Abstract: A system for integrating an antibacterial-element receptacle into a multi-function cap facilitates the pre-injection treatment, the post-injection treatment, and prevents the accidental delivery of the injection. The system includes a multi-function cap assembly, an autoinjector body, and an antiseptic-soaked dressing. The multi-function cap assembly encloses the needle of the autoinjector and prevents the accidental trigger of the injection mechanism. The autoinjector body refers to the body of any conventional autoinjector. The antiseptic-soaked dressing is applied to the patient's skin prior to the delivery of the injection to disinfect and sterilize the injection area. The antiseptic-soaked dressing is housed in the multi-function cap assembly, between a receptacle and a removable cover. The removable cover is releasably mounted to the receptacle to allow access to the antiseptic-soaked dressing. The apparatus further includes an expiration timer and a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A system for integrating an antibacterial-element receptacle into an autoinjector cap facilitates the pre-injection treatment, the post-injection treatment, and prevents the accidental delivery of the injection. The system includes a cap assembly, an autoinjector body, and an antiseptic-soaked dressing. The cap assembly encloses the needle of the autoinjector and prevents the accidental trigger of the injection mechanism. The autoinjector body refers to the body of any conventional autoinjector. The antiseptic-soaked dressing is applied to the patient's skin prior to the delivery of the injection to disinfect and sterilize the injection area. The antiseptic-soaked dressing is housed in the cap assembly, between a receptacle and a removable cover. The removable cover is releasably mounted to the receptacle to allow access to the antiseptic-soaked dressing.

Abstract: A system for integrating an antibacterial-element receptacle into an autoinjector cap facilitates the pre-injection treatment, the post-injection treatment, and prevents the accidental delivery of the injection. The system includes a cap assembly, an autoinjector body, and an antiseptic-soaked dressing. The cap assembly encloses the needle of the autoinjector and prevents the accidental trigger of the injection mechanism. The autoinjector body refers to the body of any conventional autoinjector. The antiseptic-soaked dressing is applied to the patient's skin prior to the delivery of the injection to disinfect and sterilize the injection area. The antiseptic-soaked dressing is housed in the cap assembly, between a receptacle and a removable cover. The removable is releasably mounted to the receptacle to allow access to the antiseptic-soaked dressing.

Abstract: An improved needle-free intravenous injection port assembly is disclosed. Embodiments include a boot valve with a helical surface, a boot valve and septum which mate with mechanical interference, a spike with a rough outer surface coated with a lubricant, a septum having a shoulder and a single continuous swabbable surface, a septum and a boot valve which are pre-punctured, a septum with a frustroconical extension and a combination single piece septum and boot valve. The injection port assembly provides zero fluid displacement during coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: An improved needle-free intravenous injection port assembly is disclosed. Embodiments include a boot valve with a helical surface, a boot valve and septum which mate with mechanical interference, a spike with a rough outer surface coated with a lubricant, a septum having a shoulder and a single continuous swabbable surface, a septum and a boot valve which are pre-punctured, a septum with a frustroconical extension and a combination single piece septum and boot valve. The injection port assembly provides zero fluid displacement during coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: An improved needle-free intravenous injection port assembly is disclosed. Embodiments include a boot valve with a helical surface, a boot valve and septum which mate with mechanical interference, a spike with a rough outer surface coated with a lubricant, a septum having a shoulder and a single continuous swabbable surface, a septum and a boot valve which are pre-punctured, a septum with a frustroconical extension and a combination single piece septum and boot valve. The injection port assembly provides zero fluid displacement during coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: An improved needle-free intravenous injection port assembly is disclosed. Embodiments include a boot valve with a helical surface, a boot valve and septum which mate with mechanical interference, a spike with a rough outer surface coated with a lubricant, a septum having a shoulder and a single continuous swabbable surface, a septum and a boot valve which are pre-punctured with a solid core steel needle, a septum with a frustroconical extension and a combination single piece septum and boot valve. The injection port assembly provides neutral fluid displacement during coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: An improved needle-free intravenous injection port assembly is disclosed. Embodiments include a boot valve with a helical surface, a boot valve and septum which mate with mechanical interference, a spike with a rough outer surface coated with a lubricant, a septum having a shoulder and a single continuous swabbable surface, a septum and a boot valve which are pre-punctured with a solid core steel needle, a septum with a frustroconical extension and a combination single piece septum and boot valve. The injection port assembly provides neutral fluid displacement during coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: An endoscopic infusion needle device includes a catheter within which an injection tube having a distal injection needle is slideably disposed. A proximal actuating handle is coupled to the proximal ends of the catheter and the injection tube, and a distal stopping structure is provided on distal portions of the catheter and the injection tube. In one embodiment, the stopping structures include a rigid elongate skeletal structure occupying a portion of the annular space between the tube and the catheter, and an annular band on the tube which resides within the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure fits tightly within the cannula, allows irrigation fluid to pass through the annular space between the tube and the catheter to exit the distal end of the catheter, prevents the annular band from escaping through the proximal end or the distal end of the skeletal structure, and maintains the tube in substantial axial alignment with the catheter.

