Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate and severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pulsed fluid jet surgical instrument includes a cannula extending from a handpiece, the cannula emitting a pulsed fluid jet for cutting and emulsification purposes, and also providing suction for aspiration and evacuation of the fluid and tissue. A pressure intensifier piston arrangement receives fluid at relatively low pressure, and operates reciprocally and reiteratively to pump the fluid through the jet needle in a series of high pressure pulses, each having a nearly rectangular pressure waveform. The pressure intensifier piston is T-shaped, including a broad end which divides a drive bore into a driving chamber and a retracting chamber. A bistable valve is connected to admit high pressure gas into the actuating chamber, driving the piston to translate. The narrow end of the piston is disposed in a fluid pumping chamber connected to a supply of fluid.

Abstract: A sinus debrider apparatus comprising a housing, a motor mounted in the housing and a cutter head mounted to the housing. The cutter head frustum conical shaped and defines an interior chamber, a suction passageway and a fluid passageway. A blade holder is mounted to the head and axially aligned with the interior chamber with a blade member being rotatably mounted in the blade holder. A coupling member is mounted in the interior chamber and connects the motor and the blade member to transmit motion from the motor shaft to the blade member. A manifold member defining separate passageways communicates with the suction passageway and the fluid passageway of the head and forms a connection section to hold a flexible tube providing suction and fluid to the cutter head.

Abstract: A blood component collection system with optimization capabilities. In one embodiment, the blood component collection system includes a central input station (e.g., computer) and a plurality of blood component collection assemblies. These blood component collection assemblies include a blood component collection device and an operator interface module (e.g., computer). Various types of data are maintained on the collection procedures performed in the blood component collection system and are utilized to generate various types of reports for optimizing system operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a drug selectively and locally to internal body tissue with a catheter using electric current/voltage controlled in conjunction with active pacing of cardiac activity.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a body structure in a patient. The clamp includes a flexible cable housed within a sheath. The cable and sheath extend between a clamp and a handle. The cable actuator. The cable extends through a sheath which is anchored at the clamp and the actuator for actuating jaws from a proximal end of the clamp. A malleable positioner is provided for positioning the clamp about the body structure.

Abstract: A method for making an intravascular stent by applying to the body of a stent a therapeutic substance and then overcoating the therapeutic substance with a porous polymer. The inclusion of a porous polymer in intimate contact with a drug on the stent allows the drug to be retained on the stent during expansion of the stent and also controls the administration of drug following implantation. The adhesion of the coating and the rate at which the drug is delivered can be controlled by the selection of an appropriate bioabsorbable or biostable polymer.

Abstract: A catheter for non-surgical entry into the cervical canal or the uterus, comprising an elongated tubular catheter body. An inflatable balloon manufactured from a polyurethane material is disposed proximal to the distal end of the catheter body. The polyurethane inflatable balloon can be progressively inflated into an elliptical shape which enables the balloon to be used within the cervical canal. Additional inflation pressure inflates the polyurethane inflatable balloon to a spherical shape which enables the balloon to be used within the uterus.

Abstract: Methods for conducting controlled environment electrotransport are described. The methods generally concern control of the ionic environment of the active electrode reservoir, in an electrotransport system. This control may be utilized, for example, to maintain a constant extraneous ion presence, such as pH. It may also be applied in a preferred manner to maintain selected control over the delivery rate of a target species, in time, in the presence of extraneous ions. Apparatus usable to provide for controlled environment electrotransport are also described. In general the apparatus comprises an electrotransport system including an active electrode reservoir having therein both a primary electrode arrangement and a secondary electrode arrangement, with a control arrangement for selected operation of both.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing endoscopic surgery at locations where tissue inserts into bone which includes cutting instruments having a novel knife blade with a blunted palpitation end to sever tissue without snagging while palpitating underlying tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an occlusion or constriction, such as a stenosis in a blood vessel or other conduit in the body, as well as an apparatus for treating bodily diseases (e.g. a tumor or cancerous area) occurring around a conduit or duct in the body. The apparatus includes a catheter which is correctly positioned within a conduit of the body utilizing a guide wire. The guide wire would pass through the entire length of the catheter, or a portion of the length of the catheter, and would exit the catheter through a constriction plug affixed to the end of the catheter. A radioactive treatment source wire is then introduced into the catheter and is maneuvered to the site of treatment. The constriction plug is provided with an internal diameter which is less than the diameter of the radioactive source wire, but greater than the diameter of the guide wire. This construction would prevent the radioactive source wire from remaining in the body after the catheter has been removed.

