Abstract:
A light transmitting catheter includes a tube (12) having a proximal end (14) and a distal end (16). The tube (12) contains aqueous fluid. An interior surface on the tube has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of water. The proximal end (14) is provided with an adapter (18) for receiving light from a light source (20) associated with the proximal end (14) of the tube (12) and with an adapter (24) for accepting an aqueous fluid to be passed throughout a substantial length of the tube (12) for transmitting light to the distal end (16) of the tube (12).
Abstract:
An apparatus and a system are provided for preparing and delivering a peritoneal dialysis solution to a patient under filtered conditions. Means are provided for filtering potable water and mixing it with concentrate solutions under sanitary conditions for delivery through a final sterilizing filter to a patient. An interface apparatus between the patient and the means for making the filtered peritoneal dialysis solution is provided to permit delivery of concentrate solutions for admixture with the filtered water delivery of the dialysis solution to the patient and drainage of the dialysis solution from the patient. Means are also provided for testing the sterility integrity of the system. The interface apparatus permits delivery of a plurality of fluid streams without cross contamination of the fluid streams.
Abstract:
A rapid exchange over-the-wire catheter is disclosed provided with one or more breakaway elements for progressively exposing the guide wire (18) from the proximal end (24) toward the distal end (26) of the catheter (10) in a simple and efficient manner. The breakaway element may be formed as a longitudinally aligned pull strip (32) provided in the catheter guidewire lumen (30) or as one or more linearly arrayed tubular breakaway segments (52, 54, 56) in the catheter shaft (22) or as a combination of both features.
Abstract:
An improved chemical treatment system (10) for hemodialysis machines, which includes a first three way valve (26) which has a normally open position in the dialysis and rinsing modes of the hemodialysis machine. The valve in the normally open position couples a source of water (12) through the valve to the bicarbonate pump (66) for rinsing purposes before and after dialysis and the chemical treatment modes of the hemodialysis machine. In the chemical treatment mode of the hemodialysis machine the valve is switched to couple a source (90) of treatment chemical through the valve to the bicarbonate pump. The chemical treatment system includes a second valve (78), which if in the normally open position, then only the bicarbonate portion and associated downstream portions will be chemically treated. In the closed position, the chemical will be switched to also flow through the whole hemodialysis machine from the water inlet to provide for a half or total system chemical treatment cycle. A vent valve (98) coupled to the first valve can be included to further ensure that chemicals are not inadvertently entered into the hemodialysis machine.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic ablation device for effecting ultrasonic ablation of intravascular obstructions such as plaque or thrombi. The ultrasonic ablation device has a) an elongate catheter body (12), b) a wave guide or ultrasound transmission wire (20) extending through the elongate catheter body (12), and c) a distal head or probe member (22) positioned at the distal end of the catheter body. A guidewire lumen or passageway (14) extends longitudinally through the catheter body (12) and a guidewire aperture or passageway (60) extends through the distal head or probe (22) such that a guidewire (34) may be passed through the distal head or probe (22) and through the catheter body (12). Also disclosed is an improved distal head or probe which may be incorporated in any elongate ultrasonic ablation device, the improvement comprising the formation of a concavity or indentation in the distal or frontal face (23) of the distal head or probe (22) to improve the cavitation created thereby.
Abstract:
A cap (34) for providing a tamper evident cover for sealing a portion of an additive port (14), including an injection site (22), of a container (10). The cap (34) comprising first and second halves (36, 38) hinged together along a first edge (40, 42) of each allowing portions of the halves to move towards and away from each other. An interior (50, 52) is defined by the halves for receiving at least a portion of the port (14) and the injection site (22). Members (54, 56) are provided for securing a second edge of the first half to a second edge of the second half. At least one of the first or second halves (36, 38) includes a member (57) circumscribing an interior thereof for causing at least the injection member to be removed upon the application of a sufficient pulling force when the cap is secured to the additive port.
Abstract:
An improvement has been found to the construction of septums used in a variety of medical applications; for example,injection sites (10) typical in intravenous administration sets and blood collection sets and port closures or stoppers in medical containers. The improvement includes a core portion (22) of the septum (16) of sufficient thickness to improve resealability of the septum (16) resulting in an increase duration of the septum (16) without adversely affecting the forces required to insert and remove a needle through the septum (16).
Abstract:
A method for diagnosing inflammatory and degenerative diseases of serous and related tissues is disclosed which involves detecting the presence of antibodies to lamellar bodies, protein constituents of lamellar bodies, or phospholipid constituents of lamellar bodies, whereby the presence of those lamellar bodies or their constituents indicates the occurrence of the disease. Also disclosed are: a method of treating inflammatory and degenerative diseases of serous and related tissues which comprises the step of administering an immune complex consisting of lamellar bodies or their constituents and antibodies specific thereto; a method of treating such diseases by replacing or enhancing lamellar body secretion in body cavities affected by the diseases, or by interfering with an immune reaction associated with the disease; a method of immunizing patients to such disease; and a method of inducing tolerance to lamellar bodies or their constituents. Also disclosed are compositions suitable for use in the disclosed methods, as well as methods for manufacturing the compositions.
Abstract:
A catheter (20) meter is described for determining spacial parameters such as linear distance in a vessel or other body cavity. The cathetermeter (20) includes a catheter having a proximal end (24) and a distal end and a handle (22) for holding the catheter. The catheter further includes a hollow tubular member (34) defining a lumen extending distally of the handle (22) to a catheter tip (40). A wall in the catheter defines a passageway (42) communicating with the lumen for passing a cylindrical member (46) such as a tube or cable having a length and a tip (26) through the passageway (42) and the lumen so that the tip (26) of the cylindrical member (46) can extend distally of the catheter tip (40). A measurement gauge (22) at the proximal end of the catheter is provided for measuring the distance from the proximal end (24) of the catheter to the tip (26) of the cylindrical member (46) when the tip (26) has been passed through the catheter passageway (42) and the lumen and beyond the catheter tip (40).
Abstract:
New thermistor assemblies and methods for making such thermistor assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present thermistor assembly (10) comprises a thermistor (14) including a thermistor element (20), a protective coating (22) substantially surrounding the thermistor element (20) and electrically conductive lead wires (24, 26) in electrical communication with the thermistor element (20) and extending beyond the protective coating (22); an elongated member (16) including electrically conductive extension wires (28, 30) each of which is bonded to a different one of the lead wires (24, 26) in a bonding zone (36), and an electrically insulating covering (32) located on said extension wires (28, 30) proximal of the bonding zone (36); and an electrically insulating thermally conductive overcoating (18) located over said protective coating (22), lead wires (24, 26) and the bonding zone (36), and being derived from a mixture comprising at least one polymerizable component and at least one thixotropic component.