Abstract: A modular administration appliance including a reusable base unit and a replaceable cartridge detachably connected to the base unit and including a container for a substance and a rotatable transmission element, the base unit including a drive device by which a rotary movement is transmitted between the base unit and the cartridge, and a driving element displaceable in a rotary movement about a rotational axis by the drive device, wherein a rotation of the transmission element causes the ejection of at least a portion of the substance from the container. In some embodiments, the transmission element at least partially surrounds the drive device, and/or the drive element and the transmission element are detachably connectable to each other for transmitting the rotational movement.

Abstract: A device for irrigating cerumen from one's ear canal, which includes a universal adaptor affixed to the spout of a lavatory faucet (one which allows the cold and hot to be mixed); a flow line extending from the adaptor; a valve on the adaptor, which when opened allows for adjusting the temperature and force of flow by feeling the flow at a nozzle on the second end of the flow line; a cup for placement over the ear to contain the water flow; a double loop within the cup to mount a first loop to a tragus portion of the outer ears for directing fluid flow from the nozzle into the ear canals, a second loop engaged around a probe to limit the depth the nozzle is able to enter the ear canal; and a return line for returning water and debris collected from the ear canal into the lavatory.

Abstract: Disclosed is an injection system (1) for injecting liquids within a strong magnetic field, an alternating magnetic field, and/or a high-frequency electric field to be used with a technical medical system. Said injection system comprises a space (2) that is shielded from electromagnetic fields with the aid of a shield, an injection device (6) by means of which liquid to be injected can be dispensed to a patient (23), a driving mechanism for the injection device (6), by means of which at least one conveying element (11, 12) can be displaced for injection purposes, and a control and monitoring unit (8) which is located outside said space (2). The inventive injection system prevents interfering electromagnetic fields from being created exclusively by the fact that a hydraulic driving mechanism (10) is provided whose at least one hydraulic conduit (13, 14, 15, 16) is guided out of the space (2) to a pressure generating unit (71, 72, 73, 74).

Abstract: Tissue sensors house one or more sensor elements. Each element has a housing mounted substrate and a superstrate with a planar antenna between. A transitional periphery (TP) of a superstrate outer surface interconnects a base to a plateau. At least some of the TP has a generally smooth transition. Plural elements are spaced by the housing. Alternately, the superstrate TP is flat, the housing extends to the outer superstrate surface and a shield surrounds the element. The housing is flush with or recessed below the superstrate and defines a TP between the housing and superstrate. A method converts a reference signal to complex form; plots it in a complex plane as a reference point (RP); converts a measurement signal to complex form; plots it in the complex plane as a measurement point (MP); determine a complex distance between the MP and the RP; and compares complex distance to a threshold.

Abstract: An image acquisition system operable to obtain an image of at least a portion of a body, includes an imaging system including at least one energy sensor to measure energy from the body, an image creating system adapted to create an image based at least in part from a signal from the at least one energy sensor, an image display in operative connection with the image creating system and a user interface in operative connection with the image creating system. The image acquisition system further includes a fluid injector system including at least one source of a first fluid, a pressurizing system in operative connection with the source of the first fluid, and a user interface in operative connection with the pressurizing system.

Abstract: A douche device which can be supported on a shower head. The device has a reservoir, a cross-support which can be removably connected to the reservoir, and a central semi-circular portion in the cross-support which can be clipped to the shower head pipe. The reservoir has a bottom outlet connected by a flexible hose to a douche wand. The reservoir also has an overflow outlet located on its rear wall above the bottom outlet, with an unobtrusive flexible overflow hose extending from the overflow outlet down to the floor. In use, the device can readily be connected to or disconnected from a shower head, and when in use, excess water from the shower head will not overfill the reservoir and fall onto the user from above. Instead, excess water will exit the reservoir via the overflow opening and will be conducted down to the floor and into a floor drain.

