Abstract: Needle guide systems for a sonography device are disclosed. The needle guide systems include both fixed and adjustable needle guides. In one embodiment, the needle guide includes a needle guide body that is rotatably mounted to a probe of a sonography device. A plurality of needle channels is disposed on a surface of the needle guide body. Each needle channel can be selectively rotated into position to guide a needle into a body of a patient at a predetermined needle insertion angle. If another needle insertion angle is desired, the needle guide is rotated to place a new needle channel defining the desired needle insertion angle into position. In another embodiment, a needle guide is disclosed and includes an extended guide feature, such as a guide cone, to assist in inserting a needle into the needle channel.

Abstract: A guidance and placement system and associated methods for assisting a clinician in the placement of a catheter or other medical device within the vasculature of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for guiding a medical device to a desired location within a vasculature of a patient is also disclosed and comprises detecting an intravascular ECG signal of the patient and identifying a P-wave of a waveform of the intravascular ECG signal, wherein the P-wave varies according to proximity of the medical device to the desired location. The method further comprises determining whether the identified P-wave is elevated, determining a deflection value of the identified P-wave when the identified P-wave is elevated, and reporting information relating to a location of the medical device within the patient's vasculature at least partially according to the determined deflection value of the elevated P-wave.

Abstract: A urinary catheter and container are described. The urinary catheter may have a catheter shaft attached to a handle, and a coating disposed on an outer surface of the catheter shaft. The coating may include a hydrogel, water and/or glycerin, and a polyethylene glycol (PEG). The PEG may have a molecular weight equal to or less than 600, for example one or more of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 300 and PEG 400. The coating may be applied in a wet state and remain wet for an extended period of time in the container, thereby obviating the need for a lubricant, such as a water sachet or gel package, to accompany the catheter in the container. The container may include a gas impermeable foil material. The container may include an adhesive tab covering a perforated section, the adhesive tab including a pull loop.

Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is typically connected to a catheter, a distal portion of which is disposed within a vein or other vessel of the patient. The access port described herein is configured with enhanced fluid handling features to improve fluid flow therethrough while reducing the likelihood of clotting or occlusions in the attached catheter, thus improving system patency. The access port includes a body defining a reservoir, a needle-penetrable septum covering the top opening of the reservoir, a stem including a lumen in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a volume control device positioned in the reservoir. The volume control device includes a floor designed to move from a first position below the side opening to a second position adjacent the bottom surface, and a spring element positioned between the floor and the bottom surface, the spring element biasing the floor in the first position.

Abstract: A surgical fastener deployment system may include a plurality of coil fasteners having a head and coil body. In one embodiment, the head may be larger in diameter than the coil body. The fasteners may also be mounted on a guide rod or mandrel that passes through a through-hole of the head and the coil body. The shaft may also include a guiding element that contacts and stabilizes the coil body as the fastener is deployed from a distal end of the shaft. When the head approaches and contacts the guiding element, the guiding element may deflect to permit the head to pass.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including a multi-lumen catheter, a stylet, and a guide-wire. The multi-lumen catheter includes a first lumen in fluid communication with a first distal opening and a second lumen in fluid communication with a second distal opening. The stylet is designed for insertion through the first lumen, having a length greater than a length of the first lumen such that a distal portion of the stylet can extend distal of the first distal opening. The distal portion of the stylet can include a stylet distal opening, a stylet proximal opening in communication with the stylet distal opening, and an expandable portion. The expandable portion can include a first expansion side and a second expansion side at least partially separable from the first expansion side. The stylet proximal opening can be formed through the first expansion side.

Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to introduction of the catheter. ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. Various methods for establishing a conductive pathway between a sterile field of the patient and a non-sterile field are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis having at least two helical loops or discrete loops, linked by a bridge, includes at least two regular struts connected by a regular inflection point forming a regular gap between the regular struts and at least two stagger struts connected by a stagger inflection point forming a stagger gap wherein the regular gap has a size different from the stagger gap.

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 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: Embodiments are directed to electro-hydraulically actuated lithotripters and methods for fragmenting stones using such lithotripters. In an embodiment, a lithotripter apparatus for fragmenting at least one stone in a body is disclosed. The lithotripter apparatus includes a chamber configured to contain an electro-conductive fluid, which includes a proximal end wall and a distal end wall spaced from the proximal end wall. A chisel is coupled to the chamber and located at least proximate to the distal end wall. A proximal electrode is located at least partially in the chamber. A distal electrode is located at least partially in the chamber and spaced from the proximal electrode. Responsive to an effective voltage applied between the proximal and distal electrodes, the proximal and distal electrodes are configured to electrically discharge into the electro-conductive fluid to generate shock waves in the chamber that accelerate the chisel toward the at least one stone.

Abstract: A prosthesis for repairing a hernia defect includes a patch body, a hoisting frame releasably attachable to the patch body, and a tether attached to the hoisting frame with a free end extendable through the thickness of the patch body and accessible from the side of the patch body opposite to where the hoisting frame is releasably attached. The patch body and/or the hoisting frame includes a self-expanding support member. The hoisting frame includes a frame body with an outer frame component and a force translation component for directing pulling forces on the tether across the frame body. The outer frame component has a loop configuration to generally follow the patch periphery with overlapping end portions or a gap between free ends thereof. The force translation component is separable into multiple segments to facilitate withdrawal of the hoisting frame through an opening when released from the patch.

Abstract: Dual-access site catheter systems with a blade or scoring functionality entering through a first access site and a balloon functionality for manipulating or driving the blade or scoring functionality through a different site. The blade or scoring functionality also sometimes provides needle or fluid delivery functionality to an atherosclerotic lesion.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device including the ability to determine when a component, such as a removable probe cap, is attached to a portion of an ultrasound probe. Such a cap is employed in one embodiment to act as a spacer component to provide a standoff for the probe head. Detection of probe cap attachment to the ultrasound probe enables the resultant ultrasound image to be adjusted automatically by the ultrasound imaging system. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system comprises an ultrasound probe, a cap or other component that is attachable to the probe, and a component attachment detection system for detecting attachment of the component to the probe. Once the cap is detected, an aspect of an ultrasound image produced by the imaging system is modified, such as cropping the image to remove undesired portions of the cap, such as the spacer component.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to drainage bag systems configured to facilitate disposal of a fluid therein and methods of using the drainage bag systems. For example, the drainage bag systems may include a drainage container configured to receive and hold a fluid from a patient. The drainage container may be fluidly coupled and reversibly attached to a bag. The bag may be configured to selectively receive at least some of fluid held by the drainage container. The bag may be detached from the drainage container and disposed of in a substantially fluid tight manner without disrupting operation of the drainage container (e.g., receiving and holding a fluid).

Abstract: A delivery device for a self-expanding implant, including an inner shaft, a slidable member disposed over the inner shaft, an actuation member, a rolling membrane, and a slitting member. The actuation member is coupled to the slidable member, and the rolling membrane is disposed over the self-expanding implant, the rolling member including a proximal end secured to the inner shaft, and a distal end secured to the slidable member. The slitting member includes a proximal end secured to the inner shaft, and a distal end secured to the slidable member, such that translation of the slidable member over the inner shaft in a proximal direction contemporaneously translates the rolling membrane and the slitting member in the proximal direction.

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.