Abstract: A device for delivery of a biocompatible polymer composition for treatment of urinary incontinence provides for delivery of biocompatible polymer material and a solidification agent through two lumens. The delivery device provides better control of the precipitation of the polymer in the periurethral tissue and detachment of the precipitated mass from the delivery device. The medical device includes a needle having a lumen and an inner cannula positioned within the needle lumen and movable longitudinally in the needle lumen from an extended position to a withdrawn position to sheer or cut the delivered mass of polymer material away from the needle tip.

Abstract: A holder sleeve (1) incorporates an urging means (8) for urging an inner needle (12) to the proximal end side and an actuator (6) which engages the inner needle (12) at the near distal end portion of the holder sleeve (1) so that the inner needle (12) can be released and the tip of the inner needle is projected from the holder sleeve (1). This actuator (6) has an inner needle hub (12a) fixed at the front end thereof and is formed with an actuating member (6a) projected outside the holder sleeve (1). The holder sleeve (1) has a slit (2) which extends to the proximal end side so as to allow the actuating member (6a) of the actuator (6) to slide and assures the path of movement of the actuator (6) released from the near distal end portion of the holder sleeve (1). The inner needle (12) is adapted to be released from the holder sleeve (1) when the actuating member (6a) is moved away from the holder sleeve (1) within the same plane that includes the axis of the holder sleeve (1).

Abstract: The mechanism includes: an urging means for urging an inner needle (12) to the side opposite to an outer needle (11) with respect to the axial direction of a holder sleeve (1) for holding the inner needle (12); an actuator (6) which is positioned between the urging means (8) and inner needle (12), moves together with the inner needle (12) and has a puncture position retainer for keeping the inner needle (12) and outer needle (11) ready for puncture and an inner needle retraction actuating portion for allowing for the retraction actuation of the inner needle (12); and a slit (2) for assuring the path of movement of the actuator (6). The puncture position retainer has a puncture position engagement portion whereby the actuator (6) is engaged with the holder sleeve (1) at a position on the outer needle side (11).

Abstract: A thoracentesis device for removing fluid from a cavity includes a hypersensitive dual spring indication mechanism for alerting the user of any contact to internal body organs. The thoracentesis device includes a handle and an outer needle fixedly attached to the handle. The outer needle forms a sharp distal end and a spring-loaded inner needle, including a blunt tip distal end, is slidably disposed inside the conduit of the outer needle. A first spring has a first spring force that urges the inner needle into a fully extended position and a second spring has a second spring force that acts on the inner needle in opposition of the first spring force. A first and second opposite colored indicators are arranged in contact with the springs so as to alert the user to any initial contact made by the thoracentesis device.

Abstract: A tissue mapping injection device suitable for use during a lymphatic breast mapping procedure is provided. The device includes a housing having an elongated body portion extending distally therefrom. A plunger is slidably positioned within the housing. A connector rod is secured to the forward end of the plunger and extends distally through the elongated body portion. The plunger and the connector rod define a fluid delivery channel. A plurality of needles are secured to the distal end of the connector rod. Each of the needles is constructed from a shape memory material and defines a fluid injection channel which communicates with the fluid delivery channel. The plunger is movable from a retracted position wherein the needles are positioned within the elongated body portion to an advanced position wherein the needles extend outwardly from the distal end of the elongated body portion.

Abstract: A low-profile inserter for an angled infusion set comprises an inserter housing having a bottom wall, a retainer slidably connected to the inserter housing for movement between retracted and extended positions in a direction substantially parallel with the bottom wall, and a base member connected to the inserter housing. The retainer is adapted to releasably receive a cannula assembly, including a cannula connected to a cannula housing. The base member has a lower surface that is adapted to contact a skin outer surface. The lower surface and bottom wall together form an acute angle. With this arrangement, the cannula can be inserted subcutaneously at the acute angle with respect to the skin outer surface.

