Abstract: A Reinforced Cholangiogram Catheter including a flexible main length and a distal section. The distal section comprises an elongate flexible tube section and an enlarged head member integrally formed with the tube section and also defines a shoulder therebetween. The tube section has a substantially uniform exterior and interior diameter. The enlarged head member is integrally formed with the tube section and has a generally larger exterior diameter than the tube section. A substantially rigid elongate support tube is disposed within the distal section extending generally from the head member a predetermined distance within the tube section. The support tube is uncollapsible and is structured and dimensioned to reinforce the tube section to prevent it from being compressed along any part thereof.

Abstract: The injection molding of an elongated thin-walled tubular product such as a medical catheter is accomplished through the mounting of an elongated core pin on the interior of an elongated mold cavity wherein tension is continuously applied to the core pin for the purpose of maintaining it in a predetermined, substantially centered relation to the mold cavity and further maintaining a straight line configuration of the core pin along its length. The plastic material from which the product is formed is introduced into the mold cavity while at the same time overcoming any imbalance in the flow of the plastic melt into the mold cavity and as it travels in surrounding relation to the core pin and along its length by adjusting the position of the core pin relative to the inner surface of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A catheter introducer adapted to facilitate insertion of a catheter into a patient without requiring a large aperture be made in the patient wherethrough a separate catheter may be inserted; the catheter introducer includes an elongate narrow wire adapted to pass through the catheter and be sufficiently long so as to protrude from an open distal end of the catheter, the wire being adapted to receive an electrical current charge therethrough so as to energize a protruding tip region of the wire and facilitate direct insertion of the catheter into the patient.

Abstract: A medical syringe has a plunger bore (1 and 2) that is flexible. A hermetically-sealed glass ampule (3) containing a drug in the form of a liquid referred to generally as a sterile preparation (4) is placed in the plunger bore (1 and 2). When the plunger (1) is pulled outwardly a select distance to expose the flexible plunger bore (2), the glass ampule (3) is broken by hand-squeezing the plunger bore (2) against it. Liquid preparation (4) from the glass ampule (3) is directed through a check-valved orifice (16) at a tip of a resilient piston section (21) of the plunger (1). At the check-valved orifice (16), the preparation (4) enters into a syringe bore (6). There the preparation (4) can be injected through a conventional luer (38-40) and hypodermic needle (37) by the standard practice of depressing the plunger (1) into the syringe (7). Variations are provided for storing ampules of preparation either in or separately from the syringe. Embodiments are described for various adaptations.

Abstract: Thin-walled elongated tubular products are individually formed utilizing injection molding of a plastic melt into a mold cavity having an elongated core pin maintained in substantially centered relation on the interior thereof through the application of tension continuously being applied coaxially to the core pin. Multi-unit or mass production techniques include use of a plurality of mold cavities each successively subjected to receiving a hot plastic melt injection wherein the resulting formed product is, through successive steps, removed from the mold cavity, trimmed, separated from the core pin, and possibly further processed for depositing in collection facilities or transferred to other processing steps.

Abstract: A flashback chamber for a catheter assembly including a main body portion having a cavity formed therein which is structured to include a path of fluid flow along its length defined by a plurality of sequentially disposed chambers separated, at least in part, by transversely located ribs. The path of fluid flow is at least partially defined by a plurality of ports formed at opposite ends of the spaced apart ribs. An air only permeable vent structure is located at the end of the path of fluid flow so as to properly vent air forced from the cavity as blood from the catheter assembly successively fills the sequentially disposed chambers.

Abstract: A process for applying tension to the extending ends of a thin wire core of a mold to apply tension to the core during the molding process to maintain alignment of the core at all times during the molding process. Also included is apparatus for carrying out the process. Also included is a generally tubular part having a fine diameter hole therethrough.

Abstract: A flashback structure of the type primarily designed to be used in combination with a catheter assembly and more specifically structured to provide clear visual indication of blood flow along a circuitous path of fluid flow which is indicative of proper placement of the sharpened tip of a needle in a blood vessel. Blood flow is retained within the path of fluid flow by a cover sleeve disposed in covering relation to the flow path.

Abstract: The injection molding of an elongated thin-walled tubular product such as a medical catheter is accomplished through the mounting of an elongated core pin on the interior of an elongated mold cavity wherein tension is continuously applied to the core pin for the purpose of maintaining it in a predetermined, substantially centered relation to the mold cavity and further maintaining a straight line configuration of the core pin along its length. The plastic material from which the product is formed is introduced into the mold cavity while at the same time overcoming any imbalance in the flow of the plastic melt into the mold cavity and as it travels in surrounding relation to the core pin and along its length by adjusting the position of the core pin relative to the inner surface of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A flashback structure of the type primarily designed to be used in combination with a catheter assembly and more specifically structured to provide clear visual indication of blood flow along a circuitous path of fluid flow which is indicative of proper placement of the sharpened tip of a needle in a blood vessel wherein the catheter assembly can then be removed from the supporting needle or cannula and enter the vessel.

Abstract: A protective sheath structure of the type primarily designed to be selectively positioned and removed from a surrounding, protective and substantially enclosing position relative to the cannula portion of a catheter assembly. Selective engagement and disengagement of the sheath structure is accomplished through activation of a locking structure including a pair of oppositely disposed finger elements pivotally disposed to selectively engage and disengage correspondingly positioned flange structure on the base of the catheter assembly. Positioning ribs on the interior of the sheath body provides substantial centering of the cannula within the interior of the sheath.

Abstract: A flow control device designed to be used in combination with a catheter system itself designed for monitoring circulatory status including venous and arterial pressure where the subject flow control device provides a continuous flow of infusion fluid throughout the catheter system to prevent occlusion of the system resulting in inaccurate monitoring. The flow control device further has the ability to flush the entire system rapidly by selectively passing a larger quantity of infusion fluid throughout the catheter system when desired.

Abstract: A connecting assembly used to form a removable but secure locking attachment between a protective sheath and a catheter structure such that a needle portion of the catheter is protected by being enclosed within the sheath and the sheath is prevented from inadvertent removal from the catheter structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming a feathered tapered tip on a plastic tube which utilizes a mandrel mounted relative to a work table to slidably receive and support a catheter in an aligned relation to the forming aperture in a tip forming die assembly, normally disposed in a spaced apart relation to the tube tip end. The die assembly preferably includes two portions, a first portion to slidably receive and support the tip end therethrough and to direct it into a tapered forming cavity in a second die portion. The first die portion is cooled and the second die portion is electrically heated, and the two portions, normally disposed in a spaced apart relation, are, first, cam operated into engagement and, second, are cam operated onto the catheter tip end, whereupon the tip end is tapered in response to the heat generated in the second die portion. The die portions are then cam operated out of engagement with the tip end and out of engagement with each other, and the catheter is removed from the mandrel.

Abstract: A plastic catheter is disclosed with an improved flashback chamber defining structure which structure includes (a) a main body portion providing a chamber maze for an interconnection between respective maze portions to insure a sequential filling of each portion with blood for visual observation of the flow of blood; (b) a top slidable transversely fluted cover is engaged in sealing relation of the main body portion by track defining structure defined by the main body portion for advancement of the plastic catheter in a patient's vein or artery, the cover being preferably of a transparent material to permit easy visual observation of the blood flow into the maze; and the catheter also includes a hollow needle secured to the leading end of the main body portion, the needly having flattened or oval portion captivatingly disposed in a cavity in the leading end; the cover having exterior flutes on the main body portion providing for non-slip advancement of the catheter relative to the needle, when the needle tip