Abstract: An apparatus for limiting the pressure of inflation fluid injected into one or more balloon of a catheter device comprising a reservoir chamber having an inlet port coupled in fluid communication with an inflation/deflation device and a plurality of outlet ports coupled in fluid communication with a plurality of cylindrical housings. Each cylindrical housing includes a pressure chamber and a valve chamber. The valve chamber receives a piston moveable between a fully open position and a closed position and spring biased toward the fully open position. Each housing includes an outlet port coupled in fluid communication with a separate balloon of a catheter device. Each piston includes an internal flow path which enables the flow of pressurized inflation fluid from the reservoir chamber to the balloon catheter when the pressure of the inflation fluid within the balloon is below the desired cut-off pressure.

Abstract: Suction control device intended to be fitted on an apparatus used in surgery, in particular in ophthalmic microsurgery, said apparatus comprising a handpiece (1) which may or may not be fitted with an ultrasound transducer for fragmenting a body which is to be extracted from the eye, and equipped with an orifice (17) for suctioning debris and connected to a system for pump-activated suctioning of liquid containing debris, characterized in that it includes means (18, 20) which, in the event of at least partial obstruction of the suction orifice (17) of the handpiece (1), are used for maintaining a continuous circulation of liquid between the active end of the handpiece and the pump-activated suctioning system of the apparatus.

Abstract: A cardioplegia occluder and methods of using the device during cardiac surgery are disclosed. The system typically includes a substantially rigid cannula with an occluder mounted on the distal region of the cannula that expands upon activation to occlude the aorta downstream of an infusion port which delivers cardioplegia solution to arrest the heart. Systems including cutting blades, blade guards, flanges, radiopaque markers and occluder aligners are also disclosed. In use, the distal end of the cannula is inserted through an incision into the aorta, the occluder is expanded and cardioplegia solution is infused upstream of the aorta to arrest the heart. The infusion port can alternately be used to aspirate cardioplegia or embolic debris or other unwanted material from the aorta.

Abstract: A needleless dosage transfer system for filling medicating devices such as syringes or needleless cannulas to minimize the likelihood of an unwanted needle stick and to avoid the initial cost of a needle as well as the disposal cost of the needle. A vial has a body portion 20 formed with flexibly deformable walls and defines a blind bore. An opening of the vial includes a tapered section adapted to frictionally fit over a taper of a male luer-type fitting commonly found on syringes and needleless cannulas. By deforming the walls of the vial, fluid is forced from the vial into a syringe. The opening of the vial 10 is protected with a cap and includes a scoreline which, when fractured, defines the opening. The cap to be removed from the vial prior to its use is fabricated as one piece with the vial in order to assure sterile conditions during manufacture and filling. A tab is associated with the cap which lists the ingredients within the vial. The vial also supports an area which lists the vial's contents.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's brain and spinal cord. The systems and methods of the present invention are particularly useful for treating cerebrovascular diseases, such as vessel occlusion, or for the volumetric removal or ablation of intracranial tumors or Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs). The method of the present invention comprises positioning an electrosurgical probe or catheter adjacent the target site so that one or more electrode terminal(s) are brought into at least partial contact or close proximity with a body structure within the patient's head or neck, such as tumor tissue or an occlusion within a blood vessel. High frequency voltage is then applied between the electrode terminal(s) and one or more return electrode(s) to volumetrically remove or ablate at least a portion of the body structure in situ.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring fluids into and out of the inner ear through the round window membrane. The apparatus includes a cover member sized for placement over the round window niche. Fluid delivery and fluid extraction conduits are provided which are operatively connected to the cover member so that fluids can pass therethrough. The cover member is positioned over the niche to create a fluid-recieving zone between the cover member and the round window membrane. As a result, fluids can be delivered into or withdrawn from the zone. Alternatively, a single conduit may be used for fluid delivery and extraction. Another variation uses a compressible cover member positioned within the round window niche to form a fluid-receiving zone between the cover member and the round window membrane. The same type of conduit system described above is attached to the compressible cover member.

Abstract: A syringe for injection of doses of a medicine from an exchangeable cartridge has a housing comprising a cartridge holder and a dosing mechanism by which a dose is set and injected by successively advancing a piston rod to press a piston into the cartridge. The dosing mechanism comprises a threaded spindle and a nut member cooperating with the spindle. A dose is set by relative rotation of the spindle and nut member whereby the nut member is moved along the spindle. The position of the nut member on the spindle defines how far the piston rod is advanced. The spindle and the nut are locked against relative rotation when the dosing mechanism is not operated to set a dose. Access to the cartridge holder is obtained by opening a lid connected to the housing and coupled to the dosing mechanism in such a way that the locking of the nut element in its position on the spindle is released when the lid is opened, and the opening movement of the lid is transmitted to a piston rod retraction mechanism.

Abstract: A catheter and method of use adapted to intermittently deliver fluids to and drain fluids from a body vessel having an interior lumen occluding balloon. The selective inflation and deflation of the inner balloon controls the occlusion or communication of an inner lumen. The inner occluding balloon is defined between the distal end of the catheter and a proximal lumen opening allowing for the selective isolation of the proximal openings from the catheter distal end. The catheter of the present invention and several methods of use thereof are ideally suited for aortic perfusion and providing myocardial infusion in antegrade fashion using a single lumen. The catheter is further provided with a double lobed outer balloon for selectively occluding the body vessel, such as the aorta, and to provide a bloodless region to complete the proximal end of an anastomosis while perfusing the myocardium to restart the heart.

