Abstract: Dual headed catheter assemblies are provided with a tubular central instrument body portion connected at each end to an elongate tubular distal body, each of which may be provided with an expansible balloon for dilatation purposes. One or more releasible connectors may be provided for sealingly connecting each of the tubular distal bodies to the central instrument body portion to allow for replacement of the tubular distal body and to simplify potential resterilization and reuse of the central instrument body portion. Alternative embodiments include multiple inflation lumens each provided with an individual inflation port which may be preferentially accessed by a fluid conducting inflation assembly configured to preferentially access individual inflation ports. The dual headed catheter with replaceable components may be utilized in place of multiple single headed catheters to perform medical procedures involving repeat access to vascular target sites.

Abstract: A method for dye marking a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply container to a feeding tube delivering the nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient includes the steps of: (1) providing apparatus such as a formulation chamber, e.g., a drip chamber, connectable to the supply container, with at least one sustained release reservoir containing a physiologically acceptable and dispersible marker dye positioned within the formulation chamber, and, liquid communication means connecting the formulation chamber to the feeding tube of a patient; (2) providing a supply container containing the nutritional product; (3) connecting the formulation chamber to the supply container and the liquid commmunication means to the feeding tube; and (4) flowing the dye-marked nutritional product through the apparatus and into the feeding tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for securing the terminal end of a catheter extension (300) used by a peritoneal dialysis patient. The Cosentino Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Clip (3CDP) (100) consists of a rigid plastic body (100) open at both the proximal end (101) and distal end (102). Attached to the distal end (102) of the 3CPD (100) is a neck cord (120) which is simultaneously threaded through a pair of holes (112) in the distal end (102) of the 3CPD (100) and through a neck cord adjustor (200) housed inside the distal end (102) of plastic body (101). The adjustor assembly (200) is a push button arrangement made up of a push button shell (210), a push button (220), and a spring (230). The neck cord (120), which is threaded through neck cord adjustor passage (223), is pinched via the spring action of the push button (220) and the neck cord length is maintained.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis comprises an acetabular cup in the form of a hollow hemispherical dome having at least two blind sockets on the outer convex surface of the dome spaced apart relative to the rim of the dome, each blind socket having an entrance facing toward the top of the dome for receiving a barb and for fixedly securing the barb to the socket. The acetabular cups and barbs can be provided as sets of different sizes.

Abstract: A system for the sequential and repetitive aspiration and injection of fluid. The system includes a syringe having an internal volume, a piston to vary the internal volume and a chamber divider for separating the internal volume into proximal and distal reservoirs. The chamber divider is moveable along the chamber and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the chamber prior to withdrawal of fluid into the syringe. The proximal reservoir has a maximum displacement volume for receiving fluid. A flow channel provides flow between the proximal and distal reservoirs and a valve disables and enables flow therethrough. A tensile element links the piston and the chamber divider so that after the piston is moved and the proximal reservoir is filled with a first liquid, the chamber divider is pulled away from the distal end of the syringe to enlarge the distal reservoir and draw the blood into the distal reservoir.

