Abstract: Methods and apparatus for percutaneously accessing an implanted port use a large bore coring needle. The coring needle is periodically introduced to an aperture on the implanted port so that the needle passes through the same tissue tract. It has been found that repeated passage of the needle through the same tissue tract reduces patient trauma, with minimized bleeding, reduction in sensitivity, in contrast to the use of non-coring needles.

Abstract: A medicament container has a body having an open mouth defining an axis, a pierceable plug engaged over and sealing the mouth, a ring engaged around the mouth and over the plug and formed with a hole through which an outer surface of the plug is exposed, and a cap engageable around the mouth over the ring and plug. The cap holds an elastomeric element bearing elastically through the hole against the plug outer surface.

Abstract: A syringe assembly comprises a barrel having an inside surface describing a chamber for retaining fluid. The barrel includes an open proximal end and a distal end with an elongated tip extending therefrom having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber. A plunger rod includes an elongated body portion having a proximal end, a distal end and a stopper at the distal end. The stopper is slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement within the barrel. An elongated projection extends distally outwardly from the distal end of the plunger rod. The elongated projection is shaped to fit within the passageway of elongated tip. Structure is provided to prevent the removal of a needle assembly from the elongated tip of the syringe barrel. A locking element is provided to prevent the proximal motion of the plunger rod with respect to the barrel after initial distal motion of the stopper to expel fluid from the syringe barrel.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery device comprising a flexible reservoir sandwiched between a flexible printed circuit board and a pair of flexible electrodes. A rigid top cover is mounted on a spine on the reservoir by means of snap-fit connections. The rigid cover protects the device from damage while the flexible reservoir, circuit board and electrodes can conform to the skin of a subject. The configuration of the flexible elements allows the manufacturing process to be simplified considerably, resulting in a less expensive device with ease of fabrication.

Abstract: An optical feeding tube includes an elongated sheath having a first lumen for delivering nutrients to a gastro-intestinal tract and an imaging device disposed in a second lumen. The imaging device provides visualization of an area adjacent a distal end of the elongated sheath. The imaging device can be an optical fiber extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongated sheath. The optical feeding tube can also include a retention device.

Abstract: A wound dressing which comprises alginate characterized in that the alginate has a mannuronate content of 50% to 80% has a molecular weight of 7,000 to 40,000 and has a monovalent:polyvalent of from 10 to 30:70 to 90.

Abstract: An adjustable medical outdwelling, normally closed, pressure-responsive slit valve flow control for fluid (liquids and gases) and related methods wherein a diaphragm having a slit therein may be flexed both distally and proximally by respective pressure differentials across the diaphragm. One or more adjustment members are provided on one or both sides of the diaphragm to selectively adjust the amount of pressure differential required to open the slit valve.

Abstract: An infuser for infusing a liquid from a reservoir, comprising a durable part (1,2,3) forming a housing and a disposable part (4) containing the liquid reservoir and an energy reservoir for energizing the pumping function. The infuser, further, contains in its disposable part (4) all liquid-contacting elements of the device, and the disposable part (4) and the durable part (1,2,3) are provided with mating coupling means (10,11).A controlling unit in an electronic compartment (3) of the durable part (1,2,3) has a socket (12) into which a plug (13) may be inserted, the plug (13) contains a ROM carrying information defining infusion data. The plug (13) has a transparent sheet (14) covering a display (8) of the durable part when the plug (13) is inserted in the socket (12). The sheet (14) carries a graphic representation of the information in the ROM to be seen in relation to information displayed on the display (8).

Abstract: The catheter is a catheter for controlling the circulation of fluid through it, from or to a vessel in which the catheter is inserted. The catheter comprises a long tubular body that is open especially at its distal end (5), over which there is arranged a cap (5) having an essentially flat distal wall (7) in which there is formed at least one slit forming a valve (7).The slit in the cap has a length that is greater than or equal to the inside diameter of the body of the catheter. The said slit preferably extends also into the side of the cap, and a tube is inserted into the distal portion of the catheter in order to support the sleeve during aspiration.

Abstract: A sleeve assembly for use in the transition region of a catheter between a relatively stiff catheter body and a less stiff distal catheter region mediates the difference in stiffness between these two catheter regions.

