Abstract: A medical device for draining a fluid from the body of a patient includes a tubular member having an open distal end that resides interiorly of the body of a patient and a proximal end that extends exteriorly of the body of the patient. The tubular member has an inner surface extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the inner surface defines a lumen. An interior member is disposed in the lumen and extends along a length of the inner surface. The interior member is engaged with the inner surface such that a chamber is defined therebetween. A conduit is engaged with the tubular member for transmission of an inflation fluid to selectively vary a dimension of the chamber for freeing clogged debris in the lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a fluid communication path to a wound site through a drape. The apparatus has a body portion having a lower surface and an upper surface, at least one connection port, at least one suction port and at least one fluid communication passageway between the connection port and the suction port. A connector at an end of at least one tubular conduit is locatable through the drape into an orifice in the connection port to thereby provide a fluid communication path through the drape between the tubular conduit and the wound site.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wound treatment device with at least one elastically deformable vacuum-generating element which can be actuated directly by hand and which is arranged on and connected directly to a film-like wound-covering element that covers the wound chamber. The vacuum-generating element is a hollow body whose cavity, in the state with the device applied to the patient's body, communicates directly with the wound chamber via an opening formed on the wound-covering element. At least one absorption body that absorbs the wound secretions is positioned in the wound chamber and is surrounded by a finely porous sleeve that is permeable to liquid. The hollow body is provided with at least one valve.

Abstract: A wound dressing suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy system includes a cover layer adapted to establish a reservoir over a wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained. The cover layer includes an opening therein through which atmospheric gasses and wound exudates may pass through the cover layer. A vacuum port is affixed to the cover layer, and establishes a substantially fluid tight seal about the opening in the cover layer. The vacuum port includes a hollow interior in fluid communication with the opening in the cover layer and a connector to facilitate connection to a vacuum source. A packing member is affixed to the cover layer, to provide a wound dressing that may be applied in a single step process. The packing member is adapted to fill the wound and support the cover layer when a negative pressure is applied to the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a patient comprises a controller and an implantable pump assembly. The controller comprises a processing unit and a battery. The processing unit includes a signal generator and one or more pump operational parameters. The signal generator provides a drive signal. The battery provides power to the processing unit. The implantable pump assembly receives the drive signal from the processing unit and propels fluid based on the drive signal. The system includes a local communication device and a remote communication device that each include a unique identifier produced by a security key generator. The remote communication device includes a code generator that produces encrypted commands. The local communication device receives the encrypted commands and modifies a pump operational parameter of the processing unit based on the received encrypted command.

Abstract: Monitoring of the performance of a blood fluid removal medium of a blood fluid removal device includes monitoring of condition, such as fluid flow rate or concentration of blood waste product, downstream of the medium. Upstream monitoring of the condition may also be performed to enhance the ability to determine whether the blood fluid removal medium is performing within predetermined ranges.

Abstract: Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. Fluid circuits and electrical components may be contained in a housing comprising a first section separated from a second section by a thermally insulating barrier. The first section may house a heater and heat-sterilizable components including liquid flowpaths, pumps or valves, while the second section houses electronic components for controlling the hemodialysis system. The insulating barrier may be configured to inhibit the second section from being exposed to sterilizing temperatures produced in the first section.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process and a device for saving diafiltrate by partial regeneration using adsorbers. An object of the invention is to decrease the requirement of dialysate and/or substitute in the depletion of a substance of class X by means of special microstructured adsorption/filtration devices. An object of the invention is also to enable control of the concentration of a substance group X by hemodialysis and/or hemofiltration, such that by partial recirculation of the diafiltrate in the regeneration circuit, the net throughput of diafiltrate can be kept lower.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialyzer, a sorbent cartridge configured to clean used dialysate from the dialyzer, a dialysate pump actuator configured to pump dialysate to the dialyzer, and a conductivity sensor located adjacent to a temperature sensor. The dialysis system also includes a disposable cassette configured to carry dialysate pumped by the dialysate pump actuator. The disposable cassette includes a combined conductivity and temperature sensor fluid chamber separate from the conductivity sensor and the temperature sensor and located so as to operate with the conductivity sensor and the temperature sensor, respectively, when mounted for operation.

