Abstract: A breathing circuit includes a flexible hollow tube having a generally circular cross section and a flexible printed circuit board assembly disposed in the flexible hollow tube. The flexible printed circuit board assembly defines part of at least one inspiratory passage within the flexible hollow tube and part of at least one expiratory passage within the flexible hollow tube. The flexible printed circuit board assembly is configured to heat airflow within one or more of the at least one inspiratory passage and the at least one expiratory passage, and monitor a first property of the airflow within one or more of the at least one inspiratory passage and the at least one expiratory passage at multiple locations along the axial length of the flexible hollow tube.

Abstract: A dilating cannula includes a radially expandable flange and an expandable shaft. The radially expandable flange is disposed at a proximal end portion of the dilating cannula and includes two or more sectors that are each independently movable. The expandable shaft extends from the proximal end portion to a distal end portion of the dilating cannula and defines an inner passageway of the dilating cannula and includes two or more arms. A first branch of the two or more arms extends from one end of the base section and a second branch of the two or more arms extends from another end of the base section. The first branch is connected to a first sector of the two or more sectors of the radially expandable flange and the second branch is connected to a second, different sector of the two or more sectors of the radially expandable flange.

Abstract: A device and method for removing material from inside a tube is provided, comprising a catheter having a tubular body and defining an inner lumen, the distal end portion of the tubular body defining a distal opening and apertures on a sidewall. An expandable member is attached to the distal end portion of the catheter tubular body distal to the one or more apertures. The expandable member is capable of having a first unexpanded condition such that the distal opening is open to allow fluid communication with the inner lumen of the catheter through said distal opening, and a second expanded condition such that the distal opening is occluded to prevent fluid communication with the inner lumen of the catheter through said distal opening, the second expanded condition of the expandable member having a maximum transverse diameter larger than a diameter of the tubular body proximal to the expandable member.

Abstract: A method for making an expanded, and optionally multi-component and/or colored PTFE monofilament is disclosed. The method includes forming a first paste by mixing a PTFE powder with a hydrocarbon solvent; forming an extrusion preform by pressing the first paste into a form; curing the extrusion preform by exposing the extrusion preform to a first temperature for a first time duration; forming a green monofilament by extruding the first paste through a die; expanding the green monofilament by exposing the green monofilament to a second temperature for a second time duration, the second time duration occurring after the first time duration; stretching the green monofilament substantially along a longitudinal axis of the green monofilament, the stretching the green monofilament occurring after the expanding the green monofilament; and sintering the green monofilament after the stretching the green monofilament.

Abstract: An end effector actuation system includes a shaft assembly having an outer shaft with an internal lumen and an actuation rod slidably received in the lumen, the outer shaft having a distal end portion that is compressible only when the actuation rod is absent from the lumen in the distal end portion, a locking boss provided on the distal end portion; and an end effector assembly having a receiving opening and a retention pocket, wherein the receiving opening is sized to receive the compressed distal end portion of the outer shaft and the retention pocket is sized to receive the locking boss when the distal end portion is uncompressed due to the presence of the actuation rod in the lumen of the distal end portion.

Abstract: A seal assembly establishes sealing engagement with a plurality of differently dimensioned instruments passing through a trocar. The seal assembly is a caged seal assembly movably disposed within the trocar and includes at least two seal segments disposable into and out of a sealing orientation relative to the instrument. A cage structure of the seal assembly includes at least two cage segments each connected to a seal segment, a biasing assembly connected to the cage structure and disposed and structured to normally bias the seal segments into sealing orientation.

Abstract: A syringe includes a barrel having an internal surface defining an internal bore therein, and a plunger disposed within the internal bore of the barrel. A distal end of the plunger is inserted into a proximal end of the barrel. At least one radial projection is disposed on an external surface of the plunger, the at least one radial projection includes a proximal ramp and a distal ramp. The distal ramp includes a first point being a point of incipient contact with the internal surface of the barrel, and the at least one radial projection has a first slope relative to the longitudinal axis at the first point. The at least one radial projection has a second slope at a second point along the proximal ramp. An absolute value of the first slope is different from an absolute value of the second slope.

