Abstract: A method for use in a lung access procedure to aid in preventing pneumothorax includes providing a cannula having a pair of balloons, the pair of balloons including a first balloon longitudinally spaced from a second balloon along the cannula; inserting the cannula along an access opening and through pleural layers of a patient, with the first balloon and the second balloon of the pair of balloons respectively positioned on opposite sides of the pleural layers; inflating the pair of balloons with a first amount of a two-component sealant to compress the pleural layers together; and inflating the pair of balloons with a second amount of the two-component sealant that is sufficient to rupture the pair of balloons so as to comingle a first sealant component and a second sealant component of the two-component sealant at the site of the pleural layers so as to adhere the pleural layers together.

Abstract: Techniques for creating and managing wagers on possible states within a live event, such as possible outcomes of subparts of a sporting event or other possible occurrences within the event. An initial state and multiple possible future states of a performance parameter of the event are determined based on state information of the event. A betting market may be created by determining probabilities and odds for the possible future states. Bets may be made on the possible future states via a touch-sensitive display. A payout may be made to a winner who selects a possible future state that actually occurs.

Abstract: Techniques for creating and managing wagers on possible states within a live event, such as possible outcomes of subparts of a sporting event or other possible occurrences within the event. An initial state and multiple possible future states of a performance parameter of the event are determined based on state information of the event. A betting market may be created by determining probabilities and odds for the possible future states. Bets may be made on the possible future states via a touch-sensitive display. A payout may be made to a winner who selects a possible future state that actually occurs.

Abstract: An implant device to facilitate access across pleura layers includes a tube having a side wall, a lumen, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a central portion interposed between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The tube has a longitudinal extent, wherein each of the proximal end portion and the distal end portion extends outwardly from the central portion, and wherein the side wall has a longitudinal split to define a first lateral edge surface and a second lateral edge surface. Each of the first lateral edge surface and the second lateral edge surface longitudinally extends through each of the proximal end portion, the central portion, and the distal end portion.

Abstract: A sealant injection needle assembly includes a cannula assembly and a stylet assembly. The cannula assembly has a cannula hub and a cannula having a first longitudinal sealant passage and a second longitudinal sealant passage. The first longitudinal sealant passage has a first proximal sealant port and a first distal sealant port. The second longitudinal sealant passage has a second proximal sealant port and a second distal sealant port. The stylet assembly has a stylet advance hub and a stylet configured for longitudinal movement in a lumen of the cannula. The stylet has a first stage position and a second stage position. The stylet has a first exterior circumvolving channel longitudinally spaced apart from the second exterior circumvolving channel that are separately selectively and sequentially positionable in fluid communication with both of the first distal sealant port and the second distal sealant port of the cannula.

Abstract: Sealant delivery systems, sealant applicators, and injection needle assemblies are disclosed. A sealant delivery system includes a sealant applicator that has two chambers separate from one another. Each chamber includes an output port on a distal end thereof. The sealant applicator also has a quarter turn connector disposed on a distal end of the sealant applicator adjacent to the output port of each chamber. The quarter turn connector is shaped to releasably interlock with a corresponding quarter turn connector of an injection needle assembly having input ports or a corresponding quarter turn connector of a dual chamber mixing syringe having mixing ports. When the injection needle assembly or the dual chamber mixing syringe is coupled to the sealant applicator via the quarter turn connector, the input ports or the mixing ports are aligned and sealed with the output port of each chamber of the sealant applicator.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical pleura sealing device includes an electrosurgical probe assembly having a coaxial arrangement that includes an inner stylet, a first intermediate cannula, a second intermediate cannula, and an outer cannula, having appropriate insulation. A first mesh electrode connects to and extends between a distal end portion of the inner stylet and a distal end of the first intermediate cannula, and is movable between a first extended position and a first retracted position by an axial movement of the inner stylet and/or the first intermediate cannula. A second mesh electrode connects to and extends between a distal end of the second intermediate cannula and a distal end of the outer cannula, and is movable between a second extended position and a second retracted position by an axial movement of the second intermediate cannula and/or the outer cannula.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to hydrogel tissue sealants are generally described. In certain embodiments, a hydrogel forming composition is provided in dry form (e.g., as one or more powder mixtures) and comprises at least an electrophilic polymer crosslinking agent and a nucleophilic polymer such as a protein that is capable of crosslinking with the crosslinking agent. One or more solvents able to dissolve the crosslinking agent and the protein can be provided and used to dissolve the hydrogel forming composition to facilitate crosslinking.

