Abstract: Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor sleeve that receives a catheter (or other medical instrument) though a working channel of the anchor sleeve. The anchor sleeve may include a first actuator that controls the extension of one or more subcutaneous tines into the subcutaneous region under the skin. The anchor sleeve can also include a second actuator that can cause the anchor sleeve to lock onto an outer portion of the catheter (or other medical instrument) arrange in the working channel.

Abstract: A suction device includes an outer tube having an inlet at a first end and an inner suction tube located within the outer tube, the inner suction tube having an inlet at a first end corresponding to the first end of the outer tube. The inlet of the inner suction tube is offset by a distance from the inlet of the outer suction tube, such that the inlet of the inner suction tube is located within the outer suction tube.

Abstract: A dispense interface for use with a drug delivery device. The dispense interface comprises a main outer body and an inner body. The inner body may be configured for connection to a drug delivery device and defines a first reservoir and a second reservoir. A first piercing needle is in fluid communication with the first reservoir and positioned for piercing a first cartridge of a drug delivery device. A second piercing needle is provided and in fluid communication with the second reservoir and positioned for piercing a second cartridge contained with a drug delivery device. A manifold is positioned adjacent the inner body and comprises a fluid groove arrangement. A valve arrangement is positioned between the inner body and the manifold and controls fluid communication of a first fluid contained in the first cartridge and a second fluid contained in the second cartridge by way of the fluid groove arrangement to a holding chamber.

Abstract: An infusion pump includes: a main body; a tube attachment section inside the main body; a liquid feed driving unit inside the main body; an access cover mounted on the main body and for covering the infusion tube when the infusion tube is attached to the tube attachment section when closed; and a bubble detection unit for detecting a bubble inside the infusion tube when the infusion tube is attached to the tube attachment section. The bubble detection unit includes a first member at the access cover and a second member at the main body.

Abstract: Restenosis or neointimal formation may occur following angioplasty or other trauma to an artery such as by-pass surgery. This presents a major clinical problem which narrows the artery. The invention provides a balloon catheter with a particular electrode configuration. Also provided is a method whereby vascular cells in the area of the artery subjected to the trauma are subjected to irreversible electroporation which is a non-thermal, non-pharmaceutical method of applying electrical pulses to the cells so that substantially all of the cells in the area are ablated while leaving the structure of the vessel in place and substantially unharmed due to the non-thermal nature of the procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for use in the perfusion of organs and anatomical regions. In one aspect the present method provides a percutaneously deliverable device for supporting a vessel in a human or animal subject including means for supporting the vessel during delivery of a fluid thereto or collection of a fluid therefrom. In another aspect the invention provides a method for delivery or collection of a fluid to or from an organ or anatomical region in a human or animal subject, the method including the step of supporting a vessel associated with the organ or anatomical region. The devices and methods may be used to deliver, remove or recirculate a therapeutic agent to an organ or anatomical region.

Abstract: An implantable infusion device includes a reservoir for housing an infusion medium and a drive mechanism having an inlet chamber, a piston and a piston channel. The inlet chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The piston channel is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber, and has a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being closer to the inlet channel than the distal end. The piston is axially moveable within the piston channel to drive infusion medium out of the distal end of the piston channel. The clearance between the piston and the channel is sufficiently small to prevent undissolved gas in the inlet chamber from passing through the clearance. The inlet chamber may be sufficiently large to allow undissolved gas to accumulate without adversely affecting the performance of the infusion device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of needle assemblies for use with a drug delivery device to deliver two or more medicaments are provided. Additionally, various embodiments of methods for delivering two or medicaments are provided. In one embodiment, a needle assembly comprises an injection needle, a proximal housing member, a distal housing member, and a medicament transfer element. The proximal housing member contains a first medicament and is configured to attach to a drug delivery device containing a second medicament. The distal housing member is movably engaged with the proximal housing member such that relative axial movement between the proximal and distal housing members causes the first medicament to be delivered. Upon activation of the drug delivery device (e.g.

