Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, such as a chest tube, is disclosed in various embodiments. In embodiments, the device features a clearance member that is formed to match a cross-section of a medical tube. Still further, the clearance member can have a plurality of branches, each branch configured to clear a respective lumen in a partitioned region of a medical tube. In this manner, the clearance member may clear obstructions from individual lumens of the partitioned region of the medical tube. Device for actuating a clearance member to clear obstructions within a medical tube are also disclosed. Methods of clearing a medical tube of obstructions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, such as a chest tube, is disclosed in various embodiments. In embodiments, the device features a clearance member that is formed to match a cross-section of a medical tube. Still further, the clearance member can have a plurality of branches, each branch configured to clear a respective lumen in a partitioned region of a medical tube. In this manner, the clearance member may clear obstructions from individual lumens of the partitioned region of the medical tube. Device for actuating a clearance member to clear obstructions within a medical tube are also disclosed. Methods of clearing a medical tube of obstructions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes a housing defining an interior, an exterior, and a port providing fluid communication therebetween. The device further includes an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the housing, and first and second rollers defining a nip therebetween that are located within the housing. A guide wire extends through the nip and is drivable for advancement and retraction thereof through the port via rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes a housing defining an interior, an exterior, and a port providing fluid communication therebetween. The device further includes an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the housing, and first and second rollers defining a nip therebetween that are located within the housing. A guide wire extends through the nip and is drivable for advancement and retraction thereof through the port via rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes a housing defining an interior, an exterior, and a port providing fluid communication therebetween. The device further includes an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the housing, and first and second rollers defining a nip therebetween that are located within the housing. A guide wire extends through the nip and is drivable for advancement and retraction thereof through the port via rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes an enclosure having an interior and an exterior, the enclosure comprising a distal opening for providing access to the interior of the enclosure. The device further includes a spool provided within the enclosure that is rotatable about an axis and an elongated guide member coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the guide member to wind or unwind about the spool. The device further includes a drive mechanism that is operable to rotate the spool within the enclosure without compromising a sterile field within the enclosure.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes an enclosure having an interior and an exterior, the enclosure comprising a distal opening for providing access to the interior of the enclosure. The device further includes a spool provided within the enclosure that is rotatable about an axis and an elongated guide member coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the guide member to wind or unwind about the spool. The device further includes a drive mechanism that is operable to rotate the spool within the enclosure without compromising a sterile field within the enclosure.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter comprising a longitudinally extending elongated body portion, with at least two septa extending longitudinally through the entire body portion, and defining a central lumen and two side lumens. The central lumen is oblong shape in cross section and positioned between the side lumens. The septa forming the central lumen are configured to flex outwards when the central lumen is under pressure, whereby a cross sectional area of the central lumen resultantly increases to increase flow capacity through the central lumen. In some embodiments, the central lumen has a defining inner surface such that a radius of curvature of the central lumen inner surface is, in all locations, equal to or greater than a radius of curvature of an outer surface of a guide wire used for insertion of the multi-lumen catheter. The septa are each configured to fail under pressure before failure of the outer wall.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, such as a chest tube, is disclosed in various embodiments. In embodiments, the device features a clearance member that is formed to match a cross-section of a medical tube. Still further, the clearance member can have a plurality of branches, each branch configured to clear a respective lumen in a partitioned region of a medical tube. In this manner, the clearance member may clear obstructions from individual lumens of the partitioned region of the medical tube. Device for actuating a clearance member to clear obstructions within a medical tube are also disclosed. Methods of clearing a medical tube of obstructions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes an enclosure having an interior and an exterior, the enclosure comprising a distal opening for providing access to the interior of the enclosure. The device further includes a spool provided within the enclosure that is rotatable about an axis and an elongated guide member coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the guide member to wind or unwind about the spool. The device further includes a drive mechanism that is operable to rotate the spool within the enclosure without compromising a sterile field within the enclosure.

Abstract: A multiple lumen catheter (110,150) having at least first and second lumens (112,114; 152,154). At least one of the first and second lumens (112,152) is generally C-shaped in cross-section, with a septum wall (120,160) dividing the first and second lumens providing a generally straight side to the C-shaped cross-section. A stylet or guide wire (130) may be disposed along the C-shaped cross-section lumen (112,152,154) having a larger diameter than one used with catheters of the same outer diameter but that have lumens of only D-shaped or circular shaped cross-sections.

Abstract: This invention provides a guidewire adapted for the catheterization of very small vasculature of the neonates, infants and children. In one embodiment of the invention, a guidewire of 0.010 inch diameter is described. The present invention also provides an alignment adaptor that facilitates catheterization of small vasculature utilizing said guidewire, and method of using the same.

Abstract: A clamp guard for securing to flexible tubing such as catheters and their extension tubes and about a clamp therealong for housing the clamp at least when the clamp is in a tubing-clamping state, to prevent inadvertent contact of the clamp by a foreign body and undesirable unclamping of the clamp. The clamp guard is removable from around the clamp when desired.

Abstract: Catheter assembly (100) having at least one lumen (150 or 160) and joined to hub (106). While the lumen inner diameter(s) remain constant from distal end (144) of the catheter (140) to proximal end (142), the outer catheter diameter increases proximate the hub (106) providing increased resistance to kinking during connection and disconnection from medical apparatus. The increased proximal catheter diameter preferably is sufficiently large to plug the proximal end of an introducer sheath through which the catheter is inserted during patient placement, to plug the proximal sheath end and minimize blood aspiration therethrough, and later serves to fill the vascular insertion upon complete catheter insertion after removal of the introducer sheath again to minimize blood aspiration through the vascular incision. The catheter may have two lumens (150,160) or more, joined to respective extension tubes in hub (106). The two lumens may each have a respective inner diameter of between about 0.020 in and 0.025 in.

Abstract: A clamp guard for securing to flexible tubing such as catheters and their extension tubes and about a clamp therealong for housing the clamp at least when the clamp is in a tubing-clamping state, to prevent inadvertent contact of the clamp by a foreign body and undesirable unclamping of the clamp. The clamp guard is removable from around the clamp when desired.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a delivery device and method for deploying an optical analyte sensor. The delivery device comprises hollow tubes configured to operate telescopically. The optical sensor is configured to retract and extend from a distal end of the delivery device, by sliding the telescoping tubes with respect to one another. The delivery device may also have a locking mechanism such that the distal end portion of the sensor will extend to a preset locked position beyond the delivery device, e.g., during calibration and deployment. The device is capable of being used to ship, calibrate, and deploy the sensor while maintaining sterility and avoiding exposure to the external environment.