Abstract: An improved hiatal hernia treatment enhances recovery after surgery by reducing a patient's pain at an area of treatment. The area of treatment contains a hiatal hernia and must be extensively divided before the hiatal hernia can be treated. The improved hiatal hernia treatment reduces pain through directed application of anesthetic via an applicator positioned within the area of treatment. Reduction of pain increases patient comfort reduces the need for pain medication, and lowers patient blood pressure to enhance recovery.

Abstract: A syringe includes a body and a plunger movably disposed within the body. The syringe may be used with an injector including a drive member. The drive member preferably includes at least one pin adapted to form a retractable abutting connection with an interior of a plunger to enable the drive member to retract the plunger with the body of the syringe.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A dual lumen IV administration set includes a first lumen having an inner diameter of a first value. A second lumen is paired with the first lumen, and the second lumen has an inner diameter of a second value that is greater than the first value. A flow merger merges flow output from a distal end of the first lumen and flow output from a distal end of the second lumen to form a single flow output in an exit lumen. An injection port intersects the first lumen, thereby providing injection access to flow therethrough, prior to merging with the flow output of the second lumen.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, devices for facilitation of intraluminal medical procedures within the neurovasculature. A catheter advancement device includes a flexible elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a single lumen extending therebetween. The flexible elongate body has a proximal segment, an intermediate segment, and a tip segment. The proximal segment includes a hypotube coated with a polymer. The intermediate segment includes an unreinforced polymer having a durometer of no more than 72D. The tip segment is formed of a polymer different from the intermediate segment and has a durometer of no more than about 35D and a length of at least 5 cm. The tip segment has a tapered portion that tapers distally from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter over a length of between 1 and 3 cm.

Abstract: A pumping segment having a low shut-off force is disclosed. The pumping segment includes a tube having an interior surface with at least two notches on opposite sides of the interior surface.

Abstract: A smart obturator assembly includes a hub forming a central passage. The hub is configured to couple to a proximal end of a device that forms a lumen such that the central passage is in fluid communication with the lumen. A collar on the hub includes electronic circuitry in signal communication with remote reception circuitry. An obturator is movably positionable within the lumen. The obturator is movable within the lumen between a first position and a second position. The obturator includes a distal end and a sensor at the distal end. The sensor is configured to sense an environmental characteristic within a patient's blood stream, generate a signal representative of the environmental characteristic, and transmit the signal to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive the signal and transmit the signal to the remote reception circuitry.

Abstract: A medical device securement system is configured to secure medical devices such as catheters in place. The securement system includes an anchor pad that attaches to a patient's skin. A malleable support base is attached to an upper surface of the anchor pad. The support base has front and back inclined surfaces that are separated by an offset surface that extends generally normal to both of the inclined surfaces. A spot of adhesive is applied to one or more of the inclined surfaces. A catheter assembly includes a connector having a first connector portion with a diameter larger than an adjacent second structure. The catheter assembly is attached to the support base with the first connector portion engaged with and supported by the back inclined surface, and the second connector portion engaged with and supported by the front inclined surface.

Abstract: A method for operating a breastpump unit for expression of human breastmilk and various breast shields for use in this method allow a maximum pumping performance and a minimum pumping duration per pumping session. The breast shield has an inner chamber for receiving a nipple of the breast and also at least one outer chamber which at least partially surrounds the nipple. The inner chamber is subjected to a constant pressure and the at least one outer chamber is subjected to a pulsating pressure.

Abstract: Ambulatory infusion pumps, pump assemblies, cartridges, baseplates, cannulas, insertion tools, and related components as well as combinations thereof and related methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaccine generation includes a syringe with a cavity that includes a solution with photosensitizers. Microbial particles are added to the solution. A light source is capable of emitting one or more wavebands of light that are effectively absorbed by the one photosensitizers to generate singlet oxygen in the solution and other radical species that rapidly react with and damage lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA of the microbial particles. This damage produces immunogens that can be applied as a vaccine to viruses and other infectious microbial particles. A plunger that fits within a proximal opening in the syringe is used for forcing the solution including the immunogens through the filter and out of the syringe while the photosensitizers, debris and unwanted microbial particles are trapped within the filter.

