Abstract: Systems and methods for the intravascular treatment of clot material within a blood vessel of a human patient are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, positioning a distal portion of a catheter proximate to the clot material within the blood vessel. The method can further include coupling a pressure source to the catheter via a tubing subsystem including a valve or other fluid control device and, while the valve is closed, activating the pressure source to charge a vacuum. The valve can then be opened to apply the vacuum to the catheter to thereby aspirate at least a portion of the clot material from the blood vessel and into the catheter.

Abstract: Containers for the storage of red blood cell compositions are disclosed. The container walls are made of a plastic composition that includes a polymeric material and at least one extractable agent that includes a terephthalate ester in an amount effective to suppress hemolysis in red blood cells.

Abstract: A catheter, a kit and a method of using the catheter for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel in a mammal. The catheter includes a tubular body with a hollow interior, an exterior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end and a plurality of protrusions extending upwardly from the exterior surface, wherein each protrusion has an aperture. The distal end of the catheter is inserted into the blood vessel and a suction is applied to the proximal end of the catheter to aspirate the thrombus from the blood vessel. The kit includes the catheter, a suction device and a mechanism for controlling the suction flow.

Abstract: A catheter pump is disclosed. The catheter pump can include an impeller and a catheter body having a lumen in which waste fluid flows proximally therethrough during operation of the catheter pump. The catheter pump can also include a drive shaft disposed inside the catheter body. A motor assembly can include a chamber. The motor assembly can include a rotor disposed in the at least a portion of the chamber, the rotor mechanically coupled with a proximal portion of the drive shaft such that rotation of the rotor causes the drive shaft to rotate, the rotor including a longitudinal rotor lumen therethrough. The motor assembly can also comprise a stator assembly disposed about the rotor. During operation of the catheter pump, the waste fluid flows from the lumen into the chamber such that at least a portion of the waste fluid flows proximally through the longitudinal rotor lumen.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-cleaning catheter designed to impede the development of biofilm within the catheter and provide a mechanism for removing biofilm within the catheter during use by a patient. The self-cleaning catheter includes an outer shell enclosing a urine lumen. The urine lumen has the ability to be opened and closed with a urine lumen closure device and is formed with a plurality of micro ports and a plurality of macro wash ports. At least one antimicrobial lumen is affixed to the exterior of and in fluid communication with the urine lumen at the plurality of micro ports. Similarly, at least one wash lumen is affixed to the exterior of and in fluid communication with the urine lumen at the plurality of macro wash ports. Antimicrobial solutions and wash solutions are introduced into the urine lumen by the antimicrobial lumen and wash lumen respectively, even during use.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a medicament including a catheter configured for implantation in different target tissue sites, extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and having a sidewall which defines an internal lumen. The distal end has one or more apertures in the sidewall for the release of the medicament into the target tissue site; the system also comprises a medicament reservoir fluidly communicable with the internal lumen of each catheter, an adhesive member configured to adhere to the skin of the patient around the exit wound and having an opening therein to allow the catheters to pass through the adhesive member and a retaining member configured to be overlaid on the adhesive member and comprising a guide surface configured to receive a length of the two or more catheters and a plurality of retaining portions to retain the catheters against the guide surface.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes a cannula including an elongated shaft having a proximal end portion including an anchor inflation port and a distal end portion including an expandable anchor. The elongated shaft includes an inner tube and an outer tube disposed over the inner tube. The inner tube includes at least one groove defined in an outer surface thereof that forms an inflation channel with an inner surface of the outer tube. The inflation channel is in communication with the anchor inflation port and the expandable anchor.

Abstract: There is provided a microcatheter with a tapering wall thickness shaft having varying stiffness/flexibility along its length from proximal end near the medical practitioner to the distal end near the target site in the patient, such as with at least three segments. The shaft is prepared of a thermoplastic material having varying composition along its length. The distal end may be shaped according to the required use just prior to the medical procedure. The microcatheter is particularly adapted for the delivery of microspheric compositions for treatment of tumors or fibroids by embolization of peripheral blood vessels of the tumor or fibroid.

