Abstract: A method for placing a feeding tube in a patient. The method includes the step of providing a needle defining a channel therethrough, the needle being constructed for insertion through an abdominal wall of a patient and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The distal end portion of the needle is inserted through an abdominal wall of a patient. An endoscope constructed for insertion through the channel defined through the needle is provided and inserted through the channel defined through the needle. An external environment of the distal end portion of the needle is viewed using the endoscope in order to determine whether the distal end portion of the needle is positioned within a preselected portion of a gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A dilating device having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion is provided. The dilating device defines a channel therethrough.

Abstract: An automatic air eliminator includes an elongated housing defining an interior chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall centered on an axis. A vent opening is present in the chamber top wall and a hydrophobic membrane covers the vent opening. The housing has a fluid outlet passage centered on the axis in the bottom wall of the chamber and a fluid inlet passage in the chamber side wall at a location adjacent to the top wall. That inlet passage is curved about the axis so that fluid inflow to the passage enters the chamber tangentially and circulates about the axis to the fluid outlet to minimize fluid turbulence and to maximize the residence time of the fluid housing.

Abstract: Hemodialysis access and lock device (10) and system, the device comprising an improved lock (32) formed of a resilient plug (34) surrounding an inserted needle cannula (NC) and having radial blades (40) with a tapered outer edge (42) locking to a corresponding tapered surface (44) of a surrounding shell (12) and an internal passage sealed by a duck-bill valve and a strain relief at a catheter and the system comprising one or more of such devices and corresponding hub structures (100) connectable to external fluid conduits and providing control of the needle cannula and an internal obturator (OB) associated with it.

Abstract: An access port is described that allows for filtered introduction of a drug while also allowing bypass of the filter when taking CSF samples. The access port is in fluid communication with a catheter that is surgically implanted in a patient's brain or intraspinal space. The access port has a first chamber in fluid communication with the catheter through a bioretentive filter and a one-way valve. The one-way valve allows fluid to flow only in the direction from the first chamber to the catheter. The bioretentive filter filters the fluid to remove particulate matter, bacteria or other undesirable objects prior to introduction of the fluid to the CSF. The access port also includes a second chamber that is in fluid communication with the catheter. The second chamber is separated from the first chamber by a needle screen and a septum.

Abstract: A catheter handle including a handle body defining a longitudinally extending handle aperture, a connector adapted to connect a steering wire to the handle body, a piston located at least partially within the handle aperture and slidable relative to the handle aperture, the piston being adapted to be operably connected to a catheter body, and a biasing element, operably connected to the piston, to bias the piston in the distal direction. As an alternative to the biasing element, or in addition, the catheter handle may also include a steering wire anchor associated with the handle body and including a movable portion operably connected to the proximal portion of the steering wire.

Abstract: A needleless syringe particle delivery system is provided. The needleless syringe comprises an elongate nozzle which is connected at its upstream end to an open ended capsule chamber. The capsule chamber is configured to house and intimately enclose a nonrigid capsule containing particles of a therapeutic agent. An opening means is provided at the upstream end of the capsule chamber, and is used to pierce the upstream end of a capsule in the chamber. After the capsule is opened, an energizing means connected to the upstream end of the capsule chamber applies a gaseous pressure sufficient to force the particles out of the capsule and the open downstream end of the capsule chamber and thus to create through the nozzle a supersonic gas flow in which the particles are entrained.

Abstract: A medical infusion pump is disclosed which provides for greatly improved accuracy in the delivery of medicaments to a patient. Among the various features included in the instant invention is a pumping body which serves to deform and reform a tube so as to maintain the initial cross-section thereof and thereby preserve the output accuracy of the pump. Also disclosed with regard to the pumping body is a wholly mechanical synchronization of the pumping body and valves associated therewith and coactive with the aforementioned synchronization a mechanical linearization of output of the pumping body per each pumping cycle. Additionally, several features which serve to enhance the utility of the instant invention are also included therein among which is an associated assembly operative to automatically load or disload a tube or IV set into or out of the pumping body.

Abstract: A balloon and method of manufacture for use in catheters for medical procedures, in particular percutaneous translumenal coronary angioplasty and other cardiovascular interventions. The balloon incorporates an inflatable membrane having a number of perpendicular ribs which have a higher resistance to collapse during deflation. A number of longitudinal ribs are provided which are preferably equidistantly spaced about a longitudinal axis and which extend between a proximal and distal end of the balloon. A number of triangular indentations are provided, wherein each triangular indentation is preferably equidistantly positioned between adjacent longitudinal ribs and each triangular indentation extends along a portion of the balloon between the proximal and distal ends. Each triangular indentation may extend through a perpendicular rib to reduce the resistance of the perpendicular rib to collapse during deflation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in vivo electroporation therapy. Using electroporation therapy (EPT) as described in the invention, tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of EPT utilizing low voltage and long pulse length for inducing cell death. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for clinical electroporation that includes a needle array electrode having a "keying" element that determines the set point of the therapy voltage pulse and/or selectable array switching patterns. A number of electrode applicator designs permit access to and treatment of a variety of tissue sites. Another embodiment provides a laparoscopic needle applicator that is preferably combined with an endoscope for minimally invasive EPT.

Abstract: The present invention is a convertible catheter which is of a size and construction so as to enable it to be inserted by a medical technician and is designed so as to convert the site of ingress from a single lumen configuration to a multilumen configuration without necessitating removal of the first catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connection system for connecting a cannula to a device, the system involving a chamber operably coupled to the device, wherein the chamber has two apertures and contains a flexible substance, one of the apertures operably coupled to the device and both apertures operably linked by a channel defined in the flexible substance, the cannula having a cannula diameter and an end with a larger diameter than said cannula diameter.

