Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by mounting a support structure to the head of the patient; aligning the support structure with a target tissue in an ear canal of the first ear; stabilizing the support structure relative to the target tissue by injecting a material into the canal and hardening the material; and actuating a device while the device is supported by the support structure so that the device therapeutically remodels the target tissue of the first ear.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a distal-end tip which, even if caught in a stenosis, will not break apart from a distal end of an inner shaft of the balloon catheter when the balloon catheter is forcibly rotated or pulled by an operator. The distal-end tip of the balloon catheter is fixed to the distal end of the inner shaft, and a connecting tube covers an outer surface of the distal end of the inner shaft and a proximal end of the distal-end tip. An inwardly protruding portion of the connecting tube is embedded into the distal-end tip. This creates an anchoring effect and increases a welding area between an outer surface of the distal-end tip and an inner surface of the connecting tube, thereby reducing a risk that the distal-end tip will break apart from the distal end of the inner shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for irrigating a frontal sinus target site of a patient including a handle, an introducer, an irrigation channel, a nozzle, and an actuator assembly. The introducer extends from the handle and defines a proximal segment and a distal segment. At least a portion of the proximal segment is linear and at least a portion of the distal segment is relatively curved. The nozzle is fluidly connected to the irrigation channel, and is rotatably maintained at a distal end of the introducer. The actuator assembly includes an actuator maintained by the handle and connected to the nozzle. Movement of the actuator causes the nozzle to rotate relative to the introducer. The introducer can be sized and shaped in accordance with a size and a shape of a nasal passageway/frontal sinus of a human adult.

Abstract: Dialysis is enhanced by using nanoclay sorbents to better absorb body wastes in a flow-through system. The nanoclay sorbents, using montmorillonite, bentonite, and other clays, absorb significantly more ammonium, phosphate, and creatinine, and the like, than conventional sorbents. The montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays may be used in wearable systems, such as a wearable peritoneal dialysis system, in which a dialysis fluid is circulated through a filter with the nanoclay sorbents. Waste products are absorbed by the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays and the dialysis fluid is recycled to a patient's peritoneum. Using an ion-exchange capability of the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays, waste ions in the dialysis fluid are replaced with desirable ions, such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate.

Abstract: A device for positioning a subcutaneous port during an access procedure, said device comprising a dome (1) of plastic material, said dome being shaped to fit directly over the subcutaneous port, and a flange (3) extending laterally from the dome which is able to contact a surrounding skin area, wherein the device is a unitary device which is configured to be deformable or fracturable so as to facilitate removal of the device from the surrounding skin area.

Abstract: In laparoscopic surgery, small (5-12 mm diameter) incisions are made in an abdominal wall through which instruments dissect and remove specimens that may be several centimeters in diameter. Removal of a sample typically requires either enlarging these incisions or morcellating the sample to pass through sub-centimeter ports. A laparoscopic device permits extraction of the sample to be removed in a female using a vagina, which has sufficient elasticity to accommodate removal of large specimens. A posterior portion of the vagina communicates to an abdomen through a few tissue layers, and is distant from vital anatomic structures. Utilizing the vagina is optimal due to its ease of access to the abdomen and repair, minimal scarring and post-operative pain, and faster recovery following surgery. A deployable collection bag is housed in a sheath, which is deployed into the vagina or an abdominal cavity to extract a large (multiple-centimeter) specimen(s) through the vagina.

Abstract: A feeding tube aperture supported and aligned with a feeding tube opening in an abdominal wall of a patient, including a base having a first end surface transverse to an axis of the base and a feeding tube, a second opposed end surface, a central feeding tube passage extending between the first and second end surfaces, a plurality of vent passages around the feeding tube passage and extending between the first and second end surfaces, a hollow, cylindrical feeding tube support extension centered on and extending outwardly from the feeding tube passage to support and align the feeding tube aperture, and a plurality of spaced apart resilient spacers extending outwards from the second end surface. The plurality of spaced apart resilient spacers resiliently space the second end surface from the abdominal wall and form a plurality of air passages to allow a flow of air around the abdominal wall and the feeding tube opening.

Abstract: A line management apparatus for managing multiple IV lines connected in a Y fitting provides for flow sensing and for electronic control of flow in the multiple lines. The line management apparatus may be used independently as a precise gravity feed IV system or may provide for use in combination with an infusion pump to ensure proper delivery of multiple solutions without blending of the multiple solutions.

Abstract: A simple method and device enabling a unit dose from a reservoir is provided. The dose is drawn into the reservoir and is then expelled from the device by depressing a plunger. The plunger has features which divide the dose into discrete intervals. As the plunger is moved during delivery, the features on the plunger and features connected to a barrel interact to provide for intermittent stops to the delivery. Other aspects of the device provide for reduced dead space, safety and selective interconnection with other devices. Thus, the device divides the dose.

