Abstract: A catheter comprising: a shaft (1) having a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3), the distal end terminating in a tip (4); a drainage opening (7) located at the distal end of the shaft, the drainage opening communicating with a drainage lumen (8) of the shaft; a balloon located at the distal end of the shaft, the balloon comprising a first region secured to the shaft, a second region secured to the shaft and an elastic-walled conduit extending between the first region and the second region, the elastic conduit extending over the tip.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a nephrostomy tube and a nephrostomy tube with curved drainage. The nephrostomy tube with curved drainage includes a bending head, a balloon element, and an elongated main body integrally connected with each other, wherein the nephrostomy tube with curved drainage has an guiding channel adapted for a guiding member to penetrate through, wherein the bending head has a first inner channel and at least two drainage bending channels located on the outer side of the first inner channel, wherein the balloon element has an air chamber and a second inner channel, wherein the at least two drainage bending channels are communicated with the second inner channel, wherein the elongated main body has a third inner channel communicated with the second inner channel of the balloon element, wherein the first inner channel, the second inner channel and the third inner channel from the guiding channel.

Abstract: A removable second stage biocompatible substrate filter including biocompatible implant material configured to trap second stage operative particulate matter, wherein the removable second stage biocompatible substrate filter is configured to combine with first stage operative particulate matter captured from irrigation fluid by a first stage filter, defining a combined product and the removable second stage biocompatible substrate filter is configured to be removable from a filter device container.

Abstract: An adapter for an evacuator for increasing a suction power of the evacuator includes a suction assembly adapted to be coupled with the evacuator. The suction assembly has a housing, an impeller arranged inside the housing and configured to provide a suction, and an inlet conduit to facilitate a flow of fluid to the impeller. The suction assembly also includes an outlet conduit arranged inside the housing and adapted to be coupled to the evacuator. The outlet conduit is in fluid communication with the impeller and facilitates a flow of the fluid from the suction assembly to the evacuator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical smoke evacuation system for use in removing gases and smoke created in surgical procedures form within an insufflated surgical cavity, Such a system comprises a discharge assembly adapted to form a gases path, and having an end which in use is located within said surgical cavity so that gases and/or surgical smoke inside said cavity can pass out of said cavity and through said discharge assembly along said gases path, a flexible discharge limb having an operational site end and an outlet end, and a self-supporting wall defining a gases flow passage between said operational site end and said outlet end, in use said open operational site end sealingly connected to said discharge assembly so that said gases and/or surgical smoke can pass out of said discharge assembly and into said discharge limb, a filter connected in use to the outlet end of the discharge limb, at least part of said wall of the discharge limb formed from a breathable material, said breathable material allow

Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion that includes one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations and is configured to establish an outer periphery or protective surface area that inhibits mucosal tissue from occluding the one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations upon application of negative pressure through the catheter. Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function also are provided.

Abstract: A coated urinary catheter or urinary stent device includes a urinary catheter or stent which, in a deployed position, includes or defines a protective surface area and a protected surface area and a coating upon at least a portion of the protective surface area. The coating includes a lubricant and an antimicrobial and/or pH buffering material. The device is configured such that, upon application of negative pressure to the catheter or stent, tissue of a urinary tract of a patient conforms or collapses onto the protective surface area and is thereby prevented or inhibited from occluding one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations of the catheter or stent.

Abstract: The present application includes a sheath that is suitable for use in a variety of medical procedures. In one or more implementations, the sheath includes a shunt member, and a curvable portion. The curvable portion may be configured in various orientations to facilitate an intervention, such as a hemodialysis intervention, or the like, by an operator. The curvable portion may be configured to bend between a substantially straight configuration and a curved configuration. In implementations, the sheath may be configured to have detachable and/or interchangeable components (e.g., shunt member, curvable portion, etc.).

Abstract: A drainage tubing management device is provided. The drainage tubing management device generally comprises a body including a planar field, and having plural pairs of spaced-apart protrusions extending from said field, each pair of protrusions sized to accept flexible drainage tubing therebetween, wherein pairs of the protrusions are arranged in at least first and second rows such that drainage tubing may be retained with respect to said body along the first and second rows, at least one aperture in said body, and a securement mechanism comprising one or more of (a) a post having a longitudinal axis, said post being insertable through within said aperture and having a terminal flange occluding passage of said post through said aperture, said post being sufficiently rigid to support said body and (b) a flexible hanging strap insertable through said aperture and having a terminal flange occluding passage of said strap through said aperture.

Abstract: A blood filtration system may to couple to an infusion pump that is external to the blood filtration system. The blood filtration system may include a blood circuit, for instance a variable-volume blood circuit. An infusion port may be in communication with the blood circuit and may receive an infusion fluid pumped by the infusion pump. A filtration pump may extract a filtrate fluid from a filter. The filtrate fluid may include filtered plasma constituents. A fluid characteristic sensor may measure one or more of pressure or flow rate of the infusion fluid pumped by the infusion pump. A controller may monitor the fluid characteristic sensor to determine a change in the pressure or flow rate of the infusion fluid. The controller may modulate a speed of the variable-speed filtration pump based on the change in the pressure or flow rate of the infusion fluid.