Abstract: We report a method of treating an epileptic seizure in a patient, comprising: detecting said epileptic seizure, based on body data from said patient; and reducing a flow of blood to a brain of said patient in response to said detected seizure; wherein said reducing is effected by: increasing the parasympathetic input to said patient's heart, such as by electrically stimulating a parasympathetic nervous structure, applying cooling energy to a sympathetic nervous structure, or administering a cholinergic or a sympatho-blocking agent to said patient. We also report a medical device system configured to implement the method. We also report a non-transitory computer readable program storage unit encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the method.

Abstract: Limiting joint temperature. At least some of the example embodiments are systems including an electrosurgical probe and a high frequency power supply. The electrosurgical probe may include: a shaft with a distal end, a proximal end, and lumen defined within the shaft; an active electrode disposed near the distal end; a return electrode disposed on the shaft; and a temperature sensor disposed on the shaft spaced away from the active electrode and the return electrode, the temperature sensor is electrically insulated from the electrically conductive fluid. The high frequency power supply may be coupled to the active electrode, and configured to provide an electrical energy output between the active electrode and the return electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a therapeutic agent to a uterine cavity including an elongated member having a fluid channel for passage of the therapeutic agent into the uterine cavity, a dispensing member extending distally of the elongated member and having at least one perforation for passage of the therapeutic agent into the uterine cavity into contact with the endometrium. An infusion line is in communication with the fluid channel for passage of a fluid into the uterine cavity to assess leakage to determine integrity of the uterine cavity prior to passage of the therapeutic agent into the uterine cavity.

Abstract: An orthopedic system for delivery of a therapeutic agent to a bone includes an elongate stem adapted to be inserted into an intramedullary canal, an inlet configured to receive the therapeutic agent, and one or more outlets configured to deliver the therapeutic agent to the bone. The elongate stem may comprise one or more protrusions to engage the bone, and one or more channels extending longitudinally therein, fluidly coupled to the inlet. The therapeutic agent flows from the inlet through the one or more channels and exits into the intramedullary canal through the one or more outlets. The system may be configured to allow one or more dimensions of the system to be adjusted to accommodate the anatomy of a patient.

Abstract: A port catheter includes a port housing and a port chamber formed in the port housing and closed by a septum. The port catheter also includes a first catheter connection communicating with the port chamber for the connection of a first catheter, a second catheter connection for connecting a second catheter connected to an infusion pump and supplying a fluid to the port catheter from the infusion pump, and a third catheter connection communicating with the second catheter connection for connecting a third catheter which discharges the fluid supplied by the infusion pump.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A surgical access port or trocar is provided. The trocar has a trocar seal housing and a trocar cannula with an optical obturator insertable through the trocar seal housing and the trocar cannula. The trocar is configured to access a body cavity, to maintain positive pressure and to prevent loss of surgical insufflation gas used in laparoscopic procedures. The trocar seal housing can be releasably attached to the trocar cannula. The trocar seal housing may also have a shield and/or alignment channel that provide protection or assist in operation of instrument and zero seals housed in the trocar seal housing.

Abstract: The disclosure of this application relates generally to medical devices and in particular to a steerable medical instrument applicable to guide interventional tools and instruments, such as percutaneous biopsy and ablations tools and endoscopes. The steerable medical instrument has an outer and an inner tube where the inner tube is movable at the proximal end and fixed at the distal end. At least one of the outer tube and inner tube has a plurality of openings, which creates deformable portions so that the outer and the inner tubes can bend by moving the inner tube at the proximal end.

Abstract: The single-use safety syringe having a manual and/or automatic retracting needle preventing re-use thereof comprises a needle, a piston with a tightening seal and a cylindrical body having, at an end thereof, a connector provided with a calibrated attaching hole for the needle and open, at another end thereof, for inserting the piston, comprising, internally of the cylindrical body, a separating seal of a first chamber comprised between the separating seal and the connector in which a first active ingredient is positioned and a second chamber comprised between the separating seal and the tightening seal in which a second active ingredient is positioned, the separating seal having a connecting channel between the first and second chamber, closed by a pressure limiting valve, first engaging means further being provided, activatable for engaging the separating seal to the needle and second engaging means activatable for engaging the separating seal to the piston.