Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical liposuction apparatus comprises a piezoelectric cral transducer assembly is connectable with a push rod house within the housing which allows the use of interchangeable operative probe and tip. The probe can be hollow, if aspiration of the fatty tissue is desired, or it can be solid.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including a guide wire having a proximal end, a distal end, and a balloon catheter. The balloon catheter includes a tubular member having a balloon proximate the distal end, and a guide wire tube having a lumen therethrough for slidably receiving the guide wire. The guide wire tube extends longitudinally along the exterior surface of the balloon from a point proximate the distal end of the balloon past the proximal end of the balloon. The guide wire tube is elastic and collapses radially when pressed against a vessel wall during inflation of the balloon. In a preferred method of use, the guide wire is placed in a first position across a treatment area followed by threading the balloon catheter over the guide wire so that balloon is also across the treatment area. The guide wire is then pulled in a proximal direction to a second retracted position, wherein the distal end of the guide wire is proximal of the proximal end of the balloon, yet within the guide wire tube.

Abstract: A method and device for the clean, non-traumatic removal of a diseased or otherwise eroded, cut, damaged, or dystrophied epithelium layer from the cornea of an eye, for the enhanced regeneration thereof or as the first step in a PRK procedure. The device includes a source for high speed, water-jet with sufficient speed and pressure to cleanly remove the epithelium layer from the Bowman's layer but at a speed which does not affect the harder, underlying Bowman's layer. The device further includes a preferably flat, impinging surface adapted to be directly placed on the epithelium with a laterally extending portion. The flat surface lightly applanates the cornea. The waterjet is adapted to impinge on the flat surface whereby the surface causes the waterjet to laterally radiate and continuously "brush" off the epithelium until the Bowman's layer is reached. Continued waterjet impingement, for a limited period thereafter, does not affect the Bowman's layer and merely harmlessly irrigates the eye.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated tube having a first channel for the guiding of a radioactive element and a second channel for the passage of a guide wire for the catheter, in which the elongated tube is provided on its outer circumference near its distal end with temporarily activatable centering means, the centering means being surrounded by recanalization means, and the centering means comprising a plurality of elongated balloons which are inflatable by fluid fed through at least one third channel and, in operation, allow the recanalization means to expand to form an elongated body, with respect to which the first channel is centered.

Abstract: Medical vascular catheters adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel from an incision through the skin of a patient for introducing other devices or fluids for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes into the patient's vasculature and manufacturing methods are disclosed. The catheters have a unitary catheter hub and strain relief formed at the proximal end of the catheter body for attachment to other apparatus and for inhibiting kinking of the catheter body. The unitary catheter hub and strain relief is formed of a proximal hub portion and a distal strain relief coil surrounding the catheter body in a catheter hub/body junction. The distal strain relief coil is shaped as a distally tapered, single coil to provide distally increasing flexibility and uniform bending characteristics in 36.degree. around the circumference of the catheter body received within the within the strain relief coil lumen.

Abstract: An IV port body defining an IV port includes a valve body configured as a luer fitting, and a movable valve member defining an outer periphery that is uninterrupted within the periphery is disposed in the valve body. The valve member is biased to a first configuration, wherein a passageway for fluid communication is not established through the valve body. Also, the valve member can be moved to a second configuration, wherein fluid communication through the body is permitted.

Abstract: The present invention provides in part an improved drug injection system, comprising novel self-aspirating syringes, drug cartridge and novel needle assemblies. It is primarily intended for administering of local anesthetic by dentists, but it can be used equally well in medical and veterinary applications. In one aspect, the novel syringe is made lightweight, comfortable to hold and corrosion resistant. In another aspect, some novel changes in the design of the syringe reduce the possibility of transmitting an infection from the blood of one patient into the blood of another. Additionally, innovation in the design of needle assembly makes the syringe safe to use even without prior sterilization and at the same time eliminating the possibility of transmitting infection as the result of human error.

Abstract: A medical device having good surface lubricity in the wet condition, high frictional durability and surface lubricity stability includes a body and a smoothing or lublicating coating on a surface of the body. The coating is produced by applying a solution of a mixture of maleic anhydride high polymer and polyurethane having allophanate bond on a surface of the body, insolubilizing the resultant coating by heating, and then hydrophilizing the coating with a hydrophilizing agent such as ammonia, amine or alcohol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter including a tubular part, a closure, a radially projecting part, and an operating handle. The tubular part has a proximal end and a distal end, at least one inlet opening at the proximal end and at least one outlet opening at the distal end. The closure is connected to the tubular part by a first hinge, with the closure extending beyond the first hinge. The radially projecting part projects from the tubular part. The operation handle is connected to the catheter by means of a second hinge at the end of the closure extension, and by means of a third hinge at the radially projecting part. The total length of the closure extension and the operation handle exceeds the rectilinear distance between the first and the third hinges. The catheter according to this invention provides a simple construction, which can be inserted and operated by one hand of the user and at a convenient site, not necessarily over a receptacle for urine or other bodily fluids.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) the cannula has a working channel defined therein through which medical instruments may be advanced, (2) the cannula includes a fluid delivery channel which is distinct from the working channel, and (3) the fluid delivery channel has an exit port. The medical apparatus also includes a chemical container having an interior void defined therein for receiving the biologically active compound. The interior void of the chemical container is in fluid communication with the exit port through the fluid delivery channel, whereby the biologically active compound may be delivered through the fluid delivery channel to an outer surface of the cannula. An associated medical procedure for dispensing a biologically active compound is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vascular stent for opening blood vessel occlusions and for providing support to damaged areas of blood vessel sites includes a proximal end defining a first lumen opening. The helical stent is constructed from a resilient material and has a body portion extending from the proximal end to define a lumen. A distal end defines a second lumen opening a predetermined axial distance from the first lumen opening. The stent is maintained in a stretched linear state when in a catheter for delivery to a vascular site, and resiliently expands into a relaxed helilcal shape when released from the catheter. Various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed, including a stent made of a wire having a flattened cross-section, a helical wire stent having a flat ribbon to span between adjacent loops of wire, multiple intertwined stents in the same blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a number of pumping systems and injection systems particularly useful for injecting a liquid medium into a patient. In general, the pumping systems comprise a removable pumping unit. The removable pumping unit includes means for pressurizing the liquid medium via the rotational displacement of the liquid medium. The present invention also provides a pumping system comprising a pumping unit for pressurizing the liquid medium and a feedback-controlled drive means in connection with the pumping unit for providing a controlled powered drive to the pumping unit. The pumping system further comprises a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the pressurized liquid medium exiting the pumping system and control means in communicative connection with the drive means for providing a control signal to control the powered drive provided to the pumping unit.

