Abstract: The injection syringe (10) includes, on the one hand, an elongate syringe body (12) comprising a tube (16) and a front wall (20) equipped with an injection needle (22), and, on the other hand, a rear actuating plunger (14) mounted so as to be displaceable inside the tube (16). The body (12) additionally has a mobile needle protector (36) which can be displaced, under the effect of the actuating plunger (14) driven into the body (12), between a retracted position, set back from the injection end (22A) of the needle (22), and an active protection position, in which the front end of the protector is situated in front of the injection end (22A) of the said needle (22).

Abstract: A surgical handpiece having at least two lumens mounted to a body. At least one lumen is used for aspiration and at least one other lumen is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. A portion of the second lumen 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 lumen. The pumping chamber may use any type of heater, such as a resistive heater or an induction heater. The handpiece may also contain other lumens for injecting relatively cool surgical fluid.

Abstract: A catheter includes a segment having a longitudinal axis. The segment includes a polymeric tube having interior and exterior surfaces separated by a wall thickness. The interior surface defines a catheter lumen which extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis. The exterior surface is sized for the tube to be passed through a patient's vasculature system. The segment further includes a substantially straight, flexible guide member disposed within the tube's wall thickness. The guide member has a longitudinal dimension extending parallel to and radially spaced from the segment's axis. The guide member is plastically deformable when bent around a bending axis perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension beyond a bending limit.

Abstract: A drip chamber for a medical fluid delivery system includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, and defining a chamber between the inlet and outlet ports, the housing configured to channel medical fluid in a flow path from the inlet port through the chamber and to the outlet port. The inlet port includes a tubular member that extends into the chamber and redirects the path of the medical fluid against a side wall of the housing to reduce the velocity of the medical fluid and minimize formation of air bubbles in the medical fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of the present invention include encapsulating the antibiotic in fine particles of bioabsorbable polymer which will yield a constant dissolution of the antibiotic over a predefined dosing period (such as a 7-10 day period), with residual antibiotic being thereafter delivered only until the bioabsorable polymer is resorbed; and delivering the fine particle powder to the surgical site as an aerosol spray. It is preferable that the antibiotic and the polymer be thermostable so that the exothermic reaction of bone cement does not degrade the polymer or the antibiotic. A suitable antibiotic for this purpose is an aminoglycoside. One apparatus according to the invention include a porous delivery tube which is dimensioned to fit comfortable in a bone canal and which is coupled to a aerosol canister containing the antibiotic powder of the invention.

Abstract: A faceplate for an ostomy appliance is disclosed in which a unitary release sheet covers both the bodyside (rear) surface of an adhesive skin barrier layer and the surrounding adhesive surface of an outwardly-projecting porous covering layer. The barrier layer is beveled to a feathered outer edge and the release sheet contacts the adhesive surface of the covering layer immediately adjacent the outer edge of said barrier layer. A continuous in-line method for making such faceplates is disclosed.

Abstract: The disposable cassette for use with a liquid drug infusion pump comprises a cassette body (1) with a flexible pump tube (2) between an inlet (3) for connection to a drug reservoir on the upstream side and an outlet (4) for delivery of the drug to a medical patient on the downstream side; a pressure detector membrane (18) operatively connectable to said infusion pump having means to measure the pressure in the fluid circuit of the cassette; a passive valve (7) having a pre-stress producing a forward opening pressure of at least 0.15 bar, and an optical code (6) located on the cassette body (1) for recognition of the cassette by said infusion pump.

Abstract: An IV set includes a drip chamber having a top end and a bottom end. A spikeless connector covers the top end, and an IV tube is connected to the bottom end of the drip chamber. The end of the IV tube opposite the drip chamber is engaged with a needleless/spikeless connector. Thereby, a needleless/spikeless IV set is rendered. A reflux valve including a deformable valve member and reciprocating valve element is also disclosed for use in conjunction with the needleless/spikeless IV connectors.

Abstract: The balloon inflating device comprises a syringe (12) the plunger (28) of which has a screw thread (36). It further comprises a mechanism for retaining the plunger comprising a first half nut (40A) movable between a position separated from the screw thread (36) and a position of engagement with the screw thread (36), and a slidable control element (42) which comprises first coupling means (54A) adapted to displace the first movable half nut (40A). The retaining mechanism (14) further comprises a second movable half nut (40B) movable between a position spaced away from the screw thread (36) and a position of engagement with the screw thread (36). The control element (42) further comprises second coupling means (54B) associated with the second half nut (40B) and adapted to move the second half nut. The first and second coupling means (54A, 54B) are mechanically connected to each other in the region in which the control element (42) is coupled to the first and second half nuts (40A, 40B).

Abstract: A surgically implantable nasal dilator for implanting within the nasal tissues of a user having an internal skeleton structure of inverted V-shape capable of being implanted within the nasal tissues of a user and imparting an oppositely directed opening force on the wall tissues of the nose of the user, and an external sheath, formed from a biocompatible material, encasing the internal skeleton structure.

Abstract: An ostomy pouch has a first and second panels of flexible material sealed to each around the edges to form a bag, and a aperture for receiving waste product from a stoma. A seal i provided on the inner surfaces of the two panels to seal waste products in the pouch before the pouch is removed from the side of a wearer.