Abstract: An infusion device for continuously infusion of medication is disclosed, in which infusion is controlled over two separate fluid communications. The infusion is in each fluid communication controlled by restricting means and valve means, and one of the fluid communications further contains a holding device for bolus rate of infusion for a short period. The device comprises a flow regulating device comprising a passage defined by at least a fact element is a primary deformable element adapted to be elastically deformed so as to change the cross sectional area of the passage. Furthermore the device comprises a container for storage and supply of a medication in fluid form, said container comprising a first and a second chamber being arranged relatively to each other so that when volume of the first chamber increases the volume of the second chamber decreases.

Abstract: An intermittent, large-volume lavage/suctioning scheme is provided. A lavage solution is first applied into the subglottic cavity, in sufficient volume to mechanically dislodge and wash-out pooled contaminated solid materials from the oro-pharyngeal spaces, the naso-pharyngeal spaces and the sinuses adjunct to the intra-nasal cavities. The dislodged contaminated solid materials are removed with large bore suctioning tools suited for atraumatic, deep naso-pharyngeal and oro-pharyngeal insertion. After the suctioning procedure has been performed, a space filling gel seal that is composed of a self-degrading physiologic substance can be installed within the subglottic space and subsequently washed out into the pharynx with the next lavage procedure. The lavage/suctioning scheme largely reduces or eliminates a bacteria colonization pattern where VAP causing pathogens have been.

Abstract: Implantable tube, for heating by conduction a heat transfer fluid for injection into all or part of a human or animal tissue, is provided with a wall having distal, median and proximal parts and comprising connecting elements for direct or indirect connection of the distal part to a fluid reservoir, and two means for connection to the terminals of an electric power supply, for incoming and outgoing current in the wall. The tube has a resistance less than 0.01? in its median and proximal parts, and a resistance of between 0.2 and 2 ? in its distal part. The median and proximal parts are connected electrically in series to the distal part; the tube having no additional electrical resistance.

Abstract: The present invention includes an automatic injection device that reliably provides automatic needle retraction even when manufactured with part and assembly tolerances typical of low-cost and high-volume manufacturing processes. The injector of the present invention includes a body, a syringe cartridge, a drive mechanism, and a bias mechanism. The drive mechanism includes an energy source, a drive member, and a compound plunger with a releasable coupling. Significantly, the compound plunger included in the drive mechanism is designed to ensure needle retraction occurs after the automatic injection device has delivered the desired dose of medicament. Moreover, the design of the compound plunger included in the injector of the present invention can compensate for part and assembly tolerances typical of low-cost, high volume manufacturing processes, enabling the fabrication of a low cost automatic injection device providing reliable automatic needle retraction.

Abstract: A pump includes an impeller, a stator, and a plurality of magnets forming bearing poles coupled to a selected one of the stator or the impeller. The pump further includes a plurality of shorted coils coupled to the other of the stator and the impeller. The plurality of bearing poles and shorted coils co-operate to form an electrodynamic bearing during rotation of the impeller. The electrodynamic bearing supports the impeller either axially or radially during operation of the pump. Hydrodynamic bearing surfaces are provided for generating a hydrodynamic bearing between the impeller and stator. The plurality of magnets may comprise a plurality of distinct magnetic elements or a single element comprising a plurality of distinct magnetic domains. The plurality of distinct magnetic elements or domains may be arranged to form a Halbach array.

Abstract: A hand-held remote for a medical fluid injector includes a syringe and a conduit which may be coupled to a pressure transducer on a control circuit of the injector. Movement of a plunger within a syringe body on the syringe creates a pressure which is sensed by the pressure transducer and the control circuit responds to the sensed pressure by causing fluid to be ejected from, or drawn into, a syringe mounted to the injector. The pressure developed by the remote provides tactile feedback to an operator for improved control over injections.

