Abstract: A spring powered ambulatory infusion apparatus includes a syringe module and an actuator module. The syringe module includes a syringe barrel for containing infusion medicine and a piston for discharging the infusion medicine. The actuator module includes compression springs to move the piston when the springs expand. Each spring is bent to reduce its overall length, and have a U-shape in its compressed state and a J-shape in its expanded state. When each spring expands, one end of the spring moves to push the piston while the other end is stationary such that the shape thereof changes from the U-shape to the J-shape.

Abstract: An ambulatory drug infusion system includes a disposable ambulatory infusion pump and a flow regulator for regulating flow of the drug supplied from the disposable ambulatory infusion pump. The flow regulator includes a cylinder assembly of first, second and third cylinders arranged coaxially. The flow regulator includes a continuous spiral or helical liquid-flow channel formed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder fitted into the first cylinder. The regulator includes bypass through-holes in communication with the spiral or helical channel and formed in the second cylinder. The regulator further includes liquid-flow passages formed between the second cylinder and the third cylinder fitted into the second cylinder. The through-holes are in communication with the passages, respectively. One of the passages can be selected to choose a predetermined flow rate. The regulator further includes a diaphragm valve which can regulate fluid communication between the spiral liquid-flow channel and an outlet.

Abstract: A disposable ambulatory infuser apparatus provides an elastomeric balloon within a telescopic housing. One end of the balloon may be attached to an upper housing portion and the other end of the balloon may be attached to a bottom housing portion. As the balloon is charged with a drug, it may expand primarily radially first and then axially. The balloon may be configured to have the majority of displacement occur in the axial direction, which enables the two housing portions to expand away from each other and shrink toward one another in the axial direction as the balloon is filled with the drug and the drug is subsequently infused in a patient. The balloon may expand axially naturally within the housing to eliminate possible pressure change due to constraints by the housing or clamps, which enables more constant flow rate of the drug being dispensed.

Abstract: An ambulatory drug infusion system includes a disposable ambulatory infusion pump and a flow regulator for regulating flow of the drug supplied from the disposable ambulatory infusion pump. The flow regulator includes a cylinder assembly of first, second and third cylinders arranged coaxially. The flow regulator includes a continuous spiral liquid-flow channel formed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder fitted into the first cylinder. The regulator includes bypass through-holes in communication with the spiral channel and formed in the second cylinder. The regulator further includes liquid-flow passages formed between the second cylinder and the third cylinder fitted into the second cylinder. The through-holes are in communication with the passages, respectively. One of the passages can be selected to choose a predetermined flow rate. The regulator further includes a diaphragm valve which can regulate fluid communication between the spiral liquid-flow channel and an outlet.

Abstract: A flow control valve includes a stem extending into an interior bore defined by a wall of a flow control member of the valve, the stem and the wall defining therebetween a cylindrical space allowing fluid communication between apertures formed in differing planes of the flow control member.

Abstract: A flow control valve includes a stem extending into an interior bore defined by a wall of a flow control member of the valve, the stem and the wall defining therebetween a cylindrical space allowing fluid communication between apertures formed in differing planes of the flow control member.

Abstract: A portable infusion device is provided that includes a cylindrical housing having a housing end, an inflatable cartridge sized to fit within the housing and a piston located within the housing. The cartridge can include a cartridge end having an inlet and an outlet. The cartridge end can be connected to an inflatable portion and be configured to be releasably secured to the housing end when the cartridge is inserted into the housing through the housing end. The piston can include at least one biasing device positioned to apply a constant force to the inflatable portion to expel a medical fluid from the cartridge.

Abstract: A flow control valve for medical liquid is disclosed. The valve has a housing including an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path therebetween. A plurality of flow restrictors are located in the flow path to define a plurality of flow streams of differing flow rates. A flow control member is disposed in the flow path, and has a plurality of discrete apertures in a first region or plane and at least one aperture in a second region or plane spaced apart from the first plane. The flow control member is rotationally movable and defines an annular gap and radial groove which provide fluid communication between the different planes and the outlet regardless of the orientation of the flow control member.

