Abstract: A dual chamber syringe for dispensing a dry medicine that is to be reconstituted just prior to administration to a patient includes a syringe housing having an outer wall and proximal and distal end portions. A syringe bore extends between the proximal and distal end portions. The bore is divided during use into upper and lower chambers for containing medicinal contents that are to be first mixed and then dispensed. In the preferred embodiment, the chambers contain an upper liquid component and a lower dry component. A first lower piston occupies a position generally in between the upper and lower chambers. The first lower piston engages a plurality of ribs at an enlarged diameter bypass portal section of the syringe housing with multiple longitudinally extending channels after the user applies pressure to a second upper piston in the bore and above the upper chamber. Continued downward movement of the two pistons causes the two components to mix to be dispensed from the distal end of the syringe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter with a length compensator, which can be an accordion section or a slipping sleeve section. In the accordion section embodiment of the invention, the outer shaft of the catheter includes an accordion section positioned proximally of the balloon. In this embodiment the length compensator is comprised of the accordion section and the outer shaft between the accordion section and the point where the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the outer shaft. The distal end of the balloon is attached to an inner shaft. As the balloon is inflated the accordion section expands to adjust the axial length of the length compensator to compensate for the movement of the two ends of the balloon towards each other. In the slipping sleeve embodiment of the invention, the inner shaft of the catheter includes a slipping sleeve section positioned proximally of the point where the distal end of the balloon is connected to the inner shaft.

Abstract: A syringe assembly has a cylindrical hole extending between the inside and outside of the syringe body for attachably and detachably carrying a holding member that in turn carries a liquid flow tube (e.g., a needle or similar tube). The holding member seals with the syringe body and permits the flow tube to communicate between the inside and outside of the syringe body. The holding member has a main body that is axially insertable into the installing hole and can be axially pulled from the installing hole into the syringe body after the plunger is advanced to engage the holding member. An annular groove or a projection on the outside of the holding member fits with a corresponding projection or groove on the inner wall of the installing hole to seal the holding member to the syringe body along a plane perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: A method for providing at least partial bypass of the heart to supplement the pumping function of the heart to thereby enable the surgeon to perform various surgical procedures thereon includes providing a circulatory assist system having a portable extracorporeal axial flow pump with a pump housing, a rotating pumping member disposed in the pump housing and inlet and outlet cannulated tubes respectively connected to inlet and outlet ports of the pump housing, accessing the patient's left atrium of the heart with the inlet cannulated tube, accessing the aorta with the outlet cannulated tube, actuating the rotating pumping member to draw oxygenated blood from the left atrium of the heart through the lumen of the inlet cannulated tube and into the inlet port of the pump housing whereby the pumping member imparts mechanical energy to the oxygenated blood passing through the pump housing and directs the oxygenated blood through the outlet port and through the lumen of the outlet cannulated tube to be transferred

Abstract: A disposable needle having individual, spring biased, first and second retractable, open protective sleeves. The first retractable sleeve covers the needle end employed to extract patient blood and the second retractable sleeve covers the needle end that transfers blood to a collection tube. Each sleeve is provided with diametrically disposed slits receiving diametrically disposed ear extensions on the needle support. A support segmented housing maintains the sleeves and needle into a unitary structure. Detents are disposed on the end of the first sleeve that telescopingly receives the open end of the second sleeve. In use, the first sleeve is manually retracted and the detents secure the sleeve in retracted position. A tubular support on the opposite end of the segmented housing receives a blood collection tube therein that forcibly retracts the second sleeve and permit penetration of the blood collection tube.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus for infusing medicinal fluids into a patient which is of a compact, low profile, laminate construction. The apparatus embodies a novel thermal expanding polymer material which uniquely functions as an internal energy source for expelling the medicinal fluids from the device. The apparatus can be used for subdermal, intradermal and intramuscular infusion of fluids and in one form of the invention, includes a novel delivery cannula having a body portion disposed within a circuitous channel formed within the base superstructure of the apparatus and a pierceable portion which extends outwardly from the base of the apparatus. By constructing the cannula in a circuitous configuration and dynamically connecting it to the base assembly, movement of the cannula relative to the base assembly is permitted thereby minimizing needle related tissue necrosis.

