Abstract: A device for dispensing viscoelastic solutions, said device consisting of a syringe (1) which contains at least two viscoelastic solutions (V1, V2) having different properties, said solutions (V1, V2) being dispensed in succession, in a predetermined order, said device being characterized in that said syringe (1) includes at least one moving diaphragm (10) that separates said at least two viscoelastic solutions (V1, V2).

Abstract: Distal protection filter assembly and methods for coupling a filter to an elongate shaft. A filter assembly may include a tubular adaptor having a distal holding receptacle. The filter may include struts adapted and configured for being coupled to the holding receptacle.

Abstract: The valved ostomy drainage device of the present invention includes a primary conduit which may be inserted into either a colonoscopy or ileostomy. Once inserted, a balloon cuff or collar on the inner aspect of the conduit is inflated which holds the conduit in place in the ostomy. The conduit is anchored on the exterior surface of the patient by a soft, malleable ring which acts as a resilient pad seal and by an anchoring collar which mounts onto the exposed end of the conduit to sandwich the ring against the patient's abdomen. With the collar so mounted the remaining exposed end of the conduit is adapted for sealing by the releasable mounting thereon of a rigid sealing member such as a threaded cap or other means of closure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device in which the medicament to be delivered is stored within a cartridge having a displaceable piston therein. The displaceable piston is driven to expel medicament by way of a lead screw that is advanced and retracted by way of a suitable drive mechanism. A guideway through which the lead screw travels is provided. However, in known devices the guideway is held in position by other components of the apparatus. Such devices can be complex to manufacture. Also they may require disassembly and reassembly when a cartridge is to be replaced. This is a disadvantage if the user, as is common amongst those with diabetes, is infirm or has impaired vision.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed which effectively partitions a syringe into proximal and distal chambers to provide a multi-chamber, sequentially dispensing syringe apparatus. The valve assembly may be effectively used with a variety of standard, currently available commercial syringes and pre-filled syringes. Incorporated in the valve assembly is a valved stopper having a valve (which may be a slit valve), an impact sensor which opens the valve upon impact between the valve assembly and internal distal end of the syringe and a gas separator which separates liquid from gas disposed in the proximal chamber to assure gas is not delivered therefrom. The valve assembly is displaced as a plunger of the syringe is displaced via communication through fluid in the proximal chamber of the syringe. The actuator has a latching feature which latches the valve to an open state after being opened by the impact sensor. The gas separator has a proximally disposed orifice which facilitates priming.

Abstract: An injection device for injection of a medicament from a medicament cartridge is disclosed. The injection device includes a main housing, a piston and an end stop switch in which access to the main body for replacement of the medicament cartridge may only be obtained when the piston trips the end stop switch.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system having a space-efficient piston is provided. The enclosure has an interior holding the piston, a beneficial agent, and an osmopolymer 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 osmopolymer from the beneficial agent. The piston has a recess that receives at least a portion of the osmopolymer. The osmopolymer 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: A blood collection assembly includes a needle cannula with an intravenous end and a non-patient end. The cannula is mounted to a needle holder so that the non-patient end projects into the holder. A safety shield is telescoped over the needle cannula and is movable from a proximal position where the intravenous end of the cannula is exposed to a distal position where the intravenous end of the cannula is shielded. The safety shield is configured to be passively actuated and propelled into the distal position in response to insertion of a blood collection tube into the holder. However, a slide back actuator extends from the safety shield to permit the shield to be retracted into a proximal position during use and before the safety shield is locked in the distal position.

Abstract: The present invention uses several innovative means in order to effectively puncture the intimal wall of blood vessels reliably and controllably. The total penetration of the needle is controlled by the height of the needle projecting from its base and the degree of penetration is controlled by the use of “cam” or similar means or mechanisms that moves the base containing the needles.

Abstract: A single operator exchange biliary catheter having a common distal lumen. The biliary catheter includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion defining an ancillary lumen and a distal portion defining a common guidewire and ancillary lumen. The common distal lumen reduces the profile of the distal portion of the shaft. The elongate shaft also includes a proximal guidewire port disposed between the proximal end of the shaft and the distal end of the shaft to facilitate single operator use. A seal may be disposed adjacent the proximal guidewire port to thereby seal the port. Preferably, the shaft includes a single lumen distal portion and a bi-lumen proximal portion. The single lumen distal portion of the shaft may be curved and may include a tapered or spherically shaped distal tip.

Abstract: A hypodermic type needle cover assembly for covering a hypodermic type needle attached to a butterfly needle holding assembly as soon as the tip of the hypodermic type needle is withdrawn form the patient. To ensure the cover remains over the tip of the hypodermic type needle, the cover assembly includes a needle retaining mechanism that allows the needle to easily enter a needle receiving cavity of the cover assembly but provides resistance to the needle moving out of the cover assembly where it could prick and possibly contaminate a health care worker.

