Abstract: A catheter and a method for using the catheter for site specific delivery of agents to or collecting agents from biological spaces. The catheter includes an inner shaft longitudinally movable within and outer shaft, each shaft having at least one balloon and at least one lumen formed therein. The catheter prevents leaking through a membrane by sealing the tip passageway through the membrane with inflatable balloons on either side of the membrane. Further, the inflated balloons secure the position of the catheter relative to the biological membrane and biological space targeted for therapy or diagnosis.

Abstract: A catheter and a method for using the catheter for site specific delivery of agents to or collecting agents from biological spaces. The catheter includes an inner shaft longitudinally movable within an outer shaft, each shaft having at least one balloon and at least one lumen formed therein. The catheter prevents leaking through a biological membrane by sealing the catheter tip passageway through the biological membrane with inflatable balloons on either side of the biological membrane. Further, the inflated balloons secure the position of the catheter relative to the biological membrane and the biological space targeted for therapy or diagnosis.

Abstract: A system for delivering medicaments to tissue including a delivery member and an optical fiber formed together into a unitary structure. The optical fiber has an inlet attached to a laser energy source and an outlet for emitting laser energy. The delivery member has an inlet attached to a medicament source and an outlet for injecting medicament. A handpiece is adapted to receive the ablating and injecting device in a controlled and movable relationship and may include at least one tissue stabilizing member thereon. In use, the distal end of the handpiece is placed against tissue to be ablated. The optical fiber is advanced into the tissue while emitting laser energy thereby ablating the tissue and forming a channel therein. During retraction, medicament may be injected into the channel or into the tissue surrounding the channel.

Abstract: A catheter and a method for using the catheter for site specific delivery of agents to or collecting agents from biological spaces. The catheter includes an inner shaft longitudinally movable within and outer shaft, each shaft having at least one balloon and at least one lumen formed therein. The catheter prevents leaking through a membrane by sealing the tip passageway through the membrane with inflatable balloons on either side of the membrane. Further, the inflated balloons secure the position of the catheter relative to the biological membrane and biological space targeted for therapy or diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for efficiently coupling a pressure monitoring device to a pressure transducer. In addition, the present invention reduces or eliminates the likelihood air will be unintentionally injected into the pressure monitoring device while connecting the pressure monitoring device to a pressure transducer. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a pressure monitoring coupler comprising a sealing member and a device body. The sealing member comprises a sealing flange connected to an engagement member. The engagement member includes a first and second O-ring positioned thereon. The device body comprises a pressurizing lumen and an intersecting monitoring lumen in communication with a receiving aperture. During use, a pressure monitoring catheter is inserted into a patient's tissue. The pressure monitoring catheter and a transducer are connected to the device body of the present invention.

Abstract: A guide wire dispenser which is used to introduce a guide wire into the body using one hand. The dispenser utilizes a trigger grip configuration which is arranged in combination with a thumb access platform to provide accurate single-handed control of guide wire delivery to the body. A dual trigger configuration is also disclosed which provides the capability to dispense a guide wire from two different nozzles in a single device.

Abstract: An improved blood pressure monitoring pad assembly and its method of use are disclosed herein. In accordance with a first feature of the pad assembly a release mechanism is used to prevent the pad assembly from detaching from the skin as the bladder is pressurized. In accordance with a second feature, the pad assembly includes a flexible cover movably connected with a flexible base assembly. In accordance with a third feature, the pad assembly incorporates a biflex member.

Abstract: A gas-column pressure measuring catheter which is insertable into a mammalian body for purposes of transmitting pressure changes from a location within the mammalian body to a pressure sensor which is either incorporated into, or connected to, the catheter. In a preferred embodiment, the gas-column pressure measuring catheter comprises an elongate catheter body having a gas-filled lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, and a gas-filled membrane-walled chamber positioned on the catheter body in communication with the gas-filled lumen such that pressure changes exerted against the outer surface of the membrane-walled chamber will result in the transmission of pressure changes through the gas-filled catheter lumen. The gas-filled membrane-walled chamber may be located on the side wall of the catheter body, or may be located on the distal end of the catheter body.

Abstract: A system for measuring fluid flow within a conduit, such as blood flow from the heart, includes a heating element that is driven so as to apply heat to the fluid at an upstream position as a series of periodic heat signals. A temperature sensor located downstream measures a local temperature of the fluid and generates an electrical fluid temperature signal corresponding to the local temperature. This signal is then applied to a dispersive filter, which outputs a pulse-like signal in the presence of each periodic heat signal. Fluid flow is then calculated by a processor as a function of the area under an estimated impulse response curve for the channel in which the fluid flows. Each periodic heat signal is preferably sinusoidal and has an instantaneous frequency that varies substantially continuously between a first frequency and a second frequency over a pre-determined active input signal period.