Abstract: Provided are drainage systems that may include a drainage manifold and may be suitable for draining fluid from a tissue site. The drainage manifold may include a plurality of elongate members having a moveable end that may be adapted to configure the drainage manifold to treat a uniquely shaped tissue site. The drainage manifold may be coupled to a drainage tube with a transitional connector to provide a drainage system capable of distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site to enhance the drainage of fluids.

Abstract: Vascular treatment devices and methods include a woven structure including a plurality of bulbs that may be self-expanding, a hypotube, for example including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs, and a bonding zone between the woven structure and the hypotube. The woven structure may include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures may be heat treated to include various shapes at different temperatures. The woven structure may be deployable to implant in a vessel. A catheter may include a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs and optionally a balloon. Laser cutting systems may include fluid flow systems.

Abstract: Described are peritoneal catheter devices and methods for positioning these devices in a medical patient. The peritoneal catheter includes a catheter tube having a proximal end portion opposite a distal end portion, a stationary flange attached to the catheter tube near the distal end portion, and a mobile flange positioned on the catheter tube between the stationary flange and the proximal end portion. In use, the stationary flange is positioned to cover a hole in the rectus muscle and the mobile flange is selectively moved along the catheter tube to sandwich the rectus muscle of the patient between the stationary flange and the mobile flange. Optionally an interior cuff is mounted on the catheter tube adjacent to the stationary flange but between the stationary flange and the mobile flange and wherein the selectively positioning the mobile flange includes sandwiching the interior cuff between the stationary flange and the mobile flange.

Abstract: The disclosure provides nanoparticles of indirubin and methods of making and using these particles for the treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and inflammatory diseases. The effective average particle size of the nanoparticles is less than 2000 nm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning body cavities are presented. Some embodiments reduce size of fecal matter pieces within an evacuation conduit. Some comprise devices and methods for purging an evacuation conduit. Some comprise reduced cross-sectional profiles of a cleaning device. Some protect intestinal tissue by preventing exposure to excessively high and low pressures.

Abstract: A drainage system includes a drainage tube, a tubular coupling, and a drainage hose. The drainage tube defines an inner passage and terminating in a first drainage end and a second drainage end. The tubular coupling has a first thickness that runs throughout the coupling and forms a passage and a stop determined by a second thickness. The drainage hose is formed by a profile which runs along a length of the drainage hose and terminates in a first drainage end and a second drainage end.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed embodiments of devices to hold sutures extending from the skin, such as suture portions of a suture anchor. Methods of using such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Manifold structures, systems, and methods are disclosed that include using longitudinal members and one or more shaped projections to cause microstrain at a tissue site. In one instance a manifold structure includes a plurality of spaced longitudinal members and at least one shaped projection coupled to at least one of the plurality of longitudinal members for creating a microstrain at a tissue site. The at least one shaped projection includes a columnar member having a distal end and includes an enlarged member positioned at the distal end of the columnar member. The columnar member has a first outer diameter (D1) and the enlarged member has a second outer diameter (D2). The second outer diameter of the enlarged member is greater than the first outer diameter of the columnar member (D2>D1). Other systems, methods, and structures are presented.

Abstract: Implantable electrically conductive devices are provided having a nanocomposite material coating comprising gold nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes. Such an implantable device may be a neural or other implantable prosthesis, including microelectrodes for use in vivo. The devices may have dimensions on a cellular scale. Further, the devices may be highly flexible and electrically conductive, while also having low impedance and high storage charge capacity. Layer-by-layer methods for fabricating such nanocomposite materials for implantable devices are also provided. Methods for direct-write lithography patterning of such nanocomposite material coatings are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter system with integral sensing and clearing of occlusions is described. The system can include a catheter in fluid communication with a shunt for transporting a bodily fluid within, or out of, a patient's body. The catheter and/or the shunt can include one or more detection wires and one or more transmission wires. The detection wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the detection of changes in electrical properties of the fluid indicating an occlusion, or other anomaly, in the catheter. The transmission wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the application of electromagnetic energy to the occlusion to facilitate its removal. The detection wires and the transmission wires can be the same or different wires. The system can include a probe that can be externally connected to the wires to provide detection and or transmission signals.

