Abstract: The invention relates to disposable devices for introducing substances into body cavities of a patient. The device comprises a container for holding a substance which is connected to a tube ending in an opening which is inserted into a body cavity. The opening is sealed by a frangible seal located inside the opening. An actuating rod ruptures and removes the seal upon actuation. The actuating rod is provided with supporting rods extending to the container which are connected to the container by frangible connections. The supporting rod serves as a safe-guard against accidental rupture of the seal and as a guide for a controlled movement of said the actuating rod. The supporting rod also defines and protects an area to be kept sterile. The invention also relates to a moulding apparatus and to a method for making said device.

Abstract: A syringe, particularly for epidural anesthesia, has an elastomeric driver in the form of a single elastic band perforated for mounting onto the tip of the syringe between the barrel and the needle hub. The elastic band is stretched into engagement with the thumbrest of the plunger to drive the plunger to full depression into the syringe barrel. The elastic band extends symmetrically on either side of the barrel to apply balanced force. Various configurations for the elastic band are disclosed.

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of the balloon catheter is achieved because the guide catheter extension remains in place when the balloon catheter is withdrawn proximally, so that a path remains to guide another balloon catheter to the stenosis for treatment thereof.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 disposable two-component safety syringe with retractable injection needle adapted for the separate storage of medicament and medicament solvent and the pre-injection mixing thereof. The cartridge-type syringe is adapted to be used manually or in conjunction with an automatic injection/aspiration device for breaching a temporary seal between chambers for the medicament and medicament solvent immediately prior to injection are also provided. Pre-measured medicament is provided in a form which requires no pre-injection agitation. The cartridge is also provided with an injection needle disposed completely within the cartridge housing for safely and sanitarily withdrawing the injection needle to reside completely within the disposable cartridge after use. In one embodiment of the invention, a pushrod for automatically agitating the mixing components is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for blocking a vein branch is provided with an outer tube having a tubular passage opened at its distal and proximal ends and a bent distal end portion, an inner tube slidably inserted in the outer tube so as to be projected and retracted from the opening formed in the distal end portion of the outer tube and having a storing portion filled with a vein-branch blocking member, and a push-out member for pushing out the blocking member in the vein branch.

Abstract: A simplified retractable needle hypodermic syringe is provided which includes a barrel having a needle carrier mounted therein with a cannula attached thereto. A slidable plunger is mounted within the barrel which includes a shaft and hub for locking to the carrier. The plunger seal is conveniently mounted about the shaft between the plunger and the hub. A removable safety cap is provided to cover the upper end of the plunger and the barrel to prevent accidental depression of the plunger and engagement of the hub with the carrier before use. The cap is placed over the open end of the barrel after use to provide a closed container. The shaft is broken off at above the hub leaving the hub and carrier in the barrel.

Abstract: A closed system for flushing an IV site comprises a unitary reservoir assembly of a first fluid reservoir for containing a first flush fluid, a second fluid reservoir for containing a second flush fluid, a tubing array for connecting the first and the second reservoirs to an IV site comprising a common tube having a connector on one end thereof for connection to the site, and mounted in a housing having depressible panels for selectively controlling the flow of a fluid from each of the first and the second reservoirs.

Abstract: An inflatable medical dilation balloon and methods for forming the same wherein the balloon member is comprised of a polymer bled including a predominant amount of a crystalline polymer, e.g. a polyester, and a compliance enhancing additive polymer, e.g. a polyolefin, in amount sufficient to interrupt the crystalline structure of the crystalline polymer. The amount is about 20% or less of the polymer blend. The balloon member formed of the polymer blend is inflatable for medical dilation, e.g. of the prostrate.

Abstract: An I.V. cannula needle (37) has a base adapter (41) with a sleeve (43) which surrounds a compression spring (53) which urges a barrel (47) and its tapered point (49) to cover and protect the point (39) of the I.V. needle (37) An I.V. cannula (52) slips over the barrel (47) and has a winged base (55) which, when pulled backward, compresses a spring (53) inside a base extension (43) and exposes the needle point (39) for insertion. On withdrawing needle (37) and relaxing pull-back pressure, needle point (39) is automatically shielded by the point (49) of the barrel (47), but the loose-fitting I.V. cannula remains in the patient and is taped down and connected to I.V. tubing. A second embodiment comprises a wire (61) which can be manipulated back and forth through a barrel (81) by a winged member (69) operating within a slot (80) and against a spring (67). The wire (61) can protrude through the needle 81 and provide protection against accidental injury from the needle. An I.V.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in vivo removal of calcified deposits from an aortic valve. The apparatus includes an anchoring balloon catheter fixatable across the aortic valve, a tool for removing the deposits, and attachment means for securing the tool with respect to the anchoring balloon and the aortic valve. The method involves advancing an anchoring balloon catheter through the aorta and positioning it across the aortic valve, inflating the anchoring balloon to fixate it with respect to the aorta and aortic valve, and then operating a deposit removal tool secured to the anchoring balloon to remove the deposits.

