Abstract: A device and method are described for navigating and positioning a central venous catheter into the venous system using two different modes of location. For example, a peripherally inserted central catheter (“PICC”) may be navigated and positioned within the superior vena cava. A light emitting element is used in the first mode to navigate the PICC to the superior vena cava. To improve visibility during navigation, the light emitted from the light emitting element may include a narrow range of wavelengths that generally matches the wavelengths of light that are transmissable through a light absorbing material defining the wall of the catheter. A conductive medium is used in the second mode to monitor an ECG signal in order to position the PICC in the superior vena cava. One advantage of this procedure is that X-ray visualization can be eliminated to reduce the danger associated with X-rays.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter with a plurality of umbrella-like wire members covered with a film which works as a thrombus blocker and can easily and effectively remove the thrombus is disclosed. The hemodialysis catheter has a proximal lumen, the arterial lumen, and a distal lumen, the venous lumen. An elongate member is longitudinally put in either the proximal lumen or the distal lumen, or two elongate members in both lumens. A plurality of umbrella-like wire members are connected to the end of the elongate member. When the hemodialysis catheter is put in the vessel but not in use, the end of the lumen is capped off by the plurality of umbrella-like wire members covered with a film. When it is ready to use, the doctor can pull the elongate member which connects to the plurality of umbrella-like wire members out off the lumen inverting the plurality of umbrella-like wire members and clearing away any thrombus that has formed.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter with an inflow or an outflow lumen having at least two tube extensions extending from the distal end of the catheter that open into the inflow or outflow lumen. The catheter is useful in the extracorporeal treatment of blood, such as hemodialysis, hemofiltration or apheresis. A device to selectively test each of the two tube extensions for occlusion.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter for use within a vein of a patient includes a catheter body having a proximal end when positioned within and relative to the vein. The catheter body defines an arterial lumen and a venous lumen. The catheter body is shaped with a curved tip which has a distal end. The venous lumen is truncated at a location between the proximal end of the catheter body and the distal end of the curved tip. The truncated location of the venous lumen defines an out-flow opening. The distal end of the curved tip defines an in-flow opening which corresponds to the arterial lumen. The vein has a blood flow direction and the in-flow opening faces the blood flow direction.

Abstract: A cutting tool is provided for cutting the end of a catheter to provide custom length catheters. The cutting tool has a cutting member that moves within the cutting passageway in the housing. The catheter is positioned within a catheter passageway in the housing. The cutting passageway transacts the catheter passageway so that a blade on the cutting member crosses the catheter passageway and cuts through the width of the catheter to form a cut end on the catheter.

Abstract: A device and method are described for navigating and positioning a central venous catheter into the venous system using two different modes of location. For example, a peripherally inserted central catheter (“PICC”) may be navigated and positioned within the superior vena cava. A light emitting element is used in the first mode to navigate the PICC to the superior vena cava. To improve visibility during navigation, the light emitted from the light emitting element may include a narrow range of wavelengths that generally matches the wavelengths of light that are transmissable through a light absorbing material defining the wall of the catheter. A conductive medium is used in the second mode to monitor an ECG signal in order to position the PICC in the superior vena cava. One advantage of this procedure is that X-ray visualization can be eliminated to reduce the danger associated with X-rays.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter for use within a vein of a patient includes a catheter body having a proximal end when positioned within and relative to the vein. The catheter body defines an arterial lumen and a venous lumen. The catheter body is shaped with a curved tip which has a distal end. The venous lumen is truncated at a location between the proximal end of the catheter body and the distal end of the curved tip. The truncated location of the venous lumen defines an out-flow opening. The distal end of the curved tip defines an in-flow opening which corresponds to the arterial lumen. The vein has a blood flow direction and the in-flow opening faces the blood flow direction.

Abstract: A system and method for vessel catheterization is provided, having an introducer sheath and a catheter. The introducer sheath can include a handle and a sheath body extending from the handle. An access lumen is provided in the introducer sheath, and can include a tapered portion that is sized to receive a tapered outer surface of the catheter. The catheter may be a central venous catheter, such as a peripherally inserted central catheter, including a hub, a catheter body with at least one lumen extending distally from the hub, and at least one tube extending proximally from the hub. The introducer sheath is preferably a splittable sheath. The catheter can be inserted into the access lumen, and translated until confronting surfaces of the tapered outer surface of the catheter body and the tapered portion of the introducer sheath contact one another. This arrangement can inhibit buckling and/or kinking of the catheter during insertion, and improve initial catheter tip positioning.

Abstract: A cutting tool is provided for cutting the end of a catheter to provide custom length catheters. The cutting tool has a cutting member that moves within the cutting passageway in the housing. The catheter is positioned within a catheter passageway in the housing. The cutting passageway transacts the catheter passageway so that a blade on the cutting member crosses the catheter passageway and cuts through the width of the catheter to form a cut end on the catheter.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a catheter for insertion into a patient for providing treatment is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal portion extending to a distal portion. The proximal portion has a plurality of first lumens formed therethrough and at least one septum separating the first lumens in non-coaxial relationship with each other. The first lumens each have an associated flow area for providing the treatment through the proximal portion. The distal portion has a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumens. The septum terminates distally in the proximal portion to merge the first lumens with the second lumen. The second lumen has a second flow area that is greater than any one of the associated flow areas of the first lumens for providing the treatment to the patient.

