Abstract: An example extraction device may include a generally tubular shaft including a distal end configured to be inserted into a patient and a proximal end configured to be retained exteriorly of the patient; a basket extending from the distal end of the shaft, the basket including a plurality of flexible, distally extending legs, the legs including respective distal ends that are biased generally radially outward to at least partially define a basket distal opening; a handle disposed at the proximal end of the shaft; an actuator disposed on the handle; and/or a closure line operatively coupled to the actuator, the closure line extending distally through the shaft, through a closure line guide disposed on the distal end of the shaft, and generally circumferentially about the basket distal opening, the closure line being slidably coupled to each leg near its respective leg distal end.

Abstract: A catheterization package including a catheterization tray and contents for a catheterization procedure. The catheterization tray can include a structural configuration for maintaining a sterile field about a patient throughout the catheterization procedure, the sterile field including at least a portion of the tray. The structural configuration of the tray can provide a sterile side of the tray designated for a first person performing sterile steps of the catheterization procedure in the sterile field. The structural configuration of the tray can also provide a non-sterile side of the tray designated for either the first person or a second person performing non-sterile steps of the catheterization procedure outside the sterile field. The contents for the catheterization procedure can include a perineal care kit, two or more pairs of gloves, and a drainage system including a catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a waste detection system. The waste detection system includes a pad configured to acquire a fluid sample excreted from a patient. The pad includes one or more layers and at least one microfluidic channel configured to receive therein the fluid sample. The waste detection system further includes an intake manifold in fluid communication with the at least one microfluidic channel, the intake manifold configured to receive the fluid sample, the intake manifold having one or more reagents configured to detect the presence of waste within the fluid sample excreted from the patient.

Abstract: An inflatable port including a housing, a chamber in the housing, a septum over the chamber, a hollow stem extending from the housing, and a bladder around at least a portion of the housing. The chamber has a major opening and a minor opening. The septum is positioned over the major opening of the chamber and is fixed to the housing. The stem fluidly connects to the chamber by way of the minor opening of the chamber. The bladder is configured to increase a size of the inflatable port upon inflation of the bladder and decrease the size of the inflatable port upon deflation of the bladder. Also disclosed herein is a catheter assembly including the inflatable port, as well as a method related to the inflatable port and the catheter assembly.

Abstract: An application device for dispensing a fluid, including a liquid, gel, topical fluid, or other flowable substance, stored within a volume of the application device package is disclosed. The application device is manually deformable so as to permit breakage and establish an opening to the volume storing the topical fluid. In one embodiment, the application device comprises a sealed package that defines a volume in which the fluid is disposed. The package includes a partial slit that is configured to provide an opening to the volume when the package is deformed. The opening is configured to enable the fluid to be released from the volume. An applicator element is in communication with the volume upon release from the package. The applicator element can include a gauze, foam, compliant pad, or other suitable element, and is configured to assist with dispersion of the fluid on a surface, such a patient's skin.

Abstract: Stent, stent coverings, and methods of making medical devices useful in vascular valves are disclosed. Stent coverings include layered, oriented, or calendered polymer films.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes an interventional medical device having a first tracking element that generates tip location data based on a locator field. An ultrasound probe has an ultrasound transducer mechanism and a second tracking element. The ultrasound transducer mechanism has an active ultrasound transducer array that generates two-dimensional ultrasound slice data at any of a plurality of discrete imaging locations within a three-dimensional imaging volume. The second tracking element generates probe location data based on the locator field. A processor circuit is configured to execute program instructions to generate an ultrasound image for display, and is configured to generate a positioning signal based on the tip location data and the probe location data to dynamically position the active ultrasound transducer array so that the two-dimensional ultrasound slice data includes the distal tip of the interventional medical device.

Abstract: Articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument may include an elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First and second articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first and second articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument. The articulation lock also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including, in some embodiments, a sonic connector at a proximal end of a core wire, a damping mechanism around a proximal end portion of the core wire, and a heat sink connected to the damping mechanism. The sonic connector is configured to couple to an ultrasound-producing mechanism and transmit vibrational energy to the proximal end of the core wire, which core wire includes a distal end portion configured to modify intravascular lesions. The damping mechanism includes a gasket system around the proximal end portion of the core wire in a damping-mechanism bore of the catheter assembly. The damping mechanism is configured to damp the vibrational energy. A system including, in some embodiments, the catheter assembly and the ultrasound-producing mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sample collection container for a biopsy apparatus includes a sample capture body defining an interior space. The sample capture body is made of a fabric and has an interior sample capture surface that at least partially surrounds the interior space. The fabric has at least one fold.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated weight based fluid output monitoring system that can include a hanger having a securement ball defining a spherical surface and configured to engage a socket. The securement ball can include a sensor array configured to detect a change in pressure between the securement ball and the socket as well as a direction of force relative to a transverse axis of the socket. The hanger can further include a hook configured to be coupled to a fluid collection bag of a fluid drainage system. The hanger can further include a console having one or more processors, non-transitory storage medium, an energy source and a one or more logic modules configured to determine a change in fluid volume of the collection bag over time and an off-axis loading of the fluid collecting bag relative to the transverse axis.

