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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an echogenic catheter assembly. The catheter assembly includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end that defines a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. Further, the catheter assembly includes a coil member configured with at least a portion of the lumen of the catheter. The coil member forms a plurality of outwardly extending projections. One or more of the outwardly extending projections define a cross-sectional shape having at least one non-arcuate edge. As such, the non-arcuate edges of the outwardly extending projections are configured to enhance ultrasonic imaging of the catheter when inserted into a patient.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering energy to a patient's body includes a plurality of probes each having an elongate member with a distal region having an electrically non-conductive outer circumferential portion and a proximal region. Each of the plurality of probes further includes an electrically conductive energy delivery device extending distally from the electrically non-conductive outer circumferential portion for delivering one of electrical and radiofrequency energy to the patient's body. The energy delivery devices further include an electrically conductive outer circumferential surface. The system also includes at least one controller communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of probes. The controller includes a user interface having a control screen. The control screen includes an independent control module and a simultaneous control module that allows a user to select between independent control or simultaneous control of the plurality of probes.

Abstract: Cooling systems for medical probe assemblies are provided. For example, a cooling system comprises a pump assembly including a control unit having a controller, a motor, and a pump head driven by the motor; a fluid reservoir; a lumen for delivering a cooling fluid to the medical probe assembly distal end; tubing extending through the pump head for conveying the cooling fluid from the fluid reservoir to the lumen; and a flow sensor for sensing the cooling fluid flow rate. The pump head is disposed between the fluid reservoir and the medical probe assembly to pump the cooling fluid from the fluid reservoir to the lumen. The flow sensor is disposed between the pump head and the medical probe assembly to sense the cooling fluid flow rate. Methods for controlling fluid flow rate through a cooling circuit and systems for using a plurality of medical probe assemblies also are provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for securing nasal tubes are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a bridle, a magnetic portion connected to the bridle, a delivery probe, a retrieval probe, and a clamp. The delivery probe includes an elongated member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end configured to deliver the magnetic portion, and a bridle lock configured to release the bridle upon actuation of an actuator. The retrieval probe includes an elongated member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end including a magnetic portion configured to magnetically couple with the other magnetic portion, and a magnetic coupling indicator configured to provide an indication in response to a magnetic coupling. The clamp includes a channel portion with an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of a nasal tube. The clamp is configured to secure the nasal tube following placement of the bridle by the delivery and retrieval probes.

Abstract: An ablation system for treating tissue in a patient's body includes an energy source, one or more probes connected to the energy source, and a controller communicatively coupled to one or more probes. Each of the probes includes an elongate member having a distal region with an electrically non-conductive outer circumferential portion and a proximal region. The probes further include an electrically conductive energy delivery device extending distally from the electrically non-conductive outer circumferential portion. The controller includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices. The one or more memory devices are configured to store computer-readable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform operations. More specifically, the operations include detecting a number of probes connected to the energy source and allocating a portion of the predetermined power supply to each of the probes based on the number of probes detected.

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: The present disclosure is directed to an over-the-needle (OTN) catheter assembly having a structural member configured therein. The OTN catheter assembly includes a catheter coaxially mounted onto a needle. In one embodiment, the structural member includes a coil insert that is embedded into an interior wall of the catheter, thereby preventing kinking of the catheter when being inserted within a patient. In another embodiment, the structural member may be a separate and removable coil insert that is inserted into the catheter after the OTN catheter assembly has been placed in a targeted site within the patient and the needle is removed. In a further embodiment, the structural member may be a separate and removable solid insert having a blunt distal end that is inserted into the catheter after the OTN catheter assembly has been placed in a targeted site within the patient and the needle is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article or an interface having a distribution of a first partially spherical indentation and at least a second partially spherical indentation contained within the first indentation to form a multi-component or “compound” shape that is referred to as a “compound” or “nested” dimples or indentations. These compound dimples or indentions may be concentric and are etched or otherwise formed into a surface or interface of an article to enhance the ultrasonic imaging. Exemplary articles may be needles of the type used to conduct nerve blocks or the interface may be the surface of such a needle, cannula, catheter, catheter tip or similar article.

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.