Abstract: A method includes providing microvalve device having inner and outer catheters, and a filter valve attached to the distal end of the inner and outer catheters. Longitudinal displacement of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter moves the filter valve from a non-deployed configuration to a deployed configuration. With the inner catheter longitudinally advanced a first amount relative to the outer catheter, the filter valve is in a reduced first diameter for advancement of a guidewire to a target location. Once the filter valve reaches the target location, the inner catheter is moved relative to the outer catheter such that the filter valve assumes a larger second diameter. A therapeutic agent is infused through the inner catheter and beyond the filter valve.

Abstract: A safety catheter needle having a cannula removably inserted in a catheter and associated with a cannula holder is provided. The cannula has a proximal extremity attached to the cannula holder and a distal extremity close to a deformed part, with provision for a protection device associated with the catheter holder movably containing the cannula and moving within the catheter holder when the cannula is drawn out from the catheter. The protection device has a principal body containing a moving body rotating about an axis (M) at right angles to a longitudinal axis (W) of the cannula and capable of interacting with a fixed part of the catheter holder—while the cannula is being drawn out, bringing about rotation of the rotating moving body within the principal body and immobilizing the distal extremity of the cannula within the former.

Abstract: An embolization microcatheter having an elongated microcatheter body configured for passing therein a suspension of particles suspended in a suspension fluid; and a microcatheter head connected to a distal end of said microcatheter body and comprising a proximal head section and a distal head section, wherein the proximal head section includes a proximal wall forming a proximal section lumen, the proximal wall having a plurality of through-holes, wherein the distal head section includes a distal wall forming a distal section lumen, and a suspension delivery opening at a distal end of the distal end section; wherein the distal section is devoid of through-holes, and wherein each of the plurality of through-holes are shaped and/or sized to allow passage therethrough of the suspension fluid while blocking passage of the particles suspended therein.

Abstract: Methods for limiting dissipation of neurotoxins and dermal fillers from an injection site are disclosed, which includes applying a repellant electric field to the skin around the injection site to limit dissipation of an injected neurotoxin or dermal filler.

Abstract: An injector system for injecting fluid includes a syringe and an injector. The syringe includes a body and a plunger movably disposed within the body. The plunger has at least one flexible leg extending toward the rearward end of the body. The injector has a housing with a front plate, a drive member at least partially disposed within the housing and operable to engage the plunger, and a syringe release assembly operable to release the syringe. The syringe assembly includes a syringe release gear that forms an enclosure for receiving the syringe when the syringe is fully seated within the housing and a plunger release tube surrounding at least a portion of the drive member. The plunger release tube has a first end rotationally engaged with the syringe release gear. Rotation of the syringe release assembly releases the at least one flexible leg from the drive member.

Abstract: Needle assemblies are disclosed having a multi-purpose protective cap. The needle assemblies can embody a catheter assembly having a catheter hub and a catheter tube or a hypodermic needle mounted on a needle hub. The multi-purpose cap includes a first section covering the needle and a second section having a base portion for covering a hub, such as a needle hub or a catheter hub. The first section and the second section are separable from one another along a detachment line and the second section is re-useable as a securement device.

Abstract: A multi-lumen sensing system (10) includes medical tubing (20) having a plurality of lumens (22A, 22B) and at least one secondary passageway (24) extending in an axial direction of the medical tubing, wherein the secondary passageway is between the plurality of lumens. The multi-lumen sensing system may include a sensing receptacle (30) defining a channel (32) in which a lengthwise portion of the medical tubing is received. A plurality of ultrasonic transmitting elements (40T, 42T) may be arranged within the secondary passageway of the medical tubing or as part of the sensing receptacle for transmitting respective ultrasonic signals across the lumens to a corresponding plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements (40R, 42R) of the sensing receptacle. Alternatively, the sensing receptacle may include a plurality of ultrasonic transmitting and receiving elements (40, 42, 44) transmitting respective signals across the lumens for return reflection at an interface of the secondary passageway.

Abstract: A method includes providing a medication delivery vehicle comprising a reservoir with a seal formed thereon and a cantilevered beam micro-machined from a layer of material and coupled to the reservoir, the cantilevered beam comprising a tip for puncturing the seal, applying an electric field to the cantilevered beam that impels the tip forward and causes the tip to break through the seal of the reservoir, and changing the electric field to impel the micro-machined tip backward and thereby release a medication from the reservoir. A computer program product and computer system corresponding to the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-occluding drug-coated balloon catheter device for use in a blood vessel transporting blood comprises a catheter shaft including a guidewire lumen, a fluid lumen and a connector port. A balloon is mounted on the catheter shaft and includes an outer envelope surrounding the guidewire lumen in fluid communication with the fluid lumen; a drug coating applied on the exterior surface of the outer envelope; and at least one bypass lumen forming a passage extending from the proximal end of the outer envelope to the distal end of the outer envelope. When the balloon is positioned in a blood vessel and inflated, the exterior surface of the outer envelope presses the drug coating against the blood vessel and the bypass lumen is open between the distal end of the outer envelope and the proximal end of the outer envelope such that blood transport continues through the bypass lumen.

