Abstract: A suturing device includes a shaft with a pair of axial passages extending through the shaft. A length of suture passes through the first axial passage, the suture having a surgical needle attached to its distal end, and a preformed knotted loop disposed at a distal end of the first axial passage. The second axial passage includes a gaseous seal and is configured to receive a surgical instrument for manipulating tissue to facilitate application of the suture. In the method of the invention, the suturing device is inserted through a cannula and a surgical instrument is introduced through the second axial passage. Tissue is manipulated using the surgical instrument to facilitate application of the suture. A needle holder introduced through a separate cannula is used to pass the needle through the wound and through the knotted loop. Tension is then applied to the suture to close the knot and bind the wound.

Abstract: A suture applier comprises a shaft having proximal and distal ends and carrying a length of suture along its axis. The suture has a surgical needle at its distal end and a knotted loop formed proximally of the needle. The knotted loop is carried at the distal end of the shaft, and a slidable handle is provided at the proximal end for applying axial tension on the suture. In this way, the needle may be used to suture a wound in tissue and may be tied by passing the needle through the knotted loop and closing the loop by pulling on the slidable handle.

Abstract: A device for introducing fluids into the lumen of a body duct comprises an elongate shaft having a mechanism at its distal end for capturing the duct. A needle is disposed within an axial passage in the shaft, and a mechanism for reciprocating the needle is located at the proximal end of the shaft. In this way, the duct can be captured with the capture mechanism and pierced with the needle. The fluid is then provided to the lumen of the duct through a perfusion port located at or near the distal end of the needle. Optionally, a mechanism for applying a vacuum externally to the duct within the capture mechanism is provided to help hold the duct and open the interior to facilitate introduction of the fluid.

Abstract: A vascular catheter for cannulating arterial or venous vessels, for example in the fermoral region, or the vena cava and/or the right auricle of the heart, comprises a flexible tube having blood passage orifices in the nature of holes at its anterior and insertion end to be inserted in the vessel or the auricle, which tube is directly or indirectly connectable at its other open end to a conduit or appliance. A piston-like closure member is movable to and fro in the tube in lengthwise direction thereof, such that it covers and thereby closes at least same of the blood passsage orifices in one position in the tube and clears these orifices in other positions. Preferably, the closure member is so fashioned that in its closure position, it covers all blood passage orifices in the insertion end of the cathether tube.

Abstract: A compact unitary heat exchanger and debubbler for a liquid includes an elongated heat exchange element having an inverted V-shape and a vertically-extending debubbling chamber located between the legs of the inverted V. The heat exchange element is made up of an inner tube surrounded by an outer tube, so that a heat exchange fluid such as water flowing within the inner tube exchanges heat with a treated liquid flowing within a space defined between the inner and outer tubes. After passing through the heat exchange element the treated liquid passes through the debubbling chamber and then through the device outlet. A bypass passageway in the vicinity of the treated liquid inlet to the device connects the debubbling chamber with the space between the inner and outer tubes of the heat exchange element. A valve movable into open and closed positions is provided in this bypass passageway.