Abstract: An affinity binding moiety comprising an antigen recognition region which comprises complementarity determining region (CDR) amino acid sequences as set forth in heavy chain ordered N to C terminus: SEQ ID NOs: 4, 6 and 8, and light chain ordered N to C terminus: SEQ ID NOs: 12, 14 and 16 is disclosed. A pharmaceutical compositions comprising as an active ingredient the affinity binding moiety is also disclosed. Methods of diagnosing, preventing or treating an autoimmune disease or a cancer associated with an expression of NKp46 are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications includes a heteromultivalent nanoparticle or microparticle having an outer surface and a plurality of targeting moieties conjugated to the surface of the nanoparticle or microparticle, the targeting moieties includes a first activated platelet targeting moiety and a second activated platelet targeting moiety.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating neuronal diseases comprising, as an active ingredient, an exon 2-deleted AIMP2 variant (AIMP2-DX2) gene or a vector comprising the gene, and a method for treating neuronal diseases in animals other than humans, comprising administering the same to a subject in need of treatment. The pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a AIMP2-DX2 gene or a vector comprising the gene has the effects of apoptosis inhibition, dyskinesia amelioration and oxidative stress inhibition and thus can be widely used for preventing and treating neuronal diseases such as Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract: A composition includes a plurality of gold nanoparticles each having at least one surface. The gold nanoparticles have an average length of at least about 90 nm and an average width of at least about 25 nm.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of administering [18F]-FACBC. The present disclosure also relates to use of [18F]-FACBC in methods for imaging, diagnosing and monitoring metastasis or recurrence of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 18-Fluor radiolabeled macrocyclic quinazoline compounds, which are suitable as positron emission tomography (PET) tracers for imaging epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), and their use in in vivo diagnosis, preclinical and clinical tumour imaging, patient stratification on the basis of mutational status of EGFR, and assessing tumour response to therapeutic treatments. The present invention also describes precursor compounds and methods of preparing the radiotracers. The invention is relevant to any cancer that is influenced or driven by deregulated EGFR, such as, but not limited to, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pancreatic, hepatocellular, oesophageal, gastric, colorectal, prostate, cervical, renal, ovarian, breast cancers, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant glioma.

Abstract: The invention relates to a facility which has a dirty facility area and an adjacent clean facility area, baskets for receiving the dirty articles, and a wall separating the dirty area from the clean area, the dirty area including an entry door for receiving the dirty articles, pre-processing stations with tables for the pre-washing and/or sorting by a human operator, or even by a robotic operator, of the dirty articles and for arranging the pre-washed and/or sorted articles in the baskets, pick-up points at the pre-processing stations for pick-up of the baskets with the pre-washed and/or sorted articles, a plurality of washers, eg.

Abstract: A multi-function product disinfection cabinet preferably includes a sealed test cabinet, a high level disinfection system, a dehumidifier and an electrical function tester. The sealed test cabinet preferably includes a sealed test chamber, a rear dehumidifier chamber and a rear droplet chamber. The high level disinfection system includes an aerosol blower, an aerosol generator and an aerosol control module. The aerosol blower blows a disinfectant from the aerosol generator into the disinfection chamber. A pivoting cable holder for a multi-function disinfection cabinet preferably includes a pivoting cable tube, a mounting bracket, a motor with gear reduction, a motor controller and two snap switches. The mounting bracket is attached to an outside sidewall of a disinfection chamber. The pivoting cable tube rotates in the disinfection chamber. The motor rotates the pivoting cable tube. The motor controller and two snap switches are used to control directional rotation of the motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for preventing odors containing odorless microorganisms or a culture thereof. The present invention also relates to a method for preventing odors including coating the composition for preventing odors. When a biofilm is formed by coating an object offensive odor-generating microorganisms can inhabit with the composition for preventing odors of the present invention, odors can be effectively prevented by significantly preventing the inflow and inhabitation of outside microorganisms that may generate offensive odors.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing method, the method comprising steps of: providing a system comprising a reservoir, a micro-fluidic thermal inkjet print head in fluid communication with the reservoir, a controller and a power source in electrical communication with the controller and the print head, the reservoir containing a fluid, the micro-fluidic thermal inkjet print head comprising nozzles; heating the fluid in the microfluidic device to a temperature of about 40 C to 75 C in less than about 1000 ms; activating the print head to fire the nozzles about 200 fires/nozzle at a first frequency; subsequent to step c, activating the print head to fire the nozzles at a second frequency, the second frequency substantially less than the first frequency; and subsequent to step d, activating the print head to fire the nozzles at a third frequency substantially greater than the first frequency.