Abstract: Polymeric tubing, for use with catheters or other medical devices, where the polymeric tubing can have regions of customized properties including, but not limited to, durometer, torque control, flexibility, axial strength, stiffness, etc. One variation of the device allows for transitions between regions to be configured such that there can be gradual or customized transitions between various regions such that the structural characteristics differential between the regions selectively designed. Additional variations include outer layers having a plurality of material sections extending in a spiral direction along the axial length to form a continuous wall of the outer layer. In certain variations, the structural characteristic differential is minimized or eliminated as compared to conventional catheters.

Abstract: This syringe (1) comprises an elongate hollow body (3) forming a reservoir intended to contain a substance to be injected, the body (3) comprising a tip intended to receive a connection device and an opening (32) located at the opposite side of the body (3) relative to the tip, a piston mounted sliding in the body (3) and movable in translation along a longitudinal axis (X3) of the syringe between a retracted position, in which the piston is in abutment at the tip side, and an extended position, in which the piston is in abutment at the opening side (32), gripping members (34, 36) provided on the body (3), and a gripping member (50) provided at an opposite end of the piston relative to a head of the piston.

Abstract: Dose detection systems for medication delivery devices are described. One is a module for removable attachment to a dose button of a medication delivery device. A device with a dose detection system is also disclosed. The module includes a processor and a plurality of magnetic sensors, such as, for example, five or six sensors, operably coupled to the processor and configured to detect the positon of a rotating bipolar magnetic ring within the delivery device. Medication identification system may also be provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure within a patient's body that involves a thoracic duct including an ostium communicating with the patient's venous system. A distal end of a catheter is introduced through the patient's venous system into a body lumen adjacent the ostium of the thoracic duct. An expandable member on the distal end of the tubular member may be expanded adjacent the ostium, e.g., within the body lumen or the thoracic duct itself, and used to isolate the thoracic duct from the body lumen, whereupon a medical procedure may be performed via the thoracic duct. For example, lymphatic fluid may be removed from the thoracic duct through a lumen of the tubular member and/or one or more agents may be introduced into the thoracic duct through the tubular member.

Abstract: A catheter device (1) for providing access to a body cavity of a patient comprises a tube (10) and an inserting shell (11) arranged on the tube (10) and constituted to be fastened to an insertion guide (3) for inserting the catheter device (1) into a body opening (C) of a patient (P). Herein, the inserting shell (11) comprises an opening (111) into which a thread (300) of the insertion guide (3) is insertable for fastening the catheter device (1) to the insertion guide (3). In this way, a catheter device is provided which, in an easy and efficient manner, allows for the fastening to an insertion guide.

Abstract: A drug supply device for supplying drug to a living body surface that includes a shaft and a drug holding sheet attached to the distal end of the shaft. The drug holding sheet has a first face that faces distally and a second face opposite the first face that faces proximally when the drug holding sheet is expanded. The drug holding sheet includes folded portions that fold such that the first face is positioned to face radially inward while exposing the second face to an outside environment when the drug holding sheet is in a folded state. A drug is applied on the first face of the drug holding sheet. The drug supply device includes an expandable member on the second face of the drug holding sheet. The expandable member is expandable to cause the drug holding sheet to expand from the folded state into the expanded state.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for delivering insufflation gas to a body cavity of a patient during an endoscopic surgical procedure, which includes an insufflation conduit for delivering a continuous flow of insufflation gas to the body cavity at a flow rate through a flow path that communicates with a pneumatically sealed trocar which prevents over-pressurization of the body cavity, and an insufflator for driving gas flow through the insufflation conduit at a driving pressure, wherein the system can be configured so that either the gas flow rate through the insufflation conduit or the driving pressure required to maintain the specified flow rate can vary depending upon body cavity pressure.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity, which includes a multi-modal gas delivery device including a primary gas circulation pump, a secondary gas circulation pump and an insufflation subunit, and an interface plate adapted and configured to engage with the multi-modal gas delivery device and including a connector and a filter seat corresponding to five different lumens, each of which provides a different functionality.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including a catheter hub being connectable to a device for the infusion or withdrawal of fluids; a hollow extension tube connected at its distal end to the catheter hub, the extension tube connectable at its proximal end to a device for infusing fluid into the chamber within the catheter hub; a valve assembly disposed within the chamber of the catheter hub having a first valve member and a second valve member preventing the flow of fluid through the chamber to or from the proximal end of the catheter hub. A needle guard assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A device for use in pulmonary surgery is presented. The device comprises a dispensing apparatus 300, 400, 900, a delivery apparatus 100, 1000, 1100, in fluid communication with said dispensing apparatus, and a pressurized gas input 338. The dispensing apparatus is configured to provide a pressurized gas, a fibrinogen stream, and a thrombin stream to the delivery apparatus. The delivery apparatus is configured to mix the fibrogen stream and the thrombin stream in the pressurized gas stream to form a fibrin reaction mixture comprising a cellular foam 700.

Abstract: The present invention is a Distally Assembled Steerable Cannula (DASC), a robotically-manipulated device that can be deployed and extended within a patient's body by growing from its distal end, or can be used in non-medical applications. In some embodiments, growth occurs by sequentially assembling segments that interlock to form a rigid tube with a complex 3-D shape. The segments are individually transported through the growing cannula, and then assembled at the distal end. A segment can be wedge-shaped in profile, allowing adjustment of the local radius and plane of curvature of the cannula to be controlled by relative segment orientation.