Abstract: A needle-bearing medical device is provided for inserting a guide wire. After use the needle is shielded to render the contaminated needle safe to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes a housing and a needle having a sharpened tip. A biasing element biases the needle toward a position in which the sharpened tip is shielded. A connector is provided for attaching a fluid collection device to the guide wire insertion device, if desired. A guide is configured for guiding the guide wire through the port and into the needle. A method is also provided for using the medical device, in which the needle is inserted vascularly into a patient. A fluid collection device is attached to the connector of the device and blood is drawn into the fluid collection device to ensure that the needle is properly positioned within a vein or artery of the patient. A guide wire is then inserted into the patient through the device and the needle is retracted to shield the needle.

Abstract: An indwelling needle assembly having an outer needle to be pieced and retained in tissue of a living body, an outer needle hub to which the outer needle is fixed, an inner needle slidably inserted in a lumen of the outer needle and having a sharp blade edge, an inner needle hub to which the inner needle is fixed, and a needle guard having a multi-tube structure composed of a plurality of telescoping tubes and capable of accommodating the inner needle and the inner needle hub therein. The assembly has a first elastic means provided in the needle guard for withdrawing the tubes, a second elastic means that engages with the inner needle hub and biases the hub toward the proximal end of the guard, and a stopper means that holds the inner needle hub and the needle guard against biasing forces of the elastic means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a delivery catheter assembly for advancing a surgical device to a desired location within a vessel during a surgical procedure. The delivery catheter assembly includes an inner sheath assembly through which the surgical device is advanced to the desired location within the vessel. The delivery catheter assembly further includes an outer sheath assembly surrounding the inner sheath assembly. In accordance with the present invention, at least one of the inner sheath assembly and the outer sheath assembly has an angular configuration at a predetermined time during the surgical procedure. The present invention further includes an adjusting assembly for creating the angular configuration of at least one of the inner sheath assembly and the outer sheath assembly. The adjusting assembly may include at least one pull wire positioned within one of the inner sheath and the outer sheath. Furthermore, the inner sheath assembly is movable with respect to the outer sheath assembly.

Abstract: A medical puncturing device for a so-called indwelling needle, includes: an indwelling needle composed of an indwelling outer needle element of a soft synthetic resin capillary tube and a puncturing inner needle element of a metallic capillary tube fitted through the outer needle element; and an outer sleeve for incorporating the indwelling needle. The indwelling needle has a projected part on the periphery at the rear end thereof while the outer sleeve has a guide slot cut along the axial direction on the peripheral surface thereof. The projected part is fitted through the guide slot and can move forward and backward so as to project and retract the indwelling needle with respect to the front side of the outer sleeve. The device further has locking arrangements in the front and rear ends of the guide slot so as to keep the indwelling needle at the projected and retracted positions.

Abstract: The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: Sleeve apparatus for a phacoemulsification/irrigation and aspiration handpiece includes an elongate sleeve having a proximal and a distal end with a sleeve establishing an annular passage around a needle enabling irrigation fluid to pass into the eye through the passage and into the eye while cooling the needle. The elongate sleeve includes a hub disposed a proximal end for enabling attachment of the sleeve to the handpiece and a port disposed approximate the distal end and in fluid communication with the annular passage is provided for introducing irrigation fluid into the eye. An Internal circumferential berm, disposed between the port and the distal end is provided to reduce flow of the irrigation fluid therepast, to provide rigidity to the distal end of the sleeve and concomitantly provide limited contact with the needle in order to produce thermal transfer therebetween.

Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter assembly and method for use with a needle in one embodiment includes a catheter hub and a needle cover attachable to and releasably lockable with the catheter hub when the needle extends through the needle cover. A stop assembly is attached to the needle and to the needle cover for maintaining a tip of the needle within the needle cover. The stop assembly includes a first irrereversible locking position whereby the catheter hub cannot disengage from the needle cover, and a second locking position whereby the catheter hub can disengage from the needle cover.

Abstract: A novel instrument for automatic sampling or removal of tissue percutaneously from a patient. In a disclosed embodiment the instrument comprises a housing, a means for excising tissue from a target site within a patient's body extending from the housing, a means for impelling the excising means into a target tissue site in response to an impelling force, and a rotatable handle.

