Abstract: A needle point barrier includes a resiliently deflectable spring arm, a link arm and a barrier arm. The proximal end of the spring arm is secured near the proximal end of the needle. The link arm has one end hingedly connected to the spring arm and an opposed end hingedly connected to a proximal position on the barrier arm. Distal portions of the barrier arm slidably engage the needle. The needle point barrier can be collapsed into a Z-shaped configuration near the proximal end of the needle. The barrier arm can be urged distally by force applied to the proximal end of the barrier arm. Initial movement of the barrier arm will deflect the spring arm away from the needle. After sufficient manual movement of the barrier arm, the resiliency of the spring arm will urge the barrier arm distally into shielding relationship with the distal end of the needle.

Abstract: An attachment is described whereby a cannula or needle can be connected to a syringe or vacuum-creating machine in a quick and reliable manner. The cannula attachment comprises a plug which rigidly connects to the cannula at a tip using welding or other mounting methods, such that the plug can communicate fluid into and out of the cannula. The plug includes external threads about a middle portion, and a frustro-conical nose is formed at the opposite end. The nose is sized to fit snugly into the port of the syringe or vacuum-creating device at some intermediate distance between the tip and the end of the nose. With the nose tightly in the syringe port, a channel is formed through the plug from the cannula to the syringe barrel. The attachment is held in place by a locking sleeve which receives the syringe's port and the plug within opposite ends of a longitudinal bore such that the nose projects loosely into the syringe port.

Abstract: Treating a patient by collecting a bodily sample from deep within the body of a patient and collecting the sample outside the body to facilitate treatment of the patient. A sampling probe is provided in the form of an elongate catheter having a proximal portion that remains outside the body and a distal portion that can be located within the body. The distal portion includes a polymer on its outer surface capable of receiving a substantial amount of bodily sample. The catheter is positioned within the body and the sample is taken by exposing the polymer by placing it in proximity within a desired location so that the bodily sample is received by the polymer. The catheter is removed from the patient and the sample is collected outside the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injection system and a pump system for use therein for pressurizing a liquid medium for injection into a patient. In general, the pump system comprises a pressurizing unit having at least one chamber. Each chamber has disposed therein a pressurizing mechanism to pressurize liquid medium within the chamber. Preferably, the pressurizing mechanism positively displaces the liquid medium through generally linear motion of the pressurizing mechanism within the chamber. Through reciprocating linear motion of the pressurizing mechanism (for example, a piston), the liquid medium is alternatively drawn into the chamber from a source of liquid medium (for example, a container) and forced out of the chamber under a desired pressure. Each chamber comprises an inlet port and an outlet port.

Abstract: A guiding catheter for use in coronary angioplasty and other cardiovascular interventions which incorporates a plurality of segment of selected flexural modulus in the shaft of the device. The segments which have a different flexibility than the sections immediately proximal and distal to them, creating zones in the catheter shaft which are either more or less flexible than other zones of the shaft. The flexibility and length of the shaft in a given zone is then matched to its clinical function and role. A mid-shaft zone is significantly softer than a proximal shaft or distal secondary curve to better traverse the aortic arch shape without storing too much energy. A secondary zone section is designed to have maximum stiffness to provide optimum backup support and stability.

Abstract: An endoscopic infusion needle device includes a catheter within which an injection tube having a distal injection needle is slideably disposed. A proximal actuating handle is coupled to the proximal ends of the catheter and the injection tube, and a distal stopping structure is provided on distal portions of the catheter and the injection tube. In one embodiment, the stopping structures include a rigid elongate skeletal structure occupying a portion of the annular space between the tube and the catheter, and an annular band on the tube which resides within the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure fits tightly within the cannula, allows irrigation fluid to pass through the annular space between the tube and the catheter to exit the distal end of the catheter, prevents the annular band from escaping through the proximal end or the distal end of the skeletal structure, and maintains the tube in substantial axial alignment with the catheter.

