Abstract: A method of making an introducer includes providing a translucent material that is formed into an elongate introducer, wherein the introducer has a lumen on an end thereof, and sealing the lumen with a sealing mechanism, wherein the seal is one of a duckbill seal or a one-way valve.

Abstract: Various rotatable shafts and linkage mechanisms configured to allow imaging and access to tissue within a body are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an introducer system has a rotatable sheath and a linkage that can rotatably engage each other. The rotatable sheath has a distal portion extending at a non-zero angle relative to a proximal portion thereof. The linkage has an exit lumen on its distal end and a plurality of entry lumens on its proximal end. The linkage merges the plurality of entry lumens into the exit lumen, and the exit lumen is aligned with the rotatable sheath upon engagement. Fluid and/or surgical instruments can thus be passed from the plurality of entry lumens of the linkage, through the exit lumen of the linkage, and into the rotatable sheath. The linkage and the rotatable sheath can both receive an imaging device therethrough.

Abstract: Various rotatable shafts and linkage mechanisms configured to allow imaging and access to tissue within a body are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an introducer system has a rotatable sheath and a linkage that can rotatably engage each other. The rotatable sheath has a distal portion extending at a non-zero angle relative to a proximal portion thereof. The linkage has an exit lumen on its distal end and a plurality of entry lumens on its proximal end. The linkage merges the plurality of entry lumens into the exit lumen, and the exit lumen is aligned with the rotatable sheath upon engagement. Fluid and/or surgical instruments can thus be passed from the plurality of entry lumens of the linkage, through the exit lumen of the linkage, and into the rotatable sheath. The linkage and the rotatable sheath can both receive an imaging device therethrough.

Abstract: Various biopsy devices configured to biopsy tissue from a body cavity and methods of use are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a biopsy sleeve is provided with an elongate shaft having distal and proximal ends. The elongate shaft is configured to receive at least a portion of an imaging device therein, and an engagement member is disposed on the proximal end and configured to engage with the imaging device. A biopsy collector is engageable with the elongate shaft and is configured to collect tissue for a biopsy sample. At least part of the distal end of the elongate shaft is configured to allow visualization therethrough using the imaging device such that a user can visualize the tissue being collected.

Abstract: A medical device introduction system is adapted to be at least partially insertable into an interior body region of a patient. The system includes a medical imager including a body member having a handle, an elongate member extending from the handle, an imaging device carried at a distal portion of the elongate member, and an introducer enclosing the elongate member. A manipulator is configured for imparting displacement of the introducer to form an angled end portion to define a line of sight extending from the angled end portion. The manipulator is further configured for altering the line of sight to increase a viewing angle of the imaging device.

Abstract: Various multi-lumen caps and methods of use are provided herein that can be integrated with devices configured to image target tissue from a body cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, an imaging sleeve is provided with an elongate shaft having distal and proximal ends. The elongate shaft is configured to receive at least a portion of an imaging device therein, and an engagement member is disposed on the proximal end and configured to engage with the imaging device. A cap is configured to removably attach to the distal end of the elongate shaft and engage each of the plurality of lumens. The cap is configured to seal one or more of the plurality of lumens and to leave open one or more of the plurality of lumens.

Abstract: Various flexible windows and methods of use are provided herein that can be integrated with devices configured to image target tissue from a body cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, an imaging sleeve is provided with an elongate shaft having distal and proximal ends. The elongate shaft is configured to receive at least a portion of an imaging device therein, and an engagement member is disposed on the proximal end and configured to engage with the imaging device. A flexible window is disposed adjacent to the distal end and is configured to form to the imaging device to minimize distortion of light collected by the imaging device through the flexible window.

Abstract: Various biopsy devices configured to biopsy tissue from a body cavity and methods of use are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a biopsy sleeve is provided with an elongate shaft having distal and proximal ends. The elongate shaft is configured to receive at least a portion of an imaging device therein, and an engagement member is disposed on the proximal end and configured to engage with the imaging device. A biopsy collector is engageable with the elongate shaft and is configured to collect tissue for a biopsy sample. At least part of the distal end of the elongate shaft is configured to allow visualization therethrough using the imaging device such that a user can visualize the tissue being collected.

