Abstract: An implantable subcutaneous set for mounting onto a skin of a user and contacting a subcutaneous placement site beneath the skin includes a base, a cannula, an insertion device and an externally extending conduit. The base is used to secure the implantable subcutaneous set to the skin of the user. The cannula is coupled to and extends from the base. Also, the cannula has at least one lumen with an end for fluid communication with the subcutaneous placement site. In addition, the cannula has at least one port formed near another end of the lumen opposite the end for fluid communication. The insertion device is operatively coupled to the implantable subcutaneous set and the cannula to facilitate insertion of the cannula to contact the subcutaneous placement site. Also, the insertion device may be withdrawn from the subcutaneous set and the cannula after placing the cannula in contact with the subcutaneous placement site.

Abstract: A sliding piston for a syringe, which is inserted in a hollow barrel of a syringe is made of a substantially cylindrical body having a shape symmetrically rotatable with respect to the axis of the hollow barrel. The cylindrical body has its largest diameter at the front end thereof. The peripheral edge of the front end of the cylindrical body is rounded at a radius of curvature of 5/100 mm to 10/100 mm. The diameter of the rear end of the cylindrical body is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow barrel so as not to contact with the inner surface of the hollow barrel when the piston is inserted in the hollow barrel.

Abstract: A two piece molded housing shell is connected by inserting connector terminals on one of the shells into receptacles on the other shell with the connected shells configured for mounting over a vehicle steering column. One of the shells has a stalk/lever pivotally mounted thereon with multiplex adaptive circuitry mounted on the other shell. A two-shot molded plastic insert has conductive strips plated on the surface thereof and is inserted into the housing shells to provide an interconnect from the circuitry to the stalk/lever The stalk/lever has switching contacts on a carrier portion thereof. The switching contacts wipe directly on the plated strips of the insert to effect a switching function.

Abstract: A side button is located at the distal end of a housing forming part of an I.V. catheter and which is movable between a first position to allow longitudinal movement of a needle ands a second position preventing movement of the needle. The side button is provided with a latching member which prevents release of a cannula assembly from its hub support unless the needle is fully retracted within the housing and the side button is in its second position.

Abstract: A needle protector sheath comprises a body having a top wall, sidewalls and open ends. A slot is formed in each sidewall to slidingly receive a needle wing extending through each of the slots. Typically the slots extend through one end of the protector sheath. The protector sheath also defines an open, bottom aperture extending from end to end of the body, to permit the sheath to be laterally applied to tubing connected to a winged needle and to be advanced to a position where the needle tip is recessed in the sheath and the needle wings extend through the slots. In another embodiment an elongated anchor member may extend forwardly from the body to be manually pressed to retain the protector sheath as the needle is being withdrawn from the skin of a patient. The anchor member may have an outer end portion that bends away from the patient in position of use. Also, a novel sheath design and slot arrangement is disclosed.

Abstract: A collecting bag system for human body wastes comprises a collecting bag with a bag element formed by two predominantly oblong plastic film blanks with joined edges and with an inlet opening surrounded by connecting elements for connection to a body orifice, particularly a stoma, and a closeable outlet opening in an end section of one plastic film blank. The outlet opening is surrounded by a coupling ring with an outwardly facing engagement flange, and the system further comprises a bag extension with a coupling ring with a corresponding inward-facing engagement element for dismountable, sealing coupling to the coupling ring of the outlet opening. On the inside of the coupling ring of the outlet opening a closing membrane is placed with an annular coupling element for a sealing, but releasable coupling with an inward-facing engagement element on the coupling ring of the outlet coupling.

