Abstract: This invention relates to a safety dental syringe which before and after use protects the needle from exposure. More particularly, this invention pertains to a safety sleeve for a conventional dental syringe wherein after the syringe is used, an overlying sleeve surrounding the barrel of the syringe is extended so that the exposed used needle of the syringe is shielded by the sleeve. The invention pertains to a needle and sleeve assembly useful for use in association with a dental syringe comprising a hollow barrel, a piston, and an anaesthetic ampule cavity therein, comprising: a hollow elongated sleeve having openings at each end thereof; and a hollow housing base which supports at one end thereof an injection needle, and at the other end thereof, an ampule penetrating needle, the exterior of the housing base being adapted to slidably engage with the hollow interior of the sleeve.

Abstract: A device for controlling the inflation of a balloon catheter includes a variable volume chamber and an actuator to expel air from the chamber. Movement of the actuator is inhibited by a releasable latch to prevent unintentional inflation of the catheter. An adjustable abutment limits movement of the actuator after the latch is released to prevent overinflation of the balloon.

Abstract: An injector for delivering fluid to a preselected internal target tissue while avoiding fluid exposure to surface tissue. A needle housing assembly is concealed within a cartridge having a puncturable end cap and an ampule is also disposed within the cartridge separate from the needle housing assembly. The cartridge has a cylindrical bore which widens at one end such that the needle housing assembly which has walls while located within the narrower portion of the cylindrical bore prevents the ampule from being punctured by a hollow injection needle supported by the needle housing assembly. When the ampule is propelled toward the needle housing assembly with a plunger, the needle housing assembly enters the widened portion of the cylindrical bore, allowing its walls to be separated such that the hollow injection needle extends into the ampule allowing the fluid to be delivered from the ampule through the hollow injection needle to the internal target tissue.

Abstract: Device for inserting a cannula into a duct. The device includes a housing having a handle and a distal end, the distal end being insertable through a laparoscopic trocar. Attached to the distal end is a duct alignment mechanism and a pivotable endoscope. The endoscope has a visualization capability and a cannula introduction channel and is pivotable between a retracted position in which the terminal end is generally parallel to the distal end of the housing and an extended position in which the terminal end is positioned such that a cannula extended from the cannula introduction channel is generally coaxial with a duct aligned by the duct alignment mechanism.

Abstract: A suture sleeve for securing the leads of a multiple lead implantable medical device includes lead gripping and anchoring portions. The sleeve has a pair of flexible side walls and longitudinally extending channels for receiving the leads. The side walls of at least the gripping portion have longitudinally extending, confronting, spaced apart edges and comprises two layers one of which is formed of a soft plastic such as silicone and the other of which is formed of a harder but flexible material such as polysulfone. Sutures placed and tied about the gripping portion compress the sleeve about the leads. Tightening of the sutures brings the confronting edges of the gripping portion of the sleeve into engagement thereby precluding further compression of the sleeve and preventing damage to the leads.