Abstract: A cardiac output probe assembly is disclosed wherein the assembly includes a chest tube which carries a cardiac output probe therein. The chest tube includes a main lumen for draining fluids from the thoracic cavity of the chest and a secondary lumen which carries leads attached to the probe. The probe is attached to the pulmonary artery or aorta vessel with detachable tines and/or sutures. The tines are uniquely configured to ensure that good contact between the probe and vessel is maintained. When cardiac output monitoring is complete, a pulling force is applied to the probe leads extending out through a proximal end of the tube. The pulling force detaches the tines and sutures, releasing the probe from connection with the vessel. Further withdrawal of the leads through the tube retracts the probe within the tube, where it is housed until the tube is removed from the thoracic cavity.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method of obtaining certain information about the blood pressure of a given patient by means of a particular blood pressure technique, specifically by means of oscillometry, in which the pressurizable pressure transducing bladder located adjacent and cooperating with a particular artery of the patient, is used in combination with means for pressurizing the bladder in a controlled way in order to provide the desired information. The particular artery used is the patient's supraorbital artery which is readily accessible in a specific area just above the eyebrow of substantially all patients. There is also disclosed herein a blood pressure transducing bladder assembly which is specifically designed to easily access the supraorbital artery of substantially all patients using the eyebrow and nose of each patient as a frame of reference.

Abstract: An infusion device includes an infusion pump for delivering a liquid through an infusion conduit from a separate source of the liquid into a patient, a bubble detector for detecting the presence of an air bubble in the infusion conduit, and control circuitry responsive to the bubble detector for determining if the size of the air bubble is unacceptable. The control circuitry is configured to determine if during the time the air bubble is detected it advances a distance indicative of the unacceptable size, one embodiment counting the steps of a linear peristaltic infusion pump for that purpose.

Abstract: An infusion system includes fluid-delivery components for delivering a fluid from a separate source of the fluid into a patient, transducer components for producing a signal related to the pressure of the fluid in the fluid-delivery components, and identification components responsive to the signal for identifying pressure artifacts characteristic of patient activity. Gravity-fed infusion may be employed as well as infusion with a flow control device, and identification may be accomplished with a microprocessor for examining the waveform of the signal and identifying pressure artifacts characteristic of patient activity amidst pressure changes caused by fluid-delivery components so that site checking can be conducted during quiet periods, i.e., times of little patient acitivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stand-alone, in-line device and method for detecting whether a fluid is being properly supplied to a patient, including means for delivering a test pulse of the fluid through conduit means to the patient with the test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern and with the test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means. The device and method also includes means for determining the area between a baseline and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response, and means responsive to the magnitude of the area for detecting whether the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient. Preferably, the device and method also includes means for diverting and accumulating a predetermined volume of the upstream flow from the infusion source for use as the test pulse.

Abstract: An infusion system for infusing a fluid into a patient comprising an infusion device for delivering the fluid in both a normal delivery pattern and a test pulse and a conduit for conducting the fluid from the infusion device to the patient. The test pulse creates a pressure wave response in the conduit. Abnormal infusion can be detected by determining the area between a baseline and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response.

Abstract: A plurality of infusion pump modules are detachably connected to a portable central management unit. The modules can be programmed by the central management unit, and their operating information displayed by the central management unit, when they are connected to it; yet the modules, once programmed, can operate independently when detached from the central mangagement unit, and they can display limited operational information on their own.

Abstract: An infusion system for infusing a flowable material into a patient comprising an infusion device for delivering the flowable material in both a normal delivery pattern and a test pulse and a conduit for conducting the flowable material from the infusion device to the patient. The test pulse creates a pressure wave response in the conduit. The pressure wave response is monitored and used to detect if the infiltration has occurred.

Abstract: A linear peristaltic pump, and a disposable casette therefor, particularly suitable for the infusion of parenteral fluids. The pump includes a housing having a power-driven shaft and a series of small bearing assemblies having their inner members eccentrically mounted upon that shaft. A thin elastomeric membrane extends along the series of bearing assemblies for engagement with the outer members thereof along a first band or linear zone of contact lying in the same plane as the axis of the shaft. The disposable casette is removably supported by the housing and takes the form of a rigid, planar, perimetric frame having an opening across which is stretched a section of elastomeric tubing.