Abstract: A device for testing the position of a needle in a patient's body comprising, a body member having a cavity at an outer surface of the body member to receive a testing liquid, and a passageway communicating with the cavity. The body member is attached to a proximal end of the needle with the cavity in an upright testing position and with the passageway communicating with the needle, in order that the testing liquid indicates whether the needle communicates with a positive or negative pressure inside the patient's body.

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 catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen extending along the shaft, and a pair of spaced annular ledges recessed from an outer surface of the shaft and defining spaced bonding surfaces extending circumferentially around the shaft. The shaft has an elongated section extending between the ledges and recessed from the bonding surfaces, with the shaft section defining an inner part of a cavity communicating with the inflation lumen intermediate the ledges. The catheter has an annular sleeve of elastic material having a thickness approximately equal to the distance between the bonding surfaces and the outer shaft surface adjacent the ledges, with the sleeve having a length approximately equal to the distance between remote ends of the ledges, and with opposed ends of the sleeve being bonded to the bonding surfaces circumferentially around the ledges.

Abstract: A method of locating the epidural space in a patient's body with a needle assembly having a flexible film defining a closed cavity which communicates with a needle of the assembly, comprising the steps of positioning a tip of the assembly adjacent the epidural space, and advancing the assembly into the body while determining whether the film flexes inwardly or outwardly relative to the assembly to ascertain the position of the needle assembly tip in the patient's body.

Abstract: A method of testing the position of a needle assembly in the epidural space of a patient's body, the needle assembly having a tip and an elongated passageway communicating between the tip and a shallow open cavity, comprising the steps of positioning the tip and a distal passageway portion of the assembly inside the patient's body with the tip located adjacent the epidural space and with the cavity located outside the patient's body in an upright position, placing a testing liquid in the upright cavity of the assembly, and advancing the assembly into the body while determining whether the testing liquid passes from the cavity to the passageway or the exterior of the needle assembly to ascertain the position of the needle assembly tip in the patient's body.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a distal end, a main lumen, and an inflation lumen extending along the shaft. The catheter has a tip member having a tip portion, and an annular tongue extended proximally from the tip portion and having a proximal end portion bonded to the shaft in the lumen. The catheter has an annular balloon member of elastic material defining a cavity, with the balloon member being positioned over the tongue intermediate the shaft and the tip portion of the tip member.

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 ballon 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.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an elongated inner first tube defining a main lumen, an elongated annular sleeve of elastic material covering a longitudinal portion of the first tube, and an elongated outer second tube covering a longitudinal portion of the sleeve and having a distal end proximally spaced from a distal end of the sleeve. The catheter has a tip secured to a distal end of the first tube and having a proximally extending annular flange covering the distal end of the sleeve, with the distal end of the second tube being spaced from the flange to define an inflatable segment of the sleeve intermediate the distal end of the second tube and the flange.

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 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 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 device to measure and collect a liquid discharge comprising, an elongated indicating strip, a receptacle, and a container. The receptacle has a cavity to receive the discharge and means adjacent a lower end of the receptacle to retain the indicating strip in an upright position in the cavity. The container has a chamber and opening means in an upper end of the container to receive the discharge from the receptacle, and means for releasably attaching the container to the receptacle.

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 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.

Abstract: A device for use in cholangiography and similar procedures comprising, a syringe having a barrel defining a chamber. The syringe has a plunger having one end received in a proximal end of the syringe chamber for pumping liquid from the chamber, a floating barrier received in the chamber and defining a first compartment intermediate the barrier and a distal end of the chamber for retaining an irrigation liquid and a second compartment intermediate the barrier and the one end of the plunger for retaining a liquid contrast medium. The device has a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the catheter. The device has a liquid receiving receptacle having a chamber, means for selectively connecting the syringe to the catheter lumen and the receptacle chamber, and means for establishing communication between the connecting means and the second compartment when the barrier is located adjacent the distal end of the chamber.

Abstract: A device for use in cholangiography and similar procedures comprising, a first syringe having a barrel defining a chamber for retaining an irrigation liquid, and a plunger having one end received in the chamber for pumping the liquid from the chamber. The device has a second syringe having a barrel defining a chamber for retaining a liquid contrast medium, and a plunger having one end received in the chamber of the second syringe for pumping the contrast medium from the chamber. The device has a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the catheter. The device also has means for connecting the proximal end of the catheter to the chambers of the first and second syringes without exposing the liquids to the atmosphere intermediate the lumen and chambers, in order that the irrigation liquid and contrast medium may be ejected through the catheter without introduction of air into the device.

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: Port means for a liquid transport system comprising, a relatively rigid body member having an inner surface defining a lumen, and an opening extending through a side of the body member and communicating between the lumen and the outside of the body member. The port means has a flexible closure member having a plug received in the opening of the body member. The plug has an inner surface defining a sidewall of the lumen, and the closure member has an outer surface defining a location for receiving a needle to penetrate the plug and establish communication with the lumen by a tip of the needle. Means is provided for securing the closure member to the body member with the plug received in the opening.

Abstract: A syringe and an adapter for a syringe, with the syringe having a chamber for retaining fluid, a plunger having one end received in the chamber for pumping fluid out of the chamber, and an extension member defining a tip of the syringe, and with the adapter having a body member which may be releasably connected to the syringe and a fluid receiving device. A flexible balloon is secured to the extension and body members, and inflates at a predetermined pressure to relieve pressure generated by the syringe.

Abstract: A device for performing an anesthesia procedure on a patient comprising, sleeve means having an end portion for placement adjacent the patient's body, and hollow needle means received in the sleeve means for relative longitudinal movement thereof, with the needle means having a tip for penetrating the patient's body. The device has means for biasing the sleeve means and needle means relative each other for exposing the tip from the end portion and puncturing the patient's body.