Abstract: A specific catheter for percutaneous gastrostomy is indicated in all patients undergoing serious abdominal, general, or urologic surgical operations, or during the post-operatory period. This catheter is preferable to the naso-gastric tube which causes discomfort to patients and can be responsible for gastric erosions, gastritis, gastric bleeding, middle ear otitis, pulmonary atelectasis, and pneumonia. Moreover, this catheter is indicated for patients who require a prolonged enteral feeding. The catheter is positioned into the stomach at the end of the surgery through the abdominal wall, lateral to the abdominal incision by a percutaneous technique, and allows the best drainage of acid-mucous secretions from the stomach and duodenum. This catheter because of its material, its tip, its configuration inside the stomach, is a change from the traditional approach to patients improving their quality of life.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery system, comprising a reservoir from which set doses are apportioned, a dose setting mechanism by which the relative position of two elements is changed by a distance proportional to a set dose, and a push button by activation of which an element is moved a distance corresponding to the distance proportional to the set dose, further comprises a working cylinder having an open end into which a plunger fits, and a closed end at which an inlet and an outlet port connect the space beneath the plunger with an inlet communicating with the reservoir and an outlet communicating with a drug delivery member, respectively. Valves means at the inlet and outlet control the passages from the reservoir to the working cylinder and from the working cylinder to the drug delivery member, respectively. The cylinder with the plunger, and the injection member are independently exchangeable, disposable parts.

Abstract: A powered handpiece for driving a surgical blade to cut anatomical tissue includes a reusable handpiece body having a distal end for being coupled with a surgical blade, a drive shaft in the handpiece body for rotatably driving the surgical blade, a motor assembly for being installed in the handpiece body to rotatably drive the drive shaft and a suction channel in the handpiece body including a portion extending through the drive shaft parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor assembly for evacuating anatomical tissue cut by the blade from the handpiece body for external collection. The surgical blade is for use with the powered handpiece and carries a sealing arrangement facilitating irrigation and suction. The handpiece body is capable of being sterilized to medical standards prior to each use.

Abstract: A catheter placement system designed to permit a physician to quickly and safely place a large gage catheter into a selected major vein, while avoiding injury to the selected vein, nerves or other veins located about the area of the insertion. Initially, a small finder needle is inserted into the area where selected vein is expected to be located to cause as little damage as possible to the surrounding tissue. Once blood is drawn easily through the finder needle, the selected vein has been located. The finder needle is placed coaxially within a support tube, which is placed coaxially within the catheter. The finder needle is used as a guide for the support tube and catheter, which are moved together over the finder needle into the selected vein, with the support tube providing needed support for the usually flexible catheter to make it rigid while progressing to the selected vein.

Abstract: A catheter and methods are provided for inserting at least portions thereof into a vessel, cavity, or tissue of a human body to thereby provide manipulation of a distal portion of the catheter when positioned within a vessel, cavity, or tissue. The catheter preferably has a module which includes an elongate tube having at least one lumen extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the tube, a module interface connected to the proximal end of the tube, and a deflector connected to the tube for deflecting the distal portion of the elongate tube. A handle detachably connects to the module and is configured to be readily held in the hand of a user. The handle has a body which includes a wall positioned in and extending transversely across distal portions of the body. The wall has an outer surface thereof defining an exterior portion of the body and a first cavity formed within the body. Preferably, the body detachably and coextensively connects to the module interface through the outer surface of the wall.

Abstract: Catheter for use in biliary procedures, including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A guide wire lumen is carried by the shaft extending from a location proximal the distal end of the shaft to a location proximate the distal end of the shaft. A channel extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end is included for accessing the guide wire lumen from a location exterior the catheter shaft located distal the proximal end of the shaft. The catheter may be used in rapid exchange catheter procedures. The channel may be U-shaped, containing the guide wire yet allowing radial removal of the guide wire from the channel. The catheter may also be part of a device including an endoscope exchange sheath for constraining guide wire movement to the catheter channel while inside a large endoscope working channel.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter for the performance of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the coronary or other arteries is provided. The design of the catheter is such that in the deflated or collapsed configuration it defines a very low profile device allowing its delivery to a broader range of blood vessels within the body and the ability to be placed across very severe blockages in any given vascular space. The catheter in its inflated state has an outer surface that resembles standard angioplasty balloons. It has an interior channel through which a guidewire can pass to enable rapid exchange and per-fusion. Optionally, it can also have a second channel in the interior for perfusion. The channels within the balloon are asymmetrically placed (with respect to the shaft), when viewed in cross section, and are comprised, e.g.

Abstract: A medical instrument capable of maintaining medicament liquids such as pharmaceuticals, nutriments in high quality and dosing correctly and sanitarily is provided. This medical instrument comprises a material containing a resin formed of a cyclic olefin compound or a bridged polycyclic hydrocarbon compound, as a polymeric component.

Abstract: A method for morselating and removing the morselated tissue through a small incision comprising in general inserting a tissue container into the body cavity of a patient through an incision, placing resected tissue in the vessel, inserting a morselator having a rotatable electrode thereon through the incision and into the vessel, morselating the tissue and removing the tissue from the containment vessel and the body. An apparatus for morselating and removing tissue through a small incision within the body cavity of a patient is also disclosed and may comprise a tissue container having an inner chamber for containing resected tissue, and a morselator having a proximal end and a distal end carrying an electrode wherein the distal end is insertable into the body cavity and containment vessel for morselating resected tissue.