Abstract: A catheter useful for non-surgical entry into a uterus to dispense a diagnostic fluid therein. The catheter includes a tubular body having a lumen extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof. The lumen includes an external opening adjacent the first end for dispensing a diagnostic fluid into the interior of a subject uterus, and a balloon disposed marginally adjacent to the first end of the body for fluid sealing the interior of the subject uterus. The lumen further includes a second opening in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon for inflation thereof with the diagnostic fluid. In most applications, the catheter can be combined with a syringe to form a catheter apparatus.

Abstract: A catheter useful for non-surgical entry into a uterus to dispense a diagnostic fluid therein. The catheter includes a tubular body having a lumen extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof. The lumen includes an external opening adjacent the first end for dispensing a diagnostic fluid into the interior of a subject uterus, and a balloon disposed marginally adjacent to the first end of the body for fluid sealing the interior of the subject uterus. The lumen further includes a second opening in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon for inflation thereof with the diagnostic fluid. In most applications, the catheter can be combined with a syringe to form a catheter apparatus.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for gaining access into the uterine cavity in order to perform minimally invasive surgery or diagnostic procedures related to a uterus and fallopian tubes, includes a single-lumen catheter; and an elongated balloon disposed distally on the single-lumen catheter for insertion into a cervical canal of the uterus. The balloon has opposing portions which occlude openings of the cervical canal when inflated. A fluid displacement sleeve is slidably disposed over the single-lumen catheter. The sleeve is moveable over the elongated balloon to inflate the portions of the balloon which are adjacent the opposite openings of the cervical canal when the balloon is inserted therein. Because there is no need for a balloon inflation lumen, the outer diameter of the catheter can be minimized and the cost of the apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for gaining access into the uterine cavity in order to perform minimally invasive surgery or diagnostic procedures related to a uterus and fallopian tubes, includes a single-lumen catheter; and an elongated balloon disposed distally on the single-lumen catheter for insertion into a cervical canal of the uterus. The balloon has opposing portions which occlude openings of the cervical canal when inflated. A fluid displacement sleeve is slidably disposed over the single-lumen catheter. The sleeve is moveable over the elongated balloon to inflate the portions of the balloon which are adjacent the opposite openings of the cervical canal when the balloon is inserted therein. Because there is no need for a balloon inflation lumen, the outer diameter of the catheter can be minimized and the cost of the apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: An esophageal catheter device including a catheter with a balloon pressure sensor affixed to an exterior surface of the catheter, and a stylet assembly including a stylet for providing appropriate rigidity to the catheter to aid insertion in the esophagus and a port for removably mounting a pressure transducer.

Abstract: An esophageal catheter device including a catheter with a balloon pressure sensor affixed to an exterior surface of the catheter, and a stylet assembly including a stylet for providing appropriate rigidity to the catheter to aid insertion in the esophagus and a port for removably mounting a pressure transducer.

Abstract: A catheter useful for non-surgical entry into the cervical canal of a uterus to dispense a diagnostic fluid therein. The catheter includes a tubular body having a lumen extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof. The lumen includes a first aperture at or adjacent to the first end for dispensing a diagnostic fluid into the interior of a subject uterus, and a balloon disposed marginally adjacent to the first end of the body for fluid sealing the interior of the subject uterus. The lumen further includes a second aperture in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon for inflation thereof with the diagnostic fluid. The area of the first aperture is less than the area of the second aperture to provide a backpressure that inflates the balloon when a diagnostic fluid is injected through the catheter. In most applications, the catheter can be combined with a syringe to form a catheter apparatus.

Abstract: A catheter device for non-surgical entry into a uterus, includes a tubular body having a lumen extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof, the lumen having an external opening adjacent to or at the first end for dispensing a diagnostic fluid into the uterus. An elongated balloon is disposed distally on the tubular body for insertion into the cervical canal of the uterus, the balloon having opposing portions which occlude opposing openings of the canal.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for gaining access into the uterine cavity in order to perform minimally invasive surgery or diagnostic procedures related to a uterus and fallopian tubes, includes a single-lumen catheter; and an elongated balloon disposed distally on the single-lumen catheter for insertion into a cervical canal of the uterus. The balloon has opposing portions which occlude openings of the cervical canal when inflated. A fluid displacement sleeve is slidably disposed over the single-lumen catheter. The sleeve is moveable over the elongated balloon to inflate the portions of the balloon which are adjacent the opposite openings of the cervical canal when the balloon is inserted therein. Because there is no need for a balloon inflation lumen, the outer diameter of the catheter can be minimized and the cost of the apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: An esophageal catheter device including a catheter with a balloon pressure sensor affixed to an exterior surface of the catheter, and a stylet assembly including a stylet for providing appropriate rigidity to the catheter to aid insertion in the esophagus and a port for removably mounting a pressure transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus for sonographically observing a location and condition of the body. The apparatus has a pump assembly and a catheter assembly fluidly coupled to the pump assembly. The pump assembly includes a first pump for pumping a solution of sterile saline into the catheter assembly and a second pump for pumping micro-filtered air into the catheter assembly. The catheter assembly injects the solution of sterile saline and the sterile saline mixed with micro-filtered air into a location of a body. Further, a method for sonographically observing a location and condition of a body using the above apparatus.