Abstract: Endovascular stents capable of being cut from a flat piece of material are described. The endovascular stents may be bioabsorbable, multilayered and may have structural configurations allowing them to maintain low profiles in vivo. Methods of manufacturing endovascular stents and methods of using endovascular stents are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a subcutaneous infusion device comprising a housing; a flow channel within the housing; a cannula extending from the housing and being in flow communication with the flow channel; a connector for delivery of fluid into the flow channel; a guide means for guiding the connector with the needle into a correct position in relation to the housing; a base part where the housing is mounted pivotably in relation to this base part. By incorporating the housing pivotably in relation to a base part it is possible to pivote the housing to an increased angle in relation to the skin surface and hereby facilitate the mounting of the connector in the housing since there is now more space present for performing this operation. Hereby the handling of the device has been simplified.

Abstract: A passive reservoir for medicament in the form of a plastics bag 1, has a hanging eyelet 2 at its upper end and a lower outlet nozzle 3. The plastics bag 1 has bottom corners 4,5, the left-hand right-angled corner 5 of which encapsulates a data carrier means 6 which carries data relating to a medicament contained or to be contained within the bag 1. The data carrier means is in the form of an electrically and/or magnetically operable device which can emit the data it is carrying in response to activation by a suitable field applied by an external reading device, which can cooperate with a delivery device to control the delivery to a patient of medicament when contained in the bag 1.

Abstract: The method for automatic dosing of drugs utilizes a delivery device which may be administered to an animal. The delivery device is configured to have one or more compartments or reservoirs, each containing at least one drug so that a plurality of doses of the drug(s) are held within the device. In accordance with the present invention, the delivery device selectively releases doses of the drug(s) to provide an efficacious dosing pattern. One primary function of the present invention is to release two or more pesticides in such a pattern that parasites are effectively controlled while preventing the development of tolerance to the drugs within the parasites. Preferably, the delivery device is programmable to effectuate the release of the drug(s) at a desired time to maintain efficacious levels of the drug while minimizing the amount of drug which must be used.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a fluid-sensitive beneficial agent such as a somatotropin, or an analogue or derivative thereof, to an animal such as a bovine. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds an internal compartment, said wall comprising a first wall section that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the system. The wall may further comprise an end cap which may be adapted for ultrasonic welding to the first wall section and may maintain the beneficial agent in contact with an exit. The compartment comprises a beneficial agent and an expandable driving member. The delivery system comprises an exit for delivering the beneficial agent to the animal.

Abstract: An automatic needle insertion device for a pen shaped syringe comprising a cartridge holder (2) wherein a cartridge with a drug can be accommodated, and a dose setting and injection part (1) by which a wanted dose may be set an subsequently pressed out from the cartridge by pressing a button (12) projecting from the dose setting and injection part (1). The device comprises a mainly tubular housing (31) in which a tubular pen holder (22) in which a pen can be mounted can be axially displaced in a proximal direction to cock a spring (30) which can thereafter be released to drive the pen holder (22) with the pen a set distance in a distal direction.

Abstract: A iontophoretic drug delivery apparatus and a corresponding method is provided. The apparatus includes a switched-capacitor DC--DC voltage converter to step up a supply voltage, and a current control circuit that draws current from the stepped-up voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing a fluid agent into body tissue by causing transport of the fluid agent into the dermis of the subject. The outer surface of the skin of the subject is drawn against a plurality of micropenetrators such that microfissures are cloven into the epidermis and fluid may be introduced for diffusion or suction within the dermis. Suction creates a pressure gradient within the dermis to cause fluid take-up by the dermal tissue. The micropenetrators are produced by punching an array of protrusions in the surface of a thin sheet creating sharp edges for penetrating the epidermis.

Abstract: A continuous peritoneal dialysis is carried out by providing a dialyzer element having a filter membrane for being exposed within the peritoneal cavity and an interior dialysate passageway, the membrane having pores sufficient to allow diffusion of blood toxins, implanting the dialyzer element in the peritoneal cavity of a patient, infusing a transfer fluid into the patient's peritoneal cavity and continuously supplying substantially fresh dialysate fluid into interior dialysate passageway of the dialyzer element, directing the fluid along the passageway whereby it is exposed to the transfer fluid by diffusion through the membrane and whereby toxins from said transfer fluid are diffused into the dialysate in the dialyzer element to form toxic dialysate fluid, and continuously removing the toxic dialysate from said dialyzer element.

Abstract: A device for delivery of a powder to the skin of a subject includes a pad, made of an insulating material and having an upper side and a lower side, which lower side is placed against the skin after application of the powder thereto. An electrical power source applies an electrical potential to the pad, causing the powder to adhere by electrostatic force to the lower side of the pad, and then alters the potential so that the powder is released from the pad and contacts the skin against which the pad is placed.