Abstract: A device for sealing a fistula includes a first flange for orienting against a first wall of the fistula, a second flange for orienting against a second wall of the fistula, and at least one stem coupling the first and second flanges. Illustratively, the at least one stem is elastomeric. The stem(s) exhibit(s) an elongation of greater than about. 6 mm/N of force applied between the first and second flanges in the range of elongation of about 0 mm to about 15 mm. Additionally or alternatively illustratively, the stem(s) comprise(s) (an) elastomeric tube(s) including (a) wall section(s) having a varying radius along its (their) length(s). Additionally or alternatively illustratively, the stem(s) pass(es) through (respective) opening(s) provided in at least one of the first and second flanges to permit adjustment of the location of at least one of the first and second flanges along the length of the stem(s).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a stricture in a body lumen. The method comprises (a) sensing pressure being exerted by a treatment device on the stricture, (b) determining if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, (c) if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, timing the application of enough force, (d) determining if too much force is being exerted by the treatment device on the stricture, (e) if too much force is being applied to the stricture, decrementing the force being applied to the stricture, (f) determining if not enough force is being applied to the stricture, (g) if not enough force is being applied to the stricture incrementing the force being applied to the stricture, and (h) repeating (a)-(g) until (i) a desired pressure has been maintained on the tissue for a desired time.

Abstract: A collar constructed from or including a ferromagnetic material snaps into position around the inner end of a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) or a hands-free tracheostoma valve for mounting on the end of a laryngectomy tube or neck-mounted housing, and a magnet on the outermost region of the laryngectomy tube or neck-mounted housing for attracting the collar. The collar includes a central opening through which air and respiration products flowing through the HME or hands-free tracheostoma valve may pass. The HME or hands-free tracheostoma valve is readily attached to the laryngectomy tube or neck-mounted housing by bringing the HME or hands-free tracheostoma valve with the collar fitted thereto into close proximity to the magnet.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical instrument system may include an instrument configured to puncture the tissue of a patient and detect when the instrument has entered a lumen of the patient's body. The surgical instrument system may include a balloon catheter including a percutaneous dilation balloon and a moveably positionable retainer. The retainer is configured to move relative to the balloon such that upon inflation of the balloon when the balloon is positioned in the opening in the patient's tissue, the retainer engages the patient's tissue to inhibit movement of the balloon catheter.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a tract through a tissue wall having a proximal side and a distal side. The device includes a body, a retainer adjacent an end of the body which will lie on the distal side in the use orientation, and a flange adjacent an end of the body which will lie on the proximal side in the use orientation. The retainer comprises a ferromagnetic material that responds to a magnetic field to maintain the retainer in an undeployed, insertion orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a stricture in a body lumen. The method comprises (a) sensing pressure being exerted by a treatment device on the stricture, (b) determining if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, (c) if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, timing the application of enough force, (d) determining if too much force is being exerted by the treatment device on the stricture, (e) if too much force is being applied to the stricture, decrementing the force being applied to the stricture, (f) determining if not enough force is being applied to the stricture, (g) if not enough force is being applied to the stricture incrementing the force being applied to the stricture, and (h) repeating (a)-(g) until (i) a desired pressure has been maintained on the tissue for a desired time.

Abstract: The vast majority of septal perforations are plugged by providing a septal perforation prosthesis in a limited number of flange sizes and shapes, stem sizes and stem lengths. Insertion of the prosthesis is simple and positive, and does not require, for example, folding or wadding up one flange and pulling the thus-folded or -wadded up flange through the perforation. Likewise, removal of the prosthesis does not require the occasionally traumatic pulling of a flange through the perforation.

Abstract: A tracheal tube apparatus includes a cannula having first and second ends. An inflatable cuff is formed on the cannula between the first and second ends. A conduit extends from the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff. A gauge for indicating the inflation pressure of the cuff is coupled in the conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a stricture in a body lumen. The method comprises (a) sensing pressure being exerted by a treatment device on the stricture, (b) determining if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, (c) if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, timing the application of enough force, (d) determining if too much force is being exerted by the treatment device on the stricture, (e) if too much force is being applied to the stricture, decrementing the force being applied to the stricture, (f) determining if not enough force is being applied to the stricture, (g) if not enough force is being applied to the stricture incrementing the force being applied to the stricture, and (h) repeating (a)-(g) until (i) a desired pressure has been maintained on the tissue for a desired time.

Abstract: A catheter, voice prosthesis assembly, and delivery method include an elongated flexible body having a hollow voice prosthesis tubing disposed on a first end of the elongated flexible body. A voice prosthesis is received in the hollow voice prosthesis tubing. The voice prosthesis having an interior esophageal flange at a first end and an exterior tracheal flange at a second end, with the voice prosthesis being received in the hollow voice prosthesis tubing with the interior esophageal flange being folded within the hollow voice prosthesis tubing and the exterior tracheal flange being disposed exterior to the hollow voice prosthesis tubing.

