Abstract: A suction regulator having an elongated hollow body with interconnected distal and proximal ports at opposite ends thereof, each adapted to be connected to an end of a flexible conduits The proximal port is adapted for conduit connection to a vacuum source and the distal port is adapted for conduit connection to a device needing suction control. An elongated slot is provided in the hollow body and extends through a wall of the hollow body. The slot has converging straight side walls extending over a majority of a length of the slot and from a wide end to a narrow end thereof.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound instrument is described for cutting, dissecting, or cauterizing tissue. Ultrasonic vibrations, when transmitted to organic tissue at suitable energy levels and using a suitable end-effector, may be used for the safe and effective treatment of many medical conditions. An ultrasonic surgical instrument is described which incorporates an articulating end-effector. The instrument comprises an ultrasonic signal generator, an ultrasonically actuated end-effector, and a substantially solid ultrasonic waveguide which connects the ultrasonic signal generator to the end-effector. The waveguide comprises a transmission section extending from the signal generator to a fixed node, and an articulation section extending from the fixed node to an pivoting node. The end-effector includes a waveguide segment. A handle is adapted to hold the signal generator. An outer sheath extends from the handle to the end-effector and surrounds the waveguide.

Abstract: An application comprising an electrically operated device and a flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell for providing the device with electrical power for its operation, the electrochemical cell including a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, the third layer being disposed between the first and second layers and including (a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times; (b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and (c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering the first and second layers to the third layer.

Abstract: A gripping strip for prefilled disposable syringes having a syringe cylinder. The gripping strip has a gripping strip element formed as a separate synthetic plastic part fixedly mountable on the syringe cylinder, a plate-shaped abutment provided on the gripping strip element and having a hollow cylindrical receptacle with an outer diameter which is adapted to be smaller than an inner diameter of the syringe cylinder, arresting elements provided in a region of an outer surface of the gripping strip element for mounting with the syringe cylinder in a complimentary inner undercut of the syringe cylinder, a safety ring insertable in an interior of the receptacle for maintaining a working connection, the safety ring being connected with the interior of the receptacle of one piece through locations of desired breakage in an unsecured position, so that during placing the syringe cylinder over the receptacle it is displaceable into a securing position.

Abstract: A corporeal access tube assembly including a tube segment in which a coil spring is embedded along a portion of the segment. A retention balloon is secured to the tube segment around a portion which does not contain the coil spring. The balloon is inflated into a preformed shape when in operation but its walls are not stretched to any noticeable extent. A bolus on one end of the tube segment includes a stylet pocket in which a stylet is inserted to stretch the balloon axially and decrease its size radially for purposes of insertion and removal of the tube assembly.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter having perfusion capabilities with an expanded helical support coil within the perfusion portion of the catheter shaft proximal to the balloon with the perfusion ports being defined by passageways through adjacent turns of the support coil. Elongated portions of an outer polymer jacket are removed, preferably by laser, to expose a plurality of turns of the support coil and define a number of perfusion ports between adjacent turns.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved medical device comprising: a needle assembly comprising a needle body having a needle hub fixed to its needle; a hollow casing at least opening at its top for slidably containing the needle assembly, the opening top of the hollow casing having inward projections on its inner circumference; a stopper movably attached to the vicinity of the opening top of the hollow casing; and a protection cover for enclosing at least the sharp point of the needle, thereby permitting the needle assembly to be retained in the hollow casing by putting the stopper in the shutting position, or permitting the needle assembly to appear from the hollow casing by holding the needle hub of the inner needle between the inward projections of the opening top and the stopper, which is put in the shutting position.

Abstract: A dual port syringe has an upper port for connection to a fluid reservoir and a lower port for delivery of the medical fluid under pressure to a patient. A first valve is connected between the fluid reservoir and the upper port, and second valve is connected between the lower port and the patient. During a fill operation, a piston is moved within the syringe to drawn fluid from the reservoir into the syringe through the upper port. During injection operation, the piston moves in an opposite direction to force fluid out of the syringe through the lower port.

Abstract: A portable iontophoresis apparatus for facilitating delivery of medication across the cutaneous membrane into adjacent underlying tissues and blood vessels. The apparatus employs a modular, detachable non-reusable medicament-containing applicator electrode which is adapted to attach to a base assembly. The apparatus is designed to be hand-held and includes a circumferential tactile electrode band on the base assembly which provides electrical connection between the skin of the user's hand and one pole of a bipolar power source housed within the base assembly. The opposing pole of the power source is connected to the applicator electrode. The user's body completes the electrical circuit between the applicator and tactile electrodes. A method for using the device for the treatment of Herpes simplex infection and related viral infections which produce similar cutaneous lesions is presented.

Abstract: A surgical cannula assembly includes a cannula, an adapter ring, and a housing. The adapter ring is defined at the proximal end portion of the cannula and includes a first sealing surface. The housing includes a port structure for engagement with the adapter ring. The port has a lip with a second sealing surface adapted to engage the first sealing surface. The first and second sealing surfaces are preferably annular surfaces which are non-parallel with respect to each other.

