope and needleless applicator can comprise flexible or rigid lengths of tubing based on the accessibility of the treatment site. The needleless delivery system can include an imaging system for precisely position the applicator with respect to the treatment location.

Abstract: Provided is a syringe drive unit (1) which is capable of imparting a fine moving amount to a plunger pressing member (6) when a plunger is pushed into a syringe body using a feed screw mechanism, to thereby eject liquid medicine from the syringe body with high accuracy.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.

Abstract: Patients having exercise limiting conditions and those at risk of developing such conditions are exposed to a regimen of hypoxic conditions that simulate various altitude conditions. The exposure is of a temporary nature, being from a few hours to most of a day or night in any one day and repeated on a personally worked out regimen of from a series of consecutive days to a regular number of “on” and “off” days, to a random number of days. An alternate regimen is such exposure for a few minutes at a time followed by normoxic rest period of a few minutes, with the cycle repeated multiple times over the course of a treatment session. The conditioning treatment strengthens the cardiac tissue and skeletal muscle and the results extend beyond the treatment periods whereby the patient's condition is substantially improved.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for uniformly distributing coolant within a cryo-ablation device. A nozzle apparatus includes a tubular member having a plurality of angled apertures that induce swirling of coolant streams dispersed through the angled apertures. Coolant swirling round the tubular member and along an inner surface of an inflatable balloon element inflates the balloon element and cryogenically ablate tissue. The swirling action achieved using angled apertures uniformly distributes coolant along the inner surface of the balloon such that the temperatures along an inner surface of the balloon element and ablation of tissue adjacent to the balloon element are substantially uniform.

Abstract: An electrosurgical suction coagulator includes a housing having proximal and distal ends. An elongated tube-like shaft extends longitudinally from the distal end of the housing. The elongated tube-like shaft includes a tube-like dielectric sheath and a tube-like electrode disposed coaxially through the tube-like dielectric sheath. The tube-like electrode couples to a source of electrosurgical energy. A proximal end of the tube-like electrode couples to a source of suction. An electrically conductive distal tip is mechanically coupled to a distal end of the tube-like electrode and is in electrical communication with the tube-like electrode. The electrically conductive tip protrudes from a distal end of the tube-like shaft and has one or more aspiration ports defined at its distal end. The electrically conductive distal tip is made from a material having less thermal conductivity than the tube-like electrode such that the electrically conductive distal tip impedes the propagation of thermal energy proximally.

Abstract: An electrosurgical suction coagulator includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and a malleable elongated tube-like shaft extending longitudinally from the distal end of the housing. The tube-like shaft includes a tube-like dielectric sheath and a tube-like electrode having a first thermal conductivity K1 disposed coaxially through the tube-like dielectric sheath. The tube-like electrode operably couples to a source of electrosurgical energy. A distal end of the tube-like electrode protrudes from a distal end of the tube-like shaft. One or more aspiration ports are defined in a distal end of the tube-like electrode. A proximal end of the tube-like electrode operably couples to a source of suction. A thermally conductive member having a second thermal conductivity K2 that is less than K1 is disposed concentrically about the tube-like shaft. The thermally conductive member is configured to impede the propagation of thermal energy in a proximal direction.

Abstract: A flow monitoring infusion system that includes an infusion circuit having a fluid with a pulsatile fluid flow flowing therethrough. The infusion circuit includes a dampening element having a dampening chamber that absorbs the pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile fluid flow to transform the pulsatile fluid flow to a more smooth fluid flow. A fluid flow sensor that measures the flowrate of the more smooth fluid flow is disposed along the infusion circuit downstream of the dampening element.

Abstract: An electrosurgical suction coagulator includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and a substantially malleable elongated tube-like shaft extending longitudinally from the distal end of the housing. The elongated tube-like shaft includes a tube-like dielectric sheath and a tube-like electrode having a first thermal conductivity K1 disposed coaxially through the tube-like dielectric sheath. The tube-like electrode is configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy and a proximal end of the tube-like electrode is adapted to operably couple to a source of suction. The tube-like shaft also includes a thermally conductive member having a second thermal conductivity K2 that is less than K1. The thermally conductive member is configured to impede the propagation of thermal energy in a proximal direction from the distal end of the tube-like shaft.

