Abstract: An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors.

Abstract: A fitting has a first end conventional connector and a second end non-conventional connector of a given configuration that is matable only to a counterpart non-conventional connector having a configuration complementary to the given configuration. The body of the fitting has two extending wings that merge with a partition that separates the conventional connector from the body. A label may be mounted about the neck extension of the male connector to convey information to the user. The portion along the fitting between the label and the partition provides a location whereat the user can position his fingers to grasp the fitting. The partition prevents the fingers of the user from coming into contact with and contaminating the conventional connector, while the label, in addition to conveying information to the user, also acts a barrier to prevent contamination of the non-conventional connector by the fingers of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors.

Abstract: A needle assembly has a needle hub that has a body to which are formed two plates at opposite sides thereof in a parallel relationship. The plates have respective upper edges and lower edges that lie substantially along respective planes, so that the needle hub may be stably placed onto a surface by means of the respective edges. A partition is formed orthogonally proximate to the front ends of the parallel plates. The partition and the parallel plates together provide upper and lower three point stable supports for the needle hub. A notch at the partition provides a guided line of sight to the tip of the needle for the user. The connector at the proximal portion of the needle hub has a non-conventional configuration that allows it to mate only with a counterpart special connector of a fluid conveying device that has a complementary non-conventional configuration.

Abstract: A needle assembly has a needle hub that has a body to which are formed two plates at opposite sides thereof in a parallel relationship. The plates have respective upper edges and lower edges that lie substantially along respective planes, so that the needle hub may be stably placed onto a surface by means of the respective edges. A partition is formed orthogonally proximate to the front ends of the parallel plates. The partition and the parallel plates together provide upper and lower three point stable supports for the needle hub. A notch at the partition provides a guided line of sight to the tip of the needle for the user. The connector at the proximal portion of the needle hub has a non-conventional configuration that allows it to mate only with a counterpart special connector of a fluid conveying device that has a complementary non-conventional configuration.

Abstract: A needle assembly has a needle hub that has a body to which are formed two plates at opposite sides thereof in a parallel relationship. The plates have respective upper edges and lower edges that lie substantially along respective planes, so that the needle hub may be stably placed onto a surface by means of the respective edges. The plates also prevent the rolling of the needle between the fingers of the clinician when the clinician holds the needle assembly by means of the plates. A partition is formed orthogonally proximate to the front ends of the parallel plates. The connector at the proximal portion of the needle hub is configured to have a non-conventional configuration that allows it to mate only with a counterpart connector that has a complementary non-conventional configuration.

Abstract: A clam shell shaped adapter for connecting a fluid output device and a fluid input device to establish a fluid path between the fluid output and input devices has first and second shells integrally connected by a living hinge. The first shell has a connector fitting end and a catheter end connected by a tubing. The fluid output device may be a catheter that is matable to the catheter end. A retainer structure in the adapter fixedly retains the catheter when the first and second shells close upon each other. Respective latch mechanisms provided at the first and second shells lockingly couple the first and second shells to each other. The fitting end has a given configuration that prevents the fitting end from mating with a counterpart conventional luer fitting but enables the fitting end to mate with a counterpart connector fitting that has a special configuration that mirrors the given configuration.

Abstract: A drug delivery system has a fluid store that has a first tubing having an outlet fitted with a connector of a given configuration that prevents the connector from being coupled to a conventional counterpart connector. The system further has a tube retaining device that has a catheter extending out of one of its ends and an inlet connector at its other end that has a configuration complementary to the configuration of the outlet connector of the first tubing, so that the first tubing may be matingly connected to the tube retaining device to establish a through fluid path from the first tubing to the catheter. A one-way valve may be provided to the tubing to prevent fluid from flowing backwards into the tubing. The tubing can be selectively occluded and opened to regulate the flow of fluid from the tubing to the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter has a main portion made from an elongated tube and a soft tip that has softer flexural properties than the tube. The tip is affixed to the distal end of the tube. A reinforcement member is intermittently embedded in the body of the tube to provide kink and shear stress resistance as well as enhanced columnar strength and torque-ability to the catheter. With the flexible soft tip, the catheter is diverted when it meets an obstacle inside the patient to prevent the catheter from harming the patient. Another exemplar soft tip catheter is a one-piece elongated catheter with its distal portion selectively notched. A reinforcement member may be embedded along the length of the one-piece catheter or only along the main body portion. The notch at the distal portion may be a spiral cut or a number of ring cuts, with possibly different pitch, width and cut depth.