Abstract: A method of etching an amorphous silicon layer includes providing a substrate with an amorphous silicon layer formed thereon into an atmospheric pressure plasma etching device, providing a plasma generation gas and etching gas to a plasma generator of the atmospheric pressure plasma etching device and generating an atmospheric pressure plasma gas between two electrodes provided in the plasma generator in which the two electrodes face each other. The method further includes repeatedly passing the substrate through the plasma generator at a predetermined speed, thereby etching the amorphous silicon layer on the substrate by using the atmospheric pressure plasma gas generated from the plasma generator.

Abstract: A flow control valve for medical liquid is disclosed. The valve has a housing including an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path therebetween. A plurality of flow restrictors are located in the flow path to define a plurality of flow streams of differing flow rates. A flow control member is disposed in the flow path, and has a plurality of discrete apertures in a first region or plane and at least one aperture in a second region or plane spaced apart from the first plane. The flow control member is rotationally movable and defines an annular gap and radial groove which provide fluid communication between the different planes and the outlet regardless of the orientation of the flow control member.

Abstract: An endoluminal grafts is provided which is constructed to be radially collapsed and/or radially compressed to a small diameter. The graft has wireforms which generally comprise a wire deformed into generally annular configuration and consisting of a plurality of curvilinear wave forms. The wave forms have a plurality of first apices in linear alignment with each other, a plurality of second apices in linear alignment with each other, and a plurality of curvilinear segments traversing back and forth between said first and second apices. The graft is i) initially disposable in a radially compact configuration of a first diameter and ii) subsequently expandable to a radially expanded configuration of a second diameter, said second diameter being larger than said first diameter.

Abstract: A bileaflet mechanical cardiovascular valve having a generally annular valve body and two occluder leaflets mounted within the valve body such that the occluder leaflets will move back and forth between an open configuration wherein blood is permitted to flow through the annular valve body and a closed configuration wherein blood is prevented from flowing in at least one direction through the annular valve body. Slots formed in opposite ends of the occluder leaflets are mounted upon raised mounting members formed on the inner surface of the annular valve body to facilitate the opening and closing movement of the occluder leaflets.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved leg members joined at their proximal end by a reduced thickness hinge portion and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces which are substantially parallel when the clip is closed. The first leg member has a concave inner surface and a hook portion at its distal end curved toward the second leg member. The clip includes a sharp distal tip on the end of the hook portion and a sharp pointed penetrating member on the outer surface of the distal end of the hook portion. The distal end of the second leg has a longitudinal groove through which the sharp pointed penetrating member and then the sharp distal tip passes when the legs are closed. The second leg member further comprises a pair of sharp penetrating member attached to each side of the distal end on either side of the groove.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved leg members joined at their proximal end by a reduced thickness hinge portion and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces which are substantially parallel when the clip is closed. The first leg member has a concave inner surface and a hook portion at its distal end curved toward the second leg member. The clip includes a sharp distal tip on the end of the hook portion and a sharp pointed penetrating member on the outer surface of the distal end of the hook portion. The distal end of the second leg has a longitudinal groove through which the sharp pointed penetrating member and then the sharp distal tip passes when the legs are closed. The second leg member further comprises a pair of sharp penetrating member attached to each side of the distal end on either side of the groove.

Abstract: A holder for retaining a plurality of hemostatic or ligating clips. The holder retains a single clip in each chamber and is intended to be used with a forceps-type clip applier, the jaws of which may be inserted into a desired chamber to retrieve a clip therefrom. Each individual chamber is formed of a pair of facing transverse walls and a central post which loosely supports a hemostatic clip. Each transverse wall has at least one resilient flap extending downwardly and inwardly in such a way that the bottommost portion of the resilient flap contact the side of the body of the clip in the chamber. The holder is ideally suited to retain plastic or polymer clips and may be made as an assembly of discrete components or in a single, molded integral form.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved leg members joined at their proximal end by a reduced thickness hinge portion and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces which are substantially parallel when the clip is closed. The first leg member has a concave inner surface and a hook portion at its distal end curved toward the second leg member. A ligating clip applying instrument for applying the clip has a pair of handles pivoted about a hinge point and extends beyond the hinge point to form a pair of clip closing jaws equipped with means for engaging bosses located on the sides of the first and second leg members.