Abstract: A medical device introduction system is adapted to be at least partially insertable into an interior body region of a patient. The system includes a medical imager including a body member having a handle, an elongate member extending from the handle, an imaging device carried at a distal portion of the elongate member, and an introducer enclosing the elongate member. A manipulator is configured for imparting displacement of the introducer to form an angled end portion to define a line of sight extending from the angled end portion. The manipulator is further configured for altering the line of sight to increase a viewing angle of the imaging device.

Abstract: A method of making an introducer includes providing a translucent material that is formed into an elongate introducer, wherein the introducer has a lumen on an end thereof, and sealing the lumen with a sealing mechanism, wherein the seal is one of a duckbill seal or a one-way valve.

Abstract: A medical device introduction system is adapted to be at least partially insertable into an interior body region of a patient. The system includes a medical imager including a body member having a handle, an elongate member extending from the handle, an imaging device carried at a distal portion of the elongate member, and an introducer enclosing the elongate member. A manipulator is configured for imparting displacement of the introducer to form an angled end portion to define a line of sight extending from the angled end portion. The manipulator is further configured for altering the line of sight to increase a viewing angle of the imaging device.

Abstract: An anti-spillover flow coupling for a chest drainage assembly including at least a first and a second flow chamber. The coupling includes an intake port adapted to couple to the first flow chamber and exit port adapted to couple to the second flow chamber. The coupling defines a flow passageway between the intake port and exit port. The flow coupling further includes an anti-spill means for preventing the flow of liquid between the first flow chamber and second flow chamber. The anti-spill means can include a valve means including a ball member and valve seat member, the valve means being open when a valve axis is aligned substantially against the direction of gravity. Or the anti-spill means includes at least one filter element disposed over one of the intake port or exit port, the filter element permitting the passage of gases but not liquids.

Abstract: A pressure indicator for a chest drainage unit is provided. The indicator includes an outer casing having a longitudinal axis and a first end with an opening exposed to ambient air and a second end with an opening coupled to communicate with the collection chamber inside a chest drainage unit for reading patient pressure. A linear force resistance element in the form of a spring compressed inside a bellows is disposed inside the outer casing and aligned along the longitudinal axis. An indicator cap is disposed inside the outer casing and coupled to a tip portion of the bellows element. The interior of the bellows communicates with the collection chamber pressure such that the spring and bellows expands and contracts inside the casing to indicate the degree of suction pressure in the collection chamber.

Abstract: A modular chest drainage assembly is provided, having a collection module formed from a first base mold. The collection module defines a collection chamber having a patient fluid intake port. The assembly further includes a flow control module formed from a second base mold. A separate flow coupling is attachable to the collection module and flow control module to place the two modules in fluid communication. A pre-assembled pressure regulation module is coupled to the flow control module to regulate the pressure inside the collection module and flow control module. The assembly further includes a face plate, to which the collection module and flow control module are bonded such that the flow control module defines a first fluid flow pathway from the flow coupling to a suction port on the flow control module, for transmitting a suction flow from the collection chamber to the suction port.

Abstract: A mechanism for transporting a medical device, wherein the medical device may be quickly and/or conveniently disconnected from a patient or a member of a healthcare provider's medical staff transporting the medical device. Also, a method of transporting a medical device, wherein the method provides for the quick and/or convenient detachment of the medical device from a patient or medical staff member transporting the medical device.

Abstract: A floor stand for a relatively small medical device. The floor stand stabilizes and/or levels the medical device when the device is on the floor. When the device is being carried or moved, the floor stand is completely underneath the device, so as to minimize the possibility of the stand coming into contact with an exterior person or item. Also, a method of stabilizing and/or leveling a small medical device.

Abstract: An attachment system for a medical device, wherein the attachment system is compatible with a wide variety of structures, at least in the sense that it may be used to hang the medical device in a level position. Also, a method for attaching a medical device to a wide variety of structures that allows for the medical device to be hung in a level position. The attachment system and method are often used in conjunction with a chest drainage unit as the medical device.

Abstract: A pressure indicator for a chest drainage device includes an outer casing with a longitudinal axis and first and second end portions defining first and second openings. A flexible element is disposed inside the outer casing to define a collapsible pressure-holding inner space in fluid communication with the second opening. An indicator element is disposed inside the outer casing configured to translate along the longitudinal axis. The flexible element, indicator element and outer casing together define a variable interior space inside the outer casing in fluid communication with the first opening. A force resistance element is placed in the casing to resist the translation of the indicator element along at least one direction along the longitudinal axis when a pressure differential exists between the first and second openings.