Abstract: A medical fluid injector includes: an air detection system for detecting air in the neck of the syringe; a hand-operated control lever for controlling movement of the injector ram; magnetic conductors for delivering magnetic fields from a power head face plate to an internal circuit board to permit detection of different face plates; a tilt sensor detecting the tilt angle of the power head to control the speed of motion brought about by the hand-operated control lever and to control an invertible display; and a monitor microcontroller for monitoring the behavior of the central processing unit to detect and react to error conditions.

Abstract: A percutaneous oxygenator is used to induce a retrograde perfusion of oxygenated blood in a vein to a compromised organ (e.g., to the brain following a stroke, or to the heart following a heart attack). The oxygenator has an occluding balloon and an oxygenation balloon located upstream from the occluding balloon. A plurality of hollow gas-permeable fibers surround the oxygenation balloon. The oxygenator is inserted into a vein downstream from the compromised organ. An external supply of air/oxygen is connected to create a flow through the fibers and thereby oxygenate blood in the surrounding vein. A retrograde flow of oxygenated blood is induced in the vein to the compromised organ by first inflating the occluding balloon to occlude the vein and then inflating the oxygenation balloon. Both balloons are then deflated to permit the normal antegrade flow of blood through the vein. This process of inflation and deflation is periodically repeated at a rate of about 30 to 60 cycles per minute.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: A shielded cannula for use with an I.V site having a threaded exterior surface and a septum comprises a cannula assembly including a hub having an open proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity therein, and a cannula having a proximal end projecting from the distal end of the hub, a distal end and a lumen therethrough in fluid communication with the cavity. A shield is connected to the cannula assembly and surrounds at least the proximal end of the cannula. The shield has a cylindrically shaped inside surface with at least one helical thread formed in the inside surface. A pointed plastic projection extends outwardly from the thread. The projection includes a base portion and a tip portion wherein the tip portion is positioned to be far enough away from the thread so that the tip portion is deflected by a thread on the exterior surface of the I.V. site when the thread of the shield engages the thread on the I.V. site.

Abstract: Hypodermic needle 2 is to be introduced between the skin and the tissue adjacent to the skin. To separate the skin from the tissue, cartilage or bone below the skin and to prevent the tip 6 of the needle 2 from piercing the tissue below the skin this invention discloses providing the extremity 6 of the needle with a protrusion 4. To prevent damage to the living being in which the needle 2 is introduced the transition of the protrusion 4 to the needle is smooth in all directions. The protrusion 4 is provided on that side of the needle which will be adjacent to the tissue, cartilage or bone of the living being.

Abstract: A subcutaneous infusion set for the subdermal infusion of fluids which includes a housing having an internal chamber within which a uniquely configured infusion cannula is dynamically mounted. The cannula, which is generally spiral shaped, has a body portion that is disposed within the internal chamber and a pierceable portion which extends angularly outwardly from the base of the apparatus. With this construction, when the device is interconnected with a patient, normal movement by the patient will permit the cannula to move dynamically within the internal chamber while the base of the device which is removably affixed to the patient 's skin remains completely stationary.

Abstract: Devices for the generation of inhalable aerosols by extrusion through a porous membrane by a motor-driven cam assembly are disclosed. The device holds a drug formulation container in a drug release position. The package is comprised of a collapsible wall with an opening and a cover for the opening that includes a porous membrane having a plurality of pores therein with a diameter in the range of 0.5 to 6.0 microns. An electric motor in the device is powered by a battery to rotate a cam assembly having three cams. The first cam forces a clamping member (configured to correspond to the outer periphery of the container) against the periphery of the collapsible wall of the container, sealing the jointure of the collapsible wall to the cover of the container along the entire periphery, except for a small unsealed portion thereof. The second cam crushes the collapsible wall, forcing the contents of the container through the unsealed portion of the jointure.

Abstract: An improved iontophoretic bioelectrode constructed with a novel access window that conveniently allows a clinician direct access to the drug reservoir without prematurely exposing the adhesive layer. The access window is a partial cut out or perforation of a release liner that, when opened, only reveals the drug reservoir to the clinician while the remainder of the release liner simultaneously remains protectively covering the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A multi-patient use trocar assembly is disclosed. The trocar assembly has obturator and cannula subassemblies. The obturator subassembly has an elongated obturator shaft which can receive an endoscope at its distal end. The obturator shaft is reusable for multi-patient use. A transparent obturator tip is detachably mounted onto the end of the obturator shaft. The obturator tip is transparent and disposable. Because it is transparent, illuminated images provided by the endoscope within the body cavity can be transmitted through the obturator tip. Once the trocar assembly is used on a first patient, the obturator tip is detached and disposed of, and replaced with another obturator tip. Hospital costs are reduced because the trocar assembly can be reused multiple times, and only the obturator tip needs to be disposed of after each patient use.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for reducing pain at the site of injection of local parenteral anesthetic material, for improving the onset thereof, and for increasing its duration, and a means for preparing and dispensing the same, the composition containing a local parenteral anesthetic which in normal doses gives an acid pH of from about 2.5 to about 6.9, wherein the anesthetic comprises from about 0.5 to about 2.0% by weight of the composition, the composition further containing sufficient NaHCO.sub.3 to maintain the pH thereof between about 7.0 and about 7.6, and further containing from about 0.0004 moles of dissolved CO.sub.2 per ml of composition up to the saturation level of dissolved CO.sub.2 at a CO.sub.2 head pressure of up to about 2.5 atmospheres.