Abstract: A novel stent compression instrument is used for holding a stent therein during shipping to a hospital and for thereafter crimping the stent onto a balloon catheter. The stent compression instrument includes a body having a central bore; a flexible diaphragm having an axial lumen and mounted within the body central bore, thereby defining a chamber between the body and the diaphragm, and first and second sealing structures for providing seals at opposite ends of the chamber. The diaphragm is formed from a generally tubular, thin wall into which the stent is placed therein and is expandable under a negative pressure condition to expand within the body and compressible under pressure to crimp the stent onto a balloon catheter.

Abstract: A novel fluid infusion system utilizing a fluid pump device and a syringe is used in an intravenous or infusion application of a liquid product, such as a medication, to a patient. The pump device includes a housing that has a compartment for reception of at least a portion of the plunger of the syringe. A drive component is disposed in the compartment and is relatively movable with respect to the housing for engaging and producing movement of the plunger. A fluid medium is contained within the housing and a relatively movable piston is in operative communication with the fluid medium and a biasing structure is provided for biasing the piston in a first direction to impart a force on the fluid medium. A metering orifice is in communication with the fluid medium and through which the medium can pass upon movement of the piston in the first direction to restrict and control the flow of the medium.

Abstract: A syringe instrument for particular use in medical balloon inflation procedures comprises a fluid chamber and a plunger arranged to displace fluid from the chamber for delivery to inflate the balloon, and incorporates control structure arranged to provide a series of releasible space limits for respective displacements of the plunger within the chamber. The control structure allows the fluid in the chamber to be pressurized at selective predetermined pressure levels governed by the releasable limits for the plunger displacements. A reverse drive structure is provided for reverse-displacement of the plunger from the fluid chamber to enable self-aspiration of fluid into the chamber from the balloon in order to simplify balloon deflation and removal from the patient. The reverse drive structure is manually activated with the same hand which depresses the plunger, for single handed operation of both the forward and reverse plunger motions.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing container particularly for single-use dispensing if eye medication and self-application if eye drop. The container for the liquid storage cavity has a molded plastic housing and a flexible cavity wall. The wall is manually squeezable or deformable to enable a reduction in the volume of the cavity and compression and displacement of the medication therefrom. The plastic housing has an integrally molded nozzle which combine to control displaced flow and drop size of the dispensed medication.

Abstract: A percutaneous vaccine applicator system which includes a percutaneous vaccine applicator and a packaging assembly for housing the vaccine applicator. The percutaneous vaccine applicator includes a handle and spiked portion attached to the handle. A plurality of spikes project from the spiked portion for puncturing the skin of a patient to deliver a percutaneous vaccine. The packaging assembly includes a hollow container and a removable cover attached to the container. The hollow container defines a cavity being sized and dimensioned for receiving the vaccine applicator. The container has structures for positively receiving and retaining an applicator placed therein.

Abstract: A fluid pumping assembly for particular use in delivery of sterile fluid used in surgical procedures, includes a pump control structure to which a replaceable fluid pumping cartridge is connected and disconnected to provide convenient replacement and disposability of the cartridge. The pump cartridge is self-contained in that it includes a fluid pump which is adapted for automatic connection to a pump drive structure when the cartridge is inserted into the assembly, so that the sterile fluid is pumped only through the pumping cartridge and fluid flow is entirely isolated from the pump control structure to ensure that the fluid is maintained sterile during pumping. The cartridge can include a selectively activated pulsation control to enable discharging the fluid from the cartridge in either a continuous flow or pulsating flow of the fluid. The cartridge can also include fluid flow dampening and safety vent features.

Abstract: A surgical staple extractor which has a gripping portion and a pair spaced-apart jaws and an anvil associated with the gripping portion. Structures are provided with the gripping portion for moving the anvil and the jaws in a scissor action to transfer forces from the anvil and jaws to a staple retained therebetween in order to mechanically deform or reform the staple for extraction from a patient. Cams are positioned between the jaws and the anvil for positively camming or displacing the jaws outwardly when the anvil jaws and jaws are operated. Actuation of the gripping portion results in moving the anvil and jaws with the cams interacting between the anvil and jaws for positively displacing the jaws outwardly in relation to the anvil for promoting controlled deformation of the staple in a removal path approximating the entry path thereby disengaging the staple from the patient.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing container particularly for single-use dispensing of eye medication and self-application of eye drop. The container for the liquid storage cavity has a molded plastic housing and at least one metallic foil wall secured to form an exterior wall of the housing and a flexible cavity wall. The foil wall is manually squeezable or deformable to enable a reduction in the volume of the cavity and compression and displacement of the medication therefrom. The foil wall is impervious to water vapor transmission out of the cavity which extends the shelf life of the stored container. The foil wall is also conveniently printed with labelling text and color. The plastic housing has an integrally molded nozzle which combine to control displaced flow and drop size of the dispensed medication.