Abstract: Catheters for delivering drugs or other agents within a lumen, such as an artery or vein, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a catheter comprises an outer shaft with a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. An inner shaft is slidably received within the outer shaft. A distal portion of the shaft comprises a plurality of grooved delivery members having a non-deployed position wherein the delivery members lie within and are compressed by the outer shaft, and a deployed position wherein the delivery members extend beyond the outer shaft. In the deployed position, the delivery members flare outward at an angle, beyond the diameter of the outer shaft to bear against a site of interest, which can be a thrombus or a vessel wall, for example. Drugs or other agents can be conveyed to the delivery members through a space between the inner and outer shafts.

Abstract: A catheter assembly which permits simultaneous dilatation and incision of tissue whereby trauma and damage to the tissue due to uncontrolled tearing is reduced or eliminated comprising an elongated tubular body having a distal end that carries a dilatation balloon and cutting element carried on the exterior of the balloon and that moves radially in concert with the exterior of the bladder as the bladder is inflated and deflated. A radiofrequency current is directed through the cutting element to incise proximate tissue. Pressure can be applied to the tissue prior to cutting to facilitate separation and subsequent to cutting to inhibit bleeding.

Abstract: An aspiration needle for use in collecting larger cell samples with a source of vacuum for fine needle aspiration cytology without increasing the size of the needle having a rigid elongate tubular member having distal and proximal extremities. The tubular member has a bore extending therethrough from the distal extremity to the proximal extremity and has an opening at the distal extremity in communication with the bore. A body is secured to the proximal extremity of the tubular member and forms a chamber therein in communication with and in close proximity to the opening into the bore of the tubular member. The chamber is formed by a sloping uninterrupted wall leading distally to the opening to the bore of the tubular member. The body includes a hub proximal of the chamber for receiving the source of vacuum and for establishing communication between the source of vacuum and the chamber.

Abstract: Heat transfer catheter apparatus and methods of making and using same are disclosed wherein a fluid connection is provided between the distal portions of two adjacent, thin-walled, high strength fluid lumens to define a closed loop fluid circulation system capable of controlled delivery of thermal energy to or withdrawal of thermal energy from remote internal body locations.

Abstract: An aspiration needle apparatus for collecting cell samples from tissue comprising a vacuum container having an enclosed evacuated space evacuated to a subambient pressure and sealed by a penetrable diaphragm. An adapter has a recess to receive the vacuum container. A needle is carried by the adapter and has a distal extremity serving as an aspiration needle to collect the cell sample and has a proximal extremity disposed in the recess and is capable of penetrating the diaphragm of the vacuum container to couple the evacuated space to the flow passage of the needle to supply a subambient pressure to the distal extremity of the needle. An on-off mechanism carried by the adapter includes yieldable means and a member mounted in the recess actuatable by axial movement of the vacuum container into the recess against the force of the yieldable means disposed within the recess.

Abstract: Valve assembly for sealed reception of an elongated object includes a valve body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated object and defining a central longitudinal axis, an elongated seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture in general alignment with the opening of the valve body whereby the aperture is configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the object into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently engage the outer surface of the object in a substantially fluid flight manner, and at least one elongated guard member disposed within the seal member in supporting contact with the inner surface thereof. The guard member is positioned to engage the elongated object upon at least partial insertion of the elongated object into the valve body.

Abstract: A needle assembly having a telescoping shield that extends over the distal end of the needle when released by an actuator that is triggered during a standard sequence of operation of a medical procedure. For example, the telescoping shield extends by a compression spring from a starting retracted position to a venipuncture partially extended position during the standard sequence of operation of drawing a blood sample with an evacuated blood collection tube and needle holder. After the procedure is complete and the needle is removed from the patient the shield continues to extend to a fully extended and locked position over the distal end of the needle rendering the needle safe and preventing needle stick injuries.

