Abstract: A self-contained and hand-held power-assisted syringe is provided which is suitable for the controlled injection of fluid material during medical procedures such as coronary angiography procedures which utilize small-bore and small sized guide catheter systems. The present invention provides a greater degree of injection power on-demand than was previously possible in a portable and hand-held syringe; and it can deliver larger volumes of radiopaque contrast medium at greater pressures than was previously possible using a conventional manual syringe. The power assisted syringe, along with all components necessary for its effective use and operation, may be pre-packaged and steriled within a single container and then disposed of after use.

Abstract: A self-contained and hand-held power-assisted syringe is provided which is suitable for the controlled injection of fluid material during medical procedures such as coronary angiography procedures which utilize small-bore and small sized guide catheter systems. The present invention provides a greater degree of injection power on-demand than was previously possible in a portable and hand-held syringe; and it can deliver larger volumes of radiopaque contrast medium at greater pressures than was previously possible using a conventional manual syringe. The power assisted syringe, along with all components necessary for its effective use and operation, may be pre-packaged and steriled within a single container and then disposed of after use.

Abstract: A self-contained and hand-held power-assisted syringe is provided which is suitable for the controlled injection of fluid material during medical procedures such as coronary angiography procedures which utilize small-bore and small sized guide catheter systems. The present invention provides a greater degree of injection power on-demand than was previously possible in a portable and hand-held syringe; and it can deliver larger volumes of radiopaque contrast medium at greater pressures than was previously possible using a conventional manual syringe. The power assisted syringe, along with all components necessary for its effective use and operation, may be pre-packaged and steriled within a single container and then disposed of after use.

Abstract: A self-contained and hand-held power-assisted syringe is provided which is suitable for the controlled injection of fluid material during medical procedures such as coronary angiography procedures which utilize small-bore and small sized guide catheter systems. The present invention provides a greater degree of injection power on-demand than was previously possible in a portable and hand-held syringe; and it can deliver larger volumes of radiopaque contrast medium at greater pressures than was previously possible using a conventional manual syringe. The power assisted syringe, along with all components necessary for its effective use and operation, may be pre-packaged and steriled within a single container and then disposed of after use.

Abstract: A self-contained and hand-held power-assisted syringe is provided which is suitable for the controlled injection of fluid material during medical procedures such as coronary angiography procedures which utilize small-bore and small sized guide catheter systems. The present invention provides a greater degree of injection power on-demand than was previously possible in a portable and hand-held syringe; and it can deliver larger volumes of radiopaque contrast medium at greater pressures than was previously possible using a conventional manual syringe. The power assisted syringe, along with all components necessary for its effective use and operation, may be pre-packaged and steriled within a single container and then disposed of after use.

Abstract: A gas supply system for a beverage dispensing system includes a high pressure gas cylinder including a neck having an elongated throat and a mouth at an outer end of the throat. A plug having a body and a piercable membrane is non-removably retained within the throat. The piercable membrane is recessed within the throat a substantial distance from the mouth. The cylinder also can include a shipping cap having a top and an outer wall having a circumference. At least two gas vent openings extend radially outwardly through the outer wall, and are equally spaced around the circumference of the outer wall. The gas supply system also can include a gas control valve configured to be removably mounted to the neck, and having a membrane piercing member configured to selectively pierce the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for securing a connector conduit to a hollow organ. The method comprises forming a hole in a wall of the organ; inserting a connector conduit through the hole in the wall of the organ until a flange element comes into contact with the wall of the organ, the flange element being positioned on the connector conduit; and engaging a retention means with the wall of the organ to prevent movement of the connector conduit relative to the wall of the organ, the retention means being positioned on the connector conduit. Exemplary retaining means include a plurality of retaining pins positioned circumferentially around the connector conduit, a plurality of prongs positioned circumferentially around the connector conduit, a balloon positioned on the connector conduit, a torsion spring positioned on the connector conduit, a spiral spring positioned on the connector conduit, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming a hole in a wall of a hollow organ. The applicator includes a hole forming element for forming a hole in the wall of the organ, a positioning means for positioning the hole forming element, and a retractor element. In addition, the applicator includes a sequencing means for coordinating the relative movement of the retractor element and the hole forming element in a sequential manner to thereby carry out a procedure for forming a hole in the wall of the hollow organ. The sequencing means may further include a safety latch element operatively coupled to the retracting means and the hole forming element. The safety latch of the invention keeps prevents damage to the internal surface of the organ during the formation of the hole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for forming a side branch on a hollow vessel, such as the aorta. The side branch is preferably adapted to be connected to a connector conduit, but any other suitable use is also acceptable. The system comprises a graft including a side branch portion, and an applicator comprising a hole forming element adapted to form a hole in the wall of the vessel and an insertion element adapted to be inserted through the wall of the vessel, the insertion element comprising a retraction element adapted to enter into engagement with the graft. The hole forming element may comprise a cutting element adapted to cut a hole in the wall of the vessel, and a positioning element adapted to hold the position of the applicator relative to the vessel. The system further comprises a graft protection element adapted to prevent the graft from being damaged by the cutting element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a first conduit to the heart without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. The first conduit may then be attached to a second conduit that has a prosthetic device interposed. The second conduit may be connected to the aorta prior to the first conduit being attached to the heart. The prosthetic device may be a prosthetic valve or a pump, for example. The apparatus of the present invention includes an implantable connector with first conduit component, a retractor expansion component, a coring component, and a pushing component. The retractor expansion component is slide-ably coupled to the coring component. The retractor expansion component serves to seat against and separate the inside apical wall of the left ventricle so that the coring component may cut cleanly through the myocardium to form a tissue plug without leaving any hanging attachments to the inside walls.

