Abstract: A feeding tube device for delivering a substance into a stomach of a patient is disclosed, comprising a feeding tube, an overlapping segment integrally formed with and extending from the distal end of the feeding tube, and an inflation lumen defined within the feeding tube. The overlapping segment may be configured to surround at least a portion of the distal end of the feeding tube to form a balloon structure in communication with the inflation lumen. The overlapping segment may also be sealed against at least a portion of the distal end of the feeding tube device. A second overlapping segment may also be integrally formed with and extend from the proximate end of the feeding tube, with the second overlapping segment configured to surround at least a portion of the proximate end of the feeding tube to form a second balloon structure. A corresponding method of manufacturing is also disclosed.

Abstract: Microbe-resistant medical devices and methods of making these medical devices are provided. A base coat is applied to at least a portion of a surface of the device. That base coat includes one or more types of antimicrobial particles that are held in the base coat. A polymeric over coat is applied over at least a portion of the base coat. The over coat may be an organic soluble polymer, a water soluble polymer, a hydrogel or any other polymer capable of being coated onto a medical device. The polymer of the over coat is dissolvable in a solvent that does not dissolve the polymeric base coat during application of the over coat. The over coat remains free of the antimicrobial particles by not dissolving the base coat during the over coating process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for transferring brachytherapy elements to a needle, such as seeds, connectors, spacers, and strands. The system comprises a transfer device and, optionally, a stylet and a rack configured to hold one or more transfer devices.

Abstract: A method of incorporating drugs into an implantable medical device. In one variation, water insoluble drugs are used to form crystals within the porous structure of the device. Upon implantation, the drug crystals dissolve slowly and release the drug into the surrounding tissue. In one example, a water insoluble drug is crystallized within the pores of an ePTFE vascular graft.

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: There is disclosed herein a radially expansible stent formed from a tube, comprising a continuous spiral of tube material with a plurality of turns (30, 32) wrapping about a longitudinal axis from a first end of the stent to a second end of the stent, the spiral including a plurality of struts (40, 42) in a zig-zag arrangement joined at points of inflection (44), wherein each strut includes a double bend (46) remote from a point of inflection (44) and first (58, 60) and second (62, 64) length portions on opposite sides of the double bend (46); adjacent struts (40, 42) have handed double bends that are substantially mirror images of one another, the handed double bends facing each other such that in a stent collapsed configuration the length portions (58, 60) of adjacent struts on a first side of the double bends (46) are spaced closer than the length portions (62, 64) of adjacent struts on a second side of the double bends (46) opposite the first side, the adjacent struts on said first side of the double bend

Abstract: A vena cava filter is described, having at least one member arranged helically along a longitudinal axis of the filter. The filter may include a plurality of legs around which is arranged one or more filaments traveling in a helical path, or an elongated wire member arranged to define a first and second helecal path. The filter may include hooks and/or a retreival member.

Abstract: The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and/or manipulate the patch from a location outside of the body. An indicator may be provided on the tether as an aid for a surgeon in determining when the patch or plug has been inserted a sufficient distance within the patient. A support member may be arranged in or on the patch or plug to help deploy the patch or plug at the surgical site and/or help inhibit collapse or buckling of the patch or plug. The patch or plug may be configured with a pocket or cavity to facilitate the deployment and/or positioning of the patch or plug over the opening or weakness.

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: A guidewire for partial placement within a body of a patient is disclosed. The guidewire is employed to assist in the insertion of a medical device into the body, such as the placement of a catheter into the patient's vasculature. In one embodiment, the guidewire defines an elongate body that includes a distal segment. The distal segment includes a shape memory material that enables at least a portion of the distal segment to be deformed by a user prior to placement of the guidewire in the body of the patient. The shape memory material enables the guidewire to maintain the deformation of the distal segment portion after being deformed by the user.

