Abstract: Described herein are injectable compositions composed of one or more polycationic polyelectrolytes and anionic counterions, one or more one polyanionic polyelectrolytes and cationic counterions, and a transient contrast agent. The injectable compositions have an ion concentration that is sufficient to prevent association of the polycationic polyelectrolytes and the polyanionic poly-electrolytes in water. Upon introduction of the composition into a subject, a solid is produced in situ. The transient contrast agent diffuses out of the solid over hours or days providing temporary contrast and does not remain in the subject unlike permanent contrast agents. This feature provides sufficient time for the clinician to perform medical procedures prior to the diffusion of the contrast agent out of the solid. The viscosity of the injectable compositions can be varied depending upon the application of the injectable composition.

Abstract: Blood vessel occlusion devices, systems and methods, in particular embodiments of devices for aortic occlusion. The device includes one or more locator portions and an occluder portion. The device is delivered via transcatheter delivery. The locator portion may be radially expanded using a handle and actuator at the proximal end of the delivery catheter. Tactile feedback from the locator portion is used to determine proper location of the occluder portion, for example within the abdominal aorta. The occluder is then radially expanded to occlude the vessel.

Abstract: A proximal control apparatus for providing a healthcare professional with proximal control over a guide wire and an elongated medical device, such as a catheter, installed over the catheter is disclosed. The proximal control apparatus includes a relatively short guide wire extender and a housing with a passageway for receiving the guide wire extender and a portion of an elongated medical device installed over the guide wire extender. The guide wire extender has a curvilinear configuration that corresponds to a curvilinear configuration of the passageway through the housing. These complementary configurations secure the guide wire extender within the passageway as an elongated medical instrument is installed onto and moved along the guide wire extender and a guide wire that has been coupled to a distal end of the guide wire extender.

Abstract: A hinge that is configured to lock two pivotally connect members of a handle for a syringe together includes at least one end for engaging and rotating with a first member of the handle. The hinge also includes a locking element within the second member of the handle. The locking element is configured to engage or be engaged by a locking feature within the second member of the handle, with the locking feature configured to limit or prevent rotation of the hinge. By restricting rotation of the hinge in this manner, the at least one end of the hinge likewise restricts pivotal movement of the first member of the handle. Methods of limiting movement of the members of a handle of a syringe are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air bubble detection system includes an air bubble detector which is disposed downstream from a syringe or manifold used during an angiography procedure. The air bubble detection system monitors contrast medium being injected into the patient and creates an alarm or other indication if the air bubble exceeds any desired threshold.

Abstract: A hand-held aspiration apparatus includes a handle configured for suspending and using the syringe with a single hand. The handle includes pivotally connected first and second members. The members of the handle may be pivotally connected at intermediate positions along the lengths thereof. The first member is associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe barrel, while the second member is associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe plunger. The members are configured and associated with one another in such a way that movement of portions thereof toward each other moves the plunger proximally through the barrel, which may create a vacuum in the barrel that may facilitate aspiration, and that movement of portions of the members away from one another moves the plunger distally through the barrel. The aspiration apparatus may be configured for a single-use (i.e., it may be disposable). Applications of use and methods of using a hand-held syringe are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlled feeding of an infant provides a safer and less expensive apparatus for the enteral feeding of a neonatal infant, as well as a mechanism for minimizing separation of fluid for any enteral feeding patient. The apparatus allows for dispensing the feeding solution from conventional baby bottles or breast pump reservoirs, or other convenient reservoirs in combination with a peristaltic pump. The feeding system helps reduce the risk for contaminating the feeding solution by minimizing the handling of the feeding solution. By utilizing a pump which is less expensive than current neonatal feeding pumps, the feeding system is more cost effective in all environments and more suitable for home use.

Abstract: A hand-held syringe includes a handle configured for suspending and using the syringe with a single hand. The handle includes pivotally connected first and second members. The members of the handle may be pivotally connected at intermediate positions along the lengths thereof or at or near ends thereof. The first member is associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe barrel, while the second member is associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe plunger. The syringe may be configured for a single-use (i.e., it may be disposable). Applications of use and methods of using a hand-held syringe are also disclosed.