Abstract: A plunger engagement section for safety hypodermic syringe includes a protruding portion at the plunger engagement section accommodated by a barrel. The protruding portion fills an entire space at an interior of a needle holder when the plunger is pushed forward, thereby overcoming a drawback or prior inventions as failing to completely inject a medical solute contained.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating erectile dysfunction comprising the step of placing within the fossa navicularis of the patient an effective erection-inducing amount of a prostaglandin E1 composition of a semi-solid consistency, as well as suitable applicators. The composition comprises prostaglandin E1, a penetration enhancer, a polysaccharide gum, a lipophilic compound, and an acidic buffer system. The penetration enhancer is an alkyl-2-(N,N-disubstituted amino)-alkanoate ester, an (N,N-disubstituted amino)-alkanol alkanoate, or a mixture of these. The lipophilic compound may be an aliphatic C1 to C8 alcohol, aliphatic C2 to C30 ester, an aliphatic C8 to C30 ester, or a mixture of these. The composition includes a buffer system capable of providing a buffered pH value for said composition in the range of about 3 to about 7.4.

Abstract: A retracting needle assembly for use with a syringe barrel having a distally-facing annular sealing surface includes an outer hub having a conduit therethrough, a proximally facing annular sealing surface and means for connecting the outer hub to the syringe barrel. An inner hub having a passageway therethrough is provided. The inner hub includes a distally extending stem and a proximal flange for releasably engaging the outer hub. A needle having a sharp distal end and a proximal end is mounted in the passageway of the inner hub so that the sharp distal end projects distally outwardly. An elongate spring is disposed about the stem of the inner hub and is deflected to provide a bias between the inner hub and the outer hub. A hollow sleeve sized to fit within the conduit of the outer hub over the spring is provided. The sleeve has a sharp edge at its distal end for cutting through the flange to activate the retracting needle feature.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe with a selectively retractable includes an elongate barrel having an open proximal end and a distal end that defines a receiver. The syringe has a hollow elongate plunger with an open proximal end and a closed distal end. The syringe has an elongate hub having a passageway therethrough, a distally extending stem, and a proximal flange with an engagement for engaging said barrel. The syringe has an elongate needle having a fluid path therethrough, a sharpened distal end and a proximal end. The needle is mounted in the passageway so that the distal end projects distally outwardly. The syringe has an elongate spring disposed about the stem of the hub that is compressed between the flange and the receiver to provide a bias. There is a hollow sleeve sized to fit within the receiver over the elongate spring with a proximal sharpened end facing the flange.

Abstract: The barrel of a hypodermic syringe is provided with a restrictor in the vicinity of its open end, the restrictor having being designed so as ordinarily to retain liquid within the barrel prior to fitting of a needle unit to the barrel but being adapted to allow passage of a needle and needle mounting hub therethrough.

Abstract: A pressure sleeve assembly and a method of its use in a fluid injection system are disclosed. The pressure sleeve assembly includes a longitudinal base member, an endplate associated with the longitudinal base member, a fixed or freely removable door, a cylinder and a pivotal arm coupling the cylinder to the longitudinal base member. The pressure sleeve assembly includes properties that increase the ease of use and maintenance of the assembly so as to reduce the effort required by the user and increase the biosafety aspect of the assembly. In addition, the pressure sleeve assembly includes properties that reduce the amount of effort required by the physician prior to and during use of the system as well as properties that increase its range of applications.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including an adapter, a sheath and filling spike for connecting to said adapter and an intravenous connector for intravenously administering medicine to a patient. The barrel may be connected to the adapter and the filling spike for filling the barrel with medicine. The medicine can then be injected into a patient through either the needleless intravenous injection system or through a retractable needle assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polarizer for noble gases comprising a glass sample cell and a pressure chanter in which the sample cell is located. High pressure and accompanying broadband or narrow-band lasers can be similarly provided in an optimal manner. To this end, the polarizer is operated at pressures of 30 bar and higher.

Abstract: A medical transfer or storage device for delivery or storage of a medicament, drug or vaccine, wherein a first component, preferably the major component, is formed of a cyclic olefin polymer, and a second component in contact with the first component is formed of a second polymer which does not chemically interact with the cyclic olefin polymeric component at elevated temperatures, including sterilization. More specifically, the relative energy distance Ra/Ro of the polymer selected for the second component relative to the cyclic olefin polymer is greater than 0.75 and the molecular weight of the second polymer is at least 5,000 to prevent adhesion of the second component to the cyclic olefin component and stress cracking at elevated temperatures. The most preferred embodiment is a syringe assembly having a cyclic olefin polymeric barrel and a resilient stopper formed of the second polymer.

