Abstract: A valved adapter for connecting a fluid handling device to a medical device includes a body with a longitudinal axis having a proximal end, a distal end and a chamber therewithin. The body includes a passageway from the proximal end to the distal end and has a valve contained within the chamber in a normally closed position that is operative to an open position. The valve also includes a hollow tube having a bore therethrough with a closed proximal end mounted coaxially within the passageway and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the body. The tube has at least one side port opening into its bore that is located a distance distally from the closed end. The valve also includes a resilient member located coaxially about the tube that is biased to occlude the side port in the valve's normally closed position. The valve is opened by a distal movement of the resilient member to overcome the bias and to uncover the side port thereby allowing a fluid flow into the tube and through the valve.

Abstract: A method for visualization of a lubricant coating on a surface of an article includes dissolving a fluorescent agent into a lubricant. The method then includes applying the fluorescenated lubricant to coat a surface of the article. The coated article is then irradiated with an electromagnetic radiation capable of inducing a fluorescent emission in the fluorescent agent and the fluorescent emission is observed to detect the coverage of the lubricant on the surface of the article.

Abstract: An arterial catheter includes an elongate tube having a sidewall with an inside surface and an outside diameter. The catheter has a proximal end, an open distal end with a tip portion, and a hollow bore with an inside diameter. There is a hub attached to the proximal end of the catheter that is in fluid communication with the hollow bore. The inside surface of the hollow bore has a plurality of inward projections disposed longitudinally from the proximal end to the distal end. The tip portion has at least one hole through the sidewall into the bore. The catheter sidewall outside diameter is tapered distally from the hole to the open distal end and the inward projections on the inside surface of the bore are substantially diminished in the tip portion.

Abstract: A needle assembly is provided with a needle securely mounted to a needle hub. A shield assembly includes a plurality of telescoped tubes concentrically surrounding the needle. One of the telescoped tubes is securely connected to the needle hub. The other tubes in the assembly may be slid away from the needle hub. The tubes have combined lengths to enable complete shielding of the needle when the tubes are telescopingly extended. The distal-most tube, when the tubes are telescopingly extended, includes a tip guard which resiliently moves over the distal tip of the needle as the shield assembly is fully extended. The distal-most tube, when the tubes are telescopingly extended, of the shield assembly frictionally engages a catheter adapter to prevent withdrawal of the needle from the shield assembly until the tubes are fully telescopingly extended. As full shielding of the needle is reached, the shielded needle is separated from the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A valved adapter for connecting a fluid handling device to a medical device includes a body with a longitudinal axis having a proximal end, a distal end and a chamber therewithin. The body includes a passageway from the proximal end to the distal end and has a valve contained within the chamber in a normally closed position that is operative to an open position. The valve also includes a hollow tube having a bore therethrough with a closed proximal end mounted coaxially within the passageway and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the body. The tube has at least one side port opening into its bore that is located a distance distally from the closed end. The valve also includes a resilient member located coaxially about the tube that is biased to occlude the side port in the valve's normally closed position. The valve is opened by a distal movement of the resilient member to overcome the bias and to uncover the side port thereby allowing a fluid flow into the tube and through the valve.

Abstract: A needle assembly is provided with a collapsible needle shield. In one embodiment of the needle shield assembly, the proximal portion of the handle is formed from a collapsible, non-elastic material. In a second embodiment, the proximal portion of the handle is formed from a telescoping tube that enables complete shielding of the needle when the handle is telescopingly extended. A tip guard is included in both embodiments which resiliently moves over the distal tip of the needle as the shield assembly is fully extended to prevent relative distal movement of the needle after the needle has been withdrawn into the handle.

Abstract: A method for visualization of a lubricant coating on a surface of an article includes dissolving a fluorescent agent into a lubricant. The method then includes applying the fluorescenated lubricant to coat a surface of the article. The coated article is then irradiated with an electromagnetic radiation capable of inducing a fluorescent emission in the fluorescent agent and the fluorescent emission is observed to detect the coverage of the lubricant on the surface of the article.

