Abstract: Brachytherapy treatment apparatus are provided that include an elongate body including a core member and an outer member surrounding and movable relative to the core member. One or more helical catheters are provided on a distal portion of the elongate body, e.g., including distal ends coupled to the core member and proximal ends coupled to the outer member. The outer member is movable relative to the core member, e.g., axially and/or rotationally, to direct the helical catheters between a collapsed configuration for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, e.g., a lumpectomy cavity, and an expanded configuration. Each helical catheter includes a lumen, and, after expansion to the expanded configuration, a source of radiation may be introduced along the helical catheters and/or a lumen of the core member for delivering radiation to the target location. Optionally, the apparatus may include a balloon surrounding or within the helical members.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus related to a releasable mechanism having a first connector having a first end and a second end, a second connector having a top and a bottom, a first notch positioned near the first connector second end to releasably mate with the second connector bottom, and a second notch located near the second connector bottom to releasably receive the first connector second end.

Abstract: Brachytherapy treatment apparatus are provided that include an elongate body including a core member and an outer member surrounding and movable relative to the core member. One or more helical catheters are provided on a distal portion of the elongate body, e.g., including distal ends coupled to the core member and proximal ends coupled to the outer member. The outer member is movable relative to the core member, e.g., axially and/or rotationally, to direct the helical catheters between a collapsed configuration for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, e.g., a lumpectomy cavity, and an expanded configuration. Each helical catheter includes a lumen, and, after expansion to the expanded configuration, a source of radiation may be introduced along the helical catheters and/or a lumen of the core member for delivering radiation to the target location. Optionally, the apparatus may include a balloon surrounding or within the helical members.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus to locate a blood vessel puncture having a bleed back entrance port near a first end, a bleed back exit port near a second end; and a lumen extending between the bleed back entrance port and the bleed back exit port, wherein said bleed back entrance port has a diameter substantially equal to or greater than the lumen diameter. The present invention further provides for a method for locating a blood vessel puncture by inserting a locator into a blood vessel lumen, the locator having a bleed back entrance port at a first end, a bleed back exit port at a second end, and a finger adjacent the bleed back entrance port, observing a blood flow out of the bleed back exit port, and withdrawing the locator out of the blood vessel lumen until the finger contacts the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A cutting device is described having a base with an opening with cutting edges, and a flap articulated with respect to the base, the flap having a shape corresponding to the opening and cutting edges corresponding to the cutting edges of the opening. The cutting device is preferably provided as part of a kit for preparing and delivering hemostatic material to a patient.

Abstract: A system for delivering hemostasis promoting material of the present invention allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered to a blood vessel puncture site by fluid pressure. The system allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered through an introducer sheath which is already in place within a tissue tract. This system includes a controlled tip which is insertable through the introducer sheath to locate and occlude the blood vessel puncture site and a hydration chamber for receiving and delivering the hemostasis promoting material to the blood vessel puncture site. The system accurately locates the blood vessel wall at a puncture site and for properly placing a hemostasis plug over the puncture site.

Abstract: A system for delivering hemostasis promoting material of the present invention allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered to a blood vessel puncture site by fluid pressure. The system allows the hemostasis promoting material to be delivered through an introducer sheath which is already in place within a tissue tract. This system includes a controlled tip which is insertable through the introducer sheath to locate and occlude the blood vessel puncture site and a hydration chamber for receiving and delivering the hemostasis promoting material to the blood vessel puncture site. The system accurately locates the blood vessel wall at a puncture site and for properly placing a hemostasis plug over the puncture site.

Abstract: A system for facilitating hemostasis of a puncture site in a blood vessel delivers an absorbable sponge pledget in a hydrated state to a position at an exterior of the blood vessel puncture to facilitate hemostasis. The system includes a staging chamber, a delivery cannula, and a pusher. The staging chamber is used for hydrating a pledget of absorbable sponge, compressing the pledget, and delivering the pledget to the delivery cannula. The staging chamber may include a valve for facilitating hydration and staging of the pledget. The delivery cannula and pusher are used to accurately place the sponge pledget outside the blood vessel. An easy loader connector may be used to facilitate loading the dry pledget into the staging chamber.

Abstract: A system for facilitating hemostasis of a puncture site in a blood vessel delivers an absorbable sponge pledget in a hydrated state to a position at an exterior of the blood vessel puncture to facilitate hemostasis. The system includes a staging chamber, a delivery cannula, and a pusher. The staging chamber is used for hydrating a pledget of absorbable sponge, compressing the pledget, and delivering the pledget to the delivery cannula. The staging chamber may include a valve for facilitating hydration and staging of the pledget. The delivery cannula and pusher are used to accurately place the sponge pledget outside the blood vessel. An easy loader connector may be used to facilitate loading the dry pledget into the staging chamber.

Abstract: A system for facilitating hemostasis of a puncture site in a blood vessel delivers an absorbable sponge pledget in a hydrated state to a position at an exterior of the blood vessel puncture to facilitate hemostasis. The system includes a staging chamber, a delivery cannula, and a pusher. The staging chamber is used for hydrating a pledget of absorbable sponge, compressing the pledget, and delivering the pledget to the delivery cannula. The staging chamber may include a valve for facilitating hydration and staging of the pledget. The delivery cannula and pusher are used to accurately place the sponge pledget outside the blood vessel. An easy loader connector may be used to facilitate loading the dry pledget into the staging chamber.

Abstract: A cutting device is described having a base with an opening with cutting edges, and a flap articulated with respect to the base, the flap having a shape corresponding to the opening and cutting edges corresponding to the cutting edges of the opening. The cutting device is preferably provided as part of a kit for preparing and delivering hemostatic material to a patient.

Abstract: A clothes hanger support for a garment bag or other similar item of luggage includes a depending bracket member pivotally supporting a lower jaw member with hanger-supporting features. A closure member and latch handle cooperates with the bracket and jaw members in a closed position to hold the latter in a hanger-retaining position. Alternatively, the closure member latch handle may be pivoted to allow the jaw member to itself pivot to an open position for insertion or removal of hangers on the support. Pivotal return of the closure member latch handle to the closed position also moves the jaw member to its hanger-retaining position by cooperation of a ramp surface and ramp-follower surface of the closure member latch handle and jaw member, respectively. Preferably, the entire hanger support may be made of four unitary components which are formed of injection molded engineering polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing and aspirating the wash solution from beads contained in receptacles. Adequate bead agitation and the washing of the entire bead surface is insured by use of a bearing surface at the interface between the bead and the apparatus.