Abstract: A patient dependent on extracorporeal treatments is subjected to minimal insertion trauma and pain both before and after a fistula operation. A phlebotomy method is disclosed using a veno-occlusive tourniquet or ligation occluding a venous segment at a location between the inlet and return openings of a dual lumen catheter so that a high blood flow rate can be obtained for an extracorporeal treatment system, thereby lessening or delaying the need for a fistula operation. Registration or alignment of the veno-occlusive tourniquet or ligation is ensured by an attachment to the catheter. Preferably the tourniquet or ligation includes an elastic band threaded to the attachment. If a fistula operation becomes necessary or has been performed, insertion trauma and pain is minimized by using a dual-lumen needle having a tapered distal end portion terminating in a beveled cutting edge.

Abstract: A presterilized, packaged, subcutaneous contraception kit including a simple, disposable cutter device (1) which makes precise, repeatable less than 5 mm incisions in the skin which is capable of being used by nonskilled personnel. The contraceptive steroid delivery systems are preloaded in a disposable flexible plastic carrier (30) which is used to blunt disect under the skin where the capsules (52) are deposited by the operation of drawing the carrier (30) back over a rod (42) which is held relatively stationary. The carrier (30) stops automatically when one capsule has been deposited and must be triggered in order to deposit the next capsule.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for transferring a specific amount of solid, gaseous or fluid medium to or from a space through the wall of a flexible, membranous member which encloses the space. A suction force is applied on part of the membranous member resulting in a locally increasing yet allowable deformation by tensioning of the membranous member. The pretensioned membranous member is then perforated by a needle-shaped instrument. This vacuum fixation is obtained by using a cup-shaped member of which a circumferential edge is first brought into a sealing contact with the membranous member before the suction force is applied. A hollow guiding tube guides a catheter-needle unit. One end of the hollow guiding tube is provided with the cup-shaped member which is connected to the vacuum outlet, preferably a disconnectable vacuum outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically treating animals such as birds at a high speed. The apparatus includes a frame, a spindle mounted on the frame, drive means for rotating the spindle, and a table mounted on the spindle and provided with a plurality of spaced-apart bird supports capable of supporting birds immobilized in the neck area. A syringe and a suction device are supported on a support means that is freely mounted on the spindle and adapted to move with respect to the frame from a non-operative position to an operative position. The suction device has a nozzle provided with a perforated surface surrounding and extending vertically along the bird's neck area. The suction device serves to draw back an area of the neck skin before an injection is made with the syringe.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for distending the blood vessels comprising the veins and the arteries in an isolated portion of a patient's body remote from the patient's heart to facilitate puncture with a cannula. The preferred method comprises placing the isolated portion of the patient's body within a chamber capable of supporting at least a partial vacuum and forming a substantially airtight seal between the chamber and the isolated portion of the patient's body. Venous blood flow from the isolated portion of the patient's body is then gradually restricted by circumferentially constricting the patient's body at a point approximately coinciding with the point at which the substantially airtight seal is formed.

Abstract: An obstetrical instrument for rupturing in a safe and easy manner the foetal membranes of a pregnant woman in order to release the amniotic fluid contained in these membranes. The instrument comprises an elongated tubular member preferably made of a semi-rigid plastic material, which member is adapted to be inserted into the woman's vagina until its front end is in contact with the foetal membranes to be ruptured. A piston manually actuatable by a rod extending outwardly of the tubular member through the rear end thereof is movably mounted inside this member to create, when actuated, a vacuum sufficient to draw to a certain extent the foetal membranes inside this tubular member. Piercing pins are provided inside the tubular member for rupturing the foetal membranes when these membranes are so drawn inside the member on actuation of the piston with the rod.

Abstract: A self-injection appliance is disclosed. The appliance is of one-piece construction having a guide portion, a platform and a non-symmetrical bight portion. The platform portion extends outwardly from the end of the guide portion and supports the fleshy portion of the users arm to facilitate self-injection.