Abstract: A method that includes conveying overheated dialysate through a cassette in a manner to reduce the temperature of the overheated dialysate, and a dialysis system including a control unit configured to cause overheated dialysate to be conveyed through a cassette in a manner to reduce the temperature of the overheated dialysate.

Abstract: A blood-donation system and methods of usage are disclosed. The system includes a blood-donating chair configured to interoperate with various blood-processing apparatuses. The system further combines into a self-contained system all devices, communications pathways and power supplies for various powered devices employed during a blood-collecting session. The system may further interoperate with other blood-donation systems allowing for continuous monitoring of multiple blood-collecting sessions at a single user interface. According to another embodiment, in addition to interoperability, the system is further configured for upgradability, in which, various donor-station devices may be mounted and remounted.

Abstract: A blood processing system for collecting plasma reduced platelets and anticipating plasma return includes a venous access device, a blood component separation device, a first return line, a recirculation line, and a second return line. The venous access device draws whole blood from a subject and returns blood components to the subject using a first pump. The blood component separation device separates the drawn blood into a first blood component and a second blood component, and sends the first blood component to a first blood component bag. The first return line fluidly connects the venous-access device and the blood component separation device. The recirculation line connects the first blood component container and the separation device. The second return line fluidly connects the first blood component container and the first return line and is configured to return the first blood component within the first blood container to the subject.

Abstract: Anchors for securing a medical device relative to a body portal, wherein the anchors may accommodate most any implantation trajectory through the portal. Such anchors may further secure the device along any such trajectory without imparting undesirable biasing forces that may shift the device from its intended implanted location. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured as a burr hole anchor including a spherical member contained in a socket of the anchor wherein the socket may be collapsed to lock the spherical member along a particular trajectory.

Abstract: A system includes a parameter generation system to determine parameters of at least one phase of an injection procedure based at least in part upon a type of the injection procedure. The parameter generator system determines the amount of a pharmaceutical that is to be delivered to a patient at least in part on the basis of the concentration of an agent in the pharmaceutical and at least on part on the basis of a function that depends upon and varies with a patient parameter. The patient parameter can, for example, be weight, body mass index, body surface area or cardiac output. The pharmaceutical can, for example, include a contrast enhancing agent for use in an imaging procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for determining analyte concentration in a sample such as bodily fluid. Systems and methods disclosed herein can also include a treatment dosing system to infuse or inject a treatment dose (e.g. insulin, dextrose, etc.) and provide glycemic control. The dose of the treatment drug may be based on the patient's calculated sensitivity to treatment dosing, for example. The dose of the treatment drug may be based on the concentration of the analyte or the average value for the concentration of the analyte and/or the rate of change of the value of the concentration of the analyte. Delivery of the treatment drug can be cut off if the determined analyte concentration indicates that continued delivery would be harmful to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a movement disorder monitor, and a method of measuring the severity of a subject's movement disorder. The present invention additionally relates to a treatment delivery system for treating a subject in response to changes in the severity of a subject's symptoms. The present invention further provides for a system and method, which can accurately quantify symptoms of movement disorders, utilizing continuously obtained kinetic information to be analyzed, accurately distinguishing between symptoms of movement disorders and activities of daily living, relating quantified symptoms to a standard clinical rating scale, and correlating a subject's symptoms with certain physiological and environmental factors. The present invention still further provides for home monitoring of symptoms in subjects with these movement disorders in order to capture the complex fluctuation patterns of the disease over the course of days, weeks, months, or years.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device includes a generally elongated tubular housing having opposite proximal and distal parts; a needle shield sleeve slidably and coaxially arranged inside the housing with a proximal part of the sleeve protruding a distance outside the proximal part of the housing; a syringe carrier mechanism having a syringe carrier slidably and coaxially arranged within the needle shield sleeve, a syringe having a stopper, a medicament, and a needle, the syringe being coaxially arranged within the syringe carrier; and a holding member connected to the syringe carrier; a first activator member and a second activator member; a drive mechanism adapted to accumulate a drive force for moving the syringe carrier mechanism in a first step and a second step. The second activator member is arranged with an information device for producing audible, visual, and/or tactile feedback to a user about a completed injection.

