Abstract: A single or multiple lumen catheter having one or more non-circular, oval, elliptical or oblong shaped lumens therein and wherein the cross sectional shapes of a plurality of the lumens in the multiple lumen catheters are opposed with respect to each other to minimize the existence of sharp corners or flow restriction areas in the lumen and minimizing the occurrence of septum or catheter wall deflection while maximizing the cross sectional area of the lumens of the catheter.

Abstract: Balloons for medical devices, particularly balloon angioplasty catheters, are made from particular block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers in which the block copolymer is made up of hard segments of a polyester or polyamide and soft segments of polyether; the polyester hard segments are polyesters of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 diol; the polyamide hard segments are polyamides of C.sub.6 or higher carboxylic acids and C.sub.6 or higher organic diamines or of C.sub.6 or higher aliphatic .omega.-amino-.alpha.-acids, and the polyether soft segments are polyethers of C.sub.2 -C.sub.10, diols; the block copolymer has a low flexural modulus, namely less than 150,000 psi; the block copolymer has a hardness, Shore D scale, of greater than 60; and the percentage by weight of the block polymer attributable to the hard segments is between about 50% and about 95%. The polymers provide high strength, thin wall, compliant and semi-compliant balloons, which leads to a low profile catheter.

Abstract: A medical device especially adapted to remove biological material (e.g., fibrin sheath) from the distal end of a patient-internal catheter includes a tubular element, a central wire positioned within the tubular element and a snare wire attached at one end to the central wire so as to form an acute angle therewith, and at its other end to the tubular member. The snare wire includes a proximally extending segment which follows a course of about 360.degree. about the distal end of the tubular member, and thus may be positioned adjacent the catheter's distal end. By effecting relative rotation between the central wire and the tubular member (for example, by rotating the central wire about its longitudinal axis while maintaining the tubular member stationary) will cause the snare wire segment to wrap around the catheter's distal end. Thereafter, manipulation of the device so as to advance the wrapped snare wire segment in a distal direction will strip the biological material from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A process for removing substantially all bone marrow from a large bone and a bone graft produced thereby. A large substantially intact bone is selected and excess cartilage is removed from at least one articulating surface of the bone. An opening is prepared through the cortical layer of the bone to permit access of a vacuum line to the bone cavity. A vacuum line is attached to the bone via the opening for application of vacuum to the bone cavity, and the opening is sealed. A vacuum is applied to draw a first cleaning solution through the bone cavity so as to draw the first solution and solubilized bone marrow through the vacuum line to exit the bone at the opening. The vacuum is discontinued when the bone has been substantially cleaned of bone marrow. Subsequently, a second flushing solution may be drawn through the bone cavity via vacuum.

Abstract: A surgical device constructed of a polyvinyl acetal having a body constructed with an average pore diameter ranging from about 0.02 to about 1.2 mm and a fused surface layer of about 0.25 min. The fused surface layer is substantially closed and has a pore diameter ranging from about 0.01 to about 0.45 mm allowing absorption of fluid into the body of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method 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 and method for treating a tumor or cancerous area occurring around a conduit or duct in the body. The apparatus includes a catheter provided with a ribbed balloon encircling a portion near its distal end. When inserted into the body over a guide wire and transported to the site of the stenosis, the balloon is inflated one or more times and, due to the ribbed balloon, blood perfuses around the catheter during the treatment. A radioactive source of material is inserted through the catheter to the site of the stenosis or cancer where it is maintained in position for a period of time to reduce the occurrence of re-stenosis or cancer. A guide wire provided with a removable core can be utilized to properly maneuver the catheter to the site of the stenosis or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relate to a sanitary tampon comprising a compact applicator and a tampon (3) of compressed absorbent material stored within the applicator, the applicator having an inner tube (1) and an outer tube (2) slidably disposed over the inner tube (1). The outer tube (2) has a distal discharge end (4) for insertion into the body of the user. The tampon (3) is solid and substantially cylindrical in shape and is constructed such that at least a part of the body (11) of the tampon (3) adjacent the proximal end (13) sits at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the applicator so that when the inner tube (1) is withdrawn past the proximal end (13) of the tampon (3) to prime the applicator for use, the proximal end (13) of the tampon will urge itself against the inner surface of the outer tube (2) and when the inner tube (1) is pushed back into the outer tube (2) to expel the tampon, the tampon is hindered from re-entering the distal end (6) of the inner tube (1).

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivery of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to a patient are disclosed. The method comprises continuous subcutaneous delivery of a solution comprising granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to the patient. Devices for continuous administration are also disclosed.

Abstract: Retaining device on a single-port feeding tube connector for patient feeding set to prevent unintentional disconnect of the feeding solution supply tube from the feeding tube.

Abstract: A closure for the outlet end of an ampoule having a neck with an outwardly extending annular projection (30), said closure comprising a holding cap (18;61) with a skirt (35;62) with interior protrusions (38) for engagement behind the annular projection (30) of the neck, which holding cap engages a disc shape part (31) to press it sealingly against the annular projection (30). A locking ring (20;64) on the outer side of the skirt (35;62) locks projections (38) in their engagement position behind the annular projection (30). Resilient fingers (37;65) and recesses (36;66) are provided on either the skirt or the locking ring, the recesses being positioned below the fingers so that the fingers may be pushed into the recesses when the locking ring is passed over the skirt. Either the skirt (35) or the locking ring (64), which part is not provided with the fingers and recesses, is provided with an edge over which the fingers may grip irreversibly when the locking ring is mounted in position on the skirt.