Abstract: An endoscope system including an endoscope insertion part to be inserted into a body cavity via a trocar stabbed in a body wall, the endoscope system comprising: a detecting device detecting whether a tip of the endoscope insertion part has been drawn inside the trocar; and a trocar cleaning device cleaning the inside of the trocar by supplying a predetermined fluid into the trocar when it is detected by the detecting device that the tip of the endoscope insertion part has been drawn inside the trocar.

Abstract: A bio-compatible lumen bearing device such as a catheter formed of a polymeric material having a titanium surface bonded to the underlying exposed catheter surface. The titanium surface is employed in patients to improve bio-compatibility and enhance lubricity during insertion and removal.

Abstract: Devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods for improved clog resistant orifices in medical devices and tubes are provided. A medical tube will comprise a tubular wall having one or more clog resistant orifices. The clog resistant orifices have an outwardly flared orifice wall so as to minimize the occurrence of clogging. The outward flaring, and in some cases inward tapering relative to the outer surface of the tubular wall, can minimize tension and compression forces from forming within the orifice. These forces can otherwise maintain a clog in position within the orifice. The portions of the tubular wall adjacent the orifices may also be more flexible than the remainder of the tubular wall, allowing such portions to bend under pressure or suction to facilitate the shearing away of any clog from the orifice.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a catheter, whereby a tunnel infection route is closed such that infection can be prevented, by improving adhesiveness between a medical catheter and a biologically-derived adhesive (fibrin adhesive), cells, or biological tissue. The present invention provides a medical catheter which is composed of material selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane, polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), at least a portion of the surface of which is modified by plasma ion implantation.

Abstract: An implantable occlusion and tissue ingrowth resistant fluid interface is provided with a housing, an orifice and a catheter port. The housing is formed from at least one biocompatible material and is configured without sharp edges or corners. The housing at least partially defines an internal housing cavity. The orifice member at least partially defines an orifice between the internal housing cavity and an exterior of the housing. The orifice has an elongated transverse cross-section configured with a length that is at least four times its maximum width. The catheter port is located on the housing and is configured to couple with a catheter such that the internal housing cavity is in fluid communication with a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is coupled to the catheter port. Embodiments having a moving cylinder, a rotor, and non-chemical surface modifications, as well as methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use medical procedures including catheters and stylets are disclosed. The catheter includes a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a lumen, and the wall defining at least one side opening from the outer surface to the inner surface. The 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.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes an elongate member and a balloon. The elongate member defines at least one lumen and an outer surface. The outer surface defines at least one opening in fluid communication with the at least one lumen. The balloon is disposed within the at least one lumen. The balloon is inflatable such that a portion of the balloon expands from the at least lumen through the at least one opening. The expansion of the balloon increases the flow restriction through the at least one opening compared to the flow restriction through the at least one opening when the balloon is in a deflated condition. Methods for using a catheter assembly to remove occlusive material from a catheter are also described.

Abstract: A vena cava filter catheter includes a catheter having a lumen disposed therethrough and at least one strand of biocompatible wire. The at least one strand has a first state in which the at least one strand has an elongate geometry suitable for traversing the lumen of the catheter and a second state in which the at least one strand assumes a pre-set geometry in which the at least one strand assumes a tortuous configuration adapted to occupy a space approximating a luminal diameter of an inferior vena cava.

