Abstract: Methods and systems to facilitate scheduling on-demand medical appointments with medical professionals are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented system can include a scheduling server configured to communicate with a plurality of patient devices and a plurality of physician devices. The scheduling server program can include a first module for receiving requests from said patient devices for information regarding at least one available physician having at least one available appointment time slot, a second module for receiving available patient appointment time slots from said plurality of physician devices, a third module for searching in response to a request from at least one of said patient devices to identify one or more available appointment time slots, and a fourth module for receiving information regarding said available time slots and for transmitting said information to said at least one requesting patient device.

Abstract: Surface metallized polymeric implants, such as cannula, needles, catheters, connectors and the like, a dry coating method therefor and apparatus to accomplish the same are disclosed. The metallization of the implants is intended to improve their biocompatibility and to reduce infusion-associated phlebitis and infection. The method essentially includes the dry coating of the outside surfaces of the polymeric implants with a metallic thin film. The apparatus to effect the dry coating method essentially includes a vacuum chamber, an evaporator and an ion source mounted in operative association within the chamber, and means for rotatably mounting a plurality of polymeric implants for exposure to the evaporator and the ion source.

Abstract: An intraveneous catheter placement system is provided which includes an insertion tool/guard assembly and a flexible catheter having an attachment fitting at one of its ends. The insertion device includes a needle and a needle holder. The guard includes an elongate sleeve telescoped over the needle shaft, the sleeve having a blunt distal end and a fitting attached to its proximal end. When assembled, the needle holder, the fitting of the guard and the attachment fitting of the catheter interrelate with one another in mutually telescoping relation such that the needle cannot be removed from the lumen of the catheter prior to the locked deployment of the distal end of the guard sleeve distally of the pointed tip of the needle.