Abstract: In a top scale balance which has a Roberval's chain 10 and a load weight transmitting lever 30 and in which a movable post 13 of the Roberval's chain 10 is connected to a point of force 32 of the lever 30 through an elastic connection fulcrum 51, a horizontal member 12 nearer to the elastic connection fulcrum 51, out of upper and lower horizontal members 11, 12 of the Roberval's chain 10, is greater in rigidity than the other horizontal member 11. Alternately, the upper and lower horizontal members 11, 12 are equal in rigidity and the elastic connection fulcrum 51 is positioned, in the vertical direction, at the center between the upper and lower horizontal members 11, 12. Such an arrangement prevents or reduces the movement of the elastic connection fulcrum 51 in the back-and-forth direction due to an offset placed load. Thus, even though the top scale balance is made in a compact and thin design with the lever ratio increased, the top scale balance is high in precision with a less offset position error.

Abstract: A marking syringe which allows an individual using the syringe to inject a fluid such as a vaccine into an animal and, at the same time, mark the location of the injection on the animal. More specifically, the marking syringe includes a vaccine syringe and an ink syringe connected to a handle. Activation of the handle simultaneously activates the vaccine syringe and the marking syringe. The vaccine syringe and the ink syringe are respectively connected to a source of vaccine and a source of ink. After connection to the vaccine and ink sources, the syringe needle is inserted into the animal and a syringe handle is actuated. As the handle is actuated, a vaccine syringe and an ink syringe both discharge their contents. The position of the ink syringe relative to the vaccine syringe is such that the discharged ink marks the animal in the approximate location of the vaccine injection.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for attaching and protecting a mechanical fastener on a disposable absorbent article and a disposable absorbent article produced by the same. The process comprises the following steps: (1) providing a disposable absorbent article which includes an outer cover, a bodyside liner, and an absorbent core disposed between the outer cover and the bodyside liner; (2) providing a mechanical fastener which includes a first fastening element; (3) attaching the first fastening element of the mechanical fastener to the disposable absorbent article; (4) releasably engaging the first fastening element with the disposable absorbent article to protect the first fastening element; and (5) subsequently packaging the disposable absorbent article for commercial sale. The first fastening element and a portion of the disposable absorbent article may be releasably engaged by constrictively passing them between a pair of rotatable nip rolls.

Abstract: A medication delivery pen having a repeat-dose feature that is performed by using a pull-push operation. In particular, the medication delivery pen includes means for determining whether the medication delivery pen is armed and a variety of novel drive mechanisms. In addition, the medication delivery pen also includes a priming control mechanism that allows the user to easily prime medication delivery pen prior to arming the pen.

Abstract: A device and method for rapid access to the bone marrow for the infusion of drugs and other fluids into the bone marrow; sampling the bone marrow; and monitoring the physical properties of the blood and bone marrow. These operations may proceed sequentially or simultaneously. A "smart" controller may be utilized to direct or control these operations. An implantable intraosseous needle assembly and various means for injecting, utilizing, and extracting that assembly into a bone containing bone marrow are disclosed.

Abstract: A wetted, disposable wipe constructed by bonding a layer of absorbent material to one side of a barrier sheet that is impermeable to infectious agents and insoluble in dermatological fluids, filling a reservoir in the barrier with a dermatological fluid, and hermetically sealing the absorbent layer between the barrier and a cover. The peripheral edges of the absorbent layer are spaced inwardly from the peripheral edges of the barrier to provide a surrounding zone of the impermeable barrier alone. The absorbent layer bond to the barrier is resistant to degradation caused by exposure to the dermatological fluid. The cover is secured by an adhesive that is resistant to degradation caused by exposure to the dermatological fluid and that allows the cover to be manually peeled from the barrier. The reservoir holds the dermatological fluid temporarily to prevent vapors from the fluid from igniting during the barrier/cover sealing process.