Abstract: Devices systems and methods are disclosed for removing secretions from the lumen of a functional assessment catheter for the lungs. The system comprises a flushing unit configured to deliver a clearing fluid to the lumen of the pulmonary catheter to remove debris, secretions, or moisture from the lumen or sensors.

Abstract: A venous shunt method adapted to shunt cerebral spinal fluid in a patient. A fluid control device having a fluid passage is adapted to be placed allowing cerebral spinal fluid to flow through the fluid passage. A catheter having a lumen, the catheter being in fluid communication with the fluid control device. At least a portion of at least one of the catheter and the fluid control device being subjected to an anti-thrombogenic treatment.

Abstract: An improved catheter is provided for insertion into a trachea, blood vessel, bladder or urinary tract of a patient. The self cleaning catheter can be easily inserted and removed from the patient without retained, solid components falling into a patient's trachea, blood vessels, bladder, or urinary tract when the catheter is removed from the patient. The self cleaning catheter has a flexible cylindrical sleeve on the exterior of a cylindrical member that can be withdrawn to the interior of the catheter prior to removal from the patient's body. Alternatively, the catheter has a design allowing an end of the catheter to fold inward on itself prior to removal from the patient's body.

Abstract: A method of making catheters is disclosed in which the wall of the catheter has a porous structure for carrying additional agents, such as therapeutic agents, diagnostic agents and/or device enhancements. The method includes applying a base polymer material and an inert material over the outer surface of a core, and curing or consolidating the base polymer material to form a catheter having a porous polymer layer with the inert material contained within the pores thereof. The inert material can be applied with the base polymer material or in a separate step after the base polymer material has been partially cured or consolidated to form the porous polymer layer. Additional agents can be mixed with the inert material before it is applied to the catheter, or can be applied to the porous polymer layer of the catheter in a separate step after the inert material is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A direct stream hydrodynamic catheter system is provided for the removal of thrombus, lesions and the like including provisions for the infusion of drugs, lysing fluids and the like into a blood vessel. Physician controlled high powered direct fluid jet streams emanate from a fluid jet emanator in the form of robust radially directed fluid jet streams to impinge upon and ablate difficult and strong thrombus or lesions within a blood vessel. Effluent aspiration is controlled by an exhaust regulator in the form of a roller pump, but effluent removal can be assistingly influenced by the fluid pressure associated with the radially directed fluid jet streams.

Abstract: A medical device includes a base material having an immobilized enzyme and dextran sulfate. The dextran sulfate has a molecular weight that is less than 40 kilo dalton (kDa). The medical device is formed from at least a base material. An enzyme is immobilized on the base material. The enzyme is stabilized with a dextran sulfate having a molecular weight of less than 40 (kDa).

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated tubular body including a first wall and second wall defining first and second lumens, respectively. Each wall extends to a distal end and defines a distal opening. The first and second walls may each include one or more side openings disposed proximal of the distal end. The first and second lumens are separated by a septum. The septum includes a septum extension extending distally from the septum. The septum extension is adapted to articulate relative to the septum in response to fluid flow into and out of the distal openings of the first and second lumens. The septum extension is dimensioned to partially obstruct fluid flow into the catheter through one of the distal openings upon the articulation of the septum extension.

Abstract: There is provided a suction catheter having a tubular body with a lumen formed therethrough. The catheter has a plurality of spaced elongated apertures positioned near its distal tip. The catheter may have a fourth round opening positioned proximally to the three openings. The catheter has reduced impact force compared to similar suction catheters without the plurality of apertures near the distal tip.

Abstract: A medical device includes a base material having an immobilized fibrinolytic enzyme and dextran sulfate. The dextran sulfate has a molecular weight that is less than 40 kilo dalton (kDa). The medical device is formed from at least a base material. A fibrinolytic enzyme is immobilized on the base material. The fibrinolytic enzyme is stabilized with a dextran sulfate having a molecular weight of less than 40 (kDa).

