Abstract: A storage apparatus is provided for storage of elongate articles in a vertical orientation, such as for storage of flexible esophageal dilators. The storage apparatus includes a gripping element of flexible material supported at a support frame. The gripping element includes receiving slots or apertures aligned with the spaced holes in the rigid panel. The support frame may include a rigid support panel with a pattern of spaced holes corresponding to respective ones of the receiving apertures of the gripping element. The gripping element grips and holds elongate articles at respective receiving apertures to suspend the articles in a vertical orientation. The elongate articles are retained in the gripping element until a user exerts a removal force on the article to retrieve it from the storage apparatus. The support frame may be disposed inside of a container, such as a cabinet or drawer.

Abstract: A medical device is taught, including an elongate catheter body defining a proximal segment, a distal segment, and a first lumen therethrough; a tube attached to the distal segment of the catheter body, the tube defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a second lumen therethrough; wherein the proximal end of the tube is attached to the catheter body at a first joint; wherein the distal end of the tube is attached to the catheter body at a second joint; and wherein a portion of the tube extending between the first and second joints is movable with respect to the catheter body. The medical device may further comprise a deflection element attached to the distal segment of the catheter body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a minimally invasive intervention device and a minimally invasive intervention apparatus including the minimally invasive intervention device. Minimally invasive intervention devices includes an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer, the intermediate layer covers an outer peripheral surface of the inner layer, and the outer layer covers an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate layer; and the intermediate layer includes a plurality of line bodies, at least some of the line bodies can transmit signals and/or electric energy.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a reinforced catheter system, such as a wire, that includes an inner layer having an inner lumen configured to allow an object to slideably move within the inner lumen. The catheter system may include a reinforcement structure, having an outer coating, such as a polymer. The reinforcement structure may be coupled over the inner layer to thereby at least partially encapsulate the inner layer. The catheter system may include an outer surface coupled over the reinforcement structure and the inner layer to thereby encapsulate both the inner layer and the reinforcement structure. The outer coating of the reinforcement structure may be re-flowed to thereby bond the inner layer to the outer surface to thereby create a reinforced homogeneous structure.

Abstract: A catheter that decreases in stiffness (i.e., increases in flexibility) toward a distal end of the catheter and then increases in stiffness (i.e., decreases in flexibility) further toward the distal end. Thus, a distal portion of the catheter, including its distal tip, may have a greater stiffness than a penultimate distal portion of the catheter immediately adjacent proximally to the distal portion. The penultimate distal portion may have a substantially uniform stiffness before transitioning to a penultimate proximal portion in which the stiffness ramps up. The penultimate proximal portion may transition to a proximal portion having a substantially uniform stiffness that is greater than the stiffnesses of the remaining portions. The manner by which the stiffness is varied along the length of the catheter may vary, including but not limited to various properties of an outer jacket, coiled wire, braided tubular mesh layer, inner coil, and/or radiopaque marker, among others.

Abstract: A catheter may include an elongate body including a proximal portion including a proximal end, and a distal tip portion. The distal tip portion may include an inner liner and a marker band circumferentially surrounding the inner liner. The distal tip portion also may include an outer jacket circumferentially surrounding a first portion of the inner liner and ending proximal of a proximal end of the marker band; and a tip outer jacket circumferentially surrounding a second portion of the inner liner and the marker band. The tip outer jacket extends distally past the marker band distal end to a distal tip of the elongate body, and a proximal end of the tip outer jacket may be laterally adjacent to a distal end of the outer jacket.

Abstract: A catheter system for accessing the central venous system through an occlusion in the neck region.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic actuation system controlling a magnetic microrobot, a magnetic actuation catheter, or a guide wire by using a magnetic field, and more particularly, a magnetic actuation system compatible with a C-arm that is applied to the C-arm, which is a mobile X-ray fluoroscopy device, in order to enable control of the microrobot or a catheter treatment in a human body by using the C-arm.