Abstract: A walking assistance device has a load transmitting assembly, a foot-worn assembly, and a leg link provided between the load transmitting assembly and the foot-worn assembly. The foot-worn assembly has a ground contact member, on which a user's foot rests, and a connecting member which connects the ground contact member to a joint at a lower end of the leg link. The ground contact member is provided with tread force sensors and the foot-worn assembly permits detection of a tread force. The connecting member is formed so as to rise in a cantilever manner from one lateral side of the ground contact member. The tread force sensors are installed in at least one location adjacent to the heel of the user's foot and in at least two locations adjacent to toes of the user's foot, with the latter two locations being laterally spaced apart.

Abstract: A portable critical care medical ventilator with autonomous control of oxygenation is provided. The system and method provide for significantly reducing the O2 required to maintain an adequate O2 concentration and as a result delivery of O2 to the body's tissues and does not require the clinician to enter initial values.

Abstract: In various embodiments, multiple pumps may be used to deliver substances to multiple respective animals. A computer system may send/receive information to/from the pumps (e.g., to control and monitor various aspects of the pumps and/or store information associated with the pump). In some embodiments, the computer system may determine respective controlled delivery rates for the pumps (e.g., based in part on a weight of an animal receiving the substance from the respective pump) and send the determined controlled delivery rates to the respective pumps. The computer system may also receive user identifications from operators controlling a pump (e.g., in response to a pump alarm) and documentation indicators entered by the operator and/or pump to use in documenting pump activity.

Abstract: A vascular guidewire introducer device (10) having a needle (52), a bulb (16), and a valve subassembly (100) through which a guidewire (14) is insertable for vascular guidewire insertion into a blood vessel (12) of a patient. The valve subassembly (100) includes a proximal fitting (102), a proximal cap (106), and a valve arrangement (104) disposed within a valve seat (118) defined by one of the fitting and the cap. The valve arrangement includes distal and proximal disc-shaped valve members (122,126) having centered slits (124,128) therethrough, and a spacer (130) disposed between the valve members. A method is disclosed for precisely centering the slits of the valve members during assembly and for retaining the valve members in their precisely centered positions in the valve seat. The valve arrangement permits use with a wide range of guidewire diameters.

Abstract: A needle shield system may include a needle, an inner tube, a clip within the inner tube, an outer tube, and/or a housing. A method of shielding a needle may include housing a portion of a needle within a clip, housing the clip within an inner tube, housing the inner tube within an outer tube, housing the outer tube within a housing, interlocking the outer tube and the housing, withdrawing the needle from the clip, trapping a tip of the needle between the clip and the inner tube, partially withdrawing the inner tube from the outer tube, and/or releasing the outer tube and the housing from each other.

Abstract: A non-electric heater apparatus for controllably heating and cooling fluid medicaments flowing from a medicament dispenser through the fluid delivery member of the apparatus by adding a suitable solution or solvent to a chemical component, such as magnesium chloride, or the like, to create an exothermic process that can be used to heat the fluid delivery member and the fluid flowing there through.

Abstract: A novel dispensing system for dispensing medicaments to a patient that includes means for controllably heating fluid medicaments within the dispensing system by converting a chemical component, such as calcium chloride or the like, into a solution or solvent by adding a suitable solution or solvent to create an exothermic process causing an increase in temperature of the mixed solution.

Abstract: A jaw member for use with an electrosurgical forceps includes a support member having a first surface and a pair of depending sides which extend therefrom forming a generally U-shaped configuration. The free end of the sides each including a flange which extends outwardly therefrom which is designed to attach to an electrically conductive plate such that the plate bridge the two flanges to enclose the U-shaped support member to form a box-like skeleton having a cavity defined therein. An insulative material is disposed within the cavity and an insulative cover is disposed about a periphery of the box-like support skeleton to insulate surrounding tissue during activation of the conductive plate.