Abstract: A medical tube unclogging system includes a power supply, a reservoir of fluid, a tube for insertion into a lumen of a medical tube having a clog therein, a pump powered by the power supply and connected to the tube for generating a flow of fluid from the reservoir of fluid through the tube, a fitting through which the tube passes having a first opening coupled to the medical tube, a second opening for receiving the tube, and a third opening through which fluid pumped through the tube and into the medical tube, and fragments of the clog can be exhausted. The system may also include a sensor for monitoring a pressure of the fluid flowing through the tube and producing a signal indicative of the pressure, and a controller or processor for receiving the signal from the sensor and adjusting the pump.

Abstract: A reduced pressure delivery system is provided and includes a primary manifold, a blockage prevention member, and first and second conduits in fluid communication with the primary manifold. The primary manifold includes a wall surrounding a primary flow passage and is adapted to be placed in proximity to a tissue site. The blockage prevention member is positioned within the primary flow passage. A plurality of apertures is disposed in the wall to communicate with the primary flow passage. The first conduit is fluidly connected to the primary flow passage to deliver reduced pressure through the primary flow passage and the plurality of apertures. The second conduit includes an outlet proximate the primary flow passage or an outlet of the first conduit to purge the primary flow passage or first conduit to prevent blockages.

Abstract: A medical device includes a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The tubular device includes an inner liner including a coating on an inner surface thereof, a reinforcing layer surrounding at least a portion of the liner; and an outer layer surrounding the reinforcing layer and inner liner. The liner and outer layer may include multiple sections having different properties than one another, adjacent sections attached together by seams, which may be offset from one another. Apparatus and methods for making tubular devices with coated liners are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter system that can be used for concurrent fluid infusion and aspiration in humans, animals and biological material, at a wide range of flow rates, without any blockage problems. The system has devices that control the infused liquid's pressure changes accordingly to the aspirated liquid's pressure changes, in order to allow accurate and safe fluid exchange flow control and create changes of pressures at the catheter's tip that do not allow the catheter's blockage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preparation for restenosis prevention. The preparations for restenosis prevention known as yet do not reach sufficient active agent concentrations in the affected sections of the vascular walls as higher doses cause undesirable side effects. The present invention is a preparation to which at least one antihyperplastic agent is added that has a distribution ratio between butanol and water .gtoreq.0.5. The lipophilic active agent is absorbed by the vascular wall fast and in sufficient quantity. The preparation may be a liquid that can pass through capillaries and may contain a contrast agent so that the active agent is transferred into the vascular wall without any additional effort while the usually required contrast radiograms are taken. The preparation may also be applied to a catheter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for obtaining and acting upon information indicative of circulatory health and related phenomena in human beings or other subjects. Some involve implementing or deploying therapeutic administration systems, for example, for obtaining one or more indications of a lytic material in a vicinity of one or more body lumens and accelerating a decrease in a local concentration of the lytic material in the vicinity of the one or more body lumens by causing one or more elements to extract at least a portion of the lytic material in the vicinity of the one or more body lumens in response to the one or more indications of the lytic material in the vicinity of the one or more body lumens.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning body cavities are presented. Some embodiments reduce size of fecal matter pieces within an evacuation conduit. Some comprise devices and methods for purging an evacuation conduit. Some comprise reduced cross-sectional profiles of a cleaning device. Some protect intestinal tissue by preventing exposure to excessively high and low pressures.

Abstract: A catheter which has an elongated shaft having a layer of an ultra high molecular weight polyolefin, such as a melt-extruded ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The UHMWPE, forming at least in part a surface of the shaft, facilitates sliding a blood/contrast coated device along the shaft surface, and preferably substantially prevents or inhibits agglomerations of blood and contrast from adhering to the surface of the shaft in a patient's body lumen. In a presently preferred embodiment, the layer has a lubricious coating, such that the coated surface of the UHMWPE layer significantly decreases the force produced by the blood/contrast coated device sliding along the coated surface.

