Abstract: A sheath which contains a catheter or guide wire is provided with a connector at one end which, in turn, has a sealing membrane which can be pierced by a hollow needle when the catheter/guide wire is to be expelled from the adaptor assembly. An introducer, which is to be implanted in a body cavity such as a blood vessel, also has a hub with a sealing membrane disposed across the hub so as to abut the sealing membrane of the adaptor assembly. This membrane is also pierced by the hollow needle when the connection is made prior to insertion of a catheter or guide wire into the blood vessel. In one embodiment, a syringe may be provided with a connector and mounted on the hub of the introducer.

Abstract: A multisegment balloon protector, includes several protectors each of which covers and tightly fits over a portion of the length of a balloon of a dilatation catheter.

Abstract: A vent cycle indicator for a suction catheter formed by a sleeve connected between a collar having a wiper seal and a crosspiece. The suction catheter includes a vacuum connection member having a normally closed valve. A catheter tube is connected to the vacuum connection member and extends through the collar and crosspiece. The crosspiece is for connection to a ventilator such that during ventilation the indicator sleeve expands and contracts during the inspiration and expiration cycles. The protective sleeve may be provided between the collar and the vacuum connection member to keep the catheter tube enclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for injecting medication into a ventilator circuit. An elbow connects an endotracheal tube to the external ventilator circuit. A port in the elbow is connected to a flexible sheath leading to an actuator receiving an MDI canister. A catheter extends from the actuator substantially through the sheath to a position adjacent the elbow. When it is desired to inject medication, the actuator is moved to a position adjacent the elbow, thus projecting the discharge end of the catheter to a position within the endotracheal tube, but short of the open end thereof.

Abstract: An improvement in a catheter assembly including a cannula, an inserter having a guide channel therethrough in which the cannula slidably fits and a hub structure with the cannula proximal end portion attached to the hub structure. The improvement includes a sheath having a longitudinal slit or weakened portion and being about the cannula between the inserter and the hub structure. A sheath stripping construction carried by the inserter strips the sheath from about the cannula as the cannula slides distally through the guide channel. A first lock member is carried by the inserter and an interlocking second lock member is located about the cannula between the inserter and the hub structure. The cannula is protected from contamination and from kinking and a positive lock serves to prevent its accidental withdrawal. A method of inserting a cannula using such an assembly is likewise set forth.

Abstract: A ventilating and aspirating assembly comprising an aspirating catheter tube internally disposed within and coextensive with a surrounding flexible collapsible sterility preserving film envelope, a connector by which ventilating air is involuntarily delivered to and exhausted from the lungs of a medical patient, said connector comprising structure which accommodates the manual insertion of the catheter tube into and manual removal from the trachea/bronchi patient through the connector. This facilitates aspiration of undesired respiratory fluids.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter apparatus which protects a clinician from accidental puncture which may result in the transfer of dangerous infections. The catheter is introduced with the aid of a needle, which is thereafter withdrawn from the patient 3 s body into a protective housing without exposing the needle during any intermediate stage of the process. Means are provided for latching the housing in place after needle withdrawal, and for locking the catheter hub in place until that time. Withdrawal and locking are effected in one continuous motion.

Abstract: Equipment is disclosed for shielding a catheter such as a balloon-tipped vascular catheter from contamination during testing and insertion and for shielding a substantial reserve catheter section for use if catheter re-positioning is necessary. As shown, the structure includes two interconnecting envelopes which physically isolate the catheter. One envelope is designed to shield the distal end portion of the catheter during testing for luman patency and balloon inflation. The other envelope is extendible to cover the entire length of catheter intended for insertion into the patent upon completion of required tests. The second envelope thereafter provides a means for advancement or re-positioning of the catheter or withdrawal of the same without physical contact by the hands or exposure to airborne contaminants.

Abstract: The catheter protective shield is used to protect a flow directed catheter of the type used in the measurement of central venous pressure and pulmonary wedge pressure. The cathetershield assembly includes front and rear hubs sized to permit movement of the catheter therethrough and an external support tube for interconnecting the front and rear hubs. A flexible protective sleeve interconnects the two hubs. The protective sleeve is substantially longer than the external support tube and is collapsible to permit interconnection of the hubs by the external support tube and may be extended to shield a substantial length of catheter.

Abstract: A ventilating and aspirating assembly comprising an aspirating catheter tube internally disposed within and coextensive with a surrounding flexible collapsible sterility preserving film envelope, a connector by which ventilating air is involuntarily delivered to and exhausted from the lungs of a medical patient, said connector comprising structure which accommodates the manual insertion of the catheter tube into and manual removal from the trachea/bronchi patient through the connector. This facilitates aspiration of undesired respiratory fluids.

