Abstract: This invention relates to improved wound dressings that are adapted to being readily sized to fit the shape of the wound so that healing is promoted. In particular, the present invention is directed to a scored spiral wound dressing. More particularly, this invention relates to a spiral wound dressing having superior absorption properties and which is capable of swelling in the presence of wound fluid to closely fit the wound.

Abstract: A flexible resilient breast pump insert (5) adapted to fit into the rigid funnel portion (1) of a vacuum generating breast pump operable to generate a negative pressure. The insert comprises a mouth portion (6) with an open end shaped to receive and contact the areola of a woman's breast and an inner portion (7) of reduced size to receive the woman's nipple. A lip (9) around the edge of the mouth portion allows it to be connected to the rigid breast pump funnel portion (1) to form a pressure tight seal therewith.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter assembly having a deflection mechanism rotatably disposed within an inner lumen of the catheter so that deflection of the deflection mechanism within the inner lumen results in a deflection of the distal portion of the catheter. Rotation of the deflection mechanism within the inner lumen of the catheter allows universal deflection of the distal portion of the catheter about its longitudinal axis. The deflection mechanism may be first rotated and then deflected or it may be first deflected and then rotated in a deflected condition. The catheter shaft does not need to be rotated to change the shape of its distal 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.

Abstract: A safety cover, which securably and reliably prevents the readvancement of the tip of a cannula once it has been retracted thereinto, is designed having an elongate body which includes an axial channel having elements which displace and block linear passage of the cannula once it has been retracted. In a first embodiment the displacing elements are inwardly and rearwardly extending bristles which provide for unidirectional motion of the cannula relative to the safety cover, thereby locking the cannula once it has been retracted. In a second embodiment, the displacing element is the axial channel itself which has a curvate bias and distorts into a non-linear path once the cannula is retracted. In a third embodiment, the displacing element is a spring plate which, when compressed permits the cannula to pass through, but once the cannula has been retracted, expands to prevent the tip from being readvanced.

Abstract: A syringe assembly has a hub body which can be inserted into a hub insertion hole and pulled out thereof into inside a sringe body. A chamfer portion is formed at the hub body, being capable of engaging with the hub insertion hole. A needle insertion hole capable of being inserted a needle therein is provided with an end face of the hub body in a direction of an axis center of the hub body. A flow hole is provided with the hub body such that the needle insertion hole and an inside of the syringe body are communicated with each other in the direction of the axis center. A piston engagement hole is provided on end face side of the hub body, so as to engage with the piston. A seal taper is annularly formed at the hub body, such that its outside diameter is made narrower for the end face side, so as to abut on and contact with an inner face of the hub insertion hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guide catheter system for guiding an angioplasty balloon catheter into a patient's vascular system. The guide catheter system includes a guide catheter and a distal guide catheter extension tube. The guide catheter constitutes an elongated tube, while the guide catheter extension constitutes a distal, smaller diameter extension for the guide catheter. The guide catheter extension is adapted to extend from the guide catheter to an extent possibly sufficient to reach the stenosis in a coronary artery. A fixed wire angioplasty balloon catheter is advanced through the guide catheter and guide catheter extension to the stenosis for treatment thereof. Efficient and easy exchange of the balloon catheter is achieved because the guide catheter extension remains in place when the balloon catheter is withdrawn proximally, so that a path remains to guide another balloon catheter to the stenosis for treatment thereof.

Abstract: A safety adapter for hypodermic needles and, in particular, double-ended needles of the type used in dental procedures. The adapter comprises two sections coupled together as a unitary device. One section is arranged to receive and house one of the projecting needles and the other section houses and protects the oppositely directed needle.

Abstract: An injection device which includes a container constructed and arranged to contain a medicament, a medicament disposed within the container, a seal constructed and arranged to seal the medicament in the container, and a hypodermic needle. The hypodermic needle has a tubular, elongated, generally cylindrical wall defining an internal longitudinal bore extending longitudinally through the cylindrical wall along a longitudinal axis. The cylindrical wall forms a forward end defining a forward opening of the bore and a rearward end defining a rearward opening of the bore, the cylindrical wall having a laterally facing opening spaced closer to the rearward opening of the longitudinal bore than the forward opening of the longitudinal bore. The longitudinal bore is restricted at a position between the rearward opening and the laterally facing opening.

Abstract: A prefilled syringe capable of separate storage of different substances before use. It includes a tubular body having an injection needle at one end and a plunger at the other end, and a partition axially slidable in the tubular body. The partition includes a front part and a rear part independent of each other, and as a whole divides the interior space of the tubular body into a front compartment and a rear compartment in a sealing manner for storing mutually different substances. A bypass is disposed generally between the front and rear compartments to introduce the substance in the rear compartment into the front compartment when the partition is slid under pressure provided by the plunger to be adjacent to the bypass to thereby mix the substances immediately prior to injection.

