Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes of making flowable hemostatic compositions and devices that include the flowable hemostatic composition disposed therein, where a volume of a biocompatible liquid, a volume of a biocompatible gas, and an amount of solid particles of a biocompatible polymer are mixed together to form a substantially homogenous composition including a discontinuous gas phase and the solid particles substantially homogenously dispersed throughout a continuous liquid phase to form a flowable hemostatic composition, and the composition then transferred into a device suitable for applying the flowable hemostatic composition to a site of a body requiring hemostasis under conditions effective to maintain the substantially homogeneous dispersion of the gas phase and the solid particles throughout the liquid phase, wherein said transfer of said substantially homogenous hemostatic composition is conducted at an angle.

Abstract: An instrument for controlling bleeding includes an outer shaft, an intermediate shaft telescopically received within a central lumen of the outer shaft, and an inner shaft telescopically received within a central lumen of the intermediate shaft, the inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end that extends distally from the intermediate shaft. The instrument includes a hemostat disposed at the distal end of the inner shaft, and a fluid-resistant element connected to the distal end of the outer shaft and surrounding the hemostat. The fluid-resistant element has a breakable, fluid-resistant seal at a distal end thereof that protects the hemostat from fluids until the hemostat is delivered and deployed onto tissue. In one embodiment, the instrument includes an inflatable balloon to deploy and tamponade the hemostat.

Abstract: An instrument for deploying hemostats has an intermediate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen, and an inner shaft telescopically received within the central lumen of the intermediate shaft. The instrument includes an inflatable balloon, a first actuator for inflating the balloon, and a second actuator for moving the distal ends of the intermediate and inner shafts relative to one another for changing the shape of the inflated balloon. A proximal end of the balloon is secured to the distal end of the intermediate shaft and the distal end of the balloon is secured to the distal end of the inner shaft. The intermediate and inner shafts are moveable so that the inflated balloon has a toroidal shape and a flattened distal face. The inflated balloon has a major axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: An instrument used for the delivery, deployment, and tamponade of a hemostat such as a topically applied hemostat includes an intermediate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending to the distal end, and an inner shaft telescopically received within the central lumen of the intermediate shaft, the inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end that extends distally from the intermediate shaft. The instrument includes an inflatable balloon having a proximal end secured to the intermediate shaft and a distal end secured to the inner shaft, a first actuator for inflating the balloon, and a second actuator for moving the distal ends of the intermediate and inner shafts relative to one another between a first position and a second position for changing the shape of the balloon when the balloon is inflated. The proximal end of the balloon is secured to the distal end of the intermediate shaft and the distal end of the balloon is secured to the distal end of the inner shaft.

Abstract: An instrument for controlling bleeding includes an outer shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending to the distal end thereof, an intermediate shaft telescopically received within the central lumen of the outer shaft, the intermediate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending to the distal end thereof, and an inner shaft telescopically received within the central lumen of the intermediate shaft, the inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end that extends distally from the intermediate shaft. The instrument includes a hemostat disposed at the distal end of the inner shaft, and a fluid-resistant element connected to the distal end of the outer shaft and surrounding the hemostat. The fluid-resistant element has a breakable, fluid-resistant seal at a distal end thereof that protects the hemostat from fluids until the hemostat is delivered and deployed onto tissue.

Abstract: A dispenser for applying a treatment solution to selected strands of hair includes a reservoir and a dispensing nozzle. The nozzle is an elongate, preferably conical member, having one or more slots extending from and dividing the tip into tines. The side walls of the slot converge inwardly from one side of the nozzle, a through bore extends from the base of the slot to the base of the nozzle, and at least one of the tines is shorter than the other. The reservoir may be a squeezable bottle or, in the preferred embodiment, an open top container having a handle projecting from one side with a lever arm pivotally connected to the outer end of the arm and mounting a plate-like piston slidably received in the container.