Abstract: A liposuction apparatus and method optionally having a sonic or ultrasonic source with an axial lumen passage in which the shaft can be made to reciprocate (oscillate) in a non-rectilinear fashion. The apparatus may also contain the concomitant use of rectilinear reciprocation motion in addition to ultrasonic motion or energy along the shaft of the apparatus. The advantages of the liposuction apparatus are as follows: 1) non-rectilinear single shaft reciprocating cannula, 2) sonic or ultrasonic energy delivered to the distal tip, 3) rectilinear reciprocating cannula with ultrasonic energy along the shaft from the handle, and 4) any of the above reciprocating components powered by excess unused vacuum capacity in the liposuction aspirator (suction engine) apparatus.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system having a space-efficient piston is provided. The enclosure has an interior holding the position, a beneficial agent, and an osmotic agent including a tablet. The piston is movable with respect to an interior surface of the capsule, and defines a movable seal with the interior surface of the capsule. The movable seal separates the osmotic agent from the beneficial agent. The piston has a recess that receives at least a portion of the osmotic agent. The osmotic agent imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment through a semipermeable body to cause the piston to move and in turn cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric medical articles comprising the anti-infective agents chlorhexidine and triclosan. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that the synergistic relationship between these compounds permits the use of relatively low levels of both agents, and on the discovery that effective antimicrobial activity may be achieved when these compounds are comprised in either hydrophilic or hydrophobic polymers. It is also based on the discovery that chlorhexidine free base and triclosan, used together, are incorporated into polymeric medical articles more efficiently. Medical articles prepared according to the invention offer the advantage of preventing or inhibiting infection while avoiding undesirably high release of anti-infective agent, for example into the bloodstream of a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-size catheter for use in biliary endoscopic procedures. The multi-size catheter comprises an outer diameter defined by a plurality of superimposed peelable layers. The peelable layers allow the multi-size catheter to function as a single operator exchange catheter without the need, and additional expense, of an endoscope sheath. Before positioning the multi-size catheter within the working channel of an endoscope, the peelable layers may be selectively removed in order to obtain an outer diameter for the catheter that is less than, but approximate to, the inner diameter of the working channel of the endoscope. The resulting fit eliminates the potential for a guidewire to slip out of the guidewire channel and become pinched between the catheter and the endoscope working channel. With an incorrect fit, a pinched guidewire would restrict the desired movements of both the guidewire and the catheter.

Abstract: A balloon for a medical device has a structural layer of a highly crystallized PEN polymer material. The PEN polymer material a polyethylene naphthalate homopolymer or a crystallizable copolyester made up of residues of ethylene glycol, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid (NDC) and at least one member of the group (PA) consisting of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid. The NDC groups make up about 5% or more of the sum of NDC and PA groups in the copolymer. The balloon is characterized by an ability to withstand a hoop stress of at least 35,000 psi without bursting.

Abstract: Methods and devices for at least reducing the mass of, if not dissolving, renal calculi in situ are provided. In the subject methods, a renal calculus is contacted, e.g. flushed, with an acidic dissolution solution in situ, where the acidic dissolution solution is a solution of a strong, inorganic acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid. In many embodiments, the renal calculus is first enclosed in an isolated local environment of a device prior contact with the dissolution solution. Also provided are novel devices and kits for practicing the subject invention.

Abstract: A medical line securement device allows for inspection, repositioning, replacement and servicing of a medical line without removing an adhesive patch attached to the neonate's skin, thereby saving the thin and fragile skin of the neonate. The securement device provides a releasable attachment between the adhesive anchor patch, which is attached to the neonate, and a coupler of the securement device, which is attached to the medical line. The patch has a base, a fastening element, and an adhesive layer that attaches to the skin of a medical patient. The coupler attaches to the medical line. By this configuration, the patch and coupler cooperate to retain and releasably secure a medical line to the patient. The device is particularly adapted for use in connection with neonates and provides a small securement surface to fit onto the small body locations of a neonate. The securement device consequently can be used to couple different types of catheters or tubes at different locations on the neonates body.

Abstract: A syringe, which may be pre-filled, and a method of using the syringe is disclosed to provide sequential injection of two different fluids without mixing thereof. The syringe comprises in a first version a plunger and an intermediate disc sealingly disposed within a generally cylindrical barrel, with an outlet portion distal of the barrel, the outlet portion being generally larger in diameter so that as the disc is advanced into it far enough to substantially inject the first fluid the disc loses sealing engagement and the second fluid is then expelled around the disc and through the syringe opening. Baffles are provided within the outlet portion to prevent the disc from inadvertently sealing the opening, and channels may be provided around the baffles.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a catheter, having an alternative design distal tip, and method of using and making the same. In some embodiments, the distal tip includes a flared portion that extends away from the longitudinal axis of the medical device, and in some cases can be folded back so as to be atraumatic to tissues when advancing through a body orifice.