Abstract: This invention is an improved flashback vent. A thin piece of biocompatible material is affixed over the open proximal end of a flashback chamber or a plug in the flashback chamber. This material has a plurality of holes formed therein. Thus, where the flashback chamber is used with an IV catheter introducer needle, blood can enter the flashback chamber and allow air to be vented therefrom without blood leaking from the flashback chamber.

Abstract: A surgical needle is disclosed which is made up of two concentric tubes. The inner tube has a sharp tip like a conventional hypodermic or intravenous needle. The inner tube can be retracted into the outer tube after use. In one embodiment, the needle forms part of a catheter assembly. A catheter is mounted coaxially around the both tubes. The inner tube has a latching member attached to the end without the sharp tip. The latching member engages detents on a housing to hold the sharp tip in an extended position or a retracted position. The latching member is provided with a porous plug to assist in venting gases during catheter introduction.

Abstract: As assembly is provided utilizing a combined catheter and introducer which cooperate to provide efficient infusion of drugs from the in-place assembly even on an intermittent basis with no return blood flow and without the need for any kind of involved valve assembly, or expensive heparin or saline blocks. The introducer is a short thin walled device which receives the catheter therein. The catheter has a plurality of very fine openings in the front end thereof with the openings having a dimension preventing blood backflow, but which allow passage of infusing medication for therapy because of the pressure imparted in the infusion flow of the drugs. The catheter is long enough so that the portion having the openings extends from the front end of the introducer. The front end of the catheter is blunt-ended to decrease trauma during insertion. The openings in the single lumen version extend around the entire circumference of the catheter to prevent the catheter tip from being blocked on one side and closed off.

Abstract: A flashback vent plug is provided for catheters with air vents drilled by a laser beam which allow venting of the hollow plug upon venous entry, but which vents are so small that blood cannot pass. As a result, no leakage ever takes place. As a further feature of the invention, is the addition of a component to the resin making up the vent plug body which optimizes absorption of the laser beam wave length. The air vent design of this invention provides sufficient cross-section for achieving the required air flow, and therefore rapid flashback and venous entry indication, yet its cost of manufacture is considerably reduced when compared to plug designs that involve multi-step assembly.

Abstract: An integral polyurethane winged catheter assembly formed by RF heating individual catheter parts is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tipping one end of an I.V. catheter includes the method steps for use of the apparatus including mounting a catheter to be tipped onto a mandrel supported on a carriage; a die having an interior molding surface, at least one portion of which is tapered according to the tip desired on the catheter, is heated; the carriage is moved along guide bars to the die such that the catheter carrying mandrel moves toward the interior molding surface to define a space, when the carriage is halted the catheter carrying mandrel is biased toward the die space with only sufficient force to cause the heated catheter to flow into the die space and as the catheter melts and flows, the mandrel engages the die thereby defining the edge of the catheter, after which the die and catheter therein are cooled; the carriage is then reversed along the guide bars such that the catheter and mandrel are withdrawn from the die, and the catheter is removed from the mandrel.

Abstract: A specific configuration for an over the needle catheter having a tapered outer wall and an angled introducer tip is disclosed. The catheter is molded of polyurethane material which is treated with a surface lubricant to ease the over the needle introduction of the catheter after venipuncture. The polyurethane material permits a minimal wall thickness for maximum flow with requisite strength and flexibility characteristics.

Abstract: A powder coating process for producing soft, flexible polyurethane films particularly in the form of a surgical glove, wherein low melting crystalline prepolymer particles are powder coated and cured to an essentially non-crystalline film.

Abstract: A disposable electrode assembly for establishing electrical contact with an underlying skin surface includes a relatively thin base member having a central hub portion and an adhesive-coated undersurface, a conductive gel-impregnated sponge contact contained in a downwardly facing recess located in the hub, and a relatively thick and inflexible cover member coextensive with the base member. In storage the cover member is attached to the undersurface of the base member by the adhesive and the sponge is confined within the recess. Prior to use the base member is peeled away from the cover member to expose the adhesive surface, which when applied to a skin surface holds the sponge contact in compression-contact therewith. A thumb recess is provided along the margin of the cover member to facilitate removal of the cover member.