Abstract: A tube fitting anchoring device is provided to securely anchor a catheter and fluid supply tube interconnection to a patient's skin. The anchoring device comprises a retainer which is configured to receive a tube fitting in a variety of positions. The tube fitting interconnects the catheter and the fluid supply tube. The anchoring system additionally includes a flexible, adhesive anchor pad which supports the retainer. In one embodiment, the tube fitting includes two parallel generally tubular segments interconnected by a transverse member. The retainer also includes at least two parallel channels interconnected by a transverse channel. The channels are sized to receive the generally tubular segments of the tube fitting in a snap-fit manner, with the transverse channel also receiving the transverse member of the tube fitting in a snap-fit fashion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injection syringes comprising a housing accommodating an ampoule containing medicine sufficient for a number of dosed injections. The syringe has a dose setting mechanism by which doses may be set by rotating a dose setting element relative to the housing and the dose set is indicated on a scale. The scale is formed as a clock dial having a first part secured to the housing and a second part which is rotatable relative to the first part and which is coupled to the dose setting element, one of parts carries the scale and the other carries an indicating member indicating a point on the scale. The angular distance between the divisions of the scale corresponds to the minute divisions on an ordinary clock. Holes are provided along the scale which holes can receive a pin forming a stop which cannot be passed by the indicating member.

Abstract: A monitor to provide substantially real-time estimates of fluid absorption rate and tissue loss rate in a patient during a surgical procedure. The monitor estimates fluid source flow rates and waste fluid flow rates based on weight changes per unit time or direct reading fluid flow rate meters. Tissue loss flow rates are estimated based on tissue concentration measurable in waste irrigation fluid using an optical comparator, and are used to correct waste fluid flow rates. Correct waste fluid flow rates are used in turn to obtain estimated fluid absorption rates.

Abstract: Sterile solutions containing pharmaceuticals suitable for use in low and micro-gravity environments are prepared with unit dose pharmaceutical dispensers having a pre-measured quantity of medicament. A compressed air reservoir may be activated to rupture the dispenser and positively expel the unit dose into solution. This can be accomplished by inverting a bag containing the pharmaceutical or by operation of a piston which pushes all the pharmaceutical from the dispenser. A robot either places the pharmaceutical dispensers inside a mixing chamber or connects the dispensers to the mixing chamber, which comprises a flexible bag expandable to receive sterile water and pharmaceuticals. The mixing chamber may collapse under cabin pressure to drive prepared solutions from the chamber through a sterilization filter into an intravenous bag or dispensing unit.

Abstract: A unitary, flexible container, for containment and delivery of medical fluids, having:a) first and second polymeric sheets superimposed and sealed together at their periphery defining an interior reservoir, the container having a top portion, a mid portion and a bottom portion; the bottom portion terminates in a first angle and a second angle of from about 5.degree. to about 45.degree. each from the center of the bottom portion to a horizontal plane crossing the center of the bottom portion;b) an access member integral with the unitary, flexible container located at the center of the bottom portion allowing filling the flexible container with medical fluids and access to the medical fluids for delivery to a patient; andc) at least one oval shaped rigid reinforcing disc positioned in the mid portion of the interior reservoir to prevent collapse of the walls of the container on each other causing hold up of droplets.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for use in determining the location of a tip of a catheter inside biological tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes a catheter, a detector positioned within the catheter, and a polyimide sheath containing the detector and forming a detector assembly. The sheath is comprised of a first member, a polyimide layer, and a second member having an undulating outer surface sandwiched therebetween. The detector assembly may be removed from the catheter without damage thereto once the tip of the catheter is in its desired location inside biological tissue.

Abstract: An improved ablation catheter with at least one multiple-needle electrode can be used in ablating the arrhythmogenic region instead of an arrhythmogenic point of a patient. This catheter is particularly useful for treating the patient with atrial fibrillation (AFib) indications. A catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissues comprises a delivery catheter and an inner catheter having a distal section, a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween. The ablation catheter has a temperature sensor and a close-loop temperature control. The steerable catheter having at least one multiple-needle electrode is inserted into the chambers of the heart to create a plurality of deep, large, and contiguous lesions by applying radiofrequency energy to said electrode.

Abstract: A multi-use pen-shaped medication dispensing device made of a plastic material that is recyclable after the contents of the medication cartridge have been exhausted. The device is made of a minimal number of parts, which include a housing, a dial assembly, a generally cylindrical button assembly located within the proximal end of the dial assembly, an internally threaded nut, and an externally threaded leadscrew. The device is arranged so that the dial must be rotated to the zero dose position prior to setting a dose. The device includes a lockout mechanism that prevents the dial from being depressed during dosing. The device further includes a mechanism that limits the maximum dosage that can be dialed up and a mechanism that prevents the user from dialing up a dosage greater than that remaining in the cartridge.

