Abstract: A drug delivery device having a base member defining a skin-contacting surface, a syringe serving as a reservoir for the drug, and means for expelling drug from the syringe. The syringe is connected to the base member such that the longitudinal axis of the syringe is substantially parallel to the skin surface. A delivery needle is in communication with the syringe. The needle has an angled bend which directs the tip of the needle substantially perpendicular to the skin-contacting surface. In use, the tip of the needle is adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject.

Abstract: Implantable ports and other devices are disinfected by the injection of an anti-microbial agent into a region in the device or in a tissue pocket surrounding the device. In a first embodiment, the anti-microbial agent is injected through an aperture in the device to flush internal regions of the device before infusing the tissue pocket and flushing outwardly through a tissue tract leading to the device. In other embodiments, the anti-microbial agent is injected directly to a target site on the exterior of the device. Implantable devices may include special, usually hardened, target regions for receiving the sharpened end of a needle used to inject the anti-microbial agent. Kits will include devices, syringes, access devices, and instructions for disinfection according to the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The needle protection holder encloses an automatically retractable safety syringe and needle within a tubular cylinder after the needle has been used. Its intended purpose is to remove a needle attached to a syringe from a patient, both human and animal, thereby containing the needle safely within the holder or cylinder. With such a construction, the holder prevents the exchange of bodily fluids caused by needle sticks which are known to cause serious illnesses including death to medical technicians and personnel.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system, in particular, for use in non-endoscopic surgery having a surgical instrument provided with a shaft in which a supply channel having a distally disposed liquid emergence opening and an evacuation channel having a distally disposed liquid draw-off opening, and a pump device which pumps a liquid into the supply channel with such a pressure that the tissue in front of the distal end of the surgical instrument is separated along natural separation planes by the liquid emerging from the emergence opening, and the liquid out of the liquid bubble surrounding the distal end of the surgical instrument is pumped through the evacuation channel to the proximal end of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for one-step preparation of fibrinogen adhesive by polyethylene glycol-mediated precipitation from plasma are disclosed. The methods and apparatus of the invention permit preparation of autologous fibrinogen adhesive composition from the patient during surgery, and can be applied generally to provide such compositions. Also disclosed are an apparatus and method for application of sealant comprising this fibrinogen adhesive composition.

Abstract: An improved suction and irrigation system for debriding a tract wound includes a suction and irrigation handpiece and a dual lumen suction and irrigation tip that is removably connectible to the handpiece. The tip has a flexible shaft and a connector for connecting the shaft to the handpiece. The flexibility of the shaft facilitates advancement of the shaft to the deepest part of the tract wound while also limiting further trauma to the wound.

Abstract: An apparatus having a shaft that can sense the depth of penetration, for penetrating into an object (the substrate). The substrate being penetrated has impedance that varies according to the depth under a surface of the substrate. The shaft has a tip for penetration and has conductive ends near to the tip of the shaft. A change of impedance of material of the object between the conductive ends can be sensed to provide information on the depth of penetration. A processor can be provided external to the object being penetrated by the shaft to gather and process the impedance information to determine whether the desired depth has been achieved.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood set may be primed with physiological solution for use in a blood transporting process such as hemodialysis. The set comprises tubing having a patient connector on an end thereof, and a first branch tube in connection with a source of the solution. The branch tube connects with the set between the ends of the set. The branch tube also connects with further branch tubing, having a second connector which is capable of sealing connection with the patient connector. The method comprises the steps of connecting the patient connector and the second connector to form a closed loop of tubing. One then passes the solution from the source in flow through the first branch tube and further branch tubing to fill them and the set tubing with the solution. One then disconnects the patient connector for subsequent connection with the vascular system of a patient.

Abstract: A breastpump is provided with a universal suction hood base that can be used with a set of different shields. An improved shield is further disclosed which is more flexible and conforms more readily to the breast, and also provides massage.

Abstract: A system of rotate-to-advance medical devices including catheters, dilators, occluders, stents, suprapubic catheters and camera introducers configured with external screw threads and depending substantially on rotation for means of advancement and emplacement in mammalian genitouinary and gastrointestinal passages and organs.

Abstract: An ampoule which has been designed to contain sterile medicinal fluids of various types and doses in a measured dose fashion, which allows direct administration via linkage to standardized existing indwelling catheters, tubing and even hypodermic needle hubs by virtue of a contained Luer Lock fitting. The invention eliminates the need to draw up fluids into intermediary devices such as needles and syringes or other injection devices, thus minimizing costs and enhancing safety and convenience. The ampoule, by virtue of finger pressure on its flexible structure, allows complete administration directly into the body or its structures. The contents of the ampoule are protected and the sterility of contents and linkage mechanism is protected by a cover which occludes the opening into the ampoule until use. The ampoule also allows direct administration by connection of its Luer Lock fitting to standard hypodermic needles and hubs for injection into or through body structures.

