Abstract: A needle safety device, which is usable on long, short, straight or curved needles, is actuated to enclose the injecting end of a needle when an engagement surface of the device is slid beyond the injecting end. A unitary or multiple piece clip is provided which is slideable from a first position wherein a hypodermic needle is usable for injection purposes to a second position wherein the injecting end of the hypodermic needle is covered rendering the needle unusable and protected.

Abstract: A protector for needle apparatus which includes a conventional catheter slidingly receiving a needle. The catheter has a hub portion at its distal end which is initially adjacent the needle portion. An especially configured guard housing has an open ended, cylindrical base portion which slidably receives the catheter's hub portion and a closable front wall which is resiliently biased into an open position when the guard housing is positioned over the catheter hub. A tether between the guard housing and needle handle permits the needle, after puncture, to be withdrawn into the base portion of the guard when the tether pulls the guard off the catheter hub at which point the front wall closes the opening of the base portion to prevent inadvertent needle puncture.

Abstract: The invention provides a long-term dispensing device comprising a first agent delivery means for short-term and continuous delivery of agent, retained together with a second agent delivery means capable of long-term and continuous delivery of agent. The combination of first and second agent delivery means provides a device in which a substantially constant dose of beneficial agent is delivered to the environment of use over time. A rapid delivery of beneficial agent is followed by continuous and prolonged delivery of agent.

Abstract: A digital applicator for topically applied medicaments includes a dactyl cot formed of a tubular casing having a closed distal end. A conical dispenser formed of an absorbent material such as sponge is attached to the distal end. The casing wall is sufficiently thin and flexible so as not to significantly inhibit tactile sensitivity. Absorbed in the dispenser is a quantity of medicament with force exerted by the tip of a dactyl serving to compress the dispenser, thereby extruding a desired dosage of medicament on an affected area. The casing may be coiled in a toroid and sealed in a packet prior to use and the dispenser may be charged with medicament prior to packaging. Alternately, the user may absorb a desired quantity of medicament in the dispenser and then proceed with applying the medicament.

Abstract: A kit for inoculating a prosthetic vascular graft is provided having an endothelial cell harvester, a vascular graft inculator or seeder, a temperature control element, and a support structure to house each of the elements of the kit. The cell harvester included in the kit comprises a rigid rod, adapted to be inserted into a donor vein, a bulb affixed to one end of the rigid rod, the bulb having a plurality of irrigation holes, a rigid tube affixed to the bulb and communicating with the interior of the bulb, an inflatable balloon affixed to the rigid rod, and a multiple lumen flexible tube, with one lumen communicating with the inflatable balloon and at least one lumen communicating with the interior of the bulb, each of said lumens terminating in a valve member at the free end of the lumen.A method is provided for harvesting endothelial cells from a donor vein using the cell harvester.

Abstract: An enclosure with two hinged clamping members (1 and 2) with finger-like prongs on each identical end is provided for holding together the end components (4, 5, 6, 7 and 10) of a multiple intravenous (I.V.) needle and tubing flange set-up. The end components may be either a plastic hub, a needle through the rubber stopper of the side infusion port of the main IV line, the terminal portion of an IV extension set or the connector site of the IV line to the actual IV catheter. When an I.V. needle and tube are connected and the enclosure is open, the connected parts can be placed therein and then locking members (16) are snapped together to hold the components securely connected. Convenient snap-locking can be utilized to hold the locking members (16) together. A use method includes inserting a needle (4) into a flange cap (10) and then placing the joined components into the enclosure, locking the locking members (16) shut and then opening them for changes and alterations as necessary.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent to an animal. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds a lumen, said wall comprising a composition that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a composition that permits the passage of fluid into the system. The lumen comprises a beneficial agent and an expandable member. The delivery system comprises an exit means for delivering the beneficial agent.

Abstract: The method of this invention relates to preparing a bone to secure a prosthesis thereto by improving the mechanical interdigitation of bone cement and the bone and facilitating hemostasis of the bone. First, the bone is mechanically shaped to expose cancellous bone in a desired configuration for reception of a joint prosthesis. A pressurized jet of dry-flowing gas is then applied to the exposed bone, to clean and dry the trabecular interstices of the exposed cancellous bone. To further withdraw debris and liquids dislodged from the interstices of the prepared bone by the pressurized jet of dry-flowing gas, suction is applied to the bone concurrently with the application of the pressurized jet of dry-flowing gas. Bone cement in liquid form is then applied to the bone, with cement penetration into the cleaned and dried interstices of the bone.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed which has a cup-shaped configuration which prevents side leakage of body fluid and better conforms to the curve shape of a human torso. The absorbent article includes an absorbent having a first surface which faces the body of a user and a second surface aligned opposite to the first surface. The absorbent has a pair of longitudinally extending arcuate sides which are arranged to be close to each other at a point approximate a central portion of the absorbent. A fluid permeable cover is positioned adjacent to at least the first surface of the absorbent and a fluid-impermeable baffle is positioned adjacent to at least the second surface of the absorbent. The cover and baffle are sealed together to enclose the absorbent. The seal is formed inward of the outer peripheral edge of the article. The article further includes a pair of elastic members affixed between the cover and the baffle, outward of the seal and aligned adjacent to the central portion of the absorbent.

Abstract: A puncture guard for a needle administration set having a needle assembly with a pair of flexible transverse wings includes a cylindrical sleeve which is outwardly flared at one end. One or more transverse openings are provided through the sleeve adjacent the opposite end. The administration set tubing is threaded axially through the sleeve with the flared end facing the needle assembly. Upon removal of the needle from the patient, the sleeve is grasped and the tubing is pulled so that the needle assembly wings engage the flared end of the sleeve. Further pulling of the tubing causes the wings to bend as the needle assembly is pulled into the sleeve. Rotation of the sleeve or tubing relative to each other when the wings are registered with the transverse opening causes the wings to spring outwardly through the transverse opening, locking the needle assembly within the sleeve with the tip of the needle safely confined.