Abstract: A burr hole ring with a catheter for use as an injection port comprises a modified burr hole ring adapted to engage the skull at a burr hole drilled therein. The interior of the burr hole ring defines a fluid reservoir that may be accessed by a needle or stylet inserted through a septum positioned over the top of the burr hole ring. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the central lumen of a catheter. The assembly comprises a fluid flow path suitable for the transfer of fluids to or from selected location at, near or within the brain. A filter layer may be provided to prevent contamination of the drug infusion site.

Abstract: An over-the-needle catheter for insertion into an anatomical passage through the use of an introducer. The catheter comprises an elongate, flexible catheter body defining proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Partially inserted into and protruding from the distal end of the catheter body is a rigid, tubular sleeve which defines an abutment shoulder within the lumen of the catheter body. Disposed on and encapsulating the exposed portion of the sleeve is a distal tip member defining a central opening which communicates with the lumen via the sleeve. The abutment shoulder is adapted to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which inhibits proximal movement of the tip member relative to the introducer to prevent the tip member from being pushed proximally over the introducer and collapsing the catheter body during the insertion of the catheter into the anatomical passage.

Abstract: An over-the-needle catheter for insertion into an anatomical passage through the use of an introducer. The catheter comprises an elongate, flexible catheter body defining proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Partially inserted into and protruding from the distal end of the catheter body is a rigid, tubular sleeve which defines an abutment shoulder within the lumen of the catheter body. Disposed on and encapsulating the exposed portion of the sleeve is a distal tip member defining a central opening which communicates with the lumen via the sleeve. The abutment shoulder is adapted to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which inhibits proximal movement of the tip member relative to the introducer to prevent the tip member from being pushed proximally over the introducer and collapsing the catheter body during the insertion of the catheter into the anatomical passage.

Abstract: In a catheterization set for placing a catheter in a blood vessel, comprising a puncture needle (10) with a needle hub (16) carrying a grip device (25), a catheter (13) surrounding the puncture needle (10) and having a catheter hub (41) arranged thereon, and a guide wire (12) axially displaceable in the lumen of the puncture needle (10), it is provided, according to the invention, that a grip means (32) of the grip device (25) is arranged in spaced relationship beside the puncture needle (10). In this manner, the puncturing properties of the catheterization set are improved because the user can rest his hand performing the puncture in the immediate vicinity of the puncture site.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle device for administration of anesthesia to a patient's epidural space comprising a hypodermic needle having a barrel portion with opposed distal and proximal ends, a hub assembly located at the proximal end of the barrel portion of the needle, through which instruments such as a rigid stylet, or a flexible catheter having a pre-affixed connector, may be introduced into the needle, and a slot formed axially along the length of the needle from the distal end through the hub at the proximal end of the needle. The slot has a minimum width dimension not greater than the outer diameter of a stylet or epidural catheter such that during location of the epidural space, and placement of a catheter in the epidural space, the stylet and catheter will not come out of the needle, yet the needle may be easily removed from the catheter once the catheter is in place, by pulling the catheter through the slot in the needle.

Abstract: A substantially straight over-the-needle catheter comprising memory material and having a deviated tip may be packaged, shipped and stored for use in a deviated state so as to preserve the material memory. In preparing for use, the catheter is temporarily straightened using a catheter shield, after which a substantially straight inner needle is inserted (optionally through a guide needle). The catheter shield is removed prior to insertion of the catheter with its inner needle into a space within an anatomic structure. Subsequent removal of the inner needle allows the catheter to assume its deviated shape within the anatomic structure. The deviated catheter tends to be well retained in an anatomic structure, tends to reduce leakage of fluids from within the anatomic structural space, and allows predictable direction of fluid flow injected within the anatomic structural space.

Abstract: The present invention relates particularly to a liquid infusion apparatus useful for infusing a medicinal liquid into a human or animal body.