Abstract: A tampon applicator is disclosed which has an insertion tip for facilitating insertion of a tampon into a woman's vagina. The tampon applicator includes a hollow first member capable of housing a tampon. The first member has a central longitudinal axis and first and second ends. An insertion tip is located on the first end of the first member and extends outwardly therefrom. The insertion tip contains an aperture that extends therethrough. The insertion tip contains a plurality of corrugations capable of expanding radially outwardly as the tampon is expelled from the first member. The tampon applicator is also disclosed in combination with a tampon.

Abstract: A hand-held remote for a medical fluid injector includes a syringe and a conduit which may be coupled to a pressure transducer on a control circuit of the injector. Movement of a plunger within a syringe body on the syringe creates a pressure which is sensed by the pressure transducer and the control circuit responds to the sensed pressure by causing fluid to be ejected from, or drawn into, a syringe mounted to the injector. The pressure developed by the remote provides tactile feedback to an operator for improved control over injections.

Abstract: A pump includes an impeller, a stator, and a plurality of permanent magnets forming bearing poles coupled to a selected one of the stator or the impeller. The pump further includes a plurality of shorted coils coupled to the other of the stator and the impeller. The plurality of bearing poles and shorted coils co-operate to form an electrodynamic bearing during rotation of the impeller. The electrodynamic bearing supports the impeller either axially or radially during operation of the pump. Currents induced into each coil by a single bearing pole or by a plurality of bearing poles substantially simultaneously produce an electrodynamically generated magnetic field that repels the inducing bearing pole(s) when the impeller is rotating.

Abstract: A system for delivering medicaments to tissue including a delivery member and an optical fiber formed together into a unitary structure. The optical fiber has an inlet attached to a laser energy source and an outlet for emitting laser energy. The delivery member has an inlet attached to a medicament source and an outlet for injecting medicament. A handpiece is adapted to receive the ablating and injecting device in a controlled and movable relationship and may include at least one tissue stabilizing member thereon. In use, the distal end of the handpiece is placed against tissue to be ablated. The optical fiber is advanced into the tissue while emitting laser energy thereby ablating the tissue and forming a channel therein. During retraction, medicament may be injected into the channel or into the tissue surrounding the channel.

Abstract: A disposable insertion tip for a body cavity cleaning or irrigation device includes at least one tear strip. Once attached to the cleaning device, the insertion tip is sealingly locked in a predetermined position permitting liquid to be dispensed into a body cavity and used liquid to be returned from the body cavity through respective interior chambers provided in the insertion tip. The tip cannot be removed without first tearing the tear strip, which once torn, disables the sealing capability of the tip relative to the cleaning device. The insertion tip is preferably made from a transparent material which permits a user to view the efficacy of a cleaning procedure and to note when removal of the tip is required.

Abstract: A disposable insertion tip for a body cavity cleaning or irrigation device includes at least one tear strip. Once attached to the cleaning device, the insertion tip is sealingly locked in a predetermined position permitting liquid to be dispensed into a body cavity and used liquid to be returned from the body cavity through respective interior chambers provided in the insertion tip. The tip cannot be removed without first tearing the tear strip, which once torn, disables the sealing capability of the tip relative to the cleaning device. The insertion tip is preferably made from a transparent material which permits a user to view the efficacy of a cleaning procedure and to note when removal of the tip is required.