Abstract: A needle-safe flashback chamber for vascular/venous access devices wherein the needle cannula is automatically captured within a protective sheath upon being withdrawn from the patient to prevent accidental exposure of administering personnel to substantial health risk, such as that associated with the AIDS virus, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases is comprised of a needle cannula; a substantially transparent reservoir in fluid communication with the needle cannula; a vent formed in the cavity; and a substantially transparent sheath, sized and configured to slidably receive the needle cannula and cavity. The transparent reservoir can be partially withdrawn from the sheath, simultaneously withdrawing the needle cannula into the sheath.

Abstract: A device and a method for determining a required length of an epidural catheter for a continuous epidural anesthesia, has an element formed as a ruler and having two opposite sides, a shorter scale provided on one side of the ruler and having a length substantially corresponding to a length of an epidural needle, and a longer scale provided on the other side of the ruler and being longer than the shorter scale by a length corresponding to a required length of an epidural catheter inside an epidural space, so that when an epidural needle is inserted in the epidural space and the ruler is placed against the skin parallel to the epidural needle, then when an epidural catheter is placed parallel to the ruler extending from a hub of the epidural needle along the longer scale, its length between the hub of the epidural needle and a beginning of the longer scale corresponds to a required length of the epidural catheter to be inserted into a patient.

Abstract: To provide a high degree of protection against the possibility of someone being accidentally punctured by a contaminated needle, the syringe of the present invention has directly connected thereto a protective housing, which can be pivoted to a position in alignment with the contaminated needle to envelop the same. As the housing is pivoted into the alignment position, locking mechanisms integral of the housing would fixedly retain the needle within the housing. The syringe of the present invention may be modified to include a housing containing an integral collapsible section and a sealer adapted to the distal portion of the housing such that, upon collapse of the collapsible section of the housing, the tip of the contaminated needle would penetrate into and be sealingly secured by the sealer. Another modification of the syringe of the present invention involves utilizing a collapsible hinge to connect the protective housing to the main body portion of the syringe.

Abstract: A catheter tubing has a layer of a hydrophobic stiffening polymer encapsulated by a layer of hydrophilic thermoplastic base polymer. Preferred stiffening polymers are polyesterpolyether block copolymers. Preferred base polymers are thermoplastic polyetherurethanes. The encapsulated layer may be a stripe or an annular layer having base polymer layers laminated on both surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A safety syringe for preventing "needle stick" injury and/or reuse of the syringe includes a body (2), a plunger (4) mounted within the body, connection means (24) for connecting the plunger (4) to a needle holder (6) whereby subsequent retraction of the plunger (4) withdraws the needle holder (6) and the needle with a shielded position within the body (2) effected by a vacuum chamber (18) defined between the plunger (4) and the syringe body (2), vacuum being created within the chamber (18) by movement of the plunger (4) during the injection stroke and serving to withdraw the plunger (4), the needle holder (6) and needle after injection pressure is removed. The syringe may be provided with braking means (20) to control the rate of withdrawal of the needle and/or to prevent withdrawal until the injection stroke of the plunger (4) has been completed.

Abstract: An enclosure for use with an injection site in which the penetrating member, such as a needle, is at all times maintained within a protective shroud that protects the user from accidental needle sticks and contamination during use.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting hose lines for medical purposes including a first coupling member (1) having supported therein an axially shiftable hollow plug (2) with a tapered connector (16) for connecting thereto a first hose length and extending in its operating position through a sponge member (9) soaked with a disinfectant and capable of being pierced through a diaphragm (11) for coupling with a second coupling member (5), both coupling members (1, 5) being releasably connected together. Hollow plug (2) consists of outer and inner parts (3, 4) concentrically and telescopically arranged relative to each other so that both parts (3, 4) of the plug (2) are relatively axially and rotatably shiftable whereby a transverse flow passage (19) in outer part (3) is closed by inner part (4) or communicates with channel grooves (20) in the inner part to facilitate flow through the coupling.

Abstract: A catheter is provided comprising a first portion of substantially linear shape, a second portion extending from the first portion at an angle in a curved manner, and a third portion. The third portion extends from the second portion in an out of plane manner relative to the first and second portions. The catheter is thus constructed to provide hooked engagement of an internal thoracic artery.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supporting a Verres needle which includes a mechanism for grasping a portion of the abdomen such that the needle may be moved to penetrate the abdomen to create a space between the abdominal wall and the abdominal organs and includes a mechanism for advancing the Verres needle toward the abdominal cavity by relative movement to the needle with respect to the portion of the apparatus which holds the needle. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for controlling the movement of the needle relative to the grasping portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A disposable medical needle assembly having unique insertion and removal means from tissue, including means for fully shielding the used or contaminated needle from hazardous access or exposure. Various such means are disclosed in cooperation with needle guide and manipulation means.The assembly may also be utilized in conjunction with catheter placement, blood collection, and like purposes, while maintaining full and automatic safety shielding of the needle after use.