Abstract: The invention relates to devices for draining biological fluids. A first device comprises a housing (2) and a pinch valve (3) mounted in the housing, away from the walls of the latter. The housing includes an opening (11) arranged opposite the pinching means (6) of the valve. Another device (13) comprises a catheter section (7) of a drainage line and a member (12) for supporting the catheter, the catheter section passing into and emerging from the support member (12) at two points and forming a loop between these two points.

Abstract: A needleless injection site comprising a housing defining proximal and distal ends and including a reseal member disposed therein. The reseal member has an elastically openable and closable aperture formed therein, and normally resides within the housing in a closed position wherein the aperture is in a closed configuration. The reseal member is deformable such that the application of distally directed pressure thereto will cause the reseal member to distally advance within the housing to an open position wherein the aperture assumes an open configuration. The removal of the distally directed pressure from the reseal member will cause it to resiliently return to the closed position wherein the aperture assumes the closed configuration.

Abstract: A surgical system having a cassette with an aspirant collection chamber and an aspiration vent line that draws fluid from the aspirant collection chamber. The pressure within the collection chamber is maintained near ambient so that when the aspiration vent line is open, fluid flows from the collection chamber and into the aspiration line. Such a system does not require a second source of irrigation fluid, minimizes pressure surges into the irrigation fluid line and does not affect the fluidic performance of the aspiration system. In addition, various vent pressures can be achieved by varying the vertical position of the reservoir relative to the aspiration line.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump is provided with a housing, a pump head in the housing, and a receiving path defined along a housing and pump head for receiving tubing. A door is pivotable about an axis between a closed position covering the receiving path and an open position exposing the receiving path. A carrier is provided on the housing for holding an anti-free flow slide clamp on the tubing in the receiving path. The carrier is movable relative to the housing so as to automatically effect closure of the tubing by the slide clamp when the door is opened.

Abstract: A surgical instrument valve assembly is provided with a valve seal where the upper portion of the valve seal is rigidly mounted to the body of the valve assembly. The lower portion of the valve seal is configured to allow some radial movement while the upper portion of the valve seal remains rigidly mounted within the valve assembly. The valve seal may be provided with stay that prevents the valve seal from inverting when an instrument in withdrawn from the valve assembly.

Abstract: An implanter comprising a housing, a hollow needle connected to the housing, a drive pin positioned within the housing and aligned with the hollow needle, and a trigger assembly operably connected to both the housing and the drive pin. The drive pin has a distal end, and further has a retracted position wherein the distal end of the drive pin is in the housing and an extended position wherein the distal end of the drive pin portion extends out of the housing. A pellet is positioned between the needle and the distal end of the drive pin when the drive pin is in the retracted position. The drive pin expels the pellet through the hollow needle when moving from the retracted position to the extended position. The trigger assembly includes a trigger that has a relaxed position and an actuated position. The drive pin moves from the retracted position to the extended position when the trigger moves from the relaxed position to the actuated position.

Abstract: A middle ear fluid aspirator comprised of a syringe assembly that provides suction through the creation of negative pressure therein and a needle having an angled region that permits the operation of the aspirator while maintaining visual contact with the tympanic membrane and a needle safety assembly whereby the penetrating portion of the needle is not capable of damaging the ossicular structures of the ear.

Abstract: A vascular access device is provided which can be used for chronic venous or organ access. When implanted, the device facilitates repeated intermittent infusions of medical treatment while reducing the risk of infection at the implant site. The vascular access device comprises an elongated body and a delivery tube coupled to the elongated body for delivering the medical treatment to a preselected site in a patient's body, which permits subcutaneous implanting of the device with a minimally invasive procedure. A sheath and a dilator are adapted to form an access tunnel in the patient's body commensurate in configuration with the elongated body of the device. A guide wire is provided to guide the sheath and dilator from a first opening to a second opening in the patient's body. The introduction of the sheath eases the placement of the device and reduces access site trauma to the vein, organ, or any other location in the body to which the medicine or therapy is to be applied.

Abstract: A hypodermic injection system allows for the generation of a high pressure liquid jet capable of passing through the skin. The system uses two regions, the first region being flexible or squeezable and the second region having at least one exiting orifice through which the liquid jet can be expelled. The flexible region can be deformed by a pressure change in the surrounding container generated by an activatable gas generator that generates pressure within the first region that causes the liquid to be expelled.

Abstract: A device for removing a thrombus or other tissue deposit from the cardiovascular system, natural or synthetic tubule or cavity found in the human body of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus or other tissue deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A flexible metal or high pressure plastic tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline or other physiologic solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet is directed at the opening of a large exhaust lumen or other target. The jet(s) is responsible for providing a localized negative pressure which entrains tissue into the jet from break-up of the debris. This jet(s) can also provide stagnation pressure in the exhaust lumen which drives the tissue or thrombotic debris out of the exhaust lumen. Operation of the device with tip pressure greater than 500 psi provides this device with the entrainment and exhaust characteristics which contribute to its effectiveness.