Abstract: An endoscopic needle device includes an outer sheath, an elongate shaft extending through the sheath, a needle rigidly attached to the distal end of the shaft, and a handle assembly having a housing coupled to the proximal end of the sheath and having a syringe port in fluid communication with the sheath and a knob rotatably coupled to the housing. Rotation of the knob relative to the housing causes rotation of the shaft relative to the sheath. The needle and the distal end of the sheath are mated by a threaded connection. As such, rotation of the knob relative to the housing causes precise longitudinal movement and extension of the needle relative to the distal end of the sheath. A set of intermeshing gears are provided between the knob and shaft which function to permit at most one rotation of the knob to cause complete extension and/or retraction of the needle. Furthermore, assemblies are provided with permit the shaft to accommodate movement of the needle relative to the sheath.

Abstract: A spring needle cannula with a first end and a second end wherein said first end is inserted into a body to inject medicament into said body and wherein the second end of said spring needle cannula is formed into a coiled spring and wherein said coiled spring is stretched into a biased spring needle cannula and contained in a modular hub chamber and wherein said first end of said spring needle cannula extends from a tunnel formed in said first end of said modular hub chamber and wherein said second end of said needle cannula is formed into a biased spring cannula and held between an inclined plane latching means and a flange, fixed to a ridge formed at the second end of said modular hub chamber.

Abstract: A needle device for the delivery of medicaments, insuflation or other medical devices, having a reciprocable needle sensitive to lack of resistance, whereupon such needle retracts, permitting a cannula therewith to provide access to the penetrated body.

Abstract: A pneumatically powered trocar assembly includes a source of compressed gas which releases a metered amount of gas to a chamber. A piston slidably positioned within the chamber is driven forward by the compressed gas introduced therein, and an obturator with a tissue piercing tip are advanced thereby. Optionally, a sensor detects the presence of body tissue within the cutting path of the tip and blocks the passage of compressed gas to the chamber, or alternatively, opens an escape vent to release compressed gas therefrom if insufficient body tissue resistance is encountered. The powered trocar assembly is intended for use in conjunction with a cannula assembly to create a passage to the interior of a body cavity for conducting surgical procedures.

Abstract: Catheter advancing assembly having a stylet including a shaft, and a catheter advancing piece including a rod having a bore therethrough. The bore of the rod accommodates a portion of the shaft of the stylet. A holding unit affixed to the proximal end of the shaft, to be used in conjunction with a grasping unit affixed to the rod, allows for the holding and manipulation of the catheter advancing assembly with only one hand. A method for making a catheter advancing assembly of the invention is disclosed, as well as a method for advancing a ventricular catheter within a ventricular catheter in a “soft” manner using only one hand.

Abstract: A intravenous catheter device having a biased spring hard needle, disposed in a soft catheter. The biased spring hard needle is held within an elongated hollow barrel wherein the biased spring hard needle is extended past the first end of the soft catheter, and is further disposed in the inside of the soft catheter and further extends past the first end of the elongated hollow barrel wherein the biased spring hard needle is pulled into an almost straight line wherein the second end of the biased spring hard needle is fixed to an end cap at the second end of the elongated hollow barrel. The biased spring hard needle is held within the soft catheter and the elongated hollow barrel by an inclined plane latching device.

Abstract: A handle device for a catheter-sheath assembly includes a handle member having proximal and distal ends, and a control member including a tubular portion coupled to a control portion, the control portion slidably coupled to the handle member. A cooperating rail and wheel are provided on the handle member and the control portion for directing the control portion axially with respect to the handle member upon rotation of the wheel. A tubular sheath extends distally from the tubular portion, and a catheter or bumper is secured to the handle member that extends through the tubular portion into the sheath. The control portion is directable between distal and proximal positions to direct the tubular portion proximally and consequently retract the sheath with respect to the catheter or bumper to deploy a stent or other element from within the sheath.