Abstract: A protective device for injection or aspiration needles has a barrel piece telescopically slidable over an adapter sleeve mounted at one end to the luer coupling of the syringe or to a multisample collector. An injection needle is mounted within the adapter sleeve, projecting out through an opening in the opposite nose end of the barrel piece. An interposed spring urges the adapter sleeve and barrel piece apart towards a fully extended position. The barrel piece and adapter sleeve are latched together in a ready to use position with the needle partially protruding out from the barrel piece. As the syringe or multisampling system is advanced, the needle is extended out through the barrel piece end to allow penetration into the patient's body, and automatic unlatching is induced as penetration begins.

Abstract: An improved needle for directional placement of the needle into or to a target area, such as a blood vessel or organ, for the purpose of performing an invasive procedure with a minimal amount of trauma to the target area. The needle comprises a connection hub, a needle shaft, and a flexible tip member connected to a distal end of the needle shaft to facilitate maneuvering the needle through tortuous passages within the body. The flexible tip member includes a blunt end that prevents or reduces trauma to tissues and vessels that are contacted with the distal portion of the needle during positioning of the needle. The invention further comprises a flexible-tipped needle having a balloon sealingly attached to a distal end of the spring tip member. The flexible-tipped balloon needle includes an inflatable balloon sealingly connected to the distal end of the flexible tip member.

Abstract: An automatic manifold for a catheter assembly. Valve means automatically open and close flow between a liquid supply port for connection to injection means and a liquid delivery port for communication with the catheter assembly. A pressure sensor is integrated into the manifold. The manifold also includes a quick-disconnect coupling mechanism for a liquid supply port.

Abstract: An electrode assembly and a method of forming an anhydrous reservoir layer of an electrode assembly in an electrotransport transdermal agent delivery device are provided. The reservoir layer is adapted to be placed in agent-transmitting relation with a body surface and an electrode in electrical contact with a power source and the reservoir layer. The method includes the steps of dissolving a beneficial agent in a solvent, applying the solvent and dissolved beneficial agent to a surface of a hydrophilic polymer filtration membrane, removing the solvent from the surface of the filtration membrane, and disposing the beneficial agent/filtration membrane within the electrode assembly.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter comprising an elongated catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen, and a tip member on a distal end of the catheter having a proximal end spaced distally apart from the distal end of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A gastrostomy device including a tubular portion having an outer end and an inner end, and an internal bolster integrally attached to the tubular portion inner end and resiliently movable between an installation configuration and a deployed configuration. The internal bolster has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface surrounds the tubular portion inner end and is generally convex in shape. The outer surface includes a planar portion and a concave portion that extends from the planar portion. The bolster is placed in an installation configuration by the cooperative action of a rod member and a suture member. The rod member is inserted into a pocket provided on the outer surface of the bolster, and the suture member is wrapped around internal bolster to keep the internal bolster generally aligned with the tubular portion axis.

Abstract: A syringe loading device is disclosed that includes a vial holder, a syringe insertion guide and holder, a transparent cover mounted to the vial holder and syringe insertion guide and holder, and an ejection button. The vial holder is adapted to hold a vial containing liquid contents and has an integrated interference snap fit to removably receive a cap of the vial. The syringe insertion guide and holder, which is placed adjacent the vial holder and integrated therewith, is adapted to allow a syringe having a needle at one end to be removably inserted, needle end first, into the syringe insertion guide and holder with the needle penetrating into the vial. The syringe insertion guide and holder also has biased syringe clamps that hold the body of the syringe in a removably fixed position. The transparent cover slidably mounts parallel to the vial holder and syringe insertion guide and holder to protect the vial and syringe when placed in the syringe holder.

Abstract: This invention involves a new device and method for treating hemorrhoids. The device has a substantially cylindrical shape and, at least at one portion, has a diameter of between about 5 mm and about 30 mm. The device is inserted into an anal canal so that it is positioned against at least one displaced anal cushion, and is maintained there for a sufficient time to achieve reduction of the displaced anal cushion.

Abstract: A dilation catheter having a first shaft section, a second shaft section attached to the first shaft section, and an inflatable balloon attached to the second shaft section. A fluid pathway is defined through the catheter for inflation of the balloon. A guide wire lumen is provided in the second shaft section that can extend between the distal end of the balloon and a point distal of the first shaft section. A stiffening member is provided within the second shaft section of the dilation catheter to provide additional stiffness to the second shaft section. In a preferred embodiment, the stiffening member is attached at the distal end of the first shaft section to occlude the hollow passage of the first shaft section. In this embodiment, the first shaft section farther includes a fluid port that is proximal of the stiffening member and that extends between the hollow passage of the first shaft section and the exterior of the first shaft section.