Abstract: An improved medication delivery device is a pen sized instrument that is powered by compressed inert gas. The needle-less injector device contains pre-filled and pre-measured medication dosages. The injector device has a pre-filled and self-contained compressed gas for providing pressure to inject the medication into the skin surface without the use of a needle. The injector device has a pressure sensitive deployment mechanism which insures proper seating of the injector face against the skin surface before medication delivery is accomplished. The needle-less injector device assures safe use by inexperienced operators (including children) under adverse conditions.

Abstract: The device for ionophoresis combines a donor electrode assembly, a counter electrode assembly and a generator of electricity. The donor assembly comprises a primary reservoir element containing the active principle and a secondary reservoir element containing a neutral electrolyte, these reservoir elements being separated by a semipermeable membrane in polymer material in contact with each of them, and an electrode in contact with the secondary reservoir element. The polymer material of the membrane consists at least in polyethyerblocamide with an Mn between 10000 and 300000 and containing by weight, 35% to 90% of polyamide sequences. The invention is applicable to the transcutaneous administration of active principles to a subject with improved efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus formed by a housing having an inlet and an inwardly biased and circumferentially open flexible seal depending from the inlet to engage and seal a fitting as it enters the inlet. A stationary probe within the housing extends axially from an outlet to the inlet, with the probe having a passageway thereinto connected to the outlet and the input is sealed when there is a reflux of fluid into the outlet.

Abstract: An injectable medicament dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments such as insulin, antibiotics, oncolytics and the like from a prefilled container at a uniform rate. The dispenser includes a unique stored energy source in the form of a compressively deformable, polymeric elastomeric member that provides the force necessary to controllably discharge the medicament from the prefilled container which is housed within the body of the device. After having been deformed, the polymeric, elastomeric member will return to its starting configuration in a highly predictable manner.

Abstract: An exchange catheter facilitates the replacement of an existing guiding catheter with a larger guiding catheter during catheterization procedures such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty without disturbing the position of a guidewire. The exchange catheter has a distal portion through which a guidewire is slidable. The outer diameter of the distal portion is slightly less than the inner diameter of the existing guiding catheter. A femoral sheath is slidable over the proximal portion of the exchange catheter so as to facilitate femoral sheath exchange.

Abstract: Tubing for use with intravenous delivery of fluids to a patient is provided. The tubing is preferably see-through and includes a tubing wall defining an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior and exterior wall surfaces define a channel for transferring intravenous fluid. An indicator for visibly distinguishing one tube from another similar tube is provided. The visible indicator may be a protruding ridge or a depression that traverses a length of the exterior surface, wherein the protruding ridge is helically wrapped around the exterior surface or run down a length of the tube longitudinally. The indicator may have a rectangular cross section, a hemispherical cross section or other suitable shape that traverses a length of the exterior surface. The indicator may additionally be colored or chemiluminescent to make the indicator more visible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for protected angioplasty, intended for the implantation of luminal endoprosthesis (or stent) in critical areas such as carotid or vertebral arteries, where protection of downstream-situated organs is highly desirable. The device comprises a central stent pusher part comprising a microcatheter bearing at its distal end an atraumatic tip, the atraumatic tip being prolonged by a tip balloon part comprising an inflatable occlusive balloon which may be inflated with a physiologically acceptable fluid at predetermined rates, a fluid-releasing section extending at the proximal the of the occlusive balloon, said releasing section being able to release the fluid from the balloon into an upstream section of the vessel when the pressure of the fluid reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: An intravascular medical catheter and method of manufacturing a medical catheter are provided herein. The medical catheter includes a catheter shaft having an inner liner, a reinforcing section and an outer shell. As provided herein, a groove is formed in the outer shell of the catheter shaft near a distal end of the catheter shaft with a laser. The groove can be filled with a fill section which is made of a relatively soft material. This improves the flexibility of the distal end so that the medical catheter has improved tracking and movement in the body vessel. Further, because the reinforcing section is continuous under the groove, the catheter shaft is durable and inhibits kinking during movement in the body vessel.