Abstract: A fluid management pump system (20) for applying an irrigation/distention solution to a surgical site. The system includes a pump (22) for forcing the solution through an inflow tube (28). A portable power pack (26) attached to the pup provides the energization current for actuating the pump. The solution is introduced into the surgical site from the inflow tube through a first cannula (30) across which there is a relatively small pressure drop. Fluid discharged from the surgical site is drained from the site through a second cannula (32) across which there is a low pressure drop. A hand controller (38) is attached to the inflow and outflow tubes. The hand controller contains a valve (46) for regulating fluid flow through the outflow tube. A pump control circuit (232) is also disposed in the hand controller.

Abstract: A medical probe for the treatment by radio frequency ablation of tissue in a human comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities. The elongate probe member has a longitudinal axis and at least one passage extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A guide cannula is mounted in the at least one passage of the elongate probe member and has proximal and distal extremities with the distal extremity of the guide cannula being in the vicinity of the distal extremity of the elongate probe member. The guide cannula has an opening in the distal extremity and a lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the opening in the distal extremity. A stylet is slidably disposed in the lumen of the guide cannula and includes a radio frequency electrode having a distal portion and a layer of insulating material disposed around the radio frequency so that at least the distal portion is exposed. A handle is coupled to the proximal extremity of the elongate probe member.

Abstract: A hemodialysis and vascular access system comprises a subcutaneous composite PTFE silastic arteriovenous fistula having an indwelling silastic venous end which is inserted percutaneously into a vein and a PTFE arterial end which is anastomosed to an artery. Access to a blood stream within the system is gained by direct puncture of needle(s) into a needle receiving site having a tubular passage within a metal or plastic frame and a silicone upper surface through which needle(s) are inserted. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, percutaneous access to a blood stream may be gained by placing needles directly into the system (i.e. into the PTFE arterial end). The invention also proposes an additional embodiment having an arterialized indwelling venous catheter where blood flows from an artery through a tube and a port into an arterial reservoir and is returned to a vein via a port and a venous outlet tube distinct and distant from the area where the blood from the artery enters the arterial reservoir.

Abstract: A urinary tract irrigating assembly for flushing a TURP-treated prostate gland having a surgically created central cavity. The assembly includes an elongated catheter having a drain port for draining the bladder contents; a discharge port for discharging prostate-irrigating fluid into the cavity; and a second drain port for draining spent prostate-irrigating fluid and other fluids from the cavity. Positioning means are provided for positioning the catheter with the first port located in the bladder and the second and third ports located within the prostate cavity. In use, a predetermined amount of irrigating fluid at predetermined time intervals is discharged into the prostate cavity through the discharge port while draining urine through the first drain port and spent prostate treating agent through the second drain port.

Abstract: A method and device for injecting fluid into a treatment area of a vessel wall is provided herein. A first version of the device includes an inflatable balloon mounted on a catheter and a plurality of dispensers extending outwardly and moving with the balloon. At least one fluid passageway connects each injector in fluid communication with a fluid source. During use of the device, the balloon is first positioned in a vessel proximate the treatment area. Next, the balloon is inflated to embed the dispensers into the vessel wall. Subsequently, the fluid from the fluid source is introduced into the fluid passageway and through the dispensers into the treatment area. A second version of the device includes a plurality of flexible tubes mounted between a multi-lumen catheter and a grommet. A push-pull wire is connected to the grommet and passed through a lumen of the multi-lumen catheter. The dispensers are mounted on each of the flexible tubes. During use, the device is first positioned in a vessel.

Abstract: A medical device for treating canker sores, wherein flexible RF electrode means having a distal surface plate permeable to medicament comprises therapeutic agent delivery means, is inserted into the mouth of a patient; the electrode means being placed against and/or surrounding the canker sore region; RF energy is applied for a predetermined time and temperature to the canker sore tissue through the electrode means to cause internal lesions; and delivering a heated therapeutic agent to heal the tissues thereafter for a pre-determined duration.

Abstract: A catheter system for injecting therapeutic agents including large molecules into the body. The catheter includes a distensible penetrating element with a distally locating expansion coil and a distally located chamber for holding a therapeutic agent which is to be injected into the body.

Abstract: An externally guidable intervertebral disc apparatus manipulates disc tissue present at a selected location of an intervertebral disc, comprising a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis, the catheter having an intradiscal section at the distal end of the catheter, the intradiscal section being extendible into the disc, having sufficient rigidity to be advanceable through the nucleus pulposus of the disc under a force applied longitudinally to the proximal end, having sufficient flexibility in a direction of the disc plane to be compliant with the inner wall, having insufficient penetration ability to be advanceable through the inner wall of the annulus fibrosus under the applied force; and a functional element located in the intradiscal section for adding or removing energy or a material at the selected location of the disc. Methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for withdrawing a liquid from a sealed glass ampoule includes a frame holding the sealed glass ampoule in upright or slightly inclined position, such that a tip of the ampoule points upwardly. An element is provided which will press or knock against the side of the tip or neck of the ampoule in order to break the tip of the ampoule in the region of the neck. The device further includes a withdrawing element which can be introduced into the glass ampoule in an area between the bottom of the ampoule and the surface of the liquid therein, and which includes a cannula for withdrawing the liquid.