Abstract: An overforce mechanism comprising a driving assembly, a driven assembly, and a variably engageable coupling, shunts or dampens a motion of a control cylinder for a hydraulic device when that motion exceeds a predefined, unsafe threshold. The overforce mechanism avoids or reduces damage either to the device itself, to ancillary devices and/or to the patient. In an aspect, the variably engageable coupling may include a biasing mechanism and a coupling member, wherein the biasing mechanism automatically resets or releases upon reaching a force or tension threshold. Further, the overforce driven assembly may include an overforce rod that allows the force or motion to be channeled away from the source. The variably engageable coupling may comprise a dowel and spring mechanism that automatically resets with tension.

Abstract: An applicator assembly includes a head portion having a proximal, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a fluid chamber, a container slidably coupled to the body, a sealing member sealing an end of the container, and a lifting member, wherein the lifting member is mounted in the interior portion of the head portion and an interior of the container is placed in fluid communication with the application member by way of a fluid conduit that is formed around the sealing member from the container to the fluid chamber when the container is axially translated toward the head portion and the lifting member lifts the sealing member.

Abstract: Devices and methods for mobile monitoring of a drainage catheter are provided. A device may be configured to perform an operation of rendering a user interface. The user interface may be configured to provide an output interface configured to prompt a user to input catheter use information, catheter use information being information related to using the catheter to drain fluid from the patient. The user interface may be configured to provide an input interface for the user to input catheter use information. The device may be further configured to receive catheter use information input by the user through the user interface. The device may be further configured to generate catheter management information based upon the received catheter use information. A method for mobile monitoring of a drainage catheter may include using a processor to perform the steps the device is configured to perform.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a catheter, the catheter with a distal length extending to a distal end, the distal length configured to indwell a cavity of a patient body. The distal length may include a first lumen extending longitudinally through a lengthwise portion of the distal length, where the first lumen may be at least partially defined by a first inner diameter surface of the distal length. The distal length may include a second lumen extending longitudinally through the lengthwise portion of the distal length, where the second lumen may be at least partially defined by a second inner diameter surface of the distal length. A first fenestration may be disposed through a side wall of the first lumen. A proximal length of the catheter may include a proximal lengthwise portion of the first lumen and the second lumen.

Abstract: A device and method for dampening a biopsy device externally or internally. One variation of the external dampening device includes a flexible sleeve provided to cover external surfaces of the biopsy device. The dampening device may also include a device to cover the entire device externally, wherein only a needle portion is exposed. Further in another aspect, a spring constant or spring property of the springs used in the biopsy device may be altered to decrease the noise emitted from the biopsy device. A device and method is also disclosed for dampening a biopsy device internally using an elastic damper at the end portions of any springs that may be used in the biopsy device or at the end of a stroke of certain movable portions inside the biopsy device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a biopsy device with a modified handle and stylet that provides a vacuum to be delivered to the targeted tissue for removal. The vacuum may draw the tissue into the notch where the tissue may then be severed via the cannula. Alternatively, the tissue may be drawn into to the notch after being severed via the stylet and/or cannula. The vacuum may be used to bring a larger amount of tissue into the notch than would otherwise be brought in the notch if no vacuum was used, providing a larger sample through the same size access point.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing an aqueous antiseptic solution, the method comprising providing a container containing the aqueous antiseptic solution, the aqueous antiseptic solution comprising a bis-(dihydropyridinyl)-decane derivative or a biguanide, heating the aqueous antiseptic solution to a predetermined temperature, maintaining the aqueous antiseptic solution at the predetermined temperature for a predetermined time, and terminating the heating of the aqueous antiseptic solution when the predetermined time expires. The predetermined temperature and the predetermined time are selected such that after terminating the heating, the aqueous antiseptic solution is sterile.

Abstract: A positioning system is provided for use in remotely-controlled surgical procedures. Also provided are methods of manufacture and use of such a positioning system. The positioning system may hold an instrument, and may provide multiple degrees of freedom of movement to the instrument. The positioning system may be coupled to a control unit, such that manipulation of the control unit results in movement of the positioning mechanism, thereby eliminating the need to manually hold and position the instrument. According to some aspects, the positioning system may be hydraulically actuated.

Abstract: A catheter configured for partial implantation into a patient and drainage of a body cavity may be provided with microtextured surface on one or more inner diameter surfaces and/or outer diameter surfaces of the tubular catheter body. The microtexturing may include surface features dimensioned to inhibit colonization and/or migration of microbes. The microtexturing may also include channels or other recesses containing an antimicrobial agent such as chlorhexidine gluconate or any other effective antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: An antiseptic solution including, a cationic antiseptic agent, a film forming polymer, an anionic tinting agent, and a solvent, wherein the cationic antiseptic agent, the film forming polymer and the anionic tinting agent each remain solubilized within the solution for greater than about 1 hour at 25° C. and 60% relative humidity. The antiseptic agent is preferably octenidine dihydrochloride or chlorhexadine gluconate. The film forming polymer is preferably an acrylate polymer. The solvent is preferably ethanol, isopropanol, and n-propanol. When a drape is adhered to a dried surgical film via the antiseptic solution, the force required to peel the drape from the surgical film is at least about 105 g/25 mm.

