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: 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 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: Delivery devices, as well as systems incorporating the same and methods of using the same are disclosed. A needle assembly includes a hub having first and second input ports and an auxiliary port, and an injection needle assembly. The injection needle assembly includes an elongate hollow stylet extending distally from the hub that includes an outer side wall defining an outer lumen fluidly coupled to the auxiliary port, a first inner side wall defining a middle lumen disposed within the outer lumen that is fluidly coupled to the first input port, a second inner side wall defining an inner lumen disposed within the middle lumen that is fluidly coupled to the second input port, and a mixing chamber fluidly coupled to the outer lumen, the middle lumen, and the inner lumen.

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 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: 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: 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 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 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.