Abstract: Needle guide systems for a sonography device are disclosed. The needle guide systems include both fixed and adjustable and fixed 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: The invention relates to a coaxial cannula for extracting samples from tissue comprising a biopsy needle unit provided with a space for sample extraction and a sample separation unit which coaxially encompasses the biopsy needle on an external wall and is longitudinally movable. The inventive coaxial cannula comprises a sealing element which is arranged on the proximal end thereof and closes the space between the internal wall of the coaxial cannula and the external walls of the sample separation unit. The sealing element opens an air outlet when the biopsy needle unit is inserted, and prevents air intake when the biopsy needle unit is positioned and vacuum is produced in the internal chamber of the biopsy needle.

Abstract: A retractable catheter including an elongate tubular sheath having at least in a distal portion made of a relatively flexible material, a reinforcing structure made of a relatively inextensible material incorporated in the relatively flexible material of the sheath along at least a portion thereof, and a pull element for transmitting a pull force longitudinally to the sheath and the reinforcing structure, wherein the pull element is connected directly to a portion of the reinforcing structure exposed from the relatively flexible material to transmit the pull force directly to the reinforcing structure.

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 reinforced multi-lumen catheter and method of manufacturing the same. An assembly for manufacturing the multi-lumen catheter includes a catheter body substrate including a septum, one or more mandrels, a reinforcing element and one or more sleeves. The septum may have a distal region with a cross-sectional thickness greater than that of a proximal region. The septum can be separately formed. The septum can be split along a length of the distal region. The reinforcing element can be positioned over at least a proximal region of the catheter body substrate.

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. The urine collection system may include a widened profile to permit urine to cascade from one column to the another and/or may include one or more floats to minimize meniscus errors. The floats may include active agents, may change color based on pH, and may be calibrated to indicate the specific gravity of the urine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating conductive irregularities in the heart, particularly atrial fibrillation and accessory path arrythmias. An ablative catheter is positioned relative to an inter-atrial electrical pathway, or a vicinity of accessory paths such as the coronary sinus or fossa ovalis, and actuated to form a lesion that partially or completely blocks electrical conduction in at least one direction along the pathway.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to electrophysiology catheters and methods of using the same. According to one embodiment, the catheter includes a braided conductive member at its distal end that can be radially expanded, for example using a mandrel slidably disposed within a shaft of the catheter. According to another embodiment, the catheter comprises a tip portion constructed of an elastomeric material. According to a further embodiment, the catheter includes a braided conductive member wherein a thermocouple is formed using one filament of the braided conductive member and one thermocouple wire. Other embodiments of the invention relate to a handle for use with a catheter and methods of using the same. According to one embodiment, the handle comprises a thumbwheel coupled to a housing, a spring disposed within the housing in contact with the thumbwheel, and means for increasing compression of the spring to increase rotational friction on the thumbwheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopic accessory control system that resides externally of the endoscope. The system comprises the endoscopic accessory with a working end to be placed at the distal end of the endoscope, a control sheath extending proximally external to the endoscope and a control handle joined to the proximal end of the control sheath. The control handle is slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the endoscope shaft and is configured to permit grasping of both the shaft and the handle. With the control handle and endoscope shaft grasped with one hand, the other hand of the user is left free to manipulate the endoscope distal tip controls. Additionally, the external arrangement of the control sheath leaves the working channel of the endoscope free for use of accessories or operations.

Abstract: A covered self-expanding stent (114, 130, 132) with a length of 200 mm or more can be restrained against axial movement with a pusher (40) within the lumen of the stent that carries a spiral of wire (48) that provides protrusions that are accommodated within a luminal covering layer (24) radially inside the stent body. The protrusions distribute the stress over the full length of the stent. The pusher can be removed from the stent lumen by “unscrewing” the spiral relative to the covering layer (24). When the stent expands, the pusher can be withdrawn proximally, out of the stent lumen, without any need for rotatory movement. The covered stent can utilize a variety of stenting rings (110-118) along its length that manifest different mechanical properties so that the implant can exhibit mechanical properties that vary over its length, to suit the specific body and stenting site to which it is to be introduced.

Abstract: A tool for removing a discrete object from the body of a human or animal patient includes a single length of Nitinol tubing and a sheath. The tubing includes a tool head section at a distal end of the tubing and a shaft section extending from a proximal end of the tubing to the tool head section. The tool head section includes a slitted section and a non-slitted section. The non-slitted section is disposed at a distal most end of the tubing. The slitted section includes a plurality of longitudinal slits forming a plurality of strands.