Abstract: A catheter for introduction and removal of fluids from a body and tunneling device therefor, the catheter has a body having a first conduit for removing fluid from the body and a second conduit for delivering fluid to the body wherein at least a part of each of the conduits is integrally formed within a first end of the body of the catheter and extends along side one another. The first conduit extends beyond the second conduit and forms a terminal point of the first end and defines a first opening thereat and the second conduit extends to a point short of the terminal point defining a second opening. A bumper portion is adjacent the second opening extending toward the terminal point. Another part of each the first and the second conduits are disjoined and form part of a second Y-shaped end. The tunneling device has a channel to removably receive the catheter.

Abstract: Provided is a suction catheter including: a catheter main body made of a flexible lengthy body having a lumen inside; a leading-end case portion positioned at a leading-end portion of the catheter main body and including an opening for retrieving an object; and object cutting means partially exposed through the opening and movable in the axial direction within the leading-end case portion. The object cutting means includes a cutting portion exposed through the opening portion, and a power receiving portion driving the cutting portion when receiving power from outside. A leading-end side of the suction catheter is inserted into a blood vessel while a base-end portion of the suction catheter is connected to a suction apparatus. An object sticking to the internal wall of the blood vessel is cut off by operating the object cutting means in the opening of the leading-end case portion while the lumen is vacuumed. The cut-off object is immediately sucked in and retrieved.

Abstract: Therapeutic device intended for the selective cytoreductive treatment of an obstruction in a natural lumen or passage of the human or animal body, said lumen being obstructed by the effect of a local cell proliferation, said device comprising a tubular element, in particular of cylindrical shape, intended to be placed in said natural lumen and sufficiently flexible to conform to said natural lumen, but sufficiently rigid to maintain an artificial channel in said lumen. The tubular element supports lengthwise a medicinal sleeve which is intended to come into line with, and into contact with, the obstruction once the natural lumen has been intubated, and is designed to deliver locally, at least in its outer surface portion, at least one therapeutic agent which is cytoreductive, in particular cytotoxic, through contact with the cells under whose effect said lumen is obstructed.

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: An urethral sealing device comprising first and second body portions selectively attacheable to one another to form a unitary element including a first catheter lumen extending therethrough between proximal and distal ends of the unitary element wherein, when the sealing device is in an operative position, the distal end is positioned within a urinary bladder and a sealing element extending radially outward from the unitary element so that, when the sealing device is in the operative position, the sealing element engages one of a wall of the urethra and a wall of the urinary bladder around an orifice at which the urethra opens into the urinary bladder to seal the urethra.

Abstract: An infusion set, patch pump, or elements thereof, having an exemplary catheter (14) provided with one or more channels, grooves and coatings (24, 34, 44), configured and arranged to provide a degree of strength and flexibility. The catheter (14) can also have an exemplary flexible union with the hub (12) having at least one of a ball-and-socket joint (66, 68), a sliding plate (86), and a flexible bushing (106), and which is sealed to allow even further movement of the catheter (14) while preventing leakage of medication through the junction. In doing so, a number of benefits associated with the use of rigid materials in catheter construction can be provided while at the same time, benefits associated with the use of flexible materials in catheter construction and/or flexible engagement with the hub can also be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices that are inserted or implanted into patients and that have antimicrobial coatings that release free radicals into the vicinity of the device. These devices may have coatings that alter their rate of flow release or elution release of an antibacterial agent from a coating on the device upon external stimulation. The coating should therefore be responsive to external control such as by heating, external RF stimulus, sonic control, visible or ultraviolet light exposure and the like. By having control of the release rate, and in some structures without invasion of the patient by mechanical means in addition to the device itself, the release rate can be in response to need at the implant site. The class of compounds to be released are free radical generating or initiating compounds, or compounds that release free radicals upon immersion or stimulation, the free radicals acting as the antimicrobial agent.