Abstract: A system for delivering hemostasis promoting material of the present invention allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered to a blood vessel puncture site by fluid pressure. The system allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered through an introducer sheath which is already in place within a tissue tract. This system includes a controlled tip which is insertable through the introducer sheath to locate and occlude the blood vessel puncture site and a hydration chamber for receiving and delivering the hemostasis promoting material to the blood vessel puncture site. The system accurately locates the blood vessel wall at a puncture site and for properly placing a hemostasis plug over the puncture site.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having at least two lumens or tubes mounted to a body. At least one tube is used for aspiration and at least one other tube is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. A portion of the second tube is enlarged to form a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the second tube. The pumping chamber may use a pair of electrodes.

Abstract: A method of inserting a dialysis catheter into a patient comprising the steps of inserting a guidewire into the jugular vein of the patient through the superior vena cava and into the inferior vena cava, providing a trocar having a lumen and a dissecting tip, inserting the trocar to enter an incision in the patient and to create a subcutaneous tissue tunnel, threading the guidewire through the lumen of the trocar so the guidewire extends through the incision, providing a dialysis catheter having first and second lumens, removing the trocar, and inserting the dialysis catheter over the guidewire through the incision and through the jugular vein and superior vena cava into the right atrium.

Abstract: An injection joint for an IV device tube has a connector with a sealed injection port. The sealed injection port has an injection port socket, a resilient plug and a cap. The resilient plug is mounted in the injection port socket and has a tapered flange and multiple through holes. The cap has a threaded nipple and is securely mounted in the injection port socket around the resilient plug. The tapered flange selectively blocks the threaded nipple. When adding medicinal solution to the injection joint, a syringe without a needle but with an inner threaded opening is screwed onto the threaded nipple of the cap. Pushing the tapered flange into an axial passage in the neck allows the medicinal solution to pass through the through holes and into the injection port socket. The present invention improves the safety to medical personnel when injecting solution into the injection joint.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical needles with a porous distal portion from which a liquid injectate will weep or ooze multidirectionally under injection pressure while the porous distal portion of the needle is inserted into a body surface. The porous distal portion of the needle can be fabricated from a porous carbon, metal, ceramic or polymer and preferably has a decreasing gradient of impedance to fluid flowing to the point of the needle to compensate for the falling off of injection pressure as fluid moves towards the point, thereby ensuring uniform weeping of the injectate along the injection course. The needle is adapted for attachment to a catheter or syringe. In another embodiment, a surgical assemblage is provided wherein a porous distal portion having similar fluid flow characteristics is located along the distal end of a catheter, and a needle point is attached to the distal end of the catheter (e.g., a steerable catheter) for piercing tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing relatively gentle pulses of heated surgical fluid against the capsular bag to assist in the removal of lens epithelial cells and cortical material adhered to the capsular bag.

Abstract: A safety syringe 10 includes a generally tubular body 14 having a needle end 18 and plunger end 22, needle 38 and retractable needle seat 30, two-way valve 36, plunger 42, stopper 62, piston 52, and rear plunger seal 44. During use, the plunger may be moved to create a vacuum in the plunger. The user then moves the plunger toward the needle end, pressurizing a vial, then pulls backward to a selected position corresponding to the desired volume of fluid to be withdrawn. At the conclusion of the injection stroke, the piston is disengaged from the plunger. The vacuum within the plunger retracts the needle safely into the tubular body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric medical articles comprising combinations of triclosan and silver-containing compounds. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that these agents act synergistically, thereby permitting the use of relatively low levels of both agents. While it had been previously found that triclosan can be particularly useful when used in conjunction with chlorhexidine, it has been further discovered that medical articles having suitable antimicrobial properties may be prepared, according to the present invention, which contain triclosan without chlorhexidine. Such medical articles offer the advantage of preventing or inhibiting infection while avoiding undesirable adverse reactions to chlorhexidine by individuals that may have sensitivity to chlorhexidine.

Abstract: A device for delivering fluid to a patient including an exit port assembly adapted to connect to a transcutaneous patient access tool, a flow path extending from the exit port assembly, and a flow condition sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a resilient diaphragm having a first surface positioned against the flow path, a chamber wall defining a sensor chamber adjacent a second surface of the diaphragm, and at least one sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber in response to at least one predetermined fluid flow condition occurring in the flow path. The sensor includes a first electrode secured on the diaphragm, a second electrode positioned in a fixed location with respect to the first electrode, and an impedance meter connected between the electrodes.

Abstract: A winged catheter securing tape including a base having a non-adhesive upper surface and an adhesive lower surface, spaced areas of adhesive on said upper surface with a first non-adhesive area therebetween, and a second non-adhesive area on said lower surface in opposition to said first non-adhesive area.

Abstract: A safety syringe is disclosed. A plurality of axial slits are formed in the outer wall of the unidirectional buckling chamber of the seat. An inner wall of the unidirectional buckling chamber has a second unidirectional buckling lip. A buckling head at a front end of the rod head of the push rod is installed with a unidirectional buckling lip; the third unidirectional buckling lip is installed with a plurality of slits so that the third unidirectional buckling lip is elastic. Thereby, by the axial slits of the unidirectional buckling chamber and the slits of the third unidirectional buckling lip, when the push rod is pushed to a foremost end, the buckling head at the front end of the rod head is pushed into the unidirectional buckling chamber at the rear end of the rod head of the push rod.