Abstract: A method of coupling a catheter tunneler adapter to a catheter is provided. The method includes providing a catheter having a lumen divider at a proximal end thereof; forming a receiving notch in the lumen divider by removing a center portion thereof such that two divider side portions remain; providing a catheter tunneler adapter having a distal end including a radially inward step which defines a contact surface configured to be received in the proximal end of the catheter; positioning the distal end of the catheter tunneler adapter within the catheter until the radially inward step engages the receiving notch; and securing the catheter tunneler adapter to the catheter.

Abstract: A system for locating the tip of a catheter inside a human body is provided. The system includes a sound sensor for sensing the magnitude wave form generated by sound pressure as a PICC is progressed toward a heart of a patient; and monitoring means operably coupled to the sensor for measuring the magnitude of wave form generated by the sound sensor.

Abstract: A method of coupling a catheter tunneler adapter to a catheter is provided. The method includes providing a catheter having a lumen divider at a proximal end thereof; forming a receiving notch in the lumen divider by removing a center portion thereof such that two divider side portions remain; providing a catheter tunneler adapter having a distal end including a radially inward step which defines a contact surface configured to be received in the proximal end of the catheter; positioning the distal end of the catheter tunneler adapter within the catheter until the radially inward step engages the receiving notch; and securing the catheter tunneler adapter to the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter tunneling adapter including a longitudinal body having a distal end and a proximal end and a passageway extending from an entrance at the proximal end to an exit at the distal end. The passageway has a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere with the first hemisphere defining a generally unobstructed first passageway portion from the entrance to the exit. A guide ramp is positioned within the second passageway and tapers towards the first hemisphere moving from the proximal end to the distal end. The ramp defines a longitudinal notch therethrough such that a second passageway portion extends from the entrance to the exit.

Abstract: A catheter tunneling adapter including a longitudinal body having a distal end and a proximal end and a passageway extending from an entrance at the proximal end to an exit at the distal end. The passageway has a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere with the first hemisphere defining a generally unobstructed first passageway portion from the entrance to the exit. A guide ramp is positioned within the second passageway and tapers towards the first hemisphere moving from the proximal end to the distal end. The ramp defines a longitudinal notch therethrough such that a second passageway portion extends from the entrance to the exit.

Abstract: An introducer needle assembly including a compressible section between the rigid needle and the hub. Once the vessel is entered as determined by blood entering the syringe, the compressible section of the introducer needle is occluded by compressing the section with the thumb and a finger. Neither blood for air can pass. Since the compressible section is in a flattened area it is easier to hold the needle while the syringe is unscrewed. The operator then can begin threading a guidewire down the device which is now easier to enter because blood is not coming out of the hub thus obscuring the lumen.

Abstract: A catheter tunneling adapter including a longitudinal body having a distal end and a proximal end and a passageway extending from an entrance at the proximal end to an exit at the distal end. The passageway has a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere with the first hemisphere defining a generally unobstructed first passageway portion from the entrance to the exit. A guide ramp is positioned within the second passageway and tapers towards the first hemisphere moving from the proximal end to the distal end. The ramp defines a longitudinal notch therethrough such that a second passageway portion extends from the entrance to the exit.

Abstract: An implantable port assembly (10) having a lower housing (12) and an upper housing (14) and at least one chamber (20,22) and a corresponding septum (16,18) associated therewith. The upper housing (14) includes a plurality of latch arms (30) depending therefrom that latch with corresponding catches (34) of the lower housing for mechanically securing the assembly together during bonding or welding. Each septum (16,18) includes a peripheral flange (40) held in compression by and between the upper and lower housings (14,12) upon and after assembly. In a dual port assembly (10), a pair of septa (16,18) are disposed side-by-side with overlapping flanges (54), and the upper housing (14) includes posts (52) extending through apertures (54) through the overlapping flanges (56) that extend into holes (58) in the lower housing (12).

Abstract: A Huber needle assembly with safety capture device includes at least a body, a needle, and a movable arm. The movable arm is pivotable relative to the body, and includes a capture hood at a distal end thereof. The capture hood is cylindrical, includes a perimeter side wall having an outer face and an inner face, and has open proximal end. The capture hood includes a slot through the perimeter side wall, providing access into an internal chamber defined by the perimeter side wall. The slot extends longitudinally over at least a portion of the length of the capture hood, and at least a portion of the slot has a width less than the outside diameter of the needle to capture a tip of the needle therein when the movable arm pivots to a safety-capture position.

Abstract: A method for dynamic load balancing of a mesh, wherein the mesh is partitioned to find a solution using a plurality of processors, and wherein the partitions have become unbalanced. The present method allows large portions of the mesh to continue to progress towards a solution by only repartitioning a small percentage of the overall mesh. This is done by stripping cells along the partition interfaces using a marching method to form a free-cell region, repartitioning the free-cell region, and joining the repartitioned portions of the free-cell region with the remaining cells in a manner that will increase the efficiency of the solver.