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 fatigue test system for repetitively deforming a substantially tubular implant structure which is within a radial range and within an axial range expandable and contractable and which has at least a first and a second end, wherein the system comprises at least a first and second part which are controllably moveable relative to each other, and a first and a second fixture assembly for fixing the first end to the first part and the second end to the second part, so that the system controls in use the position of each of the first and second end of the tubular implant structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer system includes an introducer needle having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an inner lumen, the introducer needle further having an opening that provides access to the inner lumen, and a snare having an implant coupling element, the snare being configured to be positioned within the inner lumen of the introducer needle, wherein the snare is extendable from the introducer needle opening to an extended position in which the implant coupling element is positioned outside of the inner lumen and retractable to a retracted position in which the implant coupling element is positioned within the inner lumen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implanting pelvic implants (10) In one embodiment, an anterior implant (10) has multiple arms (14, 16, 18, 20) that extend outwardly from a body portion (12) of the implant (10) in opposite directions In one embodiment, a posterior implant (10) has multiple arms (14, 16, 18, 20) that generally extend in the same direction In one embodiment, an anterior introducer (170) includes a needle (178) having a curved section (182) that is sized and configured for implanting an anterior prolapse implant (78) In one embodiment, a posterior introducer (170) includes a needle (178) having a curved section (182) that has a first curved portion (184 and a second curved portion, (186) the two curved portions having radii of curvature that are different from each other.

Abstract: A urethral support system is described, including an introducer device and tissue implant. The introducer device may include a needle with multiple curves, some of the curves having multiple radii. A sheath assembly may be utilized to assist the passing of the tissue implant through a patient's tissue. The sheath assembly may include connectors configured to connect the sheath assembly to an end of the needle and a tab configured to detachably couple sheath sides over the tissue implant.

Abstract: A filter delivery device for implanting a vessel filter within a blood vessel of a patient's body. The filter delivery device includes a mechanism for preventing hooks and/or legs on a vessel filter from entangling with each other while the vessel filter is loaded within the delivery device. In one variation, the filter delivery device includes a delivery catheter with grooves at the distal end lumen opening. When a vessel filter with radially expanding legs is compressed and inserted into the distal end of the delivery catheter, the hooks on the distal end of the legs are received and separated by the corresponding grooves on the delivery catheter. In another variation, a pusher rod, with a receptacle for receiving the hooks, is positioned within a delivery catheter to prevent the entanglement of the hooks and/or legs of a filter loaded within the delivery catheter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an implant comprising at least one sheet of a biocompatible material, at least one shielding apparatus fixed to the biological material, and at least one radioactive seed partially disposed in the shielding apparatus. The disclosure also relates to a method for treating a patient, comprising fixing to the tissue of the patient at least one implant comprising at least one sheet of a biocompatible material, at least one shielding apparatus fixed to the biological material, and at least one radioactive seed partially disposed in the shielding apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tubular radially expansible metal structures, having an abluminal wall, a luminal wall and a radial wall thickness therebetween with struts defining through-apertures in the wall, the structure further defining a plurality of expansible rings arranged adjacent one another along the longitudinal axis of the structure, each of the rings defining at least one bridge strut, and adjacent rings being linked by a bridge extending between adjacent bridge struts on adjacent rings. The bridges, a plurality of which are distributed throughout the length of the tubular structure and are configured and arranged to divide the tubular structure into axially spaced and electrically insulated sections, advantageously exhibit reduced electrical conductivity throughout their wall thickness. The present invention relates furthermore to a method of manufacturing such a tubular structure, as well as a method of visualizing a bodily lumen supported by such a tubular structure deployed therein.

Abstract: A waste management system includes a waste transport device and a waste collection device. The waste transport device may include a first connector member configured for releasable connection to a second connector member on the waste collection device. The system may also include an insertion device to facilitate insertion of the waste transport device into the rectum of a patient.

Abstract: A stylet for use in guiding a distal tip of a catheter to a predetermined location within the body of a patient. In one embodiment the stylet is configured for use within a lumen of the catheter and comprises a core wire, an ECG sensor, and a magnetic assembly. The ECG sensor senses an ECG signal of a patient when the stylet is disposed within the lumen of the catheter and the catheter is disposed within the body of the patient. The magnetic assembly includes at least one element capable of producing a magnetic or electromagnetic field for detection by a sensor external to the patient. In another embodiment, the stylet includes a pre-shaped distal segment that is deflected with respect to a more proximal portion of the stylet, which in turn causes a distal segment of the catheter to be deflected when the stylet is received within the lumen.