Abstract: A disposable tracheostomy inner cannula connector that is compatible with prior art disposable inner cannula tracheostomy tube systems. The connector has an annular ring at a proximal end thereof which allows the inner cannula to snap in the connector and thereby secure the inner cannula in place. A locking mechanism of the connector, located at the distal end, permanently affixes the outer cannula to the connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a fluid tight seal around a penis of a user comprising for controlling male urinary incontinence, the apparatus having a substantially fluid impermeable sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein, in use, at least a portion of the inner surface contacts the skin of the penis. The sheath has a first longitudinally compliant portion and a second radially compliant portion positioned between the proximal and distal ends. The longitudinally compliant portion can take the form of bellows, and the radially compliant portion can take the form of flutes. A retention arrangement, such as a strap for retaining the radially compliant portion about the circumference of the penis of a user can also be provided. The sheath is, in use, attached at the proximal end to a retention ring attached to a user.

Abstract: A single operator drainage catheter delivery system and method of use. The delivery system includes a guide member having a guidewire lumen extending through a distal portion thereof, with a proximal guidewire port located distal of the proximal end. A placement catheter disposed over the guide member has a catheter lumen extending through a distal portion thereof, with a proximal guidewire port located distal of the proximal end. Locating the proximal guidewire ports as such allows the delivery system to be used by a single person with a shorter guidewire. A drainage catheter is disposed about the guide member distal of the placement catheter. The drainage catheter delivery system preferably includes a means for releasably connecting the placement catheter to the drainage catheter, wherein the releasable connecting means disconnects the drainage catheter upon displacement of the guide member.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and kits for subcutaneously implanting articles, such as drug inserts and reservoirs. The methods rely on percutaneously forming a tissue tract and radially dilating the tract to a diameter which permits introduction of the article. By fully expanding the lumenal diameter of the tissue tract prior to introduction of the article, damage to the article resulting from passage through a partially expanded tissue tract can be avoided. In the exemplary embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve is first percutaneously introduced to the subcutaneous target site. An assembly of a cannula and dilator is then passed through the sleeve, effecting radial expansion. The dilator is removed and the article is then introduced through a lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: A stylet which comprises a stylet assembly body and a connector for connecting the stylet to a catheter. The stylet body has a piece of wire bent double and twisted together to form a rounded end serving as a distal end at one end. The connector has a stylet connecting part for holding a proximal end of the stylet body. The connector also holds the catheter to prevent the catheter from slipping from the stylet during use.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward an X-ray treatment kit to be used in an X-ray treatment apparatus. The X-ray treatment kit includes at least one of an improved biocompatible sheath or an improved probe, wherein an airflow path is maintained between the sheath and probe to allow air present within a void region of the sheath to escape as the probe is inserted therein. In various embodiments, the sheath includes a securing assembly which removably secures the sheath to the probe and provides an airflow path, e.g. an internally disposed annular ring with air shunts. Such a sheath may be used with a typical smooth probe to form an X-ray treatment kit. In other embodiments, an improved probe includes an air channel formed substantially along its length. In such a case, the improved probe may be used with a typical sheath, i.e., a sheath having a solid annular ring at its open end, to form an X-ray treatment kit.

Abstract: A medical valve device for use in selectively establishing a fluid flow between first and second medical implements is disclosed. The valve has a body defining a passage from a first port to a second port. The valve defines a first fluid volume when both medical implements are connected thereto, and a second, smaller volume when one of the implements is disconnected, thereby causing a positive flow of fluid from the valve to the second medical implement when the first implement is disconnected.

Abstract: A skin seal or trocar stabilizer with an inflatable membrane disposed inside, whereby medical instruments may be passed through the skin seal into a endoscopic work space while the inflatable membrane is inflated, thereby allowing the use of normal short conventional open surgery instruments during endoscopic procedures and during insufflation.

Abstract: Therapeutic device intended for the selective cytoreductive treatment of an obstruction in a natural lumen or passage of the human or animal body, said lumen being obstructed by the effect of a local cell proliferation, said device comprising a tubular element, in particular of cylindrical shape, intended to be placed in said natural lumen and sufficiently flexible to conform to said natural lumen, but sufficiently rigid to maintain an artificial channel in said lumen. The tubular element supports lengthwise a medicinal sleeve which is intended to come into line with, and into contact with, the obstruction once the natural lumen has been intubated, and is designed to deliver locally, at least in its outer surface portion, at least one therapeutic agent which is cytoreductive, in particular cytotoxic, through contact with the cells under whose effect said lumen is obstructed.

Abstract: An improved displacement-type syringe has a housing, a substantially fixed seal, a solid or closed-tip plunger, an internal passageway formed between the housing and the plunger, and at least two ports on the housing with at least one port located at each end of the passageway for the passage of fluids and the elimination of gas. The syringe may be mounted in apparatus over a wide range of fixed inclination angles and remain substantially impervious to gas accumulation.

Abstract: A medical device system and method allows an arterial bypass graft to be proximally anastomosed to an aorta during a beating heart CABG procedure without substantial loss of blood by use of an endolumenal aorta isolation assembly provided along the distal end portion of an elongate catheter body. The aorta isolation assembly includes proximal and distal portions that are separated by an intermediate isolation region and that are adjustable to first and second extended positions, respectively, which are adapted to circumferentially engage the aortic wall and isolate upstream and downstream aspects of an exterior space between the elongate body and the aortic wall. Blood flowing within the aorta is thereby isolated from the proximal anastomosis site along the intermediate region and is shunted from an upstream region of the aorta, through the distal port into the flow lumen, proximally along the flow lumen, out from the flow lumen through the proximal port, and into a downstream region of the aorta.

