Abstract: A urinary catheter may include a catheter shaft and a connector coupled with the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The connector may have a first arm ending in a fluid outlet configured to allow urine to flow out of the urinary catheter and a second arm with an aperture and ending in an inflation inlet used for introducing inflation fluid into the urinary catheter. The catheter may further include a primary lumen, an inflation lumen, a retention balloon mounted to the catheter shaft proximal to a fluid inlet and over a distal filling hole, and a pilot balloon mounted on the second arm of the connector over the aperture. The pilot balloon inflates at an inflation pressure that is higher than the inflation pressure of the retention balloon and lower than a predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A coated urinary catheter or urinary stent device includes a urinary catheter or stent which, in a deployed position, includes or defines a protective surface area and a protected surface area and a coating upon at least a portion of the protective surface area. The coating includes a lubricant and an antimicrobial and/or pH buffering material. The device is configured such that, upon application of negative pressure to the catheter or stent, tissue of a urinary tract of a patient conforms or collapses onto the protective surface area and is thereby prevented or inhibited from occluding one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations of the catheter or stent.

Abstract: Provided is an otitis media treatment instrument and, more particularly, to an otitis media treatment instrument having a ventilation tube installed thereon, the otitis media treatment instrument including: a cutting sheath which is configured in a tube shape, and which has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the ventilation tube; and a suction pipe formed to be able to move relative to the cutting sheath inside the cutting sheath along the longitudinal direction of the cutting sheath, the suction pipe having, on the front end portion thereof, an insertion portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the ventilation tube and having a fixing portion which extends toward the front end of the insertion portion, and which has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the ventilation tube.

Abstract: An insertable device is designed to control uterine hemorrhaging after birth by facilitating contractile movement of the uterus. An insertable device comprises a tube having a connecting portion and a suction portion and a seal positioned along the length of the connecting portion proximal to the suction portion. Upon insertion of the suction portion and seal into the uterus, the seal abuts a vaginal canal and forms a seal between a vaginal opening and the uterus. The suction portion comprises a first loop having an opening that is oriented away from an interior wall of the uterus when inserted into the uterus. The connecting portion of the tube couples to a pump that when actuated generates a negative pressure within the uterus, resulting in a uniform mechanical stimulus to the uterine wall in order to facilitate tamponade and contractile movement of the tissue.

Abstract: A urodynamic investigation apparatus for receipt of urine from a bladder is provided. The apparatus is characterized by a tubular element, first and second fittings, and a sleeve element, for select passage of urine there through, within the tubular element. The tubular element is characterized by opposing first and second end portions, and a port. The fittings are adapted to be received by the opposing end portions of the tubular element so as to delimit an apparatus chamber. The sleeve element, suspended between the fittings within the chamber, has collapsed and open configurations. The collapsed configuration is indicative of a no urine flow condition, and the open configuration indicative of a urine flow condition, with the sleeve element urine flow condition being a function of pressure applied to the chamber via the port of the tubular element.

Abstract: A coated urinary catheter or urinary stent device includes a urinary catheter or stent which, in a deployed position, includes or defines a protective surface area and a protected surface area and a coating upon at least a portion of the protective surface area. The coating includes a lubricant and an antimicrobial and/or pH buffering material. The device is configured such that, upon application of negative pressure to the catheter or stent, tissue of a urinary tract of a patient conforms or collapses onto the protective surface area and is thereby prevented or inhibited from occluding one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations of the catheter or stent.

Abstract: An ocular implant for treating glaucoma is provided, which may include any number of features. More particularly, the present invention relates to implants that facilitate the transfer of fluid from within one area of the eye to another area of the eye. One feature of the implant is that it includes a proximal inlet portion and a distal inlet portion adapted to be inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye, and an intermediate portion adapted to be inserted into Schlemm's canal. Another feature of the implant is that it can be biased to assume a predetermined shape to aid in placement within the eye.