Abstract: A soft film, a sponge, or a sheet in the dried state is provided, which is capable of forming a hydrogel absorbing water or blood. The film is obtainable by preparing a film-state material in the dried state from either a solution of poly(acrylic acid) or a solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and bringing the film-state material into contact with the other remaining solution, and then drying or freeze-drying it.

Abstract: An intraocular lens includes a polymeric lens material formed from a polymerizable composition. The polymerizable composition includes: (a) a single aromatic acrylate monomer which is an aromatic-ring containing acrylate; (b) an alkoxyalkyl methacrylate monomer having an alkoxyalkyl group with 4 or less carbon atoms; (c) an alkyl acrylate monomer having an alkyl group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms; (d) a hydrophilic monomer; and (e) a crosslinkable monomer.

Abstract: A method of generating a collagen fiber is disclosed. Fibers generated thereby are also disclosed as well as scaffolds comprising such fibers.

Abstract: A composite material comprising an elastomer and nanocellulose. The nanocellulose may comprise a nanocellulose material derived from plants having C4 leaf anatomy, or a nanocellulose material derived from a plant material having a lesser amount of lignin than hemicellulose, or a nanocellulose having a hemicellulose content of from 25% to 55% by weight of the nanocellulose material, or a nanocellulose comprising nanofibrils having a diameter of up to 5 nm, or a nanocellulose comprising nanocellulose material of plant origin comprising nanocellulose particles or fibres having an aspect ratio of at least 250, or the composite material having a stiffness of not greater than 2.5 times the stiffness of the elastomer without the nanocellulose material being present, or the nanocellulose particles or fibres being derived from a plant material having a hemicellulose content of 30% or higher (w/w). The nanocellulose may be derived from arid Spinifex.

Abstract: Implant-associated bacterial infections are one of the most serious complications in orthopedic surgery. Treatment of these infections often requires multiple operations, device removal, long-term systemic antibiotics, and extended rehabilitation, and is frequently ineffective, leading to worse clinical outcomes and increased financial costs. Silver nanoparticle/poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-coated stainless steel alloy (SNPSA) was evaluated as a potential antimicrobial implant material. It was found that SNPSA exhibited strong antibacterial activity in vitro and ex vivo, and promoted MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts proliferation and maturation in vitro. Furthermore, SNPSA implants induced osteogenesis while suppressing bacterial survival in contaminated rat femoral canals. The results indicate that SNPSA has simultaneous antimicrobial and osteoinductive properties that make it a promising therapeutic material in orthopedic surgery.

