Abstract: A method in which a location is determined on the skin that is proximate to a sensory nerve that is associated with a painful condition. At least one needle of a cryogenic device is inserted into the location on the skin such that the needle is proximate to the sensory nerve. The device is activated such that the at least one needle creates a cooling zone about the sensory nerve, thereby eliminating or reducing severity of the painful condition.

Abstract: Various arrangements of fluidics systems are disclosed. In one arrangement, an aspiration circuit for a fluidics system is disclosed that selectively controls aspiration. The aspiration circuit comprises an aspiration line operatively connected to a surgical instrument, an aspiration exhaust line operatively connected to a waste receptacle; an aspiration vent line connected at a first end to the aspiration line; and a selectively variable vent valve operatively connected to the aspiration vent line. The variable vent valve may be selectively moved to vary aspiration pressure within the aspiration line. Other fluidics systems are disclosed that include a selectively positionable irrigation valve that may also be incorporated into a fluidics system that includes a variable vent valve.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods, devices and systems relating to applying drugs or therapeutic agents to biological conduits, e.g., vascular lumens. More specifically, the present invention comprises enhancing the uptake of drugs or therapeutic agents encapsulated in microbubbles in combination with ultrasound energy as well as applying drugs or therapeutic agents in a cyclic manner using a pulse generator that may be matched in frequency with a patient's blood pulsing.

Abstract: An improved oral administration coupler for delivery of fluids such as medications and nutritional fluids. Example oral administration couplers have a first end with an applicator for oral delivery to an infant, and a second end with a coupling compatible with an enteral fluid delivery syringe. A fluid delivery conduit extends in fluid communication from the first end to the second end, to deliver fluid from the syringe to the infant. In some example embodiments, the coupler is configured for back-of-mouth delivery, and can comprise a generally elongate and at least partially flexible tube or straw.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for injecting, comprising a syringe body defining an interior medicine chamber; a stopper member configured to be inserted into the interior medicine chamber to contain medicine within the medicine chamber; a plunger member configured to be manually manipulated to insert the stopper member relative to the syringe body; a needle having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end comprising an anchoring geometry configured to be at least partially penetrated into the stopper member such that upon retraction of the stopper member, the needle is pulled proximally along with the stopper to be at least partially contained within the interior medicine chamber; and an energy-storing member operatively coupled between the stopper member and the syringe body, the energy-storing member configured to facilitate retraction of the stopper member relative to the syringe body.

Abstract: Some embodiments of an anchor device may include bendable anchor mechanism that is deployable in a subcutaneous layer to releasably secure the anchor device to a patient's body. Certain embodiments of the anchor mechanism may include one or more barbs that flexibly bend in response to an insertion or removal force. As such, the anchor mechanism may be inserted into a subcutaneous layer, and removed from the subcutaneous layer, without the need for a separate actuation device to extend or retract the barbs.

Abstract: A connection apparatus for a medical device includes a first connection member having a first end and a second end with the first connection member defining at least one channel adjacent the first end. The at least one channel having a first portion extending in an axial direction and a shoulder adjacent to the first end of the first connection member that defines a channel entry. The at least one channel having a second portion extending in a transverse direction relative to the axial direction. The connection apparatus further including a second connection member having a first end and a second end and at least one protrusion adjacent the first end. The shoulder is configured to guide the at least one protrusion of the second connection member into the channel entry regardless of the orientation of the at least one protrusion relative to the channel entry.

Abstract: Systems and methods and devices are provided for arresting or reversing the effects of myocardial remodeling and degeneration after cardiac injury, without the potential drawbacks associated with previously existing systems and methods, by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava over multiple cardiac cycles, and more preferably, by adjusting the interval or degree of occlusion responsive to a sensed level of patient activity. In some embodiments, a controller is provided that actuates a drive mechanism responsive to a sensed level of patient activity to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, while a data transfer circuit of the controller provides bi-directional transfer of physiologic data to the patient's smartphone or tablet to permit display and review of such data.

