Abstract: A tearaway sheath assembly (100) having a splittable sheath tube (102) a splittable hub (110), a splittable valve (150) and a split cap (180). The valve (150) is of the elongated duckbill type and having a slit (158) almost completely across the distal end wall (154) such that two diverging sides (156) of the distal valve portion may be moved apart during insertion therethrough of a dilator or a catheter. A two-part cap (180) is affixed to the hub proximal end (120) and traps a seating flange (168) of the valve between itself and a seating groove (136) of the hub. Pairs of opposed gaps (184,122) of the cap (180) and the hub (110) are aligned with frangible sections or seams (108) of the sheath tube (102) and frangible sections (172) and slits (166) of the valve, facilitating splitting of the assembly (100) when desired by the practitioner to peel it away from the inserted catheter.

Abstract: A tearaway sheath assembly (100) having a splittable sheath tube (102) a splittable hub (110), a splittable valve (150) and a split cap (180). The valve (150) is of the elongated duckbill type and having a slit (158) almost completely across the distal end wall (154) such that two diverging sides (156) of the distal valve portion may be moved apart during insertion therethrough of a dilator or a catheter. A two-part cap (180) is affixed to the hub proximal end (120) and traps a seating flange (168) of the valve between itself and a seating groove (136) of the hub. Pairs of opposed gaps (184,122) of the cap (180) and the hub (110) are aligned with frangible sections or seams (108) of the sheath tube (102) and frangible sections (172) and slits (166) of the valve, facilitating splitting of the assembly (100) when desired by the practitioner to peel it away from the inserted catheter.

Abstract: A tearaway sheath assembly (100) having a splittable sheath tube (102) a splittable hub (110), a splittable valve (150) and a split cap (180). The valve (150) is of the elongated duckbill type and having a slit (158) almost completely across the distal end wall (154) such that two diverging sides (156) of the distal valve portion may be moved apart during insertion therethrough of a dilator or a catheter. A two-part cap (180) is affixed to the hub proximal end (120) and traps a seating flange (168) of the valve between itself and a seating groove (136) of the hub. Pairs of opposed gaps (184,122) of the cap (180) and the hub (110) are aligned with frangible sections or seams (108) of the sheath tube (102) and frangible sections (172) and slits (166) of the valve, facilitating splitting of the assembly (100) when desired by the practitioner to peel it away from the inserted catheter.

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 method for dynamic repartitioning 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: 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 clamp assembly (10,110) for flexible tubing (100), having a housing (12,112) and a clamp (14,114) slidable within the housing between first and second positions, to occlude the tubing when the clamp is in the second position. Both the clamp and the housing include tubing-engaging ribs (30,60;130,160) to compress the tubing when the clamp is moved from its first or open position to its second or occluding position, with the tubing-engaging ribs being axially offset to force the tubing (100) into a tortuous path causing occlusion thereof. A pair of latch arms (62) extend forwardly from the clamp to follow respective channels (32) formed into housing side walls (20,22), with latch arm free ends (64) extending beyond the end of the housing to become latchingly engaged therewith when the clamp is moved into its occluding position, and also to be exposed to be manually engaged for delatching when desired.

Abstract: A catheter hub (100) including a first port (104) and a second port (108) fluidly communicating with the first port through a first conduit (106). The first conduit (106) turns at an angle of greater than approximately 135 degrees between the first port (104) and the second port (108). The hub (100) also includes a third port (120) fluidly communicating with the second port (108) through a second conduit (122) that similarly turns at an angle of greater than approximately 135 degrees between the third port (120) and the second port (108). Further, the hub (100) includes a fourth port (130) fluidly communicating with the second port (108) and is generally co-axial therewith. A catheter assembly (150) that utilizes the catheter hub (100) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A luer cleaner assembly (100) for cleaning luer fittings (190) secured to proximal ends of medical tubing. The luer cleaner (100) includes a luer-receiving cavity (124) within which are contained scrubbers (110) that scrub exposed outer surfaces of a luer fitting inserted thereinto through an open distal end (106) of the luer cleaner housing (102). The luer cleaner includes at a proximal end a fluid reservoir (160) containing a cleaning fluid (162) such as isopropyl alcohol. The assembly further includes a reservoir-penetrating array of sharp pointed projections (132), such that during luer cleaning the reservoir (160) is pressed distally toward the luer fitting in the cavity for the array of projections to penetrate a distal cover (166) of the reservoir to access the cleaning fluid (162) which then flows distally through passageways (134,126) into the luer-receiving cavity and onto the scrubbers (110) and the outer surfaces of the luer fitting (190).

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 tearaway introducer sheath assembly (100,200) having an integrated valve (300). The valve is seated within a valve housing (222) defined by the hub portion (200) of the sheath (200). The valve (300) includes a pair of distally extending opposed side walls or flaps (324) extending to converge at a distal tip (328) having a virtual opening (334) therethrough. The valve further includes a pair of tensioners (340) along outer surfaces of the opposed side walls (324) that extend radially outwardly to engage and bear against the interior valve housing surface (230) to press the opposed side walls (324) together at the distal tip (328) for sealing, both when a dilator extends through the valve and sheath and afterward upon removal of the dilator.

Abstract: A luer cleaner assembly (100) for cleaning luer fittings (190) secured to proximal ends of medical tubing. The luer cleaner (100) includes a luer-receiving cavity (124) within which are contained scrubbers (110) that scrub exposed outer surfaces of a luer fitting inserted thereinto through an open distal end (106) of the luer cleaner housing (102). The luer cleaner includes at a proximal end a fluid reservoir (160) containing a cleaning fluid (162) such as isopropyl alcohol. The assembly further includes a reservoir-penetrating array of sharp pointed projections (132), such that during luer cleaning the reservoir (160) is pressed distally toward the luer fitting in the cavity for the array of projections to penetrate a distal cover (166) of the reservoir to access the cleaning fluid (162) which then flows distally through passageways (134,126) into the luer-receiving cavity and onto the scrubbers (110) and the outer surfaces of the luer fitting (190).

Abstract: A tunneler/casing assembly (100,200,300) having a tunneler (110,210,310) and an elongated casing (102,202,302) for containing a catheter (12) during subcutaneous tunneling of the catheter. The tunneler is removable from the casing to expose the catheter leading end after tunneling to be pulled directly through the tunnel, or includes a catheter exit side opening (324) to expose the catheter leading end for that purpose. A blunt leading end (112,212,312) of the tunneler has an atraumatic shape for creating the subcutaneous tunnel (26).

Abstract: A tearaway sheath assembly (100) having a splittable sheath tube (102) a splittable hub (110), a splittable valve (150) and a split cap (180). The valve (150) is of the elongated duckbill type and having a slit (158) almost completely across the distal end wall (154) such that two diverging sides (156) of the distal valve portion may be moved apart during insertion therethrough of a dilator or a catheter. A two-part cap (180) is affixed to the hub proximal end (120) and traps a seating flange (168) of the valve between itself and a seating groove (136) of the hub. Pairs of opposed gaps (184,122) of the cap (180) and the hub (110) are aligned with frangible sections or seams (108) of the sheath tube (102) and frangible sections (172) and slits (166) of the valve, facilitating splitting of the assembly (100) when desired by the practitioner to peel it away from the inserted catheter.

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 the vasculature of a patient, and a closed condition preventing fluid communication with the vasculature. 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 the proximal end portion (128) of the inner catheter (14) as it protrudes proximally from the hub (16), where it is accessible to the practitioner.