Abstract: An endoscopic infusion needle device includes a catheter within which an injection tube having a distal injection needle is slideably disposed. A proximal actuating handle is coupled to the proximal ends of the catheter and the injection tube, and a distal stopping structure is provided on distal portions of the catheter and the injection tube. In one embodiment, the stopping structures include a rigid elongate skeletal structure occupying a portion of the annular space between the tube and the catheter, and an annular band on the tube which resides within the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure fits tightly within the cannula, allows irrigation fluid to pass through the annular space between the tube and the catheter to exit the distal end of the catheter, prevents the annular band from escaping through the proximal end or the distal end of the skeletal structure, and maintains the tube in substantial axial alignment with the catheter.

Abstract: An endoscopic infusion needle device includes a catheter within which an injection tube having a distal injection needle is slideably disposed. A proximal actuating handle is coupled to the proximal ends of the catheter and the injection tube, and a distal stopping structure is provided on distal portions of the catheter and the injection tube. In one embodiment, the stopping structures include a rigid elongate skeletal structure occupying a portion of the annular space between the tube and the catheter, and an annular band on the tube which resides within the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure fits tightly within the cannula, allows irrigation fluid to pass through the annular space between the tube and the catheter to exit the distal end of the catheter, prevents the annular band from escaping through the proximal end or the distal end of the skeletal structure, and maintains the tube in substantial axial alignment with the catheter.

Abstract: An endoscopic infusion needle device includes a catheter within which an injection tube having a distal injection needle is slideably disposed. A proximal actuating handle is coupled to the proximal ends of the catheter and the injection tube, and a distal stopping structure is provided on distal portions of the catheter and the injection tube. In one embodiment, the stopping structures include a rigid elongate skeletal structure occupying a portion of the annular space between the tube and the catheter, and an annular band on the tube which resides within the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure fits tightly within the cannula, allows irrigation fluid to pass through the annular space between the tube and the catheter to exit the distal end of the catheter, prevents the annular band from escaping through the proximal end or the distal end of the skeletal structure, and maintains the tube in substantial axial alignment with the catheter.

Abstract: An endoscopic infusion needle device includes a catheter within which an injection tube having a distal injection needle is slideably disposed. A proximal actuating handle is coupled to the proximal ends of the catheter and the injection tube, and a distal stopping structure is provided on distal portions of the catheter and the injection tube. In one embodiment, the stopping structures include a rigid elongate skeletal structure occupying a portion of the annular space between the tube and the catheter, and an annular band on the tube which resides within the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure fits tightly within the cannula, allows irrigation fluid to pass through the annular space between the tube and the catheter to exit the distal end of the catheter, prevents the annular band from escaping through the proximal end or the distal end of the skeletal structure, and maintains the tube in substantial axial alignment with the catheter.