Abstract: A medical system is disclosed which includes an over-the-wire type balloon catheter and a guide wire wherein the catheter includes a polymer outer tube, and an inner tube having a metallic proximal portion and a polymer distal portion. An inflatable balloon is connected to the distal ends of the inner tube and the outer tube. The guide wire may be removed from and inserted into the guide wire lumen at either end of the catheter. The catheter may further include a transition member traversing the junction between the proximal and distal portions of the inner tube. The transition member may be in the form of a wire, a coil or a tube, and may be made of cold drawn stainless steel or a superelastic alloy. The metallic proximal portion of the inner tube may have a wall thickness greater than or equal to 0.0020 inches and an outside diameter less than or equal to 0.0255 inches. The catheter may also include a radiopaque marker band swaged onto the inner tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implanting cells in a host is provided. In an embodiment, an implant assembly for a host tissue is provided comprising wall means defining a chamber for holding cells for implantation, the wall means including means for foxing a porous boundary between the host tissue and the implanted cells in the chamber, the pore size of the boundary being sufficient to isolate the implanted cells from the immune response of the host tissue, and port means for providing selective access to the chamber.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter (20) comprises a shaft (22) having a first bending stiffness and a deflectable tip (28) secured to the distal end (24) of the shaft with a second bending stiffness less than the first bending stiffness. At least one electrode (34, 36) is mounted to the tip for delivering current to or monitoring electrical activity of tissue. A manipulator wire (58) is coupled to the distal end of the deflectable tip, whereby the deflectable tip may be deflected by axial force applied to the manipulator wire. A stiffener member (66) is axially slidable relative to the tip so as to adjust the tip curvature without removing the catheter from the body. The catheter may further include a core wire (72) configured to rotate the deflectable tip about a longitudinal axis (2) without rotating the proximal end (26) of the catheter shaft, wherein the distal end of the deflectable tip remains in a substantially constant axial position, preferably in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A stent device constructed to reside for a prolonged period in a blood vessel for engagement with the vessel wall while enabling blood flow therethrough. The device includes an elongated stent structure of limited length and sized to wholly reside in the vessel having an inner tubular structural member defining a flow passage and an outer flexible inflatable element constructed to engage the vessel wall at sub-dilation pressure. The passage is sized to fit over a removable transfer element for delivery of the device to a desired site within the vessel. An elongated, flexible inflation-deflation lumen element secured to the inflatable element has an exterior cross-section sufficiently small to permit prolonged residence in the vascular system without substantial adverse effect upon blood flow in the vessel. A method of engaging a vessel wall with the stent device is described.

Abstract: A liquid preparation of a pharmaceutically active agent having a defined composation is repeatedly dosed from a multi-dose container having a defined volume. The amount dosed is selected as 1/N of the volume of the multi-dose container, N being an integer having a value of 2 or higher.A device for dosing a liquid preparation comprises a holder (1) for a multi-dose container (2), which has a movable rear wall (5) acting as a piston for expelling the liquid preparation (6) from the container, and a piston rod (7), which is provided with releasable blocking means (11, 14, 19, 22), such that the movement of the piston rod is limited to a preset length (35) corresponding to an expelled volume of 1/N of the volume of said multi-dose container, N being an integer having a value of 2 or higher.A preferred embodiment of the device is as an injection device for repeated parenteral injections from an injection cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument used in conjunction with treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome includes a tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough and terminating at a blunt distal end. An opening extends through the peripheral wall of the tubular member and in communication with the lumen. A catheter possessing an expandable member is positioned within the lumen of the tubular member. The expandable member expands through the opening in the peripheral wall of the tubular member to engage and stretch the transverse carpal ligament so as to relieve pressure off the median nerve within the carpal tunnel.

Abstract: This invention is an improved flashback vent. A thin piece of biocompatible material is affixed over the open proximal end of a flashback chamber or a plug in the flashback chamber. This material has a plurality of holes formed therein. Thus, where the flashback chamber is used with an IV catheter introducer needle, blood can enter the flashback chamber and allow air to be vented therefrom without blood leaking from the flashback chamber.

Abstract: Peritoneal dialysis device (10) with a balancing chamber (28), which is divided into two balancing chamber halves (32 and 34) by a membrane (30), with an introduction line arrangement (16, 20, 22, 24), a discharge arrangement (22, 24, 20, 62), a catheter line arrangement (36, 38, 42), a valve arrangement (46-52), a pump arrangement (60, 108, 110) and a control unit (82), which switches the balancing chamber halves (32 and 34) in the filling or emptying operation with the aid of the valve arrangement (46-52).The peritoneal dialysis device (10, 106) operates under pressure monitoring volumetrically in the filling phase and pressure-controlled in the emptying phase, and determines the volume of dialysis fluid introduced or discharged from the number of balancing chamber strokes and the ultrafiltration volume from the difference of these.