Abstract: A method for occluding a body vessel in a patient to block or reduce blood flow therethrough includes puncturing a blood vessel wall at a proximal vessel entry site with a hollow needle and extending the needle through the proximal entry site into the vessel lumen. The needle is extended through the vessel lumen and extended through the vessel wall at a distal vessel exit site into the extravascular space surrounding the distal vessel exit site. An expandable biocompatible material, such as expandable extracellular matrix (ECM) material, is then ejected though the distal end of the needle into the extravascular space. Then, while continuing to eject the expandable biocompatible plug material, the distal end of the needle is retracted back through the distal vessel exit site into the vessel lumen, such that the plug material continuously extends between the extravascular space surrounding the distal vessel exit site into the vessel lumen.

Abstract: Among other things, a catheter assembly including a main catheter portion and a deformable tip portion is disclosed. Embodiments of the catheter have a lumen extending between distal and proximal ends. The deformable portion is configured to transform from a compact shape to an expanded shape when it is inserted into a patient. The cross-sectional sizes and shapes of the deformable portion and catheter are similar or about the same; therefore, the compact shape mimics a traditional distal tip of a catheter during insertion into a patient. The physician can use a standard catheter insertion technique. As the deformable portion warms to the patient's body temperature, the deformable portion bulges to the expanded shape. The expanded shape helps attain laminar flow and increases the flow rate through the catheter. To activate the deformable portion to return to the compact shape, cold liquid is passed through the deformable portion.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device for occluding a body cavity. The device includes an elongate member having an inflation lumen, an occlusion lumen, and a first portion extending distally from a proximal end and a second portion extending distally from the first portion to the distal end. An inflatable proximal balloon is disposed about the first portion and an inflatable distal balloon is disposed about the second portion. The inflation lumen is configured to inflate at least one of the balloons. The occlusion lumen is configured to introduce an occlusive material into the body cavity by way of an occlusion port located between the two balloons to occlude the body cavity. In some examples, the body cavity includes a patent foramen ovale.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter with an inflow or an outflow lumen having at least two tube extensions extending from the distal end of the catheter that open into the inflow or outflow lumen. A device to selectively test each of the two tube extensions for occlusion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for removing thrombus outside of a hemodialysis. The hemodialysis catheter comprises an elongate shaft comprising a plurality of lumens. A first lumen has a first distal port. The first lumen is configured for the flow of a fluid in a first direction. A second lumen has a second distal port proximal to the first distal port. The second lumen is configured for the flow of the fluid in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A third lumen has a third distal port proximal to the second distal port. An elongate device is disposed through the third lumen. The elongate device has an operable member on a distal end or a device to connect to an operable member disposed on the elongate shaft. The operable member is configured to engage and remove thrombus from an exterior surface on the elongate shaft.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a catheter for insertion into a patient for providing treatment is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal portion extending to a distal portion. The proximal portion has a plurality of first lumens formed therethrough and at least one septum separating the first lumens in non-coaxial relationship with each other. The first lumens each have an associated flow area for providing the treatment through the proximal portion. The distal portion has a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumens. The septum terminates distally in the proximal portion to merge the first lumens with the second lumen. The second lumen has a second flow area that is greater than any one of the associated flow areas of the first lumens for providing the treatment to the patient.

Abstract: An occluding device apparatus includes an embolization coil with a distal end and a proximal end with an opening and an attacher that is threaded through the opening at the proximal end of the embolization coil. The apparatus further comprises a delivery kit for delivery of the embolization coil in a body cavity. The kit comprises a guide catheter for percutaneous introduction of the embolization coil and an inner catheter slidably disposed within the guide catheter during insertion. The inner catheter comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The inner catheter further includes a hub disposed adjacent the proximal end. The kit further comprises a guide wire slidably disposed within the inner catheter. The guide wire is configured to provide a path during insertion thereof within a body cavity. The kit further comprises a pushwire to advance the embolization coil through the inner catheter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gaining percutaneous access to a body lumen, preferably without a guidewire, are provided herein. The system can include a tubular medical device and a needle with a distal tip. A side port is provided through a wall of the tubular medical device, to be in communication with a distal end opening of the device via a passageway. The needle can be positioned within the side port to extend the distal tip beyond the distal end opening. In this position, the distal tip can form an entry opening in the body lumen, and a distal portion of the device can be advanced over the indwelling needle into the entry opening. The needle can then be withdrawn from the tubular medical device, while maintaining a portion of the tubular medical device in place within the body lumen.

Abstract: An elongate element, in particular a catheter, has a curved shape imparted to its end by a device comprising razor blades which are mounted on a pivotal linkage mechanism. Upon pressing actuator members against the restoring force of spring elements, the razor blades are constrained by the pivotal linkage mechanism to follow a desired curved path.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter with a plurality of umbrella-like wire members covered with a film which works as a thrombus blocker and can easily and effectively remove the thrombus is disclosed. The hemodialysis catheter has a proximal lumen, the arterial lumen, and a distal lumen, the venous lumen. An elongate member is longitudinally put in either the proximal lumen or the distal lumen, or two elongate members in both lumens. A plurality of umbrella-like wire members are connected to the end of the elongate member. When the hemodialysis catheter is put in the vessel but not in use, the end of the lumen is capped off by the plurality of umbrella-like wire members covered with a film. When it is ready to use, the doctor can pull the elongate member which connects to the plurality of umbrella-like wire members out off the lumen inverting the plurality of umbrella-like wire members and clearing away any thrombus that has formed.