Abstract: A hemostasis valve including a collapsible membrane in a portion of a through-lumen. Fluid pressure in a chamber surrounding the collapsible membrane assists in sealing the collapsible membrane around an operating device inserted through the hemostasis valve. Different mechanisms for mechanically deforming the collapsible membrane to assist in sealing are disclosed. Also, a system for continuously flushing a vascular catheter connected to a hemostasis valve at a rate of 0.10 to 10.0 cubic centimeters per minute, and a hemostasis valve assembly including an expandable reservoir which stores liquid volume under pressure.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring a vascular access during a dialysis treatment in which the pressures in both the arterial and venous branches of the extracorporeal blood system are monitored by pressure sensors. Characteristic values for the condition of the vascular access are calculated in a computer unit from the pressures in the arterial and venous branches of the extracorporeal system, and these values are analyzed in an analyzer unit to detect a defective vascular access.

Abstract: A single use retractable medical device dispenses fluids from a separable carpule. A retraction mechanism having a spring loaded needle holder with a double ended needle is mounted in the front of a housing by means of a push ring (separable member) slidingly mounted on a widened portion of the needle holder. An outer edge of the push ring grips or is restrained by the inner wall surface of the housing to hold the needle holder in place. A carpule positioned through an opening in back of the housing is operated by a plunger which drives a separable two-part piston to unload medicine from the carpule through the needle. At the end of an injection, the plunger is depressed further. The carpule moves forward to remove the push ring thereby freeing the needle holder for retraction into the carpule through the front opening of the carpule. As the needle is retracted into the housing from one end, the edge of the thumb cap of the plunger disappears into an opening at the opposite end of the housing.

Abstract: A retracting needle syringe includes a barrel having a chamber, an open proximal end and an open distal end including a passageway therethrough having a proximal end and a distal end. A plunger is slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of the barrel. The plunger has an elongated cavity in its distal end and a cover element sealing the cavity. A needle assembly at the distal end of the barrel includes a needle cannula and a hub having an open proximal end and a distal end connected to the needle cannula so that the lumen of the needle cannula is in fluid communication with the chamber. A flange portion of the inner hub is positioned in the proximal end of the passageway so that the needle cannula projects distally outwardly from a distal end of the passageway. A spring is contained between the hub and the distal end of the passageway. A circular release element is movably connected to a proximal end of the hub.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device connecting a medicinal vessel and an intravenous (IV) bag for enabling the mixing in closed system of the two products contained therein by means of a syringe, comprising a three-way plug valve assembly (3) with a first port ending in a connector (5) for a syringe, and a second and a third port (8, 7), each one provided into a respective spike (1, 2) connected to a housing (16, 17) for a container of medicinal product. Within the first one of the said two spikes (1) a further independent channel (13) is provided for the inlet and the outlet of air, communicating with the external environment through a hydrophobic filter (14). The second one of said two spikes (2) is capable of piercing the rubber closure of the injection point of a bag of medicinal product, and the corresponding housing (17) consists of two flexible arms (18, 19) fastenable to each other at the respective ends, so as to be tightened around the tube of the said injection point.

Abstract: The present application provides an arterial cannula system for transporting blood from an extracorporeal pump to a patient's femoral artery and aorta comprising first and second cannula portions. The first cannula portion has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion and is configured for insertion through the femoral artery. It includes a first lumen extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion to deliver cardioplegic fluid, a second lumen communicating with an expandable occluding member at the distal end portion to inflate the occluding member to occlude blood flow, and a third lumen extending from the proximal portion to the intermediate portion to transport blood from the extracorporeal pump to the femoral artery. The second cannula portion is configured for insertion into the subclavian artery so that an opening in the distal portion is in communication with the aorta.

Abstract: A safety syringe construction (10) including a conventional syringe member (20) equipped with a fixed tubular male sleeve member (20) and spring biased moveable tubular female sleeve member (30) which is slidable relative to the tubular male sleeve member (30). The male (30) and female (40) sleeve members are provided with a locking unit (15) for releasably engaging the female sleeve member (40) relative to the male sleeve member (30).

Abstract: A liquid medicine-prescribing apparatus for a blood vessel injection comprising a lowercase 10 which is combined with two lateral faces 10a, 10b, a running part 60 which has the feed means of liquid medicine and which is inserted into a reception space 24 formed by a cover plate 20 which is open and shut by a hinge 300 of lowercase 10 so that mounting and separation may be done, and an uppercase 30 which is open and shut by a hinge 21 of a cover plate 20, and on which the lowercase 10 is combined to be open and shut by forming the reception space 33 which receives liquid medicine pack.

Abstract: A medical coupling has male and female members (1, 2) which push fit together, and a screw cap (7) which secures the members against separation. To prevent unintentional release of the cap, locking means, such as a ratchet and pawl mechanism, are provided between the cap and female member. An outer shell (25) can enclose the cap for providing an enclosure around the fluid connection to deter bacterial contamination. Alternatively a separate capsule can enclose the coupling for this purpose. The two members and cap are connectable by holding gripping portions which are located remotely from the parts forming the fluid connection to reduce risk of contamination. A valve system is associated with the female member for closing a flexible tube connected to this member and to displace liquid to fill the space left in this member when the male member is disconnected from it.

