Abstract: A percutaneous agent delivery or sampling device comprising a sheet having a plurality of microblades for piercing the skin for increasing transdermal flux of an agent. The microblades having a relatively sharp angled leading edge which transitions to a relatively gradually angled blade edge.

Abstract: A hub for connecting a medical catheter in fluid communication with a medical device, such as a syringe, includes a tubular shaped body member which has an outer surface that is formed with a plurality of grips. The hub also has a pair or diametrically opposed wings which extend from the outer surface of the body member and it has a proximal end which is formed as a female luer fitting for engagement with the medical device. The distal end of the hub is formed with a spiral strain relief element having a passageway which receives the proximal end of the medical catheter. In operation, the spiral relief element supports the medical catheter and prevents kinking of the catheter near the hub during flexure of the catheter by providing for a progressive transition from the relative rigidity of the hub to the flexure required by the catheter.

Abstract: The displacement of refill valves in an implantable drug delivery device is reduced to permit the housings of a drug delivery device to remain compact in size while permitting reservoirs of increased depth to be used. In a preferred embodiment, a collapsible link is provided as a telescoping member incorporating a coil spring. As the valve is pulled into contact with its seat, a detectable pressure increase is sensed in the refill device. In accordance with the invention, as the drug supply contained in the reservoir depletes, the reservoir surface moves towards a collapsed position, compressing the coil spring and eventually contacting the valve stem, thereby lifting the valve from its seat. By virtue of telescoping link, the valve stem length and therefore the valve travel may be reduced as compared to prior art devices, thus eliminating the need for increased housing depth when deeper reservoirs are used. The collapsible link may be comprised of a second spring combined with a telescoping link.

Abstract: A disposable applicator for dispensing a desired quantity of a substantially non-runny medicant medicament, including a housing, a plunger and a replaceable cap. The housing is generally tubular having opposing proximal and distal ends and a tapered inner surface extending therebetween. The distal end terminates in a dispensing nozzle that defines a dispensing passageway in substantial coaxial alignment with the housing, while the inner surface has an alignment device. The plunger has a peripheral edge and is configured for axial movement within the housing, where the peripheral edge is aligned by the alignment device and slidingly guided by the inner surface, supporting the plunger therein. The plunger is configured for slidable advancement toward the dispensing opening by exertion of force by a user, so as to urge the medicament through the passageway.

Abstract: An ophthalmic irrigation/aspiration venting system that vents a portion of an aspiration circuit by drawing sterile air from a bag. The bag is provided with an air reservoir member to ensure that an adequate air volume is available.

Abstract: A rheolytic thrombectomy catheter and method of using same to remove thrombus from a body vessel or other body cavity. Several embodiments are disclosed. All embodiments include an outer catheter having a lumen and an inner high pressure tube of a size to enable it to be passed through the lumen of the catheter. The distal end of the inner high pressure tube extends beyond the distal end of the catheter and carries a jet cap for directing one or more jets of saline proximally toward the distal end of the catheter. In some embodiments, the catheter has a distally located inwardly directed stationary stop and the inner high pressure tube includes a distally located outwardly directed transitional stop for engaging the inwardly directed stationary stop to thereby position the jet cap at a defined distance from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An ostomy bag cleaning appliance for cleaning an ostomy bag comprising a housing with a sealable top to prevent soiled water from splashing outside the cleaning appliance when in use, a mounting plate located within the housing for mounting a soiled ostomy bag, and a nozzle that projects through the mounting plate and into the mounted ostomy bag. A conventionally known attachment appliance which corresponds to the dimensions of the user's ostomy bag, can be affixed to the mounting plate so that an ostomy bag can be installed within the cleaning appliance. The head of the nozzle projects through an opening in the mounting plate and into the ostomy bag and provides a multi-directional stream of water into the ostomy bag. The nozzle provides a stronger flow of water downwards into the ostomy bag causing sufficient agitation to break up solid body waste within the ostomy bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements on automatic injection devices, in particular for self-administered drug therapies, providing for a high degree of internal stability of the syringe and, therefore, of the associated needle, thanks to a series of elastic wasp-waisted elements and a mobile tip made of a transparent material in the preferred embodiment, which besides enabling the regulation of the length of projection of the needle during the injection also allows the user to see the exact spot where the needle will enter the flesh.

Abstract: An energy transmitting catheter comprises a catheter body (16) having a vibrating assembly at its distal end. The vibrating assembly comprises a magnetostriction driver (40) which is mechanically coupled to an interface member (46) on the catheter for radiating energy into an environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter. Usually, the vibrating assembly further includes a tail mass (44), an interface member (46), and a spring element (48) which together and in combination with the magnetostriction driver define a resonant assembly for amplification of the displacement of the interface surface provided by the magnetostriction driver. The catheter is useful for treating luminal conditions, such as vascular clot and plaque. Optionally, a therapeutic agent may be delivered through the catheter before, after, or simultaneously with the application of vibratory energy.

Abstract: In preferred aspects, the present invention comprises a self-priming needle-free “Y”-adapter for use with intravenous delivery systems. The “Y”-adapter comprises a “Y”-shaped housing having an inlet passageway, an outlet passageway, and an injection access passageway. Each of the three passageways has an interior end and an exterior end. An inlet port is located at the exterior end of the inlet passageway. An outlet port is located at the exterior end of the outlet passageway. An injection access port is located at the exterior end of the injection access passageway. A needle-free access device is also located in the injection access passageway adjacent to the injection access port. The interior ends of the passageways are in fluid communication and intersect with each other. In addition, the injection access passageway comprises a non-circular cross-section near its interior end.

