Abstract: An expandable access port includes a port body transitionable between expanded and collapsed configurations. The expandable access port also includes a plug with a first portion secured to the port body and a second portion flexibly coupled to the first portion by an arm. The first portion has an orifice and the second portion has a post insertable into the orifice. A tube is attached to an inflation port on the first portion of the plug. The tube is attachable to a source of inflation fluid and in fluid communication with a chamber of the port body. A lumen extends through the port body and is configured to slidably receive the post or a surgical instrument therethrough. The lumen forms a fluid-tight boundary when the port body is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to catheter systems and methods for guided formation of vascular access sites (such as fistulas and grafts). According to certain aspects, a catheter system for forming a vascular access site include an elongate body comprising a distal end and configured to be inserted into a first vessel. The elongate body includes an exit port along its side that is proximal to the distal end. An imaging assembly is associated with the elongate body and configured to generate image data of the first vessel and a second vessel positioned next to the first vessel. For vascular access formation, a penetrating member of the catheter system extends out of the exit port and through a wall of the first vessel and a wall of the second vessel.

Abstract: A rectal medication administration device includes a tube, a balloon, a first valved port, and a second valved port. The tube includes a first lumen, a second lumen, and a plurality of holes extending from the first lumen therethrough. The balloon is proximal to the holes, is in communication with the second lumen, and is configured to be inflated to hold the tube in place within a patient's rectum. The first valved port is in communication with the first lumen and opens when connected to a first syringe or infusion set to provide medication transmission therethrough and closes when the first syringe or infusion set is withdrawn. The second valved port is in communication with the second lumen and opens when connected with a second syringe or infusion set to provide fluid to inflate the balloon and closes when the second syringe or infusion set is withdrawn.

Abstract: An everting balloon system is disclosed that can be used for the placement of an IUD within the uterine cavity of a female patient. The everting balloon system with IUD can be used to access a uterine cavity at specific locations in the fundus. A one-handed IUD delivery system for placement with an everting catheter is disclosed. An IUD loading system for placement within an everting catheter is disclosed. The everting catheter with an IUD can simplify the process of IUD placement within the uterine cavity.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to catheter systems and methods for guided formation of vascular access sites (such as fistulas and grafts). According to certain aspects, a catheter system for forming a vascular access site include an elongate body comprising a distal end and configured to be inserted into a first vessel. The elongate body includes an exit port along its side that is proximal to the distal end. An imaging assembly is associated with the elongate body and configured to generate image data of the first vessel and a second vessel positioned next to the first vessel. For vascular access formation, a penetrating member of the catheter system extends out of the exit port and through a wall of the first vessel and a wall of the second vessel.

Abstract: A catheter body includes an exit port over which a pressure responsive sleeve is formed that allows material to exit a lumen of the catheter body at a given pressure. In one embodiment, a surface of the sleeve is approximately flush with a surface of the catheter body.

Abstract: A delivery device for an annular implant that includes a balloon expansion mechanism and an annular implant having an adjustable dimension. The balloon expansion mechanism includes an inflation tube attached to a non-occluding balloon collar which is supported by trusses radially extending from a trocar. The annular implant further includes a flexible ring core, contiguous coiled spacers, and anchoring blocks. The flexible ring core is adjusted via a cinching mechanism. The anchoring blocks are spaced along the ring core by the contiguous coiled spacers, which keeps the distance between each pair of anchoring blocks equidistant as the ring core diameter is manipulated by the device user. The annular implant can also include gunbarrel elements housed in the trocar. Each gunbarrel element contains a gunbarrel pusher which drives an attachment element into the annular implant and annular tissue.

Abstract: A medical valve having a valve inside housing and a valve core. The valve core is installed within the housing. The housing is preferably an integrally-formed hollow cylindrical structure. An annular protrusion may be arranged on the outer surface of the housing and a seal ring may be arranged in the center of the inner wall of the housing. The valve core can be made of an elastic material as an integrally-formed cylindrical structure. A lock ring matched with the seal ring of the housing may be arranged on the outer surface of the valve core, and the lock ring can be integrally formed with the valve core. The medical valve inside disclosed by the invention is widely applied to the medical fields such as cushion mask, trachea cannula and laryngeal mask, No metal member is preferably employed, so with magnetic resonance imaging examination without causing interference.

