Abstract: An absorbent insert for use with an outer cover, the outer cover having a front waist region, a rear waist region, a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline. The absorbent insert includes a first absorbent assembly; a second absorbent assembly; and an adjustment member adjustably joining the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly such that the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly are moveable relative to each other in at least a direction parallel to said longitudinal centerline. The insert also includes a slip element joined with at least a portion of the first absorbent assembly, the slip element providing a low friction surface such that at least a portion of the first absorbent assembly can be positioned over at least a portion of the second absorbent assembly in an overlapping configuration.

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 cardioplegia catheter is configured to extend into the ascending aorta with a proximal portion of the shaft extending into a left chamber of the heart through the aortic valve and out of the heart through a penetration in a wall thereof. The cardioplegia catheter has an occlusion member configured to occlude the ascending aorta between the brachiocephalic artery and the coronary ostia. An arterial return cannula delivers oxygenated blood to the arterial system downstream of the occlusion member, while cardioplegic fluid is delivered through a lumen in the cardioplegia catheter upstream of the occlusion member to induce cardioplegic arrest.

Abstract: An on-off valve for medical procedures and laboratory devices, that has particular use with endoscopic medical procedures. Also featured are endoscopic devices that comprise such valves. The valve preferably includes a valve body, a valve member, a flexible seal member, a compression mechanism and a rotating mechanism. The body includes a centrally disposed cavity and two through apertures communicating therewith. The flexible seal member includes an internal chamber and two through flow apertures. The internal chamber is configured to rotatably receive the portion of the valve member including the internal flow passage. The seal member is mounted on the valve member and the seal/valve member assemblage is disposed in the body cavity. The compression mechanism acts on a surface of the seal member after it is disposed in the seal cavity so the seal member sealingly engages opposing surfaces of the valve member and the body.

Abstract: A device for applying cleaning and/or irrigating liquid directly to the base of the tongue includes a plurality of rigid mechanical fingers which gently part the taste buds when they are moved across the surface of the tongue. The fingers have openings in the ends through which liquid passes while the taste buds are parted whereby the liquid is applied directly to the portion of the tongue under the taste buds. The device is connected to a source of liquid which may be a liquid reservoir or a pulsating water irrigation system. The device may take the form of a hollow unitary structure of high impact injection molded plastic. A tongue scraper blade may be attached to the device.

Abstract: A medication delivery pen having a vial retainer with a side opening have flexible snap wings that spread to receive and retain a standard or threaded vial within the vial retainer. The vial retainer also includes an improved means of attaching the vial retainer to a pen injector body, using a cam and cam follower design together with a ratcheting mechanism to prevent removal of the vial from the medication delivery pen. Alternatively, a release mechanism could be used so that the vial may be removed from the medication delivery pen. In addition, the vial retainer includes an opening for receiving the vial defined by a pair of flexible snap wings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of administering a percutaneous access catheter directly into the jejunum of a patient. The apparatus including a wire having a proximal and distal end. The distal end of the wire includes a probe and the proximal end includes a bend. The needle is provided within a sheath which movably surrounds the wire such that the probe is emergent from the sheath. The method including the steps of administering the sheath and wire of the present invention such that the wire enters the mouth of the patient, passes through the esophagus and extends into the jejunum of the patient, moving the wire to expose the probe beyond the sheath, piercing the wire through the jejunal wall and through the abdominal wall. The method further including attaching a percutaneous access tube to the proximal end of the wire and pulling the wire from its distal end, thereby pulling the tube such that it extends from inside the jejunum to outside the patient's abdominal wall.

Abstract: Devices and methods for slowing down or dampening the retraction velocity of an introducer needle used in connection with needle retracting safety vascular access devices. The devices and methods prevent splattering or dripping of blood caused by an introducer needle that retracts too quickly. The dampening devices can be easily modified to regulate the amount of dampening desired and can be retrofitted to existing vascular access devices designs.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within the head and neck of a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the ear, nose and throat. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to remove and/or modify the structure of tissue structures. The present invention is particularly useful for treating sleep obstructive disorders, such as sleep apnea and snoring.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection device for injecting a selectable dose of a liquid substance from an ampoule, located in an ampoule holder, comprising a piston and a sleeve-shaped mechanism holder, in the interior of which a longitudinally shiftable shaft is provided, the shaft being surrounded by an also longitudinally shiftable advancing sleeve coupled thereto. For selecting a dose of the liquid substance to be injected, a dosing sleeve with a stepped member is provided, the dose to be respectively administered being adjustable by a rotation of the dosing sleeve with the stepped member. The adjusted dose is readable via a dose imprint on the dosing sleeve.