Abstract: A syringe for use with an infusion pump, the infusion pump having a cavity for receiving the syringe. The syringe includes a syringe body, a plunger and an end cap. The syringe body has a tube that is open at a first end and transitions to a passage at a second end and a connector extending from the passage, the connector for attachment to an infusion set or tubing. The plunger is slidably mounted inside the tube and comprises a plunger tip and a plunger rod. The plunger tip has a front face that is complementarily received by the second end of the tube and a rear face, the plunger tip forming an interference fit with the tube. The plunger rod has a first end attached to the plunger tip and a second end extending outside the first end of the tube. The plunger rod has a cross-sectional shape that is complementarily received by the cavity of the infusion pump when inserted in only one direction.

Abstract: A gas-powered, durable, needle-less hypodermic jet injection device (10, 110) includes a hand-held injector (12, 112) which provides a volume of liquid medication to be injected, an injection orifice, and an injection piston. Forceful movement of the injection piston causes an injection jet of medication to be expelled from the injection orifice. The injection device also includes a hermetically sealed gas pressure cartridge (28) which is opened in preparation to effecting a jet injection, and which powers the jet injection, but from which pressurized gas is not allowed to flow in volume until a user of the device shifts a valving spool (24).

Abstract: Disclosed is a single-use syringe comprising a needle housing, a bore-containing fluid-delivery needle and a volume-containing element. The needle housing has a top surface to which the volume-containing element is attached, a needle attachment side to which the bore-containing needle is attached, and a fluid delivery channel in communication between the top surface and the needle attachment side. The volume-containing element is fluid-tight but for communication with the fluid-delivery and a filling port. Embodiments are disclosed which include vapor-permeable portions which facilitate lyophilization of materials in situ.

Abstract: An injection syringe generally comprised of a multichambered cylindrical ampule, a tripartite case of a front case; a middle case; a rear case, and a needle-holder, and a plunger: the multichambered cylindrical ampule including two chambers of a front space and a rear space, the front space being sealed forwardly with a packing penetrable by a needle and sealed rearwardly with a movable front gasket, and the rear space being sealed forwardly with the front gasket and sealed rearwardly with a movable rear gasket, and the ampule also including a bypass route longitudinally arranged on inner surface of the ampule such that the front gasket is located to take a position rearwardly apart from the bypass route before dissolution of a solid medicine, wherein the front space for admission of the solid medicine is separated from the rear space for admission of a medicinal solvent or dispersing agent; the middle case also including a short thread or fixer means provided externally at midportion thereof, and the rear ca

Abstract: A medication injection or delivery system is provided for injecting fluids such as insulin within body tissue. The device includes a housing, a flexible shaft movably mounted within the housing, and a dose setting mechanism for controlling the movement of the shaft with respect to a fluid-containing cartridge removably positioned within or mounted to the housing. The flexible shaft, according to exemplary embodiments, includes a plunger and a flexible cable connected to the dose setting mechanism. The plunger and dose setting mechanism are connected together by the flexible shaft. The dose setting mechanism, in one aspect of the invention, includes a screw, a locking mechanism, and a nut assembly connected to the flexible shaft. The dose setting mechanism is used to set the dosage and prime the catheter. The plunger retracts into a recess to permit a new cartridge to be installed quickly.

Abstract: An injection device used to accommodate a commercially available syringe in simple components whereby the use thereof enables push-in and injection to occur successively, especially in the case of manual operation. The operations can also be carried out automatically with the aid of simple additional components.

Abstract: Dosing device with at least two media chambers.