Abstract: There is provided a connector, for introducing or extracting a material to or from at least one receptacle, comprising a housing extending between a distal end and a proximal end, the housing comprising, at least at one end, a pierceable seal; a hollow needle mounted, at least partially, within the housing between the distal end and the proximal end of the housing, a first end of the hollow needle being connected or connectable to a first corresponding receptacle, and a second end of the hollow needle facing the pierceable seal at an end of the housing; and an actuating mechanism acting on the housing or the hollow needle to enable the hollow needle to pierce the pierceable seal thereby forming a communication through the pierceable seal, such that material is able to transfer through the connector.

Abstract: A sanitary stoma system including at least eight absorbent sheets, with each of the sheets including absorbent plies. The plurality of absorbent sheets is arranged in a linear fashion and removably connected into a roll. The outermost absorbent sheet includes an adhesive such that the sanitary stoma system is configured into a stable roll useful for being placed upon a stoma of a user to absorb and contain bodily fluids excreted from the stoma, which may include urine or feces. Preferably, the sanitary stoma system is packaged in multiples of three and the sanitary stoma system is affixable to an abdomen of the user, configured to absorb bodily excretions.

Abstract: A suction catheter holder is provided. The holder can include a housing that defines an interior open-space compartment for receiving at least a portion of a suction catheter. The housing can have an elongate structure defined by a longitudinal and lateral axis. The housing can include a base panel having a substantially flat exterior surface, and a plurality of sidewalls, each extending upward from the base to a roof panel having an interior surface that faces, at least in part, an interior surface of the base panel. The housing can include a front sidewall panel extending laterally along the front edges of the base and roof panels, between a pair of longitudinal sidewalls. The front sidewall panel can include an insertion through-hole for receiving the suction catheter and a securing through-hole for retaining the suction catheter in place.

Abstract: A wound irrigation system and method of making and using. The system uses a pored, closed-ended delivery conduit to enhance the consistency and speed with which anti-microbial or related irrigation fluids may be delivered in order to promote cleansing, debridement and biofilm reduction in wounds. The ease of use of the system as a moist wound healing cascade makes it applicable to both in-home and in-facility environments that is not offered through traditional instillation negative pressure systems. In one form, the fluid delivery conduit is used as part of a dual-conduit approach in order to also help promote the removal of drainage, waste, irrigation overflow or other fluid from the wound. Utilization of such a pored, closed-ended delivery conduit in conjunction with a separate drainage conduit infusing helps reduce the frequency of dressing changes as well as the likelihood of microorganism formation and colonization.

Abstract: A percutaneous drainage device for draining a fluid collection located under the skin of a patient is disclosed. The percutaneous drainage device includes a penetration component slidably engaged with a cannula. The penetration component has a piercing end adapted to penetrate tissue of a patient and introduce an open end of the cannula to a subcutaneous fluid collection site. The cannula may be held in place in the patient by an anchoring means. The cannula provides a passage through which a fluid collection may be drained from a patient. The cannula may be in fluid communication with a collection vessel, which collects fluid collection transported away from the subcutaneous fluid collection site.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for a medical fluid machine operating a medical fluid cassette, the pneumatic system including an interface for supplying positive pneumatic pressure and negative pneumatic pressure to the medical fluid cassette; a source of positive pneumatic pressure; a source of negative pneumatic pressure; and a pneumatic pump including a first head and a second head, wherein the first head is dedicated to supplying positive pneumatic pressure to the positive pneumatic pressure source and the second head is dedicated to supplying negative pneumatic pressure to the negative pneumatic pressure source.