Abstract: A tubular sleeve suitable for connecting a disposable hypodermic syringe to a medicinal vial without exposing the tip of the needle until the syringe is filled and ready for injection. A process of inserting the syringe with a cap covering the needle into the first end of the sleeve, removing the needle cap, inserting the vial cap into the second end of the sleeve which allows the needle to penetrate the stopper in the vial and withdrawing medicament into the syringe.

Abstract: A drug delivery catheter which may be inserted into a vessel, such as a blood vessel is disclosed. The drug delivery catheter comprises any elongated tubular member which has a proximal end and a distal end. A drug lumen which provides a communication path for fluid is provided in the elongated tubular member for delivering a fluid, such as the drug to be administered. An inflatable balloon assembly is provided at the distal end of the elongated tubular member. The balloon assembly includes apertures which communicate with the drug lumen. The balloon assembly comprises a tubular balloon which is helically wound through the elongated tubular member and a sheath.

Abstract: A dressing is described which is preferably constructed of a layer of hydrocolloid material having a downwardly extending lip member thereon that is sized to be received adjacent to a percutaneous device which is at least partially implanted into a patient such that the dressing having a lip member thereon forms a physical barrier to decrease the incidence of catheter tract infections in a patient and the lip member provides a downward extension into the wound to help remove exudate and detritus from the catheter tract and wherein the dressing further includes a mesh layer adjacent to the skin of the patient to minimize the amount of hydrocolloid material remaining on the skin of the patient after use.

Abstract: A uridom for use as an external male catheter in a urinary incontinence device is manufactured by thermoplastic processing, using as base material a non-preprocessed compound material based on one or more thermoplastic, polystyrene-based block copolymers, preferably polystyrene polyethylene/butylene polystyrene copolymers, the elasticity of which has been enhanced through addition of a paraffinic process oil.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (10) that responds to stress introduced into a pair of cantilevered beams (42, 44), to sense pressures at two measurement points in a cassette (80). The pressure sensor includes a base (12) on which the cantilevered beams are mounted. The base also supports two S-shaped flat springs (34, 36) mounted in spaced-apart, parallel array. Pins (28, 29) supported by the S-shaped flat springs each contact a free end of a different one of the cantilevered beams. The pins transfer a force from an elastomeric membrane (86). This force is developed by fluid pressure acting on the elastomeric membrane in a fluid passage of a cassette used for pumping fluid. The pins transmit the force to the free ends of the cantilevered beams as an applied stress. Strain gauges (58, 60) that are fixed to the cantilevered beams each respond by producing a signal indicative of fluid pressure.

Abstract: Refillable immunoisolatory neurological therapy devices for local and controlled delivery of a biologically active factor to the brain of a patient. The devices include a cell chamber adapted for infusion with nsecretory cells and having at least one semipermeable or permselective surface across which biologically active factors secreted by the cells can be delivered to the brain. The devices also include means for introducing secretory cells into the cell chamber, and means for renewing the cells or cell medium.

Abstract: A medical insufflation device having a control device with feedback sensors for regulating the flow of a gas into an inflatable body cavity. The device includes a conduit for channeling gas from a gas supply into an insufflation instrument, sensors for measuring gas pressure and gas flow in the conduit, and a control device responsive to the sensors for automatically regulating the pressure and flow of the gas into the body cavity from the conduit. The control device has an automatic processing unit for receiving the measured gas pressure and flow values from the sensors and for using those values to control an actuator in the conduit and which is operatively adjustable for regulating the flow of gas into the body cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for injecting humans and animals with a pharmaceutical preparation, wherein the preparation is held in a rigid carrier (5) and the carrier is carried through the skin into the body by means of gas pressure, and wherein during carrying of a rigid carrier (5) into the body by means of gas pressure the device with which the carrier is carried into the body is held against the body. The invention likewise relates to a device for injecting animals or humans with a pharmaceutical preparation, wherein a chamber (2) is present in which a carrier (5) containing the pharmaceutical preparation can be placed, a barrel (1) connecting onto this chamber and means for carrying the carrier by means of gas pressure through the barrel into the body for injecting, wherein means are present for blocking the use of the device when it is not pressed against a body.

Abstract: A butterfly needle system provides a housing including a hollow central hub and a winged extension projecting from each side of the hub. The central hub has front and rear ends and a clip opening on an outer surface thereof. The needle cannula has a sharpened first end and extends axially through the central hub. A retaining clip is disposed on the outer surface of the central hub and extends at least partially through the clip opening. When the needle cannula is positioned in the normal extended position with the sharpened first end extending through the forward end of the hub, a lower terminal end of the retaining clip is held biased against the needle cannula. When the needle cannula is positioned in a retracted position with the sharpened first end housed within the central hub, the lower terminal end of the retaining clip is disposed in an active position adjacent the inner wall surface of the hub generally opposite to the clip opening.

Abstract: An improved self-lubricating catheter and guidewire introducer is provided with a reservoir containing lubrication fluid located proximally of a sealing gasket in a modified end cap. An improved self-sealing gasket provides hemostasis while reducing the force required to move a catheter or guidewire positioned within the gasket.