Abstract: A guidewire or a catheter for crossing vascular occlusions comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a drive member having a proximal and a distal end, the drive member being rotatably disposed within and along a longitudinal axis of the guidewire shaft. An actuator is connected to the proximal end of the drive member, the actuator imparting a rotation to the drive member. An asymmetrical rotating tip is attached to the distal end of the drive member and driven in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft by the drive member. The rotating tip may include a protruding portion that projects from a plane defined by an outer surface of the guidewire shaft to render the rotating tip asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The protruding portion creates a volume of revolution as the asymmetrical tip rotates, which facilitates crossing a vascular occlusion by displacing and exerting pressure on stenotic material causing the occlusion.

Abstract: A method and solution for perioperatively inhibiting a variety of pain and inflammation processes at wounds from general surgical procedures including oral/dental procedures. The solution preferably includes multiple pain and inflammation inhibitory at dilute concentration in a physiologic carrier, such as saline or lactated Ringer's solution. The solution is applied by continuous irrigation of a wound during a surgical procedure for preemptive inhibition of pain and while avoiding undesirable side effects associated with oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous or intravenous application of larger doses of the agents.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulator of a type having a variable outlet defined by a spacing between an outlet aperture and a flexible diaphragm, and in which the position of the flexible diaphragm varies as a function of a pressure differential between a sensing chamber on a first side of the diaphragm and an outlet chamber on a second side of the diaphragm. The regulator includes an adjustable flow impedance configuration in the flow path from the sensing chamber to the outlet chamber has a two elements providing opposing cylindrical surfaces in sliding contact. One of the cylindrical surfaces has a groove configured to define a flow-attenuating passageway having a net flow vector substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical surfaces. Axial relative movement between the elements causes a variation in an extent of overlap between the cylindrical surfaces, thereby varying an operative length of the flow-attenuating passageway.

Abstract: Apparatus for instilling a medicament into an eye includes a rigid housing for containing a reservoir of medicament and a nozzle for instilling a dose of the medicament into an eye. A displacement pump, sealing a front end of the rigid housing and in fluid communication with the reservoir, provides for metering doses of medicament from the reservoir to the nozzle and for forcing each metered dose through the nozzle. A stopper, slidably disposed within a rear end of the rigid housing, provides for gradually decreasing the housing volume containing the medicament reservoir. A diaphragm provides for accommodating transient decreases in the volume containing the medicament reservoir during metering of doses therefrom by the displacement pump.

Abstract: A back-up retention member drainage catheter (10) for insertion in the bladder and urethra of a patient undergoing a radical prostatectomy surgical procedure. The drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular member (11) having a drainage lumen (14) extending longitudinally therein with an external drainage port (15, 16) disposed near the distal end (12) of the tubular member. A back-up retention member (18) and, in particular, a first balloon (20) is disposed on the elongated tubular member near the distal end and proximal the external drainage port. A primary retention member (19) and, in particular, a second retention balloon (22) is also disposed on the elongated tubular member around the first retention balloon. First and second inflation lumens (21, 23) extend longitudinally through the elongated tubular member and communicate internally with the first and second retention balloons, respectively.

Abstract: A microneedle array, constructed of silicon and silicon dioxide compounds or of a molded plastic material, is provided to penetrate the stratum corneum and epidermis layers of skin, but not into the dermis. The microneedles can be used to either dispense a liquid drug, or to sample a body fluid. The delivery of drugs and sampling of fluids can be performed by way of passive diffusion (time release), instantaneous injection, or iontophoresis. A complete closed-loop system can be manufactured including active elements, such as micro-machined pumps, as well as passive elements such as sensors. A “smart patch” can thereby be fabricated that samples body fluids, performs chemistry to decide on the appropriate drug dosage, and then administers the corresponding amount of drug. An electric field may be used to increase transdermal flow rate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a meatus plug for lachrymal canal capable of being screwed, consisting of a substantially cylindrical body (1) whose side surface comprises a helical thread similar to that of a screw for placing or removing the meatus plug by screwing or unscrewing with a tool having a polygonal or cruciform blade used as a screwdriver, the plug comprising or not a through conduit for the passage of a predetermined flow of lachrymal fluid. It is designed for controlling the flow of tears running on the surface of the eye towards the nasal cavity through the lachrymal canals or ducts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing pharmaceutical Moxa extract and a skin-electrode type electrical moxibustion apparatus, and more particularly to method and apparatus of making Artemisia-extract tincture and Artemisia-extract lotion in a simple manner and operation moxibustion remedy in a convenient manner.

Abstract: A deflectable guiding catheter generally having an elongated shaft with a deflectable distal section, a second lumen, a first lumen in fluid communication with a port in the distal end of the shaft, an elongated tapered deflection line within the second lumen, and reinforcement strands within a wall of the shaft. The first lumen is independent from the second lumen, and is therefore not obstructed by the deflection line. The longitudinal axes of the second lumen and first lumen are axially aligned with respect to one another, and are eccentric to the shaft longitudinal axis. The reinforcement strands and the deflection line extend in at least a portion of the deflectable distal shaft section to a location spaced proximally of the distal end of the deflectable distal shaft section.

Abstract: The balloon catheter has a catheter hose (10) and a hydraulically expandable balloon (14) on a balloon support (13). Between the catheter hose (10) and the catheter support (13), there is a small-diameter pump (16) which takes blood in through lateral inlets (21) and pumps it through the tubular balloon support (13). The pump (16) is driven by a flexible shaft (23) running through the catheter hose (10) or by a directly integrated micromotor.