Abstract: A safety catheter for draining a given fluid includes a hollow stretch valve and a flexible, multi-lumen, balloon drainage catheter having a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining a balloon interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, a drain lumen. and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the drain lumen. The hollow stretch valve is shaped to permit the given fluid to pass therethrough and is positioned in the drain lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port, and, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the distal sliding portion slides within the drain lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the drain lumen.

Abstract: A safety catheter for draining a given fluid includes a hollow stretch valve and a flexible, multi-lumen, balloon drainage catheter having a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining a balloon interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, a drain lumen. and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the drain lumen. The hollow stretch valve is shaped to permit the given fluid to pass therethrough and is positioned in the drain lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port, and, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the distal sliding portion slides within the drain lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the drain lumen.

Abstract: A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the drainage lumen and has a radially self-expandable proximal section fixedly connected within the drain lumen by self-expansion, a flexible intermediate section longitudinally movable within the drain lumen, and a distal plug movably positioned in the drain lumen to prevent fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state and being slidably disposed within the drain lumen such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the distal plug slides within the drain lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port.

Abstract: A cryoprotective device includes a hollow cryoprotective probe having a distal tip, a removable obturator, and at least one integral temperature sensor monitoring temperature at least adjacent the distal tip. An injector is able to inject a cyroprotective substance (CPS) through the cryoprotective probe and out the distal tip when the obturator is removed. The CPS is of a material that prevents freezing of a substance at which it is injected when adjacent cryotherapy occurs. A processor monitors temperature of the at least one the temperature sensor and can indicate if a preset limit is exceeded.

Abstract: To perform pelvic surgery, a directionally illuminating balloon catheter enters a bladder. The catheter has a multi-lumen shaft. The balloon defines an interior fluidically connected to a balloon inflation lumen and is inflated therethrough. The balloon comprises a light source, a light-radiating surface adjacent the shaft-balloon junction, and a substantially opaque surface disposed at a portion of the balloon other than the light-radiating surface such that the integrated light source illuminates a distal half of the environment outside the balloon. The balloon is inflated while in the bladder. Light from the light source is directed out through the light-radiating surface to illuminate at least a portion of a procedure area opposite the bladder-prostate junction. With the light illuminating the portion of the procedure area, at least a portion of a pelvic surgery is performed at the portion of the procedure area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having a drain lumen draining fluid adjacent a distal tip of the shaft out a proximal drain end of the shaft and an inflation lumen. A hollow balloon portion has an inflation port fluidically connecting the inflation lumen to the balloon interior to inflate the balloon outwardly larger than a diameter of the shaft. The drain lumen is fluidically connected to the balloon interior by a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve in the drain lumen prevents fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state and permits fluid to pass therethrough in a stretched state when the shaft is stretched. Distal of a proximal end of the stretch valve, the shaft has a stretching extent that is relatively more stretchable than at least a portion of the shaft that is proximal of the stretching extent.

Abstract: A safety balloon catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen balloon catheter having a hollow stretch valve. The catheter has a balloon, a hollow inflation lumen extending to the balloon interior and conveying inflation fluid to and from the balloon interior, a hollow second lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the second lumen. The valve has distal and proximal portions, is shaped to permit a fluid to pass therethrough, and is positioned in the second lumen such that, in a steady state, the valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port, and, in a catheter-stretched state, the distal portion slides within the second lumen permitting inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen and the second lumen wall at the proximal portion holds the proximal portion steady within the second lumen as the distal portion slides therein.

Abstract: A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the drainage lumen, has a fixed portion within the drainage lumen just proximal of an increased stretching portion, and prevents fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state. The stretch valve has a sliding portion slidably disposed within the drainage lumen such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the sliding portion slides within the drainage lumen to permit fluid to pass through the balloon drainage port and/or inner wall of the catheter.

Abstract: A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the drainage lumen, has a fixed portion within the drainage lumen just proximal of an increased stretching portion, and prevents fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state. The stretch valve has a sliding portion slidably disposed within the drainage lumen such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the sliding portion slides within the drainage lumen to permit fluid to pass through the balloon drainage port and/or inner wall of the catheter.

Abstract: A safety balloon catheter includes a stretch valve and a balloon catheter having a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining an interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, an inflation lumen extending through the shaft to the interior and shaped to convey inflation fluid thereto and from, a second lumen parallel to the inflation lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the second lumen. The hollow stretch valve is shaped to permit a fluid to pass therethrough and is positioned in the second lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, in an over-inflated state, the distal sliding portion slides within the second lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen.