Abstract: A multi-use medication dispensing pen made of a plastic material that is recyclable after the contents of the medication cartridge have been exhausted. The pen is made of a minimal number of parts, which include a housing, a dial mechanism, a generally cylindrical button assembly located within the proximal end of the dial mechanism, an internally threaded nut, and an externally threaded leadscrew. The pen is arranged so that the dial mechanism must be rotated to the zero-dose position prior to setting a dose. The pen includes a lockout mechanism that prevents the dial mechanism from being inadvertently depressed during dosing. The pen further includes a mechanism that limits the maximum dosage that can be dialed up and a mechanism that prevents the user from dialing up a dosage greater than that remaining in the cartridge.

Abstract: A filter is provided within a transparent drinking straw. The filter has a dense core region and a less dense outer peripherial region. The filter is retained in place within the straw by frictional forces under static conditions. The frictional forces which maintain the filter in place under static conditions may be overcome by fluid flowing through the straw causing the filter to move within the conduit. The filter may support particulate matter which may be a medication or drug. Accordingly, the device may be used as delivery device for drugs administered by oral ingestion. Movement of the filter from a first to a second position provides a visual indication that a predetemined volume of fluid has passed through the conduit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhancing the optical transparency of biological tissue covered by a surface permeability barrier of tissue, involving the delivery of a clarifying agent to the target biological tissue to alter the attenuation characteristics of the target biological tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for catheterized delivery or infusion of medication and anaesthesia are disclosed. The perforating catheter is first used to perforate the periodontal ligament and/or the cortical plate of bone tissue, and is then left in place and used as a catheter for insertion of a hypodermic needle of smaller gauge to deliver medication or anaesthesia to a target area. The perforator is a bevelled needle for drilling into the ligament or bone tissue. For drilling, the device comprises an adaptor which transmits the rotational movement from a dental hand piece or the like to the bevelled needle. A cap is also included for protecting the bevelled needle during storage of the device. The adaptor may have a rod which extends axially into the bevelled needle when the device is assembled for drilling. The rod is used to prevent the debris resulting from drilling from blocking the passage in the bevelled needle.

Abstract: A trocar adapted to extend across the body wall into a body cavity, forming a seal around an instrument inserted through the trocar, comprises a cannula having a first axis extending between proximal and distal ends. A valve housing attached to the proximal end of the cannula forms a working channel with the cannula and includes a rigid housing portion and a flexible housing portion. First and second septum valves are formed in an end wall of the flexible housing portion and form separate valve sets with associated zero closure valves disposed within the valve housing. The valve sets are sized and configured accommodating different ranges of instrument diameters. The first and second septum valves are offset from the axis of the cannula in normal positions but are movable to positions more aligned with the axis of the cannula, due to elastomeric characteristics of the flexible housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for vascular access devices such as syringes and guidewires placement devices capable of differentiating type of blood vessel penetrated by a cannula, including a chamber in flow communication with the cannula, the chamber being adapted to house a vacuum pressure to accelerate backflow of blood from a blood vessel penetrated by the cannula and a slideable, displaceable member within the chamber, such as a piston, displaceable against a calibrated pressure sensitive resilient member such as a spring. The displaceable member is displaced against the pressure sensitive spring rearwardly by the blood pressure indicating to the operator the type of blood vessel penetrated by the cannula by the amount of rearward displacement of the piston in respect to a point reference tab located on the side wall of the chamber.

Abstract: A syringe includes a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from the distal end and having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber. A plunger is provided for drawing fluid into and out of the barrel. The plunger includes an elongated plunger rod having a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection. The breakable connection is strong enough to hold the proximal portion and distal portion together during normal use of the syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to the proximal portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into extravascular tissue surrounding a body passageway is provided comprising a catheter having a sheath, a tubular member, and a plurality of hollow needles on a distal end of the tubular member. The tubular member is selectively movable between delivery position, wherein the plurality of hollow needles are retracted within the sheath, and an extended position, wherein the plurality of hollow needles extend beyond a distal endface of the sheath to pierce and penetrate extravascular tissue. The catheter also includes a balloon for applying pressure to seal puncture wounds created by the hollow needles.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and methods for differentially perfusing a patient undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. A cardiopulmonary bypass machine is configured to provide hypothermic oxygenated blood and normothermic oxygenated blood to an aortic balloon catheter. The catheter has arch perfusion ports and corporeal perfusion ports and is introduced into a patient's aorta and navigated transluminally until the occlusion balloon is located in the descending aorta. The occlusion balloon is inflated and hypothermic oxygenated blood is perfused to the arch vessels while normothermic oxygenated blood is perfused to the corporeal circulation. This procedure offers the benefit of cerebral protection from embolic events during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Abstract: An apparatus that reduces a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue includes a handpiece means and an electrode means at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece means. The electrode means includes an electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface and is advance able from the interior of the handpiece means into the interior of the tongue. An electrode means advancement member is coupled to the electrode means and configured to advance the electrode means an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue. The advancement distance is sufficient for the electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface to deliver electromagnetic energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. Means are provided to provide a controlled delivery of energy to the electrode means. A cable means is coupled to the electrode means.