Abstract: A device for administering a cannula (14), having a basic element (10),the cannula (14), a tip (16) of which protrudes beyond the basic element (10) in a ready to use position of the device, a traction element (12), which is movable with respect to the basic element (10), and a releasable pretensioning device (36, 38, 40) for pretensioning the traction element (12) with respect to the basic element (10) in the ready to use position of the device, wherein the traction element (12) interacts with the cannula (14) so that, when the pretensioning device (36, 38, 40) of the traction element (12) is released, the tip (16) of the cannula (14) retracts into the basic element (10).

Abstract: A port for a catheter includes a housing, a chamber arranged in the housing for receiving a medically active substance, a connecting piece for connecting the catheter to produce a flow connection between the chamber and the catheter, and at least one lever, mounted to be pivotable about a pivot axis and realized to allow the catheter to be fitted onto the connecting piece in a first pivot position and to hold the catheter in a clamping manner on the connecting piece in a second pivot position. The at least one lever has different first and second portions. The first portion carries a latching device for latching the at least one lever with the housing and/or with a first portion of a further lever in the second pivot position. The second portion has a clamping device for holding the catheter in the clamping manner in the second pivot position.

Abstract: An insert for an infusion of drugs is configured for connection to a vial and preferably to a circuit or an infusion line. The insert includes a main body, a resilient element, and a piercing spike. The piercing spike has an axis X and defines a first channel and a second channel, and is movable relative to the main body along the axis X between a first closed position A and a second open position B. The resilient element presses against the piercing spike so as to keep the piercing spike in the first closed position A when no external forces are applied.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe device, a method and a system for delivering a therapeutic amount of ozone are disclosed. A sterility case can enclose a syringe portion and can maintain sterility while the syringe device is interfaced to an ozone generator. A valvably-controlled fluid channel can extend from a barrel of the syringe portion through the case. Conducting elements can be attached to the case and can breach the case. The conducting elements can be connected to electrodes. The electrodes can be attached to the syringe portion. The syringe portion can be filled with oxygen gas via the valvably-controlled fluid channel. An electric current can be provided to the conducting elements from the ozone generator resulting in a corona discharge from at least one of the electrodes. A therapeutic amount of ozone gas can be produced from the oxygen gas and the syringe portion delivered into a sterile field without compromise.

Abstract: Some embodiments of an infusion pump system include a controller device that is configured to removably attach to a pump device in a manner that provides a secure fitting, an overall compact size, and a reliable electrical connection. In particular embodiments, the controller device can be secured to the pump device in a generally side-by-side arrangement. The compact size can enhance the discreteness and portability of the infusion pump system.

Abstract: A method of providing a fluid communication path to an implanted device. The method includes positioning at least a portion of a slender pointed element within a catheter, penetrating a septum of the implanted device with the slender pointed element positioned within the catheter, positioning at least a portion of the catheter within the implanted device, removing the slender pointed element from the catheter, and retaining the at least the portion of the catheter within the implanted device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient having an ear canal and a target tissue function by positioning a fluid or a gel in the ear canal, the fluid or the gel comprising a therapeutic agent; retaining the fluid or the gel with a support structure, the support structure supporting an electrode and a battery; and applying the therapeutic agent from the fluid or the gel to the target tissue by energizing the electrode with an iontophoresis potential from the battery.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter including a generally cylindrical body enclosing a first and second lumen separated by a generally planar septum. A first and second tip section extend from a distal end of the body. The first and second tip section may each include a generally planar surface. The second tip section may include a first segment extending from the distal end of the body to a transition segment and a second segment extending from the transition segment to a distal end of the second tip section.

Abstract: A method and related medical devices include delivering a catheter into a lumen of a subject. The catheter can include a generally tubular member having a lumen, a proximal region, and a distal region, and an inflatable member carried by a portion of the generally tubular member. The method can also include curving the portion of the generally tubular member that carries the inflatable member within the lumen of the subject, and disposing a material (e.g., an embolic material or a contrast agent) into the lumen of the generally tubular member.

Abstract: A clam shell shaped adapter for connecting a fluid output device and a fluid input device to establish a fluid path between the fluid output and input devices has first and second shells integrally connected by a living hinge. The first shell has a connector fitting end and a catheter end connected by a tubing. The fluid output device may be a catheter that is matable to the catheter end. A retainer structure in the adapter fixedly retains the catheter when the first and second shells close upon each other. Respective latch mechanisms provided at the first and second shells lockingly couple the first and second shells to each other. The fitting end has a given configuration that prevents the fitting end from mating with a counterpart conventional luer fitting but enables the fitting end to mate with a counterpart connector fitting that has a special configuration that mirrors the given configuration.

Abstract: An endoscope or other medical device includes a number of lumens positioned in an outer shaft. The lumens are formed as a multiple lumen assembly. In one embodiment, individual lumens are connected to each other with a sheet or webbing material. The lumen assembly is rolled or folded along its length for incorporation into the outer shaft of the endoscope or the medical device. The sheet or webbing material may be notched or perforated to facilitate folding the lumen assembly and/or separating the individual lumens from the lumen assembly.