Abstract: A medical transfer or storage device for delivery or storage of a medicament, drug or vaccine, wherein a first component, preferably the major component, is formed of a cyclic olefin polymer, and a second component in contact with the first component is formed of a second polymer which does not chemically interact with the cyclic olefin polymeric component at elevated temperatures, including sterilization. More specifically, the relative energy distance Ra/Ro of the polymer selected for the second component relative to the cyclic olefin polymer is greater than 0.75 and the molecular weight of the second polymer is at least 5,000 to prevent adhesion of the second component to the cyclic olefin component and stress cracking at elevated temperatures. The most preferred embodiment is a syringe assembly having a cyclic olefin polymeric barrel and a resilient stopper formed of the second polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device holder for holding a surgical device, such as a surgical syringe, in a relatively fixed position. In one embodiment, the device includes a hollow elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an inner lumen extending therebetween for receiving a medical device. First and second end cap members, each having a central opening formed therein for receiving a portion of the medical device, are removably mated to the first and second ends of the elongate member. In use, the end cap members are effective to retain the medical device within the hollow elongate member. In another embodiment, a medical device holder is provided having first and second members, each member including at least one grasping member for engaging and support a medical device disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A plunger anti-detachment mechanism incorporates with a syringe which includes a hollow barrel, a hollow needle held at one end of the hollow barrel, and a plunger adapted to coaxially travel through the barrel. The plunger anti-detachment mechanism includes at least a locking stopper radially extended on the barrel and at least a resilient arm, having a locking latch outwardly extended therefrom, radially extended from the plunger wherein the resilient arm is adapted to move from an unlocked position to a locked position. At the unlocked position, the locking latch is moved away from the locking stopper such that the plunger is capable of freely traveling through the barrel, and that at the locked position, the locking latch is extended to the locking stopper so as to block up an axial movement of the plunger with respect to the barrel and interlock the plunger with the barrel.

Abstract: A retracting needle assembly for use with a syringe barrel having a distally-facing annular sealing surface includes an outer hub having a conduit therethrough, a proximally facing annular sealing surface and means for connecting the outer hub to the syringe barrel. An inner hub having a passageway therethrough is provided. The inner hub includes a distally extending stem and a proximal flange for releasably engaging the outer hub. A needle having a sharp distal end and a proximal end is mounted in the passageway of the inner hub so that the sharp, distal end projects distally outwardly. An elongate spring is disposed about the stem of the inner hub and is deflected to provide a bias between the inner hub and the outer hub. A hollow sleeve sized to fit within the conduit of the outer hub over the spring is provided. The sleeve has a sharp edge at its distal end for cutting through the flange to activate the retracting needle feature.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for making and using a medicinal polymer formed from two components. The apparatus includes a double syringe holder housing first and second syringes that is adapted to be coupled with a predetermined orientation to a double vial holder housing first and second vials. The double syringe holder and double vial holder have mating key features that prevent the first syringe from being coupled to the second vial and the second syringe from being coupled to the first vial. The apparatus also includes a delivery device having first and second inlet ports and a key feature that prevents the first syringe from being coupled to the second inlet port and the second syringe from being coupled to the first inlet port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus for delivering a liquid or gel-like surgical material to a target site within a body cavity. The apparatus is characterized in part by an elongated structural member adapted for engagement with a conventional syringe and cannula assembly. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, devices of the invention further comprise a highly flexible applicator tip which permits application of the surgical material at variable delivery angles and even against gravity. Methods also are disclosed for applying the surgical material to the target site using. devices of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single-use syringe comprising a needle housing, a bore-containing fluid-delivery needle and a volume-containing element. The needle housing has a top surface to which the volume-containing element is attached, a needle attachment side to which the bore-containing needle is attached, and a fluid delivery channel in communication between the top surface and the needle attachment side. The volume-containing element is fluid-tight but for communication with the fluid-delivery and a filling port. Embodiments are disclosed which include vapor-permeable portions which facilitate lyophilization of materials in situ.

Abstract: An injection device (1) has a slide (3) which can be displaced in relation to a housing (2) from a retracted position to an injection position, and which comprises a portion (8) situated within the housing (2) and a portion (6) situated outside the housing, both portions (6, 8) being interconnected through a groove (10) in the housing (2). The portion (6) situated outside the housing (2) has a syringe holder (5) for securing a hypodermic syringe (4), and the slide (3) is pretensioned toward the injection position. The housing (2) at the groove (10) is constituted by a tube part, the outer and/or inner surface (7, 9) of which forms a guide for the slide (3), and the slide (3) has one or more contact faces which are in contact with the guide at least at three areas distributed over more than the half of the circumference of the tube part.