Abstract: A flexible wrist-type element, comprising: a base housing extending along a first longitudinal axis towards a base end; an operational housing extending along a second longitudinal axis towards an operational end; an operational element moveably connected to the operational housing; a joint assembly movably connecting the base housing and the operational housing; wherein the joint assembly allows relative movement of the operational housing and the base housing between a first position and a second position, wherein a point of intersection between the second longitudinal axis and the first longitudinal axis moves during movement between the first position and the second position; a driver assembly moveably supported by the base housing and the operational housing; and wherein the driver assembly is configured to actuate the operational element relative to the operational housing.

Abstract: An applicator assembly may include a body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an actuator operatively coupled to the body, a container disposed within the body, an application member attached to the distal end portion, and a valve disposed between the container and the application member. Actuation of the actuator opens the valve and places the interior of the container in fluid communication with the application member by way of a compressive force applied to the body. A method of applying a solution to a surface may include actuating the actuator, wherein actuation of the actuator applies a compressive force to the body that opens the valve and places the interior of the container in fluid communication with the application member, and contacting the application member to the surface, thereby applying the solution to the surface.

Abstract: A system for exchanging at least one end tool includes at least one tool exchange device for retaining each of the at least one end tool and at least one operating instrument engageable with each of the at least one end tool. The tool exchange device includes a tool retaining mechanism having an opening and a plurality of engagement features to enable mutually exclusive engagement and disengagement of the tool retaining mechanism with each of the at least one tool. Each of the at least one tool is receivable in the opening and has a biasing member engageable with the plurality of engagement features for at least one of biasing to an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device is provided for use in soft tissue and/or in bone. It is configured to include an inner probe with a first electrode and a second electrode and an outer needle through which the inner probe extends. After the inner probe is directed therewithin to a target, the outer needle can be withdrawn to expose space between the first and second electrodes to form an RF or other energy field for tissue ablation therebetween upon actuation of an energy source. Such embodiments may include methods for tissue ablation and placement of stabilizing materials.

Abstract: An articulating laparoscopic instrument including a handle, an outer shaft, an end effector, and a wrist assembly. The wrist assembly connects the end effector to the shaft and includes torque and articulation mechanisms. The torque mechanism includes a plurality of links disposed over the rod and connected with one another in a pivotable yet rotationally locked fashion. The articulation mechanism includes a plurality of articulation member disposed over the rod to collectively define a deflection section. The links freely rotate relative to the articulation members, with the rod and links collectively bending in response to a change in shape of the deflection section.

Abstract: A connector valve for use with an infusion set. The connector valve includes a body defining a chamber. The body includes a primary inlet, a secondary inlet, and an outlet. The connector valve includes a compressible member within the chamber that compresses from an uncompressed state to a compressed state. The connector valve includes a resilient member within the chamber that engages with the compressible member. The resilient member moves from an open configuration when the compressible member is in the uncompressed state to an occluding configuration when the compressible member is in the compressed state. The resilient member in the open configuration permits a bidirectional primary fluid flow between the primary inlet and the outlet, and the resilient member in the occluding configuration permits a bidirectional secondary fluid flow between the secondary inlet and the outlet, and unidirectional primary fluid flow from the primary inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments via a fenestrated drainage tube. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: An articulating device for aiding a user, such as, a surgeon or other medical practitioner, in manipulating a hand-actuated articulating device by providing a powered force used for moving the device, thus reducing or eliminating the need for the user to provide all the force required to move the device. The articulating device includes an input device, which receives one or more user inputs to direct a slave portion to perform work. The articulating device further includes a control portion that assists in transferring user input to the slave portion, and that further provides power assistance to at least partially drive the slave portion, in combination with the user input received by the input device.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an applicator assembly suitable for application of a catheter patch with one hand comprises an upper arm with a proximal end and a distal portion, a lower arm with a proximal end and a distal portion, and a hinge member fixedly joining the proximal ends of the upper arm and the lower arm, wherein an upper surface of the upper arm distal portion abuts a lower surface of the lower arm distal portion. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a catheter patch assembly may be secured against a lower surface of the upper arm distal portion. The distal portion of the lower arm may include a securing mechanism for securing the catheter patch assembly to the applicator assembly. A method of applying a catheter patch is provided.