Abstract: An aspirating device includes a flexible catheter having a proximal portion including a proximal end, a distal portion including a distal end and a passageway therethrough. The catheter is adapted for insertion into the trachea of a patient and includes at least one aperture in its distal portion for allowing fluid communication between the exterior of the catheter and the passageway. A patient housing includes a proximal first end having a first opening, a distal second end having a second opening and a side wall therebetween defining a cavity in the patient housing. The catheter is positioned in the first opening and capable of passing through the second opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intubation assembly for nasogastric intubation comprising a catheter and a plastic sheath tube for encasing the catheter along substantially the full length thereof, the sheath tube having a longitudinal tear-off line over the full length thereof and having elasticity and rigidity slightly greater than the catheter which is slidably inserted in the sheath tube.

Abstract: A flexible sheath assembly for an indwelling catheter is provided which maintains the sterility of an otherwise exposed portion of an indwelling catheter so that the depth of insertion of the catheter within a body may be adjusted without causing contamination. The assembly includes a transparent flexible sheathing which is sealingly secured at its ends to front and rear hubs each having a passageway therethrough which is sized to permit passage of a catheter. The flexible sheathing is longitudinally expandable from a collapsed position wherein the sheathing is twisted about an axis substantially parallel to the length of the sheath. The flexible sheathing in the collapsed position defines a central passageway which is aligned with the front and rear hub passageways for permitting the catheter to be guided through the interior of the flexible sheathing as it is passed between the front and rear hubs.

Abstract: A catheter placement device is provided which includes an adapter with an elastomeric grommet having a bore through which a pliable catheter is fed into a blood vessel of a patient. The grommet has a flange engageable with the catheter and effects a relatively low resistance to distal movement of the catheter and relatively high resistance to proximal movement of the catheter. A pair of adapters may be used with one adapter carrying a grommet and the other having a frusto-conical bore receiving an end of the grommet. The adapters are relatively rotatable to cause the grommet to lock the catheter against axial movement relative to the adapters. Retention members may be used to prevent inadvertent separation of the adapters during relative rotation.

Abstract: A ventilating and aspirating assembly comprising an aspirating catheter tube internally disposed within and coextensive with a surrounding flexible collapsible sterility preserving film envelope, a connector by which ventilating air is involuntarily delivered to and exhausted from the lungs of a medical patient, said connector comprising structure which accommodates the manual insertion of the catheter tube into and manual removal from the trachea/bronchi patient through the connector. This facilitates aspiration of undesired respiratory fluids.

Abstract: A device for sterile storage of a catheter (11) and sterile advancing thereof a given length directly in a blood vessel, the device comprising a connecting piece (13), which is connectable both to a cannula and to a transparent, flexible protective sheath (15), in particular a plastic bag, enclosing the catheter. In order to allow continuous reading of the fed out catheter length the protective sheath (15) is equipped with a length scale (17), which has its highest value nearest the connecting piece (13) and which is made so that the reading of the length scale against the remaining length of the catheter in the protective sheath corresponds to the fed out length of the catheter. Further means (23;31;32;33) are provided which allow withdrawal of the protective sheath from wrinkled position to stretched position without bringing the catheter (11) with it.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shield assembly for a catheter particularly useful for the protection of flow directed catheters used in the measurement of central venous pressure and pulmonary wedge pressure. The shield assembly includes front and rear hubs each with a central passage sized to permit movement of a catheter therethrough and a feed tube for interconnecting the front and rear hubs. The feed tube has a lumen extending between the passage and the hubs for guiding a catheter passed through the rear hub and out through the front hub. A flexible sheath interconnects the two hubs. The sheath is substantially longer than the feed tube and is collapsible to permit interconnection of the two hubs by the feed tube for catheter guidance during feeding of the catheter through the rear hub, through the feed tube and through the front hub and is extendable to shield a substantial length of catheter from contamination when the front and rear hubs are separated.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe with a self-sterilizing needle, wherein a capsule containing sterilizing fluid and having perforative ends of flexible material with elastic memory tendencies for self sealing after axial penetration by the forward end of the needle is coaxially and slidably received over the forward end of the needle with the forward exposed end of the needle slidably penetrating one end of the capsule in perforation for sterilization of the needle. A guide is provided for the capsule, and guides the capsule for axial movement on the needle when axial force is applied against the outer end of the capsule, such as by engagement against the hide of an animal, to cause the exposed end of the needle to penetrate the outer end of the capsule for hypodermic penetration.