Abstract: An introducer cannula for use in crossing pleural layers includes an elongate tubular member and a pleural access liner. The elongate tubular member has a proximal end, a distal end, and a side wall that longitudinally extends between the proximal end and the distal end. The side wall has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines a lumen. The pleural access liner is made of a swellable and bioabsorbable material that swells when hydrated. The pleural access liner has a shape of an elongate tube and the pleural access liner has an elongate opening that surrounds an outer surface portion of the outer surface of the elongate tubular member.

Abstract: A system for use in sealing a portion of pleural layers together includes an electrical energy source, and an electrocautery probe electrically coupled to the electrical energy source. The electrocautery probe has a cannula shaft portion, a distal penetrating tip, and an intermediate portion interposed between the cannula shaft portion and distal penetrating tip. The electrocautery probe is configured to generate heat. A protein source is coupled to the intermediate portion of the electrocautery probe, wherein the protein source has a protein that is denatured by heat.

Abstract: An implant for use in a lung access procedure to aid in preventing pneumothorax includes a tubular body that has a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end portion that terminates at a distal end. The tubular body has a longitudinal axis and has a side wall that radially surrounds the lumen. The side wall has an exterior surface. An anchor member is connected to the tubular body, wherein the anchor member is movable relative to the tubular body from a collapsed state to a deployed state. At least one suture is connected to the tubular body, wherein the at least one suture extends in a proximal direction from the proximal end of the tubular body.

Abstract: A sealant delivery apparatus for use in a lung access procedure to aid in preventing pneumothorax includes a sealant applicator device and an injection needle assembly. The injection needle assembly has a hub and an elongate hollow stylet. The hub is configured for removable connection to the sealant applicator device. The elongate hollow stylet is configured to facilitate fluid communication with at least one output port of the sealant applicator device to receive a multi-component sealant. The elongate hollow stylet has a proximal portion, a distal portion having a closed distal end, and a plurality of side ports proximal to the closed distal end. The plurality of side ports radially extend from a lumen and through a side wall of the elongate hollow stylet in the distal portion. The plurality of side ports are in fluid communication with the at least one output port of the sealant applicator device.

Abstract: A method for use in a lung access procedure to aid in preventing pneumothorax includes providing a cannula having a pair of balloons, the pair of balloons including a first balloon longitudinally spaced from a second balloon along the cannula; inserting the cannula along an access opening and through pleural layers of a patient, with the first balloon and the second balloon of the pair of balloons respectively positioned on opposite sides of the pleural layers; inflating the pair of balloons with a first amount of a two-component sealant to compress the pleural layers together; and inflating the pair of balloons with a second amount of the two-component sealant that is sufficient to rupture the pair of balloons so as to comingle a first sealant component and a second sealant component of the two-component sealant at the site of the pleural layers so as to adhere the pleural layers together.

Abstract: A method for use in a lung access procedure to aid in preventing pneumothorax includes providing a cannula having a pair of balloons, the pair of balloons including a first balloon longitudinally spaced from a second balloon along the cannula; inserting the cannula along an access opening and through pleural layers, with the first balloon and the second balloon of the pair of balloons respectively positioned on opposite sides of the pleural layers; inflating the pair of balloons with a first amount of a two-component sealant to compress the pleural layers together; and inflating the pair of balloons with a second amount of the two-component sealant that is sufficient to rupture the pair of balloons so as to comingle a first sealant component and a second sealant component of the two-component sealant at the site of the pleural layers so as to adhere the pleural layers together.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical pleura sealing device includes an electrosurgical probe assembly having a coaxial arrangement that includes an inner stylet, a first intermediate cannula, a second intermediate cannula, and an outer cannula, having appropriate insulation. A first mesh electrode connects to and extends between a distal end portion of the inner stylet and a distal end of the first intermediate cannula, and is movable between a first extended position and a first retracted position by an axial movement of the inner stylet and/or the first intermediate cannula. A second mesh electrode connects to and extends between a distal end of the second intermediate cannula and a distal end of the outer cannula, and is movable between a second extended position and a second retracted position by an axial movement of the second intermediate cannula and/or the outer cannula.

Abstract: A method for use in a lung access procedure to aid in preventing pneumothorax includes providing a cannula having a pair of balloons, the pair of balloons including a first balloon longitudinally spaced from a second balloon along the cannula; inserting the cannula along an access opening and through pleural layers, with the first balloon and the second balloon of the pair of balloons respectively positioned on opposite sides of the pleural layers; inflating the pair of balloons with a first amount of a two-component sealant to compress the pleural layers together; and inflating the pair of balloons with a second amount of the two-component sealant that is sufficient to rupture the pair of balloons so as to comingle a first sealant component and a second sealant component of the two-component sealant at the site of the pleural layers so as to adhere the pleural layers together.