Abstract: A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt valve includes a valve housing and a substantially flat stabilizing member that has a width substantially greater than that of the valve housing. The shunt valve is adapted for surgical implantation under the scalp of a patient to drain excess CSF from the brain. The stabilizing member rests on the skull of a patient and the stabilizing member is effective to prevent rotation of the shunt valve about a longitudinal axis thereof. The shunt valve includes a pressure adjustment mechanism disposed within the housing, for adjusting a threshold pressure at which fluid may flow through the shunt valve.

Abstract: A suprapubic catheter system comprising, a puncture member comprising an elongated needle, and having a distal end for placement in a patient, a proximal end and a lumen to receive the needle, a hollow connector attached to the proximal end of the catheter, connector is attached to the catheter proximal end, a hollow plug having a bore, a proximal annular flange and a device for releasably securing the plug to the proximal end of the connector, the internal diameter of the annular flange being of an increased diameter with respect to the diameter of the plug bore, and an elastic member having a pair of spaced annular flanges defining a groove to receive the plug flange, the pair of flanges including an inner flange and an outer flange, the internal diameter of the inner flange being approximately the same as the internal diameter of the plug bore, the internal portion of the elastic member inner flange thus forming a smooth continuation of the plug bore, and an end wall closing the bore and receiving the need

Abstract: A suprapubic catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen extending therethrough, and a plurality of openings extending through the shaft and communicating with the drainage lumen. The catheter has a first elastic sleeve secured to the shaft in spaced circumferential zones and defining a first cavity beneath the first sleeve, with the first sleeve being located adjacent a distal end of the shaft. The catheter has a second elastic sleeve secured to the shaft in spaced circumferential zones and defining a second cavity beneath the second sleeve, with the second sleeve being located proximal the first sleeve, and with the openings being located intermediate the first and second sleeves. The catheter has one or more inflation lumens extending along the shaft for inflating the first and second sleeves.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an extruded tube having a drainage lumen and inflation lumen, with the inflation lumen communicating with the outside of the tube through opening means. The catheter has a tip secured to a distal end of the tube, and an annular sleeve extending from the tip and having a proximal end secured to the outside of the tube.This application is a division of application Ser. No. 146,421, filed May 5, 1980 and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,152, issued Nov. 30, 1982, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 930,386 filed Aug. 2, 1978 and now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 767,425 filed Feb. 10, 1977 and now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 581,251 filed May 27, 1975 and now abandoned.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an extruded tube having a drainage lumen and inflation lumen, with the inflation lumen communicating with the outside of the tube through an opening. The catheter has a tip secured to a distal end of the tube, and an annular sleeve extending from the tip and having a proximal end secured to the outside of the tube.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an extruded tube having a drainage lumen and inflation lumen, with the inflation lumen communicating with the outside of the tube through opening means. The catheter has a tip secured to a distal end of the tube, and an annular sleeve extending from the tip and having a proximal end secured to the outside of the tube.

Abstract: A suprapubic catheter system comprising, a puncture member comprising an elongated needle. The system has a catheter assembly comprising an elongated catheter having a distal end for placement in a patient, a proximal end, and a lumen to receive the needle. The catheter assembly has a stabilizer comprising a plate extending on opposed sides of the catheter, with the plate having an opening to slidably receive the plate on the catheter, a pocket containing a anti-septic agent, and the assembly has a device for selectively locking the stabilizer at a desired position on the catheter.

Abstract: A syringe assembly comprising, a syringe having a chamber for retaining fluid, and a plunger having one end received in the chamber for pumping fluid out of the chamber. The syringe assembly has means for limiting the amount of pressure generated by the syringe during pumping of fluid.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an extruded tube having a drainage lumen and inflation lumen, with the inflation lumen communicating with the outside of the tube through an opening. The catheter has a tip secured to a distal end of the tube, and an annular sleeve extending from the tip and having a proximal end secured to the outside of the tube.

Abstract: A catheter having a shaft carrying an inflatable retention means such as a Foley indwelling or retention catheter or an endotracheal tube is provided with a retention balloon or bulb comprising thermoplastic elastomer in the form of a sleeve or collar having its margins bonded to the outer surface of the shaft which maintains its inflation and its retention capability for an extended period of time. When the catheter shaft is made of thermoplastic elastomer, the balloon can be heat sealed to the shaft. A one-piece connector including drainage fitting, inflation side arm and safety signal balloon can be bonded to the proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A syringe assembly comprising, a syringe having a chamber for retaining fluid, and a plunger having one end received in the chamber for pumping fluid out of the chamber. The syringe assembly has means for limiting the amount of pressure generated by the syringe during pumping of fluid.

Abstract: Method for making a catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a main lumen extending through the shaft, and an inflation lumen extending through a wall of the shaft. The catheter has a tip molded directly onto a distal end of the shaft, and a connecter molded directly onto a proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A blood collection device comprising, a syringe having a barrell defining a chamber, and a plunger having distal end received in the chamber. The device has a collection bag of flexible material secured in the distal portion of the syringe chamber, and having walls defining a collection chamber closed to the remainder of the syringe chamber, with the syringe having an opening communicating with the syringe chamber outside the collection bag. The device has a hollow needle for connection to a distal portion of the syringe in communication with the bag chamber, such that the bag expands responsive to blood pressure and passage of blood into the bag chamber.

Abstract: A syringe assembly comprising, a syringe having a chamber for retaining fluid, and a plunger having one end received in the chamber for pumping fluid out of the chamber. The syringe assembly has means for limiting the amount of pressure generated by the syringe during pumping of fluid.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an elongated shaft of elastic material having an annular sleeve overlying a surface of the shaft, with one end of the sleeve being of one-piece construction with the shaft, and with a circumferential portion of the sleeve spaced from the one sleeve end being bonded to the shaft to define a cavity between the sleeve and the shaft surface. The inflation lumen communicates with the cavity in order to inflate the balloon.

Abstract: A device for indicating the position of a needle in a patient's body comprising, a body member having a flexible film secured to the body member and overlying a surface of the body member, and a passageway communicating with a space between the surface and film. The body member is attached to an outer portion of the needle with the passageway communicating with the needle to indicate pressure by the film.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a main lumen extending through the shaft, and an inflation lumen extending through a wall of the shaft. The catheter has a tip molded directly onto a distal end of the shaft, and a connecter molded directly onto a proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A catheter having a shaft including a drainage lumen and an inflation lumen is provided with a molded connector unit bonded to its proximal end, the connector unit including a drainage fitting and an inflation side arm. A rigid adapter tube has its forward end extending into the drainage lumen and its rearward end seated against the drainage fitting to seal the drainage lumen and fitting from the side arm and inflation lumen; the adapter tube provides communication between the drainage lumen and the drainage fitting and the connector unit provides communication between the inflation lumen and the inflation side arm.

Abstract: A hemostatic catheter having an elongated shaft of elastic material, and an inflatable balloon adjacent a distal end of the shaft. The catheter measures longitudinal expansion in a portion of the shaft when force is applied against the catheter to provide an indication of the amount of tension in the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a main lumen and an inflation lumen extending along a wall of the shaft. The catheter has a balloon assembly in which an expansible sleeve is joined at spaced zones to an underlying sleeve or tube of a material providing compatible bonding characteristics with the sleeve to facilitate attachment of the balloon onto the shaft.