Abstract: A device (10,110,210) for the expression of liquids, such as for the maintenance treatment of vascular catheters. A syringe (16;116a,116b;216) has a support structure (15,215) and includes at least two separate compartments (11,12;111,112;211,212) in which liquids for treating the lumen (L,283) of a catheter (C,280) with which the device is associated. The syringe further includes a closure plug (13,213) to be associated with the lumen being treated, which is coupled, by virtue of a releasable securement arrangement, to support structure (15,215). At least one plunger (16;116a,116b;216) is also included for infusing, in preset order, the different treatment liquids into the lumen to be treated, and the syringe further includes a duct (17,217) which is in fluid communication with the two compartments and is arranged through a through hole through the closure plug (13,213) in order to allow access of the treatment liquid to the interior of the lumen (L,283) upon activation of the plunger.

Abstract: A device (10,110,210) for the expression of liquids, such as for the maintenance treatment of vascular catheters. A syringe (16; 116a,116b; 216) has a support structure (15,215) and includes at least two separate compartments (11,12; 111,112; 211,212) in which liquids for treating the lumen (L,283) of a catheter (C,280) with which the device is associated. The syringe further includes a closure plug (13,213) to be associated with the lumen being treated, which is coupled, by virtue of a releasable securement arrangement, to support structure (15,215). At least one plunger (16; 116a,116b; 216) is also included for infusing, in preset order, the different treatment liquids into the lumen to be treated, and the syringe further includes a duct (17,217) which is in fluid communication with the two compartments and is arranged through a through hole through the closure plug (13,213) in order to allow access of the treatment liquid to the interior of the lumen (L,283) upon activation of the plunger.

Abstract: A catheter tunneling adapter including a longitudinal body having a distal end and a proximal end and a passageway extending from an entrance at the proximal end to an exit at the distal end. The passageway has a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere with the first hemisphere defining a generally unobstructed first passageway portion from the entrance to the exit. A guide ramp is positioned within the second passageway and tapers towards the first hemisphere moving from the proximal end to the distal end. The ramp defines a longitudinal notch therethrough such that a second passageway portion extends from the entrance to the exit.

Abstract: A locking component (100,200,300,400) for locking a catheter proximal end onto a stem (16,56) of a medical device. The locking component has upper and lower parts (104,102;204,202) that self-secure to each other, preferably in a first position partially open but still assembled, and a second position, locked fully together. The locking component has a compression surface (106,206) to compress the catheter lumen wall against the stem at a location axially offset from the protuberance(s) along the stem of the medical device. A method is disclosed for mechanically securing a catheter to a medical device that can involve placing the pre-assembled locking component along the catheter prior to securing the proximal catheter end to the stem of the medical device and then moving the locking component into position around the stem and then pressing it together into its second locked position, compressing the catheter lumen wall against the stem.

Abstract: A vascular guidewire introducer device (10) having a needle (52), a bulb (16), and a valve subassembly (100) through which a guidewire (14) is insertable for vascular guidewire insertion into a blood vessel (12) of a patient. The valve subassembly (100) includes a proximal fitting (102), a proximal cap (106), and a valve arrangement (104) disposed within a valve seat (118) defined by one of the fitting and the cap. The valve arrangement includes distal and proximal disc-shaped valve members (122,126) having centered slits (124,128) therethrough, and a spacer (130) disposed between the valve members. A method is disclosed for precisely centering the slits of the valve members during assembly and for retaining the valve members in their precisely centered positions in the valve seat. The valve arrangement permits use with a wide range of guidewire diameters.

Abstract: A vascular guidewire introducer device (10) having a needle (52), a bulb (16), and a valve subassembly (100) through which a guidewire (14) is insertable for vascular guidewire insertion into a blood vessel (12) of a patient. The valve subassembly (100) includes a proximal fitting (102), a proximal cap (106), and a valve arrangement (104) disposed within a valve seat (118) defined by one of the fitting and the cap. The valve arrangement includes distal and proximal disc-shaped valve members (122,126) having centered slits (124,128) therethrough, and a spacer (130) disposed between the valve members. A method is disclosed for precisely centering the slits of the valve members during assembly and for retaining the valve members in their precisely centered positions in the valve seat. The valve arrangement permits use with a wide range of guidewire diameters.

Abstract: A catheter assembly (10) having an outer catheter (12) and an inner catheter (14) extending coaxially through the outer catheter, and a hub (16). The inner catheter (14) is axially movable within and with respect to the outer catheter (14) by use of an actuator assembly (130) such that the catheter assembly has an opened condition permitting fluid communication with vasculature of a patient, and a closed condition preventing fluid communication with the vasculature of the patient. The opened condition permits the intended use of the catheter assembly such as for hemodialysis of the patient. In the closed condition, locking solution may be maintained in the catheter assembly and later removed therefrom, with essentially no locking solution leaving the catheter assembly or entering the patient. The actuator assembly (130) is secured to a proximal end portion (128) of the inner catheter (14) as it protrudes proximally from the hub (16), where it is accessible to the practitioner.