Abstract: A medical transfer or storage device for delivery or storage of a medicament, drug or vaccine, wherein a first component, preferably the major component, is formed of a cyclic olefin polymer, and a second component in contact with the first component is formed of a second polymer which does not chemically interact with the cyclic olefin polymeric component at elevated temperatures, including sterilization. More specifically, the relative energy distance Ra/Ro of the polymer selected for the second component relative to the cyclic olefin polymer is greater than 0.75 and the molecular weight of the second polymer is at least 5,000 to prevent adhesion of the second component to the cyclic olefin component and stress cracking at elevated temperatures. The most preferred embodiment is a syringe assembly having a cyclic olefin polymeric barrel and a resilient stopper formed of the second polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing a flexible needle assembly for use with a medication delivery pen. The flexible needle assembly includes a needle cannula having proximal and distal points and a hub coupled to the needle cannula. The hub includes a flexible roof, or ball-and-socket arrangement, that permits the needle cannula to move about the centerline of the hub. The flexible roof can include one or more concentric ribs to enhance flexibility of the needle cannula about the centerline of the hub.

Abstract: A syringe device includes a barrel in which a stopper connected to a plunger is movably received, and an engaging section extends from an end of the barrel. A base member is disengagably received in an engaging section of the barrel and a needle cannula is connected to the base member. The stopper has a protrusion which is engaged with a recess in the base member when the stopper is moved to a extreme position when pushing the plunger. The base member is disengaged from the engaging section and moved into the barrel together with the stopper when the plunger is pulled backward. A pushing device is located between the base member and the stopper to tilt the base member in the barrel.

Abstract: A gas-powered, durable, needle-free hypodermic jet injection device includes a hand-held injector which carries a disposable injection cartridge with a volume of liquid medication to be injected in the form of a high velocity jet capable of penetrating the skin without the use of a hypodermic needle. The injection device provides an injection orifice, and an injection piston. Forceful movement of the injection piston caused by high pressure gas causes a high velocity injection jet of liquid medication to be expelled from the injection cylinder via the injection orifice. The injection device includes features which improve its safety, and also which improve its ease of manufacture, its durability, and its cost effectiveness.

Abstract: An endoscopic needle device includes an inner fluid conduit, an outer sheath extending over the length of the conduit, a longitudinally stiff wire extending through the conduit, and a needle fixedly attached to the distal end of the conduit. The distal end of the wire is coupled to one or both of the needle and the distal end of the conduit. The needle includes a proximal opening such that the hollow of the needle is in fluid communication with a lumen of conduit. A proximal handle includes a stationary member and a movable member longitudinally movable relative to the stationary member. The proximal end of the outer sheath is coupled to the stationary member, and the stationary member includes structure to mount the handle to a port of an endoscope. The movable member includes a passageway, and the proximal end of the conduit is coupled to the distal end of the movable member, and a port is provided at the proximal end of the movable member.

Abstract: A limiting mechanism which prevents the setting of a dose, which exceeds the amount of liquid left in a cartridge of an injection device, is disclosed. The injection device is the type where a dose is set by rotating a dose setting member relative to a driver and away from a fixed stop in the injection device. The dose setting member interfaces the driver such that the dose setting member can be rotated in one direction without rotating the driver. The dose is injected by rotating back the dose setting member which during the backward rotation carries the driver with it. Rotating the driver causes the piston rod to move forward inside the cartridge and expel some of the liquid contained in the cartridge. The driver is provided with a track having a length which is related to the total amount of liquid in the cartridge and which track is engaged by a track follower coupled to the dose setting member to follow rotation of this dose setting member.

Abstract: Inflation devices for use with balloon catheters. The inflation devices are preloaded with a fluid stored in a chamber in the plunger. An inflation device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a barrel defining a primary chamber therein, a plunger disposed in the primary chamber and defining a storage chamber, and a valve for selectively providing fluid communication between the storage chamber and the primary chamber. The preloaded fluid may be pressurized and may comprise, for example, a gas (other than air), a liquid, or a fluid containing a drug. The inflation device is preferably preloaded by the manufacturer and/or packager of the inflation device.

Abstract: Three collar groups 6A through 6C, each group comprising collars 5a through 5b, 5c through 5e and 5f through 5h which are thin walled and close to each other are provided in a spaced manner in a piston sliding direction. A first group 6A which is provided at the front most end of the piston head 5 comprises two collars 5a and 5b. The front collar 5a which is in contact with the liquid drug has a larger diameter than that of the rear collar 5b. First and third collar groups 6B and 6C which are at the rear of the first collar group 6A comprise three collars 5c to 5e and 5f to 5h, respectively. The intermediate collars 5d and 5g have larger diameters than those of the front and rear collars 5c and 5e; and 5f and 5h, respectively. A support collar 5i is provided at the rear of the collar groups 6B and 6C in such a manner that it is spaced therefrom. The support collar 5i has a thick walled portion x at its base excepting the peripheral edge thereof.