Abstract: An air circuit breaker ratcheting mechanism includes a ratchet and pawl whereby the closing springs charging gear is prevented from reverse rotation during the closing springs charging operation. Upon completion of the charging operation, the ratchet and pawl become disengaged from the charging gear to allow the closing springs to respond to a manual closing button depression. A holding prop within the ratcheting mechanism interacts with a roller bearing on the charging shaft to prevent reverse rotation of the charging shaft under the bias provided by the charged closing springs.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe for medical, dental or veterinary use of a conventional nature or employing prefilled cartridge ampules of injectable fluid. The syringe is arranged to allow the operator to automatically sense the amount of pressure being manually exerted by thumb pressure to express the fluid from the ampule or a fluid chamber into the patient. A slender elongated plunger mounted within the main body of the syringe is slidably moveable by thumb pressure against a thumb ring disposed at a distal end of the plunger. A spring-biased pressure indicator member is slidably moveable rearwardly for limited longitudinal movement with respect to the thumb ring and is deflected into the thumb of the operator a distance proportional to the fluid pressure at the syringe needle tip. The operator can thus sense indicia of fluid pressure produced while pressing the thumb ring to make an injection.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering fluids at a precisely controlled rate which includes a fluid dispensing component having a fluid reservoir for containing the fluids to be delivered and a reservoir fill component which can be removably interconnected with the fluid dispensing component. The reservoir fill assembly is uniquely designed to accept a vial component of conventional construction which is factory filled with the medicinal fluid to be delivered to the patient. The dispenser component embodies a highly novel fluid flow indicator that provides a readily discernible visual indication of fluid flow status through the device.

Abstract: A process and a device for pressure controlled manipulation of a fluid (4a), in particular for medicinal applications. The device comprises a receptacle (1a) of variable volume to contain the fluid (4a), a pressure creation device (2a) for producing pressure on the fluid (4a), an opening (1c) for admitting and/or discharging to fluid (4a), a measuring channel (2e) of prescribed cross-section connected to the receptacle (1a), and a buffer (2d) of prescribed volume which communicates with the measuring channel (2e), the measuring channel (2e) and the buffer (2d) being filled with a compressible medium. The pressure creation device is preferably a piston (2a) which can be pushed into the receptacle (1a), the piston being sealed to the inner wall of the receptacle (1a) by a sealing means (2c).

Abstract: A two-part electrotransport drug delivery device (20) is comprised of a controller (22) which has a plurality of different electronic outputs. The controller (22) is adapted to be mechanically and electrically coupled to a plurality of different drug-containing units (24). Each drug unit (24) includes a means (40, 42, Rx, Cx) for signaling the controller (22). The signal is read by the controller (22) and a predetermined electronic output is thereby selected and applied through the drug unit (24) in order to deliver the drug contained therein by electrotransport. The signal sent by the drug unit (24) to the controller (22) may be an optical signal (e.g., reflected light), a signal sent by an electro-mechanical connector, an electrical signal (e.g., resistance or capacitance), a magnetic signal or a metal detector sensing signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for utilizing a combination of ultrasonic energy and an echo contrast agent containing microbubbles, for substantially dissolving blood clots or other fistula obstructions. One embodiment of the present invention alternatively utilizes a selected dose of thrombolytic agent in combination with an echo contrast agent, for enhancing the thrombolytic action of a thrombolytic agent and removing a thrombosis from a fistula.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon and catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit. The catheter (10) includes shaft (12) and a dilatation balloon (24) at the distal end of the shaft. The balloon is inflated via a central lumen (14) in the shaft for delivery of a fluid inflation media. The balloon is fabricated from a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), preferably an engineering thermoplastic elastomer (ETE), with a non-compliant structural polymeric material. The combination may be a blend of the non-compliant structural polymer and the TPE. Alternatively, the combination may be a layered balloon having, for example, a non-compliant structural polymer inner layer and a soft, abrasion resistant, elastomeric outer layer. Methods for fabricating the balloon from the combination of a TPE and a non-compliant structural polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A needleless injector for injecting medication through the skin of a patient includes a vial which holds a volume of liquid medication. The vial includes a vial piston which moves to force the liquid medication out of the vial. A power mechanism applies force to the vial piston. The power mechanism includes a power piston which has a plurality of ratchets. A spring is positioned to apply force to the power piston. A trigger engages the ratchets on the power piston to hold the power piston in place against the force applied by the spring. The trigger selectively releases the power piston so that the power piston moves in response to the force applied by the spring. The power piston applies the force to the vial piston to cause the vial piston to force the liquid medication out of the vial. A cocking mechanism applies force to the power piston to move the power piston against the force of the spring to engage the ratchets.

Abstract: A multi-dose infusion pump employs a piston sliding within the internal chamber of a pump housing to dispense liquid from a port. The peripheral surface of the piston has a sequence of steps in a radial pattern spaced at intervals along the longitudinal axis of the chamber. A cap is rotatably mounted to the pump housing and includes a stop that limits forward movement of the piston by engaging a selected one of the steps on the piston at each rotational position of the cap. This causes a series of predetermined quantities of liquid to be dispensed as the cap is rotated to align the stop with each step in sequence. A spring between the cap and piston urges the piston forward in the chamber to dispense liquid from the port.

Abstract: A partitioned hemostasis valve system for use with a splittable sheath, including a partitioned hemostasis valve housing which holds a partitioned hemostasis valve formed in at least two separate and distinct sections. Pivotable wing portions are secured to the partitioned valve housing such that upon pressure being placed on these wing portions, the separate sides of the partitioned hemostasis valve housing and the partitioned hemostasis valve are separated. The partitioned hemostasis valve system may also include a splittable adaptor system for securing to a splittable sheath.