Abstract: A catheter placing instrument is provided. The catheter placing instrument includes an elongated body that extends in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end. The elongated body has a top surface configured to receive a catheter extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The elongated body includes a catheter insertion section and a grip section. The catheter insertion section includes a catheter locking clamp located at the distal end of the elongated body, and the grip section includes a catheter guide. The catheter placing instrument can be used to place or implant any tubular medical device within a patient's body. A method of placing a tubular medical device at a deep location within a patient's body is also provided.

Abstract: A connector for medical fluid vessels includes a fluid-seal fitting such as a male plug defining a lumen and mating with a cooperating connector, a mechanical fastener such as a screw thread for mating with the cooperating connector, and an outer housing positioned around the plug to form an annular space. A cap can be provided with a fluid-seal fitting such as a male plug for mating with the lumen of the connector. In example embodiments, the male plug is tapered and can comprise one or more projections for sealingly engaging with the lumen of the connector. According to some example embodiments, the cap can be tethered to the connector.

Abstract: Mandrels and elastomeric pumps for infusion assemblies are provided. For example, a mandrel may comprise a body extending over a length from a first end to an opposing second end; an outer diameter; a bore extending within the body; an inlet port defined near the first end; and a fill port defined between the first and second ends. The inlet and fill ports are in fluid communication with the bore. The outer diameter of the mandrel at a midpoint of the length is different than the outer diameter at each of the first end and the second end. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the mandrel gradually transitions from a first outer diameter at the first end to a second outer diameter at the second end. An elastomeric pump may include an exemplary mandrel and an inflatable elastomeric bladder disposed on the mandrel.

Abstract: A system for delivering energy to a patient's body is disclosed that includes a plurality of probes, a touch-sensitive display screen, and a controller communicatively coupled to each of the probes and the display screen. The controller is configured to perform operations including displaying a plurality of dynamically sized channel control regions within a user interface of the touch-sensitive display screen. Each of the plurality of channel control regions corresponds with at least one of the plurality of probes and is sized based at least in part on a number of the plurality of probes. The operations can include detecting a user touch action directed to a user-selected channel control region of the plurality of dynamically sized channel control regions. The operations can include performing a control action associated with the probe(s) that correspond with the user-selected channel control region when the user touch action is detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a flexible cap for a medical fitting, such as a luer-lock fitting. The flexible cap includes a cap component defining a top surface, a cylindrical wall extending opposite from the top surface of the cap component, and an inner sealing surface. The cylindrical wall defines a hollow interior configured to receive an internal tapered sealing wall of a male connector of the medical fitting so as to form a seal with an outer surface of the tapered sealing wall. Further, the inner sealing surface of the flexible cap is configured within the hollow interior. Thus, when the tapered sealing wall of the male connector of the medical fitting is received within the hollow interior of the cylindrical wall, the inner sealing surface of the flexible cap seals the fluid passageway of the tapered sealing wall.

Abstract: The exemplified systems and methods facilitate a nerve conduction block at a target nerve using electrical stimulation applied from one or more electrodes located on a percutaneous lead that are placed in parallel, or substantially in parallel, and without direct contact, to a long axis of the peripheral nerve over an overlapping nerve region of greater than about 3 millimeters. The exemplified system and method can be further configured to block nerve condition without eliciting onset activity and co-excitation of non-targeted structures. The exemplified method and system can be performed using conventional percutaneous leads, though an improved percutaneous lead design is disclosed herein. In an aspect, an introducer is disclosed that facilitates accurate and consistent insertion of the percutaneous lead to the specified or intended position relative to the target nerve. In another aspect, a treatment kit comprising the various system components to treat pain is disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed for performing an electrosurgical treatment procedure on a bodily tissue. An electrosurgical apparatus is described, the apparatus comprising one or more probes having insulated and conductive regions for creating lesions in bodily tissue. A method of delivering energy to a patient's body is described, including methods of treating sacro-iliac related pain using electrosurgical probes.

Abstract: A medical device position guidance system includes a plurality of noninvasive external detector devices communicable with an invasive medical device. A magnetic field is used to gather information about the anatomical size and shape of a subject, such as a human. The medical device position guidance system further uses the magnetic field to obtain information about the positioning of the invasive medical device relative to the subject's anatomy. A method of using the medical device position guidance system is also provided.

Abstract: A bolus delivery device is provided that comprises a housing and a reservoir defined by an activation dome and a reservoir seat and disposed within the housing for receipt of a volume of a fluid. The bolus delivery device further comprises a bladder disposed in the housing that is in fluid communication with the reservoir for receipt of the fluid from the reservoir; an actuator; an inlet conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir for providing the fluid to the reservoir; and an outlet conduit in fluid communication with the bladder for providing the fluid to a patient. The actuator is in operative communication with the reservoir to initiate a flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the bladder. The bladder expands as the bladder receives the fluid and contracts as the bladder dispenses the fluid. An infusion assembly including a bolus delivery device also is provided.

Abstract: Delivery pumps for providing a bolus or blenderized diet to enterally fed mammals are provided. A delivery pump according to the present disclosure is manually operated, and does not require mechanically powered operation. A delivery pump according to the present disclosure also has a size sufficient to contain an entire bolus or blenderized diet feeding, and is shaped to allow filling of the reservoir with a bolus or blenderized diet by a user. The present disclosure also includes a method of providing a bolus or blenderized diet to a mammal.