Abstract: A fluid pumping assembly for particular use in delivery of sterile fluid used in surgical procedures, includes a pump control structure to which a replaceable fluid pumping cartridge is connected and disconnected to provide convenient replacement and disposability of the cartridge. The pump cartridge is self-contained in that it includes a fluid pump which is adapted for automatic connection to a pump drive structure when the cartridge is inserted into the assembly, so that the sterile fluid is pumped only through the pumping cartridge and fluid flow is entirely isolated from the pump control structure to ensure that the fluid is maintained sterile during pumping. The cartridge can include a selectively activated pulsation control to enable discharging the fluid from the cartridge in either a continuous flow or pulsating flow of the fluid. The pump control structure can provide a pneumatic drive system which cycles pressurized air to drive the pump.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for sequentially advancing and retracting a lancet needle includes a carriage for carrying the advancement and retraction of the needle, and a cam-following structure for transmitting propulsion to the carriage during the advancement. The actuating mechanism is also provided with a drive cam structure which engages the cam-following structure to direct the advancement propulsion. The cam-following structure can have a separate surface engagable with the drive cam structure during the retraction of the carriage and during arming of the actuator for the advancement propulsion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pressurization device for use with angioplasty balloon catheters, or the like. The device has a novel quick release mechanism which enables rapid advancement of a threaded screw plunger to attain initial pressurization, and then the subsequent engagement of said mechanism with the threaded surface of the plunger to achieve precise control during final pressurization of the balloon catheter. In addition, there is provided an improved and novel pressure indicating means for providing the physician with an analog readout of the pressure being applied to the balloon catheter.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing nozzle assembly for mounting on a squeezable liquid container and dispenser to maintain liquid in sterile condition during storage and repeated dispensing from the container, includes a conduit having a liquid discharge port leading to the ambience for discharge of the liquid therethrough to dispense liquid from the container. The liquid discharge port is formed in a discharge structure which eliminates microbial contamination of the discharge port during dispensing and storage of the liquid. Embodiments of the liquid dispensing nozzle have a liquid discharge structure including a composition comprising an antimicrobial component, in order to maintain microbially sterile condition of any liquid retained against the discharge structure following liquid dispensing therefrom.

Abstract: A humidifier apparatus for admixture of heated water vapor into a gaseous stream include heating means for generating heated vapor from the water and a housing with a transfer chamber formed therein secured to the heating means which is exposed within the chamber. The housing includes intake and effluent conduit for flow passage of the gaseous stream through the chamber and a water intake conduit extending through the housing and chambers so that the conduit directs discharge of the intake water against the heating means to generate the heated vapor.

Abstract: A valve assembly and overall system provides selective fluid flow switching and communication between a plurality of flow conduits. The valve assembly includes two valve members which have respectively engaged surfaces which are relatively rotatable to provide the valving action. A first valve member has a plurality of through apertures for respective communication with the flow conduits and a second valve member includes flow passage means for selectively interconnecting at least two of the apertures through the first valve member in order to enable fluid flow therebetween. Drive means is provided for driving continuous relative rotation of the valve members in order to enable rotationally cycled interconnection and fluid flow through the interconnected apertures.

Abstract: A molded receptacle for containment of a contact lens or the like, comprises: an open mouth, cup-shaped body having a generally annular, upstanding body wall and a curved rim formed on an upper end of the body wall to define the open mouth, and wherein the radially outer surface of the body wall includes a remnant flash material formation which is located below the rim.

Abstract: An inspection device for visually ascertaining the desired alignment of a contact lens in a tinting fixture comprises a base and a platform having a flat surface and mounted to the base for rotation relative thereto. The device also includes an arrangement for mounting the fixture for rotation in unison with the platform and for aligning the fixture relative to the platform flat surface in such a way as to maintain the contact lens in an alignment wherein substantially the entire peripheral edge thereof is located in a plane substantially parallel to the platform flat surface, if the contact lens is in the proper desired alignment in the tinting fixture, and such that the tinting fixture is centered relative to the center of rotation of the platform.

Abstract: A disposable tint pack assembly is provided for use in a contact lens tinting apparatus. This disposable assembly includes a plurality of disposable packages, each for containing a supply of a given fluid material for use in a contact lens tinting process carried out by the apparatus. A fluid dispensing apparatus is coupled with each of these packages and is selectively operable for dispensing the fluid contained therein, preferably in premeasured, incremental quantities. A tray-like carrier member is provided for supporting and locating all of the packages in predetermined relative positions for use in a given order in the lens tinting process carried out by the tinting apparatus. A retaining structure is provided for releasably holding each of the packages in the desired position in the carrier tray. The invention also extends to individual portions or sub-assemblies of the foregoing tint pack assembly.

Abstract: An appliance for disinfecting contact lenses utilizes a disinfecting solution, such as hydrogen peroxide, that liberates a gas during disinfecting action. The appliance has a container body with a removable cap that provides a sealed chamber except for a vent opening through the cap. A hydrophobic membrane filter is disposed across said vent opening and is substantially impermeable to the disinfecting solution but permeable to the liberated gas.

Abstract: A contact lens cleaning system comprises a container for receiving a quantity of cleansing fluid and a contact lens therein and a vibrator including a vibration generator and a vibration transmitting assembly for transmitting vibration from the vibration generator to a predetermined portion of the container. The container includes fluid agitator components including a resilient diaphragm comprising the just-mentioned predetermined portion, which resilient diaphragm is locatable for contact with the vibration transmitting assembly so as to transmit vibration therefrom to an agitator member immersed within the cleansing fluid.

Abstract: A molded plastic resin contact lens marking fixture is provided having a cup-like base with an upstanding internal pedestal having an upper surface which is a segment of a sphere for receiving a contact lens. The axis of the segment is tipped from the vertical so that a peripheral portion of the lens is in uppermost position. A lid is received over the base and includes a masking area which is resiliently urged toward the uppermost portion of the pedestal. Perforations are provided in the masking area, and a dye well is provided above the masking area so that dye in the well will be transmitted through the perforations to mark a contact lens near the periphery thereof.