Abstract: Implantable cardiac drug delivery systems. The systems are installed endocardially into a chamber in the heart, and are variously capable of delivering anti-arrhythmia agents into the heart wall, and into the epicardial space outside the heart, and into other chambers in the heart through the septa of the heart.

Abstract: An expandable balloon for insertion into the urinary bladder of an individual. The balloon may be used in treating the urinary bladder, in monitoring the urinary bladder or in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Abstract: A balloon catheter and stent delivery system for medical treatment of a patient includes a balloon inflatable to an inflated shape having a cylindrical working portion, and a deflated shape that is temporarily reformed to enhance longitudinal retention of the stent while the catheter system is advanced or withdrawn, with various additional features.

Abstract: A stationary central dialysis catheter having a planar axially elongated sinuous tubular member having a plurality of axially extending lumens therein and at least a part having a predetermined two-dimensional shape including at least two portions of relative straightness connected by a curved portion region. At least two of said lumens each have at least one aperture for passage of fluid during dialysis, and said apertures are axially displaced from one another along said tubular member. A flexible sheath surrounding at least a part of the tubular member is peelably removable therefrom in situ. Ripcord means is provided in the form of a suture embedded in said flexible sheath and looped around at the distal portion to define a line of weakness separable first adjacent the suture loop for rupturing said sheath in a proximal direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to formulations for the electrically assisted transdermal delivery of lidocaine and epinephrine. The present invention further provides methods and devices for the electrically assisted delivery of local anesthetics, preferably lidocaine.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump having a molded flow channel contained on an elastomeric sheet that is bonded or mechanically attached to a rigid substrate. The pump head rollers are mounted radially from the axis of rotation of the pump motor and compress the elastomeric flow channels against the rigid substrate.

Abstract: A method of injecting a first viscous fluid into a target tissue simultaneous with aspirating a second viscous fluid from the target tissue is disclosed. A surgical system is provided that is capable of supplying pneumatic pressure and vacuum. A first viscous fluid is injected into the target tissue using pneumatic pressure from the system. A mode of operation of the system is changed to provide vacuum and pneumatic pressure. The second viscous fluid is aspirated from the target tissue using vacuum from the system, and the pneumatic pressure remains substantially constant during aspiration. An improved foot pedal for controlling the simultaneous injection and aspiration of viscous fluids is also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter anchoring system is provided to securely anchor to a patient's skin a catheter and fluid supply tube interconnection. The anchoring system comprises a retainer configured to receive a catheter adaptor in a variety of positions. The adaptor interconnects the catheter and the fluid supply tube. In one embodiment the adaptor takes the form of a conical-shaped fitting permanently attached to the collar and includes a radially extending member that projects from the adaptor. The anchoring system additionally includes a flexible, adhesive anchor pad which supports a tube clip, as well as the retainer. The retainer includes a channel that is configured to receive the adaptor in a snap-fit manner. The retainer also includes a plurality of lateral slots. Each slot is sized to receive and to capture the radically extending member (e.g., an annular collar) of the adaptor to prevent the adaptor from sliding within the channel.

Abstract: This invention provides a light delivery catheter having a proximal shaft with two lumens and a distal shaft connected to the proximal shaft, which distal shaft has only a single lumen. A guidewire and a light guide are received in the first and second lumens resectively, of the proximal shaft, either of which may be extended into the single lumen of the distal shaft, the distal shaft being sufficiently flexible to facilitate movement of the catheter through tortuous paths. A hub is provided having ports through which appropriate fluids may be applied to the lumens. When used to remove a blood clot in a blood vessel of the brain or other part of the body, the guidewire is extended through the single lumen in the distal shaft and is utilized to guide the catheter adjacent the clot, at least one guidewire/light guide exchange being performed to ablate the clot.

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 syringe type ampoule having a) a barrel with a front end and a rear end defining an axis therebetween, the barrel having substantially constant cross-section between the front end and the rear end, at least the front end ending in an opening, b) a sealer attached to the front end and sealing the opening, c) at least one piston movably and sealingly arranged within the barrel and d) a sleeve extending along at least a part of the barrel, the sleeve having a front part and a rear part, the front part being connected to the sealer. The barrel has a front end terminating in an edge surrounding the opening, the edge having an outer circumference substantially equal to the barrel outer circumference. The invention relates to methods and means for manufacture of pre-filled such ampoules or other ampoules.

Abstract: A needle assembly for passing a needle through an aperture formed in a plate placed between the needle assembly and a body to be pierced by the needle, the needle assembly including a needle having a needle point, and a sleeve associated with the needle, wherein at least a portion of the sleeve has elastic properties in a generally longitudinal direction and is adapted to take up a generally extended state when the assembly is in a non-operative orientation so as to surround a portion of the needle including the needle point, and is further adapted to take up a compressed state when the assembly is in an operative orientation so as to expose a portion of the needle including the needle point, the needle point passing through the aperture in the operative orientation, and wherein the sleeve comprises an aligning device for aligning the needle point with respect to the aperture.