Abstract: A faucet coupling device includes a housing secured to a faucet and having a channel and a port and an aperture and an outlet opening communicating with each other. A nozzle is coupled to the aperture of the housing, and one or more cleaning members may be selectively coupled to the port. A switch device is disposed in the channel of the housing for switching between the outlet opening and the aperture and the port of the housing, and for controlling the water to flow through the outlet opening of the housing or the nozzle or the cleaning members.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system wherein a drug or other fluid to be delivered to a specific desired location within the body is stored in a reservoir that is directly displaced by a force to infuse the drug from the device into the patient. Several specific methods are used to displace the reservoir, including, generally, hydraulic displacement, mechanical screw-type displacement, and spring force displacement of the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A ball-shaped implant made out of a pliable fiber. The fiber is introduced into the body and when it encounters body tissue it folds upon itself to form a ball-shaped implant. A fluid may be placed around the implant either to hold it in place or to add a biologically active agent to the implant. The fiber of the implant may be biodegradable, or hollow and porous to allow for drugs placed inside the fiber to be administered to the body. One end of the fiber may be long enough to extend out of the body for later removal.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system wherein a drug or other fluid to be delivered to a specific desired location within the body is stored in a reservoir that is directly displaced by a force to infuse the drug from the device into the patient. Several specific methods are used to displace the reservoir, including, generally, hydraulic displacement, mechanical screw-type displacement, and spring force displacement of the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An irrigation syringe which is particularly adapted for injecting water into a human body cavity, such as for the cleansing of an ear, includes a pressure regulator unit which is connected to, and supported by, a faucet, and a handpiece including a manually operable valve. The regulator unit includes a supply chamber having an inlet which is connected to a pressure water supply such as a faucet, an outlet which supplies pressure regulated water to the handpiece, and a pressure relief outlet having a check valve which opens to allow water to drain, such as into a sink, when the water pressure inside the regulator unit exceeds a predetermined value. A flow limiting orifice at the inlet to the supply chamber helps smooth out pressure fluctuations from the water supply and provides a steady flow from the supply chamber outlet. Temperature and pressure readouts are provided on both the pressure regulator unit and the handpiece.

Abstract: An ear irrigation device has a pump communicating with a water container for pumping water through a tube to a handpiece nozzle, for discharge into a person's ear. A control circuit operated by a switch energizes a motor, for driving the pump. The control circuit generates pulses to intermittently energize the motor, and the pulses are automatically controlled so as to positively restrict pressure discharge of water from the nozzle to a low pressure on actuation of the switch and subsequently to permit an increase in the pressure of the water discharge only after a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: Applicant's invention is of apparatuses and associated methods in the use of high pressure, sterile water jets in effecting surgical incisions, including those of hard tissues such as bone. The combination of high pressure and sterility is achieved by enclosing a collapsible bag of sterile water within an implosion chamber itself filled with fluid. The collapsible bag is sealingly ported through an orifice in the implosion chamber. As pressure is applied to the fluid within the implosion chamber, by way of a hydraulic ram, the sterile water exits the collapsible bag under extremely high pressure through its port and is directed through a hand-held cutting nozzle to an incision site. Unintended, collateral tissue trauma is minimized in one embodiment though use of a water shroud projected about the high pressure water jet during cutting operations.

Abstract: A system for cleansing a patient's ear is disclosed. This system contains a control unit, a portable applicator, and a means for modifying the flow of fluid from the device when temperature or pressure limits are exceeded. The control unit contains a heater and control means for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within certain limits, for limiting the pressure of the liquid, and for varying the flow rate of the liquid. The portable applicator contains a handpiece, a nozzle which is connected to the fluid source and is mounted on the handpiece, and a means for providing a signal to the control unit.

Abstract: A thermal actuator, also known as a heat capacitance motor, derives its energy from the physical expansion of paraffin wax as it changes from solid to liquid when heated within an enclosure such as a cylinder. This energy is converted into mechanical force which causes translation of a piston slidably mounted within the cylinder, thus creating hydrostatic pressure which is converted to work. The thermal actuator may be utilized in various drug delivery systems in which the hydrostatic pressure created by the actuator is used expel the contents of a syringe.

Abstract: A system for cleansing a patient's ear which contains a control unit, a portable applicator, and a device for modifying fluid flow when temperature or pressure units are exceeded. The control unit contains a heater and a controller for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within certain limits, for limiting the pressure of the liquid, and for varying the flow rate of the liquid. The portable applicator contains a handpiece, a nozzle, and a device for providing a signal to the control unit.