Abstract: A sterile, water-resistant, universal, hypoallergenic, soft and flexible device that embodies a method and system for securing a catheter dressing to a patient's body to prevent the catheter dressing from being unintentionally removed and dislodge, whereby the securement device provides a second connection point to the patient. The device embodies a cushioned impression that receives a sheathed catheter hub. A top flap of the devices moves to a closed position, whereby only the sheath is directly engaged by the top flap.

Abstract: A securement device (1) for securely attaching tubular articles to surfaces comprising an anchor pad (3) for placing the securement device (1) on the surface, a substantially cylindrical base (4) on the anchor pad (3) and a screw cap (5) rotatably mountable on the base (4) at a screw mounting (6) defined between the base (4) and the screw cap (5) between an article receiving position and an article gripping position in which radial pressure is applied to the article placed in the securement device (1) to securely hold the article without the use of external adhesive fixings and prevent micro-pistoning of the article.

Abstract: A method of making a catheter includes: performing an extrusion molding process while changing extrusion speeds of materials that are extruded, so as to form a catheter that includes: a catheter body, and a flexible portion that is provided at a distal portion of the catheter body, forms a most distal portion of the catheter, and is more flexible than the catheter body.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to systems and methods for transporting fluid from a first body region to a second body region, and in particular to shape memory actuators for adjustable shunting systems. The shape memory actuators can have a hysteresis temperature window that surrounds body temperature. For example, the shape memory actuator can be composed at least in part of Nitinol or a Nitinol alloy and have a low-temperature-phase finish-transformation-temperature (e.g., Mf) that is less than body temperature and a high-temperature-phase finish-transformation-temperature (e.g., Af) that is greater than body temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations, and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs or other therapeutic agents (TA) into a wall of the GI tract such as the stomach or small intestine. The swallowable device comprises a sensor, a combustible propellant (CP) and a therapeutic agent preparation (TAP) comprising at least one TA. The sensor triggers the CP to ignite and propel the TAP into the wall of the GI tract in response to an external condition or change in external condition. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for orally delivering drugs or other TAs which are degraded within the GI tract and require parenteral injection.

Abstract: A device for temporary residence at a predetermined location of the gastrointestinal tract of a subject is described. The device transfers from a closed configuration into an expanded configuration. The device is retained at the predetermined location and transfers from the expanded configuration into an emptying configuration in which the device moves past the predetermined location. The device enables localized medical methods in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject.

Abstract: A multi-function module is proposed. The module may be coupled to a refrigerant supply device so as to mix a composition with a refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant supply device and spray the same to the outside. The module may include a mixer configured to provide a mixing space for the refrigerant and the composition, and a combiner to be coupled to the refrigerant supply device. The module may further include a sprayer configured to spray the refrigerant into the mixing space, and an inlet configured to provide a flow path of the composition to the mixing space. The refrigerant sprayed through an outlet hole may form negative pressure at a second end of the inlet so that the composition moves to the flow path through a first end of the inlet and flows into the mixing space through the second end of the inlet.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a skin treatment assembly comprises a tip comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a container configured to secure to the tip along the proximal end of the tip, wherein the container is configured to contain a liquid, and a porous member configured to extend at least partially within an interior of the container such that it contact a liquid contained within the container, wherein the porous member is configured to extend at least partially within an interior of the tip and is configured to facilitate the transfer of liquid from the container to the distal end of the tip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating an immune response in a subject, comprising administering to the subject's skin an immunizing composition from a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen, wherein the composition is administered with a microneedle deliver adapter device, and wherein the immunizing composition comprises a heat killed or attenuated pathogen.

Abstract: Described is a test device for microneedle systems having a microneedle receptacle for receiving a microneedle system to be tested, an application device, and a movement device including a punch for the application in motion of the microneedle system to be tested in the application device. A test system with a test device of this kind is also described. Lastly, described is a method for testing a microneedle application.

