Abstract: A catheter configured with an elongate tube and a diffuser is disclosed. The diffuser may be configured to facilitate high flow rates through the catheter and to resist blockage of openings disposed within the body. Further, the catheter may be comprised of flexible materials to facilitate delivery into and removal from the body. In some embodiments the diffuser may be generally disc shaped.

Abstract: A liquid medicine self-administration device including a flexible reservoir, an operating member, a pushing member to move with respect to the operating member and to induce pressure deformation of the reservoir, and engaging means engages the operating member. With the operating member engaged by the engaging means, the pushing member is relatively moved to the operating member based on restoring force of a spring member to push the reservoir by the pushing member. By disengaging means moving in unison with the pushing member, the engaging means is released from an engaged state with respect to the operating member, when the pushing member has moved to a predetermined location while pushing the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device (10) comprising a front housing (12) and a rear housing (14) connected to each other; a medicament container (18) disposed within the front housing (12), wherein the container (18) has a front opening with or for a delivery member for delivering the medicament therethrough and at least one movable stopper (25); and a compression spring (26) having a predetermined compressed length and a predetermined outer diameter, wherein the compressed length is the length of the spring when it is in a pre-tensioned state; wherein the device further comprises a first guide means comprising a front part (28) having a predetermined first length (61), a middle part (42) having a predetermined second length (62), and a rear part (34) having a predetermined third length (63), wherein said predetermined third length corresponds to the predetermined compressed length of the compression spring, wherein the front part (28) is arranged to be in contact with the movable st

Abstract: A syringe assembly including: (1) a syringe barrel defining a chamber; (2) a plunger mounted in the chamber and moveable with respect to the barrel; and (3) a cap assembly containing a cap and an absorbent material is removably attached to the plunger.

Abstract: An injection device comprises a housing adapted to receive a fluid container having a discharge nozzle and a dispensing piston moveable in the fluid container to expel the contents of the fluid container out of the discharge nozzle. A drive is adapted on activation to act on the fluid container to advance it from a retracted position in which the discharge nozzle is contained within the housing to an extended position in which the discharge nozzle extends from the housing and act on the dispensing piston to expel the contents of the fluid container out of the discharge nozzle. A connector is adapted to receive a vial containing fluid and connect it to the discharge nozzle.

Abstract: The needle protection device comprises: a protector support (20), defining an introduction duct for a syringe body, a needle protector (22) which may be displaced relative to the protector support (20), between a retracted position and a deployed position, a compression spring (24), applied between the protector support (20) and the needle protector (22) and initial retaining means (38, 40, 54) for the needle protector (22) against the force of the compressed spring (24), said means (38, 40, 54) being released by displacement of the needle protector (22) in a release direction with relation to the protector support (20). The device further comprises mechanical locking means (56) for the needle protector (22) with relation to the protector support (20) in the release direction in the absence of a syringe body in the protector support duct and said mechanical locking means (56) may be deactivated by engaging a syringe body in the duct on the protector support (20).

Abstract: A device 560, for administering multiple single doses of a medicated cream, includes a cartridge 562 having a barrel 564 for containing the cream, a plunger 608 for moving the cream from within the cartridge, and a stem 610 for moving the plunger within the cartridge. A carrier 612 is formed with a cartridge-receiving nest 712 for receiving the barrel 564. A plurality of spaced, transaxial grooves 726, 728, 730 and 732 are formed in the carrier 612 for receiving a flange 572 of the cartridge 562 during the dispensing of multiple, successive, single doses of the cream. The carrier 612 is formed with a pair of resilient ears 750 and 752 and a passage 738 for removably retaining the stem 610 with the carrier while allowing axial movement of the stem.

Abstract: An adapter for use with an appliance for administering an injectable product, the adapter serving to create a product connection between a catheter and a product container that can be inserted into the appliance, and including a thread for screwing the adapter to the appliance, a stop for fixing the container in the longitudinal direction of the thread, an attachment piece to which the catheter may be connected, and a product channel that extends through the attachment piece and the thread.

