Abstract: A guidewire comprising a hydrophilic surface coating encasing a core and a metal coil along a longitudinal length of the hydrophilic surface coating to form a distal closed tip, the metal coil circumscribing the core along a predetermined length, the core extending longitudinally beyond the metal coil in both a proximal direction and a distal direction, wherein a proximal section of the guidewire includes a hydrophobic surface coating.

Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical instrument and its methods of use are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of a surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly distally extending from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion. An articulation control may be associated with the elongated shaft assembly. The articulation control may be movable between a first position in which the elongated shaft assembly is arranged in a first articulation position and a second position in which the elongated shaft assembly is arranged in a second articulation position. The surgical instrument may include a fastener deployment system with a locking member. The articulation control may block movement of the locking member when the articulation control is located in the first position. The articulation control may also permit movement of the locking member when the articulation control is located in the second position.

Abstract: An insertion device for inserting a catheter into a patient's body is disclosed. In some embodiments, the insertion device combines needle insertion, guidewire advancement, catheter insertion, and needle shielding in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion device comprises a housing including a hollow needle distally extending from the housing. At least a portion of the catheter is pre-disposed over the needle such that the catheter is disposed substantially external to the housing. A guidewire is included, as well as an advancement assembly that is configured to selectively advance the distal end of the guidewire out a distal opening of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. The advancement assembly is further configured to enable distal catheter advancement before shielding the needle after use. The insertion device is configured to be grasped and used by a single hand of a user.

Abstract: A surgical fastener deployment system may include a plurality of coil fasteners having a head and coil body. In some embodiments, the head is comprised of a bioabsorbable polymer. In one embodiment, the coil body may be comprised of a shell and a core and one of the shell and the core may be comprised of one of a magnesium alloy or a bioabsorbable polymer, and the other of the shell and core is formed of the other of the magnesium alloy and the bioabsorbable polymer. The coil body may also include an internal channel which may have a support coil disposed within.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an indwelling urinary catheter having a guidewire anchoring mechanism. The indwelling urinary catheter includes a catheter tube having a proximal opening, a distal opening, a catheter tube lumen with the catheter tube having a first wall thickness. The guidewire anchoring mechanism is configured to transition between an insertion state and an anchored state. The guidewire anchoring mechanism can include a proximal portion having a top cap, a collapsible section having a second wall thickness less than the first wall thickness, and a distal portion including a holder cap coupled to a holder. The holder can be coupled to the catheter tube, the distal portion can be in communication with the proximal portion, and a guidewire can be coupled to the proximal portion, the guidewire extending through the catheter tube lumen to the distal portion.

Abstract: An improved medical procedure or catheterization tray included in an improved medical procedure or catheterization package. The improved medical procedure or catheterization tray is intuitively arranged. In one example, a catheterization package and catheterization tray has a layout and/or arrangement of components that may help reduce CAUTI rates by facilitating ease of use and aiding in proper aseptic technique during insertion. The medical procedure or catheterization package and/or medical procedure or catheterization tray may include various implements, compartments, and components necessary and/or helpful to the medical procedure or catheterization.

Abstract: An impedance measuring probe for use in a biopsy apparatus includes a metal elongate member having an elongate surface, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion. The elongate surface has a recessed longitudinal channel having a depth that longitudinally extends from the proximal end portion into the distal end portion. A conductive wire electrode, having a connection end and a sensing end, is located in and extends along the recessed longitudinal channel. The connection end extends from the proximal end portion of the elongate member and the sensing end is located at the distal end portion of the elongate member. An insulation material is disposed in the recessed longitudinal channel of the elongate member and around the conductive wire electrode so as to electrically insulate the conductive wire electrode, and with the sensing end of the conductive wire electrode being exposed.

Abstract: A biopsy apparatus includes a biopsy needle, a sample manifold, and a sample container. The sample manifold is coupled to the biopsy needle. The sample manifold has a receptacle and an insertion axis. The sample receptacle has an interior side wall and a mounting pin that projects inwardly from the interior side wall toward the insertion axis. The sample container is configured for insertion into the receptacle. The sample container includes a cap portion, a basket portion, and a hinge, wherein the cap portion is joined to the basket portion by the hinge.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a dynamic pressure response drainage system including control logic configured to enable measuring of residual fluid disposed within the drainage lumen. The residual fluid volume is measured by detecting the magnitude of the dynamic pressure response in the system containing the residual fluid when a sudden displacement (e.g. increase or decrease) of air volume occurs inside the system. The pressure burst magnitude is related to the pressure needed to move the mass of fluid, thus the fluid volume can be calculated from measurements of the burst pressure. The magnitude of the measured air pressure exhibits a dynamic pressure response corresponding to the mass of fluid in the tube. Either positive or negative pressure bursts can be used to produce and measure the corresponding positive or negative dynamic response spike pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods directed to an assisted fluid drainage system including one or more ejector vacuum pumps disposed in-line with the drainage tube. The one or more pumps can use a venturi effect vacuum pump to draw a fluid in and urge the fluid through the drainage tube to prevent the formation of dependent loops. Dependent loops can form within fluid drainage tubes when slack portions of tube create a positive incline. These dependent loops trap fluid and can create a retrograde flow, leading to various complications such as catheter associated urinary tract infections (“CAUTI”). Advantageously, the pumps can operate while the drainage lumen remains in fluid communication with the catheter. As such the pumps can operate continuously to prevent dependent loops from establishing.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion treatment system includes an ultrasound imaging system having an imaging control circuit communicatively coupled to an ultrasound imaging probe and to a display screen, and an ultrasonic vibration system having an ultrasonic generator operatively coupled to a medical ultrasonic object, such as an ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic catheter has a corewire with a distal tip. The ultrasonic generator has a generator control circuit that alternatingly switches between an ultrasonic work frequency and a tracking frequency. The generator control circuit sends a notification to the imaging control circuit when the generator control circuit has switched from the ultrasonic work frequency to the tracking frequency. The imaging control circuit responds by initiating a search in an ultrasound imaging space to locate the distal tip that is vibrating at the tracking frequency, and indicating a location of the distal tip in the ultrasound image displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: A method of preparing a filter for delivery into a body vessel. The filter includes a hub disposed along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of anchor members extending from the hub. Each anchor member includes either a cranial extension or a caudal extension at a distal end thereof. At least one anchor member distal end may be spaced from the hub at each of a first, second, and third distance along the longitudinal axis. The filter also includes a plurality of locator members extending from the hub, the locator members alternatingly interposed between the anchor members.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a dynamic response drainage and occlusion system configured to drain a fluid from a patient. The drainage system includes an input airflow device to provide airflow into the drainage lumen, a pressure sensor to measure pressure within the drainage tube, and an output airflow device to provide airflow out of the drainage tube. A controller including control logic configured to acquire pressure data from the pressure sensor, determine a running pressure rate-of-change from the acquired pressure data, compare the running pressure rate-of-change with a pressure rate-of-change defined by the control logic, and adjust an operating characteristic of at least one of the input airflow device and the output airflow device to move the running pressure rate-of-change toward the pressure rate-of-change defined by the control logic. The system further includes catheter occlusions systems to automatically protect the patient from pressure spikes within the system.

