Abstract: A method for removing a tissue specimen from a patient includes introducing a bag at least partially into a cavity in the body of the patient, the bag comprising an open end and a port, positioning a tissue specimen to be removed from the patient into an interior of the bag by passing the tissue specimen through the open end of the bag, sealing the open end of the bag, removing gas from the interior of the bag through the port while the tissue specimen is contained in the interior of the bag, and entirely withdrawing the bag containing the tissue specimen from the cavity. The bag may include a closure device configured to hermetically seal the open end of the bag, and the port may include a one-way gas valve configured to prevent or retard gas from entering the interior of the bag through the port.

Abstract: A method for removing a tissue specimen from a patient includes introducing a bag at least partially into a cavity in the body of the patient, the bag comprising an open end and a port, positioning a tissue specimen to be removed from the patient into an interior of the bag by passing the tissue specimen through the open end of the bag, sealing the open end of the bag, removing gas from the interior of the bag through the port while the tissue specimen is contained in the interior of the bag, and entirely withdrawing the bag containing the tissue specimen from the cavity. The bag may include a closure device configured to hermetically seal the open end of the bag, and the port may include a one-way gas valve configured to prevent or retard gas from entering the interior of the bag through the port.

Abstract: A method for administering an active agent to a pleura of a patient includes preparing a composition including a foamable liquid and the active agent, incorporating a gas into the foamable liquid to create a foam containing the active agent, introducing the foam into a pleural cavity of the patient defined by the pleura, and contacting the pleura with the foam. A method of pleurodesis includes introducing a composition into a pleural cavity defined by pleurae of a patient, the composition including a foamable liquid and an active agent capable of causing inflammation and/or adhesion of the pleurae. A composition for treating a pleura of a patient includes a liquid component including a biocompatible composition having a viscosity which increases in response to an increase in temperature, and an active agent capable of causing inflammation and/or adhesion of the pleura.

Abstract: A method for removing a tissue specimen from a patient includes introducing a bag at least partially into a cavity in the body of the patient, the bag comprising an open end and a port, positioning a tissue specimen to be removed from the patient into an interior of the bag by passing the tissue specimen through the open end of the bag, sealing the open end of the bag, removing gas from the interior of the bag through the port while the tissue specimen is contained in the interior of the bag, and entirely withdrawing the bag containing the tissue specimen from the cavity. The bag may include a closure device configured to hermetically seal the open end of the bag, and the port may include a one-way gas valve configured to prevent or retard gas from entering the interior of the bag through the port.

Abstract: A method for administering an active agent to a pleura of a patient includes preparing a composition including a foamable liquid and the active agent, incorporating a gas into the foamable liquid to create a foam containing the active agent, introducing the foam into a pleural cavity of the patient defined by the pleura, and contacting the pleura with the foam. A method of pleurodesis includes introducing a composition into a pleural cavity defined by pleurae of a patient, the composition including a foamable liquid and an active agent capable of causing inflammation and/or adhesion of the pleurae. A composition for treating a pleura of a patient includes a liquid component including a biocompatible composition having a viscosity which increases in response to an increase in temperature, and an active agent capable of causing inflammation and/or adhesion of the pleura.

Abstract: A method for administering an active agent to a pleura of a patient includes preparing a composition including a foamable liquid and the active agent, incorporating a gas into the foamable liquid to create a foam containing the active agent, introducing the foam into a pleural cavity of the patient defined by the pleura, and contacting the pleura with the foam. A method of pleurodesis includes introducing a composition into a pleural cavity defined by pleurae of a patient, the composition including a foamable liquid and an active agent capable of causing inflammation and/or adhesion of the pleurae. A composition for treating a pleura of a patient includes a liquid component including a biocompatible composition having a viscosity which increases in response to an increase in temperature, and an active agent capable of causing inflammation and/or adhesion of the pleura.

Abstract: A medical foam for delivering an active agent to a patient includes a biocompatible composition configured to form a foam, an active agent dissolved, dispersed, or suspended in the biocompatible composition, and a gas including nitrous oxide. The biocompatible composition may be configured to form a gel at a temperature of about 37° C. A method for administering an active agent to a patient includes preparing a mixture comprising a foamable liquid and the active agent, incorporating a gas comprising nitrous oxide into the mixture to create a foam containing the active agent, introducing the foam into a body cavity of the patient, and contacting the foam with a tissue surface in the body cavity.

Abstract: A method for removing a tissue specimen from a patient includes introducing a bag at least partially into a cavity in the body of the patient, the bag comprising an open end and a port, positioning a tissue specimen to be removed from the patient into an interior of the bag by passing the tissue specimen through the open end of the bag, sealing the open end of the bag, removing gas from the interior of the bag through the port while the tissue specimen is contained in the interior of the bag, and entirely withdrawing the bag containing the tissue specimen from the cavity. The bag may include a closure device configured to hermetically seal the open end of the bag, and the port may include a one-way gas valve configured to prevent or retard gas from entering the interior of the bag through the port.

Abstract: A system for removing material from the body of a patient, the system including a aspiration catheter insertable into the patient having a distal end with a steerable tip configured to bend in one or more directions and a controller mechanically coupled to the aspiration catheter and operable by a user to bend the steerable tip in the one or more directions. The system may also include a pump having an inlet port in fluid communication with the aspiration catheter and a discharge port in fluid communication with a return catheter configured to be inserted into the patient to return aspirated blood to the patient. A filter device may be positioned between the aspiration catheter and the pump, the filter device configured to trap solid material received in the aspiration catheter from the body of the patient.

Abstract: A method for administering an active agent to a pleura of a patient includes preparing a composition including a foamable liquid and the active agent, incorporating a gas into the foamable liquid to create a foam containing the active agent, introducing the foam into a pleural cavity of the patient defined by the pleura, and contacting the pleura with the foam. A method of pleurodesis includes introducing a composition into a pleural cavity defined by pleurae of a patient, the composition including a foamable liquid and an active agent capable of causing inflammation and/or adhesion of the pleurae. A composition for treating a pleura of a patient includes a liquid component including a biocompatible composition having a viscosity which increases in response to an increase in temperature, and an active agent capable of causing inflammation and/or adhesion of the pleura.