Abstract: A tunneling device is provided for implanting a natural tissue vascular graft in a body. The tunneling device may include a flexible sheath to assist in locating the vascular graft in the body. According to one example, a connector having a longitudinal coupler, such as a surgical tie, may be used to locate the natural tissue graft within the sheath. The natural tissue graft can be secured to the surgical tie when the sheath is retracted. Before tunneling, the sheath can be extended to cover the natural tissue graft to protect the natural tissue graft from damage and aid in locating the natural tissue graft in the body. When the natural tissue graft is positioned as desired in the body, the sheath is removed.

Abstract: A medicated ink marker includes a porous applicator and at least one medicated agent disposed within the porous applicator. The medicated ink marker makes no use of a reservoir from which to draw the at least on medicated agent. The at least one medicated agent is one of a non-antiseptic medicated agent and an antiseptic with an additional therapeutic function medicated agent. The porous applicator supports capillary action, such that contact of the applicator against a targeted location results in the at least one medicated agent dispensing from the porous applicator to topically apply the at least one medicated agent to the targeted location in a detectable manner without drawing additional medicated agent from another location, such as a reservoir.

Abstract: An illuminated medicated ink marker provides a user with the ability to apply and confirm a dosage amount of a drug or agent applied in the form of a liquid, such as an ink, to create the marking, in environments that are otherwise not well lit. The illuminated medicated ink marker includes a holder for controlling the medicated ink marker. A marking portion is coupled with the holder and configured to transfer medicated ink from within the medicated ink marker to a targeted location. An illumination source is coupled with the holder. The illumination source is disposed to illuminate a clinical field including at least a portion of the targeted location.

Abstract: A medical ink is loaded with a number of therapeutic agents. The ink is then applied directly to the tissue of a patient, either internally or externally, resulting in a therapeutic ink marking. The therapeutic ink marking can include surface activation of an immobilizing medication, controlled medication release, and/or the ability to use dyes or pigments to delineate different active ingredients by location and dosage. The active medicinal compounds can be placed on selective areas of the tissue as applied in the marking. The marking can provide a detectable and dosemetric controllable delivery to a specific targeted and localized location to provide the maximum therapeutic benefit. The medicated ink may be applied to a number of different methods. Dimensions of the markings can further serve to control and identify to the user the dosage amount of the medical agent applied to the tissue. Multiple types of medical agents with multiple application methods can be used.

Abstract: A medical device is loaded with a number of therapeutic agents using a corresponding method to apply a medicated ink mark. The resulting medical device can include surface activation of an immobilizing medication, controlled medication release, and the ability to use dyes or pigments to delineate different active ingredients by location and dosage. The active medicinal compounds can be placed on selective areas of the medical device. The medical device having the medicated ink mark can provide a detectable and dosemetric controllable delivery to a specific targeted and localized location to provide the maximum therapeutic benefit. The medicated ink may be applied to the medical device by a number of different methods, by a manufacturer or by the user at the time of medical device use. Dimensions of the markings printed onto the medical device can further serve to control and identify to the user the dosage amount of the medical agent available on the marked medical device.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent delivery system includes an irrigating shaped form, such as a non-perforated irrigating shaped form, fluidly coupled with a container storing a first agent. The irrigating shaped form is sized and dimensioned for positioning within a patient's body. A second agent is disposed at the irrigating shaped form. The second agent can either be supplied separately to the irrigating shaped form, pre-exist within the irrigating shaped form, exist as a coating or other residual element on the irrigating shaped form, or the like. The irrigating shaped form is expanded to maximum predetermined diameter and pressed against a targeted location within a patient's body. In a corresponding method, upon delivery of a first agent from the first agent container through the irrigating shaped form, the first agent reacts with the second agent forming a therapeutic agent, which can be pressurized. The therapeutic agent emits from a portion of the irrigating shaped form at the targeted location.

Abstract: A system for forming a polymeric body includes a non-perforated irrigating shaped form, such as a catheter balloon, fluidly coupled with a container storing a first component. The irrigating shaped form is sized and dimensioned for positioning within a patient's body. A second component is disposed at the irrigating shaped form. The second component can either be supplied separately to the irrigating shaped form, pre-exist within the irrigating shaped form, exist as a coating or other residual element on the irrigating shaped form, or the like. In a corresponding method, a first component reacts with the second component upon delivery of the first component from the first component container through the irrigating shaped form. The reaction of the components forms a compound emitted from the irrigating shaped form to a targeted location within the patient's body. The compound cures to form the polymeric body.

Abstract: A therapeutic delivery device includes a non-perforated insufflating shaped form, such as a catheter irrigating shaped form, coupled to a first gas source. The insufflating shaped form is sized and dimensioned for positioning within a patient body. A second gas is stored within the insufflating shaped form. The second gas can be stored within an inner chamber of the insufflating shaped form, within the walls of the insufflating shaped form, or the like. In a corresponding method, a first gas reacts with the second gas upon delivery of the first gas from the first gas source through the insufflating shaped form. The reaction forms a gas mixture, which emits from the insufflating shaped form to a targeted location within the patient body. The insufflating shaped form serves to maintain a predetermined concentration of the gas mixture at the targeted location for a desired dwell time.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods involving rewetting of expandable polymers with a wettable liquid to allow for enhanced expansion at or below room temperature without breakage, and in some cases, allows one to achieve a greater expansion ratio than that allowed at elevated temperatures using known methods. The wettable liquid can be formed of a drug and/or an agent, such that the resulting polymer contains and emits the drug upon positioning at a target location of a patient body. The expandable polymer can also have the drug or agent added to its structure at a polymer resin preparation stage, through use of an aqueous solution mixed with one or more fluoropolymers, or in a mixing stage. The present invention also allows one to achieve material with unique properties and handling characteristics. These properties included decreased material thickness, increased density, an altered node/fibril morphology, and a more consistent web in the case of flat material.

Abstract: A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a targeted location within a patient efficiently delivers the agent with a reduced systemic effect. The method includes providing a non-perforated delivery device having at least one wall through which a fluid at first fluid pressure can pass through. The non-perforated delivery device is positioned to provide a radial fluid force against the targeted location. The fluid, including at least one therapeutic agent, is supplied to the therapeutic agent delivery device at the first fluid pressure. The fluid passes through the at least one wall of the delivery device to create a semi-confined space external to the delivery device at a second fluid pressure. The delivery device applies the radial fluid force against the semi-confined space and the fluid disposed therein while simultaneously facilitating the fluid passing through the delivery device to maintain the second fluid pressure in the semi-confined space at the targeted location.

Abstract: A multipurpose collection vessel includes a closed vessel with suction-regulating and chamber isolating components, and a collection chamber for receiving blood through a tube connected to a wand or surgical drain. The collection chamber is split into a filtered reinfusion chamber with volumetric graduations of several milliliters over a two hundred milliliter range, and a separate unfiltered chamber, for a combined volume of several liters. The collection vessel may perform all conventional functions of a pediatric drain, reinfusion vessel, cardiotomy bucket, general wound drainage device, or multi-site drainage device. This simplifies hospital inventory requirements and reduces the need for device-specific training of hospital ward personnel.