Abstract: A method and instrument for thermal phacoemulsification includes, in one aspect, a process for introducing high temperature water into the lens capsule of the eye for emulsification purposes. The invention provides a mechanism for heating water to the desired temperature at the point of delivery, whereby the cannula that enters the eye is maintained at a temperature sufficiently low to avoid thermal damage to surrounding eye tissue. The invention provides an isenthalpic device for delivering heated water to the lens capsule for phacoemulsification. The device includes a intraocular cannula for delivering high pressure water, and a throttling mechanism at the point of delivery for converting the energy in the water stream from pressure to heat. The throttling mechanism may comprise a capillary passage, or a porous plug, or a micro-orifice which directs the fluid stream to strike a target in the cannula bore, after which the fluid is discharged from the cannula.

Abstract: A surgical cannula assembly is provided having a housing defining a channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the housing, at least one fluid flow regulator member disposed across the channel, which forms a substantial barrier to the passage of fluids in at least one direction, a cannula extending from the housing distal end in fluid communication with the channel, and a selector valve operatively connected to the cannula assembly housing and movable to at least a first orientation establishing a first fluid pathway from the channel to the environment outside the housing and a second orientation establishing a second fluid pathway from the channel to the outside environment.

Abstract: A syringe apparatus includes a housing having upper and lower end portions and a hollow interior. A rotary cam position inside the hollow interior has a projecting portion for operating a cartridge when the apparatus is used. The housing has a rotary bearing for supporting the cam. A syringe cartridge (single chamber or dual chamber) removably fits the housing interior, the cartridge including a barrel with at least one chamber for containing medicine to be dispensed and a dispensing orifice. The cartridge includes a piston having an upper plunger that engages the cam. The piston slides within the barrel chamber forcing contained medicine through the dispensing orifice (e.g., needle) during use. The upper plunger end of the piston engages the rotary cam during dispensing. The cam is movable between first and second positions, the second position being a dispensing position that positions the projecting portion of the cam at the piston. A spring urges the cam to rotate from the first to the second position.

Abstract: A circuit operator with a push to test arrangement includes a housing. A first switch is mounted in the housing and has a toggle lever pivotably connected thereto so as to place the toggle switch in its on or off state. A second switch is also mounted in the housing and is connected to a push button for initiating tests. A single switch actuator allows a user to actuate the first switch and/or the second switch from an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A low-profile multipathway automatic drug delivery system utilizing a battery powered control pad coupled to a disposable drug storage and delivery system and strapped to a patient's limb or torso. A preprogrammed or on-demand drug administration sequence is input to the control pad. When a drug is to be administered, the control pad ignites a high energy density propellant charge in the drug delivery system. Expanding propellant gas exerts pressure on a drug in a second chamber and forces it from the storage reservoir.

Abstract: A corporeal access tube assembly and a retention bolster for a corporeal access tube assembly. An elongated body formed of silicone rubber is split along a substantial portion of its length to form two legs joined together at corresponding one ends. The legs are separable from their other ends to receive the tube segment between them. When the legs are brought together and secured in that relationship they grip a tube segment and cause it to flex into a configuration where an outer portion lies flush against a patient's abdomen, for example.

Abstract: A method of epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The method includes the steps of distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with a fluid supplied from a catheter and positioning a portion of an optical scope in the distended portion of the epidural space by inserting the optical scope through the same catheter that supplies the distending fluid to thereby provide a visual image of the epidural space.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a vacuum interrupter and an isolator in series combination, the vacuum interrupter providing fast interruption of current and the isolator providing a large gap when in the open condition for additional safety and protection against transients. The circuit breaker may be operated by a single actuator device and is adapted to provide sequential isolation first by the vacuum interrupter, followed by the isolator to a fully open circuit condition, and on closing is adapted to first close the isolator under a no-load condition followed by closure of the vacuum interrupter to resume current flow. The isolator additionally provides for the single actuator device to slowly close the isolator with low force and to quickly close the vacuum interrupter with high force. An actuator mechanism also provides further control of the relative speeds of closure of the isolator and vacuum interrupter.

Abstract: A syringe discharge end having a rotatable tubular connector member for engaging a luer connector on medical tubing. The syringe discharge end and the connector have mating threads which are used to affix the connector to the syringe discharge end. Once affixed, the connector is may freely rotate relative to the syringe, while being prevented from axial movement. On its distal end, the connector includes internal threads for engaging external threads on a standard luer connector of medical tubing. To engage the connector to tubing, the connector is rotated relative to the tubing and the syringe to draw the tubing onto the syringe discharge end.

Abstract: A suction control valve comprising a valve housing defining a cavity and including an inlet port for being connected to a suction tube, an outlet port for being connected to a suction source, and a suction control port for creating a suction across the cavity from the inlet port to the outlet port when the suction control port is closed. The valve preferably includes a bacteria filter secured in the cavity for preventing exposure of the suction control port to bacteria entering the inlet port. A splash guard extends along the cavity for preventing liquid from contacting the bacteria filter or from reaching the suction control port. A suction control port guard is selectively movable to prevent accidental closure of the suction control port.