Abstract: A pre-slit injection site (34) includes a housing (40) with a flow path therethrough. A first end (42) of the housing (40) carries a pre-slit septum (52). One form of a blunt cannula (98), usable with the injection site (34), carries a locking member (100). When the pre-slit injection site (34) slidably receives the blunt cannula (98), the locking member (100) latches to the injection site (34) and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula (280) includes a tube having a tapered distal end region (298) and having elongate discharge slots (294) for reducing contact surface area and for directing the flow laterally out of the cannula. The cannula may also include a rounded lead post (330), an annular barb (394), and axially oriented grooves (268).

Abstract: The invention features an injection device for injecting a liquid or semi-solid composition into a subject.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating cannula comprises a tube having a sharp end formed by a first cut surface defining an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube and forming a generally oval tube edge defining a similar acute angle to the longitudinal axis. A second cut surface is defined along a right hand forward portion of the oval tube edge, and a third cut surface is defined along a left hand forward portion of the oval tube edge. A second and third cut surfaces define between them a forward cutting surface in the tube edge. A fourth cut surface at the point intersects the second and third cut surfaces to cause the cutting surface to be spaced inwardly of the tube outer wall. Fifth and sixth cut surfaces are provided to respectively flatten the tube edge between the first and second surfaces and the first and third surfaces.

Abstract: A convex insert system for an ostomy appliance includes a convex insert and a mounting member on the inner wall of an annular coupling. When the convex insert is mounted on the mounting member, the appliance has a convex curvature which when properly positioned helps the patient's stomal to protrude.

Abstract: Intracorporeal warming apparatus includes a catheter for placement in a patient, the catheter having a distal end and a proximal end. An antenna lies adjacent to the distal end of the catheter and a cable having one end connected to the antenna extends from the proximal end of the catheter. A transmitter transmits a first signal of a first frequency capable of heating blood or tissue and a receiver receives a second signal of a second frequency which is indicative of thermal radiation, the receiver producing an output signal in response thereto. A diplexer connects the proximal end of the cable to the transmitter and receiver so as to couple the first signal from the transmitter only to the antenna and the second signal from the antenna only to the receiver so that the apparatus can simultaneously heat the blood or tissue and determine the actual temperature of that material.

Abstract: A cannulated delivery pin for administering fluids to the bone of a patient, comprising a shaft having a connection end and a pointed end and delivery holes in communication with a central conduit. The delivery holes are angled in a direction away from the pointed end to avoid clogging. Another aspect is a delivery pin having a threaded portion of the shaft adjacent the pointed end and a perforated portion of the shaft adjacent the threaded portion. A delivery system includes the delivery pin as a fixation device. Another aspect is a method for using the delivery pin.

Abstract: An injector instrument and a forceps tap for use with an endoscope. The injector instrument is provided with at least one needle formed of a synthetic resin and is further provided with a variety of stopper devices which limit the amount that the needle can extend from the endoscope. The injector instrument may be formed having a curved or easy-to-bend portion. The forceps tap is provided at the entrance to a forceps channel of the endoscope to accommodate at lease two injector instruments or other treatment accessories such that the treatment accessories can be inserted in a single forceps channel and such that substances (such as internal fluids from a human cavity) are held inside the forceps channel.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a needle assembly of the kind having a needle, an elongate blunting device, a shifting member, and a flash chamber. The needle is of the kind that has a needle proximal end, a sharp needle distal end and a needle canula extending therethrough. The elongate blunting device is at least partially located within the needle canula. The elongate blunting device is of the kind that has a blunting device proximal end, a blunting device distal end, and a blunting device blood flow passage therethrough through which blood can flow from the blunting device distal end to the blunting device proximal end.

Abstract: An apparatus was disclosed comprising a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing slidably mounted on a needle shaft below a needle distal tip, the clip having a bridge, a proximal end coupled to the bridge and a distal end coupled to the bridge. The clip is disposed within the housing such that it retains a resilience imparting a biasing force to the clip ends such that the ends grip the needle shaft. When the housing is advanced beyond the needle distal tip, the clip distal end releases to contain the needle distal tip within the housing.

Abstract: An inner cylindrical member has a first pair of locking projections on opposite sides of the member at a proximal end and has an extension to which a syringe needle is secured. A second pair of resilient locking projections are spaced from the first pair forming an axially extending locking recess there between at the proximal end. The resilient projections depress to a release position. A pair of finger gripping tabs protrude from the distal end. An outer cylindrical member receives the inner member in its bore. The outer member has an extension which receives the inner member extension and which extensions have mating detents for releasably securing the members in a needle extended use position with the members juxtaposed in nested concentric relation. The outer member at a distal end has projections which mate in the locking recesses at the proximal end to lock the outer member in an extended needle protective position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a self-retracting syringe needle comprising a body (1) supporting an injection needle, a plunger (4), a sheath (5) enclosing the body (1), a spring (6) arranged between the sheath (5) and the body (1), flexible pins (7) co-operating as limit stop with the body (1) to define a first position blocking the body (1) relative to the sheath (5) in a first direction. The syringe comprises a circlip (9) mounted around the body (1) in a position compressed between the sheath (5) and the body (1) in the first blocking position and in a released position in the second blocking position, the circlip (9) having at least one part (9a) with external contour of greater dimension than the sheath (5) internal dimension to block the body (1) in the sheath (5) when it is in the second blocking position, in the direction opposite to the first.