Abstract: A safety catheter includes a shaft. The shaft has a proximal shaft portion having a proximal end, a distal tip portion defining a junction with the proximal shaft portion, a fluid drain lumen, and a balloon inflation lumen. The fluid drain lumen defines a distal fluid drain opening at the distal tip portion distal of the junction and a proximal fluid drain opening adjacent the proximal end and fluidically connected to the distal fluid drain opening. A hollow zero-pressure balloon is disposed at the junction and has an interior fluidly connected to the balloon inflation lumen, a distal leg fixedly secured to the distal tip portion, and a proximal leg temporarily secured to the proximal shaft portion.

Abstract: A safety balloon catheter includes a catheter having a stretch valve, a connector, a balloon inflated with an inflation fluid, a hollow inflation lumen extending through the catheter to the balloon and conveying inflation fluid thereto and therefrom, a hollow second lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon to the second lumen. The stretch valve has a hollow base fixed in the second lumen at a proximal catheter end and shaped to permit a fluid therethrough and a hollow plug slidably positioned in the second lumen at a given distance from the base to, in a steady state, prevent inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, when actuated, slide within the second lumen to permit inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen. The connector connects the base and the plug and has a length greater than the given distance.

Abstract: A safety balloon catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen balloon catheter and a hollow barbell-shaped stretch valve. The balloon catheter has a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining a balloon interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, a hollow inflation lumen extending through the catheter to the balloon interior and shaped to convey the inflation fluid to and from the balloon interior, and a hollow second lumen parallel to the inflation lumen; and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the second lumen. The stretch valve is shaped to permit a fluid to pass therethrough and positioned in the second lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, a distal barbell end of the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, in an actuated state, the distal barbell end slides within the second lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen.

Abstract: A safety catheter for draining a given fluid includes a hollow stretch valve and a flexible, multi-lumen, balloon drainage catheter having a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining a balloon interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, a drain lumen. and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the drain lumen. The hollow stretch valve is shaped to permit the given fluid to pass therethrough and is positioned in the drain lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port, and, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the distal sliding portion slides within the drain lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the drain lumen.

Abstract: A safety balloon catheter includes a stretch valve and a balloon catheter having a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining an interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, an inflation lumen extending through the shaft to the interior and shaped to convey inflation fluid thereto and from, a second lumen parallel to the inflation lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the second lumen. The hollow stretch valve is shaped to permit a fluid to pass therethrough and is positioned in the second lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, in an over-inflated state, the distal sliding portion slides within the second lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen.

Abstract: A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the inflation or drainage lumen, or both, has a fixed portion within the inflation or drainage lumen, or both, and prevents fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state and has a sliding portion slidably disposed within the inflation or drainage lumen, or both, such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the sliding portion slides within the inflation or drainage lumen, or both to permit fluid to pass through the balloon drainage port and/or wall of the catheter.

Abstract: A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the drainage lumen and has a radially self-expandable proximal section fixedly connected within the drain lumen by self-expansion, a flexible intermediate section longitudinally movable within the drain lumen, and a distal plug movably positioned in the drain lumen to prevent fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state and being slidably disposed within the drain lumen such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the distal plug slides within the drain lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port.

Abstract: A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the drainage lumen, has a fixed portion within the drainage lumen just proximal of an increased stretching portion, and prevents fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state. The stretch valve has a sliding portion slidably disposed within the drainage lumen such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the sliding portion slides within the drainage lumen to permit fluid to pass through the balloon drainage port and/or inner wall of the catheter.

Abstract: A directionally limited illuminating balloon catheter includes a multi-lumen shaft having a distal end and a hollow balloon portion disposed at the distal end and inflated through the shaft, the balloon portion having a light source illuminating only a portion of the environment outside the balloon portion. The balloon portion can be have a directionally limited light source directing substantially all illumination towards the shaft. Also provided is a directionally illuminating balloon catheter kit including a set of illuminating catheters each having the light source with different sized illuminating areas to illuminate a different sized partial portion of the environment outside the balloon portion.

Abstract: A pressure-limiting or breakaway catheter includes a multi-lumen shaft having a distal end and a hollow balloon portion disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The balloon portion has a distal end and an interior. The shaft and/or the balloon portion has a balloon safety valve formed to open to the environment outside the shaft and/or the balloon portion when greater than a given bursting pressure exists within the shaft and/or the interior of the balloon portion. The safety valve can be formed to burst at a first breaking force less than a second breaking force required to burst the balloon portion and/or the shaft. Also provided is a breakaway catheter kit including a set of the breakaway catheters, each having the balloon safety valve with different safety valve breaking constants.