Abstract: A smoke evacuator and evacuation system for removing gaseous and/or particulate byproducts of surgical procedures and noxious vapors from chemicals is provided and includes an end effector or vacuum head positionable at a surgical site, the end effector including a plenum, a plenum support for preventing the plenum from collapsing, and an adaptor for coupling the end effector or vacuum head to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A system for aspiration includes an aspiration catheter including an elongate shaft including an aspiration lumen, and an open distal end, an extension tube, the lumen of the extension tube configured to be hydraulically coupled to the aspiration lumen, a peristaltic pump configured for driving fluid through the extension tube, a compressible portion disposed between the distal end and the proximal end of the extension tube, the compressible portion configured to be coupled to the peristaltic pump, such that operation of the peristaltic pump drives fluid from the aspiration lumen from the distal end of the extension tube to the proximal end of the extension tube, and a controller configured to receive a first signal from the first sensor and configured to vary the operation of the peristaltic pump based at least in part on a first signal received from a first sensor coupled to the aspiration lumen or extension tube related to a change in the characteristic of flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing negative pressure at a wound site. The apparatus includes a negative pressure reservoir and a reservoir valve for selectively connecting the reservoir to a wound chamber at a wound site. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an apparatus including a source of negative pressure which acts as a negative pressure reservoir to continually or repeatedly “top up” an applied negative pressure so that negative pressure applied at a wound site can be maintained within desired limits for a relatively long period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for efficient expression of breast milk is provided. The device comprises a horn having a funnel for receiving a breast and a tube extending downwards from the funnel and removably connected to a first end of a main body. The main body has a stem extending downwards from a second end. The horn portion of the device can vary in size depending on the user need to accommodate varying sizes. A flexible cylindrical diaphragm and a valve is provided and are configured to engage and create a sealing between the lower portion of the main body and a container for receiving the breast milk. The use of the cylindrical diaphragm creates minor stress points along the surface of the diaphragm, thereby making it difficult to tear or damage during repeated operation and cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for preparing dialysis fluid for use in extracorporeal blood treatment, wherein the apparatus includes a main line for the supply of water in the course of which each of an acid fluid and a basic fluid is fed at a particular dosage, wherein the dosage is set by a control and regulating unit as a function of at least one chemical and/or physical parameter of the water-fluid mixture and the parameter is detected by a measuring instrument wherein a first measuring instrument is arranged at a section of the main line located downstream of each of the feeding point for the acid fluid and the feeding point for the basic fluid and the control and regulating unit at least temporarily controls the feeding of the acid and basic fluids such that over a predetermined period of time or a predetermined interval only one from among the acid and basic fluids is fed into the main line.

Abstract: An electrical sensor for sensing electromagnetic properties of process fluids in a dialysis machine or a similar medical device can include a probe for interfacing with the fluids that is made from electronic fabric materials. The electronic fabric probe can include one or more conductors embedded in a non-conductive fabric layer. The electronic fabric probe is accommodated an enclosure which establishes a flow path with respect to the probe to establish fluid contact between the process fluids and the conductors. The conductors can apply or sense current and/or voltage with respect to the fluid. A portion of the electronic fabric probe can be disposed externally of the enclosure to provide electronic communication externally of the enclosure.

Abstract: A hemofiltration device capable of surely performing highly-efficient hemofiltration. The hemofiltration device of the present invention is adapted to be implanted in a mammalian body for filtering blood, and includes a blood flow path layer having a blood flow path, a filtrate flow path layer having a filtrate flow path disposed along the blood flow path, and a filtration membrane interposed between the blood flow path layer and the filtrate flow path layer, for filtering the blood flowing through the blood flow path. A filtrate outlet of the filtrate flow path is provided at a position closer to a blood outlet than to a blood inlet of the blood flow path. The blood inlet, blood outlet, and filtrate outlet are provided only on one side or separately on opposite sides of a main body portion in the direction in which the layers are stacked.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes a disposable set, source(s) of concentrate(s), a water purifier, a sensor, and a control unit. The disposable set includes a water port, an inlet port, a drain port, a water line in fluid communication with the water port, a drain line in fluid communication with the drain port, and a container to hold a dialysis fluid prepared by mixing water and the concentrate(s). The source(s) of concentrate(s) are in fluid communication with the inlet port, and the water purifier is configured to purify water and feed the water towards the water port so the sensor can detect a fluid property. The control unit is configured to deliver dialysis fluid mixed in the disposable set to the drain line and water purified by the water purifier along the water line, into the disposable set, and out the drain line to push dialysis fluid to the sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a filtration module for separating plasma from blood comprising a feeder channel lid, a feeder channel defined by a feeder channel laminating layer having a thickness of less than 5 mil, a filter element in fluid communication with the feeder channel and having a pore size of less than 2 microns and low surface area, and a filtrate take-off port having a dead volume of less than 10 ?L. Also provided are methods for filtering a blood sample comprising supplying the blood sample to a feeder channel of a filtration module and drawing the blood sample over a filter element of the filtration module in a single pass process configuration to provide a retentate and a plasma filtrate.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus (1) comprising a control unit (10) connectable to a blood warming device (200). The apparatus (1) comprises: an extracorporeal blood circuit (100) and at least one infusion line (15, 21, 25) connected to the extracorporeal blood circuit (100). A control unit (10) is configured to execute the following procedure: receiving a first value representative of a desired blood temperature (Tdes) at an end (70) of a blood return line (7) configured to be connected to a venous vascular access of a patient (P); receiving at least a first signal relating to at least a flow rate (QPBP, QREP1, QREP2) of an infusion fluid in the at least one infusion line (15, 21, 25); calculating a set point value of an operating parameter (TOUT; Pw) to be imposed on the warming device (200) configured to heat a blood heating zone (H) of the extracorporeal blood circuit (100) in order to maintain the desired blood temperature (Tdes) at the end (70) of the blood return line (7).