Abstract: A catheter adapter assembly includes an adapter body and a slider body. The adapter body includes a distal end portion configured to receive a catheter, a coupling disposed on the distal end portion, and a fitting on the proximal end portion. The slider body is disposed about the adapter body and axially slides along the adapter body. The slider body includes a release, a latch disposed at a distal end of the release, and a flexing portion disposed at a proximal end of the release. The slider body also includes compression element that compresses the tubular catheter receiver in response engagement of the latch and the coupling. A catheter adapter system comprising the catheter adapter assembly and a nest that holds the catheter adapter assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible tip dilator is disclosed. The flexible tip dilator includes a hollow elongated tubular member with a proximal region and a tapered distal region. The tapered distal region has three regions with a first region made from at least a first material but not a second material and a third region made from at least the second material but not the first material. The second region is includes both the first and second materials overlapping one another.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for treating a tissue opening, for example a trocar opening used in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. In a tissue closure device, a finger guard or shield can be used, handle or holding area or areas can be used, and positioning indicators can be used. A resiliently flexible target material can also be used for reliably holding a suture during the procedure. The resiliently flexible target material may be included as part of a removable mating component for use with a movable wing. Introducers can be used having a suture holder, an alignment indicator and insertion limits.

Abstract: A respiratory mask for a medical patient including a shell and a flow coupling is disclosed. The shell includes an upper portion configured to cover a nose of the patient and a lower portion configured to cover a mouth of the patient, where an internal surface of the shell defines an interior volume of the respiratory mask. The flow coupling includes a body, a supply flow passage extending through the flow coupling, a scavenging flow passage extending through the flow coupling, and a septum within the body that separates the supply flow passage from the scavenging flow passage. The supply flow passage and the scavenging flow passage are fluidly coupled to an aperture that extends through the upper portion of the shell, and an aperture extending through the lower portion of the shell, respectively.

Abstract: A device is provided to assist in closing an incision through body tissue that comprises a tubular body sized for introduction through the incision and carrying a plurality of stabilizer elements at the distal end thereof. The stabilizer elements are configured to be deployed within the body cavity to engage the lowermost tissue layer. In one method, the device is pulled with the stabilizer elements deployed to retract the body tissue away from adjacent body structure. In another method, a plurality of needle tips carrying sutures are guided through the body tissue to a retention device at the ends of the stabilizer elements. With the needle tips captured in the retention devices, the device is withdrawn from the incision so that the sutures form ligatures that can be tied off to close the incision.

Abstract: Enhanced dual purpose systems enable dilating of at least a lesion within a blood vessel and providing an anti-proliferative medicament in a non-attached form directly into the lumen of the vessel. Likewise provided is the ability to stop blood flow to prevent wash-out of the medicament during dwell time within the body lumen, and the ability to remove the medicament after the dwell time of the device to prevent unwanted exposure of the same within the body.

Abstract: Two part laparoscopic tools and surgical methods using such tools are presented. The tools and methods enable use of multiple surgical tools each having wide tool heads to be used in a body cavity using a single wide trocar and one or more narrow incisions, thereby reducing surgical risk and enhancing patient comfort and shortening recovery time. Additional instruments for facilitating laparoscopic surgery are also presented.

Abstract: A safety clip that securely and reversibly attaches to an assembly of a catheter and needle is disclosed. The safety clip securely enshrouding a needle tip of the needle following use of the needle.

Abstract: A method for inserting at least a portion of a dilator and sheath assembly into a patient and for removing the dilator from the patient is disclosed. Initially, the dilator and sheath assembly is received. The dilator includes a radially enlarged dilator bump. At least the distal ends of the dilator and the sheath are inserted in an incision in the patient. A vector force is exerted to the dilator and sheath assembly to push the dilator and sheath assembly further within the patient. The dilator hub is decoupled from the sheath hub. The dilator is removed from the patient through the sheath, where the dilator bump radially stretches at least the circumferentially continuous sheath distal end during removal of the dilator from the patient.

Abstract: A surgical instrument probe or electrode including an elongated shaft with a rod having an end effector on a distal end of the elongated shaft, a sealing means, and a pencil hub on a proximal end of the elongated shaft. The end effector on the distal end of the elongated shaft may be a hook or a spatula, and the rod may be attached to an electrosurgical energy source to enable the end effector to perform a cauterizing function. The rod may be between about 100 mm to about 400 mm and include a diameter of less than about 3 mm.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for treating a tissue opening, for example a trocar opening used in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. In a tissue closure device, a finger guard or shield can be used, handle or holding area or areas can be used, and positioning indicators can be used. A resiliently flexible target material can also be used for reliably holding a suture the procedure. Introducers can be used having a suture holder, an alignment indicator and insertion limits.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an allergy detection system for use during catheterization. The allergy detection system is incorporated into specialized syringes, connectors for use with standard syringes, or can be an independent test module designed for the sole purpose of allergy detection. The detection system features a test strip, such as an immunochromatographic test strip, and a structure to couple the system to a connector, syringe, or a housing, to form an independent test module. The detection system, by way of test strips, is used to detect potential allergic reactions.