Abstract: An introducer assembly includes a valve having a first end and an opposite second end; a sheath fixedly secured to and extending axially from one of the first and second ends of the valve; a dilator extending through the valve and sheath; and a lock knob rotatable between locked and unlocked positions to releasably axially lock the tool relative to the sheath without causing corresponding rotation of the tool therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus may be used with an elongate member that includes an engagement member, a hollow shaft, a compression member, a compression element, and a resilient gripping member. The hollow shaft extends from the engagement member along a longitudinal axis. The compression member is slidably disposed over the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft is disposed over the resilient gripping member and supports the compression element. The compression member has a conical inner surface including a detent feature. The conical inner surface is configured to urge the compression element radially inwards as the collar advances from the unlocked position toward the locked position where the detent feature retains the compression element. The compression element deforms the resilient gripping member radially inwards to grip the elongate member and prevents translation of the elongate member. When unlocked, the resilient gripping member moves radially away from the elongate member allowing translation.

Abstract: Needleless connectors are described. An example needleless connector includes a housing and a compressible valve. The housing may define an internal cavity and may include a body section having a first port and one or more internal contact tabs and a base section having a valve mount and a second port. The compressible valve may be disposed within at least a portion of the internal cavity and be movably retained within the housing. The compressible valve may include a flange portion for securing the compressible valve within the housing. A central longitudinal axis of the housing may be defined by a coaxial arrangement of the first and second port. The one or more internal contact tabs may be arranged to contact an outer side surface of the flange portion such that a radial force substantially orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis is provided for securement.

Abstract: In some examples, a catheter includes an elongated body comprising proximal and distal portions. The distal portion of the elongated body comprises an inner liner that includes a proximal liner section and a distal liner section that include different materials, and an outer jacket positioned over the inner liner. The distal liner section has a first hardness and the proximal liner section has a second hardness, where the first hardness is less than the second hardness.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing tubing suitable for use as a component of a medical device, such as a catheter body, and the real-time adjustment of characteristics of the tubing as it passes from one reel to another reel during manufacture. Thus, a length of tubing is manufactured that includes a plurality of segments of different flexibilities and the length of tubing is then cut into a plurality of sub-lengths of tubing that are suitable for use as a component of a medical device. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a length of catheter tubing comprises: extruding a base layer; overlaying a braided layer on the base layer; overlaying a sub-jacket layer over the braided layer; overlaying an outer jacket on the jacket sub-layer; and heating at least a portion the jacket sub-layer to change a characteristic of the length of catheter tubing.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a patch of dissolving microneedles loaded with active ingredients to be applied to skin for treating skin conditions is provided. As seen in FIG. 1, the dissolving microneedle patch (10) comprises a substrate (12) and a plurality of microneedles (14) which extends from the substrate. The dissolving microneedle patch (10) is made of a matrix material and at least one active ingredient such as a corticosteroid, namely triamcinolone (TAC). The matrix material is made of bio-compatible materials such as hyaluronic acid (HA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), or mixture of them, which dissolve rapidly when they are in contact with the inner skin. The active ingredient is loaded onto individual patches with the desirable dosage ranging from 0.01 mg-1.0 mg.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a microneedle containing a coating part on a needle tip and an apparatus used for the method. When a microneedle is manufactured using the coating method and apparatus according to the present disclosure, a coating part in which a target material is impregnated can be easily inserted into skin and effective dissolution is possible. Further, the target material is allowed to show excellent skin permeability with the dissolution of the coating part of the microneedle manufactured according to the present disclosure, thereby a quantitative amount of target material can be effectively delivered into the skin.

Abstract: A prefilled syringe includes a syringe body filled with a medical fluid, which has a nozzle at a front side, the nozzle being closed with a cap, and which is closed at a rear side with a displaceable plunger; and a plunger rod that can be inserted into the syringe body via the rear side. The plunger rod has a connecting portion at a front side, via whi9ch the plunger rod can be connected to the plunger. At least three annular elements, which extend at least in some sections about a longitudinal axis of the rod, are arranged on a rear side of the connecting portion on the plunger rod in such a manner that they are located in the syringe body when the plunger rod is fully connected to the plunger. The three annular elements support a coaxial connection of the rod to the plunger positioned in the syringe.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for delivering a rheumatoid arthritis drug across a dermal barrier. The devices include microneedles for penetrating the stratum corneum and also include structures fabricated on a surface of the microneedles to form a nanotopography. A random or non-random pattern of structures may be fabricated such as a complex pattern including structures of differing sizes and/or shapes. The pattern of structures on the surface of the microneedles may include nano-sized structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microneedle array, a support member, a method of producing a microneedle array, and a microneedle array unit which enable reduction of a drying time during production and prevention of breakage during drying. Provided are a microneedle array 120 including a sheet portion 41, a plurality of needle-like protrusions 44, and a support member 50 formed of a gripping portion 52 and a beam portion 54 having one end that is connected to the gripping portion 52, in which the sheet portion 41 is an integrally molded body which is integrally molded with the support member 50, in which at least a part of the beam portion 54 is buried under the other surface 43 of the sheet portion 41, opposite to the one surface where the needle-like protrusions 44 are provided, the gripping portion 52 is provided on the other surface 43 of the sheet portion 41, and the beam portion 54 is deformable toward a center of the sheet portion 41.