Abstract: A device, system and method are provided for controlling the rate of infusion of fluids during infusion therapy using non-electric infusion devices. Rotation of a flow regulator dial causes an orifice connected to the inlet to modify its position relative to a particular one or more orifices or groove portions, the characteristics of which provide a certain flow rate characteristic. The flow regulator allows for the infusion pump to infuse at a rate that may be varied during use by the user. Additionally, the flow regulator is made from a material selected to operate under a wide range of pressures, from 5-40 PSI, making the flow regulator compatible with pressurized devices, such as, a non-electric pump.

Abstract: A method of securing an assembly of a drug delivery system, comprising: configuring at least a first component and a second component of the assembly in a closed configuration ready for placement into the drug delivery system; installing an assembly key including a locking element on the assembly to secure the assembly in said configuration; and, transporting the assembly with the assembly key installed.

Abstract: An implantable system for delivering fluids, such as drugs, to one or more anatomical structures in a patient's (i.e., human or animal) body. A number of medical conditions require continual and/or periodic administration of fluids (e.g., drugs) to target regions (e.g., anatomic organs) of the body. Accessibility to those target regions might be limited technically for ex. and not limited to: frequent endoscopic, radiologically guided or surgical approaches. The system delivers the fluid needed in a continual or intermittent fashion to the target region. It controls the amount of fluid delivered to the target region and measures the intended physiologic effect of the fluid delivered.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering fluid into a patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, the device may include a syringe cartridge and a syringe driver that may be coupled to the cartridge. The cartridge may include a housing including a proximal end, a distal end, and defining an interior, the cartridge further including a piston slidably disposed within the interior for delivering fluid within the interior through a port in the distal end. The driver may include a plunger for advancing the piston within the interior of the housing, a source of pressurized fluid, a valve, and an actuator member coupled to the valve for selectively opening a flow path from the source to the plunger to control flow of the pressurized fluid to advance the plunger to deliver fluid from the interior of the housing at a desired rate.

Abstract: A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicinal fluid flow rate control apparatus and a medicinal fluid injector including the medicinal fluid flow control apparatus. The medicinal fluid flow rate control apparatus includes: an operation knob being able to be turned; a plurality of medicinal fluid delivery lines each having an elastically deformable tube and arranged such that the tubes are arranged at different heights at a side from the operation knob; a tube support member supporting the tubes; a medicinal fluid converger converging medicinal fluids from the medicinal fluid delivery lines into one stream; and a pipe switch selectively pressing or releasing the tubes to open or block all of the medicinal fluid delivery lines or block some of the medicinal fluid delivery lines, depending on a rotational angle of the operation knob.

Abstract: Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may be configured to detect when at least one component of the pump system is exposed to a moisture level above a threshold level. In particular embodiments, the infusion pump system can be equipped with a moisture level detection system that can sense when a moisture level above the threshold level has occurred to the pump device, which thereby enables the infusion pump system to initiate one or more patient safety countermeasures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically delivering medication to a user. A sensor coupled to a user can collect information regarding the user. A controller can use the collected information to determine an amount of medication to provide the user. The controller can instruct a drug delivery device to dispense the medication to the user. The drug delivery device can be a wearable insulin pump that is directly coupled to the user. The controller can be part of or implemented in a cellphone. A user can be required to provide a confirmation input to allow a determined amount of insulin to be provided to the user based on detected glucose levels of the user. The sensor, controller, and drug delivery device can communicate wirelessly.

