Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-access cannula for use in a variety of surgical procedures, particularly for use in the course of performing conventional open-chest and peripheral access cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The multi-access cannula is capable of being inserted through a single puncture site with a percutaneous tip. At the appropriate depth of insertion, a closure seal may be engaged at the point of entry to secure the positioning of the cannula and prevent leakage of blood from the incision. Once the cannula is at the appropriate position the cannula provides a multiplicity of procedural options for the surgeon. For example, when approaching through the ascending aorta, the multi-access cannula enables the simultaneous passage of various fluids and multiple catheters or instruments in opposing directions within the lumen of the aortic arch through a single insertion site.

Abstract: A kit for disposing of a contaminated I.V. needle and delivering adhesive wound dressings to a patient with preferably a single gloved hand includes an adhesive mounting substrate to attach the apparatus to an available surface. An adhesive needle sheath carrier extends from the base of the apparatus for securing a needle and needle sheath for disposal following use. To the base of the apparatus are releasably adhered a wound barrier and taping strips to aid in securing a catheter to a patient. Tabs are provided on the wound barrier and taping strips to facilitate their removal from the base of the apparatus. The apparatus allows a medical technician to insert a catheter into a patient and maintain pressure on the catheter at the wound site with one hand, while disposing of the contaminated needle and then securing the catheter with wound dressings, all with preferably a single gloved other hand, thereby reducing the incidence of infection or injury.

Abstract: A material having a high absorptive capacity, for use in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, tampon, incontinence protection, and nappy produced by a highly compressed cellulose-based absorptive material in reel form being finely divided into fragments, and included as a component having a high absorptive capacity in the absorbent structure within the absorbent product, displays good absorptive and swelling properties such as a high assimilation capacity and a high degree of surface dryness the absorbent structure may also contain conventional fluff cellulose pulp and binding fibers.

Abstract: A drip chamber for an intravenous fluid delivery system includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet and outlet ports each having an inner diameter, and the housing defining a chamber between the inlet and outlet ports. The housing configured to channel intravenous fluid in a flow path from the inlet port through the chamber and to the outlet port. A member supported in the chamber between the inlet and outlet ports is positioned so that the intravenous fluid flowing through the chamber impinges against the member to reduce the velocity of the intravenous fluid and minimize formation of air bubbles in the intravenous fluid. The inner diameter of the inlet port being substantially equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the outlet port, such that a flow rate of the intravenous fluid exiting the outlet port is substantially equal to or less than a flow rate of the intravenous fluid entering the inlet port.

Abstract: Locking device that is mounted on an endoscope or the like for selectively securing the position of a guide wire and/or catheter relative to the endoscope or the like. The locking device preferably includes a side wall with an opening therein for receiving the proximal end of a guide wire or catheter. The opening is preferably J-shaped or boot shaped, and has an entry end and a locking end. Once a guide wire or catheter is in a desired position within a body cavity, the portion of the guide wire or catheter that extends outside of the endoscope or the like may be moved into the opening. More particularly, a portion of the guide wire or catheter may be inserted by an operator through the entry end of the opening and into the locking end, wherein the locking end frictionally secures the position of the guide wire or catheter relative to the endoscope or the like.

Abstract: A master/slave system is used for performing a surgical procedure such as theterization of cardiac or peripheral vasculature. Movements of catheters or similar tools within a patient are remotely controlled by a surgeon, and the surgeon receives haptic or tactile feedback caused by the movement of the tools within the patient. The system employs a master actuator with cylindrical controls and a slave actuator that engages the tools. The master actuator and slave actuator are electrically coupled to electrical interface circuitry by drive signals and sense signals. A fluid system is coupled to the slave actuator by fluid-carrying tubes for the delivery of contrast and other solutions to be injected into the vasculature for improved imaging and also to pressurize the balloon on a balloon catheter.

Abstract: A collapsible hollow elastomeric tube catheter for draining the urinary bladder. The wall of the collapsible catheter is constructed of minimally distensible, or non-distensible, biocompatible rubber material. Fluid may be injected in the catheter wall to cause stiffening of the catheter when desired, such as during insertion into the bladder. The proximal end of the catheter has a retaining mechanism within the urinary bladder without the use of a balloon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for medical treatment comprising introducing into a human or animal a medical device selected from the group consisting of stents, catheters, cannulas, plugs and constrictors where the medical device comprises ionically crosslinked polymer. The invention further provides a method for medical treatment of humans and animals comprising introducing into them an ionically crosslinkable polymer and a crosslinking ion followed by crosslinking of the polymer to form a medical device selected from the group consisting of stents, catheters, cannulas, plugs and constrictors.