Abstract: A catheter device for non-surgical entry into a uterus, includes a tubular body having a lumen extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof, the lumen having an external opening adjacent to or at the first end for dispensing a diagnostic fluid into the uterus. An elongated balloon is disposed distally on the tubular body for insertion into the cervical canal of the uterus, the balloon having opposing portions which occlude opposing openings of the canal.

Abstract: The invention is addressed to a medical tube holder of resilient material for the placement of endotracheal, gastrointestinal or other tubes relative to the body of a patient. The preferred embodiment includes body attachment site, a medical tube support extension projecting from the body attachment site and a frictional tube engagement structure.

Abstract: A catheter for non-surgical entry into the cervical canal or the uterus, comprising an elongated tubular catheter body. An inflatable balloon manufactured from a polyurethane material is disposed proximal to the distal end of the catheter body. The polyurethane inflatable balloon can be progressively inflated into an elliptical shape which enables the balloon to be used within the cervical canal. Additional inflation pressure inflates the polyurethane inflatable balloon to a spherical shape which enables the balloon to be used within the uterus.

Abstract: A device for the prevention of contamination of medical personnel from a patient's body secretions that may splash back during wound irrigation. The splash shield has a peripheral edge that is substantially circular. The splash shield has a flat center region which forms the middle of the splash shield encircled by an outer concave region. The outer concave region curves away from the flat center region. A peripheral edge is located at the rim of the outer concave region. The peripheral edge is flat and extends outwardly from the outer concave region in a plane substantially parallel to the flat center region. A hollow conical protrusion extends through the splash shield at a point eccentric to its center. The conical protrusion has a base that lays flush against the flat center region. As the conical protrusion extends away from the flat center region, it tapers to a top surface.

Abstract: This method and device permits removal of venous blood from either atrium to a heart lung machine and thereafter returns it (after oxygenation and filtration if needed) to the femoral artery, all in a percutaneous mode. The device includes in combination a guide wire, catheter, transseptal needle, blunt internal obturator approximately the same length as the catheter with a circular barb to secure the catheter in a given longitudinal relationship, an external obturator about the same length as the internal obturator and removably attached thereto, a cannula for passage over the combined obturators and catheter and connectors to attach the cannula to an extracorporeal pump (and oxygenator if needed), which in turn can be connected to the arterial side of a patient's vascular system.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to tube apparatuses and more particularly to tube apparatuses that are connected to a source of pressurized air that forces air into the lungs of a recipient. The invention comprises an elongated flexible tube connected to a pair of nasal tubes positioned in the nares of the nose of the recipient. The ends of the elongated tube are connected to an air pressure control device. The nasal tubes include bulbous portions that seat and seal the nasal tubes in the nares. The invention also includes a yoke that adjustably connects the elongated tube to a headband on the head of the recipient. An alternate embodiment uses an endotracheal tube apparatus that is connected to the source of pressurized air for forcing pressurized air into the lungs of the recipient.

Abstract: A system for positioning a catheter in the left bronchus of a patient, who is undergoing a medical procedure with an endotracheal tube to control the patient's breathing. The catheter tube is shaped in a concave curve and is semi-rigid and capable of being biased. The endotracheal tube is shaped in a concave curve in a plane generally aligned in the left-right bisecting plane of the body of the patient. A bronchial curved portion of the catheter extends outwardly from the bottom area of the catheter tube at an angle from the bisecting plane toward the left bronchus. The curved catheter aligns with the curvature of the endotracheal tube during the insertion process and the bronchial curved portion automatically aligns with the left main-stem bronchus. Further insertion results in the final positioning of the distal end of the catheter in the left bronchus. The catheter can be used for either evacuation of mucous or for the injection of a fluid, such as a mucous thinner.

Abstract: A securing device for securing endotracheal tubes to a person, and for securing similar tubes extending from body cavities, is formed of a noose in a thin-walled elastomeric tubing by means of the passage of ends of the tubing through a ring of a thick-walled tubular section. Friction between the foregoing elements and between the noose and the tube secure the device to the tube. Free ends of the tubing are passed around the body of the person to be tied or secured by means of a clamp inserted into one end of the tubing.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode insertion apparatus (20) in which a common needle (34) is employed for selectively placing both a heart stimulating fluid (62) and a bipolar electrode pair (40) into the heart. Verification of entry into the heart chamber prior to placement of the fluid or bipolar electrode pair (40) in the heart is also provided. The apparatus (20) of the present invention includes a syringe (22) capable of injecting the fluid (62) into the ventricular cavity (60) for restarting the heart function. The needle (34) is a hollow needle having an inlet end and an outlet end for insertion into the heart with a bifurcated chamber (32) being disposed in flow through communication between the syringe (22) outlet end and the needle (34) inlet end. The fluid (62) is selectively injectable into the chamber inlet end (42) through the syringe (22) outlet end and therefrom through the common needle (34) into the ventricular cavity (60) of the heart.