Abstract: A self-contained battery operated disposable blood pressure monitor having a semi-conductor transducer therein, the front side of which is intended to be fluid communication with an incompressible fluid in a intracorporeal catheter inserted in the heart of a patient for direct blood pressure monitoring. A calibration port vents the backside of the transducer to calibration and atmospheric pressures. The monitor contains circuitry electrically connected to the transducer which receives electrical signals output by the semi-conductor chip in response to the pressures exerted upon it through the pressure monitoring port. The circuity then electronically processes the signals so as to derive electronic data representing the mean arterial pressure pulse rate, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The circuitry also analyzes the pressure wave forms of the pressure signals detected for poor signals so that it can present a visual diagnostic representative of the problematic pressure condition.

Abstract: A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A helical sheath is formed from an elongate band that is wrapped around the cannula in a helical fashion so as to be capable of being positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The helical sheath has formed therein a lumen into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is connected to the proximal end of the helical sheath. The helical sheath has formed therein a plurality of delivery holes that form a fluid communication path with the lumen.

Abstract: A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be further manipulated or retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A cylindrical sleeve around the cannula can be positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The cylindrical sleeve has formed therein one or more lumens into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is connected to the proximal end of the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve has formed therein a plurality of delivery holes that form a fluid communication path with the one or more lumens.

Abstract: A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A helical sheath is formed from an elongate band that is wrapped around the cannula in a helical fashion so as to be capable of being positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The helical sheath has formed therein a lumen into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is connected to the proximal end of the helical sheath. The helical sheath has formed therein a plurality of delivery holes that form a fluid communication path with the lumen.

Abstract: A novel pressure measurement apparatus for measuring fluid pressures generated within a fluid passageway is disclosed. The apparatus includes a semiconductor pressure transducer which is mounted to a chip carrier comprised of a ceramic substrate layer. The semiconductor pressure transducer is reverse mounted to the substrate layer by way of a series of electrically conductive epoxy bond points. The semiconductor pressure transducer is enclosed within a gel cap containing an incompressible gel medium. Fluid pressures generated within the fluid passageway are communicated to the transducer via the gel medium.

Abstract: A waste collection system for receiving contaminated fluids in a manner which helps to prevent splashing of fluids or spilling them while they are being collected, thereby increasing protection to personnel, and which also keeps the fluids safely contained until ready for permanent disposal. In one presently preferred embodiment, the waste collection system includes a receptacle in which an absorbent pad is placed. The top of the receptacle is then sealed with a lid in an essentially fluid-tight fit. The surface of the lid is concave and slopes inwardly to a point at which an opening is formed, and a circular foam disc is placed at the opening. The foam material is provided with slits so that fluid can be introduced to the interior of the receptacle by either injecting a device such as a syringe through the slits or by permitting fluid to directly contact the foam material of the disc, which provides absorption and wicking action so that fluids will readily pass through the disc.

Abstract: A syringe system for delivering fluid with a volume displacement assembly intensifier for expelling a predetermined volume of fluid from the syringe while activated. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to deliver fluid from the syringe barrel, and the volume displacement assembly is mounted in fluid communication with the barrel of the syringe. When the volume displacement assembly is activated, a predetermined amount of volume is displaced from the syringe into the balloon of a balloon catheter. Deactivation results in balloon deflation. A predetermined degree of inflation may be reproducibly obtained without the exercise of deliberate care as required with conventional syringes lacking a volume displacement assembly.

Abstract: An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation or deflation data. A syringe applies and releases pressure to and from the balloon catheter. A transducer housed on the syringe barrel emits at atmospheric pressure a signal by which both the syringe and transducer are recognizable to the system as a particular type of syringe. The system prompts the user to verify the recognized type of syringe. The system prompts the user to verify the recognized type of syringe. The transducer, which can be calibrated, senses fluid pressures applied by the syringe. The signal output by the transducer is input to a controller where the signal is digitally processed so as to derive and record therefrom data representing the magnitude of applied fluid pressure and the length of time that pressure is applied by the syringe. The data is automatically displayed and recorded.

Abstract: An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter or other balloon-type member and for monitoring, displaying and recording inflation or deflation data when the syringe system is used to inflate or deflate the balloon of the catheter or other balloon-type member. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to increase fluid pressure applied to the balloon catheter or other balloon member by sliding the plunger further into the barrel. Positive pressure applied to the balloon catheter or member is released by withdrawing the syringe plunger towards the rear of the barrel. A piezoresistive semiconductor transducer placed in fluid communication with the fluid pressure applied by the syringe, senses the fluid pressure and outputs an electrical signal representative of that pressure. The electrical signal is received by a RF transmission module that is permanently mounted to the syringe barrel.

Abstract: An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter or other balloon-type member and for monitoring, displaying and optionally recording inflation or deflation data when the syringe system is used to inflate or deflate the balloon of the catheter or other balloon-type member. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to increase fluid pressure applied to the balloon catheter or other balloon member by sliding the plunger further into the barrel. Positive pressure applied to the balloon catheter or member is released by withdrawing the syringe plunger toward the rear of the barrel. A piezoresistive semiconductor transducer placed in fluid communication with the fluid pressure applied by the syringe, senses the fluid pressure and outputs an electrical signal representative of that pressure.

