Abstract: An apparatus related to an intravascular device that includes a housing coupled to a needle is claimed. A solid blunting member is coaxially nestled in the needle. An aperture or opening, located at a distal end of a side of the needle, is configured to allow fluid to flow into a space located between the needle and the catheter.

Abstract: An attachment tool to facilitate the attachment of a catheter or similar elongated instrument to a guide-wire or other elongated guide member, without requiring access to either end of said wire or member. Said tool providing repeatable and reliable alignment of components to be attached, while being operated with a single hand. The tool further facilitates the attachment of a plurality of catheters or instruments to a single wire or member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a catheter, such as a drainage catheter, to a patient's body and decoupling the catheter from the body are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention take advantage of the flexibility of a catheter cannula and allow for a self-contained system that secures the catheter cannula within the body while bodily fluid is draining. In one embodiment, the catheter is coupled to the body by compressing a proximal hub member to a distal hub member, causing the cannula to curl and form an anchoring configuration (i.e. a loop, pigtail, j-curve, malecot, etc.). In compressing the portions, one or more fingers within the proximal hub member force a cord into one or more corresponding channels within the distal hub member, thereby shortening the amount of cord in the cannula. The proximal and distal hub members can be locked together in the compressed position for as long as the catheter is to be coupled to the body.

Abstract: A safety trocar is provided in which the cannula is reciprocally mounted to the cannula housing and reciprocates into the cannula housing when a proximally directed force is applied thereto. The piercing tip is maintained in the exposed position by a latching mechanism associated with the obturator shaft, and is automatically withdrawn into the cannula under the force of a spring when the proximal force is removed from the cannula, the cannula thus advancing distally and releasing the latching mechanism. Penetration force is maintained at a minimum, and safe and efficacious trocar entry is facilitated.

Abstract: A thrombolysis catheter system having a fixed length infusion zone is disclosed. The invention contemplates apparatus, method and kit aspects. The apparatus, which has the capability to track a guidewire, uses a multilumen catheter to deliver radially thrombolytic agent to an infusion zone defined by one or more balloon means. In one aspect, with an occluder means, a primary lumen of the catheter is used both for catheter placement and delivery of fluid. The method discloses utilization of radiopaque indicia to place the catheter in proximity to the occlusion or diseased tissue to be treated. The kit includes a catheter of the invention in conjunction with a steerable guidewire and a tip occluder wire, either or both of the tip occluder wire and the guidewire having an enlargement on their distal tip which cooperates with a reduced diameter portion of the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A device for delivery of a biocompatible polymer composition for treatment of urinary incontinence provides for delivery of biocompatible polymer material and a solidification agent through two lumens. The delivery device provides better control of the precipitation of the polymer in the periurethral tissue and detachment of the precipitated mass from the delivery device. The medical device includes a needle having a lumen and an inner cannula positioned within the needle lumen and movable longitudinally in the needle lumen from an extended position to a withdrawn position to sheer or cut the delivered mass of polymer material away from the needle tip.

Abstract: An obturator for a cannula includes an elongate member and a flexible disc. The cannula has proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween. The distal end of the cannula has a circular cross-section. The cannula also includes a first portion having a non-circular cross-section and at least one fluid aperture formed adjacent the distal end. The flexible disc of the obturator is coupled to a distal end of the elongate member, both of which are adapted to be telescopically received in the lumen of the cannula. The flexible disc is configured to restrict the flow of fluid, entering the at least one fluid aperture, through the lumen.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for delivering an intra-bodily medical device to an internal bodily site. The delivery catheter includes an elongated shaft defining a proximal section and a distal section. A delivery lumen is formed by the shaft, extending from the proximal section and terminating at an opening formed proximal the distal section. Finally, a locator is formed by the distal section, and is configured to locate a target site. In one preferred embodiment, the locator is elongated, having a diameter less than that of a remainder of the shaft. In another preferred embodiment, the delivery catheter includes a steering device capable of effectuating a bend both proximal and distal the opening for steering the locator to a target site.