Abstract: An adapter for a “LUER LOK” receptacle includes a housing having an internal recess configured to engage a hub of the receptacle. The adapter also includes a fitting attached to the housing, and to a medical instrument such as a cannula or a needle. The fitting includes a tapered recess configured to engage a tapered post of the receptacle. The fitting also includes a male end portion configured to engage female threads on the hub of the receptacle. The male end portion can include threads or alternately a flange. The adapter strengthens and rigidifies the receptacle, and allows the medical instrument to be aggressively manipulated, with less chance of damage to the receptacle and fluid leakage therefrom. In an alternate embodiment adapter, the tapered post of the receptacle is removed to provide an enlarged opening for the receptacle. The enlarged opening permits fluids, tissue and cells to be transferred with less damage and less resistance.

Abstract: A blood sampling/injecting valve includes a housing formed with a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing, the cavity is adapted for sealingly receiving a syringe Luer connector and the housing further is provided with an inlet port and an outlet port. The valve includes also a plunger formed with a through going communication conduit and with a flow path for a liquid. The flow path is configured as a recess, which is opened to a top face of the plunger and to a lateral surface of the plunger. The plunger is axially displaceable by the Luer connector between a flow position in which the communication conduit directly communicates between the inlet port and the outlet port and a sampling/injecting position in which the flow path directly communicates between the Luer connector and the outlet port, while the inlet port is disconnected from the outlet port. The plunger is normally biased into the flow position.

Abstract: A syringe is provided that has an opaque barrel and a light colored outlet portion. The opaque barrel protects dental composite material or other light-activating material contained in the barrel from premature exposure to light. The light colored outlet portion has a color that is similar to that of the dental composite material. The outlet portion may be tubular and extend coaxially within the barrel beyond the barrel. The outlet portion may include a divider that divides the material into at least two separate portions.

Abstract: An orientationally adjustable marking syringe provides automatic loading of medicine from a medicine source to the syringe. Actuation of the handles of the syringe simultaneously discharges or injects the contents of the syringe and a marking substance such as ink contained in an ink dispenser integrally attached to the marking syringe by a pivoting ink carriage. The pivoting ink carriage can be pivoted about the syringe to better accommodate the ergonomic desires of the user and the objectives of the injection.

Abstract: A drug solution delivery device comprises barrel (1) provided with a port at a distal end thereof and opened at a proximal end thereof, gasket (2) fluid-tightly and slidably arranged in the barrel, cylindrical connecting member (3) having proximal end (32) and distal end (31) to which gasket (2) is releasably connected, plunger (4) removably connected to proximal end (32) of connecting member (3), and pressed helical spring (5) arranged between gasket (2) and connecting member (3).

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program products and associated apparatus, to monitor and determine the polarization level of a quantity of hyperpolarized gas during transport. A portable device is configured to transmit an excitation pulse and analyze a response signal in transit to provide a polarization level corresponding to the hyperpolarized gas. Preferably, the monitoring system can provide magnetic field fluctuation feedback to the transport unit and adjust operating current to a solenoid. The system also can compensate for NMR frequency shifts that may appear in the measured response signal to provide a more accurate polarization level or “real” T1 for the hyperpolarized gas.

Abstract: A dose display for a medicine administration device in which rotation of a dose setting actuator (22) is transmitted to a display means comprises a flexible disc (23) carrying numbers in a band along its perimeter, which numbers are in accordance with the set dose presented in a window in a wall of the device to show said dose. During its rotation the disc (23) is deflected to follow an inner contour of the device to attain a cylindrical shape having a generatrix extending in the axial direction of the injection device and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the disc.

Abstract: A belt and catheter attachment apparatus for stabilizing, cushioning, protecting, and covering an implanted peritoneal catheter for applications with cytostome treatments where the catheter exits from the abdomen of a user and is worn by the user in bed and as well as remote locations. The belt includes a body of fabric designed to encircle the patient with means for holding such as fasteners with hook and loop features for securing the distal ends together.