Abstract: Systems for delivering a therapeutic agent to a selected site in a subject are disclosed. These systems enable precise placement of selected amounts, e.g., very small amounts, of a therapeutic agent to a predetermined site or sites in a three dimensional array in a subject with minimal trauma to the subject. These delivery systems include a guide cannula for penetrating a selected site in a subject to a predetermined depth and a delivery cannula for delivering the therapeutic agent to the subject. The guide cannula has an axial bore extending therethrough with an open proximal end and an opening at a distal portion thereof. The delivery cannula has an axial bore extending therethrough, a flexible distal end portion, and an outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the guide cannula. Methods of delivering therapeutic agents to selected sites in a subject using these delivery systems are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (120) useful for, among other things, subcutaneous drug delivery includes a housing (124), a fluid reservoir (154) disposed within the housing for storing the fluid, a pump or pressurized chamber for pressurizing a driving gas and exerting a force on the fluid reservoir to expel the fluid reservoir's contents, and a needle (150) or absorbent pad fluidically communicating with the reservoir. The apparatus may further include a pump activation mechanism such as a button and an electrical circuit such that pushing the button activates a circuit and connects a battery (138) to a pump (126), and a pump control mechanism such as electrical circuitry to control the voltage gradient to a pump to control fluid delivery.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly is provided wherein the catheter includes a side port and a plug located in the catheter hub, the needle is notched and is securely mounted to a shield housing with a plurality of telescoped tubes concentrically surrounding the needle. One of the telescoped tubes is securely connected to the shield housing. The other tubes in the assembly may be slid with respect to one another and distally away from the shield housing. The tubes have combined lengths to enable complete shielding of the needle when the tubes are telescopingly extended. The tubes include interlocking mechanisms to prevent separation of the tubes and to prevent collapse of the tubes once they have been fully extended. The distal-most tube, when the tubes are telescopingly extended, engages a catheter hub to prevent withdrawal of the needle from the shield assembly until the tubes are fully telescopingly extended. After the needle is fully shielded, the shielded needle is separated from the catheter hub.

Abstract: The present invention describes a stylet that softens dramatically upon insertion into a living body with a temperature of about 37.degree. C. The stylet has a distal end and a proximal end. Upon insertion of the distal end into a living body, the distal end softens from a stiffness of about 78 Durometer Shore D units to 25 Durometer Shore D units in a preferred embodiment. Moreover, the proximal end of the stylet, which is not inserted into the living body, retains its stiffness to aid a physician or a nurse in inserting and placing the catheter and stylet assembly.

Abstract: A method of administering a drug to a patient comprises the steps of filling a dispenser (20) with a predetermined total volume of a liquid containing the drug and administering a predetermined volume of the liquid in the dispenser to the patient (10) The liquid in the dispenser is then replaced with a diluent (22). The administration of liquid and replacement with diluent (22) are then repeated from time to time so that diminishing doses of the drug are administered to the patient (10). Preferably the diluent (22) is drawn into the dispenser (20) prior to the drug containing liquid being administered. The method is preferably- patient (10) controlled via control push button (48). The invention extends to apparatus which is used to carry out the method.

Abstract: A reinforced splittable medical introducer cannula for insertion into a patient and delivering a catheter to a desired location within a patient comprising: (a) a body made of splittable material having sufficient strength for insertion through a needle puncture in the skin and through semi-hard tissue of a patient, the cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end, the cylindrical body defining a channel, the channel extending along the longitudinal length of the cylindrical body and between the proximal and distal ends of the cylindrical body, the channel further having a dimensions to permit the catheter to be inserted into the channel at the proximal end and through the cylindrical body and the distal end and delivered to the desired location within the patient; and (b) at least one strengthening strip co-extruded and embedded within the splittable material of the cylindrical body and extending at least partially along the longitudinal length of the cylindrical body, the material of the strength