Abstract: A diagnostic urethral assembly is provided. The assembly includes an elongate body having a fluid passageway and an elongate support member selectively positionable within the fluid passageway of the elongate body. The elongate body has a radially responsive wall segment, the elongate body being positionable within a lower urinary tract such that the radially responsive wall segment is adjacent a prostatic urethra. The elongate body is adapted to be in fluid communication with a bladder. The assembly has a first operably selective condition wherein the elongate support member is translatable relative to the elongate body so as to permit sequential and incremental radial compression of the radially responsive wall segment by the prostatic urethra in furtherance of defining architecture associated with the prostatic urethra.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stiffening member, which is a stylet, that helps increase the fluid flow area within a catheter. In a preferred embodiment, the stylet is made of a single piece of flat rectangular stock that can be twisted to provide equal rigidity in all directions. A cross-section of the stylet reveals that the substantially flat rectangular shape of the stylet permits maximum fluid flow between the stylet and the catheter. This results in increased ease in manipulating and removing the stylet from the catheter. In addition, because the preferred embodiment of the stylet comprises a single element, it is easier to manufacture and should result in lower manufacturing costs. Moreover, the use of the present invention should also result in lower overall health-care costs.

Abstract: An obturator for a cannula includes an elongate member and a flexible disc. The cannula has proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween. The distal end of the cannula has a circular cross-section. The cannula also includes a first portion having a non-circular cross-section and at least one fluid aperture formed adjacent the distal end. The flexible disc of the obturator is coupled to a distal end of the elongate member, both of which are adapted to be telescopically received in the lumen of the cannula. The flexible disc is configured to restrict the flow of fluid, entering the at least one fluid aperture, through the lumen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for the delivery of fluid medication across an anatomical region. In accordance with some embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated tubular member made of a porous membrane. The porous membrane is configured so that a fluid introduced into an open end of the tubular member will flow through side walls of the tubular member at a substantially uniform rate along a length of the tubular member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated “weeping” tubular coil spring attached to an end of, or enclosed within, a tube. Fluid within the spring and greater than or equal to a threshold pressure advantageously flows radially outward between the spring coils. Advantageously, the fluid is dispensed substantially uniformly throughout a length of the spring. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes a tube having a plurality of exit holes in a side wall of the tube.

Abstract: An instrument sheath that can be inserted into an incision formed in tissue. The sheath may protect the tissue from mechanical, thermal and other forms of trauma. The application also includes a blade guide that can be used to form an incision.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a needle assembly of the kind having a needle, an elongate blunting device, a shifting member, and a flash chamber. The needle is of the kind that has a needle proximal end, a sharp needle distal end and a needle cannula extending therethrough. The elongate blunting device is at least partially located within the needle cannula. The elongate blunting device is of the kind that has a blunting device proximal end, a blunting device distal end, and a blunting device blood flow passage therethrough through which blood can flow from the blunting device distal end to the blunting device proximal end.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a needle assembly of the kind having a needle, an elongate blunting device, a shifting member, and a flash chamber. The needle is of the kind that has a needle proximal end, a sharp needle distal end and a needle canula extending therethrough. The elongate blunting device is at least partially located within the needle canula. The elongate blunting device is of the kind that has a blunting device proximal end, a blunting device distal end, and a blunting device blood flow passage therethrough through which blood can flow from the blunting device distal end to the blunting device proximal end.

Abstract: A verres needle assembly includes an outer sheath member, a detachable stylet subassembly and a high flow adaptor that replaces the stylet subassembly. The outer sheath includes a cutting edge for making an initial surgical incision. The stylet subassembly is spring loaded to protect the cutting edge after the initial incision and also permit gas to be injected to partially inflate a body cavity. A simple half twist or luer lock connection allows the stylet subassembly to be easily removed and replaced by a high flow adaptor. Gas can then be injected through the outer sheath which remains in position after removal of the stylet subassembly without any internal restriction. The entire insufflation procedure takes less time than for a conventional verres needle.