Abstract: Ureteral catheters and assemblies are provided including: a drainage lumen including a proximal portion configured to be positioned in at least a portion of a patient's urethra and a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's ureter and/or kidney, the distal portion including a coiled retention portion including at least a first coil having a first diameter and a second coil having a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter; or wherein the retention portion extends radially outwardly from a portion of the distal end of the drainage lumen portion, the retention portion including a proximal end having a first diameter, a distal end having a second diameter, and a wall and/or surface extending therebetween, the retention portion having a second diameter is greater than the first diameter when deployed; or wherein the retention portion includes a plurality of drainage tubes.

Abstract: A combined intraocular pressure (IOP) measuring and eye medication dispensing device may include a first micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) sensor to generate IOP measurements of a living organism's eye; a medication dispensing device to dispense medication into the living organism's eye; a second MEMS micro-dispenser to interface with the medication dispensing device and to control the dispensing of the medication into the living organism's eye; and an analog-to-digital (A-to-D) converter to receive control signals. The A-to-D converter may communicate the control signals to the first MEMS sensor or the second MEMS micro-dispenser; receive the generated IOP measurements from the first MEMS sensor; receive medication dispensing parameters from the second MEMS micro-dispenser or medication dispensing device, and communicate the generated IOP measurements or the medication dispensing parameters.

Abstract: Method consists of placing a flexible container within a rigid frame and expanding the container by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure such that the walls of the container conform to the inside walls of the rigid frame thus forming a well-defined chamber. The system has the capability of reducing the volume of the chamber by adjusting the distance between the walls of the rigid container. The methods and systems so described are applicable to closed sterile systems that employ immunomagnetic isolation or purging of components from blood products. By providing a fixed volume and at least one surface upon which targeted entities can be magnetically deposited, target cells in the case of positive isolations can be magnetically held, flushed with wash buffers over them to remove entrapped cells and finally the recovery of product of very high purifies and at high yields.

Abstract: An insertion tool, systems, and methods for use with lacrimal implants are herein provided. An insertion tool is disclosed that includes an inserter tip with a static pin at a distal end configured to be placed in a bore of a lacrimal implant and a mechanical coupling to receive a handle at a proximal end of the inserter tip; and, a handle coupled to the inserter tip at a distal end of the handle and a plunger at a proximal end of the handle, wherein the plunger is configured to release the inserter tip from the handle. The static pin of the inserter tip is de-coupled from the lacrimal implant after placement in a lacrimal canaliculus without mechanical force from the insertion tool.

Abstract: A catheter packing assembly that provides directions to the user on the proper procedure for contamination-free use of the catheter.

Abstract: A system of topographic patterns for the prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. The patterns may be provided on the surfaces of certain devices that are prone to bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, such as urinary catheters. To reduce bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, and to remove existing biofilms, the patterns are induced to transform from a first topography to a second topography. For example, the surface patterns may be formed from a shape memory polymer and then heated to transform the patterns from the first topography to the second topography to dislodge bacteria and prevent fouling.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a device for automatically collecting snot, which comprises a suction nozzle, a collecting cup, a cup holder and a shell component which are detachably connected in sequence, wherein the shell component is a hollow cavity. The present disclosure generates negative pressure suction through the air pump, and then the suction air enters the inner collecting cup through the air suction pipe, the cup holder air inlet, the air inlet channel and the micropore in sequence. Finally, the suction sucks the snot in the nose of a user into the inner collecting cup through the suction nozzle, effectively solving the problem of snot reflux.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods configured to provide heat and cold to the skin along with a skin treatment to control rate of skin treatment flow to the skin are described. The disclosed apparatuses and methods include beneficially delaying the transition of skin treatments once skin penetration is achieved to improve the effectiveness of topical treatments to the skin. Accordingly, the disclosed apparatuses and methods are configured to enhance the benefits of topical treatments to the skin.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the removal of serum gal-3 from circulation by plasmapheresis, comprising at least in part donor apheresis, using gal-3 binding agents in either a fixed bed, or in a form easily removed, such as by being complexed with magnetic particles. This method, on its own, brings a sharp reduction and relief from the inflammation and fibroses that can be induced by circulating gal-3. The process may be combined with the administration of gal-3 binding agents, such as modified citrus pectin, to further lower unbound gal-3 levels, to the point where gal-3 in the tissues may be addressed. This method may also be combined with removal of TNF receptors to provide an effective treatment for cancer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a multimode electrosurgical system having an electrosurgical instrument with a first electrode configuration that operates in a bipolar mode and second electrode configuration that operates in a monopolar mode. In other embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to an instrument and system that provide multiple modes of surgical and/or therapeutic treatments, at least one being an electrosurgical mode of treatment, the instrument including at least one active electrode on a working portion, and the working portion including or supporting at least one non-electrosurgical functional element, the instrument including at least one operational return electrode configuration of selectively variable surface area.