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: A self-gripping hernia prosthesis including a layer of repair fabric and a plurality of tissue grips protruding from a surface of the repair fabric. The grip may be fabricated independent of the repair fabric and subsequently attached to the layer of fabric. A backing layer may be employed to secure each grip to the repair fabric. Each base may include a base that is located between the repair fabric and the backing layer. Alternatively, the base may be attached directly to the backing layer. The tissue grips may be configured to minimize entanglement with the repair fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catheterization package including catheterization-package components and a catheterization tray configured to facilitate a catheterization procedure. The catheterization-package components include a urinary catheter fluidly connected to a urine-drainage bag and a sampling-port access device configured to fluidly connect to a urine-sampling port of the urinary catheter or the urine-drainage bag for aseptic collection of one or more urine samples. The catheterization tray includes at least a first compartment, a second compartment, and a third compartment configured to hold the catheterization-package components. The first compartment is configured to hold the urinary catheter. The second compartment is connected to the first compartment by an intercompartment connection. The second compartment is configured to hold the urine-drainage bag. The third compartment is configured to hold the sampling-port access device.

Abstract: Invasive medical devices including a substantially non-eluting antimicrobial treatment are disclosed. One or more external and/or internal surfaces of the medical device include a substantially non-eluting copper-coated surface that assists in preventing microbial colonization of the coated surface. This in turn reduces the incidence of infection to the patient originating from the medical device. In one embodiment, a catheter assembly is disclosed and comprises an elongate catheter tube that defines at least one lumen, at least one extension leg including a luer connector, and a bifurcation hub including at least one fluid passageway that provides fluid communication between the extension leg and the lumen. A substantially non-eluting copper coating is disposed on a surface of at least one of the lumen, the extension leg, the luer connector, and the fluid passageway. The coating is applied via an electroless deposition process. A water-shed coating is disposed on the copper coating.

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 securement device for securing a catheter includes a retainer, a strap, a first anchor pad and a second anchor pad, a gap separating an edge of the first anchor pad from an adjacent edge of the second anchor pad. The retainer can include a first base member secured to an upper surface of the first anchor pad, a second base member secured to an upper surface of the second anchor pad, and a body coupled to the first and second base members. The body can include a portion spanning the gap separating the first anchor pad from the second anchor pad. The portion of the body can include an open channel through an upper surface of the body, the open channel aligned with the gap. The body can further include a first securement mechanism and a second securement mechanism. The strap can be rotatably coupled to the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a lesion in a vasculature has a catheter shaft (12) with a plurality of openings (16), which may be axially spaced. One or more cutters (18, 18?) are adapted for moving from a retracted position to a deployed position projecting from one of the plurality of openings for cutting the lesion, such as by being biased toward the opening and retracting upon engaging a leading edge thereof when the support is advanced proximally. A shaft forming part of the catheter may include a plurality of lateral openings and a plurality of cutters. The cutter(s) may be attached to a support adapted for moving independently within the shaft from a first position in which the cutter(s) move to a deployed position to project from a corresponding one of the plurality of openings for cutting the lesion. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter assembly including a proximal catheter assembly portion and a distal catheter assembly portion. The method of manufacturing comprises forming the proximal catheter assembly portion, creating a distal catheter assembly portion, and applying a polymeric coating to at least one of the proximal catheter assembly portion and the distal catheter assembly portion. The proximal catheter assembly portion can include a catheter hub and at least one cannula, the catheter hub including at least one fluid passageway in communication with a lumen of the at least one cannula. The distal catheter assembly portion can include a catheter tube defining at least one lumen designed to receive the at least one cannula. The polymeric coating is configured to provide a seal between the at least one cannula and the catheter tube when the proximal catheter assembly portion and the distal catheter assembly portion are connected.

Abstract: A method of making an intracorporeal marker, including the method steps of providing a core having a first material with porous hydroxyapatite; and completely covering the core an outer region having a second material with less porous hydroxyapatite, wherein ultrasonic or radiative imaging reveals a difference between the marker and tissue.