Abstract: A device for holding fluid has a spout for pouring the fluid. The device includes a lid with an aperture. The aperture can be covered by a user's fingers or uncovered to control the flow of fluid out of the spout.

Abstract: The present description relates to plug-forming compositions, to medical procedures employing such compositions, to methods for removing such compositions, and to products pertaining to such compositions, including medical devices, medical device components, and kits, among other aspects.

Abstract: Various topical compositions for skin care are disclosed. These topical composition include: one or more acidic fermentation products derived from one or more (C1-C6) unsubstituted straight chain alcohols and branched alcohols; one or more alkali metal halides; one or more polysaccharides; and water. Methods of treating acne, seborrheic dermatitis, effects of ageing, blemishes, cleansing and treating skin, and the like, with these various topical compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Skin cooling apparatus is provided for use with a medical treatment device such as a hypodermic syringe or a skin ablation laser or other electromagnetic source. The skin cooling apparatus provides selective, localized cooling of the target area that is acted upon by the medical treatment device. Included is a support body engaging at least a portion of the medical treatment device, for supporting and orienting the medical treatment device to the target area. A solid state cooling device such as a thermoelectric or Peltier device is carried by the support body and includes a cooling surface facing the target area of a patient's skin surface. The support body may be flexible so as to allow the medical treatment device to be inclined relative to the skin surface. The support body may also include aiming structure for directing the medical treatment device to a particular point within the target area.

Abstract: Individual portable device (1) for eye bath, comprising a receptacle (5) with narrow neck (4) enclosing a sterile liquid for eye bath and an eye cup (2) provided with a sleeve interlocked on the neck; an elastically deformable and heat-stable seal (6) has an at least L-shaped section and rests on the rim (7) of the neck of the receptacle; the skirt (6a) defining the large leg of the L is clamped between the sleeve of the eye cup and the neck of the receptacle; thus the eye cup (2) is secured to the receptacle (5) in a leaktight manner regardless of the deformations undergone by the neck of the receptacle and the sleeve of the eye cup during heat sterilization treatments.

Abstract: Apparatus (10, 200) for the provision of TNP therapy to a wound is described, the apparatus (10, 200) including: a waste canister (22, 204) into which fluid is aspirated from a wound by aspiration pump means (44, 248) and a fluid flow path (420, 422) for at least a part of said aspirated fluid on an outlet side of said aspiration pump means (44) wherein said fluid flow path (420, 422) on the outlet side comprises a silencing system (400) having a plurality of silencing elements (402, 404, 406) therein.

Abstract: A portable device (2) for providing a vacuum for medical vacuum treatment of wounds on the body of a person or of an animal has a holding or carrying device (10) with two connecting sections (12, 14) on the housing, which are disposed on the housing part (4) for connection to two connecting sections of a holding or carrying strap on the strap, wherein the holding or carrying strap comprises a third strap-side connecting section, which is spaced apart from the opposing ends of the holding or carrying strap and from the first and second strap-side connecting sections disposed there, and arranged between these ends, for connection to one of the connecting sections on the housing and/or to a strap-side connecting section disposed at the end.

Abstract: A method for collecting and filtering biological material from blood and other fluids during a surgical procedure includes: attaching a first cover including a suction port and an intake port to a collection trap; attaching a suction source to the suction port; attaching an instrument to the intake port, through which blood and tissue are suctioned and received into the collection trap; filing the collection trap with blood and tissue; removing the collection trap from the first cover; attaching a second cover to the collection trap in place of the first cover, the second cover including a suction port and a plunger, the plunger including a press head having a screen portion permitting blood and other fluids to pass; attaching a suction source to the suction port of the second cover; separating the blood from the tissue by deploying the plunger; and drawing off the blood through the suction port.

Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: A stomal insert for conducting waste content from an intestinal portion in an abdominal cavity through a stoma in an abdominal wall comprising; a cover for covering the stoma; a fixation element for anchoring the stomal insert to a visceral side of the abdominal wall; and a pliable, axially elastic tube interconnecting said cover and said fixation element and sized to apply a tensile force to said cover and to said fixation element.

Abstract: A holster-style pouch assembly carries a post-surgical fluid drainage system. The assembly includes an adjustable waistband, a pouch and a loop band. The pouch has an upwardly extending flap for at least partially closing off the pouch interior from the exterior environment. The flap has closure mechanisms attachable to and detachable from closure mechanisms disposed on the pouch interior and exterior. The flap extends over the waistband such that the pouch is suspended and secured with fastening mechanisms to the waistband when the flap closure mechanisms and the pouch closure mechanisms are attached. The pouch is capable of containing at least one post-surgical fluid drainage container. In operation, one or more fluid drainage tubes is capable of extending downwardly into the fluid drainage collection container inside the pouch. The fluid drainage tube is securable between the waistband and the loop band when the band closure mechanisms are attached.

Abstract: An article has a longitudinal length, an article width, and an article thickness. The article includes a fresh personal care product in a substantially unsoiled condition, and a pouch having a pouch volume which operatively encloses the fresh product. The pouch includes a front panel region, a back panel region which is operatively connected to the front panel region, and at least one expansion section which is operatively connected between the front panel region and the back panel region. The expansion section is operatively held in a substantially unexpanded, closed position when the fresh product is enclosed in the pouch. The expansion section is movable to an open position after a removal of the fresh product from the pouch. The open position of the expansion section is configured to provide an expanded disposal volume which can operatively contain a product when the product is in a used and soiled condition.

Abstract: Wearable disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, having elastically extensible fastening members (also sometimes known as fastening “ears”) with particular features, extending from a chassis or main portion of the articles, are disclosed. The fastening members may be highly extensible and have an overall geometry characterized by greater length nearer the chassis or main portion and lesser length nearer the distal end. Examples disclosed may have a fastener zone having a Stiffness of at least about 1,500 N/m, and shape and dimensional characteristics, that help avoid problems of buckling and/or flipping of edges of the fastening members, dishing of fastener components, and fastening member tearing, while the articles are applied and worn.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-chamber bag that is capable of securely checking a medicinal substance accommodated therein without the necessity to perform a troublesome work, while preventing a matter deteriorating the medicinal substance from reaching the inside of a medicinal-substance accommodation chamber and hence securely preventing the deterioration of the medicinal substance. In a multi-chamber bag having a bag body that has a strong seal part that joins two sheet members together to define an interior space of the bag body, and a weak seal part that joints the two sheet members together so as to be able to rupture them apart, thereby partitioning the interior space of the bag body into a medicinal-substance accommodation chamber and a diluting-solution accommodation chamber, a pair of cover sheets are provided to respectively cover the medicinal-substance accommodation chamber.

Abstract: Methods for treating nausea and migraine by iontophoretically administering triptan compounds are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device to treat diabetes. The medical device includes a bolus calculator to determine an insulin bolus based on, at least in part, a glycemic index value associated with an intake to be consumed by a user, the bolus calculator further adapted to determine the insulin bolus using one or more inputs selected from the group consisting of a carbohydrate load of the intake, a current glucose level of the user, a residual insulin of the user, a carbohydrate to insulin ration, an insulin sensitivity of the user and a target glucose level of the user. The bolus calculator is housed in one or more of, for example, an insulin dispensing pump, a handheld remote control unit for the insulin dispensing pump and/or a handheld glucose monitor.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing improved ultrasound visibility of medical devices intended for intravascular use are described. The inclusion of gas/solid boundary regions within a medical devices improves the resolution of the device under ultrasound visualization. Gas/solid boundary regions may be provided through the use of embedded gas-filled microlumens, microwells, or enclosed pockets within the medical device.