Abstract: A medical syringe apparatus includes a syringe unit, a hypodermic needle attached to the syringe unit and at least one interfacing member for mating a labeled medication container to the syringe unit. A filling needle is attached to the syringe unit for drawing fluid from a container. A movable needle sheath protects the hypodermic needle when not in use and may be moved out of the way when administering an injection. The medication label is visible. The container remains mated to the syringe when the syringe is in use. Risk of mislabeling the syringe may therefore be substantially reduced or eliminated and patient safety may accordingly be improved.

Abstract: A device has a hollow guide shell including an injection end and a longitudinal axis. An actuator magnet is disposed in the hollow guide shell. An injection pin is coupled to the actuator magnet. A driver magnet is positioned on the device radially outward from the actuator magnet. A fluid cartridge is disposed in the injection end of the hollow guide shell, the fluid cartridge including a needle and a plunger. The driver magnet selectively exerts an injection force on the actuator magnet in a direction oriented towards the injection end of the hollow guide shell to engage the injection pin with the fluid cartridge. A liquid, gas or other agent can selectively be ejected from the cartridge by the device to inject the fluid, gas or other agent into another object.

Abstract: An auto injector having sequential control of needle insertion and dose injection is disclosed. A syringe with a needle is movably positioned in a housing between a first position in which the needle is accommodated inside the housing and a second position in which the needle protrudes outside the housing. A plunger rod tube has at least one locking member configured to normally lock a plunger rod to the plunger rod tube. A syringe driver applies a force to the syringe to move the syringe together with plunger rod tube, plunger rod and plunger rod driver from the first position to the second position. In the second position, the locking member is unlocked and releases the plunger rod to thereby activate the plunger rod driver to advance the plunger rod in the syringe for delivering of at least one dose of medicament.

Abstract: An auto-injector operable in a single activation step. The auto-injector is automatically armed when removed from its carrying receptacle. The auto-injector may be prefilled with more than one constituent of a beneficial agent, stored in separated compartments, in such an arrangement that the compartments will automatically merge when the auto-injector is removed from its carrying receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtering syringe, and more particularly, to an apparatus obtained by improving a syringe provided with a filter means for filtering foreign substances such as glass fragments of an ampoule, so that opening or closing of a one-way valve means is controlled depending on whether a cap is separated, and that the filter means can be also designed to be larger in cross-sectional area so as to allow a liquid medicine to be smoothly sucked with a smaller force. The filtering syringe is configured such that the liquid medicine is filtered and sucked through the filter means having the larger cross-sectional area even with the smaller force in a cap-assembled state and the one-way valve means is automatically closed to allow the liquid medicine to be injected in a cap-separated state, thereby maximizing user's convenience and marketability of the syringe.

Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides in part dry powder inhaler (DPI) devices for dispensing dry powder and methods for using the same. The DPI devices feature exchangeable cartridges having drum mechanisms that prepare metered doses of dry powder, and are able to direct air in a turbulent manner sufficient to entrain and deagglomerate a dose of dry powder for delivery into a user's lungs. The DPI devices feature a reservoir of dry powder advanced by a plunger, as well as a gauge that advances with the plunger to indicate the amount of dry powder remaining in the reservoir.

Abstract: A container, a nebulizer and a use of an indicator device are described, where the container comprises an indicator device fixedly mounted on the bottom of the container, the container is arranged within the nebulizer and the container can be detached by grabbing the indicator device.

Abstract: A nebulizer and a container with a fluid for such a nebulizer are proposed. The container comprises an indicator device fixedly mounted on the bottom of the container. When a predetermined number of uses of the container (3) with the nebulizer (1) has been reached or exceeded, a signal element becomes visible on the indicator device. The indicator device stops further use of the container in a locked state when a predetermined number of uses has been reached or exceeded. Then, the nebulizer is partially opened and blocked against further use. After replacement of the container including the indicator device, the nebulizer can be used again.

Abstract: A nebulizer is proposed which receives a container with a fluid and an indicator device. The indicator device stops further use of the container in a locked state when a predetermined number of uses has been reached or exceeded. In the locked state, a locking device locks the nebulizer against rotation in a partially tensioned state and, thus, against further use. After replacement of the container including the indicator device, the nebulizer can be used again.

