Abstract: An indwelling stent is provided. The stent includes a distal member that extends between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and defines a lumen therethrough, and a proximal member that extends between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and defines a lumen therethrough, wherein the distal member and the proximal member collectively define the stent, and wherein the distal and proximal members are discrete components and are telescopingly arranged with the distal end portion of the proximal member extending over an outer surface of the distal member.

Abstract: A method of sealing a trachea is provided that includes inserting a tracheal tube having an inflatable cuff made of a compliant material into a trachea. The method includes inflating the inflatable cuff with a fluid to a first pressure that exceeds a second pressure necessary to create a seal between the inflatable cuff and the tracheal wall. The method includes deflating the inflatable cuff by releasing a first pressure to allow the fluid to flow out of the inflatable cuff without applying vacuum pressure to the fluid while evaluating a rate of change of pressure of the fluid in the inflatable cuff. The method includes identifying a variance in the rate of change of pressure corresponding to a third pressure at which the inflatable cuff separates from the tracheal wall, determining the second pressure by analyzing the third pressure, and reinflating the inflatable cuff to the second pressure.

Abstract: An indwelling stent is provided. The stent includes a distal member that extends between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and defines a lumen therethrough, and a proximal member that extends between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and defines a lumen therethrough, wherein the distal member and the proximal member collectively define the stent, and wherein the distal and proximal members are discrete components and are telescopingly arranged with the distal end portion of the proximal member extending over an outer surface of the distal member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an endotracheal tube and to a method of using such a device. One embodiment of the device includes an inflatable balloon having at least a portion of its surface covered with a super-hydrophobic coating. In another embodiment, the inflatable balloon has a variable wall thickness which can allow for expansion of the balloon against the oropharynx to prevent tissue pressure necrosis within the trachea.

Abstract: An indwelling stent is provided. The stent includes a distal member that extends between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and defines a lumen therethrough, and a proximal member that extends between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and defines a lumen therethrough, wherein the distal member and the proximal member collectively define the stent, and wherein the distal and proximal members are discrete components and are telescopingly arranged with the distal end portion of the proximal member extending over an outer surface of the distal member.

Abstract: An endoluminal medical device includes a cannula, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end; an abrasion member having a series of struts interconnected by a series of bent segments forming a plurality of prongs attached to the cannula, the abrasion member having a first section and a second section; where the prongs of the first section of the abrasion member extend radially outward from the cannula.

Abstract: An endoluminal medical device includes a cannula, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end; an abrasion member having a series of struts interconnected by a series of bent segments forming a plurality of prongs attached to the cannula, the abrasion member having a first section and a second section; where the prongs of the first section of the abrasion member extend radially outward from the cannula.

Abstract: A tubular medical device, such as an elongate catheter is provided. The catheter includes an anchor mechanism with two or more arms biased toward an expanded position and can be urged toward a narrower insertion position. Each of the two or more arms are fixed to the tube proximate a nonexpandable distal tip of the tube and to the central portion of the tube. A biasing member is disposed in conjunction with the anchor mechanism, the biasing member is connected to the tube at the central portion proximate to a position where the two or more arms connect to the tube and is also connected to the tube proximate to the distal tip. The biasing member urges the two or more arms toward the expanded position.

Abstract: A method of sealing a trachea is provided that includes inserting a tracheal tube having an inflatable cuff made of a compliant material into a trachea. The method includes inflating the inflatable cuff with a fluid to a first pressure that exceeds a second pressure necessary to create a seal between the inflatable cuff and the tracheal wall. The method includes deflating the inflatable cuff by releasing a first pressure to allow the fluid to flow out of the inflatable cuff without applying vacuum pressure to the fluid while evaluating a rate of change of pressure of the fluid in the inflatable cuff. The method includes identifying a variance in the rate of change of pressure corresponding to a third pressure at which the inflatable cuff separates from the tracheal wall, determining the second pressure by analyzing the third pressure, and reinflating the inflatable cuff to the second pressure.

Abstract: An indwelling stent is provided. The stent includes a distal member that extends between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and defines a lumen therethrough, and a proximal member that extends between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and defines a lumen therethrough, wherein the distal member and the proximal member collectively define the stent, and wherein the distal and proximal members are discrete components and are telescopingly arranged with the distal end portion of the proximal member extending over an outer surface of the distal member.

Abstract: One aspect provides a composition including a quaternary ammonium salt and an azole. The azole and the quaternary ammonium salt can be present in proportions providing a synergistic effect against a fungal organism. In one embodiment, the composition also includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Another aspect provides implantable medical devices containing a composition including a quaternary ammonium salt and an azole. In certain embodiments, the combination is present in an elutable form. Another aspect provides methods of treating a human or veterinary patient for an infection including administrating a composition including a quaternary ammonium salt and an azole.

Abstract: An endoluminal medical device includes a cannula, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end; an abrasion member having a series of struts interconnected by a series of bent segments forming a plurality of prongs attached to the cannula, the abrasion member having a first section and a second section; where the prongs of the first section of the abrasion member extend radially outward from the cannula.

Abstract: One aspect provides a composition including triacetin, dimethyl sulfoxide and a bioactive. In one embodiment, the composition also includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Another aspect provides implantable medical devices including an elutable bioactive, triacetin and dimethyl sulfoxide. In certain embodiments, the combination of triacetin and dimethyl sulfoxide acts as a permeation enhancing agent by allowing the delivery of an increased amount of the bioactive to the tissue of a human or veterinary patient. Another aspect provides methods of delivering the bioactive to the tissue of the patient, including the step of administrating the composition to the patient or implanting the device within the patient.

Abstract: A biopsy device is provided. The device requires a first elongate substantially tubular member that defines a distal end portion and a proximal end portion with a lumen defined therethrough and a second elongate substantially tubular member that is telescopically and slidably disposed within the lumen of the first member. The second member includes a distal end portion and a proximal portion with a lumen defined therethrough, the distal end portion comprising two or more metallic jaws that are biased toward each other. A third elongate tubular member is telescopically and slidably received within the lumen of the second member, the third member includes a distal end portion with an open distal end, configured to allow foreign material to enter the lumen therefrom, the distal end portion of the third portion configured to maintain the jaws in a separated configured when the jaws surround the distal end portion of the third tubular member.