Abstract: Catheter connectors, systems, and methods in which one or more catheters are attached to a connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the catheter is retained relative to the connector by inward radial compression between an outer surface of a hollow connector pin inserted into the catheter, and a clamping arm that pivots relative to the connector pin and pushes against an outer surface of the catheter. One or more sleeves may slide over the clamping arm to bias the clamping arm radially inwardly.

Abstract: A suction apparatus evacuates the surgical smoke. For example, the suction apparatus may be arranged adjacent to an electrocautery electrode, which may generate smoke during operation, for evacuating smoke from a surgical site. The suction apparatus may have a ring manifold having an inner perimeter for receiving the surgical instrument. A plurality of suction intake ports may be arranged about the outer perimeter of the ring manifold for evacuating smoke that may be generated by the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A respiratory access assembly includes a distal plate having one port and cuff and an axially aligned proximal plate including a first port and first cuff and a second port and second cuff. The distal plate is configured to move relative to the proximal plate. The respiratory access assembly includes an actuator, which has a plurality of predetermined positions. The actuator can lock the plates together such that the distal port is aligned with either port of the proximal plate or so that the distal port is not aligned with either port of the proximal plate. A method of using a respiratory access assembly is provided.

Abstract: An anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip having a suction opening and an interior defining a suction channel. An ejection wire channel extends to a wire exit opening into the suction channel that is located proximate the suction opening. An ejection wire including a ball tip at an end thereof occupies the ejection wire channel and is transitionable between a retracted configuration and an advanced configuration such that, in the retracted configuration, the ejection wire including the ball tip is retained within the ejection wire channel and does not obstruct suctioning of debris through the suction channel; and in the advanced configuration, the ball tip of the ejection wire does not extend more than three millimeters beyond the suction opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds is provided. The apparatus and method include one or more of the following: simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound, supplying of thermal energy to fluid circulated through the wound; supplying physiologically active agents to the wound; a biodegradable scaffold in contact with the wound bed; and application of stress or flow stress to the wound bed.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to a catheter cap which seals a reservoir of a catheter introducer. The catheter cap secures over an introducer tip to prevent airflow into the introducer tip. The catheter cap utilizes an elongated stem to block a distal opening of the reservoir to further prevent airflow. A lip of the catheter cap may further engage an insertion stop point of the catheter introducer to secure the catheter cap. The catheter cap ensures proper lubrication of the introducer tip and the catheter during insertion of the catheter into the urethra of a user.

Abstract: A rooter includes a rotatable element, an actuator for causing the rotatable element to rotate, and a coupling feature for rotatably coupling an elongate medical instrument to the rotatable element. The rotatable element may be at least partially contained within the interior of a housing or another element that remains substantially stationary as the actuator causes the rotatable element to rotate. The rooter may be used with a variety of elongate medical instruments, such as needles, drill bits, trocars, wires, catheters, tubes, and other elongate instruments that are used to enable or effect medical procedures within the body of a subject. The rooter may be used for a variety of purposes, including, without limitation, the introduction of an elongate medical instrument into the body of a subject or its removal from the subject's body; removing, breaking up, or eliminating obstructions (e.g., blood clots, plaques, etc.) from the body of a subject; and obtaining samples from a subject's body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument (100; 200) comprising: an elongated arm (111; 207) according to a longitudinal axis and having a distal end (105; 204) mounted with a pivot joint on the elongated arm according to an axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; a drive shaft (103; 3), substantially coaxial with the elongated arm, comprising means forming a universal joint (104; 206) facing the pivot joint; and, distal tool (9) securely fastened on the drive shaft and rotatively mounted on and in the extension of the distal end of the elongated arm, such that the distal tool has two rotational degrees of freedom, distinct and independent of each other, one being around an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated arm and the other being around an axis substantially collinear to an own axis of the distal tool, characterized in that the means forming a universal joint comprise a flexible drive sleeve (104; 206).

