Abstract: A bleed back control assembly and method for controlling blood loss during catheterization procedures includes a side arm body connected at the proximal end to a seal body. The side arm body comprises one or more branches, each having a lumen, and a finger rest on the exterior of at least one branch. The seal body comprises a cap assembly and a seal assembly. The seal assembly comprises a clamp seal and a bleed back seal, both made of elastomer and held by a seal holder. The cap assembly comprises a threaded cap and a funnel cap. The threaded cap is connected to the seal holder. Rotation of the threaded cap causes the clamp seal to open or close. The funnel cap comprises a dilator, and pressing the funnel cap causes the dilator to open an aperture in the bleed back control seal. A spring, wound around the dilator, returns the funnel cap to its original position, thus closing the bleed back seal. The bleed back seal self-sizes to devices introduced through its aperture.

Abstract: A medical fluid applicator for dispensing a fluid onto biological tissues in tissue adhesive or sealant applications includes a dispensing pathway with an audible loudness indicator that signals the cumulative amount of fluid delivered by varying the pitch or tone of audible signals emitted at discrete volumetric increments. A suction pathway is also included for applying vacuum pressure to the applicator tip contemporaneous with the fluid application. The medical fluid applicator further includes a clearing pathway for retrogradedly withdrawing coagulated mixed fluids, such as mixed two-part tissue adhesives, from the applicator tip. A valve manifold and a shuttle valve are actuated to adjust the operation of vacuum pressure in the device between the various suctioning, clearing, and venting conduits of the device. The valve manifold is also adapted to couple a vent pathway and the suction pathway simultaneously to the vacuum conduit adapted for connection to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A tip for a liquefraction surgical handpiece uses at least two tubes. One tube is used for aspiration and another, smaller tube is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. The distal portion of the injection tube terminates just inside of the aspiration tube so that heated fluid escaping the injection tube is reflected off of the internal wall of the aspiration tube prior to entering the eye. The internal wall is textured or roughened to further diffract the fluid stream. Such an arrangement prevents the injected fluid from directly entering the eye. The handpiece may also contain other tube, for example, for injecting relatively cool surgical fluid.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilatation catheter may utilize the steps of extruding a tubing preform of a polyester resin and then blowing the tubing into an oriented balloon, wherein the tubing preform is dried prior to blowing into the balloon form. Other process steps by which balloon cone and waist thicknesses may be reduced involve varying the axial tension and blowing pressure at several stages as a mold containing the balloon preform is dipped into a heating medium. Specifically, tubing of a thermoplastic material is placed in a mold and blown by pressurizing and tensioning the tubing and gradually dipping the mold into a heated heat transfer media so as to sequentially blow a first waist, a body and a second waist portion. The tubing is subjected to a relatively lower pressure while the body portion is blown than while the first and second waist portions are blown.

Abstract: A chemo-thermo applicator insertable into a tubular membrane in the body of an individual to occupy a site therein in which the surface of the membrane is disrupted by cancerous lesions. The applicator includes concentric inner and outer tubular balloons in which the annular space therebetween is filled with a chemotherapy supply the outer balloon being perforated. In operation, a stream of heated air is fed into the inner balloon which acts to inflate this balloon and to heat the supply to cause it to melt and form a cream. Inflation of the inner balloon acts to expand the outer balloon causing it to conform to the surface of the membrane. The pressure imposed on the supply as the inner balloon expands, forces the heated cream to extrude through the outer balloon perforations to coat the surface of the membrane with the heated cream which then functions as a chemo-thermo agent to destroy the cancerous lesions.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a needle assembly of the kind having a needle, an elongate blunting device, a shifting member, and a flash chamber. The needle is of the kind that has a needle proximal end, a sharp needle distal end and a needle cannula extending therethrough. The elongate blunting device is at least partially located within the needle cannula. The elongate blunting device is of the kind that has a blunting device proximal end, a blunting device distal end, and a blunting device blood flow passage therethrough through which blood can flow from the blunting device distal end to the blunting device proximal end.