Abstract: Minimally invasive catheter relates to the field of eversible catheters. It is primarily intended for use as a urinary catheter, but is also usable in other fields. As a urinary catheter this minimally invasive catheter 1 used as an indwelling or intermittent catheter with transurethral or suprapubic approach. This catheter has specific technical solution for eversible motion where tubular membrane 2, attached between distal part 36a of the handle 36 and distal part 3a of the inner tube 3, can in one case free slide between these two parts and in another be fixed to form hermetically sealed space 14. Free sliding of membrane ensures eversible principle of motion during placement and withdrawal of the catheter 1. Fixation of membrane allows a formation of hermetically sealed space 14 with fluid to make catheter surface smoother and softer, and a balloon 33 to hold catheter 1 in place for prolonged period of time.

Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion that includes one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations and is configured to establish an outer periphery or protective surface area that inhibits mucosal tissue from occluding the one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations upon application of negative pressure through the catheter. Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function also are provided.

Abstract: A percutaneous drainage device for draining a fluid collection located under the skin of a patient is disclosed. The percutaneous drainage device includes a penetration component slidably engaged with a cannula. The penetration component has a piercing end adapted to penetrate tissue of a patient and introduce an open end of the cannula to a subcutaneous fluid collection site. The cannula may be held in place in the patient by an anchoring means. The cannula provides a passage through which a fluid collection may be drained from a patient. The cannula may be in fluid communication with a collection vessel, which collects fluid collection transported away from the subcutaneous fluid collection site.

Abstract: A method for removing excess fluid from a patient with hemodilution is provided. The method includes: deploying a urinary tract catheter into the patient such that flow of urine from the ureter and/or kidney is transported within a drainage lumen of the catheter; applying negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney through the drainage lumen of the catheter to extract urine from the patient; periodically measuring a hematocrit value of the patient; and if the measured hematocrit value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, ceasing the application of the negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney. A system for removing excess fluid from a patient with hemodilution including a ureteral catheter and a pump is also provided.

Abstract: An aortic perfusion catheter is an apparatus that is used during surgery for acute ascending aortic dissection to reduce postoperative injuries from profound hypothermia, ischemia, and reperfusion. The apparatus may include at least one main cannula, an inflation cannula, a drainage cannula, and a balloon tamponade. The at least one main cannula helps maintain blood perfusion to the body during the procedure to reduce postoperative injuries. The inflation cannula enables the selective inflation and deflation of the balloon tamponade to facilitate the insertion and removal of the balloon tamponade along with the at least one main cannula within the descending thoracic aorta. The balloon tamponade prevents blood flow into the operative area to maintain the operative area clear during the procedure. The drainage cannula enables the drainage of blood that may escape the balloon tamponade as well as other bodily fluids.

Abstract: System and method for bi-directional fluid injection includes a retrograde introducer, a retrograde cannula having an inlet opening, intermediate opening and outlet opening, an antegrade introducer and an antegrade cannula. The retrograde introducer is configured to engage with the retrograde cannula and to insert the retrograde cannula into a fluid channel. The antegrade introducer is configured to engage with the antegrade cannula and to insert the antegrade cannula into the fluid channel from within the retrograde cannula through the intermediate opening. After insertion of both cannulas, both introducers are removed. In operation, fluid flows into the retrograde cannula inlet and a portion thereof is diverted to the antegrade cannula which flows the portion in a first direction in the channel, the remainder of the fluid flows out the retrograde cannula outlet in an opposite direction in the channel. The system is removed from the channel using the introducers in reverse order.

Abstract: A trocar includes a shaft having a leading section, a trailing section, a reduced diameter midsection located between the leading and trailing sections, and a longitudinal axis extending along the length of the shaft. The leading section of the shaft has a tapered region that terminates at a blunt tip. The trailing section of the shaft has a connector located at the trailing end thereof. The leading and trailing sections of the shaft having a first diameter and the reduced diameter midsection of the shaft has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter for enabling the shaft to be bent at the reduced diameter midsection. A flexible wound drain catheter having a first end is secured to the connector at the trailing end of the trailing section of the shaft. The flexible wound drain catheter has an outer diameter that matches the first diameter of the leading and trailing sections of the shaft.