Abstract: A sheath assembly includes a first sheath, a second sheath, and an attachment mechanism. The first sheath includes a first sheath inner surface defining a first sheath lumen extending along a first sheath central longitudinal axis between a first sheath first end portion and a first sheath second end portion. The second sheath includes a second sheath inner surface defining a second sheath lumen extending along a second sheath longitudinal axis between a second sheath first end portion and a second sheath second end portion. The attachment mechanism couples the second sheath to the first sheath. The attachment mechanism includes an attachment mechanism step-up dilation. At least a portion of the attachment mechanism is asymmetrical, at the attachment mechanism step-up dilation, about the first sheath central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sheath assembly includes a first sheath, a second sheath, and an attachment mechanism. The first sheath includes a first sheath inner surface defining a first sheath lumen extending along a first sheath central longitudinal axis between a first sheath first end portion and a first sheath second end portion. The second sheath includes a second sheath inner surface defining a second sheath lumen extending along a second sheath longitudinal axis between a second sheath first end portion and a second sheath second end portion. The attachment mechanism couples the second sheath to the first sheath. The attachment mechanism includes an attachment mechanism step-up dilation. At least a portion of the attachment mechanism is asymmetrical, at the attachment mechanism step-up dilation, about the first sheath central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sheath assembly includes a first sheath, a second sheath, and an attachment mechanism. The first sheath includes a first sheath inner surface defining a first sheath lumen extending along a first sheath central longitudinal axis between a first sheath first end portion and a first sheath second end portion. The second sheath includes a second sheath inner surface defining a second sheath lumen extending along a second sheath longitudinal axis between a second sheath first end portion and a second sheath second end portion. The attachment mechanism couples the second sheath to the first sheath. The attachment mechanism includes an attachment mechanism step-up dilation. At least a portion of the attachment mechanism is asymmetrical, at the attachment mechanism step-up dilation, about the first sheath central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an elongated housing, e.g., a catheter, configured to be inserted into a lumen of a patient to diagnose or treat a patient. The elongated housing includes a scope channel that accepts a cystoscope and a viewing window at the distal end of the elongated housing. The user may use the cystoscope to view tissue adjacent to the viewing window. The viewing window may take up at least 10 percent of the length of the elongated housing to allow the user to identify a large area of tissue in the lumen without moving the elongated housing with respect to the tissue. Once the user identifies the target tissue, the user may position the elongated housing graduations on the viewing window and the proximal end of the elongated housing. An ablation needle electrode may be extended into the target tissue to deliver ablation therapy to the target tissue.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and a system that may be used to provide feedback regarding the flow of fluid during ablation therapy. The system includes a generator that generates energy to ablate at least a portion of a target tissue, a needle that delivers the energy to the target tissue, a return electrode that receives energy dispersed from the needle, a catheter that houses at least a portion of the needle, a pump that delivers a fluid to the target tissue via the catheter, a sensor that detects a fluid parameter indicative of at least one of flow or pressure of the fluid, and a processor that analyzes the fluid parameter detected by the sensor. The sensor may be located between the pump and the target tissue. The fluid parameter detected by the system may be pressure or flow. The system may be used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a hand-held device that utilizes a mechanical lever system to operate the device with a single hand. The mechanical lever system is coupled to a sliding element within the housing of the hand-held device that slides linearly. The sliding element may be attached to another element that is extended, retracted, or rotated in or out of the device. For example, the hand-held device may be used for prostate ablation therapy. The hand-held device may include an ablation needle electrode that is extended out of a catheter and into a tissue of a patient by depressing an extension lever of the mechanical lever system to deliver ablation therapy. Depressing a retraction lever of the mechanical lever system may retract the needle electrode back into the catheter of the hand-held device. Other variations of the mechanical system and applications of the hand-held device are also described.

Abstract: A medical pump subassembly comprises a magnetic cup forming a recess. The magnetic cup includes a protrusion within the recess. The cup forms a central aperture through the protrusion. The medical pump subassembly further comprises an electromagnetic coil within the recess and circumscribing the protrusion, a weld ring surrounding the recess, a barrier plate covering the recess, and a seal between the weld ring and the barrier plate to fluidically separate an interior of the cup from an external surface of the barrier plate.

Abstract: A system that is used to lock an accessory, for example a cystoscope that is locked to a hand held device that provides prostate ablation therapy, within a housing includes a sliding lock device (SLD) which receives and surrounds at least a portion of the cystoscope in an opening. Once the cystoscope is positioned within the SLD, the user may slide a cover to engage a tab of the cystoscope and secure the cystoscope within the SLD and the housing. The SLD also includes a mechanism for prohibiting cystoscope rotation. After the cystoscope is locked, the SLD allows for a defined amount of axial movement to facilitate prostate viewing and the deployment of prostate ablation therapy. Alternatively, the cover may slide in a rotational manner to secure the cystoscope.