Abstract: A dual-channel RF power delivery system for applying RF energy to dual electrodes of an RF ablation device with independent control of the power level, frequency, phase, and time duration of the RF energy applied to each electrode to more accurately control the ablation of a target tissue. The power delivery system supplies a first controlled RF signal having a first power level, frequency, phase, and time duration to the electrode of a first flexible stylet and a second controlled RF signal having a second power level frequency, phase, and time duration to the electrode of a second flexible stylet. The difference between the first and second power levels and the temperature of the tissue between the first and second stylers are monitored to control the ablation of the target tissue.

Abstract: An electrically powered transdermal iontophoretic delivery device (10, 20) and a method of making same is provided. The device utilizes electrode assemblies (8, 9) composed of a substantially homogenous blend of a polymeric matrix containing about 5 to 50 vol % of a conductive filler which forms a conductive network through the matrix, and up to about 50 vol % of the agent to be iontophoretically delivered through the skin. In the case of the donor electrode assembly, the agent is typically a drug and preferably a water soluble drug salt. In the case of the counter electrode assembly, the agent is typically an electrolyte salt. The homogenous blend eliminates the need for separate electrode and agent containing layers which require lamination.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet and a liquid absorbent pad for absorbing a liquid exuded from the human body positioned there between, and having an elasticized side flap along each side edge of the absorbent article. The side flap has a loop member formed from either the topsheet or the backsheet, or an optional secondary non-woven sheet, which extends from and loops back toward said side edge of said absorbent pad, and an inserted member formed from a layer which extends from said side edge of said absorbent pad. An elastic material is affixed along a portion of the length of the inserted member, and a seal affixes the inserted member inside the loop member at its base end.The absorbent sanitary article provides improved fit and leakage protection with better comfort.

Abstract: There is disclosed an injection syringe assembly comprising a cannula module including a two-part cannula shield device having a separate front cap, as well as a latched-in cannula holder in which a cannula is glued. In the mounted state, a plug-like cannula seal is received in the front cap and the cannula holding means is located forwardly of the syringe cone of a syringe body of an injection syringe. It is indirectly fastened to the syringe cone by aid of an elongated fastening portion of the cannula shield device. The cannula shield device includes two predetermined breaking points in order to be able to recognize immediately unauthorized manipulations at the syringe.

Abstract: A medical device, for example, an IV cannula or a syringe which has a hollow needle 4 with a sharp distal end 6 for piercing the skin of a patient includes means for protecting the sharp end 6 of the needle 4 after use to minimise the possibility of accidental needle stick. The means includes a rod 12 mounted for movement through the needle 4 between a needle end protection position and a retracted position within the hollow needle 4; and means for maintaining the rod towards the needle end protection position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for delivering controlled heat to perform ablation to treat the benign prosthetic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). According to the method and the apparatus, the energy is transferred directly into the tissue mass which is to be treated in such a manner as to provide tissue ablation without damage to surrounding tissues. Automatic shut-off occurs when any one of a number of surrounding areas to include the urethra or surrounding mass or the adjacent organs exceed predetermined safe temperature limits. The constant application of the radio frequency energy over a maintained determined time provides a safe procedure which avoids electrosurgical and other invasive operations while providing fast relief to BPH with a short recovery time. The procedure may be accomplished in a doctor's office without the need for hospitalization or surgery.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for the programmable iontophoretic or iontophoretic-ultrasonic (ionosonic) transdermal delivery of medication across the skin or other biological membrane. In one embodiment, the programmable apparatus controls the depth of penetration of a medicament into the skin. In another embodiment the programmed delivery of medicament is accompanied by an electrical stimulus for treating substance abuse. The apparatus can be adapted for large dermal area application or for a smaller area of application, depending on the choice of specific electrode employed. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus comprises a multichannel iontophoretic applicator electrode. Multiple piezoelectric elements are mounted on the iontophoretic electrode. The combination of ultrasonic vibration and iontophoresis improves the penetration of medicament in contact with the skin or mucous membrane underlying the electrode which can be programmably controlled by a CPU through the use of a EPROM.