Abstract: A pneumatic powered, modular device, suitable for giving an adjustable dose of liquid medication to animals drawing the liquid from a bulk container. Modular design permits several ranges of dosage as well as methods of delivery such as hypodermic, oral or poured on skin. In FIG. 1 we show the hypodermic mode. Compressed air enters handle 1 at base through fitting 18, goes through passage 19 into 3 way valve 21 normally closed. Depressing trigger 22 allows air to enter chamber 24 pushing piston 7 forward. Liquid in front of piston 7 is expelled past check valve 25 into chamber 26 and out of hypodermic needle. Gasket 30 holds liquid in. For oral delivery, terminal 35 is substituted. Upon release of trigger 22, 3 way valve 21 permits air on chamber 24 to exhaust via exit 31 on valve, spring 11 pulls piston back until fitting expansion 13 stops against adjustable nut 6. This determines size of dosage.

Abstract: A system for cleansing a patient's ear is disclosed. This system contains a control unit, a portable applicator, and a means for modifying the flow of fluid from the device when temperature or pressure limits are exceeded.The control unit contains a heater, a pump, and control means for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within certain limits, for limiting the pressure of the liquid, and for varying the flow rate of the liquid.The portable applicator contains a handpiece, a nozzle which is connected to the fluid source and is mounted on the handpiece, and a means for providing a signal to the control unit.

Abstract: An intraruminal device for controlled release of a drug formulation in the rumen of an animal, comprises an open-ended tube for containing the drug formulation, a piston adapted to travel longitudinally within the tube and biased so as to deliver the drug formulation through the open end of the tube. Travelling with the piston is an associated weight adapted to retain the device within the rumen during delivery of the drug formulation.

Abstract: A douche attachment for easy attachment to a hand held shower heat comprises a nozzle, a cone having its reduced end attached to the nozzle and its enlarged end to engage the outer perimeter of the face of a shower head, and a elongated ring of thin flexible material attached at one end of the enlarged end of the shower head and adapted to be gathered behind the shower head and held in place by a velcro strap. The nozzle is formed of a tubular material having ridges and apertures in the valleys between the ridges. The small end of the cone may be attached to the nozzle by any suitable means and may be further formed to hold a screen in place at the entrance to the nozzle. The cone may be formed of soft vinyl which generally holds its shape but can be yieldably deformed. The thin flexible material may be secured to the enlarged end of the cone by any suitable means.

Abstract: A douche apparatus for vaginal application with a high temperature thermostatic valve located close to the source of mixed hot and cold water immediately after an adapter for connecting the apparatus to the water faucet. The apparatus has a hollow handle with a threaded extension which receives a disposable nozzle for vaginal introduction of douche liquids received through the handle. A flexible hose connects the thermostat output to a backflow prevention valve at the handle input to prevent douche additives introduced through a mixing chamber in the handle from being introduced to the water supply. A gate valve in the handle controls liquid volume and pressure in the flow channel exiting the handle through a macro screen for particulate matter filtration and a micro screen for bacterial filtration of the douche liquid immediately prior to exiting the handle and communication to the nozzle for vaginal cavity entry.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture that is uniquely designed to function as a toilet or water closet, and as a bidet is disclosed. The fixture also includes a mechanism for administering a douche or medicinal solution, and has provision for dispensing soap and also includes an auxiliary spraying device for use as a cleansing apparatus. The fixture is adapted for connection to sources of hot and cold water and has a control means that enables the user to regulate the temperature of the water that is provided by the auxiliary spraying device and by the douche or medicinal administering mechanism. The fixture is designed for use as a toilet and as a bidet without manipulation, and for administering a douching solution with relative ease. The preparation of the douching or medicinal solution is facilitated by the capability of removing the container that holds such a solution, and the container can be easily cleaned after such use.