Abstract: Microneedle arrays provided herein enable a minimally invasive platform for ocular drug delivery. Such a design and manufacture technique includes a conformable preformed interlocking mechanism configured about an elongated structure wherein the conformable preformed interlocking mechanism is arranged with a width that decreases in the needle tip direction and decreases in the base direction; and wherein each of the microneedles to include the conformable preformed interlocking mechanism is arranged to increase in area upon fluid tissue contact and decrease in area upon illumination with light.

Abstract: A smart drawing system includes a drawing unit including a drawing instrument, a detectable component configured to be detected by one or more sensors. The drawing unit is configured to move the drawing instrument along a third axis between a retracted position and non-retracted position. Ink is applied to a target surface when the drawing instrument is at the non-retracted position. The target surface extends along a first axis and a second axis and forms an angle with the third axis. The system also includes a memory configured to store an image, a sensor device configured to collect data relating to a position of the drawing unit through one or more sensors. The system may be configured to output the data to the drawing unit when the drawing unit is moved by a user.

Abstract: An implantable cranial medical device includes a housing configured to be positioned on a skull of a subject such that at least a portion of the housing covers a burr hole of the skull. The medical device also includes a brain catheter connector extending from the housing and configured to extend within the skull. The brain catheter connector includes a first connector and a second connector. The second connector extends farther away from the housing than the first connector. Additionally, the medical device includes a first fluid path extending through the housing and the first connector, and a second fluid path extending through the housing and the second connector. The first and second fluid paths are not in fluid communication with one another within the housing.

Abstract: A medical system including an implantable medical, the lead comprising a lead body and a helical electrode at least one of extending or extendable from a distal end of the lead body. The medical system including a hemostasis valve coupled to the lead body proximal the distal end of the lead body, the hemostasis valve configured to slide along the lead body. The distal end of the lead body is configured for insertion into an introducer hub positioned in an opening into a vasculature of a patient and the lead body configured for subsequent advancement through the introducer hub to facilitate securing the hemostasis value to the introducer hub. The hemostasis valve is configured for slidable advancement of the lead body therethrough for continued advancement of the lead body through the introducer hub.

Abstract: A male cap can include a male tapered outer surface that can be configured to mate with a female luer to create a fluid tight fit. The male cap can also include a water-soluble antimicrobial composition disposed on the male extension. The male cap can include a fluid-soluble, slower-dissolving material covering the water-soluble antimicrobial composition or incorporated within the water-soluble antimicrobial composition. The slower-dissolving material can be configured to slow a dissolution of the water-soluble antimicrobial composition during installation of the male cap into the female luer.

Abstract: A Luer coupling limits the maximum assembly torque applied to corresponding male and female Luer connector portions of the coupling and another vascular access device (VAD). Corresponding, opposing detents, which are in slidable, mating, abutting engagement contact with each other, limit the maximum applied torque during Luer assembly by slipping past each other when exceeding a desired torque threshold. The torque threshold is selected to be sufficiently high to assure fluid-tight connection, but below a level that induces seizure of the mating Luer connector components. In some embodiments, the opposing detents also create audible and/or tactile vibrations, such as a “clicking” sound as the opposing detents skip over each other. In some embodiments the opposing detents are a pawl and a ratchet.

Abstract: An aseptic connector includes first and second matable housings each comprising a plurality of connectors for fluid conduits. The fluid conduits enter the housings and may be force-fitted onto barbs or flanges on one side of the connectors, or may instead be molded directly onto the connectors. When the housings are joined, the opposite sides of the connectors mate to form fluid seals, thereby establishing fluid pathways between now-connected sets of tubes.

Abstract: A disinfecting cap engageable with a luer hub of an IV catheter assembly includes a housing defining an inner cavity, with the housing having a top wall, a sidewall extending down from the top wall and with a threaded inner surface, an open bottom end formed by the sidewall and defining an opening, and a tapered protrusion extending downward from the top wall, with the top wall, the sidewall, and the tapered protrusion defining the inner cavity. The disinfecting cap also includes an annular-shaped absorbent disinfecting member disposed within the housing adjacent an inner surface of the top wall and positioned about the tapered protrusion, with the absorbent disinfecting member including a disinfecting solution configured to disinfect portions of the luer hub when attached thereto. The tapered protrusion is configured to interfit with the luer hub to seal off the IV catheter assembly.

