Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. In one embodiment, an identification feature is included on a molded insert that is incorporated into the access port so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Abstract: Systems and methods that serve to drain a bodily fluid are provided The medical device includes a lumen connecting between the proximal end and the distal end The lumen is preferably adapted to drain fluid from the distal end to the proximal end The device may also include a pressure sensitive valve adapted for insertion and placement in the lumen The pressure-sensitive valve may be pressure sensitive wherein, when pressure at the inflow port rises to a predetermined threshold, the pressure-sensitive valve opens The lumen may also be configured whereby, when pressure at the inflow port drops to a second predetermined threshold, the pressure-sensitive valve closes In some embodiments, the valve may be unidirectional and not sensitive to any substantial pressure threshold but may open at any substantially non-zero pressure applied in the appropriate direction.

Abstract: A medical device removal system includes a vessel filter repositioning or removal device to remove and/or reposition a medical device, such as a vessel filter. The system includes a gripper to grip a medical device that is located within a body vessel, and a detector, linked to the gripper, to detect the proximity of the medical device to the gripper. The system may also include an output to indicate a signal from the detector.

Abstract: Methods of power injecting a fluid through an access port are described. One method includes implanting in a patient an access port suitable for passing fluid therethrough at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second, the access port including a body defining a cavity, a septum, and an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity, and flowing a fluid through an infusion set into the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second, the infusion set including a needle in fluid communication with a tubing, the tubing in fluid communication with a connector, each of the needle, tubing, and connector constructed to have a burst pressure of at least about 100 psi.

Abstract: An implantable port with an integral attachment mechanism. The implantable port includes one or more suture needles enclosed within a port body, the suture needle(s) coupled to a movable member such that movement of the movable member results in movement of the suture needle(s) out of the port body and into the tissue of a body into which it is implanted. The movable member can be a cam or tensioning member that rotates about a central port axis. The movable member can be coupled to a gear to permit movement of the movable member following implantation of the port within a subcutaneous pocket.

Abstract: A split tip dialysis catheter having an outer tube and an inner tube, the two tubes which can be arranged over at least a portion of their length in a coaxial configuration. The inner tube may be connected to the outer tube at a proximal bifurcation, secured at a distal end of the outer tube or both, but generally the inner tube will remain free to move relative to the outer tube to optimize functionality. In addition, the inner tube can be arranged to be removable from the catheter for replacement thereof.

Abstract: A biopsy device for taking tissue samples, includes a housing, a removable element and a control panel. The housing contains an electric power source and a tension slide connected to the power source. The tension slide may be brought into a cocked position against the action of a spring by the power source. The removable element is configured for insertion into the housing and includes a biopsy needle unit, a vacuum pressure-generating device and a control panel. The removable element may be provided as a sterile package unit. The biopsy needle unit can be arranged on the tension slide and includes a hollow biopsy needle with a sample removal chamber and a cutting sheath. The biopsy device can be held in one hand and is fully integrated with all components required to perform a vacuum biopsy such that no cables or lines are required to other external units.

Abstract: A method for extracting a tissue sample includes altering the pressure inside the lumen of a cannula to facilitate extraction of a tissue sample from the cannula. One aspect of the invention includes a biopsy apparatus comprising a valve for controlling the pressure inside the lumen of the cannula. In one variation, the pressure/vacuum generating device is connected to a cannula with a closed distal end and an orifice located on a circumferential surface of said cannula. A cutting sheath is slidably disposed over said cannula. The valve may be provided between the pressure/vacuum generating device and the cannula to control the pressure within the lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manipulating an elongated flexible shaft of a catheter provide case and reliability of positioning electrodes against or near tissue. Dual-bend flexible distal tips (30) may be used in combination with flat wires. In some embodiments, flat wires which are free to rotate upon initial bending of shaft segments are employed. In some embodiments, one or more transition segments (48) are used to relocate the satellite lumen-to-main lumen transition of pull wires (42, 40) away from a change in shaft stiffness.

Abstract: A biopsy device for tissue collection having a housing and a removable element. A power source is contained within the housing and the removable unit includes a biopsy needle module and a pressure source that can be integrated into the housing such that the biopsy device is fully operational without the need for wires or cables extending from the housing to connect to external units. The biopsy needle module includes a biopsy needle and a cutting sleeve, the biopsy needle having a sharpened distal end and a distal opening for collection of tissue, the cutting sleeve having a cutting blade on its distal end and being coaxially positioned with respect to the biopsy needle.