Abstract: A cylinder-piston unit, of a needle-free injector, with at least one cylinder accommodating an injection solution, and with at least one piston. The piston is composed of a drive body and of a sealing body. The sealing body is at least one elastic disc, which bears under a radial clamping action against the inner wall of the cylinder. The drive body is a pot-shaped body with a peripheral elastic skirt. At least one area of the skirt bears under a radial clamping action against the inner wall of the cylinder. The cylinder chamber areas located in front of and behind the drive body communicate with each other via at least one recess. The drive body is arranged behind the sealing body in the cylinder, and the skirt faces towards the sealing body.

Abstract: Described is a catheter patency maintenance device comprising of a flush syringe, an elongate plunger rod with a stopper slidably positioned within the barrel, a cap, disinfectant and a valve movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve may include a valve stem and/or openings in the valve to permit fluid flow. Methods of using the flush syringe assemblies are also described.

Abstract: A syringe including a barrel having an internal reservoir for containing a volume of medication, a plunger received within the barrel and axially moveable relative thereto to change the volume of the medication in the reservoir, a first set of indicia marked on the barrel indicating volumetric dosage of the medication calibrated based on a predetermined patient characteristic, and a second set of indicia marked on the barrel having a correlation with the first set of indicia, the second set of indicia indicating volumetric dosage of the medication calibrated based on a medication unit of measurement. A kit including a syringe and a pre-filled medication container calibrated based on a patient characteristic.

Abstract: A needle does not come off even if a high back pressure occurs at the skin upper section. Thus, the drug leakage from the skin can be prevented. A drug administration device 1 includes a tubular section 2 having a fluid chamber 7 capable of accommodating a drug and a discharge section 22, a pusher member 3 moving within the tubular section 2, a grip section 4, and a connection section 5. The pusher member 3 includes a rod-shape plunger 31 and a gasket 32. The grip section 4 is disposed along the outer periphery of the tubular section 2 and kept away from the tubular section 2, and the connection section 5 is formed between the tubular section 2 and the grip section 4.

Abstract: Methods and devices for metering and delivering a desired dose of medication from a syringe are described. The devices comprise dosage limiting sleeve adjustably disposed around a syringe body, wherein the alignment of the dosage limiting sleeve relative to the syringe body indicates the dose to be administered by depressing a plunger until the dosage limiting sleeve is engaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection device (1) comprising a housing (2) having an abutment surface (5) provided near a proximal end, said abutment surface extending at least partially around a perimeter of said housing and at least one engagement structure (6) provided at the abutment surface, wherein the injection device further comprises: a cap (7) provided with an opening (10) at a distal end (9); wherein a first lifting pole (11) is pivotally arranged within the cap, said first lifting pole being pivotally connected to the cap and being arranged to bear against the abutment surface in a fully attached position on the housing; and wherein relative rotational movement between the cap and the housing around a longitudinal axis will cause a distal end of the first lifting pole to engage with the engagement structure thus causing axial displacement of the cap relative to the housing towards a detached position of the cap.

Abstract: An injection device includes a multi-use drive assembly 10 and a single use disposable syringe assembly 12 releasably connected thereto. The syringe assembly includes a syringe 18 and a shield 26 mounted for telescopic movement. The drive assembly 10 is operable to extend the syringe 18 relative to the shield 26 and then to express a dose. Continued forward drive movement extends the shield 26 to re-cover the syringe needle 22 and then ejects the spent syringe assembly 12 in a safe (shrouded) condition.

Abstract: A medical device attachable to the front of a conventional syringe and having a hub assembly selectively attachable to the syringe, a nose projecting forwardly from the hub assembly, a rearwardly biased needle retraction mechanism seated inside the nose, a retractable needle projecting forwardly of the nose, and a fluid flow path from the fluid chamber through the hub assembly, nose, needle retraction assembly and needle, wherein the needle is retracted into the nose and a retraction tube external to the syringe by rotating the syringe relative to the nose.

Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable, prefilled syringe comprising a barrel having a mounting member and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. The replaceable needle assembly comprises a needle fitted to a retractable needle mount and a needle retainer. The needle mount is removably, screw-threadedly mountable to the mounting member of the barrel. The needle retainer comprises a plurality of fingers that releasably engage the retractable needle to thereby prevent inadvertent retraction of the retractable needle before engagement by the plunger. The plunger comprises a plunger seal comprising an outer member and an inner member that engages the needle for spring-driven retraction. At the end of retraction, a lock is formed between the plunger and barrel to prevent re-use of the syringe.

