Abstract: An electromechanical surgical device includes: a housing; an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a distal end of the elongated shaft being detachably coupleable to a surgical instrument; at least two axially rotatable drive shafts disposed within the elongated shaft, a distal end of each of the drive shafts being configured to couple with the surgical instrument; a steering cable arrangement, the steering cable arrangement being configured to steer the distal end of the elongated shaft; and a motor system disposed within the housing, the motor system being configured to drive the drive shafts and the steering cable arrangement. A control system may be provided for controlling the motor system. A remote control unit may also be provided for controlling the motor system via the control system. Sensors, such as optical or Hall-effect devices, may be provided for determining the position of the elements of the surgical instrument based on the detected rotation of the drive shafts.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a tubular body portion (11) including an elongate portion (13) made of a transparent material, and at least one substantially linear contrast-radiography portion (14a, 14b) made of an X-ray opaque material and extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongate portion. The body portion (11) is hollow to allow passage of a liquid therethrough. A majority of the transparent material is composed of an aromatic polyurethane, while the material forming the at least one contrast-radiography portion (14a, 14b) is a mixture composed at least mainly of the X-ray opaque material and an aliphatic polyurethane.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a housing along with a tip connected to one end of the housing. A first cannula extending from the tip is provided for inserting a rod implant into tissue. A second cannula, concentrically disposed within the first cannula, is utilized to force the rod implant from the first cannula and for ejecting a fluid behind the inserted rod implant in the tissue.

Abstract: Microcannulae are constructed with multiple components in a composite design, allowing the microcannulae to have varying mechanical and delivery properties that will enable ophthalmic treatments by minimally invasive means. The microcannula includes at least one flexible, tubular communicating element with an outer diameter of 350 microns or less, a proximal connector for introduction of materials, energy or tools. It may also include a reinforcing member attached to the communicating element, which may be designed to create variable stiffness along the length of the microcannula. The microcannula may also include other features such as a signal beacon near the distal tip.

Abstract: An introducer sheath and a method for making the sheath. The sheath includes a fluoropolymer liner having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. An inner jacket is positioned longitudinally over the liner, and the inner surface of the inner jacket is bonded to the outer surface of the liner. An outer jacket is positioned longitudinally over the inner jacket, and the inner surface of the outer jacket is bonded to the outer surface of the inner jacket. A reinforcing coil is encapsulated within the inner jacket and the outer jacket.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor device that secures a medical instrument (such as a catheter or the like) in place relative to a skin penetration point using subcutaneous anchors. In some implementations, the anchor device can be installed using a technique in which the subcutaneous anchors undergo relatively little or no flexing when being inserted through the skin into the subcutaneous region between the skin and underlying muscle tissue which may be occupied by fatty tissue.

Abstract: A syringe is received within a housing, the syringe having a bore terminating at a forward end in a hypodermic needle and at a rearward end in a flared opening in which a bung having a bore surrounded by a skirt is insertod. A drive element has a forward end consisting of a substantially flat annular region that bears upon the skirt of the bung and surrounds a conical middle region that is received in the bore of the bung. An actuator advances the drive element so as to advance the bung and discharge the contents through the needle. The opening in the rear of the synnge is flared by being provided with a radius. The combination of the radius at the opening and the projecting conical middle region of the drive element allows misalignments of the two to be managed during automated assembly.

Abstract: Various embodiments of devices useful to provide access to the tissues surrounding the heart to facilitate myocardial infarct healing are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, a suction/infusion catheter is used to provide localized suction to an area of myocardial infarct. In another embodiment, a system comprising a suction/infusion catheter is used to provide localized suction to an area of myocardial infarct.

Abstract: An oral hydration system includes a holster configured to be mounted to a mounting structure. A hydration liquid bladder is removably disposed in the holster. A feed tube has a proximal end communicating with the hydration liquid bladder. A backflow-prevention bite valve is coupled to a distal end of the feed tube.