Abstract: A medical catheter device that has a housing containing a needle and needle hub that are movable between a retracted position where the needle is safely within the protection of the housing and an extended position where the needle extends from the housing for insertion into a patient. After use, the needle can be moved to its retracted position to protect the user from inadvertent sticks from the needle. At the distal end of the catheter housing, there is a hub support having a through hole through which the needle extends when in its extended position. A flexible hollow trunk extends proximally from the through hole back into the housing and through which the needle passes. When the needle is withdrawn into its retracted position, the needle is physically caused to be moved off center so as to not realign with the through hole, however, the needle end remains encased within the flexible hollow trunk to prevent blood from entering the through hole into the interior of the housing.

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: A blood handling system has a first blood handling apparatus mounted on a second blood handling apparatus with a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus has two primary components: a retention sleeve attached to a stem that protrudes from the lower portion of the first blood handling apparatus; and a slotted plate that is attached to a stem on the second blood handling apparatus. The retention sleeve has a track for receiving the slotted plate and a flexible tab, with a protruding tooth, that securely engages the slotted plate in a locked position. If it becomes necessary to disconnect the first blood handling apparatus from the second blood handling apparatus during surgery, the tab may be easily moved into an unlocked position, allowing the disk to slide freely out of the track so that the units can be easily separated from each other.

Abstract: A double-breastpump assembly comprising first and second breastpump units. Each breastpump unit has a breast shield within which a breast is received. A vacuum pump unit for creating a periodic reduced air pressure is alternately applied within the breast shield of each breastpump unit.

Abstract: An everting toroid for use in delivering a powdered or liquid or aerosolized drug to an internal body cavity, such as the urethra, is described. The drug may be distributed on the surface of the everting toroid or may be injected through the lumen thereof via an aerosol wand which is designed to release the drug as the toroid and/or wand are withdrawn from the body cavity.

Abstract: A fixture includes aspirator components that are compactly oriented and mounted in a housing that is attachable to the interior wall of ambulance. The housed components include a diaphragm pump, a DC motor, a valve for regulating the fluid intake to the pump, and a gauge displaying vacuum conditions. A multipanel housing structure defines a cavity in which the components are mounted and it has angularly arranged panels that facilitate a compact component arrangement in the cavity with the vacuum gauge display, and gas valve and electrical switch controls being conveniently located at the exterior of the housing. The electrical connection with the 12 V DC ambulance power source avoids the presence of electrical conductors in the patient transport area and a bracket for supporting canisters used in the aspirator systems at the exterior of the fixture is also such as to avoid the presence in the action area of unnecessary conduits and containers with electrically conductive fluids.

Abstract: The invention features a catheter and methods for delivering drug to tissue at a desired location of the wall of a body lumen. The catheter is constructed for insertion in a body lumen and has a catheter shaft and an expandable portion mounted on the catheter shaft. The expandable portion is expandable to a controlled pressure to fill the cross-section of the body lumen and press against the wall of the body lumen. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exterior surface of the expandable portion is defined by a coating of a tenaciously adhered swellable hydrogel polymer. Incorporated in the hydrogel polymer is an aqueous solution of a preselected drug to be delivered to the tissue or plaque. The hydrogel polymer and drug are selected to allow rapid release of a desired dosage of the drug from the hydrogel polymer coating during compression of the hydrogel polymer coating against the wall of the lumen when the expandable portion is expanded.

Abstract: A softshell reservoir has threaded fittings, one on each side of a central axis. Venous and cardiotomy blood are mixed in a mixer which screwthreadedly engages either of these fittings so the reservoir can be positioned on the right or the left of the perfusionist without crossed lines, and with a minimum of priming volume. A threaded outlet fitting may be provided on the central axis to cooperate with threaded outlet tubing to facilitate packaging and sterilizing, as well as setup and disposal.