Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method to vent gas from a body cavity during an endoscopic procedure. A body cavity is in fluid communication with an exhaust gas inlet of a vacuum break device. The vacuum break device has a chamber in fluid communication with both the inlet and an outlet. The chamber may comprise one or more openings in fluid communication with the atmosphere. A conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust gas outlet may be connected directly or indirectly to a suction source. The suction source may be activated.

Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid, and an external infusion set configured to deliver the infusible fluid to a user. A fluid delivery system is configured to deliver the infusible fluid from the reservoir to the external infusion set. The fluid delivery system includes a volume sensor assembly, and a pump assembly for extracting a quantity of infusible fluid from the reservoir and providing the quantity of infusible fluid to the volume sensor assembly. The volume sensor assembly is configured to determine the volume of at least a portion of the quantity of fluid. The fluid delivery system further includes at least one optical sensor assembly configured to sense the movement of the pump assembly, a first valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir, and a second valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the volume sensor assembly from the external infusion set.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for delivering a viscous material to a surgical site in a patient while keeping the clinician outside the fluoroscopy field.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating patients using high partial pressures of dissolved gas in a liquid. Greater than hyperbaric partial pressures of gas may be dissolved and maintained in the liquid when mixing occurs at ambient pressure. Additional increases in dissolved gas partial pressure may be achieved when the temperature of the liquid is further decreased. The method further includes administering the liquid intravenously via a conventional catheter. Gas exchange occurs due to diffusion upon mixing of the liquid and blood within the vasculature of the patient.

Abstract: A surgical portal apparatus includes a portal member dimensioned to access tissue and having a longitudinal passageway therethrough to permit access to underlying tissue, and defining leading and trailing ends, a seal housing associated with the portal member and a seal mount at least partially disposed within the seal housing. The seal mount is adapted for rotational movement within the seal housing. The seal mount includes an instrument seal adapted to establish a substantial sealed relation with a surgical object introduced within the longitudinal passageway and a closure valve adapted to substantially close the longitudinal passageway in the absence of the object.

Abstract: Dispensing devices and systems for oral transmucosal administration of small volume drug dosage forms to the oral mucosa are provided. The dispensing device may be a single dose applicator (SDA), or an electromechanical device comprising a means for patient identification such as a wrist worn RFID tag and annular bidirectional antenna together with a lock-out feature.

Abstract: An injection device including at least one sensor for detecting an operating process of the injection device, an electronic circuit connected to the sensor for establishing the beginning and elapsed time of a service life, based on one or more sensor signals, and an output device connected to the circuit for providing a signal indicating the end of the service life. The invention encompasses a method for determining a service life of an injection device, wherein the beginning of the service life is established by one or more sensors for detecting an operating process of the device, a signal is generated which signals the end of the service life, and at least one of an optical, acoustic or tactile output device is associated with the injection device for providing a signal which indicates the end of the service life.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for drug delivery and the monitoring thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved ablation electrodes (10, 10?) and catheter assemblies (12), as well as methods useful in conjunction with irrigated ablation catheters. An irrigated ablation electrode assembly (10, 10?) includes a proximal member (18, 18?) having an outer surface (22), an inner lumen (26, 26?) and a proximal passageway (24). The proximal passageway (24) extends from the inner lumen (26, 26?) to the outer surface (22) of the proximal member (18, 18?). The assembly (10, 10?) further includes a distal member (20) having a distal end (30) and a distal passageway (28) extending from the inner lumen (26, 26?) through the distal member (20) to the distal end (30). Embodiments of the present invention include an irrigated catheter assembly (12) configured to direct irrigation fluid to target areas where coagulation is more likely to occur to, among other things, better minimize blood coagulation and associated problems.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention include a male luer connector having a valve arrangement for keeping a passage that extends through the male luer connector closed when the male luer connector is not attached to a corresponding female luer connector. This passage of the male luer connector may be opened by connecting the male luer connector to a female luer connector. The valve arrangement of the male luer connector may include a movable sealing element arranged around a central fluid conduit. In some embodiments, the male luer connector may include a filter that is permeable to gas, but substantially impermeable to liquid, thus allowing gas to be purged from the male luer connector while substantially preventing liquid from leaking from the connector at least when the male luer connector is not connected to a female luer connector.