Abstract: Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary method of operating an infusion device involves obtaining one or more measurement values of a physiological condition in the body of a user during an initial monitoring period and determining a fasting reference value for a metric based on the one or more measurement values. After the initial monitoring period, the method continues by obtaining an updated measurement value during a fasting period, determining a current value for the metric based at least in part on the updated measurement value, and generating a notification in response to a deviation between the current value and the fasting reference value exceeding a threshold indicative of insertion site loss or other loss of effectiveness.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including one or more conductive pathways is disclosed. The conductive pathways assist with initial placement of the catheter assembly into a patient's vasculature by enabling ECG signals emanating from the patient's heart to be detected. In addition, the conductive pathways are configured to be used to reconfirm via ECG signal detection proper placement of the catheter assembly at a time subsequent to initial catheter placement into the vasculature. In one embodiment, therefore, a catheter assembly is disclosed, comprising an elongate catheter tube defining at least one lumen, a first conductive pathway extending distally from a proximal point on the catheter assembly to a predetermined distal location on the catheter tube, and a second conductive pathway at least partially disposed on an outer surface of the catheter tube and extending distally from a proximal point of the catheter assembly to a predetermined distal location on the catheter tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes anti-needle stick safety mechanism that is passively activated during the normal course of giving an injection. In one embodiment, the device includes a spring member coupled at a proximal end to a needle member and at a distal end to a needle cover. The passive activation of the device is triggered when the needle is inserted to a minimum depth into the patient's tissue to unleash the force of a compressed spring to urge a needle cover towards the distal end of the needle. As the needle is withdrawn from the tissue, the needle cover advances to the end of the needle and as it partially clears the end of the needle, it adopts an orientation that prevents the needle tip from re-emerging from the needle cover.

Abstract: A collapsible valve comprising a first portion with at least one dimple in a side thereof, and a second portion, the second portion being narrower than the first portion and arranged along an axial dimension of the first portion, the second portion including a cut therein.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a needle-equipped outer tube includes providing a needle; providing a joint member having a needle insertion hole into which the needle is insertable; providing an outer tube comprising a connection section at a first axial end portion of the outer tube; pressing the joint member, with the needle located in the needle insertion hole, toward the connection section, such that the joint member engages with the connection section of the outer tube; and thermally welding the needle and the joint member, as well as the joint member and the connection section, such that the needle is joined to the joint member, and the joint member is joined to the connection section of the outer tube.

Abstract: An introducer assembly includes a sheath and a tubular member that are coupled by a movement that is simultaneously longitudinal and radial.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a power source and at least two electrode assembles. The power source that an output current that alternates between a maximum current value and a minimum current value; a pair of electrode assemblies. Each electrode assembly is configured to be held in contact with a skin layer of a user. Additionally, each electrode assembly includes an electrode that is coupled to the power source to receive the output current from the power source. At least one of the electrode assemblies in the pair includes a medium that carries an active agent having a charge, the medium being provided on the at least one electrode assembly to enable the output current to repel the active agent into the skin layer for a duration in which the output current has a polarity that is the same as a polarity of the active agent.

Abstract: An irrigation/aspiration system for irrigating and aspirating a surgical site includes an irrigation flow path for directing fluid towards the surgical site via an irrigation connection, and an aspiration flow path for directing fluid away from the surgical site via an aspiration connection. A membrane pump is arranged for pumping fluid through the irrigation flow path and/or the aspiration flow path. The membrane pump includes a main pump chamber, at least two valves for opening and/or closing the main pump chamber and an auxiliary pump chamber arranged between the irrigation connection and/or aspiration connection and the main pump chamber for compensating movement of a main pump plunger element in the main pump chamber to provide for an approximately even fluid flow to and/or from the surgical site.

Abstract: Various trocars and trocar supports are provided for allowing an insufflation port on the trocar to be coupled through the trocar support to an insufflation fluid. In one embodiment, the trocar includes a housing, a cannula extending through the housing, and an insufflation port projecting from the housing. A trocar support is provided having an opening that receives the insufflation port on the housing such that the insufflation port is unobtrusive during use and can be connected and disconnected rapidly.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a hollow catheter; a catheter hub configured to fix and hold the catheter; an inner needle including a needle tip and configured to be removably inserted through an inside of the catheter; a needle hub configured to fix and hold the inner needle; and a catheter operation member capable of moving the catheter relative to the inner needle. The catheter operation member includes a holding portion configured to directly hold the catheter in a detachable manner.

Abstract: This disclosure describes example antimicrobial compositions that may be used in combination with IV port cleansing caps, protective caps, or both. According to another implementations, the disclosure describes various cap devices that may be used in combination with the antimicrobial composition to cleanse, sanitized, and/or disinfected a surface.

Abstract: A precision syringe pump employing a syringe comprises a motor, a lead screw and a syringe driving head connected to the lead screw. The syringe comprises a cylinder and a plunger. The motor drives the lead screw to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise to drive the syringe driving head and push the plunger to move within the cylinder. The syringe pump further comprises: a magnetoresistive sensor, at least one permanent magnet and an MCU, the at least one permanent magnet being located on the lead screw and rotating therewith; the magnetoresistive sensor can sense the magnetic field generated by the at least one permanent magnet; the input end of the MCU is connected to the magnetoresistive sensor, and the output end of the MCU is connected to the motor; the MCU receives signals from the magnetoresistive sensor and controls, according to the signal feedback, the direction and velocity of the lead screw rotated by the motor.