Abstract: For treating a treatment area in the vasculature, this disclosure relates to a first, pre-dilation catheter having a first shaft including a first distal portion adapted for positioning at the treatment area and a first proximal portion including a first marking at a first location. A second, dilation catheter includes a second shaft including a second distal portion adapted for positioning at the treatment area and a second proximal portion including a second marking at a second location substantially matching a first location of the first marking. Related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use in connection with an implement for being inserted into a vascular space. The apparatus includes a body having a passage adapted for receiving the implement. A counter is provided for counting the amount the implement moves through the passage of the body. A kit may include a first counter adapted for use with a first device having a first diameter for being inserted into the vasculature, and a second counter adapted for use with a second device having a second diameter for being inserted into the vasculature. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use in connection with an implement for being inserted into a vascular space. The apparatus includes a body having a passage adapted for receiving the implement. A counter is provided for counting the amount the implement moves through the passage of the body. A kit may include a first counter adapted for use with a first device having a first diameter for being inserted into the vasculature, and a second counter adapted for use with a second device having a second diameter for being inserted into the vasculature. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A catheter structure, such as a balloon catheter (30), guidewire, or the like, with markings (32) perceptible outside of the vasculature is for use in determining at a location external to the body the position of the catheter structure relative to a treatment area. Related kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for insertion in a vessel includes a catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon attached to the catheter shaft. Markings along a longitudinal axis of the catheter are provided in an interior of the balloon, such as for measuring a distance within the vessel. A first distance separating a first marking from a second adjacent marking may be different from a second distance separating the second marking from the third adjacent marking. The markings may also be used for ensuring the proper position of the balloon and, in particular, the working surface thereof, relative to the treatment area.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for insertion in a vessel includes a catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon attached to the catheter shaft. Markings along a longitudinal axis of the catheter are provided in an interior of the balloon, such as for measuring a distance within the vessel. A first distance separating a first marking from a second adjacent marking may be different from a second distance separating the second marking from the third adjacent marking. The markings may also be used for ensuring the proper position of the balloon and, in particular, the working surface thereof, relative to the treatment area.

Abstract: A catheter connector assembly which may be included with a corporeal drainage system, and a method of draining fluid from a bodily cavity. The catheter connector assembly may include a catheter connector and a drainage line connector. The catheter connector may include a connector body with a coupling feature, a deformable sealing element, and a retaining member. The drainage line connector may include a drainage line body first and second hinge clips, and an actuator. The actuator is designed to deform the deformable sealing element when the drainage line connector is coupled to the catheter connector.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient using a power-injectable access port, including implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, imaging the power-injectable access port following implanting, and power injecting a fluid into the patient through the power-injectable access port. The power-injectable access port includes a septum covering a reservoir, the septum including a radiopaque material forming at least one letter, the at least one letter indicating that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port is designed to accommodate a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. Imaging the power-injectable access port produces an image, and the method includes identifying the at least one letter on the image to confirm that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injecting a fluid.

Abstract: A method of using a power-injectable port includes obtaining the power-injectable access port, attaching a catheter to an outlet stem of the power-injectable access port, and implanting the power-injectable access port and the catheter into a patient. The method further includes identifying the power-injectable access port following the implanting, and in accordance with the identification, inserting a distal end of a needle through the septum and into the reservoir, and injecting contrast media through the needle at a rate of at least one milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port includes a housing, a septum, a reservoir, and an outlet stem in fluid communication with the reservoir. The power-injectable access port is rated for injection of contrast media at a flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port is structured for operation at a pressure in the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

Abstract: A system by which resource information relating to an insertable medical device, such as an intravascular catheter, can be identified by its source so as to be accessed by a practitioner, caregiver, or patient, is disclosed. A resource information key is included at a predetermined key location on or proximate to the medical device, the resource information key indicating the source of the resource information. The resource information key may be positioned on an insertable medical device for establishing intravascular access to a patient, such as a peripherally inserted central catheter (“PICC”) having an internal portion configured for intravascular insertion into the patient, and an external portion. The external portion of the PICC may include the resource information key positioned at a predetermined key location. The resource information key may provide a website where a user can acquire the resource information relating to the medical device.