Abstract: An insertion device, generally used with an infusion set, including a needle being adapted for puncturing at one end and including at the opposite end a hub. The hub includes a handle part and a guard part that are capable of securing the needle through the use of locks. Locking structures are used to secure the insertion device in a position where the needle is covered in a locked position, avoiding unintended contact with the needle.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter includes a catheter body, an intermediate section, a tip electrode and a control handle for deflecting the catheter by manipulation of a puller element that is made of a high modulus fiber material and extends through the catheter body and the intermediate section. The proximal end of the puller element is housed in the control handle and the distal end of the puller element is in a wrapped configuration and engages with a distal tip member or the intermediate section.

Abstract: A catheter for diagnosing or treating the vessels found within a body or body space includes a center strut that is bonded, preferably thermally, along its longitudinal axis with the thermoplastic tubular member within which it is housed. The tubular member preferably has three layers: an inner layer, a braided layer and an outer layer. The composite catheter is made using a process in which two half-cylinder shaped mandrels are placed on each side of the center strut while the strut is heated in order to cause the thermal bonding. The bonded center strut provides in-plane deflection and improved transfer of torque to the tip of the catheter.

Abstract: Provided is a tight-sealing cap for the liquid drug-expelling part of a syringe that not only minimizes the space that creates reduced pressure, which is a cause of leakage, but is also easy to remove because it is easily twisted off, easily deformable and easily admits air for releasing the vacuum when removed, and that can prevent leaking of a liquid drug from a luer nozzle. The cap is made of an elastic material, and the following means are used in the cap, which is configured from a thick upper surface part, an outer tubular part that is formed below the periphery thereof, and an inner tubular part that is formed inside the same. First, the inner tubular part is formed so that the tip of the luer nozzle can be inserted tightly into the same, and the luer nozzle can be tightly sealed at the site of contact thereof. Second, the outer tubular part is formed so that it contacts the luer lock closely therein and can seal the luer lock tightly at the site of contact thereof.

Abstract: A method of placing a catheter into a patient while preventing disadvantageous escape of fluid from the patient comprises providing a catheter secured to a valve hosing. The catheter has a proximal end, a distal end and an interior lumen. The valve housing has a first port, a second port, and a fluid path running between the first and second ports. The catheter and the valve housing have a hollow needle extending therethrough. The method further comprises piercing the patient's skin, thereby inserting the catheter into the patient. The method further comprises holding the catheter and valve housing in place while removing the hollow needle through the catheter and valve housing. The hollow needle passes through the first and second ports of the valve housing.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid, and an external infusion set configured to deliver the infusible fluid to a user. A fluid delivery system is configured to deliver the infusible fluid from the reservoir to the external infusion set. The fluid delivery system includes a volume sensor assembly, and a pump assembly for extracting a quantity of infusible fluid from the reservoir and providing the quantity of infusible fluid to the volume sensor assembly. The volume sensor assembly is configured to determine the volume of at least a portion of the quantity of fluid. The fluid delivery system further includes a first valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir, and a second valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the volume sensor assembly from the external infusion set.

Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly including a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid, and a fluid delivery system configured to deliver the infusible fluid from the reservoir to an external infusion set. The fluid delivery system includes a volume sensor assembly configured to receive a quantity of the infusible fluid from the reservoir. The volume sensor assembly includes an acoustically contiguous region having a volume that varies based upon the quantity of infusible fluid received from the reservoir, and an acoustic energy emitter configured to provide acoustic energy at a plurality of frequencies to excite a gas included within the acoustically contiguous region.