Abstract: A guidewire comprising a hydrophilic surface coating encasing a core and a metal coil along a longitudinal length of the hydrophilic surface coating to form a distal closed tip, the metal coil circumscribing the core along a predetermined length, the core extending longitudinally beyond the metal coil in both a proximal direction and a distal direction, wherein a proximal section of the guidewire includes a hydrophobic surface coating.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis and a method of attaching the prosthesis to a tissue structure disclosed. The prosthesis includes a body having a first side arranged to face the tissue structure having a defect and second side opposite the first side. One or more adhesive-filled pods are disposed on the first side of the body and selectively openable to supply an adhesive in between the tissue structure and the first side of the prosthesis body after the prosthesis body is positioned relative to the defect. The pods may be pierced, punctured, broken, and/or ruptured to supply the adhesive. A deployment device having a piercer may be used to puncture the pods.

Abstract: A deployment device for positioning a soft tissue repair prosthesis includes a self-expanding support body releasably attachable to the prosthesis. The support body may be removably insertable into a pocket of the prosthesis. A handle coupled to the support body facilitates positioning the patch and/or removal of the support body from the pocket. The support body may substantially occupy the pocket in an expanded configuration. The handle may be arranged to direct a pulling force to the outer peripheral edge of the support body and/or cause a portion thereof to be pulled downward and below the body during withdrawal of the deployment device from the prosthesis. The support body may include support segments pivotally coupled together and foldable to collapse the support body for insertion into and removal from the pocket. One or more resilient support members may be provided for collapsing and expanding the support body and the prosthesis.

Abstract: An adjustable vascular graft with a user-customizable reduced inner diameter is provided. The graft includes a flexible tubular body having open ends and a plurality of receivers in a sidewall thereof, which may be arranged in two circumferentially spaced rows of receivers. The receivers may take the form of ringlets, eyelets, loops, or holes, which may be provided in a reinforced region of the graft sidewall, and which may be radiopaque. A suture passes through the plurality of receivers, the suture having first and second free ends capable of being pulled, and which suture may also be radiopaque. Tensioning or tightening the first and second ends of the suture reduces an inner diameter of the corresponding portion of the tubular body of the graft, thereby allowing for the custom reduced inner diameter and a resulting flow restriction to be provided. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system, apparatus and method directed to automated adjustment of a positioning of a drainage bag based on at least an amount of tension within a tubing extending from the drainage bag. The system, apparatus and method pertain to an automated drainage bag actuation system that includes at least a first railing, a control box coupled to the first railing and configured to receive mounting fasteners that couple a drainage bag to the control box, the control box including a tension load cell sensor, a first motor, and circuitry electrically coupled to the first motor and the tension load cell sensor. The circuitry is configured to receive data from the tension load cell sensor indicating an amount of tension in tubing extending from the drainage bag and transmit one or more electrical signals to activate the first motor causing adjustment of a positioning of the drainage bag.

Abstract: A surgical fastener and a related deployment device as well as their methods of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the deployment device includes one or more surgical fasteners including a head and a distally extending coil body attached to the head. The head includes a through hole with an internal thread. The deployment device also includes a mandrel including a threaded portion located at a distal end of the mandrel. The threaded portion is engaged with the internal thread of the one or more surgical fasteners. A rotator is associated with the one or more surgical fasteners such that the rotator can selectively rotate the one or more surgical fasteners relative to the mandrel to displace the one or more surgical fasteners in a distal direction.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes an inner tubular member, a stent disposed over a distal section of the inner tubular member, a locking member positioned over the inner tubular member proximal of the stent, and an outer tubular member covering the stent and the locking member in a delivery configuration. A portion of the stent can be positioned in the locking member in the delivery configuration. The locking member can include a tubular proximal section, and a plurality of fingers extending distally from the tubular proximal section. The plurality of fingers can include a first finger and a second finger. The plurality of fingers can have a locked configuration with each of the first finger and the second finger parallel to a longitudinal axis, and an unlocked configuration with one of the first finger and/or the second finger forming an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.