Abstract: An implantable medical device including a two piece actuator member which comprises a monocrystaline piston and a magnetizable pole. The monocrystalline piston is positioned within a piston channel having a surface having a titanium-oxide layer. The monocrystalline piston is selectively movable within the piston bore to permit intake and output of fluids.

Abstract: A one-piece, single-use disposable device for transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) of prostate tissue to alleviate BPH is disclosed. The device may include a flexible catheter tip including a rigid core and a flexible tip. The device may also include a single use lockout to help ensure that the device is used to perform only one ablation procedure on a single patient. The device may further include a simplified needle deployment mechanism and/or an automatic needle retraction mechanism.

Abstract: An implantable medical device including a two piece actuator member which comprises a monocrystaline piston and a magnetizable pole. The monocrystalline piston is positioned within a piston channel having a surface having a titanium-oxide layer. The monocrystalline piston is selectively movable within the piston bore to permit intake and output of fluids.

Abstract: A medical pump subassembly comprises a magnetic cup forming a recess. The magnetic cup includes a protrusion within the recess. The cup forms a central aperture through the protrusion. The medical pump subassembly further comprises an electromagnetic coil within the recess and circumscribing the protrusion, a weld ring surrounding the recess, a barrier plate covering the recess, and a seal between the weld ring and the barrier plate to fluidically separate an interior of the cup from an external surface of the barrier plate.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to an indicator for a syringe. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing the compatibility of a fluid before injecting the fluid into a medical device. An indicator may be attached to an interior of the reservoir body wherein the indicator strip contacts the fluid medication loaded into the reservoir body and visually indicates the presence of a selected parameter. The indicator may be an indicator strip infused with an chemical indicator that changes color when in contact with a selected target material.

Abstract: A method including laser welding a barrier to a sleeve and at least one of a housing or coil cup to enclose a solenoid in a solenoid-driven piston pump. The solenoid driven piston pump may comprise a portion of an implantable drug delivery device.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an elongated housing, e.g., a catheter, configured to be inserted into a lumen of a patient to diagnose or treat a patient. The elongated housing includes a scope channel that accepts a cystoscope and a viewing window at the distal end of the elongated housing. The user may use the cystoscope to view tissue adjacent to the viewing window. The viewing window may take up at least 10 percent of the length of the elongated housing to allow the user to identify a large area of tissue in the lumen without moving the elongated housing with respect to the tissue. Once the user identifies the target tissue, the user may position the elongated housing graduations on the viewing window and the proximal end of the elongated housing. An ablation needle electrode may be extended into the target tissue to deliver ablation therapy to the target tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is an actuator for a piston pump that includes a separately formed piston and armature. The piston and the armature are later assembled together or are inserted into the piston pump in such a manner as to cooperate during pumping. Assembling the piston and the armature as separate components may provide for improved form of the piston component when manufactured separately from the armature, due to, for example, increased simplification of the manufacturing process. In addition, effects of manufacturing the piston and the armature together, such as stress on the piston, may be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to infusion devices. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward an inexpensive design to adjust the dead space of a piston pump by adjusting the end position of the piston's forward stroke. The piston pump may include an actuator member with a piston that articulates between a retracted and a forward position in a piston channel. Movement between the retracted and forward position, a pumping stroke, may expel a known quantity of fluid. Because of manufacturing tolerances, the forward position may not exactly line up with the end of the piston channel, resulting in dead space, or ullage, that may result in less than desired accuracy for fluid volume pumped. Utilization of an adjustable stop or stop that contacts the actuator member at the desired forward position may allow for selective elimination of the ullage and precise adjustment of the fluid pumped.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a hand-held device that utilizes a mechanical lever system to operate the device with a single hand. The mechanical lever system is coupled to a sliding element within the housing of the hand-held device that slides linearly. The sliding element may be attached to another element that is extended, retracted, or rotated in or out of the device. For example, the hand-held device may be used for prostate ablation therapy. The hand-held device may include an ablation needle electrode that is extended out of a catheter and into a tissue of a patient by depressing an extension lever of the mechanical lever system to deliver ablation therapy. Depressing a retraction lever of the mechanical lever system may retract the needle electrode back into the catheter of the hand-held device. Other variations of the mechanical system and applications of the hand-held device are also described.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and a system that may be used to provide feedback regarding the flow of fluid during ablation therapy. The system includes a generator that generates energy to ablate at least a portion of a target tissue, a needle that delivers the energy to the target tissue, a return electrode that receives energy dispersed from the needle, a catheter that houses at least a portion of the needle, a pump that delivers a fluid to the target tissue via the catheter, a sensor that detects a fluid parameter indicative of at least one of flow or pressure of the fluid, and a processor that analyzes the fluid parameter detected by the sensor. The sensor may be located between the pump and the target tissue. The fluid parameter detected by the system may be pressure or flow. In particular, the system may be used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy.