Abstract: Intravenous access is achieved by introducing a catheter over an access needle which is initially present in the catheter. A tapered dilating element is positioned over the needle and provides a transition between the needle and a larger catheter lumen. The access needle is hollow and has a port which allows blood to flash back through a lumen of the catheter so that flashback can be observed on a catheter hub or the catheter itself.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for post-surgical joint range of motion measurement, activity monitoring, as well as monitoring compliance with post-operative extremity elevation and cooling recommendations are provided. The system comprises sensor(s) to be attached adjacent a joint of the patient, with limb attachment element(s), applications running on a computing device of the patient and medical practitioner, and a cloud-based backend system.

Abstract: Intravenous access is achieved by introducing a catheter having a guidewire safety tip at its distal end. The safety tip can be advanced and retracted using a slider disposed over an access needle which is initially present in the catheter. After the catheter has been properly positioned, the access needle and guidewire may be removed so that the catheter is available for use.

Abstract: An endoscopic device for approximating tissue includes an elongated body having a plurality of articulatable segments and a steerable distal portion. The device includes a first tissue approximation component positioned at a first axial position of the body. The first component is configured to move in a radial direction relative to the elongated body between a first position and a second position and be placed in an actuated state in which it is configured to grip tissue. The device includes a second tissue approximation component positioned at a second axial position of the body. The second component is configured to move in a radial direction relative to the elongated body between a first position and a second position and be placed in an actuated state in which it is configured to grip tissue. The components are configured to translate toward one another along a longitudinal direction of the elongated body.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and an actuator mechanism. The needle is attached to a needle carrier, the catheter is positioned coaxially around the needle such that a distal end of the needle extends distal of a distal end of the catheter, and the guidewire has a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle. The method includes holding the catheter insertion device, inserting the distal end of the needle and catheter into a blood vessel, advancing the distal end of the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel, moving the catheter over the guidewire in the blood vessel, and activating the actuator mechanism to simultaneously retract the distal end of the needle and the distal end of the guidewire into the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accessing and treating regions of the body are disclosed herein. Using an endoscopic device having an automatically controllable proximal portion and a selectively steerable distal portion, the device generally may be advanced into the body through an opening. The distal portion is selectively steered to assume a selected curve along a desired path within the body which avoids contact with tissue while the proximal portion is automatically controlled to assume the selected curve of the distal portion. The endoscopic device can then be used for accessing various regions of the body which are typically difficult to access and treat through conventional surgical techniques because the device is unconstrained by “straight-line” requirements. Various applications can include accessing regions of the brain, thoracic cavity, including regions within the heart, peritoneal cavity, etc., which are difficult to reach using conventional surgical procedures.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device and method for insertion. The catheter insertion device can include a housing, a needle attached to a needle carrier, a catheter including a catheter shaft attached to a catheter hub, and a guidewire. The guidewire can include a coil tip positioned in a lumen of the needle. The method for insertion can include inserting a distal end of the needle and the catheter shaft into a blood vessel of a patient, advancing the coil tip out of the needle lumen and into the blood vessel, advancing the catheter over the guidewire, and withdrawing the guidewire and the needle from the catheter. The coil tip can include a straightened configuration and a coiled configuration. The coil tip can transition from the straightened configuration in the needle lumen to the coiled configuration in the blood vessel.

Abstract: Embolic protection elements are integrated with a catheter or access sheath for any catheter. A catheter with an integrated embolic protection element comprises a catheter shaft, an embolic filter slidably mounted on a distal portion of the shaft, a proximal stop for limiting the proximal movement of the embolic filter, and a distal stop for limiting the distal movement of the embolic filter. The filter comprises a porous mesh material defining a collection chamber for captured emboli and has a collapsed and a deployed configuration. The filter may be collapsed by an access sheath used with the catheter. An access sheath may comprise a tubular main body and an embolic filter mounted on the distal portion of the tubular main body. The embolic filter may evert into the central lumen of the sheath or may be constrained on the exterior of the sheath with a larger diameter outer tube.

Abstract: A surgical tool system includes a surgical tool shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. A plurality of surgical tool tips detachably connect to the distal end of the shaft. The surgical tool shaft includes a low power electrical interface, a high power electrical interface, and a mechanical interface.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a delivery device which delivers a combination of a breathing gas and frozen ice or other particles to a patient in order to induce hypothermia. The treatment system also includes a temperature system for measuring the temperature of exhaled gases and a controller which can adjust the duration or rate at which the ice particles are delivered in order to control the patient's core temperature based on the measured exhalation gas temperature.