Abstract: Provided herein is a disinfecting device including a container containing a chlorhexidine-based solution having a chlorhexidine concentration of from 0.2-2.0% wt/vol. Provided also is a medical connector disinfected with the disinfecting device. A method of disinfecting a medical connector using the disinfecting device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A disinfecting cap is described including a housing, a protrusion and a cap cover, the housing including a top wall, an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity, and an open bottom end opposite the top wall formed by the cylindrical sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of a female needleless connector or a male needleless connector, wherein the protrusion is positioned within the first cavity and includes an inner surface, an outer surface and an end distal the top wall of the housing, the inner surface of the protrusion defining a second cavity, and wherein the outer surface of the protrusion and an inner surface of the essentially cylindrical sidewall define a gap therebetween, and the cap cover is dimensioned and positioned to cover at least a portion of the gap between the outer surface of the protrusion and the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter comprising: a first portion having a proximal end and a distal end, a second portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and a third portion having a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the first and the second portions comprise an outflow lumen; wherein the third portion comprises an inflow lumen and the outflow lumen; wherein the first portion has a helical portion having a first length and extending from the distal end of the first portion toward the distal end of the second portion; and wherein the catheter is configured to be inserted into a patient body such that the first portion penetrates an atrial septum to extend into a left atrium to assist with systemic perfusion with oxygenated blood. Also disclosed are septum fixation and docking assemblies, and the systems are using the same.

Abstract: A blood pump assembly can include various components such as a housing and a sensor configured to detect one or more characteristics of the blood. In some embodiments, the sensor can be coupled to the housing and can include a sensor membrane configured to deflect in response to a change in a blood parameter (e.g., pressure). The blood pump assembly can include a shield that covers at least a portion of the sensor membrane so as to protect the sensor from damage when the blood pump assembly is inserted through an introducer and navigated through the patient's vasculature and/or when the blood pump assembly is inserted into the heart in a surgical procedure. One or more protective layers can be deposited over the sensor membrane to prevent the sensor membrane from being dissolved through interactions with the patient's blood.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward implantable medical devices, systems, and methods for cardiac assistance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessment and management of adverse event risks in mechanical circulatory support patients are described herein. The method for post-operative risk mitigation in patients with an implanted Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) can include receiving a plurality of features relating to an attribute associated with the patient and ingesting at least some of the features into a multistate model. The multistate model can include a plurality of states, each corresponding to a patient condition. The method can include generating with the multistate model a daily prediction of a likelihood of the patient developing at least one of the conditions corresponding to the plurality of states in a predetermined time period, and controlling a user interface to output an indicator of the likelihood of the patient developing the at least one of the conditions in the predetermined time period.

Abstract: An intravascular fluid movement device that includes an expandable member having a collapsed, delivery configuration and an expanded, deployed configuration, the expandable member having a proximal end and a distal end, a rotatable member disposed radially and axially within the expandable member, and a conduit coupled to the expandable member, the conduit at least partially defining a blood flow lumen between a distal end of the conduit and a proximal end of the conduit, the conduit disposed solely radially inside of the expandable member in a distal section of the expandable member.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation apparatus provides an electrical stimulation signal as a DC pulse train at a frequency between 20 kHz and 50 kHz, with the electrical stimulation signal applied to the body of a patient at an injury site, based on sequentially activating respective subsets among a set of electrodes included in an electrode carrier that places the electrodes in contact with the body of the patient. An electrical stimulation method sequentially activates, via an electrical stimulation signal, respective subsets of electrodes among a set of electrodes contacting the body of a patient at an injury site on the body of the patient. Advantageously, in one or more embodiments, the sequential activation follows an activation sequence that “moves” the sources and sinks for the electrical stimulation signal around the injury site, thereby creating spatially distributed signal paths through or across the injury over time.

