Abstract: A stylet includes an elongate body defining a passage and at least one aperture in fluid communication with the passage. The stylet also includes a first blocking dam secured to the elongate body proximal to the at least one aperture and a second blocking dam secured to the elongate body distal to the at least one aperture. The stylet is movable within a lumen of a catheter to a position in which the first and second blocking dams are, respectively, proximal and distal to at least one side opening of the catheter and each of the first and second blocking dams is sealingly engaged with an inner surface of the catheter such that fluid introduced into the lumen, from the passage and through the at least one aperture of the stylet, is directed through the at least one side opening of the catheter.

Abstract: The application relates to a needle protection assembly (1) comprising: —a supporting element (18) and a needle shield (8), —one locking element (20) located within said needle protection assembly (1) and not accessible to the user, —urging means (24) for displacing said needle shield (8), —a peg (19) located on said supporting element (18) or on said needle shield (8), and a cam (9) located on said needle shield (8) or on said supporting element (18), and —said locking element (20) is not formed by said peg (19) and cam (9). The respective longitudinal axis of the needle shield (8) and of the locking element (20) are merged when said needle shield (8) is in its before use or in use positions, and they form an angle (a) when said needle shield (8) is in its after use position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided herein for dilating bodily tissue and for monitoring neural activity in the distracted bodily tissue. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a first dilator having a tubular body with a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one electrode mounted about a circumference thereof; and, a second dilator having a tubular body of electrically-insulative material, the tubular body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween sized to permit the second dilator to subsequently telescopically slide over the first dilator and come into overlapping coaxial alignment with the first dilator. A discrete window is formed through the tubular body, at or near the distal end, in communication with the lumen.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to systems and methods for delivery of biologic agents to the central nervous system. In various embodiments, a method of administering a therapeutic agent to the central nervous system (CNS) is included. The method can include injecting a therapeutic agent into a first cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) region of the subject. The method can further include establishing fluid communication between a fluid reservoir and a second cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) region of a subject, the fluid having a hydraulic pressure at or above an intracranial pressure. The method can further include infusing a hyperosmotic fluid systemically. Other embodiments, including kits and systems are also included herein.

Abstract: A medicament delivery assembly comprises a delivery device configured to deliver medicament to a user, a communication accessory releasably coupled to the delivery device, and one or more sensors configured to sense a condition of the delivery device. The communication accessory may be configured to receive a first signal from the one or more sensors assembly and to send a second signal to an external device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and systems for ultrasound assisted delivery of a medicant to tissue. The delivery of the medicant is enhanced by the application of high intensity ultrasound pulses, which generate an intertial cavitation effect, an acoustic streaming effect, or both. This disclosure also provides methods and systems for alleviating pain or swelling associated with the application of ultrasound energy by delivering an anesthetic across a stratum corneum layer according to the methods described herein.

Abstract: A pump for treating a patient is disclosed that includes a spring-biased plunger biased toward actuation against a tube; a cam shaft configured to actuate the spring-based plunger; a lever actuatable between a closed position and an open position; a shaft coupled to the lever, the shaft having a central axis centrally along the length of the shaft, the shaft coupled to the lever to rotate around the central axis in accordance with actuation of the lever; and a lift cam pivotally coupled to the shaft, wherein the lift cam pivots around a lift cam axis, the lift cam axis of the lift cam is parallel to the central axis of the shaft, and the lift cam engages with the spring-based plunger to lift the spring-biased plunger off of the cam shaft as the shaft rotates in accordance with actuating the lever to the open position.

Abstract: A cartridge adapter includes: a cartridge holder having a space that can accommodate therein a drug cartridge, the drug cartridge including a cylinder having a tubular internal space extending in a longitudinal direction, a gasket supported in the internal space so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and a drug held in the internal space; a piston that moves the gasket in the longitudinal direction in the internal space of the cylinder; a piston guide that movably supports the piston and connected to the cartridge holder; and a piston driving mechanism that drives the piston in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A vasculature navigation system may include a dilator having a proximal end and a distal end located opposite the proximal end, the dilator comprising a guidewire lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the dilator defining a proximal portion and a distal portion located opposite the proximal portion. In some embodiments, the vasculature navigation system also includes an access port located at the proximal end of the dilator, a distal port located at the distal end of the dilator, and a hemostasis valve coupled to the proximal portion of the dilator. The hemostasis valve may be configured to control fluid flow between the proximal portion and the distal portion. In some embodiments, a flush port is coupled to the proximal portion of the dilator and located distal to the hemostasis valve, and the flush port is coupled to a fluid supply source.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a semi-compliant to non-compliant, conformable balloon useful in medical applications. Conformable balloons of the present disclosure exhibit a low straightening force when in a curved configuration and at inflation pressures greater than 4 atm. Balloons of the present disclosure are constructed of material that can compress along an inner length when the balloon is in a curved configuration. In further embodiments, balloons of the present disclosure can be constructed of material that sufficiently elongates along an outer arc when the balloon is in a curved configuration. As a result, medical balloons, in accordance with the present disclosure, when inflated in a curved configuration, exhibit kink-free configurations and do not cause a significant degree of vessel straightening.

