Abstract: A method for open surgical repair of a damaged portion of an artery or vein. A tubular medical assembly may include one or more shaped members, such as microbarbs, configured to anchor into the tunica intima and the tunica media of the vessel wall, and not to the tunic adventitia and vasa vasorum. The medical assembly is delivered to the damaged vessel portion via a delivery device through an open air pathway, and forms a conduit between transected ends of the damaged vessel.

Abstract: A device for dilating an opening through the tracheal wall of a patient includes a loading dilator. A balloon catheter is received in the lumen of the dilator such that the balloon extends distal to the loading dilator distal end. The balloon is configured to radially dilate a portion of the tracheal wall upon inflation. The balloon includes retention structure along its outer surface such that upon inflation, the retention structure inhibits dislodgement of the balloon when the balloon is positioned across the tracheal wall. The retention structure may comprise a pair of spaced elements radially projecting from the outer surface of the balloon, and spaced along the outer surface such that each of the elements is disposed at an opposite side of the tracheal wall when the balloon is positioned along the tracheal wall opening.

Abstract: A deployment device for repair of a transected body vessel is described herein. Device can have a handle and one or more shafts coupled thereto. A prosthesis being retained by a sheath can be coupled to the delivery device. The sheath can have end portions coupled to one or more shafts. Rotation of a shaft can retract a sheath portion away from either end of the prosthesis for expansion thereof prior to the middle of the prosthesis. Continued rotation of a shaft can completely remove the sheath from the prosthesis, so that the prosthesis is fully expanded and couples the first and second vessel portions of the transected vessel together. Prosthesis may be retained by overlapping a tubular sheath and lacing a threading member therethrough. Prosthesis may be retained by a splittable sheath.

Abstract: A deployment system for vascular repair of a transected body vessel is provided. The system can include a prosthesis, an inner sheath, and an outer sheath. The inner sheath can be configured to selectively retain a first portion of the prosthesis in the compressed configuration, leaving a remaining portion of the prosthesis uncovered by the inner sheath. The outer sheath can be configured to retain the remaining portion of prosthesis in the compressed configuration and the first portion of the prosthesis within the inner sheath. The outer sheath is removable from the prosthesis to allow an expansion of the remaining portion of the prosthesis to the expanded configuration at a first opening in the transected vessel. The inner sheath is removable from the prosthesis first portion to allow an independent expansion of the first portion to the expanded configuration at a second opening in the transected vessel.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting a chest tube through the chest wall of a patient into the pleural cavity. An inserter comprises an elongated tubular member and an inflatable balloon positioned at a distal end of the tubular member. A chest tube has a bore extending therethrough, and is sized such that the inserter is receivable in the chest tube bore. The chest tube and inserter are aligned such that the balloon extends distal of the chest tube when the inserter is received in the chest tube bore. An opening is formed through the chest wall to the pleural cavity, and the inserter is advanced into the chest wall opening such that the balloon is positioned across the opening in an uninflated condition. The balloon is inflated to dilate the opening, and the chest tube is advanced into the dilated opening such that the distal end of the chest tube extends through the opening into the pleural cavity.

Abstract: A catheter for use in the extracorporeal treatment of bodily fluids comprises a catheter body having a withdrawal port, an infusion port, and a plurality of lumens therein. The lumens comprise two or more withdrawal lumens that merge to form a single lumen proximal to withdrawal ports for transport of fluids withdrawn from a body vessel through the withdrawal port to an extracorporeal treatment unit, such as a dialyzer. The lumens also comprise an infusion lumen for infusion of treated fluids from the extracorporeal treatment unit through the infusion port into the vessel. The infusion lumen is disposed substantially at the center of the catheter body, while the withdrawal lumens extend longitudinally adjacent the infusion lumen along the catheter body length. A manifold may be provided at the proximal end of the catheter body to include the merger of the withdrawal lumens.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a wire guide into a body vessel of a patient includes a first apparatus half and a second apparatus half. Each of the apparatus halves has an interior surface, wherein each of the halves is structured and aligned for joinder with the other half along the respective interior surfaces. Upon joinder of the apparatus halves, the resulting apparatus defines a generally spiral-shaped interior wire guide pathway, a wire guide opening generally tangential to the interior pathway, a guideway for receiving an end of the wire guide from the opening, a first port communicating with the pathway, and a second port communicating with the first port.