Abstract: Filtration apparatus suitable for use as a bladder evacuator includes a hinged, perforate flap 4 that is resiliently biased to extend across an opening 8 through the neck 7 of a squeezable bottle 1 for filtering out solids from liquid discharged when the bottle 1 is squeezed. Return of the liquid when the bottle 1 is released deflects the perforate flap 4 away from the opening 8 against the bias to allow solids to enter the bottle 1 with the returning liquid. A hinged imperforate flap 5 overlies the perforate flap 4 to be deflected with it by the returning liquid, but separates from it across the opening 8 when the bottle 1 is squeezed. The two flaps 4,5 are part of a folded sheet that is clamped onto a rim 6 of the bottle-neck 7 under a shoulder 12 of the bottle-cap 2; the shoulder 12 holds the perforate flap 4 against deflection away from the opening 8 when the bottle 1 is squeezed. As an alternative to a bottle, a squeeze-bulb 20 coupled to a cylinder 21 may be used with a single, perforate flap 24.

Abstract: A flat urinary drainage bag that can be worn by a patient over the abdomen with the bag suspended from a waist-encircling belt is disclosed. The device includes an inlet tube for connection to a urethral catheter and a valve-equipped drain tube that extends downwardly from the bag when the drain tube is used to drain the contents therefrom. The lower end of the bag is foldable upwardly to position the drain tube in an upwardly-facing raised position against the bag's front wall, and a retaining strap is located across the front wall for holding the drain tube in its raised position. Spot attachments that secure the ends of the strap to the bag's front wall also secure the front and rear walls of the bag together, thereby performing multiple functions of limiting bulging of the bag in use, reducing sloshing of the bag's contents, and securing the retaining strap (and the raised drainage tube) in place.

Abstract: A hygiene device for cleaning body passageways formed between two openings by piercing. The device includes a syringe assembly and a disposable cleaning tip assembly including a thin, hollow needle shaft that is inserted into the piercing that terminates in a semi-spherical shaft end provided with multiple cleaning orifices. A semi-spherical shaft end is proved to prevent punctures to the walls defining the body passageway. The cleaning method includes the step of simultaneously inserting the semi-spherical shaft end into one of the two openings of the artificial body passageway to be cleaned while depressing the syringe plunger to force cleaning solution out into the artificial body passageway through the multiple cleaning orifices of the semi-spherical shaft end.

Abstract: A catheter with valve for implantation in a vascular structure of a living being. The catheter is in the general shape of a "T" with the top of the "T" implanted within the lumen of or anastomotically attached to a vascular structure. The lumen of the implanted portion of the catheter completely occupies or may be aligned with the lumen of the vascular structure, causing all blood flow through the vascular structure to be directed through the implanted portion of the catheter. A valve is placed in the wall of the implanted portion of the catheter which opens into the lumen of the leg of the "T" of the catheter upon application of sufficient differential pressure between the lumens of the two portions of the catheter. The leg of the "T" may be connected to the side wall of the implant portion of the catheter at an angle, such that the axis of the lumen of the leg of the "T" intersects the axis of the lumen of the implanted portion of the catheter at approximately a 45.degree. angle.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter having an elongated tubular body with a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular body is formed with polymeric materials, preferably containing no radiopaque filler, and metallic reinforcing braiding configured to provide the catheter with radiopaque properties and/or kink resistance.

Abstract: In intravenous fluid injection wherein a syringe needle and surrounding sheath are inserted into a vein so that blood flows through the needle into a transparent hollow push-pull element fixed on the needle remote from its point to indicate proper vein insertion, and the needle is then withdrawn from the sheath and from a vial on the end of the sheath through an opening in the vial so that blood back-flows into the vial before intravenous fluid is introduced through the vial and sheath into the vein, apparatus for preventing blood leakage from the vial opening wherein the opening is covered with an elastomeric diaphragm through which the needle is initially pierced and which resiliently self-seals when the needle is withdrawn therefrom, and further wherein intravenous fluid is introduced through a port in the vial separate from the opening covered by the diaphragm, the vial having a substantially fixed volume which remains substantially unchanged during operation, so that upon withdrawal of the needle from th

Abstract: A non-intravascular infusion access device and method for long-term continuous infusion of drugs. The infusion access device includes a porous membrane made of a material which is biocompatible for long-term patency inside the body. The porous membrane is connected to a conducting tubing which exits from the body and is connected to a drug infusion system. At the exit site is a cuff of porous material. The cuff serves to anchor the access device in position as the surrounding body tissue grows back around the cuff. There are also two small suture retainers for stabilizing the position of the access device relative until tissue ingrowth occurs in and around the cuff.

Abstract: In a laparoscopic surgery or the like, access is provided to an opening in a body cavity that contains insufflation gas at an insufflation pressure. The flow of insufflation gas from the body cavity through the opening is limited in response to the sensed insufflation pressure in the cavity.

Abstract: An implantable injection port consists of a very low profile housing with virtually no residual volume while maintaining a large target area for the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product. The apparatus includes a feeding set having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is constructed for fluid connection to a supply container. The feeding set defines an interior space. The apparatus further includes a canister disposed in the interior space defined by the feeding set. The canister includes a wall portion that defines an aperture therethrough. The canister is constructed to receive one or more beneficial agents in an interior chamber defined therein. At least one beneficial agent disposed in the interior chamber defined by the canister.

Abstract: A method for transplanting planar implants, devices, etc., is provided. Method is particularly adapted for transplanting planar sheets of retinal cells to the subretinal region of an eye. A method of preparing the retinal cell sheet and the associated surgical instrument is also provided.

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.