Abstract: An injection includes a tube having opposite first and second ends. A hub is coupled to the first end. A sheath is coupled to the tube and the hub. The hub is movable relative to the tube to move the sheath between a first orientation in which the sheath covers an orifice in the second end and a second orientation in which the sheath is spaced apart from the orifice. Kits and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for hands-free nursing and breast pumping includes a breast compression device with a plurality of thermoformed fluid bladders designed to fit adjustably against each breast and inflate and deflate with minimal power requirements. The compression device and its controller fit inside of a nursing garment designed to receive the device and controller for optimal compression. The nursing garment and the compression device have openings over the nipples so that a breast pump flange can be inserted through them and used in a typical manner for the extraction of breast milk, thus increasing the amount of milk expressed.

Abstract: A disposable syringe set includes a syringe barrel in which a medicinal fluid inlet is formed and a plunger is fitted and coupled to an opening at the other side; a first screw-coupling portion formed on an outer circumference of the medicinal fluid inlet; a syringe needle hub in which a syringe needle is coupled to one end and an inner side at the other end is fitted and coupled to the outer circumference of the medicinal fluid inlet; and a second screw-coupling portion formed on an inner circumference of the syringe needle hub and configured to be coupled to the first screw-coupling portion. The first screw-coupling portion is formed as a female-thread-type coupling portion whose diameter is smaller than a reference diameter of the medicinal fluid inlet. The second screw-coupling portion is formed as a male-thread-type coupling portion configured to be coupled to the female-thread-type coupling portion.

Abstract: Catheters incorporating a thin film polymeric layer or layers. The thin film may have a wall thickness of about 0.00025? +/? less than 0.0001? to about 0.0015? +/?0.0002?, for example. The thin film may be formed by extruding a sheet and cutting the sheet into elongate ribbons, each having two opposing long edges. The ribbon may be rolled or wrapped to define a tubular shape with a gap between the long edges. Heat and pressure may be applied to close the gap, abut the edges and form a longitudinal joint. The joint may extend along a portion of the length of the tubular shaft or most of the length of the tubular shaft. The tubular-shaped thin film layer may have a uniform wall thickness around the circumference, and the uniform wall thickness may extend across the joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of transvascular retrograde access placement and to devices that facilitate these methods. For purposes of the present invention, transvascular retrograde access placement generally comprises the insertion of a vascular catheter into a central blood vessel through the puncturing of the central blood vessel from the inside of the central blood vessel with a needle or other similarly configured device, or a needle-tipped guidewire of the present invention, and exiting that needle from the patient through the skin rather than the traditional approach of inserting a needle from the outside of the skin surface to the inside of a blood vessel.

Abstract: A needle actuator assembly for a drug delivery system includes a needle actuator body having a guide surface, a needle shuttle having a cam surface, with the needle shuttle moveable along a vertical axis between a first position and a second position. The needle shuttle is configured to move between the first and second position through engagement between the guide surface of the needle actuator body and the cam surface of the needle shuttle. The assembly further including a needle received by the needle shuttle.

Abstract: An introducer apparatus includes an outer sleeve and an inner cannula received within the lumen of the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve has a profile such that at least a portion of the distal end of the outer sleeve tapers in the distal direction at an angle not exceeding about 2° relative to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus. The distal open end of the outer sleeve has a wall thickness not exceeding about 0.003 inch. The inner cannula includes a tapered distal end portion. The tapered distal portion of the inner cannula extends distal to the distal open end of the outer sleeve, such that a generally smooth diametrical transition is provided between the outer sleeve tapered portion and the open distal end of the inner cannula.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for delivering fluid therapy to a patient are disclosed herein. An exemplary method can comprise obtaining a urine output rate from a patient; causing a diuretic to be provided to the patient at a dosage rate, wherein the dosage rate is increased over a period of time such that the urine output rate increases to be above a predetermined threshold within the period of time; and causing a hydration fluid to be provided to the patient at a hydration rate. The hydration rate can be set based on the urine output rate to drive net fluid loss from the patient.

Abstract: According to the invention, an auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament (M) comprises of a substantially cylindrical housing arranged to contain a pre-filled syringe filled with the medicament (M), a needle shroud slibably arranged with respect to the housing and adapted to rest on the skin of a patient receiving an injection, a releasable drive means arranged within the housing that is capable of, upon release, translating the needle shroud in a proximal direction (P) towards a safe position (PS) and a rotating collar rotatably arranged within the housing. The needle shroud in the safe position (PS) surrounds the injection needle after the injection has been carried out. The rotating collar engages the needle shroud in a manner that forces the rotating collar to rotate within the housing when the needle shroud is translated in the proximal direction (P).

Abstract: Needle assemblies are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needle assemblies having a tip protector with a plurality of wall surfaces for preventing contact with the needle tip from a side. Aspects of the tip protectors discussed herein include a first protector body having an arm for blocking a needle tip surrounded by a second protector body having a plurality of wall surfaces.