Abstract: A stylet-guided balloon vertebroplasty system, as well as methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure.

Abstract: A curable material delivery cannula device and method are disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end and a deflectable distal segment, and a distal orifice(s) fluidly connected to the lumen. When distally extended from the guide cannula, the deflectable segment assumes a curved shape, which may be used to create a void in the bone for receiving curable material. During use, curable material, such as bone cement, is delivered from the distal orifice(s).

Abstract: A tissue ablation device is provided for use in soft tissue and/or in bone. It is configured to include an inner probe with a first electrode and a second electrode and an outer needle through which the inner probe extends. After the inner probe is directed therewithin to a target, the outer needle can be withdrawn to expose space between the first and second electrodes to form an RF or other energy field for tissue ablation therebetween upon actuation of an energy source. Such embodiments may include methods for tissue ablation and placement of stabilizing materials.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted handheld biopsy device includes a housing, a stylet slideable within a cannula, the stylet having a hollow tube portion and a tissue collection portion coupled together, an actuator slideable within the housing for driving at least one of the stylet and the cannula, a vacuum source in communication with the stylet, and an ambient air opening in selective communication with the vacuum source. The coupling of the hollow tube portion with the tissue collection portion provides a fluid flow path sufficient to provide a vacuum suction to the tissue collection portion. A stylet for a vacuum assisted handheld biopsy device includes a hollow tube portion and a tissue collection portion coupled together. The coupling of the hollow tube portion and the tissue collection portion provides a fluid flow path sufficient to provide a vacuum suction to the tissue collection portion.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing fractured bone structure having a fractured height includes expanding the bone structure to a restored height greater than the fractured height by transitioning an expandable member inserted into the bone structure from a contracted state to an expanded state. A curable material is delivered into a cavity formed in the bone structure and allowed to harden while the expandable member maintains the bone structure at the restored height. The expandable member is then removed from the bone structure.

Abstract: Detergent compositions including at least one AMPS copolymer, at least one maleic acid polymer, an alkaline agent and optional additives are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention are phosphorus free, and exhibit reduced scale accumulation for warewashing applications. Solid embodiments of the present invention may be disintegrant free.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions that employ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a scale inhibitor. According to the invention, scale inhibiting compositions are disclosed which include, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and a polymer such as polymaleic acid, polyacrylic acid or mixtures, copolymers or terpolymers of the same and optionally may also include a phosphonate. The scale control composition may be incorporated into a detergent/cleaning composition.

Abstract: Detergent compositions including at least one AMPS copolymer, at least one organophosphonate, an alkaline agent, free of acrylic homopolymer, and an optional complexing agent are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention reduce scale accumulation and provide stain removal capability for warewash applications.

Abstract: An expandable member bone augmentation system and single-access-point methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure. An expandable member such as, for example, a balloon can be used to create a plurality of voids by displacing bone material, where the voids can be filled with curable material to augment the bone.

Abstract: A fine needle aspiration device with a modified handle and cannula through which a vacuum is delivered to the targeted tissue for removal of liquid or cellular samples is provided, the vacuum being provided via a flexible tubing capable of fitting within a restricted space such as, for example, a CT gantry. A vacuum source may be provided to assist the fine needle aspiration procedure via flexible tubing, which allows the vacuum source to be located outside the CT gantry or on the patient.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a biopsy device with a modified handle and stylet that provides a vacuum to be delivered to the targeted tissue for removal. The vacuum may draw the tissue into the notch where the tissue may then be severed via the cannula. Alternatively, the tissue may be drawn into to the notch after being severed via the stylet and/or cannula. The vacuum may be used to bring a larger amount of tissue into the notch than would otherwise be brought in the notch if no vacuum was used, providing a larger sample through the same size access point.

Abstract: A curable material delivery cannula device and method are disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end, a deflectable segment forming a pre-set curve, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When inserted within a guide cannula, the deflectable segment straightens. When distally extended from the guide cannula, the deflectable segment reverts to the curved shape, which may be used to create a void in the bone for receiving curable material. The distal end has a blunt tip for non-traumatic interface with bodily material. During use, curable material, such as bone cement, is delivered from the side orifice(s) in a radial direction relative to the lumen.

Abstract: A medical drainage system may include a pair of inlet tubes separated by a pump bulb and a valve chamber, where the valve chamber is in fluid communication with a first inlet tube across a one way valve. A second one-way valve may be provided in the entrance to a drainage container at an inlet tube end opposite the pump bulb. The drainage container may be rigid or flexible and may be equipped with emptying means such as a drain valve, connector for suction source, or other emptying/draining means that can be used to partially or wholly void the container contents (e.g., for sampling, testing, or disposal).

Abstract: A catheter for use in treating pleura diseases, such as pleural effusions and pneumothorax, includes a tip portion that is configured to irritate the pleura when the catheter is inserted in the pleural cavity, thereby initiating mechanical pleurodesis. The tip portion has a substantially rough configuration and may include one or more protrusions that contact the pleura when the catheter is in use, thereby irritating the layers. This irritation causes the creation of fibrous adhesions between the parietal and visceral layers that close off the pleural cavity and prevent further fluid and/or air accumulations that occur as a result of pleural diseases.

Abstract: Detergent compositions including at least one AMPS copolymer, at least one organophosphonate, an alkaline agent and an optional complexing agent are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention reduce scale accumulation and provide stain removal capability for warewash applications.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of pleurodesis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute pleurodesis-enhancing material. The device includes one or more features configured to prevent or lessen the likelihood that the pleurodesis-enhancing material comes into direct and concentrated contact with patient tissue when a distal length of the device is disposed indwelling a patient.

Abstract: Detergent compositions including at least one AMPS copolymer, at least one maleic acid polymer, an alkaline agent and optional additives are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention are phosphorous free, and reduced scale accumulation for warewashing applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing material into an injection site of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a carrier. The cannula is inserted into an injection site of a patient. The carrier is connected to an injector containing a volume of material. Material may be pre-loaded into the carrier so that the material is delivered to a distal end of the carrier from the injector and the carrier is thus pre-loaded with material. A portion of the distal end of the pre-loaded carrier is inserted into the cannula and material is delivered to an injection site. The supply section can be rotatable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner section.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions that employ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a scale inhibitor. According to the invention, scale inhibiting compositions are disclosed which include, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and a polymer such as polymaleic acid, polyacrylic acid or mixtures, copolymers or terpolymers of the same and optionally may also include a phosphonate. The scale control composition may be incorporated into a detergent/cleaning composition.

Abstract: A biopsy device is disclosed that includes a housing maintaining a stylet and a cannula. A control device is operably coupled to operate the stylet and the cannula. A handle operates to modify the device from a loading configuration with an expanded profile to a delivery configuration with a reduced profile.