Abstract: An endoscopic infusion needle device includes a catheter within which an injection tube having a distal injection needle is slideably disposed. A proximal actuating handle is coupled to the proximal ends of the catheter and the injection tube, and a distal stopping structure is provided on distal portions of the catheter and the injection tube. In one embodiment, the stopping structures include a rigid elongate skeletal structure occupying a portion of the annular space between the tube and the catheter, and an annular band on the tube which resides within the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure fits tightly within the cannula, allows irrigation fluid to pass through the annular space between the tube and the catheter to exit the distal end of the catheter, prevents the annular band from escaping through the proximal end or the distal end of the skeletal structure, and maintains the tube in substantial axial alignment with the catheter.

Abstract: A protected microbiological sampling brush assembly includes a sampling brush mounted on the distal end of a control wire, an inner catheter which houses the brush, an outer catheter which houses the inner catheter, and an elastomeric tip which is rigidly attached to the distal end of the outer catheter and which has a weakened end. The proximal ends of the control wire and catheters are coupled to a handle for independently moving the control wire, the inner catheter, and the outer catheter relative to each other. The weakened end of the elastomeric tip is preferably a slit which defines lips which are parted when the distal end of the inner catheter is moved distally against the elastomeric tip to allow the inner catheter to pass therethrough. When the inner catheter is moved proximally relative to the outer catheter, the lips of the elastomeric tip close to protect the inner catheter (and the sampling brush) from contamination.

Abstract: An air introduction system for a medical needle assembly is provided and includes a flexible bladder, and a male luer assembly with an air valve which is biased to allow air to enter the air introduction system but not to exit. The air introduction system is coupled to a needle assembly which is to be introduced into the epidural space. As the needle traverses the tissue layers overlying the epidural space, and the practitioner applies pressure to the bladder, the practitioner experiences resistance to the forcing of air through the needle assembly. If air is lost from the bladder, the bladder may be refilled by releasing the pressure on it and allowing outside air to enter via the air valve. Once the epidural space is penetrated, air is quickly forced from the bladder through the needle assembly and the practitioner can feel a sudden drop in pressure.

Abstract: The needle assembly of the present invention includes a hollow cannula having a sharp distal end, a hollow stylet having a blunt distal end with a radial opening and an interior deflection surface near the radial opening, and a mechanism for biasing the stylet in a first position where the blunt distal end of the stylet extends beyond the sharp distal end of the cannula. Preferably, the hollow cannula hub has a proximal end which is coupled, e.g., via insert molding, to a hollow cannula hub. Likewise, the stylet preferably includes a proximal end which is coupled, e.g., via insert molding, to a hollow stylet hub which is longitudinally movable within the hollow cannula hub. The mechanism for biasing typically comprises a spring inside the cannula hub which biases the stylet hub to the first position where the blunt distal end of the stylet extends beyond the sharp distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: A force-limiting control member for an endoscopic instrument is a flexible wire having a proximal and a distal end, wherein a portion of the wire is bent into a sinusoidal or coiled shape to form a spring portion of the control member. An endoscopic instrument incorporating the force-limiting control member includes a flexible coil having a proximal and a distal end, a pair of forceps jaws mounted for rotation on a clevis which is coupled to the distal end of the coil, and a proximal handle coupled to the proximal end of the coil. The proximal handle has a spring biased lever coupled to it in a manner which limits the throw of the lever to a preselected distance. The force-limiting control member extends through the coil and is coupled at its distal end to the forceps jaws and at its proximal end to the actuating member.

Abstract: A Veress needle and cannula assembly includes a stainless steel cannula assembly with a cannula having an outer diameter of approximately 4 mm and a Veress needle assembly having a Veress needle with an outer diameter of approximately 3 mm. The cannula assembly includes a proximal valve assembly and the Veress needle is insertable through the valve assembly. Where the cannula and Veress needle are not closely fitted, a molded transition collar on the Veress needle seals the annular space between the interior of the cannula and the exterior of the Veress needle and is provided with sharp distal edges for aiding insertion of the cannula assembly into the body of a patient. The cannula valve assembly preferably includes a female luer lock connector. The Veress needle preferably includes a handle with a rotatable male luer lock coupler which engages the female luer lock connector on the cannula valve assembly when the Veress needle is inserted into the cannula assembly.