Abstract: A medical anchoring apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an omega-shaped anchoring element. A proximal end of the omega-shaped anchoring element has a primary inlet groove for the receiving end of a lead, while a distal end of the omega-shaped anchoring element includes a stopper element and an outlet groove for protruding lead. A nanosilver antimicrobial foam coupled beneath the distal end of the omega shaped anchoring element at a lead entry point of a skin area of a subject around the outlet groove. The apparatus employs single coated nonwoven porous acrylic adhesive, which adheres to the skin of the patient. The omega shaped anchoring element helps manage lead displacement, and secure while allowing for predefined lead migration and lead management. The nanosilver antimicrobial foam is configured with silver particles. The medical anchoring apparatus is used to secure leads that may migrate through the patient's skin into the body.

Abstract: A cochlear implant includes an electrode array having a plurality of electrode contacts arranged along at least a portion of a length of an electrode array, and a processing arrangement configured to map at least one electrode contact to first and/or second mappings. The first mapping provides a first electrical stimulation from the electrode contact to a first ground electrode positioned external to a patient's cochlea to stimulate hearing at a first location in the cochlea positioned adjacent to the electrode contact when the implant is inserted into the cochlea. The second mapping provides a second electrical stimulation from the electrode contact to the second ground electrode to stimulate hearing at a location in the cochlea positioned further towards the apex of the cochlea as compared to a distal end of the electrode array when the implant is inserted into the cochlea.

Abstract: A method of delivering tumor treating electric fields to a body of a patient including: obtaining a topography and a location of a tumor in the patient; placing a mimicked tumor, in a phantom; positioning simulated arrays of simulated electrodes on the phantom; running simulated TTF treatments of the mimicked tumor in the mimicked arrays to determine a field strength in the mimicked tumor; altering electrical parameters of an electrical signal applied to selected pairs of electrodes; repeating the running and altering steps until a selected field strength of the electrical signal is obtained in the mimicked tumor; implementing arrays of electrodes on the patient that correspond to the simulated arrays; and treating the tumor in the patient by using the parameters of the electrical signal applied to selected electrodes on the patient that correspond to the parameters of the selected pairs on the phantom.

Abstract: Tumor treating fields (TTFields) can be delivered to a subject's body at higher field strengths by switching off one or more electrode elements in a transducer array that are overheating. This may be accomplished by using thermistors that sense the temperature of each electrode element. Portions of the wiring of each transducer array is shared between the electrode elements and the thermistors by using a plurality of conductors, each of which electrically connects (a) a pin of a connector, (b) a respective electrode element, and (c) a respective thermistor. In some embodiments, all of the thermistors are wired in series. In other embodiments, all the thermistors share a common connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for treating a male impotent patient. There is provided a medical device having a constriction device for exerting a force on at least one portion of a tissue wall of a penile portion of the patient to constrict the tissue wall, and a stimulation device with at least one electrode for stimulating the at least one portion of the tissue wall constricted by the constriction device to restrict blood flow leaving the penis to achieve erection, and an interconnection element arranged on the stimulation device to fixate the at least one electrode to the constriction device.

Abstract: Flexible catheters adapted to be inserted into a body to deliver high-voltage, fast (e.g., microsecond, sub-microsecond, nanosecond, picosecond, etc.) electrical energy to target tissue may include a plurality of conductive layers, that may be coaxial. These catheters and method of using them to treat tissue are configured to reduce or avoid arcing.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the non-invasive treatment of diseases or disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, or postoperative delirium. A method for comprises positioning an electrode in contact with an outer skin surface of a neck of the patient and transmitting, via the electrode, an electric current transcutaneously and non-invasively through the outer skin surface of the neck of the patient to generate an electrical impulse at or near a vagus nerve within the patient. The electrical impulse comprises bursts of 2 to 20 pulses with each of the bursts comprising a frequency from about 15 Hz to about 50 Hz and with each of the pulses comprising a duration from about 20 microseconds to about 1000 microseconds.

Abstract: An electric hearing prosthesis, wherein the electric hearing prosthesis includes an implantable portion configured to electrically stimulate a cochlea to evoke a hearing percept, and an external portion configured to be in wired communication with the implantable portion, wherein the electronic components of the implantable portion are all passive electronic components.