Abstract: There is an applicator for assisting the injection of a drug such as prostaglandin into a penis. The applicator may comprise an elongated guide member having disposed at one end thereof a support means and syringe ports on said support means. The relative orientation of the guide member, support means and syringe ports being such that in use of the applicator when the guide member is aligned along the length of the penis and the support means is at or adjacent the base thereof said syringe ports are positioned whereby the needle of a syringe when inserted through one of said syringe ports enters the penis tissue at a predetermined angle and/or to a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A pneumatic controlled infusion bag comprises a double-layer infusion bag, a space defined between the layers for receiving pneumatic pressure therein to gradually squeeze the medicament inside the bag delivering into the vessel of a patient. A pneumatic fluid control assembly controllably supplies the pneumatic pressure into the infusion bag. The assembly comprises an air inlet connected to a pneumatic source, an outlet connected to the bag via a hose, a first and a second piston disposed inside the assembly for respectively controlling the open/close and the proper amount of the pneumatic pressure. A pressure release valve inside the infusion bag can automatically release the excessive pneumatic pressure out of the bag. This disclosure overcomes the resistance of the blood pressure and needs no longer to form a potential difference between the infusion bag and the human body.

Abstract: A catheter or cannula (2) which includes a press or pinch point (18) which may be resiliently deformed to prevent flow of blood or other body fluids during insertion of the catheter or cannula tube (10) or it may be part of the boss (11) of the catheter or cannula (2). One or more protrusions or buttons (20) may be integrally moulded to the press or pinch point (18) to assist with the application of pressure to the press or pinch point (18) to prevent fluid flow. Wings (14) extending from the sides of the cannula or catheter (2) may provide support and be hinged to enable compression of the press or pinch point (18). The cathether or cannula tube (10) is of a size to fit over a hypodermic needle (5) of a trocar (1) inserted into the catheter or cannula (2).

Abstract: A subcutaneous safety catheter assembly includes a flexible catheter having an inner wall including a hollow stiffening member which is stiff in the longitudinal direction and flexible laterally; a needle having a sharp point at one end and a grip at the other and being adapted to being disposed in the hollow stiffening member with the sharp point extending beyond the distal end of the member; and a needle guard at the proximal end of the member for securely engaging the needle and shielding the sharp point of the needle upon its withdrawal from the catheter.

Abstract: A needle blunting assembly for use with intravascular introducers, needles and other cannula which are insertable into the bodies such that they become contaminated with body fluids. The blunting apparatus comprises an elongate blunting member which is disposed within the bore of the needle or other tubular cannula, and is axially moveable from a "nonblunting" position wherein the blunt distal tip of the blunting member is positioned within the bore of the needle or cannula, and a "blunting" position wherein the blunt distal tip of the blunting member protrudes out of and beyond the distal tip of the needle or cannula.

Abstract: The invention is a bandage and an assembly especially designed for proper fixation of an oral, endo-tracheal anaesthesia tube relative to the mouth of a person. The bandage includes a support sheet of a flexible, substantially non-ductile material defining opposite side surfaces and defining contiguous first and second parts. The first part is provided with a coating, at one side surface thereof, of a first adhesive exhibiting the ability of adhering to the skin of a person, and being configured so as to allow the first part to be adhered to the cheek of the person leaving the mouth unobstructed. The second part is provided with a coating, at one side surface thereof, of a second adhesive exhibiting the ability of adhering to the endo-tracheal anaesthesia tube, and being configured so as to allow the second part to be adhered to a segment of the tube extending outwardly from the mouth of the person.

Abstract: A retention device is presently disclosed for attaching and maintaining the positioning of a transcutaneous drainage tube in a patient without the use of suturing. The retention device is structurally configured to accommodate a drainage tube. Further, the retention device has a small tube and at least one pair of inflatable discs. The tube is positioned such that one of the discs in the pair of discs is located interior the epidermis while the other disc in the pair of discs is located exterior the epidermis. As the tube and discs are inflated, the pair of discs act as a grommet for securing the retention device to the epidermis. The tube is filled with a sterile, medically bio-inert saline solution at a point exterior the epidermis. Further, the retention device also has a flexible disc for holding a sterile dressing proximate the insertion position for the drainage tube. The retention device is positionally maintained without the need of suturing or other invasive connecting devices.