Abstract: A needle safety and protection device that automatically caps the used tip of a needle the instant the needle is withdrawn from the patient to protect the user against infection risks. A spiral type cut safety shield remains relaxed until the device comes in contact with the patient's skin. The safety shield attaches to the patent's skin through an adhesive component creating a tensile force once the needle is withdrawn, extending the safety disk out of its relaxed position. Under tension, the safety disk creates a cone around the needle, forming a protective shield for the needle, without any assistance by the user. The tip of the needle then engages a portion of the shield, which prevents the tip from being re-inserted into the skin of the patient or the user of the needle.

Abstract: An implantable infusion port which comprises a fluid reservoir with inlet means and outlet means, the reservoir preferably having a toroid-like shape and outlet means directed along a tangent to the reservoir, assures more effective reservoir cleansing when the port is flushed with aqueous saline between uses.

Abstract: A catheter retainer which includes a flexible flattened pad, a tunnel sized to pass the catheter extending transversely through the pad and a slit on the back face of the pad, following the tunnel, for insertion of the catheter, together with a method for using the catheter retainer.

Abstract: The invention provides a tissue perfusion catheter which includes a tightly wound coil spring having an exterior, fluid impervious sleeve extending from a proximal end up to a distal portion of the spring which terminates at a sealed distal tip. Connection of the proximal end of the catheter to a source permits perfusion of diseased tissue with a therapeutic fluid which oozes at a low rate from the unsealed distal portion, while avoiding tissue ingrowth tending to plug the catheter. Various combinations which include the catheter are also provided as are methods for its use.

Abstract: An improvement in the luer taper connectors used to join two fluid conduits, especially in medical applications. Construction of one, the other, or both luer taper members from a soft, resilient, elastomeric material makes it unnecessary to provide a separate threaded luer lock connection, thereby minimizing fluid leaks, thread stripping, cross-threading, infections and thrombus formation associated with rigid and semi-rigid luer taper connectors.

Abstract: A matrix septum material, especially useful in medical applications such as implantable drug delivery devices, is provided by retaining a penetrable, resilient, elastomer under compression between webs having peripheries which frame perforations to form individual, self-sealing cells in the matrix.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery depot has penetrable inlet means which define a first plane and anchor means which define a second plane. According to the invention, the first and second planes are substantially perpendicular. When the depot is implanted with the anchor means parallel to the skin surface, the inlet means is oriented so that a hypodermic needle penetrating the inlet means is nearly parallel to the skin surface, reducing the danger of dislodgement of the needle from the inlet.

Abstract: A body-implantable catheter which can be employed for peritoneal dialysis and the like includes a flexible, elongated, perforated tube, together with means for urging at least a portion of the tube into a tightly wound cylindrical helix configuration.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement in an anchor for a transcutaneous conduit, such as a hypodermic needle, used in conjunction with a subcutaneous reservoir having a conduit-penetrable septum. The anchor includes a resilient protective boot having a plurality of concentric annular rings stacked using the conduit as an axis, beginning with a base ring carrying adhesive for attachment to the skin of a living body and ending with a terminal ring to be attached to the conduit, and includes means, when the terminal ring is attached to the conduit, to urge the protective boot into a compressed state along the axis and the conduit into the body. The improvement provides means for inserting a stylet into the anchor and through the conduit to prevent coring the septum when the conduit is inserted into the reservoir.

Abstract: A delivery system for therapeutic fluids including an implantable fluid receptacle and means to anchor a transcutaneous fluid delivery conduit on the surface of the body, together with a method of using the system for the long-term administration of fluids to selected sites in the body.

Abstract: An epicardial lead with an insertion assembly for attaching same into good stimulating contact with the heart wall, the lead having movable fixation means for fixing the distal electrode head to the heart wall in combination with a stimulating probe electrode for delivering stimulus signals to the heart. The fixation element is preferably of a corkscrew configuration, oriented normal to the lead axis, and is normally contained within an enclosed electrode chamber. The insertion assembly provides means for releasably holding the electrode head while screwing the fixation member into the epicardial wall. Since the fixation member is free to move with respect to the electrode head, the lead can remain free to be hooked to an external pacer during the fixation step.