Abstract: A method of performing a power injection procedure, including taking an x-ray of a subcutaneously implanted access port in a patient to determine whether the access port includes a radiographic feature indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second through the access port. The access port defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each fluid reservoir accessible through a cannula-penetrable septum. The method further includes identifying the indicating radiographic feature on the x-ray, and in accordance with the presence of the indicating feature on the x-ray, flowing a fluid through the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use in connection with an implement for being inserted into a vascular space. The apparatus includes a body having a passage adapted for receiving the implement. A counter is provided for counting the amount the implement moves through the passage of the body. A kit may include a first counter adapted for use with a first device having a first diameter for being inserted into the vasculature, and a second counter adapted for use with a second device having a second diameter for being inserted into the vasculature. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of using a power-injectable port includes obtaining the power-injectable access port, attaching a catheter to an outlet stem of the power-injectable access port, and implanting the power-injectable access port and the catheter into a patient. The method further includes identifying the power-injectable access port following the implanting, inserting a distal end of a needle through the septum and into the reservoir, and injecting contrast media through the needle at a rate of at least one milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port includes a housing, a septum, a reservoir, and an outlet stem in fluid communication with the reservoir. The power-injectable access port is rated for injection of contrast media at a flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port is structured for operation at a pressure in the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

Abstract: A method of performing a power injection procedure, including taking an x-ray of a subcutaneously implanted access port in a patient to determine whether the access port includes a radiographic feature indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second through the access port. The access port defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each fluid reservoir accessible through a cannula-penetrable septum. The method further includes identifying the indicating radiographic feature on the x-ray, and in accordance with the presence of the indicating feature on the x-ray, flowing a fluid through the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use in connection with an implement for being inserted into a vascular space. The apparatus includes a body having a passage adapted for receiving the implement. A counter is provided for counting the amount the implement moves through the passage of the body. A kit may include a first counter adapted for use with a first device having a first diameter for being inserted into the vasculature, and a second counter adapted for use with a second device having a second diameter for being inserted into the vasculature. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system by which resource information relating to an insertable medical device, such as an intravascular catheter, can be identified by its source so as to be accessed by a practitioner, caregiver, or patient, is disclosed. A resource information key is included at a predetermined key location on or proximate to the medical device, the resource information key indicating the source of the resource information. The resource information key may be positioned on an insertable medical device for establishing intravascular access to a patient, such as a peripherally inserted central catheter (“PICC”) having an internal portion configured for intravascular insertion into the patient, and an external portion. The external portion of the PICC may include the resource information key positioned at a predetermined key location. The resource information key may provide a website where a user can acquire the resource information relating to the medical device.

Abstract: A catheter connector assembly which may be included with a corporeal drainage system, and a method of draining fluid from a bodily cavity. The catheter connector assembly may include a catheter connector and a drainage line connector. The catheter connector may include a connector body with a coupling feature, a deformable sealing element, and a retaining member. The drainage line connector may include a drainage line body first and second hinge clips, and an actuator. The actuator is designed to deform the deformable sealing element when the drainage line connector is coupled to the catheter connector.

Abstract: For treating a treatment area in the vasculature, this disclosure relates to a first, pre-dilation catheter having a first shaft including a first distal portion adapted for positioning at the treatment area and a first proximal portion including a first marking at a first location. A second, dilation catheter includes a second shaft including a second distal portion adapted for positioning at the treatment area and a second proximal portion including a second marking at a second location substantially matching a first location of the first marking. Related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use in connection with an implement for being inserted into a vascular space. The apparatus includes a body having a passage adapted for receiving the implement. A counter is provided for counting the amount the implement moves through the passage of the body. A kit may include a first counter adapted for use with a first device having a first diameter for being inserted into the vasculature, and a second counter adapted for use with a second device having a second diameter for being inserted into the vasculature. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: For treating a treatment area in the vasculature, this disclosure relates to a first, pre-dilatation catheter having a first shaft including a first distal portion adapted for positioning at the treatment area and a first proximal portion including a first marking at a first location. A second, dilatation catheter includes a second shaft including a second distal portion adapted for positioning at the treatment area and a second proximal portion including a second marking at a second location substantially matching a first location of the first marking. Related methods are disclosed.