Abstract: Described is a needle assembly reuse prevention mechanism comprising a barrier movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a spring coupled to the barrier, a pin formed on the barrier, and a slot receiving the pin. When in the extended position, the barrier substantially covers an opening of a needle assembly storage compartment. The spring forces the barrier in a first direction. The slot has at least one abutment face for abutting the pin and preventing movement of the barrier in the first direction.

Abstract: A system for tracing tubing which forms a conduit from a source of infusion liquid to a patient by way of an infusion pump has a vibration generator manually operable by a user to generate vibrations at an origin location along the tubing, wherein the vibrations are propagated by the tubing and have a vibration signature. A vibration sensor arranged at a destination location along the tubing receives the vibrations and generates a digital vibration signal. Signal processing circuitry connected to the vibration sensor processes and evaluates the digital vibration signal to determine a trace status of the tubing between the vibration generator and the vibration sensor. An indicator connected to the signal processing circuitry provides an indication of the determined trace status. Trace status possibilities include clear, cross-over, and null. A likely number of cross-overs may also be indicated.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device has proximal and distal ends; a medicament container with a plunger, a neck portion, and a delivery member unit; a housing extending along a longitudinal axis with proximal and distal open ends; a drive unit configured to apply a force on the plunger; and a C-shaped tubular body with a longitudinal slit/gap such that body can be attached to the neck portion forming a container unit. The C-shaped body also has an inner support configured to interact with the neck portion and with the delivery member unit and prevent the medicament container from moving relative to the body after the medicament container is attached to the body, and outer support configured to interact with a corresponding support of the housing to prevent the C-shaped tubular body from moving relative to the housing after the container is arranged within the housing through the distal open end.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method to aid in administering inhaled pharmaceutical aerosol to a patient is configured to maintain a tongue in proper position and offset the patients upper and lower jaws during aerosol delivery. An adjustable member (26) is provided adjacent a mouthpiece and at least partially surrounds and moves with respect to the body of the apparatus. The adjustable member has a step structured (32, 34) to impart a selected amount of mandibular advancement to a patient during aerosol delivery. A tongue depressor (40) which may be integrally formed with the adjustable member configured to prevent a tongue from occluding a flow of aerosol is also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for detecting and quantifying transmission delays associated with distributed sensing and monitoring functions within a ventilatory system. Specifically, the present methods and systems described herein define an event-based delay detection algorithm for determining transmission delays between distributed signal measurement and processing subsystems and a central platform that receives data from these subsystems. It is important to evaluate and quantify transmission delays because dyssynchrony in data communication may result in the misalignment of visualization and monitoring systems or instability in closed-loop control systems. Generally, embodiments described herein seek to quantify transmission delays by selecting a ventilator-based defining event as a temporal baseline and calculating the delay between the inception of the defining event and the receipt of data regarding the defining event from one or more distributed sensing devices.

Abstract: A speaking valve for management of a patient's airway comprising a body rotatably and removably attachable to a tracheotomy tube, the body having a first end communicable with the tracheotomy tube and a second end distal from the first end, an offset opening formed in the second end, a ramp disposed within the body, a ball having a diameter disposed within the chamber, the ball being adapted to be guided up and down the ramp and able to partially close the opening in the second end of the body, and the body and hence the chamber therein, at the option and control of the patient, wherein the ball is adapted to move up and down the ramp opening and partially closing the opening in the second end of the body and, as selected, exhalation by the patient proceeds through the patient's upper respiratory system and facilitates speaking by the patient.

Abstract: A dental appliance for protecting teeth has two front flaps separated by a forward cusp, and two side flaps separated from the forward front flaps by side cusps. An open area is provided in each of the forward front flaps. The appliance may also have a rear palate portion with a rear cusp. The appliance may have a line of symmetry that extends from the forward cusp to the rear cusp. Open spaces may be distributed throughout the sheet of material. A method of protecting the dentition of a patient during a transoral procedure or intubation includes the steps of providing the appliance in a planar first state and placing the appliance in the mouth of a patient so the patient's dentition crowns are located along a bite line on the appliance. The method also includes molding the appliance into a second, non-planar state to conform to the patient's dentition and palate so that the dentition are protected during the transoral procedure or intubation.