Abstract: A device intended to be attached to a toilet basin to permit irrigation of the colon, comprises a tube (2) which is carried by a holder (1) and having end connected to a water container located at a higher level than the toilet stool and the other end connected to a rectum catheter via a check valve. The holder (1) is provided with two sprung attachment arms (7) which project from the (1) in two mutually opposite directions and in a common plane. The arms are arranged, when the holder is inserted into the cavity of a toilet basin, to fix the holder (1) in a given position at the rear part of the basin as a result of the sprung abutment of the arms (7) against the basin walls, so that the rectum catheter extends substantially vertically upwards. The attachment arms suitably comprise arcuate wire rods (7) or bands, which abut the basin walls immediately beneath the flush water outlets.

Abstract: A mechanism, such as a motor driving a pump, creates a pulsating fluid flow. There is a control for varying the pulsation frequency independently of the fluid pressure or rate of flow. Another control varies the pressure or rate of fluid flow independently of the frequency of pulsation. Separate pulsatile lavage, irrigation, and aspiration functions are provided. In another aspect, the mechanism for producing the pulsating flow includes a fluid driving means, such as a reciprocating pump, and there is a means for varying the length of stroke of the driving means.

Abstract: An improved shower-mounted douche apparatus features a high pressure safety design comprising a flow restricting orifice affixed in the entry passageway of the douche bottle mixing head assembly. Increased venturi action is needed to operate a proper mix using the reduced mixing head pressure. The increased venturi action is obtained by narrowing the siphon tube near the entrance to the mixing head. A further ease of use feature consists of a push pull two position valve which allows quick and easy selection of using either the shower head or douche attachment.

Abstract: A douche apparatus for attachment between a shower head and its water supply pipe. The apparatus has a manual valve for diverting water from the shower head to a lateral passage leading to the mixing head of a container assembly holding a liquid douche medicament. The mixing head has a venturi passageway into which the douche medicament is drawn up through a siphon tube by the flow of water through the venturi passagway. An adjustable flow control device controls the rate at which the medicament is drawn into the mixing head. A rotatably adjustable fitting attaches the mixing head to the valve so that the siphon tube in the container assembly can be positioned vertical. A douche applicator receives the mixture of water and medicament from the mixing head.

Abstract: An oral irrigation assembly of the type designed to be used in combination with a conventional water outlet such as an outlet associated with a showerhead or like water dispersement means. A water conduit includes a first and second channel structured to deliver water concurrently to the showerhead and to an assembly specifically structured to cause pulsing water flow to issue from the water conduit to an irrigating applicator preferably in the form of a nozzle or the like. A valve structure is disposed in water regulating relation to the second channel such that water flow may be selectively stopped when use of the oral irrigating device is not desired but water flow from the showerhead is maintained.

Abstract: A surgical nozzle apparatus used for removing an undesired tissue with a jet of pressurized fluid. A handpiece including a fluid injecting nozzle piece and a valve assembly capable of cutting off the supply of the pressurized fluid to the nozzle piece, further includes a suction nozzle opening at a position downstream of the nozzle piece. The suction nozzle is connected to external suction means so that the waste fluid and the separated tissue at a surgically treated part are simultaneously sucked and discharged during the operation.

Abstract: A sequential medication delivery device for intravenous administration of plural medications is disclosed. A secondary medication can be administered to a patient followed by an automatic resumption of the delivery of the primary medication at a predetermined flow rate. The disclosed medication delivery device includes an internal valving system and an associated medication chamber that contains the secondary medication to be delivered. While the medication chamber contains such secondary medication, the flow of primary medication to the patient is interrupted. However, once the medication chamber has been substantially emptied the flow of primary medication to the patient is resumed automatically.

Abstract: A device for removing urinary blockages in small male animals comprising non-traumatic needle adapted to be inserted in the urethra of the animal, connected to means for introducing a pulsating liquid flow through said needle is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of removing urinary blockages in small male animals comprising inserting said needle in the urethra.

Abstract: The disclosure is of eye irrigating apparatus comprising a scissors mechanism having two blades, between which a tubular body is positioned, through which an irrigating fluid can flow into the eye from a fluid source.