Abstract: The body has a fluid inlet port for receiving pressurized fluid and a fluid outlet port connected to the retention balloon. A first passage connects the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port. A second passage in the body is connected to the balloon fluid return path and is at the pressure of the retention balloon. A valve prevents fluid flow through the first passage when actuated. The valve includes a pressure-responsive member movable to a position to obstruct fluid flow in response to fluid pressure in the second passage exceeding the predetermined level. Flexible means such as a membrane defines a normally open portion of the first fluid passage, which is closed by the moveable means bearing on the membrane when pressure exceeding the predetermined level actuates the valve.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate body having first and second chambers extending within the elongate body from a proximal end to an intermediate section, the first chamber having a first opening and the second chamber having a second opening at the intermediate section. The catheter also includes a valve structure that may have first and second barrier elements to open or close the first and second openings, respectively. The first and the second barrier elements may be coupled by a connecting structure moving within an opening in a guide structure. Alternatively, the first and the second barrier elements may be coupled in a U-shaped structure that moves over the guide structure. To permit flushing of the chambers when the first and second openings are closed, the first and second chambers may also be connected by a connecting channel defined by an opening in a wall of the elongate body.

Abstract: The body has a fluid inlet port for receiving pressurized fluid and a fluid outlet port connected to the retention balloon. A first passage connects the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port. A second passage in the body is connected to the balloon fluid return path and is at the pressure of the retention balloon. A valve prevents fluid flow through the first passage when actuated. The valve includes a pressure-responsive member movable to a position to obstruct fluid flow in response to fluid pressure in the second passage exceeding the predetermined level. Flexible means such as a membrane defines a normally open portion of the first fluid passage, which is closed by the moveable means bearing on the membrane when pressure exceeding the predetermined level actuates the valve.

Abstract: A drainage catheter including a body, a drainage lumen extending between the body proximal end and the body distal end, the drainage lumen including a distal fluid inflow port and a proximal fluid drain coupling, and an inflation lumen extending between the body proximal end and the body distal end, conveying inflating fluid from a proximal fluid supply element to a distal fluid acceptor balloon, the proximal fluid supply element adjacent the proximal fluid drain coupling. A sleeve may be secured about the proximal fluid supply element and the proximal fluid drain coupling to provide a fluid impervious coating.

Abstract: Catheter or guidewire mounted automatic vessel occlusion and fluid dispersion devices that expand to occlude or partially occlude a vessel when a fluid is flowing in the catheter or guidewire, and that automatically collapse when fluid flow is stopped. Each occlusion device has an elastic skeleton covered with a flexible cover coupled thereto and may have a hole(s) or openings in its distal or proximal end thereof to allow controlled flow through the desired end of the occlusion device. The fluid may be a flush fluid for enabling or improving the performance of imaging devices and image enhancing fluids, of treatment fluids for localized treatment of a vessel or tissues in communication with the vessel and/or of the transmission of energy to the vessel wall and adjacent tissues. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for medication administration via a body cavity. In one aspect, a medication administration device includes: a tip portion having a plurality of holes and a balloon defining a balloon cavity. When the balloon is deflated the tip portion can be inserted into a body cavity, such as the rectum, to allow medication delivery through the holes in the tip portion. When inflated, the balloon can prevent the tip portion from being withdrawn from the body cavity and/or hold dispersed medication within the body cavity. The device further includes a port portion that has a first port and a second port, and an elongated tubular portion that is coupled between the tip portion and the port portion. The tubular portion has a first lumen connecting the first port to the plurality of holes in the tip portion, and a second lumen connecting the second port to the balloon cavity.

Abstract: An intravascular valve component broadly includes a valve case and a flexible pressure-actuated flow control valve. The valve case includes attached proximal and distal case portions that present respective spaced apart fluid ports and a fluid passageway extending between the ports. The flexible pressure-actuated flow control valve is disposed within the fluid passageway and includes a slitted central valve wall and an annular flange surrounding the central valve wall. The annular flange includes a radially-extending flange wall and a projection extending axially from the flange wall, with the projection engaging one of the case portions to restrict radial movement of the flow control valve relative to the valve case.

Abstract: A valve for controlling material flow through a catheter, comprises a first flexible member including a first moveable element, wherein, when the first moveable element is in the open position, material may flow past the first flexible member through a first lumen of the catheter and, when the first moveable element is in the closed position, flow through the first lumen is prevented and a first biasing member coupled to the first flexible member for biasing the first moveable member toward the closed position.