Abstract: Intravenous access is achieved by introducing a catheter having a guidewire safety tip at its distal end. The safety tip can be advanced and retracted using a slider disposed over an access needle which is initially present in the catheter. After the catheter has been properly positioned, the access needle and guidewire may be removed so that the catheter is available for use.

Abstract: A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a delivery device which delivers a combination of a breathing gas and frozen ice or other particles to a patient in order to induce hypothermia. The treatment system also includes a temperature system for measuring the temperature of exhaled gases and a controller which can adjust the duration or rate at which the ice particles are delivered in order to control the patient's core temperature based on the measured exhalation gas temperature.

Abstract: Peritoneal heat exchange provides the benefit of extremely rapid cooling of the patient's target organs such as the heart and brain as well as facilitating global patient body temperature reduction to therapeutically effective temperatures. The heat exchange medium of the present invention is a chilled gaseous fluid suspension of frozen ice particles.

Abstract: A wound dressing for use with a closure device is disclosed. The first and second base panels of the closure device are positioned on opposite lateral sides of a wound or incision. The base panels are coupled together to maintain wound or incision closure. A release liner is removed from a bottom surface of the wound dressing. The wound dressing is positioned over the closure device and the wound or incision. Exudate is absorbed by an absorbent material of the wound dressing through a porous strip of the wound dressing. The wound dressing is slightly larger than the closure device so that its perimeter area is adhered to the skin area around the closure device. Alternatively or in combination, the wound dressing is lightly adhered to the closure device and wound or incision area so that it can be removed without harming the underlying device and tissues.

Abstract: A medical instrument may comprise a first articulatable segment having a first diameter, and a second articulatable segment having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, wherein the second articulatable segment is coupled to the first articulatable segment and extends in a distal direction past the first articulatable segment. The instrument may also comprise a first force transmission element coupled to the first articulatable segment and extending in a proximal direction from the first articulatable segment to a first connector portion, the first connector portion being configured to be releasably coupled with a first actuator, and a second force transmission element coupled to the second articulatable segment and extending in a proximal direction from the second articulatable segment to a second connector portion, the second connector portion being configured to be releasably coupled with a second actuator.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and an actuator mechanism including a biasing member. The needle is attached to a needle carrier having a proximal end disposed in the housing, the needle having an insertion position and a retraction position with respect to the housing. The catheter is positioned coaxially around the needle. The guidewire has a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle in a withdrawn position, the guidewire being translatable to an advanced position in which the distal end extends distally from a tip of the needle. The guidewire may include a distal end with a coiled configuration. Actuating the actuator mechanism releases the biasing member to simultaneously translate the needle and the guidewire, the needle from the insertion position to the retraction position, and the guidewire from the advanced position to the withdrawn position.

Abstract: Scar formation is inhibited by simultaneously applying a vertical force and a lateral compression to the wound site during the healing process. Apparatus for applying such simultaneous forces comprise a backing and a tissue displacement device. The backing holds the tissue displacement device over the wound. The tissue displacement device may be expanded to both apply the vertical force against the wound and to draw the backing radially or laterally inward to apply the desired compression forces to the wound.

Abstract: Devices and methods of closing a wound or incision and inhibiting scar formation in the closed wound or incision are provided. First and second base panels of a device are adhered to skin on first and second lateral sides of the wound or incision, respectively. The first and second panels are coupled together with one or more elastic lateral ties or straps positioned across the wound or incision. A lateral compressive force is applied on the wound or incision with the one or more lateral ties. The lateral compressive force is maintained for a period of time as the wound or incision heals. The maintained lateral compressive force inhibits scar formation in the healing wound or incision.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device includes a handle, a needle, a guide wire, and a catheter. The handle may have a proximal region and a distal region. The distal region may include a slot between a top extension and a bottom extension, which extends through a distal end. The needle may have a proximal end positioned in the proximal region and a distal end extending from the distal region. The guide wire may have a proximal end positioned in the proximal region of the handle and a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle. The catheter may be positioned coaxially over the needle with a proximal end connected to a catheter hub. The catheter hub may be slidably disposed in the slot to enable movement from a first position in the distal region to a second position distal of the distal region.