Abstract: A nasal cannula allows insertion of an upper endoscopy probe, a transesophageal echo probe for exams, or the like. Currently, a nasal cannula is used to measure expired carbon dioxide and deliver oxygen to sedated patients undergoing these procedures. Use of a face mask, such as a non-rebreathing face mask, during these procedures allows increased delivery of oxygen in patients with compromised respiratory function. A side port can be cut into the non-rebreathing face mask to allow insertion of the probes into patient's mouths while allowing delivery of a higher oxygen concentration. The facemask has the ability to easily separate from the nasal cannula, providing for continued use of the nasal cannula during, for example, a recovery period from sedation.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a main frame and a headgear. The main frame includes a central support portion for supporting a cushion component and first and second arms extending from the central support portion. The headgear includes a support portion, and first and second straps extending therefrom. The first strap has a first pocket and the second strap has a second pocket, wherein the first arm is received and moveable within the first pocket along a longitudinal axis of the first strap and the second arm is received and moveable within the second pocket along a longitudinal axis of the second strap. The headgear also includes first and second fastening mechanisms for securing the headgear to the main frame, holding the first arm in a selected position within the first pocket and holding the second arm in a selected position within the second pocket.

Abstract: A modularized respiratory treatment apparatus provides various respiratory pressure treatments. The apparatus may be formed by discrete connectable modules such as a flow generator module, alarm module and/or humidifier module. Each module may include its own external casing or housing to independently retain or enclose the respective components that serve the function of the module. Different modules may be adapted with different components and functionalities and may be readily coupled using standardized gas and electrical connection configurations that have flow and communication paths that extend through the modules. When coupled, operation of the respiratory treatment apparatus may be controlled by detection of different modules, such as the alarm module that generates visual and/or audible alarms based on detected conditions, so as to selectively enable or disable different respiratory treatments.

Abstract: A humidifier assembly for a CPAP apparatus includes a liquid storage container configured to hold a body of liquid. The liquid storage container includes a humidifying region above a metallic heat conducting material, the humidifying region being a region inside the liquid storage container in which the liquid is evaporated into pressurized respiratory gas generated in the CPAP apparatus. The humidifier assembly further includes a base unit configured to a) receive the liquid storage container and b) connect to a CPAP unit of the CPAP apparatus. The base unit includes a housing providing a base portion to support the liquid storage container thereon, the base portion including a heating element configured to contact the heat conducting material of the liquid storage container when the liquid storage container is supported on the base unit. The base unit also includes an inlet configured to receive and be coupled to an outlet of the CPAP unit.

Abstract: A pressure support system configured to provide pressure support therapy includes a humidifier that holds an enhanced amount of liquid while enhancing the power consumption of the pressure support system and enabling relatively rapid adjustments to humidity level. The humidifier includes a humidification chamber and a holding chamber, and a partition that divides the holding chamber from the humidification chamber such that liquid from the holding chamber replenishes liquid held in the humidification chamber. The partition, however, also provides a level of thermal isolation for the humidification chamber from the holding chamber.

Abstract: A device and method for providing stimulation signals that reset the phase of the neuronal activity of neurons in a patient's brain. The device includes a control unit; and a stimulation unit that has a plurality of stimulation elements, and each stimulation element generates visual stimulation signals that reset the phase of the neuronal activity of the neurons when the signals are taken up via an eye of a patient and transmitted to neurons that are exhibiting a pathologically synchronous and oscillatory neuronal activity. The control unit is further capable of actuating the stimulation unit such that the stimulation elements generate the visual stimulation signals with a time offset in respect to one another and/or with differing phase and/or with differing polarity.

Abstract: Described herein are cannulas having a stepped exterior. Also described are methods of making and using these cannulas, for example to deliver one or more materials to the central nervous system of an animal.

Abstract: A medical balloon catheter including a catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon secured to a distal portion of the catheter shaft. One or more cutting blades are secured to the inflatable balloon by a first polymeric adhesive material forming a mounting pad encasing a base portion of the cutting blade therein, and a second polymeric adhesive material adhesively bonding the mounting pad to a surface of the balloon. The first polymeric adhesive material has a first ductility and the second polymeric adhesive material has a second ductility greater than the first ductility.

Abstract: A novel neural injection system and related methods are herein disclosed. Various embodiments of an embodiment of a neural injection system of the present invention provide for at least one benefit of enhanced injection characteristics, increased operational efficiency, reduced cost per unit, reduced incidence of injury through intraneural/intravascular injection, reduced incidence of injury through pricking/piercing, and/or the like.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a shaft whose distal end is bendable. Arranged at the proximal end of the shaft there is a handle on which a bend control mechanism for controlling the bending movement is arranged. The bend control mechanism has a pivotable control element. The pivotable control element runs over a friction element, and an actuating element is provided via which the friction element can be brought out of a locking engagement with the control element.

Abstract: A nasal retention system for securing a nasal tube extending through a nose of a patient. The retention system comprises a clip member formed of a soft elastomeric material and including first and second pivotally connected clip portions. Each of the clip portions have a generally hemispherical shape such that a generally spherical shape is defined when the clip portions are pivoted together. The first clip portion includes an elongated nasal tube channel extending into the first clip portion, and extending between diametrically opposite sides of a perimeter of the first clip portion. The elongated channel receives a nasal tube therethrough when mating surfaces of the two clip portions are in mating engagement with each other.

Abstract: Embodiments provide catheter retention devices such as catheter clips that may be used to stabilize a vascular access catheter during a procedure, particularly a radial access procedure. The catheter clips may include a frame that includes a first frame member portion, a second frame member portion hingeably coupled to the first frame member portion, the first and second frame member portions defining a first aperture therebetween, and a base member extending from the second frame member; and an inner gripping membrane that includes a first inner gripping membrane portion coupled to the first frame member portion and a second inner gripping portion coupled to the second frame member portion, wherein the first and second inner gripping portions define a second aperture within the first aperture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a catheter instrument 1000 comprising a needle tip shielding device 100. The needle tip shielding device 100 is comprising a body with a rear side 106, a front side 107, an outer surface 108 connecting the rear side 106 and the front side 107, a hole 102 extending from the rear side 106 to the front side 107, a resilient arm 103 extending at an attachment point 105 from the front side 107 of the body, and a longitudinal arm 112. The resilient arm 103 has a resting state, from which it may be forced to yield free passage through the hole 102 in an axial direction of the body. The resilient arm 103 is adapted for protecting a needle tip 304 of a hollow needle 303 extending through the hole 102 in a direction from the rear side 106 to the front side 07, when the resilient arm 103 is in the resting state. The resilient arm 103 has one external point of contact, the point of contact being a contact with the hollow needle 303 when the hollow needle 303 is in a forward position.

Abstract: Systems for gaining access into a body of a patient around an implanted body of an elongate medical device include a sheath having a deformable wall that allows insertion of the device body into a lumen surrounded by the sheath wall. The sheath wall may include first and second edges that extend from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, or just extend along a distal portion of the lumen. A tool, which includes a groove sized to grasp about a circumference of the device body, may facilitate insertion of the device body into the lumen of those sheath embodiments that include the first and second edges, by spreading at least one of the first and second edges of the wall apart from the other of the first and second edges while the device body is grasped within the tool.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided for dilating hardened stenoses. The balloon catheter has dilation elements integrally formed on the outer surface of the balloon. The dilation elements have cross-sectional shapes that improve the performance of the balloon catheter.

Abstract: For selective treatment of diseased tissue sections or organ parts, the surface of medical devices entering into contact with areas thereof under pressure is coated with lipophilic substantially water-insoluble medicaments binding to various tissue components with good adherence thereto, said medicaments having an effect thereupon a short time after entering into contact therewith without exerting a harmful influence upon adjacent healthy tissue.

Abstract: An assist device (10) for sclerosing treatment of varicose veins, aimed at being partially inserted into a blood vessel (20), including a tubular element (11), which has at least three ways (13, 14, 15), at least two of which (13, 14) are connected each one to at least one related inflatable balloon element (12, 12?, 16) by at least one through hole (30, 31), and at least one remaining way (15) of said three ways (13, 14, 15) has likewise at least one hole (32) for the passage of a sclerosing substance (17), aimed at reaching a wall (18) of said blood vessel (20), in which at least one (16) of said at least two balloon elements (12, 12?, 16) has an elongated shape extending toward at least another balloon element (12, 12?) and a variable volume comprised in the range of 30% to 99% of the space inside said blood vessel, independently from the initial dimensions of the vessel (20), interposed between the external surfaces of the outermost of said at least two balloon elements (12, 12?, 16).