Abstract: A radially non-deformable surgical access catheter with a central lumen surrounded by plural peripheral lumens, the lumens being rigidly connected to each other to provide axial stiffness for the catheter as well as rotational stiffness for the catheter so that the catheter may be rotated about its longitudinal axis to place the instruments in any of the peripheral lumens into operational proximity to preselected tissue. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an iontophoresis electrode device with superior performance which avoids entrance of metal ions from the electrode into the body, is reusable and can be mass produced at low cost, minimizes gas generation which causes polarization, can notably improve transport current, and can prevent skin injury by pH changes during prolonged application. The iontophoresis electrode device of the present invention has a construction provided with a backing 1 having an edge section 1a around an opening and a packing chamber 4 inside, an electrode terminal 2 situated in the packing chamber 4, a non-adhesive gel 5 containing an electrolyte solvent, depolarizer, pH regulator and drug packed in the packing chamber 4, an inert electrode member 3 covering the base of the electrode terminal 2, and a liner 7 attached to the adhesive layer 6 coated on the edge section 1a and covering the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a low profile catheter valve comprising a movable sealer portion positioned within the inflation lumen of a catheter. The sealer portion forms a fluid tight seal with the inflation lumen by firmly contacting the entire circumference of a section of the inflation lumen. The sealer portion may be positioned proximally of a side-access inflation port on the catheter, to establish an unrestricted fluid pathway between the inflation port and an inflatable balloon on the distal end of the catheter. As desired, the clinician may move the sealer portion to a position distal of the inflation port, thereby preventing any fluid from being introduced into or withdrawn from the balloon via the inflation port. Also disclosed herein is an inflation adaptor for moving the sealer portion within the catheter to establish or close the fluid pathway between the inflation port and the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A medical valve has a body which includes a wall structure defining an internal cavity having an inside and an outside. The body also has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has an opening sufficiently large to receive a tip of a delivery end of a medical implement which transfers fluid through the delivery end. The body has a fluid escape space in its wall structure. The valve also has a spike with a tip and at least one hole located at or near the tip. The spike has a passageway in communication with the hole that allows fluid to flow through the spike. A resilient seal in the cavity surrounds the spike. This seal is adapted to be moved into a compressed state upon insertion of the tip of the medical implement into the opening. The seal is sufficiently resilient to return to a decompressed state upon removal of the tip of the medical implement from the opening. The fluid escape space is in fluid communication with the outside of the cavity when the seal is in its compressed state.

Abstract: A gastro-intestinal tube placement device for percutaneously placing gastro-intestinal tubes into the gastric cavity. The gastro-intestinal tube placement device of the present invention includes a containment element, such as an overtube, through which a gastro-intestinal tube can pass, and a displacing element assembly for pushing a gastro-intestinal tube through the containment element. The present invention also includes a gastro-intestinal tube having a collapsible internal bolster at its distal end, which bolster is capable of being manipulated to have a reduced lateral extent that allows the tube to be placed within the containment element.

Abstract: The present invention provides prefillable syringes and injectors for use therewith that expand and/or facilitate a variety of medical procedures involving the injection of a liquid medium. In several embodiments, the present syringes and injectors enable the use of current syringe materials at higher pressures than previously attainable or the use of other materials not previously usable with current high pressure-syringe and injector designs. In one embodiment, a syringe comprises an elongated cylindrical main body having a first pair and a second pair of mounting flanges encompassing collectively an arcuate length equal to at least approximately 180° of the circumference of the rear portion of the cylindrical main body for releasably mounting the syringe in a desired position relative to the front wall of the injector housing.

Abstract: A delivery means for delivering liquid containing medicament to a posterior region of the nasal cavity, comprising an elongate tubular member (35; 151) and a nozzle (37; 153) at the free end thereof, which nozzle (37; 153) includes at least one opening (39; 155) through which liquid is in use delivered.