Abstract: A clam shell shaped adapter for retaining a catheter to establish a fluid path between the catheter and a fluid device or line has first and second shells integrally connected by a living hinge. The first shell has a luer end and a catheter end. A flexible tubing at an inner surface of the first shell connects the luer end to the catheter end. The catheter is inserted through the catheter end to extend along the flexible tubing. A retainer structure is provided at an inner surface of the second shell so that when the first and second shells close upon each other, the retainer structure presses against the flexible tubing to fixedly retain the catheter in a fluidly sealing manner. Respective latch mechanisms provided at the shells lockingly couple the first and second shells to each other.

Abstract: A female connector for medical infusion systems has a main body that has two curved wings that extend from the outer circumferential surface of the body. The respective front ends of the wings are joined integrally to a substantially circumferential partition that also extends circumferentially from the outer circumferential surface of the fitting. The connector of the fitting has a non-conventional configuration with at least two protuberances offset at an angle. The non-conventional configuration of the connector allows the fitting to only mate with a counterpart connector that has a complementary non-conventional configuration.

Abstract: A connector has a first member with a distal portion non-removably coupled to a proximal portion of a second member. Respective through passages at the first and second members are in alignment to establish a through channel longitudinally along the connector. A seal in the connector prevents fluid leakage from the connector. A conventional fitting may be provided at one of the ends and a non-conventional fitting may be provided at the other end of the connector so that the connector may connect a device with a conventional fitting to a device with a non-conventional fitting. Once connected to the connector, the device with the conventional fitting is not removable from the connector. The first and second members are rotatable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the connector to enable rotational alignment of devices connected to the connector.

Abstract: A needle assembly has a needle hub that has a body to which are formed two plates at opposite sides thereof in a parallel relationship. The plates have respective upper edges and lower edges that lie substantially along respective planes, so that the needle hub may be stably placed onto a surface by means of the respective edges. A partition is formed orthogonally proximate to the front ends of the parallel plates. The partition and the parallel plates together provide upper and lower three point stable supports for the needle hub. A notch at the partition provides a guided line of sight to the tip of the needle for the user. The connector at the proximal portion of the needle hub has a non-conventional configuration that allows it to mate only with a counterpart special connector of a fluid conveying device that has a complementary non-conventional configuration.

Abstract: A fitting has a first end conventional connector and a second end non-conventional connector of a given configuration that is matable only to a counterpart non-conventional connector having a configuration complementary to the given configuration. The body of the fitting has two extending wings that merge with a partition that separates the conventional connector from the body. A label may be mounted about the neck extension of the male connector to convey information to the user. The portion along the fitting between the label and the partition provides a location whereat the user can position his fingers to grasp the fitting. The partition prevents the fingers of the user from coming into contact with and contaminating the conventional connector, while the label, in addition to conveying information to the user, also acts a barrier to prevent contamination of the non-conventional connector by the fingers of the user.

Abstract: A needle assembly has a needle hub that has a body to which are formed two plates at opposite sides thereof in a parallel relationship. The plates have respective upper edges and lower edges that lie substantially along respective planes, so that the needle hub may be stably placed onto a surface by means of the respective edges. The plates also prevent the rolling of the needle between the fingers of the clinician when the clinician holds the needle assembly by means of the plates. A partition is formed orthogonally proximate to the front ends of the parallel plates. The connector at the proximal portion of the needle hub is configured to have a non-conventional configuration that allows it to mate only with a counterpart connector that has a complementary non-conventional configuration.

Abstract: A female connector for medical infusion systems has a main body that has two curved wings that extend from the outer circumferential surface of the body. The respective front ends of the wings are joined integrally to a substantially circumferential partition that also extends circumferentially from the outer circumferential surface of the fitting. The connector of the fitting has a non-conventional configuration with at least two protuberances offset at an angle. The non-conventional configuration of the connector allows the fitting to only mate with a counterpart connector that has a complementary non-conventional configuration.

Abstract: A drug delivery system has a fluid store that has a first tubing having an outlet fitted with a connector of a given configuration that prevents the connector from being coupled to a conventional counterpart connector. The system further has a tube retaining device that has a catheter extending out of one of its ends and an inlet connector at its other end that has a configuration complementary to the configuration of the outlet connector of the first tubing, so that the first tubing may be matingly connected to the tube retaining device to establish a through fluid path from the first tubing to the catheter. A one-way valve may be provided to the tubing to prevent fluid from flowing backwards into the tubing. The tubing can be selectively occluded and opened to regulate the flow of fluid from the tubing to the catheter.