Abstract: A catheter for use in extracorporeal treatment of a bodily fluid includes an elongated tubular member having a pair of lumens extending therein, and a septum separating the lumens. A first lumen comprises a withdrawal lumen, and a second lumen comprises an infusion lumen. A withdrawal port disposed along a length of the tubular member communicates with the withdrawal lumen for receiving fluid from a body vessel for transport to a treatment unit, such as a dialyzer. An infusion port disposed along a length of the tubular member communicates with the infusion lumen for returning treated fluid to the vessel. A passageway is formed in an outer wall of the tubular member adjacent the infusion lumen and extends through the septum. A generally tubular conduit extends through the passageway such that the withdrawal lumen communicates with an environment exterior of the tubular member outer wall.

Abstract: A self-centering tube for providing an air passageway through an opening in a tracheal wall of a patient includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a curve along a length of the shaft. At least the distal end and the curve are sized for passage through the opening into an interior space of the trachea of the patient. The proximal end of the shaft has a greater rigidity than the distal end. The tube includes an inflatable cuff at the distal end. Upon inflation, the cuff forms a seal between the shaft and an interior wall of the trachea, thereby permitting at least the low rigidity distal end of the shaft to self-center within the trachea.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter for use in the extracorporeal treatment of bodily fluids comprises a tubular catheter body having a first septum extending along its length, and having a withdrawal port and an infusion port. First and second withdrawal lumens are disposed on one side of the septum for transporting fluids withdrawn from a body vessel through the withdrawal port to an extracorporeal treatment unit, such as a dialyzer. An infusion lumen is disposed on the other side of the septum for infusion of treated fluids from the dialyzer through the infusion port into the vessel. The catheter body has a second septum extending along a length of the first septum. A proximal portion of the second septum separates the first and second withdrawal lumens, and a distal portion of the second septum extends distal to the withdrawal port. The distal portion tapers to a termination point along the length of the first septum length, for easing entry of the catheter into the vessel.

Abstract: An assembly for delivering nutritional products to the jejunum of a patient through a stoma formed through the abdominal wall and the stomach wall. A first tubular member is alignable such that the proximal end communicates with an area exterior of the patient, and the distal end is disposed within an interior space of the stomach of the patient. At least a portion of the distal end within the stomach interior space is configured for maintaining the stomach wall in apposition with the abdominal wall. A second tubular member is alignable such that the proximal end communicates with an area exterior of the patient, and the distal end extends into the jejunum of the patient. A hub positioned in the stoma has a first opening communicating with the first tubular member, and a second opening communicating with the second tubular member. Respective closure members may be provided for selectively sealing the first and second openings.

Abstract: An elongated medical apparatus suitable for insertion into a bodily passageway of a patient for carrying out a medical procedure. The elongated apparatus includes an elongated tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion terminates at a distal end. The tubular body has a plurality of lumens extending therein. An inflatable balloon member is mounted at the distal end of the tubular body and extends in a distal direction therefrom. The balloon member is inflated by receiving an inflation fluid through one of the lumens. The presence of the balloon member at the leading end of the elongated apparatus reduces the risk of puncture and trauma upon insertion of the apparatus into the bodily passageway.

Abstract: An endobronchial blocker catheter for use in blocking a selected mainstem bronchus under guidance of a bronchoscope. The endobronchial blocker catheter comprises a tubular assembly and an elongated body that receives the tubular assembly. The tubular assembly comprises a tubular member and a loop disposed at a distal end of the tubular member. The loop is sized such that the bronchoscope is passable through the loop. The elongated body has a plurality of lumens therein, and an inflatable blocker balloon disposed about a distal portion of the elongated body. One of the lumens extends to an interior of the balloon to accomplish inflation of the balloon for retaining the blocker catheter in the mainstem bronchus, and another lumen is sized for receiving the tubular assembly in a manner such that the loop extends from a distal end of the elongated body. The blocker catheter is guided by the bronchoscope to the desired inflation site via the loop.