Abstract: A medical device (10) is disclosed. The device (10) is adaptable for configuration in various positions. In the preferred embodiment, the device (10) comprises an infusion pump (12) for dispensing a medical fluid to a patient. A controller (14) is operably connected to a display (16) and the pump (12). The display (16) is operably responsive to the position of the pump (10) wherein information on the display (16) can be easily viewed.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining concentric parts within one another and enabling limited axial movement therebetween, includes an inner component having a shoulder disposed in an external perimeter thereof and an outer tubular component having a wall and an open end for receiving the inner component and an inner surface for abutting the shoulder and enabling a sliding interface therebetween. A retaining tab is provided and disposed in the wall proximate the open end for depression of a free end toward the wall and a slot formed in the wall beneath the tab enables the free end to be forced therepast for retaining the free end inside the wall for engagement with the shoulder, thus preventing separation of the inner component from the outer component.

Abstract: To provide an artificial cardiopulmonary circuit system having high heat resistance and excellent blood compatibility. The artificial cardiopulmonary circuit system includes a hollow fiber membrane oxygenator including a plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange having a blood contact part that contacts blood on one side thereof and a gas contact part that contacts a gas on the other side thereof, and a housing that contains the hollow fiber membranes therein. At least a portion of the blood contact part of the hollow fiber membrane oxygenator is coated with a polymer comprising a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1) as a main structural component and having a viscosity at 65° C. of 5,000 poise (500 Pa·s) [Chemical Formula 4] (Wherein R1 is hydrogen or a methyl group, R2 is an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms).

Abstract: An injection apparatus is described for making an injection at a predetermined depth in skin, including: a skin positioning member for positioning on a patch of skin within an area of skin such that at least a part of the patch of skin may be held elevated above or depressed below the area of skin, an injection needle, and a guidance mechanism for guiding the injection needle to slide beneath the skin positioning member to an injection position in which the distal end of the needle lies at a predetermined distance below the skin positioning member. An injection apparatus is also described including a detachable marker unit and a securing element for securing the marker unit at an injection site prior to the making of an injection to mark the position of the injection site.

Abstract: An introducer system delivers therapy locally to a renal system in a patient. A proximal coupler assembly is coupled to an introducer sheath that delivers multiple devices simultaneously into a location within an abdominal aorta associated with first and second renal artery ostia. The coupler assembly has a network of branch lumens arranged to allow for smooth slideable engagement of multiple coupled devices without substantial interference therebetween. A first branch lumen typically introduces a percutaneous translumenal interventional device such as an angiography or guiding catheter into the introducer sheath and is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the sheath. One or more other branch lumen are off-axis from the longitudinal axis by about 30 degrees or less and introduce components of a bilateral renal delivery assembly into the introducer sheath in conjunction with the other device. Novel insertion devices are provided to coordinate the coupling of the multiple devices.

Abstract: A system for delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents into a living body includes a port assembly having a cannula extending from the mounting side, a port opening away from the mounting side and a resilient barrier between the port and the cannula. An access hub includes a connector positionable at the port for opening the resilient barrier. The access hub is movable in the port assembly, is engaged therewith through a resilient ring coupling and forms a seal with the resilient barrier, reducing the amount of volume to be primed. Inserters, both disposable and reusable, include the cannula insertion member as part of the assembly. A spring loaded port driver is operatively mounted within the housing with movement controlled by a latch. The driver includes a seat for receipt of a port assembly. The cannula insertion member is nonremovably fixed in a socket in the port driver in the disposable assembly.

Abstract: A system for delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents into a living body includes a port assembly having a cannula extending from the mounting side, a port opening away from the mounting side and a resilient barrier between the port and the cannula. An access hub includes a connector positionable at the port for opening the resilient barrier. The access hub is movable in the port assembly, is engaged therewith through a resilient ring coupling and forms a seal with the resilient barrier, reducing the amount of volume to be primed. Inserters, both disposable and reusable, include the cannula insertion member as part of the assembly. A spring loaded port driver is operatively mounted within the housing with movement controlled by a latch. The driver includes a seat for receipt of a port assembly. The cannula insertion member is nonremovably fixed in a socket in the port driver in the disposable assembly.

Abstract: A suction cannula, dilator, stapler and staple are provided herein. The suction cannula is concentrically aligned with a puncture site (e.g., puncture in an artery or vein) and provides vacuum about the periphery of the puncture site so that the puncture hole is always located during a medical procedure, and to thereby permit a surgeon to quickly and efficiently close the puncture using, for example, a stapling device. In the preferred embodiment the suction cannula has a tube-in-tube construction having an inner tube and an outer tube where a vacuum can be applied between the tubes. The dilator (and suction cannula) centers around a guide wire (that is already in place within the venous structure) and follows the path of the guide wire to the puncture site. Preferably, the dilator has a tapered tip on the distal end that enters a hole made in the vein or artery. A blood indicator is provided on the proximal end to provide visual feedback when the surgeon is in the artery (i.e.

Abstract: A needleless hypodermic injection system for injecting a liquid medication, which system comprises a disposable cartridge which contains a medication and which includes a propellant and an igniter, and a reusable application device which comprises a pressure chamber for receiving the medication cartridge, actuation means including an ignition system and means for ensuring reliability and safety of the system. The reusable application device comprises: (a) a housing including a fist housing section and a second housing section which are adapted to be assembled together by a screwing operation, the first housing section comprising a front part having an injection outlet and a chamber adapted to receive a the cartridge contains the medication to be injected and also contains a propellant and an igniter, and (b) means for selectively activating said igniter of said cartridge when predetermined conditions are fulfilled.