Abstract: Normally, when stents are bent, inside the body of the stented patient, there is head-to-head collision between facing V-points on the inside of the bend. However, by alternating between two whole numbers the number of struts between successive connectors around the circumference of each of the stenting rings, the V-points are caused to veer circumferentially in opposite directions as they approach each other on the inside of the bend, so allowing them to pass by each other without collision, thereby allowing in the same stent both close packing of the ring stack, and an enhanced ability to tolerate severe bending, after placement in the body.

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.

Abstract: A safety enclosure for a Huber needle includes a needle housing and a panel unit. The panel unit includes a series of planar panels assembled in an enclosing arrangement defining an enclosed area and is movable between an installation position where the sharp outer end of the Huber needle projects from the panel unit and a safety position where the sharp outer end is covered by the panels. The Huber needle has an aft end and a fore end connected by a bend with the fore end including a sharp outer end.

Abstract: Normal saline and other infusate solutions for infusion into the body of a patient during medical treatment are disclosed. In particular, infusates are disclosed that are formulated to resist changes to the pH of the solution when subjected to sterilization procedures that employ ethylene oxide gas. In one embodiment, a buffered infusate suitable for disposal in a syringe or other container is disclosed. The syringe is sterilizable using ethylene oxide. The buffered infusate comprises an aqueous solution that is disposed in the syringe and is suitable for infusion into a body of a patient. A buffer component is added to the aqueous solution to form a buffered solution. The buffer component is configured to resist a change in the pH of the buffered solution upon exposure of the buffered solution to the ethylene oxide during sterilization of the syringe.

Abstract: A blood filter device for placement in a blood vessel including a plurality of anchor members disposed radially and extending angularly about a first hub. A filter basket is preferably positioned upstream from the anchor members. The anchor members each include a hook configured to penetrate the vessel wall to prevent longitudinal movement due to blood flow. The filter basket is made up of a number of filter members configured to retain blood clots within the basket without completely blocking blood flow or applying additional force to vessel walls. Portions of the filter members may project radially outward to position the basket near the vessel centerline, but the filter basket preferably does not include hooks or anchors for anchoring the filter basket to the blood vessel.

Abstract: A medical device that can be used as a feeding tube to provide nutrition or medication to a patient comprises a catheter, a stiffening tip, and an internal bolster.

Abstract: A radially expansible annular stent is disclosed. The stent comprises a plurality of stenting turns around a lumen centred on a longitudinal axis. Adjacent turns of the stent are joined by connector struts. The stent annulus has a wall thickness related to the material from which it is formed. The radial thickness of the connector struts is smaller than that of the stent annulus. A method of making such a stent is also disclosed. The method includes cutting the connector struts from a tubular workpiece with a laser beam. The laser beam is aimed so as to be offset from a longitudinal axis of the workpiece to provide the reduced radial thickness of the connector struts.

Abstract: Implantable prostheses for reinforcing and repairing defects in a muscular or tissue wall and a method for fabricating the prostheses that minimizes wasted mesh material and reduces the labor and time required for fabrication. The prosthesis may include a plug body formed of surgical mesh material having a closed end, a larger open end, and a cavity extending therebetween, and a filler body formed of the surgical mesh material comprising a plurality of petals extending radially outwardly from and spaced laterally about a common base disposed in the plug body with the common base attached to the closed end of the plug body. The plug bodies are cut as circular pieces, and the filler bodies are cut as hour-glass shaped pieces from the same sheet of material so as to leave virtually no wasted mesh material. The filler pieces may be attached to the plug body piece by welding.

Abstract: A combination tissue apposition and suture capturing device (100) for performing endoscopic procedures typically in the gastro-esophageal tract. The device (100) is particularly adapted for forming multiple plications used in a gastroplasty procedure devised to cure or ameliorate gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The device include a tissue sewing capsule (102) attached to the distal end of an endoscope having a needle (120) that is deposited in a capsule (102) distal tip cavity following the suturing of a tissue fold and retrieved to enable the suturing of a subsequent tissue fold without the need for multiple intubations. A suture clip delivery device (200) is also disclosed that is adapted to fit within the capsule to enable suture capture without the need for multiple intubations. The combination device eliminates the need for an overtube and maximizes the speed efficiency of the gastroplasty procedure. A method for using the combination device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Assemblies for identifying a power injectable vascular access port are described. One assembly includes a vascular access port, a first identifiable feature, a second identifiable feature, and a third identifiable feature. The first identifiable feature is incorporated into the access port and identifies the access port as suitable for flowing fluid at a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port. The second identifiable feature is incorporated into the access port and identifies the access port as suitable for accommodating a pressure within the cavity of at least 35 psi. The third identifiable feature is separated from the access port and confirms that the implanted access port is both suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port and for accommodating a pressure within the cavity of at least 35 psi.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for packaging lyophilized implants and other medical devices. In accordance with the invention, a lyophilized implant may be packaged for delivery to the surgical site in a sealed, flexible/expandable, sterile inner pouch. The inner pouch may be further packaged within an outer, sterile package. The inner pouch contains a resealable port through which rehydration liquid may be introduced into the inner pouch without opening the inner pouch. The inner pouch may be made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material so that the pouch can expand only to a predetermined maximum size to accept a predetermined volume of rehydration liquid. After rehydration, any excess rehydration liquid within the pouch may be removed via the same port. Next, the pouch is opened via a second opening to expose the implant for removal from the package.