Abstract: A one-way valve apparatus for use in draining fluid from a patient comprises a housing having an inlet end, an outlet end and a valve-receiving chamber therebetween. A valve is positioned in the chamber. The valve has an inlet end, an outlet end and a fluid pathway extending therebetween. The valve is made up of first and second generally flat elongated members joined along respective longitudinal edges. The valve inlet end is engaged with the housing inlet end to comprise an open end for receiving fluid to be drained. The valve outlet end is in a normally closed position. The valve is adapted to partially open to permit drainage of fluid received through the pathway, and to return to the normally closed position upon drainage of the fluid. The valve outlet end communicates with the housing outlet end such that the drained fluid passes from the valve outlet end through the housing outlet end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting an article into a body opening. A radially expandable introducer sheath is delivered in a non-expanded condition into a body opening. A release mechanism releases the introducer sheath from the non-expanded condition into a condition that permits radial expansion of the introducer sheath upon introduction of a medical device through the sheath into the body opening. An optional handle having a circumferential opening may be provided for withdrawing the sheath from the body opening, while leaving the medical device in place.

Abstract: A vascular conduit device and a delivery system for intraoperative repair damaged portion of an artery or vein and methods of use are provided. The device has a cylindrical body and may include a shaped member, such as a microbarb, configured to anchor into the tunica intima and the tunica media of the vessel wall, and not to the tunic adventitia and vasa vasorum. Various configurations and orientations of the microbarbs are provided, including microbarbs that are preferably aligned at an acute angle in the range of about 5 to 30 degrees and having a substantially parallel surface. The delivery system preferably has a translatable dilator tip that when retracted is configured to engage with the device during delivery. When the dilator tip is extended, the device can be implanted into the vessel wall. The vascular conduit device can be assembled during the emergency open surgical procedure.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter assembly for use in the extracorporeal treatment of a body fluid of a patient. The catheter assembly includes an elongated catheter body having a pair of lumens extending therethrough, and a septum separating the lumens. The catheter body has an aspiration port in communication with a first lumen for transporting fluid withdrawn from a body vessel to a treatment unit, and an infusion port in communication with a second lumen for return of treated fluid to the vessel. The infusion port is positioned distal of the aspiration port along a length of the catheter body. A flexible member is provided, wherein the flexible member has an end receivable in the first lumen and another end engaged with the catheter body distal of the aspiration port. The flexible member is structured and arranged to maintain a spacing between the aspiration port and a wall of the vessel.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for use in extracorporeal treatment of a body fluid comprises a catheter body having a plurality of lumens extending therein. The catheter body has an aspiration port in communication with a first lumen for transporting fluid withdrawn from a body vessel to a treatment instrument, such as a dialyzer, and an infusion port in communication with a second lumen for return of treated fluid to the vessel. The catheter body includes a wing-like flap portion extending radially from the catheter body and defining the aspiration port. The flap portion is configured and arranged to space the aspiration port from a wall of the body vessel.

Abstract: A catheter for use in extracorporeal treatment of a bodily fluid includes an elongated tubular member having a pair of lumens extending therein, and a septum separating the lumens. A first lumen comprises a withdrawal lumen, and a second lumen comprises an infusion lumen. A withdrawal port disposed along a length of the tubular member communicates with the withdrawal lumen for receiving fluid from a body vessel for transport to a treatment unit, such as a dialyzer. An infusion port disposed along a length of the tubular member communicates with the infusion lumen for returning treated fluid to the vessel. A passageway is formed in an outer wall of the tubular member adjacent the infusion lumen and extends through the septum. A generally tubular conduit extends through the passageway such that the withdrawal lumen communicates with an environment exterior of the tubular member outer wall.

Abstract: A loading dilator for positioning a medical apparatus across a stoma formed in a body wall of a patient. The medical apparatus, such as a tracheotomy tube, is sized to fit over a portion of the loading dilator during positioning of the apparatus across the stoma. The loading dilator includes an elongated dilator body having a tapered distal end for facilitating entry into the stoma. The dilator body has an inflatable balloon disposed along an outer surface at the distal end. The balloon is inflatable to a configuration such that a generally smooth diametrical transition is formed between the elongated dilator body and a leading end of the medical apparatus when the medical apparatus is fit over the loading dilator.