Abstract: A film with a tissue section is placed with the tissue section downward on a microscope slide and the microscope slide positioned in the object plane of an inverse microscope; where an adhesive tape is arranged, with a bonding agent downward, above the film and therefore above the tissue section; wherein the next step, tissue to be isolated is excised by a focused laser beam, which also divides the film; whereupon removal of the adhesive tape from the microscope, the excised tissue pieces adhere to the adhesive tape, and the remnant of the film and of the tissue section remains adhering to the microscope slide.

Abstract: A patient interface for an ophthalmic system can include an attachment module, attachable to the ophthalmic system, and a contact module, configured to accommodate a viscoelastic substance between the patient interface and a procedure eye. The viscoelastic substance can include a fluid, a liquid, a gel, a cream, an artificial tear, a film, an elastic material, or a viscous material. The refractive index of the viscoelastic substance can be within a range of approximately 1.24-1.52 at an operating wavelength of the ophthalmic system. The patient interface can further include input ports, output ports, and a suction system. It can be an integrated design or a multi-piece patient interface. The viscoelastic substance can be provided by injection, on the cornea, at the contact module, or in a space bounded by soft elastic films or membranes, such as in a bag.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for cataract intervention. In one embodiment a system comprises a laser source configured to produce a treatment beam comprising a plurality of laser pulses; an integrated optical system comprising an imaging assembly operatively coupled to a treatment laser delivery assembly such that they share at least one common optical element, the integrated optical system being configured to acquire image information pertinent to one or more targeted tissue structures and direct the treatment beam in a 3-dimensional pattern to cause breakdown in at least one of the targeted tissue structures; and a controller operatively coupled to the laser source and integrated optical system, and configured to adjust the laser beam and treatment pattern based upon the image information, and distinguish two or more anatomical structures of the eye based at least in part upon a robust least squares fit analysis of the image information.

Abstract: Laser treatment apparatus includes one diode-laser providing infrared radiation for the treatment and another diode-laser for providing visible radiation. A lens launches the infrared and visible radiations from the diode-lasers into the entrance face of the optical fiber for transporting the radiations to a treatment location.

Abstract: A cryotherapy catheter can include an elongate member and an inflatable balloon at a distal end of the elongate member, the elongate member having lumens formed therein to supply cryogenic fluid to a chamber of the balloon and to channel exhaust from the balloon chamber; and a controller programmed to control a first rate at which the cryogenic fluid is supplied to the balloon chamber and a second rate at which exhaust is channeled from the balloon chamber, wherein the controller is programmed to a) develop, during a first phase of a cryotherapy procedure, a first pressure inside the balloon chamber at a value that is greater than an ambient pressure outside and adjacent to a proximal end of the elongate member, and b) develop, during a second phase of the cryotherapy procedure, the first pressure at a value that is less than the ambient pressure.

Abstract: A cryoablation system includes thermally insulated containers for holding liquid refrigerant. The containers are placed in a docking station that charges the containers with a liquid refrigerant at a cryogenic temperature suitable for carrying out a surgical procedure. The charged containers are detachably connectable with an inlet line of a cryoablation probe. When the cryoprobe is activated, the chilled liquid refrigerant is transported from a delivery container, through the cryoprobe, and to a recovery container. The recovery container is preferably identical in design to the delivery container. The refilled recovery container is then placed in the docking station to charge. In another embodiment, a cartridge includes a delivery container and recovery container combined as a single unit. Methods are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.

Abstract: A medical method is provided, including a medical device having a distal assembly including at least one electrode and at least one treatment element, the medical device generating information regarding at least one of a physiological measurement and an operational parameter of the medical device; a plurality of surface electrodes affixable to a skin of the patient, wherein the surface electrodes are in electrical communication with the distal assembly to obtain position information of the medical device; and a processor pairing the position information and the at least one of a physiological measurement and an operational parameter of the medical device.

