Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses relating to a speculum. The speculum includes a handle, a first bill and a second bill, where a proximal end portion of the first bill and the second bill are coupled to an upper portion of the handle and configured to open along a first axis, a third bill and a fourth bill, where a proximal end portion of the third bill and the fourth bill are coupled to the upper portion of the handle and configured to open along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis and an actuation mechanism that causes the first bill and the second bill to move between an open position and a closed position. In some embodiments, the speculum includes a locking mechanism with a rocker mechanism, a lock strip contained in a handle of the speculum, and a pawl coupled to the handle.

Abstract: Connection systems and methods thereof facilitate establishing electrical connections through a barrier such as a drape without compromising a sterile field established by the barrier. A connection system can include two connectors. A first connector can include a first-connector housing defining a cavity, a slideable end piece coupled to a distal-end portion of the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element connected to a first electrical lead. The first piercing element can be configured to enter the cavity and pierce a barrier disposed in the cavity when the slideable end piece is advanced toward a proximal-end portion of the first-connector housing. A second connector can include at least a first receptacle within a second-connector housing connected to a second electrical lead. The first receptacle can be configured to form at least a first electrical connection with the first piercing element after the first piercing element pierces the barrier.

Abstract: A connection system includes a first connector and a second connector configured for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape. The first connector can include an alignment protrusion and a first piercing element having one or more electrical contacts configured to pierce the drape. The second connector can include an alignment notch, a channel, and a first receptacle configured to receive the first piercing element when inserted therein. The alignment notch can be configured to accept the alignment protrusion when the first connector is aligned with the second connector then disposed over the second connector. The channel can be configured to allow the alignment protrusion to slide along a length of the second connector. The first receptacle can have one or more electrical contacts configured to form at least a first electrical connection of the one or more electrical connections with the first connector.

Abstract: Shape-sensing systems and methods for medical devices. The shape-sensing system can include a medical device, an optical interrogator, a console, and a display screen. The medical device can include an integrated optical-fiber stylet having fiber Bragg grating (“FBG”) sensors along at least a distal-end portion thereof. The optical interrogator can be configured to send input optical signals into the optical-fiber stylet and receive FBG sensor-reflected optical signals therefrom. The console can be configured to convert the reflected optical signals with the aid of filtering algorithms of some optical signal-converter algorithms into plottable data for displaying plots thereof on the display screen. The plots can include a plot of curvature vs. time for each FBG sensor of a selection of the FBG sensors for identifying a distinctive change in strain of the optical-fiber stylet as a tip of the medical device is advanced into a superior vena cava of a patient.

Abstract: A connection system includes a first connector and a second connector configured for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape. The first connector can include an alignment protrusion and a first piercing element having one or more electrical contacts configured to pierce the drape. The second connector can include an alignment notch, a channel, and a first receptacle configured to receive the first piercing element when inserted therein. The alignment notch can be configured to accept the alignment protrusion when the first connector is aligned with the second connector then disposed over the second connector. The channel can be configured to allow the alignment protrusion to slide along a length of the second connector. The first receptacle can have one or more electrical contacts configured to form at least a first electrical connection of the one or more electrical connections with the first connector.

Abstract: Connection systems and methods thereof facilitate establishing electrical connections through a barrier such as a drape without compromising a sterile field established by the barrier. A connection system can include two connectors. A first connector can include a first-connector housing defining a cavity, a slideable end piece coupled to a distal-end portion of the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element connected to a first electrical lead. The first piercing element can be configured to enter the cavity and pierce a barrier disposed in the cavity when the slideable end piece is advanced toward a proximal-end portion of the first-connector housing. A second connector can include at least a first receptacle within a second-connector housing connected to a second electrical lead. The first receptacle can be configured to form at least a first electrical connection with the first piercing element after the first piercing element pierces the barrier.

Abstract: Shape-sensing systems and methods for medical devices. The shape-sensing system can include a medical device, an optical interrogator, a console, and a display screen. The medical device can include an integrated optical-fiber stylet having fiber Bragg grating (“FBG”) sensors along at least a distal-end portion thereof. The optical interrogator can be configured to send input optical signals into the optical-fiber stylet and receive FBG sensor-reflected optical signals therefrom. The console can be configured to convert the reflected optical signals into plottable data for displaying plots thereof on the display screen. The plots can include a plot of curvature vs. time for each FBG sensor of a selection of the FBG sensors in the distal-end portion of the optical-fiber stylet for identifying a distinctive change in strain of the optical-fiber stylet as a tip of the medical device is advanced into a superior vena cava of a patient.

Abstract: Optical-fiber connector modules are disclosed. In one example, an optical-fiber connector module can include a receptacle disposed in a housing, a cable extending from the housing, and an optical fiber within at least the cable. The receptacle can be configured to accept insertion of a first plug for establishing a first optical connection between the optical-fiber connector module and an optical-fiber stylet of a medical device. The cable can include a second plug for establishing a second optical connection between the optical-fiber connector module and an optical interrogator. The optical fiber extends from the receptacle through the cable to the second plug. The optical fiber can be configured to convey input optical signals from the optical interrogator to the optical-fiber stylet and reflected optical signals from the optical-fiber stylet to the optical interrogator. Shape-sensing systems including the optical-fiber connector modules and methods of the foregoing are also disclosed.

Abstract: Connection systems and methods for establishing optical and electrical connections through a drape are disclosed. A connection system can include a plug and a receptacle, the plug being configured to insert into the receptacle with the drape therebetween. The plug can include an optical terminal extending from a plug housing and an electrical terminal extending from the plug housing. The electrical terminal can be configured as a piercing element for piercing the drape. The receptacle can include an optical receiver within a receptacle housing and an electrical receiver within the receptacle housing. The optical receiver can be configured to form the optical connection with the optical terminal, and the electrical receiver can be configured to form the electrical connection with the electrical terminal when the plug is inserted into the receptacle with the drape therebetween.

Abstract: Integrated tubing is disclosed including a tubing wall, one or more lumens, and a longitudinal bead of the integrated tubing including one or more optical fibers disposed therein. Each lumen of the one or more lumens is defined at least in part by the tubing wall. The longitudinal bead of the integrated tubing is between opposing sides of the tubing wall. A medical device is also disclosed including a catheter tube and an integrated stylet. The catheter tube includes a catheter-tube wall and one or more lumens of the catheter tube. Each lumen of the one or more lumens is defined at least in part by the catheter-tube wall. The integrated stylet includes one or more optical fibers. The catheter tube also includes a longitudinal bead between opposing sides of the catheter tube having the one or more optical fibers disposed therein. Method for manufacturing the foregoing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tracking system configured to track the movement of the medical device. The medical device can include a proximal portion that has a magnetic element attached thereto. The system can include a console with a display, and a TLS sensor. The TLS sensor can be disposed on a surface of the patient and can include an LED array. The LED array can indicate a proximity of the medical device to the TLS sensor. The LED array can provide different colors and/or project images to display information regarding the location, orientation, distance, or depth of the medical device. The display can be disposed on an upper surface of the TLS sensor and can be configured to show an image of the medical device disposed therebelow, along with additional information and imagery, thus providing a standalone unit.

Abstract: A microintroducer system including an introducer sheath coupled to a handle, the handle and introducer sheath defining a channel therethrough, and an adapter. The adapter includes a receiver tube having a predetermined angled portion, the receiving tube providing a pathway from a proximal opening to the channel of the microintroducer. The adapter can be integral with the microintroducer or separately attached. A separately attached adapter can include a spin nut or other attachment mechanism to couple the adapter to the microintroducer. The predetermined angled portion can include a plurality of curved portions to form, for example, a helical pathway. The microintroducer system can include a shape sensing stylet system. The predetermined angled portion of the adapter can provide a fiduciary point for calibrating the shape sensing stylet. As the stylet passes through the predetermined angled portion, an external device coupled to the stylet calibrates the deflection.

Abstract: A sensor set is provided for sensing of a body characteristic, such as glucose. The sensor set includes a mounting base for the sensor and a connector to connect to the mounting base and has an improved structure for connecting the mounting base to the connector. The connector may contain sensor electronics for wired or wireless communication to an external monitor or display. The mounting base includes latch arms and the connector adapted to fit and lock into latch recesses on the connector and includes anti-rotation arms adapted to fit into anti-rotation arm recesses on the connector.

Abstract: A sensor set is provided for sensing of a body characteristic, such as glucose. The sensor set includes a mounting base for the sensor including a shim adapted to prevent pull up of the sensor and a connector to connect to the mounting base and has an improved structure for connecting the mounting base to the connector. The connector may contain sensor electronics for wired or wireless communication to an external monitor or display. The mounting base includes latch arms and the connector adapted to fit and lock into latch recesses on the connector and includes anti-rotation arms adapted to fit into anti-rotation arm recesses on the connector.

Abstract: Connection systems are disclosed for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape. An example connection system includes a first connector and a second connector configured to connect to each other. The first connector includes a first-connector housing, an electrical lead extending from the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element within the first-connector housing configured to pierce the drape. The first piercing element is orthogonally connected to the electrical lead. The second connector includes a second-connector housing and at least a first receptacle within the second-connector housing. The first receptacle is configured to form at least a first electrical connection of the one or more electrical connections with the first piercing element when the first connector is disposed over the second connector with the drape therebetween. Methods are also disclosed herein for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape with the connection systems.

Abstract: A lighting module includes a housing portion, a clip portion having a receiving space between configured to receive a speculum, an arm portion extending from the clip portion and including a lighting element, and a power source electrically connected to the lighting element. Also, a speculum assembly including a speculum and a lighting module is disclosed. Finally, a method of using a lighting module is disclosed.

Abstract: Connection systems are disclosed for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape. An example connection system includes a first connector and a second connector configured to connect to each other. The first connector includes a first-connector housing, an electrical lead extending from the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element within the first-connector housing configured to pierce the drape. The first piercing element is orthogonally connected to the electrical lead. The second connector includes a second-connector housing and at least a first receptacle within the second-connector housing. The first receptacle is configured to form at least a first electrical connection of the one or more electrical connections with the first piercing element when the first connector is disposed over the second connector with the drape therebetween. Methods are also disclosed herein for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape with the connection systems.

Abstract: A lighting module includes a housing portion, a clip portion having a receiving space between configured to receive a speculum, an arm portion extending from the clip portion and including a lighting element, and a power source electrically connected to the lighting element. Also, a speculum assembly including a speculum and a lighting module is disclosed. Finally, a method of using a lighting module is disclosed.

Abstract: Connection systems and methods thereof facilitate establishing electrical connections through a barrier such as a drape without compromising a sterile field established by the barrier. A connection system can include two connectors. A first connector can include a first-connector housing defining a cavity, a slideable end piece coupled to a distal-end portion of the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element connected to a first electrical lead. The first piercing element can be configured to enter the cavity and pierce a barrier disposed in the cavity when the slideable end piece is advanced toward a proximal-end portion of the first-connector housing. A second connector can include at least a first receptacle within a second-connector housing connected to a second electrical lead. The first receptacle can be configured to form at least a first electrical connection with the first piercing element after the first piercing element pierces the barrier.