Abstract: Packaging for a medical implant such as a hernia repair prosthetic material includes a carrier and a stiffener. The hernia repair prosthetic material is placed adjacent to the stiffener within the carrier. The carrier assembly is sealed within an outer pouch, such as a foil pouch, and sterilized. When the carrier is being removed from the pouch in preparation for surgery, the stiffener helps prevent the carrier assembly from contacting non-sterile portions of the pouch.

Abstract: An ultrasonic catheter assembly includes a sheath having a sheath lumen. A core wire is at least partially disposed within the sheath lumen. The core wire has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the core wire is configured to be coupled to an ultrasound-producing mechanism. A working length of the distal portion of the core wire extends distally from the sheath. The working length is configured for longitudinal displacement, transverse displacement, or a combination of longitudinal and transverse displacement, in accordance with a plurality of output modes for vibrational energy supplied to the core wire proximal portion by the ultrasound-producing mechanism.

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: A method and apparatus are aimed to improve arteriovenous fistula maturation rate by treating the fistula with a crosslink agent solution (fixative solution). The fixative solution will crosslink proteins and biomolecules, allowing formation of crosslinks that stabilize or stable tissue structure. The method and apparatus will address factors that contribute to arteriovenous fistula maturation failure by stopping the neointimal hyperplasia growth after vascular injury and stabilizing the venous wall to prevent the lumen from narrowing.

Abstract: A low-profile access port for subcutaneous implantation within a patient. The access port can include a set of receiving cups which can be placed in fluid communication with a catheter. The set of receiving cups can provide a greater skin surface with which to access the port to avoid repeated penetrations at a single locus, such as during consecutive dialysis treatments. The access port can alternatively include needle penetrable arms or elongate chambers that also have a slim, low profile. The access port can include a needle guide to direct subsequent needle access to different insertion points to permit healing at the previous insertion points. The access port can be formed of a modular construction with a first conduit, a second conduit, and an outer shell. The outer shell can include a proximal portion and a distal portion. The access port can include a stem assembly and a locking member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system includes an ultrasonic device having an ultrasonic transducer, and a core wire having a proximal end coupled to the ultrasonic transducer and a distal end portion that terminates at a distal tip. An ultrasonic energy source is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic energy source includes an ultrasonic signal generator circuit, a modulator circuit, and a controller. The ultrasonic signal generator circuit generates an ultrasonic electrical signal. The modulator circuit amplitude modulates the ultrasonic electrical signal with a macro-motion electrical signal to generate a modulated ultrasonic electrical signal.

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 self-gripping hernia prosthesis including a layer of repair fabric and a plurality of tissue grips protruding from a surface of the repair fabric. The grip may be fabricated independent of the repair fabric and subsequently attached to the layer of fabric. A backing layer may be employed to secure each grip to the repair fabric. Each base may include a base that is located between the repair fabric and the backing layer. Alternatively, the base may be attached directly to the backing layer. The tissue grips may be configured to minimize entanglement with the repair fabric.

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 apparatus for scoring and treating a lesion includes a catheter, a scoring device, in the form of a rotary scoring element, and a drive unit for displacing the rotary scoring element and slicing the lesion. The rotary scoring element is displaceable between a stowed position fully contained within the catheter and a deployed position partially projecting from the catheter.

Abstract: A drainage system includes a vacuum chamber to receive drainage liquid from a drainage tube. The chamber can include an input port coupled with the drainage tube and a drain port coupled with a collection container. The system can include an air pump having an input coupled with a vacuum port of the vacuum chamber and a distal end of the drainage tube. Activation of the air pump can establish circulating fluid flow between the drainage tube and the vacuum chamber, and deactivation of the air pump can permit drainage liquid to drain from the vacuum chamber into the output tube. Also disclosed is a method of draining liquid from a patient, including accumulating a volume of the drainage liquid at a first location along a drainage pathway, moving the volume to a second location, accumulating the volume at the second location, and moving the volume to a collection container.