Abstract: A balloon of a balloon catheter is inflated with a liquid inflating medium by a syringe through a flow line. Air in the flow line and the balloon is displaced into a return line. The balloon is deflated by drawing the liquid inflating medium from the balloon along with the air in the return line into the syringe where the air is trapped in the syringe. The balloon is reinflated and deflated by the syringe until the level of air in the liquid inflating medium has been reduced to a predefined level. A first non-return valve and a second non-return valve are provided in the flow and return lines, so that the liquid inflating medium is prevented from flowing from the balloon to the syringe in the flow line and from the syringe to the balloon in the return line.

Abstract: A catheter system (10) with a valve assembly (12) that expels excess inflation fluid when a cuff or balloon (16) of the catheter system is overinflated. The valve assembly includes a luer-activated spool (34) biased toward a sealed condition, a precision relief/check valve (56) biased toward a scaled condition, a primary valve body outlet (22), a valve body feedback inlet (24), and a secondary valve body outlet (26). An inflation lumen (48) is in fluid communication with the primary valve body outlet and an interior of the cuff or balloon. A feedback lumen (54) is in fluid communication with the interior of the cuff or balloon and the valve body feedback inlet. When feedback fluid builds up pressure in excess of the restoring force of the relief spring, the relief/check valve opens, unsealing an expulsion pathway and relieving excess fluid from the cuff or balloon.

Abstract: A body portion of the apparatus comprises an interior cavity and a plurality of fluid lumens extending from the cavity to a periphery of the body portion. The apparatus further comprises a first fluid port in fluid communication with a first one of the fluid lumens. The first fluid port is configured to receive a syringe for injecting a liquid diluent and withdrawing a reconstituted liquid medicament. The apparatus further comprises a second fluid port in fluid communication with a second one of the fluid lumens. The second fluid port is configured to receive a medicament vial. The apparatus further comprises a third fluid port at an end of a third one of the fluid lumens for expelling the reconstituted liquid medicament. The apparatus further comprises a stopcock received within the body portion interior cavity and configured to regulate fluid communication between the fluid lumens.

Abstract: A drainage catheter including a body, a drainage lumen extending between the body proximal end and the body distal end, the drainage lumen including a distal fluid inflow port and a proximal fluid drain coupling, and an inflation lumen extending between the body proximal end and the body distal end, conveying inflating fluid from a proximal fluid supply element to a distal fluid acceptor balloon, the proximal fluid supply element adjacent the proximal fluid drain coupling. A sleeve may be secured about the proximal fluid supply element and the proximal fluid drain coupling to provide a fluid impervious coating.

Abstract: A catheter with a balloon anchor may be sized to fit through an inner needle and introduced into the patient through the needle. The inner needle may comprise an atraumatic needle with a side port and/or a blunt tip. The catheter may include a radiopaque coil disposed over the distal portion of the catheter body to assist with catheter placement when viewed with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray. The distal portion of the catheter can be very flexible. A balloon inflation tube may terminate proximal to a proximal end of the expandable balloon anchor such that the distal portion of catheter can be flexible. This termination of the inflation tube may also position the inflation tube away from the annulus and nerve roots, so as to avoid irritation of the annulus and rubbing of the nerve roots that may potentially obscure FAD test results.

Abstract: A relief valve incorporated within a Luer connector regulates the amount of air pressure applied by a syringe to a balloon at the end of a catheter to prevent bursting of the balloon.

Abstract: In a pre-filled Foley catheter for urine drainage, the conventional clip for releasing sterile water from a bulb (21) at the proximal end of the catheter, to fill the anchor bulb (20) at the distal end of the device, is replaced by a plug (25) which has an annular portion connected to a thin stem (27) by a circle of weakness. Snapping the stem (27) from the annulus provides a tactile signal through the opaque latex lumen that the catheter has been actuated. There is no separate clip to be disposed of. The interface between the latex and the plug remains undisturbed. Further improvement in the shelf-life and convenience of use of the catheter is delivered by the use of a sleeve, which can be of shrink-wrap material, around the bulb (21) and optionally also around the drain coupling (15) of the catheter. Apparatus for placing the plug and the sleeve is also described.

Abstract: A combination aspiration/irrigation and illumination device using optical fibers circumferentially disposed around the aspiration conduit for transmitting illuminating light to a cavity to be aspirated. The ends of the optical fibers being formed at an angle relative to the aspiration conduit so as to direct the illuminating light inward to provide intensified illumination ahead of the aspiration conduit.

Abstract: A retrograde coronary sinus perfusion catheter including a tubular catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen, and an inflatable balloon spaced proximally from the distal end of the catheter body, wherein the balloon is echogenically enhanced.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing hemostasis within a puncture through tissue includes an elongate member having a lumen extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, an expandable member carried on the distal end and a housing on the proximal end, the housing including an interior communicating with the lumen, and further including a valve assembly with a one-way valve allowing access into the housing interior upon application of a pressure differential across the valve, and a movable plunger for overriding and opening the valve.

