Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter for use within a vein of a patient includes a catheter body having a proximal end when positioned within and relative to the vein. The catheter body defines an arterial lumen and a venous lumen. The catheter body is shaped with a curved tip which has a distal end. The venous lumen is truncated at a location between the proximal end of the catheter body and the distal end of the curved tip. The truncated location of the venous lumen defines an out-flow opening. The distal end of the curved tip defines an in-flow opening which corresponds to the arterial lumen. The vein has a blood flow direction and the in-flow opening faces the blood flow direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed positioning systems can include a catheter assembly having a catheter with an external surface and an outer diameter, and a movable cuff assembly engaged around the circumference of the catheter. An exemplary movable cuff assembly includes a sleeve, a tissue ingrowth cuff affixed to the sleeve, and a clamp affixed to the sleeve, where when the first clamp is engaged, the movable cuff assembly is substantially fixed in position on the external surface of the catheter and wherein when the first clamp is disengaged, the movable cuff assembly is slidably movable over the external surface of the catheter.

Abstract: There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, an inner tubular member having a semi-cylindrical distal end is within and slidable with respect to an outer tubular member. A semi-cylindrical channel is in the distal end, as well as a planar end surface. The channel has a set of one or more protrusions or texture, and a complementary set of protrusions or texture are placed on the inside of the outer member so that the sets of protrusions or texture face each other when the distal ends of the members are adjacent each other. Methods for using these embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed positioning systems can include a catheter assembly having a catheter with an external surface and an outer diameter, and a movable cuff assembly engaged around the circumference of the catheter. An exemplary movable cuff assembly includes a sleeve, a tissue ingrowth cuff affixed to the sleeve, and a clamp affixed to the sleeve, where when the first clamp is engaged, the movable cuff assembly is substantially fixed in position on the external surface of the catheter and wherein when the first clamp is disengaged, the movable cuff assembly is slidably movable over the external surface of the catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catheter assembly that includes a catheter, a sheath on the catheter, a sleeve on the sheath and a tissue ingrowth cuff affixed to the sleeve. The sleeve and sheath are movable along the length of the catheter with the sheath being removable from between the sleeve and the catheter. When the sheath is removed, the sleeve becomes substantially fixed in position on the catheter. The sheath may have a comparatively low coefficient of friction against the catheter while the sleeve may have a comparatively high coefficient of friction against the catheter.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter for use within a vein of a patient includes a catheter body having a proximal end when positioned within and relative to the vein. The catheter body defines an arterial lumen and a venous lumen. The catheter body is shaped with a curved tip which has a distal end. The venous lumen is truncated at a location between the proximal end of the catheter body and the distal end of the curved tip. The truncated location of the venous lumen defines an out-flow opening. The distal end of the curved tip defines an in-flow opening which corresponds to the arterial lumen. The vein has a blood flow direction and the in-flow opening faces the blood flow direction.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for mixing and dispensing a composition, such as a vertebroplasty composition, is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for mixing and dispensing a composition, such as a vertebroplasty composition, is disclosed.