Abstract: An external retaining device, individually or in combination with a catheter having an elongate tube, is provided. The external retaining device includes a base member having a lower surface and an upper surface with a passage extending therethrough. A tube guide portion extending from the upper surface of the base member has two side walls with an elongate channel therebetween. The channel has a first section located proximate the passage and bends upwardly along a smooth transition to a second section angled relative to the first section. A manually-operable clip assembly is located proximate the second section of the channel. The clip assembly preferably includes opposing clip elements mounted for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: An anchoring device for a catheter or cannula including a retainer section forming a channel extending along a central, longitudinal axis and a longitudinal slot along a top of the channel through which an elongate fluid carrying tube for the catheter or cannula can pass. This section includes one or more stop members projecting into the channel for engaging a radially extending surface of a line coupler for the catheter or a catheter connector. A flexible anchor pad is integrally connected to the retainer section and has top and bottom surfaces. A number of parallel ridges are distributed over the bottom surface of this pad to allow air between the pad and the skin of a patient. Preferably the anchoring device has an interior surface at the front end of the channel which frictionally engages the line coupling for the catheter in order to hold same. There is also disclosed a unique method of securing a catheter or cannula using this anchoring device.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing medicinal agents into an ambulatory patient at specific rates over extended periods of time. The apparatus is of a compact, low profile, laminate construction and includes an elastic distendable membrane, chamber having a fluid outlet. Disposed within the fluid chamber is a thin fluid permeable member which precisely controls the rate of fluid flow through the fluid outlet. The apparatus also includes a highly novel fluid flow indicator that provides a readily discernible visible indication of fluid flow through the apparatus. Additionally, the apparatus includes a fill assembly comprising a prefilled vial that can be used to fill the fluid reservoir of the device with a selected medicinal fluid.

Abstract: A no-needle blood access device for hemodialysis comprising, an artificial conduit (12) whose opposite ends are anastomosed to a targeted artery or vein; a metallic body (20), the body including a cylindrical horizontal portion (22) covering the entire circumference of the conduit or an arcuate-shaped horizontal portion (50) covering at least an upper half of the circumference of the conduit, and a cylindrical vertical portion (24) connected to approximately the center of the upper part of the horizontal portion so as to be disposed perpendicular to the horizontal portion and defining a well (26) therein, the horizontal portion being provided at the part located at the bottom of the well with a first pair of apertures (30, 32), the conduit being provided at the corresponding part with a second pair of apertures (30, 32), whereby the well is in communication with the conduit through the apertures; and a pair of shutters (34, 36) slidably housed within opposed pockets formed in the upper part of the horizontal

Abstract: A shim device is provided for use with a low profile gastrostomy device having a gastrostomy tube fitted in a mature stoma and held in place between an internal retention mechanism disposed within a visceral organ of a patient and an external retention mechanism seated on the outer abdominal wall of a patient. Further, the shim device provides an adjustable shim body which is inserted between the external retention mechanism and the patient for accommodating the gradual growth of the patient during convalescence. The shim device also operates to evenly distribute the weight of the low profile gastrostomy device over a patient's outer body.

Abstract: A sheath lock for use with a splittable sheath is disclosed. The sheath lock includes a tapered slot extending from a wide untapered end to a narrow tapered end. A lock box is located adjacent the narrow tapered end of the tapered slot. The lock box has a plurality of tines which grip and retain the sheath when it is positioned within the lock box. The sheath can freely move through the wide untapered end, but the sheath is securely locked when it is moved through the tapered slot from the untapered end into the lock box. The plurality of tines can be arranged in various configurations to form the lock box, including elliptical, circular, rectangular or square configurations around the lock box.

Abstract: A blood seal having a spring-biased septum is provided for preventing the leakage of blood during the placement and use of vascular catheters and similar devices. The structure of the blood seal includes a housing with an internal channel. A spring-biased septum is placed securely within the channel such that it substantially blocks blood flow through the channel. The spring-biased septum includes an elastic plug having a pre-slit or pre-molded hole and a biasing element disposed about the elastic plug. A needle or other object may be withdrawn through the slit or hole, after which the biasing element forces the hole closed, preventing blood leakage.

Abstract: An occlusion cannula for atraumatically blocking a major vessel. The cannula comprises an elongate tubular member having an expandable occluder mounted on a distal region of the tubular member. The tubular member has a lumen extending from a proximal end to one or more perfusion ports in the distal region. The distal region on the tubular member has a first segment curved from the axis of the proximal tubular member, a second segment that curves opposite the first segment, and a third segment that is substantially linear and lies approximately perpendicular to the axis of the proximal tubular member. The occluder is mounted on the third segment of the distal region. Methods of use are also described.

Abstract: An automated peritoneal dialysis machine is provided which is capable of selecting and changing the composition of dialysate delivered to a patient in the course of treatment to meet specific physiological needs. The apparatus includes means for metering solutions of osmotic agent, electrolytes and other desired dialysate components from separate solution containers into mixing chamber means for combination in desired proportions. The means for delivery of fresh dialysis fluid to a patient and for removing spent dialysis fluid from the patient includes means for monitoring intraperitoneal pressure and other conditions of the fluid in the peritoneum and electronic control means responsible to the signal of monitoring means for controlling rates of dialysate infusion and removal.