Abstract: Surgical fasteners for use with articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical fastener may include a head, a shaft extending distally from the head, and a through bore extending through the shaft from a proximal surface of the head to a distal end of the shaft. A fastener carrier of a surgical instrument may be slidably received in the through bore, and the through bore may be sized and shaped to have two or fewer contact points with the fastener carrier when the fastener carrier is in a fully articulated configuration. In another embodiment, a fastener may include a head, a shaft extending distally from the head and including a distal tip, a sloped surface sloping toward the distal tip, and a through bore passing through the head, shaft, and sloped surface. The sloped surface may terminate at two shoulders located on opposing sides of the through bore.

Abstract: A sealing member for providing a seal between fluid connectors includes a tubular member defining a lumen extending between a first end and a second end. The tubular member may receive a first connector via the first end and a second connector via the second end, and includes an annular wall extending between a first annular portion adjacent the first end and a second annular portion adjacent the second end. The first annular portion may engage the first connector, and the second annular portion may engage the second connector. When a pressure within the lumen is negative, atmospheric acting inward on the annular wall compresses the sealing member to define a contact force between the second annular portion and the second connector sufficient to define a fluid seal between the sealing member and the second connector.

Abstract: Urinary catheter kits can include a working tray, a storage tray, a protective paperboard, and a urinary catheter assembly, including a urinary catheter and a drainage system. The working tray can be nested on top of the storage tray. The working tray can include preformed sections configured to accommodate a plurality of components of the urinary catheter kit.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to apparatus and methods for automatic fluid flow system connectors. The system generally includes a load cell interface coupled to a console and a ring connector coupled to a fluid collection system. The ring connector can be releasably engaged with the load cell using an engagement structure such as a latch, locking arm, or spring clip mechanism. The ring connector and load cell can include electrical contacts configured to engage along an axis that extends perpendicular to a surface that the electrical contacts are disposed on. Advantageously, reduced wear on the electrical contacts should extend the usable life of the system.

Abstract: A vena cava filter is described, having one or more frame members or an elongated member arranged in helical fashion. A plurality of filaments connect frame members or portions of the elongated member. The filaments may be made of suture material. Hooks may be placed on a free end of the filaments, along the length thereof, or on one or more frame members to engage the blood vessel wall and anchor the filter. A retrieval member may be positioned on the filter to facilitate withdrawal of the filter from the blood vessel.

Abstract: A drainage system comprising: (a) a catheter including a sensor; (b) a first valve in fluid communication with an interior of the catheter; (c) a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the controller including logic configured to direct at least one of opening and closing of the first valve using at least one of an elapsed time and a presence of a predetermined condition; and, (d) a venturi pump in fluid communication with the interior of the catheter.

Abstract: A coaxial introducer cannula is provided for use with a biopsy apparatus. The coaxial introducer cannula may comprise a coaxial cannula and a hub. The hub may be fixedly attached to a proximal portion of the coaxial cannula. The hub may have a hub body, a latching lever, and a latch. The latch may be configured to rotatably engage a catch of the biopsy apparatus, and the latching lever may extend radially from the hub body. The latching lever may be longer than a height of a front plate of the biopsy apparatus so that the latching lever can be reached and rotationally operated to rotate the hub relative to the front plate of the biopsy apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automated urinary output monitoring system including urine collection assembly that includes a first drainage tube coupled between a urinary catheter and an interim container, and a second drainage coupled between the interim container and a final container. A scale measures the weight of urine collected in the final container and a display depicts the volume of urine collected in the final container. A vacuum pump can be coupled with the final container to draw urine from the interim container into the final container, and an air vent can isolate the patient from the vacuum within the final container. The system can be configured to wirelessly transmit urine volume data to an external computing device. A gyroscope can be coupled with the scale to determine the orientation of the scale. Logic of the system can calculate urine volume and correlate with the time of day.