Abstract: A system, method and device for the symptomatic relief for soft corns by injecting a medical grade molding substance between the toes between which a corn is located, forming a molded-in-place, custom-shaped high definition mold, unique to the individual's physical conformation and which reduces friction and eliminates pressure points on the corn.

Abstract: A self-contained and hand-held power-assisted syringe is provided which is suitable for the controlled injection of fluid material during medical procedures such as coronary angiography procedures which utilize small-bore and small sized guide catheter systems. The present invention provides a greater degree of injection power on-demand than was previously possible in a portable and hand-held syringe; and it can deliver larger volumes of radiopaque contrast medium at greater pressures than was previously possible using a conventional manual syringe. The power assisted syringe, along with all components necessary for its effective use and operation, may be pre-packaged and steriled within a single container and then disposed of after use.

Abstract: A system, method and device for the symptomatic relief for soft corns by injecting a medical grade molding substance between the toes between which a corn is located, forming a molded-in-place, custom-shaped high definition mold, unique to the individual's physical conformation and which reduces friction and eliminates pressure points on the corn.

Abstract: A system for providing a cold environment which has a number of cooling stages with variable displacement volumes into which input fluid from a compressor flows in an input channel to and from the displacement volumes and output fluid flows in an output channel to the compressor. Volume changers vary the volumes of the displacement volumes and input fluid flowing to a first set of displacement volumes is pre-cooled by regenerative heat exchange and counterflow heat exchange and input fluid flowing to the final displacement volume is pre-cooled primarily by counterflow heat exchange. The volume changer at at least one of the stages is thermally decoupled from the input and output channels.

Abstract: A technique for producing a cold environment in a refrigerant system in which input fluid from a compressor at a first temperature is introduced into an input channel of the system and is pre-cooled to a second temperature for supply to one of at least two stages of the system, and to a third temperature for supply to another stage thereof. The temperatures at such stages are reduced to fourth and fifth temperatures below the second and third temperatures, respectively. Fluid at the fourth temperature from the one stage is returned through the input channel to the compressor and fluid at the fifth temperature from the other stage is returned to the compressor through an output channel so that pre-cooling of the input fluid to the one stage occurs by regenerative cooling and counterflow cooling and pre-cooling of the input fluid to the other stage occurs primarily by counterflow cooling.

Abstract: A technique for producing a cold environment wherein warm fluid, e.g. at room temperature, from a compressor, is introduced under pressure into an input channel which is directly coupled to a displacement volume, the fluid being precooled in the input channel to a temperature lower than that of the input fluid. Fluid in the inner channel at or near the displacement volume is periodically pressurized to a high pressure. The displacement volume is then expanded so that the high pressure fluid flowing into the expanded volume is decreased from such high pressure to a substantially lower pressure, the temperature thereof being reduced to a substantially lower temperature for producing the cold environment. The low pressure, low temperature fluid flows into an output channel, preferably via a suitable valve and surge volume, for flow in the output channel at a substantially constant pressure.