Abstract: A microwave ablation device for treating tissue includes an inner conductor having a length and a distal end and configured to deliver energy, a wire extending adjacent the inner conductor and axially translatable relative thereto, the wire including a length and a distal end, a distal tip disposed in mechanical cooperation with the distal end of the inner conductor and the distal end of the wire; and an outer conductor including a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the outer conductor at least partially surrounding the inner conductor and the wire at least partially along their lengths. The distal tip is movable substantially along the longitudinal axis with respect to the outer conductor and relative movement of the distal tip towards the distal end of the outer conductor causes at least a portion of the inner conductor to move away from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A safety needle device comprising a body piece including a rear end connected to a cannula and a front end having a needle for connecting to a patient, a sliding gap at the front end of the body piece, a lock button at a rear end of the body piece, a sliding piece adopting a locked position wherein the sliding piece is folded and locked onto the body piece and a sliding position wherein the sliding piece is unfolded and unlocked from the body piece; retaining flaps at a bottom of the sliding piece for receiving the fingers of a hand of a user when the needle device must be disconnected from the patient, and locking parts in the sliding piece to lock the sliding piece and the body piece in a position wherein the needle is removed from the patient and protected by walls of the sliding piece.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for controlling the application of current and/or voltage to deliver drug from patient contacts of an electrotransport drug delivery device by indirectly controlling and/or monitoring the applied current without directly measuring from the cathode of the patient terminal. In particular, described herein are electrotransport drug delivery systems including constant current delivery systems having a feedback current and/or voltage control module that is isolated from the patient contacts (e.g., anodes and cathodes). The feedback module may be isolated by a transistor from the patient contacts; feedback current and/or voltage control measurements may be performed at the transistor rather than at the patient contact (e.g., cathode).

Abstract: A method of preventing extravaation of contrast agent during a computed tomography injection. An automatic injector device facilitates ease of accomplishing the method. The method includes establishing the absence of extravaation using an absorbable injectate, such as saline, prior to injecting the contrast agent. The device includes a computerized injector head capable of switching between two injectates without physical human intervention. The device is controlled by a remote operating panel located in a control room that is protected from X-ray radiation. The device includes various software driven safety features that prevent the occurrence of unsafe conditions.

Abstract: A system, method, and article for delivering an antimicrobial agent into the lumen of a trans-dermal catheter are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system comprises an elongate member configured for insertion into a lumen of a catheter, and the elongate member containing an antimicrobial. In the alternative an antimicrobial agent can be placed on an interior surface of a retaining ring.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. The devices of systems can also include a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof that is configured to remove fluid from a working channel of the device or system and/or from a surgical instrument inserted therethrough.

Abstract: A fluid titration system has an optical sensor, a physiological monitor, a titration controller and an infusion device. The optical sensor transmits multiple wavelengths of light into a tissue site of a person and detects the optical radiation after attenuation by pulsatile blood flowing within the tissue site. The physiological monitor receives a resulting sensor signal and derives a plethysmograph that corresponds to the pulsatile blood flow. The monitor also calculates a plethysmograph variability measure that is responsive to changes in perfusion at the tissue site. A titration controller generates a fluid control output according to the variability measure. The infusion device administers a liquid solution via an intravenous (IV) connection to the person according to the fluid control output so as to regulate at least one of a fluid flow start, rate and stop.

Abstract: An insertion apparatus and a method for use with a device for delivery of a therapeutic fluid into a body of a patient and/or for sensing of a bodily analyte are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing adapted for loading therein at least one cannula cartridge unit having a protective member. The protective member accommodates at least one penetrating cartridge having a subcutaneously insertable element and a penetrating member. The apparatus includes a displacement mechanism capable of protracting the penetrating cartridge towards the body of the patient, where protraction of the penetrating cartridge results in insertion of the subcutaneously insertable element into the body of the patient.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include a tubular member and a liner disposed within the tubular member. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein. A space may be defined between the tubular member and the liner. One or more bonding members may be disposed in the space.

Abstract: Safety intravenous catheters (IVCs) are disclosed herein having a catheter hub with a catheter tube, a needle with a needle hub, and a needle guard. The needle guard is configured to be positioned at least partially within an interior space of the catheter hub and is retained thereto by mechanical engagement between the two. Following removal of the needle from the catheter hub, the needle guard is configured to disengage from the catheter hub and attach over a tip of the needle to shield the needle tip from inadvertent needlesticks. The needle guard having an angled end section configured with a length and a width to retain the needle tip within a tip holding space behind the angled end section.

Abstract: Air-in-line sensor systems and methods of using same are provided. The system includes an adapter (60) including first and second cylindrical portions defining a fluid flow channel, the first cylindrical portion comprising two adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions (68). Each wedge-shaped protrusion is infrared transmittive and defines an outer surface and an inner surface. The system further includes a tube and an infrared reflective sensor having an infrared light emitter (42,52) and an infrared light detector (44,54). The infrared light emitter and the infrared light detector are positioned at or near an adapter so that an infrared light can be transmitted to the adapter and at least a portion of the infrared light reflected off the adapter can be detected by the infrared light detector.

Abstract: A system for use with a microwave antenna includes a microwave antenna configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue and a sensor module in operative communication with the power source and configured to detect a reflectance parameter. The system further includes a jacket adapted to at least partially surround the microwave antenna to define a fluid channel between the jacket and the microwave antenna. A plurality of fluid distribution ports are defined through the jacket and are in fluid communication with the fluid channel to permit the flow of fluid through the jacket. The system further includes a fluid pumping system operably coupled to the power source and configured to selectively provide cooling fluid to the fluid channel for distribution through the fluid distribution ports based on the reflectance parameter.