Abstract: An infant positive airway pressure (PAP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device and related patient interface and system, which can provide a flow of breathing gas to the patient interface. The device can be incorporated into the patient interface and includes at least one interior passage in the shape of a nozzle having a throat, a first portion upstream of the throat and a second portion downstream of the throat relative to the flow of breathing gas. The passage has a vent opening within the second portion and the interior passage defines a continuously curved surface extending between the throat and the vent opening. The second portion of the nozzle preferably is divergent and the first portion can be convergent or non-convergent (e.g., constant cross-section).

Abstract: A controller or processor(s) implements detection of respiratory related conditions that may serve as control logic to synchronize pressure treatment delivery with a patient's respiratory cycle. Based on data derived from sensor signals associated with the respiratory treatment, a monitoring device, detector or respiratory treatment apparatus may evaluate flow measures from a flow sensor and distinguish flow attributable to the respiratory treatment apparatus and flow attributable to patient respiratory muscles. The determination may serve as a basis of synchronization criteria that controls pressure levels from a pressure treatment apparatus, such as by evaluating the determined patient generated flow or a relationship between total flow and apparatus flow. In some embodiments, data for the cycling conditions is determined in preliminary treatment cycles during which synchronized pressure changes are controlled according to other cycling criteria.

Abstract: A resuscitator mouth shield assembly for protecting a caregiver from bodily fluids during CPR includes a resuscitation bag that has a hose extending toward a face cup. A coupler releasably engages the resuscitation bag and a panel is rotatably coupled to the coupler. The panel is spaced from the resuscitation bag when the coupler is positioned on the resuscitation bag. Moreover, the panel is positioned between a patient's face and a caregiver when the resuscitation bag is positioned on the user's face. In this way the panel inhibits bodily fluids that are expelled from the patient from contacting the caregiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respiratory system comprising a first patient interface for delivery of a first flow of gases to a patient, a second patient interface for delivery of a second flow of gases to the patient, and a device and/or sensing arrangement that is configure to facilitate a switching of the system between a first respiratory mode where the device allowing delivery of the first flow of gases to an outlet of the first patient interface when the second patient interface is absent from the patient, and a second respiratory mode where the device reducing or stopping delivery of the first flow of gases to the outlet of the first patient interface when the second patient interface is located together with the first patient interface upon the patient.

Abstract: A cuff-pressure control device includes a pump supplying gas into the cuff, a connection path connecting the pump and the cuff, an exhaust valve exhausting gas in the cuff through the connection path, a pressure sensor measuring an internal pressure of the connection path, and a controller controlling the internal pressure of the cuff according to a measured value of the internal pressure of the connection path measured with the pressure sensor. The controller includes an obstruction detection unit that obtains, from the measured value of the pressure sensor, a pressure change amount from a time point when the pump is stopped while the internal pressure of the connection path is being increased by the pump to a time point after a predetermined time elapses and that detects the obstruction of the connection tube when the pressure change amount is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: In a catheter system and method for assembly thereof, one end of a catheter shaft is inserted into a connector for a handle, with the connector being generally tubular and having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough. At least a lengthwise segment of the channel is sized in transverse cross-section greater than an outer cross-section of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft is inserted into the channel of the connector such that the catheter shaft is spaced from the connector within the lengthwise segment of the channel. Adhesive is directed through a port in the sidewall of the connector into the lengthwise segment of the channel to flow circumferentially about the catheter shaft within the channel. The adhesive is allowed to cure and the connector (with the catheter adhered thereto) is retained on the handle.

Abstract: A suction catheter system is described with a suction nozzle that can extend from a guide catheter of the like. The suction nozzle can be positioned by tracking the suction nozzle through a vessel while moving a proximal portion of the suction extension within the lumen of the guide catheter. A suction lumen extends from the proximal end of the guide catheter through at least part of the guide catheter central lumen and through the suction tip. Desirable suction flow can be established using the guide lumen to facilitate the suction. Also, a delivery catheter is described with an elastic tip that can track closely over a guidewire. The elastic tip of the delivery catheter can be expanded to provide for the delivery of medical devices past the tip.