Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a power transmission including a trigger and a fastener driver operatively coupled to the trigger. Actuation of the trigger from a first configuration to a second configuration moves the fastener driver between at least a first position and a second position. Additionally, an actuation lockout system operatively associated with the power transmission is moveable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The actuation lockout system prevents movement of the fastener driver from the first position to the second position when the actuation lockout system is in the locked configuration. Actuation of the trigger from the first configuration towards the second configuration moves the actuation lockout system from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to apparatus and methods for a fluid collection system and automated fluid flow monitoring. The system can include a collection container, and a detection device coupled to an outside surface thereof and configured to detect a volume of fluid disposed therein. The detection device can be coupled to the collection container without having to compromise the integrity of the closed fluid collection system or re-catheterizing the patient. The detection device can be configured to detect an inversion event, tilt event, and the like to determine a flow rate of fluid into the container. The detection device can be communicatively coupled with external computing devices to alert a clinician when the container is nearing capacity and when it has been emptied.

Abstract: A case for a catheter system is disclosed, the case including a case body including a first side coupled to a second side. The case can include padding with a plurality of cavities to receive components of the catheter system and a strap to secure components of the catheter system to an interior of the case body. The case can further include one or more clips affixed to an interior wall of the first side or the second side of the case body. The one or more clips can be configured to secure additional catheter tubing or an external catheter to the interior wall of case body.

Abstract: A subcutaneous tunneling device includes a shaft having a bend, a catheter connector extending from a distal end of the shaft distal of the bend, and a sleeve. The catheter connector can include a body having a gripping portion, and a barbed extension distal of the body configured for insertion into a lumen of a catheter. The sleeve is slidably mounted on the shaft, and has a retracted position exposing the catheter connector to permit a distal end of a catheter to be coupled thereto, and an extended position covering the catheter connector and the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: Medical devices are described including a plurality of expandable members to open a vascular lumen while maintaining blood flow during expansion. The device includes a plurality of exterior members (114) that are inflatable or expandable. The device may also include, but does not require, an inner member (110) to further radially expand or circumferentially separate the exterior members.

Abstract: Medical device kits for use in placing, maintaining, altering, and/or removing medical devices in, on, and/or from the body of a patient can include one or more wrap assemblies for use in the placement/maintenance procedure. The one or more wrap assemblies of the medical device kit can include various features to assist the clinician performing the particular procedure, such as a urinary catheterization procedure. A wrap assembly can include a wrap body including a front surface defining an aseptic field for the urinary catheterization procedure, a plurality of pockets on the front surface, and urinary catheterization components disposed in the plurality of pockets, the urinary catheterization components arranged in a predetermined order of use for the urinary catheterization procedure. The wrap assembly can be in a rolled configuration. A method of using the wrap assembly includes unrolling the wrap assembly and removing the urinary catheterization components to perform the procedure.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for use in a bodily lumen. The apparatus comprises a guidewire and a catheter. The guidewire has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The catheter has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The catheter includes a lumen for receiving the guidewire. The catheter is configured to be translated along the guidewire. The catheter is configured to be biased towards a translated position along the guidewire by a magnetic attraction between the guidewire and the catheter.

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 a bayonet locking mechanism. One of the ring connector or the load cell can include a plate transitionable along a transverse axis between an engaged position and a disengaged as the ring connector rotates about a transverse axis. The plate can include electrical contacts configured to engage along the transverse axis and mitigate wear and damage to the electrical contacts, extending the usable life of the system.

Abstract: An interventional medical device, and method of manufacturing the same, is provided to reduce risk to the patient of a fracture of the interventional medical device. At least one portion of the interventional medical device that is subject to fracture and migration within a patient is identified. A membrane is applied over each portion of the interventional medical device that is subject to fracture and migration, such that any fractured portion of the interventional medical device is tied together by the membrane.

Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical instrument including an actuation lockout system as well as its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a trigger and a driveshaft coupled to the trigger such that actuation of the trigger causes the driveshaft to move from a first position to a second position, thereby resulting in deployment of a surgical fastener. An actuation lockout system restrains distal movement of the driveshaft until a force greater than or equal to a threshold force is applied to the trigger.

Abstract: A repair prosthetic for repairing a hernia is disclosed. In some embodiments, the repair prosthetic includes a patch body, a frame that assists in spreading the patch body from a reduced configuration to an expanded configuration, and a plurality of tethers attached to the patch body at locations between the frame and a periphery of the patch body. In various embodiments, the tethers can be tensioned to mitigate curling or creasing in the patch body to flatten the patch to facilitate attachment to tissue.

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: Embodiments are directed to support structures for drainage tubes to relax dependent loops and mitigate fluid pooling. Embodiments include support structures configured to receive an elastic tube and impart rigid or malleable properties thereon. These properties allow a clinician to position the tube to provide a consistent negative incline. Embodiments of support structures include an interlocking segmented tube, a bi-stable or mono-stable support structure, a jacket support structure, or a magnet support structure. Embodiments further include a malleable wire disposed within a wall of an elastic tube, or portions of a tube displaying differing elastic, malleable, or rigid properties. Embodiments also include magnetic peristalsis devices configured to urge fluid through a tube lumen.

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 patency device for catheter assemblies and other elongate tubular devices used for establishing access to an interior body portion of a patient is disclosed. The patency device establishes and preserves patency of one or more lumens defined by the catheter assembly by providing impulses of positive pressure to fluid disposed in the lumen of the catheter assembly. In one embodiment, the patency device comprises a fluid reservoir configured to provide a fluid path to at least one lumen of the catheter assembly, and a pressure input portion. The pressure input portion is configured to provide pressure for one or more impulses of positive pressure to a fluid disposed within the lumen. The impulses are configured to dislodge occlusions that may have formed in the lumen. A negative pressure can then be provided to the lumen to aspirate the occlusion.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe assembly includes an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound cap, a solid hydrogel component, and a cover. The ultrasound probe can include a probe head and an orientation indicator. The probe head includes an acoustic surface. The ultrasound cap can include an opening defined by an opening perimeter, and a base configured to support a removable needle guide. The base can be aligned with the orientation indicator. The solid hydrogel component can include a probe-contacting side contacting the acoustic surface, a skin-contacting side extending through the opening, and an outer perimeter larger than the opening perimeter. The cover can be configured to cover the hydrogel component and at least a portion of the ultrasound cap.

Abstract: A urinary drainage system is disclosed herein. The urinary drainage system can include an air pressure apparatus with a connector having an elongate connector body. The connector includes a lumen having a larger proximal lumen diameter and a smaller distal lumen diameter. The system includes an air intake adapter having an elongate adapter body, including a proximal end having a proximal opening configured to be coupled to the distal end of the connector. The adapter can include an air intake port in fluid communication with the adapter lumen, the adapter lumen having a larger proximal lumen diameter and a smaller distal lumen diameter.

Abstract: An insertion device to assist in accessing an access port that has been subcutaneously implanted in the body of a patient is disclosed. The implanted access port is accessed by a needle of a needle assembly, such as a needle-based infusion set. The insertion device may include a body having a stabilizing portion and a guide portion. The stabilizing portion stabilizes a position of the implanted access port when the body is placed on the skin of the patient atop the implanted access port. The guide portion is designed to guide a needle of the needle assembly along a predetermined path such that the needle transcutaneously pierces a septum of the implanted access port.

Abstract: A radiopaque balloon with a composite wall having a radiopaque adhesive affixing inner and outer layers of the balloon. The radiopaque adhesive provides a radiographic image of the balloon wall with or without the use of radiopaque contract media to inflate the balloon. A radiographically fainter image is provided as the balloon is inflated with well-defined edges of a balloon image, and the total radiopacity of the balloon does not change as the balloon is inflated. Also, a method of imaging a balloon wall and a method of imaging a radiopaque adhesive between two layers of a balloon wall are provided.

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.