Abstract: A tracheal tube apparatus includes a cannula having first and second ends. An inflatable cuff is formed on the cannula between the first and second ends. A conduit extends from the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff. A gauge for indicating the inflation pressure of the cuff is coupled in the conduit.

Abstract: A trocar device and measurement assembly, includes a trocar having a sharply pointed shaft and a handle. An elongated sheath receives the shaft of the trocar therein, wherein the elongated sheath includes a plurality of measuring indicia thereon for measuring a length of a tracheoesophageal puncture formed by the trocar. A method of measuring the tracheoesophageal puncture is provided by inserting the elongated sheath into the puncture while observing the measuring indicia on the sheath to determine a length of the puncture.

Abstract: A trocar device and measurement assembly, includes a trocar having a sharply pointed shaft and a handle. An elongated sheath receives the shaft of the trocar therein, wherein the elongated sheath includes a plurality of measuring indicia thereon for measuring a length of a tracheoesophageal puncture formed by the trocar. A method of measuring the tracheoesophageal puncture is provided by inserting the elongated sheath into the puncture while observing the measuring indicia on the sheath to determine a length of the puncture.

Abstract: A catheter, voice prosthesis assembly, and delivery method include an elongated flexible body having a hollow voice prosthesis tubing disposed on a first end of the elongated flexible body. A voice prosthesis is received in the hollow voice prosthesis tubing. The voice prosthesis having an interior esophageal flange at a first end and an exterior tracheal flange at a second end, with the voice prosthesis being received in the hollow voice prosthesis tubing with the interior esophageal flange being folded within the hollow voice prosthesis tubing and the exterior tracheal flange being disposed exterior to the hollow voice prosthesis tubing.

Abstract: A variable reference voltage circuit for performing memory operation on non-volatile memory includes a multi-level voltage source and a selector circuit. The multi-level voltage source generates multiple voltages. The selector circuit includes a selector input and a selector output. The selector input is coupled to the multi-level voltage source to selectively couple any of the multiple voltages to the selector output. The selector output of the selector circuit is coupled to a non-volatile memory array to provide the NV memory array with a selectable program voltage for programming the NV memory array and a selectable erase voltage for erasing the NV memory array.

Abstract: A device for sealing a fistula includes a first flange for orienting against a first wall of the fistula, a second flange for orienting against a second wall of the fistula, and at least one stem coupling the first and second flanges. Illustratively, the at least one stem is elastomeric. The stem(s) exhibit(s) an elongation of greater than about 0.6 mm/N of force applied between the first and second flanges in the range of elongation of about 0 mm to about 15 mm. Additionally or alternatively illustratively, the stem(s) comprise(s) (an) elastomeric tube(s) including (a) wall section(s) having a varying radius along its (their) length(s). Additionally or alternatively illustratively, the stem(s) pass(es) through (respective) opening(s) provided in at least one of the first and second flanges to permit adjustment of the location of at least one of the first and second flanges along the length of the stem(s).

Abstract: A tracheotomy tube apparatus includes an outer cannula having first and second ends, a fenestration along the length of the outer cannula between the first and second ends, and a first inner cannula sized for insertion into the outer cannula. The first inner cannula includes a resilient region which lies adjacent the fenestration when the first inner cannula is properly oriented within the outer cannula, and a valve operatively associated with the first inner cannula. A region between the resilient region and the valve provides a passageway between the first inner cannula and the outer cannula when the first inner cannula is properly oriented within the outer cannula.

Abstract: A voice prosthesis dilator and sizer device is provided including an elongated member having a first end with a tip and a flange and a second end with a stop portion. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion with a measuring area disposed adjacent to the flange and including measuring indicia thereon and having a dilation area adjacent to the second end. The elongated member also includes a recessed region adjacent to the flange to receive the flange in a folded position upon insertion into the non-dilated fistula. The dilation area has a larger diameter than the measuring area.

Abstract: A variable reference voltage circuit for performing memory operation on non-volatile memory includes a multi-level voltage source and a selector circuit. The multi-level voltage source generates multiple voltages. The selector circuit includes a selector input and a selector output. The selector input is coupled to the multi-level voltage source to selectively couple any of the multiple voltages to the selector output. The selector output of the selector circuit is coupled to a non-volatile memory array to provide the NV memory array with a selectable program voltage for programming the NV memory array and a selectable erase voltage for erasing the NV memory array.

Abstract: A gel cap is loaded on a folded flange of a voice prosthesis which is loaded on an end portion of an inserter, wherein a tip is pressed against a valve flap of the voice prosthesis. The voice prosthesis includes a strap that is stretched for engagement with an attachment portion on the inserter. The voice prosthesis, gel cap, and inserter are inserted into the tracheoesophageal puncture. The patient then swallows fluids to cause the gel cap to dissolve to allow the esophageal flange to deploy, whereby upon deployment of the esophageal flange, the tip of the end portion of the inserter presses the valve flap open, allowing the inserter to move axially relative to the voice prosthesis until a stop collar of the inserter engages the voice prosthesis providing external visual confirmation to the user that the gel cap has dissolved and the esophageal flange has deployed.