Abstract: A suction injector, particularly for use with hypodermic injections, has a liquid container with a compartment containing pressurized gas, a hose to a cannula into a suction cup, which may be replaced after every use, consisting of an outer chamber with stored underpressure, which works, after a hole is opened by the shifting of supporting tube, moved by the pressure of skin pushing against this supporting tube. The underpressure of the suction cup starts a kind of spring driven roller pump provided with blocking dosing pegs for a multiple dosing choise. A valve for automatic reventilation is provided, as is a blocking and marking mechanism, relating to the emptying of the liquid supply, consisting of a taster finger, engaged in a hose loop, which frees the movement of a spring driven seivel arm against the skin and the suction cup, if the medicine supply is emptied. A revolution counter for the control of therapy is provided.

Abstract: A vein constrictor and immobilizer device comprising a pressure plate and a pressure means. The plate has a top pressure face and a bottom engaging face. Both faces are substantially flat. In one end of the plate is a notch through the plate's thickness. A groove is in the bottom face starting at the inner end of the notch and terminating intermediate the notch and opposing edge of the bottom engaging face. An attached ring-like handling structure pressure means is mounted on the top face for applying pressure on the plate to bring the bottom face to bear firmly on the flesh of a arm or leg to thereby constrict a vein and immobilize the vein in the notch and groove for needle insertion.

Abstract: An automatic injection apparatus has a tubular housing formed with a cylindrical boring and with a suction cup to receive a syringe with canula surrounding said cannula. The upper end of said housing is covered by a pot cylinder provided with an inlet bore for the air, having a cover with a sealing ring towards said tubular housing, fixing brackets to secure the sealing; supporting rings for the attachment of said syringe; while the piston rod is held in the central part of a folding bellows sealed to said cover. A parallel covering tube connected with said tubular housing by a base plate which contains a cross over duct between said boring of said tubular housing and a suction producing folded bellows sealed to said base plate and to a sleeve sealed to a lid plate, said shell sliding on a central bar, said sliding movement restricted by a cross pin lead by a longitudinal slot of said shell, which is surrounded by a pressure spring for extension of said folded bellows with said shell.

Abstract: An invention which allows the patient to self-inject himself. The invention serves as a two-fold unit. First, the invention allows the patient to measure out the exact amount of medical fluid to be used. Secondly, the invention allows the patient to inject himself with a minimum amount of discomfort or pain without having to remove the syringe from the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for artificially inseminating humans and other animals of the type having a reproductive system which includes a vagina and a uterus. The apparatus consists of a locating tube which is adapted to be inserted into the vagina of the human or animal and one end of the tube located against the cervix of the uterus around the cervical canal. A delivery member is adapted to be passed along the locating tube and into the uterus for delivery of semen into the uterus.

Abstract: A suprapubic catheter system comprising, a puncture member comprising an elongated needle. The system has a catheter assembly comprising an elongated catheter having a distal end for placement in a patient, a proximal end, and a lumen to receive the needle. The catheter assembly has a stabilizer comprising a plate extending on opposed sides of the catheter, with the plate having an opening to slidably receive the plate on the catheter, a pocket containing a anti-septic agent, and the assembly has a device for selectively locking the stabilizer at a desired position on the catheter.

Abstract: An injection aid for supporting a hypodermic syringe and for facilitating injection of the needle of the syringe into a limb. The apparatus includes a syringe supporting member and a pair of guide rods for supporting the syringe supporting member for slideable movement between a first position wherein a needle supported by the syringe supporting member is retracted from the limb and an injecting position. A pair of spaced apart generally parallel support rods are also provided. The rearward ends of the support rods being adapted to rest on the limb and are integrally joined to the guide rods and for supporting the guide rods. The support rods include forward ends for pinching flesh therebetween to cause the flesh adjacent the syringe needle to pucker.

Abstract: A suction injector comprises a suction cup and an exchangeable cannula inserted into the cup for injecting a liquid medicine under human skin by the action of a piston movable in a cylinder. The suction cup is formed with an outer chamber which accumulates negative pressure and an inner chamber closed with a membrane which is placed over the skin to be treated. A tubular member is provided in the suction cup having a number of flexible projections adapted to prevent communication of the negative pressure in the outer chamber to the inner chamber until the membrane is in pressure contact with the skin and to break this communication when the membrane with the skin are lifted towards the cannula.