Abstract: A clot capture module can include a housing, a chamber inside the housing, a window, and a filter. The window permits visual inspection of a clot inside the chamber. The clot can access the chamber via an incoming flow path configured to direct blood from an aspiration catheter to an upstream surface of the filter. An aspiration control valve can block the flow of incoming aspirated blood until actuated to permit inflow of aspirated blood. An outgoing flow path can direct blood from a downstream surface of the filter to a remote vacuum canister.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dose detection system for use in combination with a medication delivery device. In one aspect, the system includes a module keyed to the device and including a sensor operable to detect the relative angular position of a sensed element attached to the medication delivery device. The system determines the type of medication contained by the device, and/or the type of device, based on the detected angular position of the sensed element. In another aspect, the dose detection system is used in combination with a medication delivery device including a dose setting member which rotates relative to an actuator during dose delivery. The dose detection system includes a sensor and is operable to detect the relative angular positions of a sensed element attached to the dose setting member during dose delivery and to determine the amount of dose delivered. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a medical fluid to a patient has a housing configured for receiving a container at least partially filled with the medical fluid. The delivery device further has a drive mechanism associated with the housing configured for delivering the medical fluid from the container to the patient in a dosing procedure. The delivery device further has a module configured for detecting at least one of a property of the dosing procedure and a property of the medical fluid. The module has at least one dose detection sensor configured for detecting an initiation, progression, and completion of the dosing procedure based on a position of a stopper within the container. The module further has at least one temperature sensor configured for measuring a temperature of the medical fluid within the container based on a temperature of the container.

Abstract: A fat suction and graft syringe includes a negative pressure adjustment mechanism. The negative pressure state in a barrel can be maintained during a procedure only by pulling and releasing a plunger, and only by slightly rotating the plunger. The plunger can be pushed inside the barrel without being constrained by a multi-level holding plate and a single-surface rotation clip, whereby the syringe has enhanced convenience in the use and production thereof so that many practitioners accustomed to using a normal syringe can easily use the syringe without separately learning how to manipulate the syringe.

Abstract: An insufflation device includes: a gas feeding conduit for feeding a predetermined gas which is fed from a gas supply source into a body cavity; and a processor. The processor measures a gas feeding time period until a predetermined amount of the gas is fed according to a set pressure, measures a pressure in the body cavity, calculates a gas discharging time period based on the set pressure and a measurement result of the measured pressure; and adjusts a gas feeding flow rate of the gas according to a difference between the measured gas feeding time period and the calculated gas discharging time period.

Abstract: To provide a means which makes it possible to hold a microneedle array without an adhesive sheet and protect tips of microneedles. A foam support sheet for a microneedle array, which has an open cell surface on at least one side, the open cell surface being an arrangement portion for the microneedle array holding the microneedle array with a microneedle side of the microneedle array facing downward; as well as a microneedle array sheet consisting of a microneedle array and a foam support sheet, the foam support sheet having an open cell surface on at least one side, and the microneedle array being arranged on the open cell surface with a microneedle side of the microneedle array facing downward.

Abstract: A medical assistance device capable of improving handling or an operation of a medical device. The medical assistance device is connected to the medical device which is inserted into a biological lumen and is used in a procedure in the biological lumen. The medical assistance device includes a support, a winding unit which is rotatably provided about a support shaft with respect to the support and winds the medical device, and a connection section which is provided in the winding unit and is connected to an end portion of the medical device.

Abstract: A method of peritoneal removal of electrolytes and inflammatory mediators. The method begins with infusing a treatment solution into the peritoneal cavity of a patient by way of a catheter. The treatment solution is drained from the peritoneal cavity by way of the catheter. During the draining, the treatment solution is filtered for removing electrolytes and inflammatory mediators.

Abstract: Guide extension catheters and related methods are disclosed. A guide extension catheter can comprise an elongate tube member, a push member, and an external manipulation member. The push member can be eccentrically coupled relative to the tube member and extend proximally therefrom for slidably positioning the tube member within and partially beyond a distal end of a guide catheter. The manipulation member can be coupled to a proximal end of the push member, where the manipulation member can be configured to secure the guide extension catheter in place during use by attaching to an external object such that the tube member and push member remain stationary without user engagement.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating microneedle arrays that includes electrospun fibers preferentially disposed within the microneedles of the array. Providing the electrospun fibers preferentially in the microneedles allows for more of a drug or other substance present in the fibers to be deposited into tissue or to provide other benefits. A mold for forming the microneedle arrays includes an insulating surface layer. The insulating surface layer affects the electric field during electrospinning such that electrospun fibers are deposited preferentially within the microneedle cavities of the mold relative to the surface of the mold. A bulk material can then be applied to the mold to form the bulk of the microneedles with electrospun fibers embedded within and a backing layer to which the microneedles are attached.