Abstract: An anchoring system includes a securement device having an anchor pad with a flexible retainer opening that receives a portion of a medical article, such as a catheter, to hold it securely in place. A locating mechanism in the form of posts positions and holds the catheter in position and limits rotational movement of the catheter. The anchor pad is secured to a patient's skin by adhesive.

Abstract: A split-tip catheter for placement within the vasculature of a patient and for use in hemodialysis or other suitable procedures is disclosed. In one embodiment, the split-tip catheter includes a catheter body that defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The catheter body further comprises a split distal region, including a venous segment and an arterial segment. The venous segment includes a recess extending proximally of a nose portion; and a lateral opening in fluid communication with the first lumen. The arterial segment also includes a lateral opening, is separate from the venous segment, and is removably seatable in the recess provided by the venous segment. In one embodiment, the distal region is un-split, but includes symmetrically opposed lateral openings, as well as distal openings, in communication with the first and second lumens for providing a functional stagger for blood flow in both forward and reverse catheter flow directions.

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 intravascular introduction of the catheter. The ultrasound probe includes user input controls for controlling use of the ultrasound probe in an ultrasound mode and use of the tip location sensor in a tip location mode. In another embodiment, 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.

Abstract: A user interface for a sonographic device is disclosed that displays a sonographic image and at least one reference object corresponding to a catheter size. The reference object may be scaled in proportion to the sonographic image. In addition, the user interface may further display a plurality of vertical lines and a plurality of horizontal lines arranged in a grid-like pattern and placed over the sonographic image. The size of both the sonographic image and the at least one reference object may change in proportion to a chosen insertion depth. A display device, a sonographic device and corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An medical device guide system includes a probe configured for imaging portions of a patient's body, a first guide connector extending from a first surface of the probe, the first guide connector including a first mounting surface, and a guide removably mountable to the first guide connector. The guide may include a first cavity shaped to receive the first mounting surface and a first channel disposed on a top surface of the guide opposite the first cavity, the first channel angled at a first angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the probe and configured to guide a medical device to a targeted depth in the patient's body.

Abstract: An assembly for identifying a power injectable vascular access port, including a vascular access port and an identification feature. The port is structured for power injection and includes a housing and a septum together defining a reservoir. A radiographic feature incorporated into the port is perceivable via x-ray following subcutaneous implantation, the radiographic feature identifying the port as suitable for flowing fluid at a fluid flow rate of at least 1 mL/sec therethrough. A structural feature of the port is perceivable via palpation following subcutaneous implantation, the structural feature identifying the port as suitable for accommodating a pressure within the reservoir of at least 35 psi. The identification feature is separated from the port and confirms that the port is both suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 mL/sec therethrough and suitable for accommodating a pressure within the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, kits and methods for continuously measuring intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) from a patient catheterized with a urinary catheter system Devices may include a lumen configured to connect to a pressure transducer, and a compensation chamber in fluid communication with the lumen and a urinary catheter.

Abstract: A retractable catheter for use in an implant delivery system, the catheter including an elongate tubular sheath made of a relatively flexible material, and a pull element for transmitting a pull force to the sheath to retract it longitudinally. The pull element includes an end portion disposed in the relatively flexible material, at least the thickness of the end portion being substantially less than its length.

Abstract: A method of promoting tissue adhesion to reinforce tissue apposition that may include collecting a first tissue portion, collecting a second tissue portion, placing one or more tissue securement devices through the first and second tissue portions, tightening the one or more tissue securement devices to approximate the first and second tissue portions, and placing a fixation agent between the first and second tissue portions. The method promotes tissue adhesion between one or more portions of tissue, wherein the tissue adhesion may reinforce a tissue apposition.