Abstract: Operation system with a gas and/or liquid pump, to which is connected at least one flexible-tubing line and which includes at least one control device controlling the flow-through quantity of the gas and/or the liquid in the flexible-tubing line, is proposed. In addition, an operator's control unit with actuating elements is provided, which is joined to the control device by means of a control line and with which the flow-through quantity can be adjusted. Control line (24) and actuating elements (16, 17) form at least two control channels independent of one another and the control device includes a memory, which stores a multiple number of control programs providing application-specific procedures, which can be selected on and off by a specific actuation pattern of actuating elements (16, 17). Prespecified actuation patterns of actuating elements (16, 17) are assigned to the control programs, by means of which the course of the application-specific procedure can be controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating holes in a biological tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing which at least partially defines a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber including a tissue contact surface which is configured to be positioned adjacent the biological tissue. An ultrasound delivery device is positioned adjacent the fluid chamber and is configured to cavitate a fluid within the fluid chamber. A plurality of apertures extend from the fluid chamber through the tissue contact surface. The apertures are sized to permit passage of the cavitated fluid through the apertures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a closure system for an oral active agent delivery device. The device comprises an elongate tubular member having first and second ends. The closure system includes a deformable closure means adapted to allow delivery of the active agent upon deformation. The closure system prevents spillage and maintains the integrity of the dose within the device. In use, the closure system is deformed and separated from the second end of the tubular member, liquid is drawn up into the first end of the member, and the liquid and active agent are drawn out of the second end of the member and into the patient's mouth.

Abstract: A method for placing a feeding tube placement wire in a patient. The method includes the step of providing a placement wire dispenser. The dispenser includes a rotatable placement wire receptacle that defines a placement wire outlet. The dispenser further includes a tube extending outwardly from the placement wire receptacle. The tube defines a placement wire inlet that is in communication with the placement wire outlet of the receptacle. A placement wire is wound about the receptacle, and is in mechanical engagement with the receptacle, such that rotation of the placement wire receptacle causes a first end of the placement wire to be advanced through the placement wire outlet, through the placement wire inlet of the tube, and through the tube. A first end of the tube is constructed for insertion through a patient's abdominal wall and into a patient's stomach. The method further includes the step of placing the first end of the tube through a patient's abdominal wall and into a patient's stomach.

Abstract: A medical syringe assembly includes a first opening and a second opening at opposite ends of a tubular barrel having an inner wall. The inner wall includes an inner surface. A stopper having an engagement surface is slidably received in the tubular barrel and includes a portion for engaging the surface of the inner wall of said tubular barrel. A lubricant is disposed over a limited area of at least one member of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of said stopper, whereby a sufficient amount of the lubricant is available to provide adequate reduction of friction between the surface of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of the stopper.

Abstract: A surface access hemostatic valve comprises a tube and a hemostatic valve mounted at the distal end of the tube for positioning at the surface of the skin of the patient. The graft having the surface access hemostatic valve mounted thereon is surgically installed in the skin of the patient. Thereafter the interior of the tube is sterilized and an access member is inserted through the hemostatic valve, through the tube, and into the interior of the graft.

Abstract: Injection device for injecting fluid from a fluid container equipped with a piston, comprising an actuating device having a rod-shaped driven member having a structured surface, a control button being movable in axial direction, and a hollow cylindrical counter component having a structured internal sleeve, said counter component matching the rod-shaped driven member and being coaxially arranged in relation to said driven member.

Abstract: A self cycling breast pump including a nurser bottle and a suction assembly adapted to be situated on a breast of a human for delivering milk to the nurser bottle upon the application of a suction thereto. Further provided is an electric pump adapted to generate a vacuum at an inlet upon the activation thereof. The inlet of the electric pump is connected to the suction assembly. Also included is an electronic vent valve adapted to vent the vacuum created by the electric pump upon the activation thereof for releasing the vacuum. Associated therewith is vent control circuitry for determining a rate of activation of the electric vent valve thereby creating a cycling suction at the inlet of the electric pump. Vacuum control circuitry is provided for allowing the manual governing of the level of vacuum generated by the electric pump means. This is accomplished by controlling the speed of a motor associated with the pump.

Abstract: A method of introducing continuous lengths of filament into the body in surgical procedures in which it is desirable to place a significant amount of material into the body through a small portal. The material so introduced may serve to bulk a tissue or cavity of the body or to occlude a vas, as well as to introduce diagnostic or therapeutic agents into a site in the body. A device for implementing the method has a mechanism for feeding the filament through a conduit in such a manner that sufficient force is applied to the filament that it is forced into the desired site. In one embodiment, a system of reciprocating cannulae and synchronized grippers is used to supply the requisite force to the filament.

Abstract: A prepared kit according to the invention includes a plurality of pre-cut tape strips for securing a medical device such as a catheter, an intravenous needle, tubing, or a similar device to a patient's skin or to a support. Once a medical attendant has inserted a medical device into a patient's skin at an insertion site, the attendant secures the medical device to the patient's skin or to a support at a point spaced from the insertion site by engaging the medical device with a portion of each of the strips. Each of the strips has a biocompatible adhesive on one surface and a non-adhesive portion on the opposite surface, such that medical personnel are able to rapidly and effectively secure the medical device when putting the device into use. The kit can further include the following: a sterilized pad to provide protective padding for the patient's skin; an alcohol wipe for sterilizing the patient's skin prior to inserting the medical device; and a medical device such as an intravenous needle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A balloon arterial cannula and methods for filtering blood. The devices generally include a mesh for filtering blood flowing within a blood vessel, particularly within an artery such as the aorta, a structure adapted to open and close the mesh within the blood vessel, a means to actuate the structure, and a balloon occluder which typically includes a flexible material enclosing a chamber. The methods generally include the steps of introducing a mesh into a blood vessel to capture embolic material, adjusting the mesh, if necessary, during the course of filtration, inflating the balloon occluder to occlude the vessel upstream of the mesh, and thereafter deflating the balloon occluder and removing the mesh and the captured foreign matter from the blood vessel. Additionally, visualization techniques are used to ensure effective filtration.