Abstract: A accessory mounting system for use with gastrostomy buttons is herein described. The system consists of an accessory mounting platform and a cap that is able to be manually attached and detached from the accessory mounting platform. The accessory mounting platform can be integrally mounted to either the keeper strap or the head of the gastrostomy button, or it can be attached to the keeper strap of an existing gastrostomy button using a clip integrally attached to its underside.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for translating a continuous-delivery delivery profile into a plurality of periodic bolus deliveries.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for inhibiting the introduction of air into the body during a percutaneous procedure. The apparatus may include an instrument passage lumen defining a degassing region with a degassing region distal end and a degassing region proximal end, a fluid inlet port at the degassing region distal end, and a fluid outlet port at the degassing region proximal end. So configured, fluid will flow only from the degassing region distal end to the degassing region proximal end.

Abstract: A securement device for securing a medical article includes two supports extending from a base. Lever arms extend from each of the supports. One or both of the lever arms include a channel portion. The lever arms are pivotable about the ends of the supports to define an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the lever arms extend generally upwardly from the supports. In the closed position, the lever arms extend generally downwardly from the supports, and the channel portion or portions at least partially surround the medical article. As the lever arms move from the open position to the closed position, they exert an outward force on the ends of the supports.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the invention relates to medical devices which comprise at least one reservoir, a therapeutic-agent-containing region disposed within the reservoir and an electrode comprising a conductive polymer. The devices of the invention are configured such that a rate of release of the therapeutic agent from the reservoir changes upon a change in the oxidation state of the conductive polymer.

Abstract: A catheter steering mechanism includes a tubular member defining a passage. The tubular member has a longitudinally extending cutaway portion defining a bend-enhancing region formed at a predetermined location along a length of the tubular member. An actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal part of the actuator being fast with a distal part of the tubular member. A restraining arrangement is defined by the tubular member, the restraining arrangement comprising a structure arranged at the bend-enhancing region to retain the actuator substantially within the confines of the tubular member during bending.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting blood leakage from the proximal end of a catheter. The device includes a resilient body having a proximal portion and a distal extension portion extending away from the proximal portion and terminating at a first end. The proximal portion and the distal extension portion share a common axis and together define a generally cylindrical passage at least partially therethrough. The distal extension portion is shaped to interface with the catheter and in a substantially sealing relationship. The cylindrical passage is sized to receive a surgical guidewire therein in close apposition.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an evacuator apparatus and a sensor. The evacuator apparatus evacuates aerosol and smoke generated during application of electrosurgical energy. The sensor is operatively coupled to the evacuator apparatus and senses the aerosol and smoke generated during application of the electrosurgical energy. The sensor generates data in response to the sensed aerosol and smoke. The sensor operatively communicates the data to the evacuator apparatus and the evacuator apparatus evacuates the aerosol and smoke as a function of the data.

Abstract: An access port for enabling passage of a conduit through a partition wall, said port comprising three portions, a sleeve portion surrounding an aperture for receiving a conduit there through, a flange portion for attachment to the partition wall, said flange portion encircles the sleeve portion and has a greater diameter than the sleeve portion, and a membrane portion connecting the flange portion and the sleeve portion. The port may be suitable for, in a leak-proof manner, passing a catheter or drain tube through the wall of a medical device such as a wound care device or a drainage bag.

Abstract: A one-piece connector of plastic is provided for removing a housing and needle of a Huber needle assembly from a patient. The connector has a rectangular frame that can be positioned about a gripping surface on the housing of the needle assembly and a pair of wings that pivot upwardly to contact each other to provide a gripping surface for a user to pull the connector and housing of the needle assembly from the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for applying wave energy of an ultrasonic frequency to agitate particles in a sample. The agitated sample is then delivered via a syringe or a resonating syringe plunger attachment of an applicator. More particularly, the present invention relates to establishing and maintaining a liquid suspension delivery system that prevents dispersed particles from precipitating out of suspension while the sample is delivered through to various applicators, such as resonating syringe plungers.