Abstract: A body worn device, including a chassis and a functional suite supported by the chassis, wherein the device is configured to be worn on a recipient of a prosthesis, and the device is configured such that the functional suite automatically provides second functionality when the chassis is removed from the body of the recipient, the second functionality being related to the prosthesis.

Abstract: A wearable device, including: a display; one or more circuits coupled to the display; a processor configured to: throttle an operation of the one or more circuits; and cause the display to generate an image that induces eye blinking in a user associated with the throttling of the operation of the one or more circuits.

Abstract: An example system includes a first lead configured to be positioned in or beside a left internal jugular vein (IJV) of a patient to deliver a first stimulation signal to a first vagus nerve, the first lead including one or more first segmented electrodes positioned on a distal portion of the first lead and a first anchoring mechanism; a second lead configured to be positioned in or beside a right IJV of the patient to deliver a second stimulation signal to a second vagus nerve, the second lead including one or more second segmented electrodes positioned on a distal portion of the second lead and a second anchoring mechanism; and circuitry configured to deliver electrical energy to the first lead to deliver the first stimulation signal and the second lead to deliver the second stimulation signal to provide bilateral stimulation to the first vagus nerve and the second vagus nerve.

Abstract: The present technology provides systems and methods for directly suppressing nerve cells by delivering electrical stimulation having relatively long pulse widths and at amplitudes below an activation threshold of the nerve cells. For example, some embodiments include delivering a therapy signal having individual pulses with pulse widths of between about 5 ms and 100 ms. Directly suppressing the nerve cells is expected to reduce the transmission of pain signals.

Abstract: A sensory system (10, 100) for improving and/or restoring sensation to a foot or hand of a patient. The system (10, 100) includes at least one force sensor (12, 102) implanted subcutaneously within a finger or palm of a hand or on a plantar surface of a foot of a patient and a base unit (18, 104) that is worn externally by the patient or is implanted subcutaneously in the patient. The force sensor (12, 102) is configured to transmit wireless communication signals to the base unit (18, 104) in response to and concerning forces sensed by the force sensor, and base unit (18, 104) is configured to apply peripheral nerve stimulation based on the wireless communication signals received from the force sensor (12) or to transmit the sensory data to a separate neural implant (106). The force sensor (12, 102) transmits the wireless communication signals to the base unit (18, 104) by magnetic human body communication (mHBC).

Abstract: An example method includes: delivering one or more electrical stimulation pulses to one or more nerves of a patient via one or more inserted electrodes on a lead or formed on an evaluation needle and prior to implantation of an implantable medical device, the one or more nerves being associated with stimulation therapy; sensing an evoked signal generated by one or more signal sources in response to delivery of the one or more electrical stimulation pulses; determining, based at least in part on the evoked signal, a therapy response group of a plurality of therapy response groups for the patient, wherein the therapy response group indicates whether implantation of the implantable medical device is recommended; and outputting information indicative of the determined therapy response group.

Abstract: A system includes memory, and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuitry configured to: determine at least one of: a cross-electrical signal measurement at a first electrode on a first lead implanted within a tongue of the patient based on a stimulation signal between a second electrode on the first lead or a second lead implanted within the tongue of the patient and a third electrode, or a strain measurement of at least one of the first lead or the second lead. The processing circuitry is configured to determine movement of the tongue based on at least one of the cross-electrical signal measurement or the strain measurement, and generate information indicative of the movement of the tongue.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering stimulation energy to a patient is provided. The apparatus comprises an algorithm for determining a stimulation paradigm comprising one or more stimulation parameter settings, and an implantable system comprising an implantable device. The implantable device comprises at least one sensor for measuring evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs), muscle responses, and/or other neural responses, and multiple stimulation elements configured to deliver the stimulation energy to tissue based on the stimulation paradigm. The algorithm is configured to determine the stimulation paradigm based on the measured neural responses. Methods of delivering stimulation energy are also provided.