Abstract: A catheter needle having surface indication thereon and process for forming such catheter by laser marking of the needle with a visual surface indicator of the terminus of the catheter tube.

Abstract: A process and product and apparatus are disclosed wherein a laser is used to form a conical tapered tip on a catheter product. The catheter is placed on an insertion needle prior to the formation process, thus eliminating the problems associated with wearing out forming tooling. The process and product further call for the use of the laser to create a surface effect on the cannula to indicate the terminus of the catheter.

Abstract: A process is provided wherein a laser is used to shape and/or trim a polymer tubular catheter material while in situ on a metal insertion needle or cannula. The laser process seals the interface between the polymer catheter material and the metal cannula to prevent the flow of blood between the tubular catheter and the introducing cannula during insertion into a patient. The interface is of sufficient strength to resist such blood flow, but still sufficiently weak to prevent the removal of the cannula needle after insertion into a patient.

Abstract: A pre-filled hypodermic syringe includes a retractable needle and detachable plunger shaft so the syringe can be selectively rendered inoperable. A liquid held within the syringe is held in place by a elastomeric stop that surrounds the discharging tip of the needle. When the syringe is to be used, the needle stop is removed and the plunger is advanced within the syringe barrel until the liquid is displaced through the needle. When the plunger contacts the base of the needle within the syringe barrel, the plunger becomes capable of being rotated. The rotation of the plunger connects the plunger to the needle and the needle can be retracted into the syringe barrel with the plunger. Once fully retracted, the needle cants and the plunger shaft can be destructively disconnected from the plunger, rendering the syringe inoperable.

Abstract: A syringe and needle assembly having a piston that is formed to engage and retract the needle assembly into the syringe barrel. The piston includes a spring member that is elastically deformed by the attachment of the piston to the needle assembly. The spring member causes the needle assembly to be spring biased into a canted position so that, once retracted into the syringe barrel, the needle assembly cants to an inoperable position.

Abstract: A disposable blood holding cassette for haemostatic measurements. A single unit is provided having a blood sample container with three separate pressurized blood sample reservoirs. A waste blood collection reservoir is connected to the blood sample container, and connected thereto via first, second and third blood sample tubes. A punching station is provided to accurately punch first and second of the blood sample tubes, simulating haemostasis function in vitro. Measurements may be made of the haemostatic and thrombolytic function of recently sampled blood. The entire device is disposable, isolating any contaminated blood from clinical personnel.

Abstract: A retractable hypodermic needle & syringe article comprising barrel means comprising means to receive and removably restrain a hypodermic needle-containing assembly for dispensing liquids, plunger means to force the liquids through the needle and a hypodermic needle-containing hub adapted to be removably held at the distal end of the barrel said plunger and hub comprising complementary means to engage, after final use of the article, and retract said hypodermic needle-containing hub into the barrel from which is cannot be reextended for further use wherein the plunger further comprises means to cause the needle-containing hub to assume an angled position relative to the longitudinal axis of the plunger when the hub has been retracted into the barrel.

Abstract: A tissue suturing method involves C-shaped suturing staples (16) embedded in a cartridge (14) formed of a carrier (18) and opposite cartridge jaws (20 and 22). The opposite cartridge jaws are moved linearly along a track in the carrier to bend the C-shaped staples into spiraling overlapping loops by a separate elongated pliers-like clamping tool (12). The cartridge jaws selectively engage the pliers-like tool jaws (90) so that a loaded cartridge can be mounted on the pliers-like tool, the suturing staples mounted therein can be rolled up from their ends to theregy pass through tissues positioned in mouths of the staples, the cartridge can be removed from the pliers-like tool jaws, and a new loaded cartridge can be mounted on the pliers-like tool jaws to repeat this process. An equalizer mechanism (84) is included on the pliers-like tool to cause opposite jaws of the pliers-like tool to move correspondingly uniformed distances.

Abstract: A tissue suturing assembly (10) and method involves C-shaped suturing staples (16) embedded in a cartridge (14) formed of a carrier (18) and opposite cartridge jaws (20 and 22). The opposite cartridge jaws are moved linearly along a track in the carrier to bend the C-shaped staples into spiraling overlapping loops by a separate elongated pliers-like clamping tool (12). The cartridge jaws selectively engage the pliers-like tool jaws (90) so that a loaded cartridge can be mounted on the pliers-like tool, the suturing staples mounted therein can be rolled up from their ends to thereby pass through tissues positioned in mouths of the staples, the cartridge can be removed from the pliers-like tool jaws, and a new loaded cartridge can be mounted on the pliers-like tool jaws to repeat this process. An equalizer mechanism (84) is included on the pliers-like tool to cause opposite jaws of the pliers-like tool to move correspondingly uniformed distances.

Abstract: A tissue suturing assembly (10) and method involves C-shaped suturing staples (16) embedded in a cartridge (14) formed of a carrier (18) and opposite cartridge jaws (20 and 22). The opposite cartridge jaws are moved linearly along a track in the carrier to bend the C-shaped staples into spiraling overlapping loops by a separate elongated pliers-like clamping tool (12). The cartridge jaws selectively engage the pliers-like tool jaws (90) so that a loaded cartridge can be mounted on the pliers-like tool, the suturing staples mounted therein can be rolled up from their ends to thereby pass through tissues positioned in mouths of the staples, the cartridge can be removed from the pliers-like tool jaws, and a new loaded cartridge can be mounted on the pliers-like tool jaws to repeat this process. An equalizer mechanism (84) is included on the pliers-like tool to cause opposite jaws of the pliers-like tool to move correspondingly uniformed distances.

Abstract: An improved intraintestinal bypass graft for attachment in the lumen of a resectioned intestine or duct upstream of the anastomosis site in order to protect the healing anastomosis comprises an elongated tube formed of a thin, highly flexible, water-impervious wall material terminating at its distal end in a short, reduced diameter nipple. The surgical procedure for implanting the bypass graft can be simplified and shortened in time by readily fitting the distal nipple over one end of an elongated pliable leader, or alternatively over the terminal anvil nut of a circular anastomosis surgical stapler, and then drawing the leader or stapler body through the patient's anus to pull the distal end of the bypass graft out of the anus. The need to tie the distal end of the bypass graft to the leader or surgical stapler is eliminated.

Abstract: A filter assembly for removing particulate matter, bacteria and air from a liquid. The filter assembly comprises a housing having an inlet for receiving the liquid within the housing and an outlet to provide an exit for the liquid. All of the liquid entering the housing passes through a primary filtration stage that contains a hydrophobic filter arrangement for venting air in the liquid to the atmosphere and a depth filter arrangement for filtering particulate matter in the liquid. Alo disposed in the housing is a secondary filtration stage through which all of the liquid passes after leaving the primary filtration stage. The secondary filtration stage includes a hydrophobic filter arrangement for venting any remaining air in the liquid to the atmosphere and a final filter for removing bacteria from the liquid.