Abstract: A check valve is provided, including a first hose connector housing defining an entry passage and a first valve seat, a second hose connector housing engaging the first hose connector housing and defining an exit passage, a generally flexible, perforate membrane disk positioned between the first and second hose connector housings and pretensioned against the first valve seat to selectively sealingly separate the first and second hose connector housings, and a one-way relief valve fluidly connected with the exit passage and configured to permit venting of the exit passage upon overpressurization thereof.

Abstract: Medical devices for filtering fluids flowing through a lumen and a method of forming medical devices. The devices can be used in vascular channels, urinary tracts, biliary ducts and the like, and filter emboli and other debris generated at a treatment site.

Abstract: In a pre-filled Foley catheter for urine drainage, the conventional clip for releasing sterile water from a bulb (21) at the proximal end of the catheter, to fill the anchor bulb (20) at the distal end of the device, is replaced by a plug (25) which has an annular portion connected to a thin stem (27) by a circle of weakness. Snapping the stem (27) from the annulus provides a tactile signal through the opaque latex lumen that the catheter has been actuated. There is no separate clip to be disposed of. The interface between the latex and the plug remains undisturbed. Further improvement in the shelf-life and convenience of use of the catheter is delivered by the use of a sleeve, which can be of shrink-wrap material, around the bulb (21) and optionally also around the drain coupling (15) of the catheter. Apparatus for placing the plug and the sleeve is also described.

Abstract: A catheter useful for non-surgical entry into a uterus to dispense a diagnostic fluid therein. The catheter includes a tubular body having a lumen extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof. The lumen includes an external opening adjacent the first end for dispensing a diagnostic fluid into the interior of a subject uterus, and a balloon disposed marginally adjacent to the first end of the body for fluid sealing the interior of the subject uterus. The lumen further includes a second opening in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon for inflation thereof with the diagnostic fluid. In most applications, the catheter can be combined with a syringe to form a catheter apparatus.

Abstract: A port assembly adapted for insertion into the tissue of a patient during laparoscopic or endoscopic surgery wherein the port assembly includes an access port having a plurality of openings therein to allow for the insertion of multiple surgical instruments therethrough while maintaining a barrier to the flow of gas from the body cavity of the patient to the atmosphere. The access port is positioned in the housing of the port assembly and preferably includes two or more circular or semi-circularly shaped openings therein and a sealing member associated therewith to allow for the independent movement of the instruments therethrough.

Abstract: A detachable balloon system includes an inflatable balloon with a self-sealing valve. The balloon has an elastomeric membrane and a proximal opening. The self-sealing valve is made up of a valve body for receiving an inflation instrument to inflate the balloon. The valve body is preferably formed of a biocompatible elastomeric material and includes a base portion and a sealing portion. The base portion is bonded to the elastomeric membrane so as to seal the proximal opening of the balloon. The sealing portion is located within the balloon and extends distally from the base into the balloon. The sealing portion is compressibly sealable in response to a pressure within the balloon following inflation of the balloon and removal of the inflation instrument. A balloon dispenser for housing a balloon prior to receipt of an inflation instrument is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elongate flexible microcatheter, for diagnostic and or therapeutic applications. The microcatheter is provided with a small outside diameter and high degree of flexibility, to facilitate negotiation of small, tortuous vessels such as those encountered in intercranial catheterizations. The catheter is formed from a composite of a series of tubular elements, each extending axially for a different distance along the tubular body. A distal section on one or more of the tubular components is provided with a spiral cut, to modify the flexibility properties of the finished catheter. The catheter may also be provided with an inflatable balloon, and a valve to permit the use of a single lumen for both receiving a guidewire and for conveying inflation media.

Abstract: An inflatable balloon catheter having a guide wire lumen, an inflation lumen, and a one-way valve disposed within the inflation lumen, the one-way valve allowing fluid flow from the guide wire lumen into the inflation lumen and balloon. One method for preparing the catheter for use includes blocking the guide wire lumen proximal port and injecting inflation fluid into the guide wire lumen distal port. The injected fluid flows through the one-way valve into the inflation lumen and exits through the inflation lumen proximal port. One catheter includes a proximal switchable valve having bleed and inflation positions. This catheter provides a small distal profile and allows for bleeding the catheter while inflation equipment is attached to the catheter.