Abstract: The partial vacuum generated in a vacuum chamber by a suction pump via an air aspirating line and a hose can be changed by admitting leakage air through an air supply line. The supplied amount of leakage air is determined by a relative movement of a regulating groove and a leakage groove in respect to each other, and the partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber is regulated in this way. Since in a breast pump the partial vacuum generated in the vacuum chamber is transmitted to the funnel-shaped breast body, it is possible in this way to also regulate the partial aspiration vacuum over the breast.

Abstract: An improved catheter for delivery of a saline solution to a fallopian tube to be examined by ultrasonic energy and for filling the uterus with a saline solution simultaneously in a sealed position. The device uses first and second expandable balloon sealing elements, one for the fallopian tube opening, the other for the cervix opening to completely seal the fallopian tube and the uterus. The distance between the balloons is adjustable, and a catheterization tip is insertable through a lumen into the fallopian tube. Liquid is provided to the balloons through separate lumens that include cutoff valves for holding the liquid in the balloons. The method employed involves inserting the distal end of the device into the uterus opening while positioning the balloon within the cervical opening and positioning a second balloon in the fallopian tube. The method then includes expanding both balloons so that the cervix and then the fallopian tube are sealed tightly.

Abstract: In an infusion set having a container for fluid medicines, which by a feed-line and a differential pressure valve is connected to a drip chamber and which by a further feed-line is connected to a front end controlled with a roller clamp according to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/800,779, the differential pressure valve has two inlets each with an associated differential force chamber and the two differential force chambers are sealingly separated from each other by a diaphragm disk, wherein both differential force chambers are connected to an exit line for the fluid medicine. To use the differential pressure valve, the valve is configured as a 3-way check valve by the fact that the first inlet is connected to the container for the fluid medicine and that the second inlet is designed for the connection to a syringe or the like.

Abstract: A set depth nail notcher for cutting a notch of predetermined depth in a nail plate comprising a handle having a smooth flat surface, a longitudinal cutting edge protruding from the smooth flat surface to a height equal to the predetermined depth of the notch. A method for treating nail, especially toenail, fungus comprising cutting a notch to a predetermined depth in a nail or a toe of finger infected with fungus and applying a topical anti-fungal medication to the toe or finger through the notch.

Abstract: A method of providing a therapeutic, diagnostic or lubricious hydrophilic coating on an intracorporeal medical device and the coated device produced thereby, wherein the coating is durable. In one embodiment, the coating comprises a polymerized base coat and a therapeutic, diagnostic or hydrophilic top coat, where the base coat has a binding component which binds to the top coat, and a grafting component which binds to the binding component and adheres to the device. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a blend of a hydrophilic compound, a grafting component, and salt, wherein the polymerized grafting component contains uncrosslinked domains. The coating of the invention may be applied to a medical device with a polymeric surface such as a polymeric catheter, or a metal device coated with a polymeric primer or without a primer, or to a stent.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for the registration of the setting of a medical device, the setting of which implies a mechanical adjustment of at least two relatively moveable elements of the device. The invention is characterized in that the apparatus is intended for disconnectible engagement with the medical device, and that it has detector means for detecting the mechanical adjustment and has information means arranged for providing information related to said mechanical adjustment.

Abstract: An intelligent material unit formed of an intelligent gel encapsulated within an enclosure. When the gel is actuated by a change in temperature thereof, such as heat and/or by an externally applied field such as an electrical current, electric field, magnetic field, ultrasonic energy (or sonic), microwave energy, a laser beam or a combination thereof, at least a portion of the wall of the container or enclosure is deformed to perform a mechanical function or operation; such as to valve a fluid or cause movement of the container and gel through a fluid or in a passageway. The container may be a thin-skinned flexible plastic, such as an elastomer and may be elongated or sausage-like in shape, or strip-like. It may be free travelling, cantilever-supported or otherwise mounted or attached to a device, machine or element. It may also carry a drug for delivery therefrom at a select location and time.

Abstract: A valve system configured to access the cardiovascular system of a patient includes: (i) a valve body having a lumen therethrough; (ii) a selectively openable resilient first seal, (iii) a compressible second seal including an opening which communicates with the lumen when the second seal is in an open position; (iii) a locking nut movably coupled to the valve body, the locking nut configured to selectively increase and decrease compressive force on the second seal; and (iv) an introducer configured to selectively open the resilient first seal. The introducer has a proximal end and a distal end. The introducer is movably coupled to the locking nut and reciprocates between a first position and a second position within the locking nut. The resilient first seal is in the closed position when the introducer is in the first position and the resilient first seal is in the open position when the introducer is in the second position.