Abstract: Bladders and elastomeric pumps for infusion assemblies are provided. For example, a bladder may comprise a body extending over a length from a first end to an opposing second end; an outer diameter; an inner diameter; and a wall thickness. The wall thickness may gradually transition from a first wall thickness at the first end to a second wall thickness at the second end. In other embodiments, the wall thickness at a midpoint of the length is different than the wall thickness at each of the first end and the second end. An elastomeric pump may comprise an inflatable elastomeric bladder and a mandrel. The bladder includes a body extending over a bladder length from a first bladder end to an opposing second bladder end and a wall thickness, which is different at a midpoint of the bladder length than at each of the first and second bladder ends.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of catheter and radiating coil location in a human body. In particular, when a radiating coil is used in conjunction with a catheter, a coil locating device can be used to determine the distance the coil is from the device and its depth in the patient's body. A display is provided that shows both a reference image of a portion of a non-subject body and an image of the coil located on the display with reference to the reference image. This is achieved by locating the coil-locating device on a predetermined landmark on the patient's body. The coil and its signal wires can be incorporated into a stylet, guide wire or a catheter. The coil locating device can be orientated towards the head of the patient and for an axis of the device to be aligned with the mid sagittal plane of the patient.

Abstract: Devices for insertion into a stoma formed in a patient's body are provided, comprising a tube having distal and proximal ends and defining a path for movement of waste. To retain the device in the stoma and seal the stoma, the tube includes a retention mechanism located on the distal end and/or a sealing mechanism extending along a length of the tube between the proximal and distal ends. Collection apparatus for collecting waste from a patient's body also are provided, comprising a waste pouch and a connector for connecting the collection apparatus to a device inserted into a stoma. Additionally, waste collection systems for collecting waste from a patient's body are provided, comprising a tube for insertion into a stoma and a waste pouch. Each system may comprise a separate tube and waste pouch or the tube and waste pouch may be formed as an integral, inseparable component.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for cleaning and sealing threaded connector ports are disclosed. An exemplary cleaning system includes a basin and cleaning apparatus including a sealing connector, an alignment peg, and an outer foam sleeve having a tubular portion. The sealing connector includes a body portion having a gripping portion, an internal thread cleaning portion, and a longitudinal axis. Another cleaning apparatus also includes a cap cleaning end having a cap cavity and an inner foam pad. Another system includes a threaded connector port and a cleaning apparatus including an alignment peg, a disposable foam platform, and a handle body, which includes a grip portion and a pair of cleaning arms. The cleaning arms and foam pads are adapted to engage the female threads of a threaded connector port. A sealing apparatus includes a disposable liner having locator flaps and a placement tool having a handle and locator fingers.

Abstract: An in-line connector for use in an enteral feeding system includes a tamper-proof, single-use connector having a first component connectable to a first feeding device of the feeding system, and a second component connectable to a second feeding device of the feeding system. A releasable locking mechanism is provided such that the first component and the second component do not rotate when connected. The connector further includes one or more prongs positioned substantially flush against an interior wall of the second component when the first component and the second component are connected such that the prongs do not interfere with the releasable locking mechanism. Meanwhile, the one or more prongs are displaced away from the interior wall when the first component is detached or disconnected from the second component such that the second component resists re-insertion or reattachment of the first component.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for selectively and reversibly modulating targeted neural and non-neural tissue of a nervous system for the treatment of pain. An electrical stimulation is delivered to the treatment site that selectively and reversibly modulates the targeted neural- and non-neural tissue of the nervous structure, inhibiting pain while preserving other sensory and motor function, and proprioception.

Abstract: Devices for insertion into a stoma formed in a patient's body are provided, comprising a tube having distal and proximal ends and defining a path for movement of waste. To retain the device in the stoma and seal the stoma, the tube includes a retention mechanism located on the distal end and/or a sealing mechanism extending along a length of the tube between the proximal and distal ends. Collection apparatus for collecting waste from a patient's body also are provided, comprising a waste pouch and a connector for connecting the collection apparatus to a device inserted into a stoma. Additionally, waste collection systems for collecting waste from a patient's body are provided, comprising a tube for insertion into a stoma and a waste pouch. Each system may comprise a separate tube and waste pouch or the tube and waste pouch may be formed as an integral, inseparable component.

Abstract: Devices for cleaning a tube or clearing a blockage from a tube, such as an enteral feeding device are provided. The devices include an actuator and a syringe. The actuator is releasably attached to the syringe in a manner that allows the actuator to transition the syringe from a compressed position to an extended position, and vice-a-versa, without requiring the intervention of a user. A method of cleaning a tube or clearing a blockage in a tube is also provided. The tube cleaning device is filled with a liquid and the actuator pushes the liquid from the syringe into the tube when transitioning into a compressed position, and withdraws the liquid back into the syringe when transition into an extended position, causing the liquid to contact a blockage, and clear the blockage and/or clean the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical probe signal generator. More particularly, it relates to a medical probe signal generator architecture. The present invention further relates to a system including a medical probe signal generator having an automatic probe type detector for detecting an identifier and at least one instrument cable comprising the identifier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for automatic detection, localization, and semantic segmentation of at least one anatomical object in a parameter space of an image generated by an imaging system. The method includes generating the image via the imaging system and providing the image of the anatomical object and surrounding tissue to a processor. Further, the method includes developing and training a parameter space deep learning network comprising convolutional neural networks to automatically detect the anatomical object and the surrounding tissue of the parameter space of the image. The method also includes automatically locating and segmenting, via additional convolutional neural networks, the anatomical object and surrounding tissue of the parameter space of the image. Moreover, the method includes automatically labeling the identified anatomical object and surrounding tissue on the image. Thus, the method also includes displaying the labeled image to a user in real time.