Abstract: An ergonomic safety vacuum syringe for sampling blood comprises a vacuum, a hollow barrel, a first needle, a second needle, and a press plate. The hollow barrel includes an end surface and a cylindrical side surface, with a trench formed through the end surface. A needle seat is coupled to the trench, and a sliding slit is formed through the end surface and cylindrical side surface. The syringe also comprises a first needle coupled to a reduced inlet disposed on the hollow barrel and the second needle having Z-shaped portion formed between opposing first and second end portions. The first end is received within the reduced inlet, while the second end portion is positioned along a central axis of the hollow barrel. Further, the press plate is positioned within the sliding slit of the hollow barrel.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe with a selectively retractable includes an elongate barrel having an open proximal end and a distal end that defines a receiver. The syringe has a hollow elongate plunger with an open proximal end and a closed distal end. The syringe has an elongate hub having a passageway therethrough, a distally extending stem, and a proximal flange with an engagement for engaging said barrel. The syringe has an elongate needle having a fluid path therethrough, a sharpened distal end and a proximal end. The needle is mounted in the passageway so that the distal end projects distally outwardly. The syringe has an elongate spring disposed about the stem of the hub that is compressed between the flange and the receiver to provide a bias. There is a hollow sleeve sized to fit within the receiver over the elongate spring with a proximal sharpened end facing the flange.

Abstract: Methods of dispensing meted quantities of hyperpolarized gas to form a hyperpolarized gas mixture include pre-filling a gas syringe with a quantity of non-polarized gas, then introducing the hyperpolarized gas therein while the non-polarized gas is held therein, and expelling both the hyperpolarized gas and non-polarized gas from the syringe. Methods of inhibiting the presence of oxygen in gas flow paths and extraction systems are also described.

Abstract: A single chamber disposable syringe containing a medicament includes a valve member positioned in the variable volume chamber adjacent to the medicament outlet for selectively communicating the variable volume chamber with the medicament outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering aerosolized fibrin endoscopically to a wound is disclosed. The apparatus has a pair of syringes for holding fibrin precursors, a mixing chamber for mixing the fibrin precursors separately with pressurized gas to form individual aerosol solutions, and a delivery tube for delivery of the aerosol solutions to a remote surgical site for formation of an aerosolized fibrin seal.

Abstract: A seal adapted to be fitted over the open end of the barrel of a hypodermic syringe comprises a cap of a non-latex elastomer having a central aperture which is sufficiently small as ordinarily to retain liquid therebehind but which can be deformably expanded to allow passage of the rearward end of a needle hub for engagement with the barrel.

Abstract: A plunger is provided for a syringe that includes a pressure relief mechanism that exhausts any fluid trapped in the chamber between sealing flanges carried by the plunger when the plunger is advanced to dispense fluid from the syringe. The contact pressure between the barrel-contacting surface of the rearmost sealing flange nearest the access opening of the syringe barrel is weakened relative to the contact pressure provided by the barrel-contacting surface of the sealing flange that isolates the fluid within the barrel. The contact pressure of the rearmost sealing flange may be lessened by either reducing its radial diameter relative to the radial diameter of the other sealing flange, removing an underlying portion of the plunger, or configuring the rearmost sealing flange as deflectable sealing lip.

Abstract: The invention provides a steerable device for the delivery of a therapeutic solution, in particular, an angiogenesis-promoting substance into a heart, and a method of delivering such a substance into the heart. The device includes an elongated needle which the physician may steer by asserting a tensioning force on a steering cable coupled to the needle toward its distal end. A axially-slidable steering sleeve is disposed about the needle and the steering cable, and the position of the steering sleeve may be adjusted to control the radius of flexure of the needle. The needle body is flexible enough to maneuver around thoracic and cardiac geometry, yet sufficiently rigid to facilitate such maneuvering. The needle may also have a stop, or platform, spaced from the distal needle tip to stabilize the needle in the cardiac tissue. According to a method of the invention, the needle may be inserted into the heart tissue through lung tissue adhering to the heart, as is common in re-operative patients.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single-use syringe comprising a needle housing, a bore-containing fluid-delivery needle and a volume-containing element. The needle housing has a top surface to which the volume-containing element is attached, a needle attachment side to which the bore-containing needle is attached, and a fluid delivery channel in communication between the top surface and the needle attachment side. The volume-containing element is fluid-tight but for communication with the fluid-delivery and a filling port. Embodiments are disclosed which include vapor-permeable portions which facilitate lyophilization of materials in situ.

Abstract: The present invention is a syringe tip cap comprising a bottom portion, a top portion, an annular skirt extending therebetween and a plug that projects proximally from the bottom portion so as to be telescoped into the passage of a syringe tip. The plug provides means to allow air to be vented from the syringe with contacting the user. The syringe tip cap of the present invention also provides the user with an indication by tactile and visual feedback that the syringe has been vented.