Abstract: A method of making a filter is disclosed including providing a mandrel, positioning a filter form on the mandrel, the filter form including a dissolvable compound, disposing a filter basket over the filter form, dissolving the filter form, and removing the mandrel from the filter basket.

Abstract: A deflation indicator system for visually indicating an inflation status of a balloon-type or other inflatable internal bolster of a medical device is disclosed. The indicator system enables an observer to ascertain from an external vantage point whether the internal bolster of the indwelling device is inflated. In one embodiment, the medical device comprises an elongate body defining a lumen, and an inflatable internal bolster for securing a portion of the medical device within the patient. A deflation indicator is also disclosed, including a flexible membrane in fluid communication with the internal bolster. The membrane is included in an external portion of the medical device. The membrane assumes a first concavely-shaped position when the internal bolster is deflated. Correspondingly, the membrane assumes a second convexly-shaped position when the internal bolster is inflated. The positions of the membrane are externally observable to indicate the inflation status of the internal bolster.

Abstract: A reinforced multi-lumen catheter and method of manufacturing the same. An assembly for manufacturing the multi-lumen catheter includes a proximal catheter body substrate including a septum, a first and second distal catheter body substrate, a first and second mandrel, a reinforcing element and a sleeve. The reinforcing element is positioned over the proximal catheter body substrate and at least a proximal region of the first and second distal catheter body substrates.

Abstract: Provided herein are suture clips that include a plug, a ring, and a shaft. Also provided is a catheter that includes a collet cage with a plurality of flexible collet fingers that engage a suture clip ring and a suture clip plug for assembly with a suture. The catheter is designed to hold and assemble the suture clip in a first position and release the suture clip and sever the suture ends proximal to the suture clip in a second position.

Abstract: A sacrificial catheter assembly and method of use for placing a functional catheter within the body of a patient, such as into the patient's vasculature, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sacrificial catheter assembly comprises a sacrificial catheter including an elongate body that defines a longitudinally extending lumen. A stylet is removably received within the lumen of the sacrificial catheter such that the catheter and stylet can be advanced together to a target destination within the body of the patient. The sacrificial catheter is configured so as to then be proximally slid over the stylet to remove the sacrificial catheter from the body while the stylet remains in place at the target destination. A functional catheter can then be distally slid over the stylet to place the functional catheter at the target destination. The stylet can then be removed from the body of the patient.

Abstract: Multi-functional urine collection devices, embodiments of which can include a self-expanding container having a receptacle for receiving urine from the tubing, a pump for moving urine through the tubing and into a receptacle, extendable tubing that may be shortened and/or lengthened, and/or one or more meters for monitoring, measuring, transmitting or storing a characteristic from the urine.

Abstract: A hybrid guidewire, a method for manufacturing the hybrid guidewire including co-extruding a core inside a sheath in bulk, cutting the core and sheath to a desired length, and shaping a distal and proximal portion of the guidewire depending on the desired application.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding having interconnected struts joined at vertices, and having bridges connecting sections of the helical winding to each other. An annular ring can be provided at one or both ends of the helical winding, and the annular ring can have extensions extending to connect to the helical winding. One of the extensions can connect to a bridge and another extension can connect to a vertex. The struts at the ends of the helical winding can have strut lengths that differ from the strut lengths of the struts Po. in a central portion of the winding between the ends of the winding.

Abstract: A stent device includes a first graft member, a second graft member and a stent frame defining a central axis. The frame has an abluminal surface engaged with the first graft member and a luminal surface engaged with the second graft member such that the first graft member and the second graft member encapsulates the stent frame along the length of the central axis. The stent frame includes a configuration where the stent frame is disposed on a curvature such that the abluminal surface has a radius of curvature of approximately 20 millimeters about a center of the curvature and the luminal surface defines a substantially constant effective cross-sectional area at any portion generally transverse to the central axis of the stent frame disposed about the curvature.

Abstract: A novel device and method for performing cardiac ablations includes a therapeutic instrument, for example, an ablation catheter, to which is mounted a flexible, braided electrode. The electrode configuration is selected so that it has a desired surface area for proper heat convection properties. RF energy is delivered to the electrode to heat and thereby ablate local heart tissue, with the electrode having good convection abilities to protect against coagulation, embolisms, and other undesirable effects of ablation procedures.