Abstract: A syringe apparatus for use with balloon-tipped catheters is disclosed having a pressure gauge and timer assembly. In one mode, the timer assembly displays the duration of a current event of inflation or deflation, and the duration of the most recent past event of inflation or deflation. In another mode, the timer assembly displays historical information showing the event number and duration of past events of inflation and deflation. The pressure gauge display and the timer assembly display are situated conveniently on the syringe assembly and in proximity to one another so as to enable a syringe operator to substantially simultaneously monitor durations of inflation and deflation without the need for an assistant, yet without requiring purchase or use of computerized monitors. In another mode, the timer assembly can be detached from the syringe assembly at the completion of an inflation procedure and then reused with another syringe assembly.

Abstract: An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation or deflation data. A syringe having a barrel and a plunger is used to apply or to release pressure to the balloon catheter or other balloon member. A transducer housed on the barrel of the syringe senses fluid pressures applied by the syringe. An electromagnetic signal output by the transducer is input to a controller where the signal is digitally processed so as to derive and record therefrom electronic data representing the magnitude of applied fluid pressure and the length of time that positive fluid pressure is applied, which derived data is automatically displayed and recorded. The deflation of the balloon-type member is similarly processed and recorded. The controller is also programmable to permit input of various control parameters, such as a maximum positive inflation pressure and maximum duration for applying pressure.

Abstract: An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation or deflation data. A syringe having a barrel and a plunger is used to apply or to release pressure to the balloon catheter or other balloon member. A transducer housed on the barrel of the syringe senses fluid pressures applied by the syringe. An electromagnetic signal output by the transducer means is input to a controller where the signal is digitally processed so as to derive and record therefrom electronic data representing the magnitude of applied fluid pressure and the length of time that positive fluid pressure is applied, which derived data is automatically displayed and recorded. The deflation of the balloon-type member is similarly processed and recorded. The controller is also programmable to permit input of various control parameters, such as a lesion location identifier, a maximum positive inflation pressure and maximum duration for applying pressure.

Abstract: A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A cylindrical sheath is placed on the cannula so as to be positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The cylindrical sheath has formed therein a lumen into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is disposed on the catheter apparatus. The cylindrical sheath has formed therein a plurality of one-way slit valves. The one-way slit valves permit the anesthetic agent or fluid medicament to be delivered to the surrounding subcutaneous tissue, and also prevent any bodily fluids from entering the lumen.

Abstract: An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter or other balloon-type member and for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation data when the syringe system is used to inflate the balloon of the catheter or other balloon-type member. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to increase fluid pressure applied to the balloon catheter or other balloon member by sliding the plunger further into the barrel. Positive pressure applied to the balloon catheter or member is released by withdrawing the syringe plunger toward the rear of the barrel. A piezoresistive semiconductor transducer housed on the barrel of the syringe senses fluid pressure applied by the syringe.

Abstract: A gripping-knob rotation tool for attachment to a medical guidewire as used in angioplasty and other medical procedures. The tool is installed laterally over the guidewire at any desired position along the length of the wire, and is secured thereto by a simple rotational or twisting motion. The tool provides a convenient gripping surface during rotation or translational movement of the guidewire, and is adjustable for repositioning along the length of the wire after initial engagement.

Abstract: An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter or other balloon-type member and for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation data when the syringe system is used to inflate the balloon catheter or other balloon-type member. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to increase fluid pressure applied to the balloon catheter or other balloon member by sliding the plunger further into the barrel. Positive pressure applied to the balloon catheter or member can be released by withdrawing the syringe plunger toward the rear of the barrel. A piezoresistive semiconductor transducer housed on the barrel of the syringe senses positive fluid pressure applied by the syringe.

Abstract: A novel pressure transducer apparatus for medical pressure monitoring apparatus having a housing with a calibration port. The patient side of the transducer senses fluid pressures to be monitored. The non-patient side of the transducer is hermetically sealed in the housing of the apparatus. The housing has a female calibration port communicating, via a pinhole, with the non-patient side of the transducer. The non-patient side of the transducer can thus alternatively be vented to atmospheric pressure or be exposed to a vacuum calibration pressure.

Abstract: A syringe apparatus for use with balloon-tipped catheters is disclosed having an attached pressure gauge and timer assembly. In one mode, the timer assembly displays the duration of a current event of inflation or deflation, and the duration of the most recent past event of inflation or deflation. In another mode, the timer assembly displays historical information showing the event number and duration of past events of inflation and deflation. The pressure gauge display and the timer assembly display are situated conveniently on the syringe assembly and in proximity to one another so as to enable a syringe operator to substantially simultaneously monitor durations of inflation and deflation without the need for an assistant, yet without requiring purchase or use of computerized monitors.

Abstract: A gripping-knob rotation tool for attachment to a medical guidewire as used in angioplasty and other medical procedures. The tool is installed laterally over the guidewire at any desired position along the length of the wire, and is secured thereto by a simple rotational or twisting motion. The tool provides a convenient gripping surface during rotation or translational movement of the guidewire, and is adjustable for repositioning along the length of the wire after initial engagement.