Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Richard L Griffith

Peter Michael Edic

Robert J Strowe

Frederick C Houghton

Jonathan C Newell

Ralph F Messina

Richard James Caizza

Timothy A Stevens

Joseph J Gregg

Robert K O'Leary

James Adwers

Michael Carter

A self-contained electrolocation apparatus of the present invention includes an electrically conducting needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a hollow bore therethrough. The invention further includes a non-conductive tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being mounted over the needle cannula so that the distal end of the non-conductive tube is proximal to the distal end of the needle cannula. The non-conductive tube has a conductive layer thereon, whereby the needle cannula and the conductive layer respectively define first and second conductors coaxially spaced from one another by the non-conductive tube. There is a grip fixedly attached to the needle cannula for manipulating the apparatus. The grip has an electrical stimulus generator circuit within it that is electrically connected to the first conductor and the second conductor. The stimulus generator circuit is capable of applying a potential across the conductors so that when the needle is positioned in a patient's tissue and the electrical stimulus generator circuit is activated, the potential is sufficient to induce a preselected current thereby providing a charge pulse between the distal end of the conductive layer and the distal end of said needle cannula through the patient's tissue. The charge pulse is sufficient to induce a twitch response in the patient.

Bi-level charge pulse apparatus to facilitate nerve location during peripheral nerve block procedures

A contamination resistant connector for medical tubing includes a first portion with a first fluid passage therethrough occluded by a covered normally closed first valve and a second portion with a second fluid passage therethrough. The second portion is conjugate to and releasably attachable to the first portion with the second fluid passage also being occluded by a covered normally closed second valve. The first valve and the second valve are both only uncovered and opened so that the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage are fluidly communicatively connected, and closed and covered by the respective selective conjugate engagement and disengagement of the first portion and the second portion.

Contamination resistant connector

An electrolocation apparatus is provided for locating a nerve to which anesthesia may be delivered. The apparatus includes a needle assembly having an electrically conductive needle cannula non-conductive tube secured over the needle cannula, and a conductive plating on the tube. The conductors are connected to a stimulator that generates alternating high and low charge pulses with a constant low current level. The high charge pulses generate noticeable muscle twitches immediately after insertion of the needle into the patient. Muscle twitches responsive to the high charge pulses will peak in magnitude, and muscle twitches responsive to the low charge pulses will become observable as the needle approaches the targeted nerve, and will be indistinguishable from the muscle twitches responsive to the high charge pulses when the needle is in a position for administration of anesthetic.

Bi-level charge pulse apparatus to facilitate nerve location during

A shield assembly is provided for a needle cannula of a hypodermic syringe. The shield assembly includes inner and outer shield. The inner shield includes a guard selectively movable between a proximal position which permits use of needle cannula and a distal position which safely covers the tip of the needle cannula. The outer shield is frictionally and removably positioned over the needle cannula when the inner shield is in its proximal position. Movement of the inner shield to its distal shielding position enables alignment of cooperating locking structure on the inner shield and outer shield with one another for permanently securely locking the outer shield over the needle cannula.

Needle assembly having locking enclosure

A tissue biopsy cell suspender device includes a receptacle having a sealable opening. The receptacle contains a sufficient quantity of an aqueous medium to support an enzymatic dissociation of cells from a tissue biopsy sample. The device has a removable closure with a first sealing position and a second sealing position for sealing the opening in the receptacle. The device further includes a frangible container having a sufficient quantity of an enzyme therein to dissociate cells from the tissue biopsy sample. The frangible container is covered with a membrane that is permeable to water and to the enzyme. The frangible container is disposed within the receptacle so that the container is intact when the closure is in the first sealing position and the container is breached when the closure is in the second sealing position. When the frangible container is breached, the enzyme is released to permeate into the medium and for dissociation of the cells from the tissue sample.

Tissue biopsy cell suspender for cell analysis

A needle shielding cushion is provided with a generally planar base wall having a plurality of filaments projecting unitarily therefrom. The base wall defines cross-sectional dimensions which are greater than the length of a needle cannula used therewith. The filaments are dimensioned and disposed to releasably engage a needle cannula therebetween. An exposed needle cannula can be urged between the filaments after usage of the needle cannula and/or between sequential uses of the needle cannula.

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Allendale, NJ, United States of America

Richard L Griffith