Abstract: An infusion system with an air-in-line sensor is provided with improved apparatus and method for quickly and easily clearing small quantities of undissolved gas such as air from the sensor detection field. The infusion system includes an infusion pump having control components responsive to the air-in-line sensor to activate an alarm and/or to cease pump operation when undissolved gas is detected. A "clear air" key or switch is provided on the pump for actuation by medical personnel to operate the pump in a manner delivering a small pulse of the infusion liquid to move a small detected quantity of gas past the air-in-line sensor. The system can be adapted for actuation of the "clear air" key up to a selected number of times, while monitoring and accumulating the total fluid quantity delivered to a patient.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for preventing secondary cataracts. A cytotoxic agent is employed which is introduced into the anterior chamber of the eye to inhibit proliferation of remnant tens epithelial cells after extracapsular cataract extraction. Desirably a non-cytotoxic agent crossreactive with the cytotoxic agent is introduced prior to introduction of the cytotoxic agent. The agents can be provided as kits.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism for a needle system with the liquid system being a cartridge ampoule (4) and with a needle holder (3). The needle holder (3) is snapped onto the cartridge ampoule (4) or a cartridge ampoule holder containing the cartridge ampoule (4) by means of a snap-in closure means. The fastening mechanism of the invention allows sanitary application of injected medicines.

Abstract: A steerable catheter includes control handle having a generally tubular housing with a longitudinal slot therein in which an axially or longitudinally movable two-part slideblock resides, and a generally cylindrical, rotatably mounted thumbwheel surrounding a distal portion of the tubular housing, for controlling the axial translation of the slideblock. The pullwire passes into the distal end of the control handle and is only secured to the proximal part of the two-part slideblock so as to prevent the user from placing the pullwire under compression. A tip radius adjusting wire is attached to and extends distally from a slide actuator in the control handle into and through the main catheter shaft portion. The free distal end of the tip radius adjusting wire is selectably Iocatable at different positions. The radius of curvature of the tip portion, when deflected, depends upon how far distally into the deflectable tip portion the radius adjusting wire has been advanced by the user.

Abstract: An osmotic bursting device for dispensing a beneficial agent to an aqueous environment. The device comprises a beneficial agent and osmagent surrounded at least in part by a semipermeable membrane. Alternatively the beneficial agent may also function as the osmagent. The semipermeable membrane is permeable to water and substantially impermeable to the beneficial agent and osmagent. A trigger means is attached to the semipermeable membrane (e.g., joins two capsule halves). The trigger means is activated by a pH of from 3 to 9 and triggers the eventual, but sudden, delivery of the beneficial agent. These devices enable the pH-triggered release of the beneficial agent core as a bolus by osmotic bursting.

Abstract: A drinking aid device which is used for fluid intake, in particular for elderly people, patients and the like. The user receives the liquid from a valve assembly with the assistance of a mouthpiece member. The valve assembly includes an upper lid member, a lower housing member and a closure member which is disposed between the lid member and the housing member. The closure member has one or more apertures and is movable by suction between an open position and a closed position in a check valve fashion for allowing the liquid to flow therethrough.

Abstract: Liquid and pathogen impermeable island wound dressing which can be adhesively bonded to the skin surrounding a wound is provided with a liquid and gas permeable exudate absorbing pad, and a plurality of sequentially removable liquid and microorganism impermeable, gas and moisture vapor permeable cover sheets disposed adjacent to and covering the pad.

Abstract: Skin treatment solutions are applied to the face, for example, by use of a flexible opaque mask 10. On a timed basis, one or more treatment solutions from vials 24-26 are provided to various facial areas via flexible tubes 20. In order to enable use of active treatment solutions including vitamin formulations subject to oxidation degradation in the presence of air, for example, a neutral atmosphere is provided. This is accomplished by supplying a neutral gas, such as nitrogen, from a cylinder 50 to mask 10 via flexible tubes 48. The neutral gas is infused between the mask 10 and the underlying skin at a low over pressure sufficient to drive air out from under the mask. Single treatment quantities of treatment solutions can be intermittently applied on a timed basis by the action of pump 36 operating under the control of programmable timers 30 and 40.

Abstract: A assembly for use in performing a medical procedure within a region in a body of a patient having a vessel therein comprising a multi-port introducer adapted to be inserted into a vessel of the patient. The multi-port introducer includes an elongate body having proximal and distal extremities and has spaced-apart lumens extending from the proximal extremity toward the distal extremity. The elongate tubular body has ports therein at the proximal extremity in communication with the lumens and openings in the distal extremity in communication with the lumens. The elongate tubular body has a length so that it can extend from the exterior of the body to said region in the body. A plurality of catheters is provided. Each of the catheters is slidably disposed in a separate lumen in the multi-port introducer and has a distal extremity adapted to be disposed in the vessel of the patient.