Abstract: A vascular introducer sheath including a tubular shaft and a hemostasis valve assembly connected to the proximal end thereof. The hemostasis valve assembly includes a hub, a cap and a normally-flat gasket disposed therebetween. Both the hub and the cap include continuous curved contact surfaces facing the top and bottom surfaces of the gasket. The continuous contact surfaces may be flat or gently curved and may be smooth or include a means to grip the gasket. At least one of the contact surfaces is formed at an angle to cause the gasket to become convex or concave in response to compression between the hub and the cap. The continuous contact surfaces uniformly distribute forces onto the perimeter of the gasket to avoid stress concentration points that may compromise gasket integrity. In addition, the continuous contact surfaces reduce the amount of pressure necessary to impart the curved shape of the gasket.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's brain and spinal cord. The systems and methods of the present invention are particularly useful for treating cerebrovascular diseases, such as vessel occlusion, or for the volumetric removal or ablation of intracranial tumors or Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs). The method of the present invention comprises positioning an electrosurgical probe or catheter adjacent the target site so that one or more electrode terminal(s) are brought into at least partial contact or close proximity with a body structure within the patient's head or neck, such as tumor tissue or an occlusion within a blood vessel. High frequency voltage is then applied between the electrode terminal(s) and one or more return electrode(s) to volumetrically remove or ablate at least a portion of the body structure in situ.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer that operates in flexure mode provides a highly efficient and compact sonophoresis device. Such a device is particularly useful for efficiently enhancing permeation of a substance through a membrane, such as dermal and mucosal membranes for purposes of transdermal/transmucosal drug delivery and/or body fluid monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problems associated with lead migration, patient movement or position, histological changes, neural plasticity or disease progression. The present invention discloses techniques for implanting a lead having therapy delivery elements, such as electrodes or drug delivery ports, within a vertebral or cranial bone so as to maintain these elements in a fixed position relative to a desired treatment site. The therapy delivery elements may thereafter be adjusted in situ with a position control mechanism and/or a position controller to improve the desired treatment therapy. The present invention also discloses techniques for non-invasively positioning and re-positioning therapy delivery elements after implant to provide electrical stimulation and/or drug infusion to a precise target. A position control mechanism and/or a position controller are provided for adjusting in situ the position of the therapy delivery elements relative to the targeted tissue of interest.

Abstract: A urinary sphincter control device for application to a urethra to control flow of fluid through the urethra, comprises a cuff which can be fitted around the urethra. The cuff comprises a plurality of chambers which extend generally parallel to the axis of the cuff, and which can be inflated by supply of pressurised control fluid thereto. Inflation of the chambers causing the configuration of the cuff to change so as to alter the resistance that is provided by the cuff to flow of fluid along the urethra.

Abstract: A syringe serves also as an ampule and saves labor in transferring contained liquid from an ampule container to a syringe and is not bulky when disposing it. The syringe has a piston integrally molded in a bellows-like cylindrical portion sealingly containing liquid medicine. Pleated reinforcing portions are longitudinally provided at several positions on the bellows portion. Furthermore, retainers are provided to retain a contracted state of the bellows-like cylindrical portion. The piston has a depression formed in a rear portion thereof for pressing by a finger. A needle portion is fitted into the leading end of a cylindrical barrel portion of the bellows. A projection is provided inside the needle portion so as to break a seal sealing liquid medicine and the leading end of the barrel portion of the syringe may be threadingly fitted to a three-way cock for drip infusion.

Abstract: A medical device is provided which includes a shield system and a syringe which is coupled to the shield system. The shield system includes a syringe holder and a shield which is slidably coupled to the holder. A spring resiliently urges the shield from a retracted position to an extended position. Stop members are provided on the holder and shield for maintaining the shield in the retracted position. The syringe is slidably coupled to the holder, and extends within the shield. Axial movement of the syringe with respect to the holder causes disengagement of the stop members, allowing the spring to move the shield to the extended position. Detents are provided on the holder for maintaining the shield in the extended position.