Abstract: The invention is a catheter (20) with a lumen (24) wherein the lumen is obstructed by a portion of the catheter (50). The catheter (20) includes a position detector (22) at the tip of the catheter (20).

Abstract: A package for a microelectronic element is made by making a microelectronic component, including embossing a metal sheet to form thin and thick regions, then etching or otherwise removing metal from the sheet in a nonselective removal process and arresting the removal process when the thin regions are removed but before the thick regions are removed. A base material may be applied to the metal sheet to form a dielectric layer for the component. The component is assembled with a microelectronic element to form the package.

Abstract: A polymeric tube for a medical catheter is provided with elongated metal stripes extending lengthwise along the tube by illuminating the exterior surface of the tube patternwise and treating metal responsive to the illumination. The tube may be covered with a photoresist and moved axially past a plurality of light beams while rotating the tube about its axis so as to form a helical pattern. After development of the photoresist, the metal is deposited or removed in a pattern corresponding to the pattern formed in the photoresist, so as to leave helical metallic stripes. The metallic stripes may have varying helical pitch, varying width or both along the length of the tube, and may serve as electrical connectors and physical reinforcements for the tube wall.

Abstract: Metallic elements such as leads for connection to a semiconductor chip are made by embossing a metal sheet to form thin and thick regions, then etching or otherwise removing metal from the sheet in a nonselective removal process and arresting the removal process when the thin regions are removed but before the thick regions are removed. A base material may be applied to the metal sheet to form a dielectric layer before the removal step, so that the metallic leads left after the removal step are supported by the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly for receiving a blood sample from a patient but for preventing the blood from flowing out once it has been received. This assembly includes an evacuated receptacle, such as a blood collecting tube, for the reception and retention of a sample of blood. An opening is included in the receptacle into which a penetrable stopper is sealably positioned to maintain the evacuated condition inside the receptacle. Located inside the evacuated receptacle is a unidirectional flow valve through which blood entering the receptacle must pass. When the stopper is penetrated by a sharp cannular instrument carrying blood the pressure on the side of the valve facing the stopper is greater than the pressure in the evacuated receptacle, thereby causing the valve to open so that blood flowing from the instrument flows through the valve and into the receptacle.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe assembly comprises a barrel with an axial bore, a hollow tip integral with the barrel having an internal surface defining a passageway communicating with the axial bore and also having a tapered external surface adapted to mate with the female tapered surface of a conventional needle hub, a needle hub having a bore therethrough removably positioned in and occupying substantially the entire volume of the passageway and a hollow needle secured within the bore of the hub in fluid communication with the axial bore of the barrel. The syringe assembly may be used with the unique hub positioned within the passageway to provide a substantially air-free syringe or the hub and needle may be removed from the tip to permit a conventional needle hub to be placed thereon.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter assembly for use in the administration of fluids to a patient includes a compressible, flexible hub having a bore therethrough. One end of the bore is adapted to receive a hollow tube such as an intravenous catheter so that fluid is flowable through the bore and the tube. A pair of generally oppositely extending wing sections is connected to the hub, at least one of the wings being hingedly connected to the hub to allow that wing to fold over the hub. On the hingedly connected wing is a pinching protuberance for contact with the hub when the wing is folded thereover whereby, in use, the folded wing urges the protuberance against the flexible hub causing it to collapse and occlude the bore and thereby restrict fluid from passing therethrough.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter assembly for use in the administration of fluids to a patient includes a compressible, flexible hub having a bore therethrough. One end of the bore is adapted to receive a hollow tube such as an intravenous catheter so that fluid is flowable through the bore and the tube. A pair of generally oppositely extending wing sections is connected to the hub, at least one of the wings being hingedly connected to the hub to allow that wing to fold over the hub. On the hingedly connected wing is a pinching protuberance for contact with the hub when the wing is folded thereover whereby, in use, the folded wing urges the protuberance against the flexible hub causing it to collapse and occlude the bore and thereby restrict fluid from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A self-packaged medical device has a hollow body and an operative element inside for controlling the dispensing of fluids from the device. A handle, partly inside and partly outside of the body is connected to the operative element and is provided with a frangible seal at the point where the handle passes through a hole in the wall of the body. This seal allows maintenance of cleanliness of the interior of the body during storage, but does not interfere with the use of the handle to operate the element within the body once the seal is broken. The seal is formed by a continuous, frangible film adhering to the body and the handle, and is broken by motion of the handle, whereupon the device is ready for use. A hydrodermic syringe is desirably self-packaged in this fashion.A method of making a self-packaged hypodermic syringe includes assembling a piston, with a piston rod connected to it, into a bore of a tubular barrel so that the rod extends out of the barrel.