Abstract: A continuous Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) estimation system may include a Foley catheter, a continuous urine creatinine sensor, and a urine output monitor. The continuous GFR estimation system computes creatinine clearance as CrCl=(Ucr×Uvol)/(Pcr×Imim), where Ucr is urine creatinine in mg/dL, Uvol is urine volume in mL, Pcr is plasma (serum) creatinine in mL, and Imin is time in minutes. A Foley catheter may be used to withdraw urine from the bladder. The urine may be delivered to a urine output monitor that provides the Uvol value over a time Imin. Attached to the catheter is the flow-through continuous urine creatinine sensor for providing the Ucr value. The remaining parameter is Pcr. Because serum creatinine levels do not change rapidly over time, a blood sample may be withdrawn prior to the start of the continuous GFR to obtain the PCr value.

Abstract: An access port for providing subcutaneous access to a patient is disclosed. The access port includes a septum including palpable identification indicia thereon. In particular, the access port in one embodiment includes a body that defines a fluid cavity and a needle-penetrable septum covering the fluid cavity for providing access thereto. The septum defines an outer periphery. One or more palpation features are included on the septum. The palpation features each include a portion that extends in a radial direction beyond the outer periphery of the septum. The palpation features are therefore disposed relatively farther away from each other, simplifying palpation and identification thereof after the port has been subcutaneously implanted into a patient. The palpation features can be indicative of an attribute of the port, such as its ability to withstand fluid pressures and flow rates associated with power injection, for instance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of providing a stent with a radiopaque marker comprising the steps of: i) providing in the stent a radiopaque marker carrier portion; ii) sleeving the carrier portion with radiopaque material, with an insulating surface between the carrier and the marker material, and iii) plastically deforming material within the sleeve of radiopaque material, to secure the sleeve on the carrier portion. The invention further concerns a stent with a radiopaque marker, the stent exhibiting a generally annular form with luminal and abluminal major surfaces, the marker also exhibiting opposed major luminal and abluminal surfaces characterised in that i) the marker envelops a carrier portion of the stent and is electrically insulated from it; ii) portions of the material of the marker which exhibit evidence of plastic deformation secure the marker on the carrier portion.

Abstract: A valved sheath introducer for venous cannulation, including a valve, sheath, handle and cap. The valve is configured to permit safe introduction and removal of medical instruments through the sheath introducer. The valve may have one or more anchoring members and a thickened central portion through which a slit is formed. The central portion may have one or more concave surfaces and the slit can be angled with respect to the top surface of the valve. The cap is attached to the handle, compressing a portion of the valve therebetween.

Abstract: An implantable vessel filter device having a plurality of radially expandable legs with hooks, and a center-post configured to prevent entanglement of the radially expandable legs when they are compressed against the center-post. In one variation, the filter device includes a first set of legs, forming a first filter basket in the expanded position, and a second set of legs, forming a second filter basket distal to the first filter in the expanded position. Hooks may be provided on the second set of legs to prevent migration of the filter along the vessel after the filter is deployed. Grooves may be provided along the shaft of the center-post to receive the hooks and prevent the hooks from interlocking when the legs of the filter are compressed along the center-post.

Abstract: An ACS therapy system for continuously monitoring Intra-Abdominal Pressure (IAP) and preventing the onset of ACS. The automated ACS therapy system includes a urine withdrawal device, an IAP regulation circuit, an IAP monitor connected to the urine withdrawal device to supply an IAP value to the IAP regulation circuit, and an abdominal fluid removal device The abdominal fluid removal device may be connected to an active suction device, which withdraws fluid from the abdominal cavity through the abdominal fluid removal device when activated by the IAP regulation circuit. Based on the IAP value, the IAP regulation circuit may send a control signal that controls the active suction device to turn on and drain fluid from the abdominal cavity. When the IAP value reaches certain levels, the IAP regulation circuit may cause the active suction device to be turned off.

Abstract: An endotracheal device may include an elongated body member having a first end and a second end, first and second lumen defined by the body member, and a funnel member proximal the second end. The first lumen may extend from a first opening in the first end to a first opening in the second end The second lumen may extend from a second opening in the first end to at least one point in a wall of the body member proximal the second end. The tunneling member may be configured to direct fluid toward at least one of the points in the wall.

Abstract: A stent delivery system that includes an inner member and an outer retractable sheath is operated by a handle that permits retraction of the sheath at more than one speed. The sheath may be retracted in small, incremental steps or in a single, more rapid stroke. Means are provided for releasably locking the inner member and outer sheath in a fixed position as well as to facilitate admission of liquid into the device.

Abstract: Junctions of ablation electrodes and catheters are disclosed. Electrophysiology catheter systems include a recessed region such as a channel at a junction of an electrode and a catheter shaft. The channel can help to reduce electrode hotspots, energy density and/or blood coagulation at the junction. The channel may be incorporated in a distal tip electrode or a ring electrode.