Abstract: A safety needle assembly includes a needle having a longitudinal axis, a length, a pointed distal end, a proximal end and a passageway therethrough. The assembly includes a hub having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end and an outside surface with an outside diameter. The hub has an axial opening through it for receiving the needle so that the distal end of the needle projects outwardly. The hub has a circumferential groove in the outside surface and a raised annulus located proximally to the groove. The assembly includes a shield with an open end, a closed end, a sidewall with a longitudinal slot extending from the open end toward the closed end. The shield has a first position exposing the needle and a second position wherein the shield obstructs unintentional access to the needle. The shield has a mounting for holding the shield onto the hub with a first portion having an opening for placement on the hub at the groove.

Abstract: This is a section of a catheter used in making a catheter assembly suitable for accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. The catheter section uses a braided metallic reinforcing member, typically of superelastic alloy ribbon, situated within the catheter body in such a way to create a catheter having an exceptionally thin wall, controlled stiffness, high resistance to kinking, and complete recovery in vivo from kinking situations. The braid may have a single pitch or may vary in pitch along the axis of the catheter or catheter section. The braided ribbon reinforcing member typically is placed between a flexible outer tubing member and an inner tubing member to produce a catheter section which is very flexible but highly kink. resistant. The catheter sections may be used alone or in conjunction with other catheter sections either made using the concepts shown herein or made in other ways.

Abstract: A catheter for use with a radioactive source within the catheter to irradiate a selected area of a blood vessel in combination with angioplasty procedures, to prevent restenosis of that area of the blood vessel. The catheter has a guidewire channel formed near its distal end to facilitate use of the catheter as a rapid exchange catheter, allowing insertion of the catheter over a guidewire also used in performance of an angioplasty procedure. The catheter can also have a guidewire channel formed near its proximal end to provide an O-ring sealing surface and to facilitate free guidewire movement. The catheter also has a closed end to retain the radioactive source within the catheter. The catheter can also be provided with a centering balloon or a set of centering wire loops to center the radioactive source radially within the blood vessel.

Abstract: A needle-syringe assembly, operable in a normal mode and convertible to a retraction mode, comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical barrel, a plunger slidably mounted in the barrel, and a needle holder carrying a hollow needle on the distal end thereof. The barrel forms a hollow nozzle located at the distal end of the barrel. The plunger forms a coaxial cavity extending therethrough, and the plunger includes a helical slot exposing a proximal portion of the coaxial cavity. The needle holder is slidably mounted in the coaxial cavity of the plunger. During the normal mode, a distal portion of the needle holder is engaged within the nozzle by a taper lock. To switch from the normal mode to the retraction mode, the taper lock is disengaged by rotary movement of the plunger relative to the barrel.

Abstract: In a needle-less injector combining an actuator and a medicament cartridge, the actuator includes a housing with a forward portion to which the cartridge is connected. An impact member is mounted within the housing inward of the forward portion so as to be movable toward the forward portion, where it may strike components of the cartridge to effect expulsion of a dose of medicament. A chamber is provided within the housing and is pre-filled with a pressurized gas which is in communication with and exerts a constant force on the impact member, tending to urge it towards the forward portion.

Abstract: The drug delivery stent assembly includes a hollow tubular wire stent which extends in a path defining a generally cylindrical envelope and which has side walls facing outwardly of the cylindrical envelope with holes therein for delivery of liquid to a site in a vessel where the stent is placed and the stent being constructed in a manner which permits the stent to be placed in one of two states, one state being where the stent assumes the shape of an enlarged generally cylindrical envelope and the other state being where the stent assumes the shape of a contracted smaller cylindrical envelope.

Abstract: Disclosed is a syringe with a cap including a syringe main body (30) having a needle attached to the extreme end thereof and the cap (40) for covering the needle (20) of the syringe main body (30), wherein the cap (40) includes a cap securing portion (50) secured to the extreme end of the syringe main body (30) and a cap main body (70) pivotally coupled with the cap securing portion (50) through a hinge portion (60) and the cap main portion (70) includes an accommodating portion for accommodating the needle (20) and a cut-out portion (72) which communicates with the accommodating portion and into which the needle (20) can go in and from which the needle can be taken out, the syringe with cap comprising securing elements (52, 73, 80) capable of securing the cap to the cap securing portion (50) when the syringe is used.