Abstract: Needle housing of simple springless syringe retracts into casing tube's barrel after use to avoid accidental needle sticks. A lip at the barrel's forward end and a far end of a rim of the needle housing together form a partial forward end wall. The plunger's plug is sealably and frangibly attached at forward end of plunger to interior portion of plunger and to an arm running lengthwise through plunger. An injection needle housing has a rim bonded to the exterior of the forward end of the syringe barrel, a projecting needle for injecting the fluid, an interior female cavity whose walls are shaped to sealably receive and lock the plug after the plug leaves the barrel during injection and a stabilizing lip containing breakaway points whose lower and upper portions are on each side of the partial forward end wall of the barrel.

Abstract: A catheter assembly has a needle extending within a catheter and projecting from its patient end. A slider attached with the needle is slidable rearwardly along a protective housing so that the needle can be pulled out of the catheter into the housing. A resilient catch at the patient end of the housing has two plates with apertures through which the needle projects when extended, thereby holding two hooks on the catch in engagement with the catheter hub. The catheter cannot be pulled off the needle until the needle is pulled rearwardly of the catch and allows the hooks to release engagement with the hub.

Abstract: A new apparatus and method for irrigating wounds and for performing gastric lavage utilizes a novel connector that has a spiked end shaped to mate with the self-sealing outlet of a compressible bag of sterile irrigation fluid and a nozzle end having the shape of a syringe tip. The spiked end of the connector is spiked into the bag of irrigation fluid and an intravenous (IV) catheter attached to the nozzle end. The bag of irrigation fluid is held and squeezed to direct a stream of irrigation fluid through the IV catheter and into the wound. For gastric irrigation, a nasogastric tube is attached to the nozzle end and the bag of irrigation fluid held and squeezed to force irrigation fluid into the stomach.

Abstract: A multifunctional safety infusion set with injection needle retractable in a wing-equipped sheath. The infusion set includes a connecting tube having an upper and a lower engaging sections respectively near top end and bottom end of the connecting tube. The bottom end of the connecting tube is connected with an infusion tube, while the top end thereof is connected with an injection needle. The infusion set further includes a wing-equipped sheath slidably fitted around the connecting tube. When the sheath is slid downward to engage with the lower engaging section of the connecting tube, the injection needle protrudes outside the sheath for injection. After the injection is completed, the sheath is slid upward to engage with the upper engaging section of the connecting tube so as to totally enclose and hide the injection needle in the sheath without protruding outside. Therefore, the accidental impalement of medical personnel is avoided and the safety is ensured.

Abstract: A winged needle assembly including a cannula 1, a hub 2, a tube 3 and a cylindrical holder 4 provided with wings at the distal end thereof and retaining the hub therein. The hub 2 is slidable along the inner wall of the cylindrical holder 4 from a first position near the distal end of the cylindrical holder 4 up to a second position near the proximal end thereof. Further, between the hub 2 and the cylindrical holder 4, there are provided a first locking arrangement (21,41) for releasably locking the hub 2 at the first position of the cylindrical holder 4 and a second locking arrangement (22,42,23,43) for substantially unreleasably locking the hub 2 at the second position of the cylindrical holder 4. With the above structure, the edge of the needle can be smoothly retracted and protected within the cylindrical holder without any sense of frictional resistance to medical personnel using the needle while the wings are kept fixed to the skin of a patient.

Abstract: An injection device has a barrel in which a cartridge with a needle lie, the needle initially being protected by a sheath and a cap effectively closing the forward end of the barrel. The needle is on a carrier which initially is in a forward position in relation to the cartridge so that the rear end of the needle is clear of a membrane at the leading end of the cartridge. But when the cap is fitted, it pushes on the carrier and shifts it rearwardly with respect to the cartridge so that the needle penetrates the membrane. Also during fitting of the cap it engages the sheath so that, when it is removed for use of the device, the sheath is pulled off leaving the needle exposed.