Abstract: A device for treating a tissue region is supplied with a separate usage key card. The usage key card comprises a storage medium, which is formatted to contain an identification code unique to the usage key card. The usage key card is adapted to be read by a remote reader, to download the identification code for processing by a controller for the device. Processing of the identification code by the controller either enables or disables operation of the device according to prescribed criteria. A viewable image is generated on a display screen that changes in response to processing of the identification code.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrodes used in ablation catheter devices, where the electrodes contain two or more thermal sensors at different positions within the electrode that are capable of detecting temperature differences along the external surface of the electrode. In preferred embodiments, the thermal sensors are separated by one or more thermal insulating members and the thermal sensors are positioned near the external surface of the electrode at about the same distance from the end of the electrode, so that temperature measurements can indicate the position of the electrode with respect to the tissue desired to be ablated.

Abstract: A method of sensing gases during medical procedures that includes electronically altering a gas-identification sensor, coupled with an electronic medical device, to selectively detect at least one of a plurality of gases, receiving the at least one of the plurality of gases in the electronic medical device, the electronic medical device having an energy output, transferring the at least one of the plurality of gases to the gas-identification sensor for identification, and then reducing an amount of energy emitted from the energy output upon identification of the at least one of the plurality of gases.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device and method for tissue ablation are described. The tissue ablation device comprises an energy source and an introducer coupled to the energy source, the introducer having a body, a proximal end, and a distal end. The introducer carries an electrode array that comprises a plurality of electrodes, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes is configured to extend from the body of the introducer when moved from a retracted state to a deployed state. The electrode array is designed to encircle a portion of a target tissue when the electrodes are extended into the deployed state and to form a relatively spherical shaped ablation pattern in a tissue volume surrounding the target tissue when energized by the energy source.

Abstract: An end effector assembly having first and second jaw members is provided where one or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes an inwardly-facing surface having a slot defined therein and a wire having an insulative coating. A seal plate has at least one protrusion that is configured to be disposed in the slot. The at least one protrusion of the seal plate is configured to displace the insulative coating from the wire thereby forming an electrical connection therewith when the at least one protrusion is disposed in the slot.

Abstract: A method and system for guiding at least a portion of a surgical device to a desired position between two tissues in a patient's body involves coupling a guidewire to the device and pulling the distal end of the guidewire to guide at least a portion of the surgical device to a desired position between the two tissues. The surgical device generally includes one or more guidewire coupling members and may comprise a tissue access device. A system may include a guidewire and a surgical device. In some embodiments, a guidewire, a tissue access device, and one or more additional devices to use with the access device may be provided. Methods, devices and systems may be used in open, less-invasive or percutaneous surgical procedures, in various embodiments.

Abstract: A tissue disruption device (10) for deployment via a rigid conduit (100) includes a rotary tissue disruptor (12) insertable along the conduit with its axis of rotation (14) parallel to the direction of conduit elongation (16). An angular displacement mechanism allows selective displacement of the rotary tissue disruptor (12) such that the axis of rotation (14) sweeps through a range of angular motion. A rotary drive is linked to the rotary tissue disruptor so as to drive the rotary tissue disruptor in rotary motion while the rotary tissue disruptor is at a range of angular positions within the range of angular motion.

Abstract: Described herein are elongate devices for modifying tissue having a plurality of flexibly connected and rungs or links, and methods of using them, including methods of using them to decompress stenotic spinal tissue. These devices may be included as part of a system for modifying tissue. In general, these devices include a plurality of blades positioned on for formed from) rungs that are flexibly connected and may be separated by one or more spacers. The rungs are typically wider than they are long (e.g., rectangular). The rungs may be arranged, ladder like, and may be connected by a flexible connector substrate or between two or more cables. Different sized rungs may be used, or rungs with different cutting properties. In some variations the tissue modification devices may have a non-linear axial shape, or may be converted from a first axial shape to a second axial shape.