1037 results about "Intubation" patented technology

An intubation device is provided for use with a guide apparatus having a track that is adapted to be associated with an endoscope such that bending of the track is substantially decoupled from bending of the endoscope. The intubation device includes an elongated, flexible tube and a mating member attached to the tube and adapted to slidingly engage the track external of the endoscope. The intubation device further includes a tissue bolster disposed on the proximal portion of the tube and changeable between a collapsed and an expanded configuration. The tube is positionable inside the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient such that the proximal end of the tube is externalized through the gastric and abdominal walls of the patient, and wherein the tissue bolster is securable against the inner gastric wall when the tissue bolster is in the expanded configuration.

An improved endoscopic tissue apposition device (50) having multiple suction ports (86) permits multiple folds of tissue to be captured in the suction ports (86) with a single positioning of the device (50) and attached together by a tissue securement mechanism such as a suture (14), staple or other form of tissue bonding. The improvement reduces the number of intubations required during an endoscopic procedure to suture tissue or join areas of tissue together. The suction ports (86) may be arranged in a variety of configurations on the apposition device (50) to best suit the desired resulting tissue orientation. The tissue apposition device (50) may also incorporate tissue abrasion means (852) to activate the healing process on surfaces of tissue areas that are to be joined by operation of the device to promote a more secure attachment by permanent tissue bonding.

A device for the location and catheterization of the surrounding area of a nerve of a human or animal body, including a catheter and an electrically conducting puncture needle with proximal and distal ends, which puncture needle forms a continuous lumen with its proximal and distal end open and having an inside diameter which at least corresponds to the outside diameter of the catheter and which, in the region of its proximal end, is equipped with an electrical connecting part for the connection of the puncture needle to an electrical voltage source. At the proximal end, a connecting element with a through-hole communicating with the lumen is provided, onto which an injection tube for the introduction of a liquid through the through-hole into the lumen of the puncture needle is connected, and through the through-hole of which the catheter can be pushed forward into the lumen of the puncture needle all the way to the distal end thereof. Also disclosed is a method for the location and catheterization of the surrounding area of a nerve using such a device.

Provided is an endoscopic suturing system for joining internal body tissues in a variety of procedures. The system comprises a suturing capsule releasably mountable to the distal end of an endoscope and capable of forming multiple stitches in tissue at a plurality of locations without requiring withdrawal of the capsule from the patient between stitches. Also enclosed is a suture lock to secure the placed stitch that is delivered by a device introduced through the working channel of the indwelling endoscope. Suitable control handles for the suturing capsule and for the suture lock delivery device positioned at the proximal end of the endoscope are provided to facilitate operation by the user.

An extravascular system is provided which includes a catheter adapter having a blood control septum configured to control flow of a fluid through the catheter adapter, the catheter adapter further having a catheter configured for intravenous insertion. The extravascular system further includes a septum activator slidably inserted within the catheter adapter and configured for advancement through the blood control septum to provide a fluid pathway through the blood control septum. Further still, the extravascular system includes an external safety mechanism comprising a needle hub and a needle shield interconnected via a tether, wherein the needle shield includes a safety clip that is configured to retain a sharpened end of the introducer needle within the needle shield. Some implementations further comprise an access port forming a portion of the catheter adapter and providing selective access to the lumen of the catheter adapter.

Guides for intubation which simultaneously transport fluids and light into a body site are tube-like in structure and consist of a hollow cylindrical optical core surrounded on its inner and outer walls by a cladding of lower index of refraction. Materials comprising the optical core are selected such that the optical absorption and scatter are sufficiently small to transport light efficiently over an extended distance as fluid is transferred through the tube interior. Methods of fabrication, light coupling and light delivery using waveguide tubes are disclosed. Particular applications of waveguide tubes in the medical and industrial sectors are described.

Disclosed is an intubation imaging stylet for intubating a patient by use in a tube / imaging stylet combination, said imaging stylet comprising: a malleable stylet having a longitudinal axis and a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible image guide having a longitudinal axis and a proximal end and a distal end, said image guide being connected to said stylet such that a portion of said image guide runs parallel to a portion of said stylet along the longitudinal axis of said stylet and such that the distal end of said image guide is co-extensive with the distal end of said stylet; and at least one flexible illumination fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, said illumination fiber being connected to said stylet such that a portion of said illumination fiber runs parallel to a portion of said stylet along the longitudinal axis of said stylet and such that the distal end of said illumination fiber is co-extensive with the distal end of said stylet; such that in use, said imaging stylet is disposed within a tube for intubating a patient thereby forming an imaging stylet / tube combination which in use is held by gripping the tube in a pen-like fashion. The imaging stylet / tube combination is thus in use held in one hand, freeing the other hand of the user for other tasks if necessary, as well as permitting intubation in the conventional manner. To facilitate this, the center of gravity of the imaging stylet / tube combination is located in essentially the same location along the tube as with a conventional stylet / tube combination.

A system and method is provided that is adapted to allow for rapid cannulation of a guidewire into a branch lumen extending from a main lumen in a body of a patient, and in particular into two renal arteries extending from an abdominal aorta wall. A dual lumen catheter shaft delivers first and second pre-shaped guidewires to the location of the renal arteries in the aorta, such that the first and second pre-shaped guidewires self-cannulate within the renal arteries. Additional guidewires and / or interventional devices may be incorporated into the system and method for use with the catheter shaft, or over the two pre-shaped guidewires, to meet a particular need for a particular patient or intended procedure.

An intubation assistance apparatus includes a main body and an intubation assistance instrument detachably mounted to the main body. The intubation assistance instrument has an elongated insertion section for insertion into the trachea or its vicinity of a patient from the mouth. The insertion section of the intubation assistance instrument is provided with a groove for leading an intubation tube to the trachea of the patient and a scope guide bore for receiving a laryngoscope with a CCD and a white LED. A distal end portion of the scope guide bore is fluid-tightly (air-tightly) sealed. The scope guide bore is fluid-tightly (air-tightly) sealed in its entirety in a state that the intubation assistance instrument is mounted to the main body. A plate-like tongue piece protruding forward and having optical transparency is formed on a distal end portion of the insertion section.

A portal access device that is adapted to provide long term access to a port implanted in a patient has two major components, an infuser assembly and a safety needle insertion device. The infuser assembly has an infuser housing that can be configured into a specific shape, for example a dome. A blunt cannula is attached to and extends downwardly from the underside of the infuser housing. Also connected to the infuser housing, preferably at a side thereof, is a tubing or catheter. The safety needle inserter assembly has a base having a proximal portion that is configured to form fit over the infuser housing. At the distal portion of the base uprights are provided so that a second end of an arm, to which first end a needle or a sharp cannula is connected, may be movably and hingedly connected to the base. The sharp cannula extends from the underside of the proximal end of the arm and passes through the base by way of a bore formed at the proximal portion of the base. The bore is defined between an opening at the underside of the base and an opening at the upper surface of the base. Locking mechanisms are provided at the base uprights and the distal end of the arm so that when the arm is moved away from the base, and as the distal end of the arm pivots about the uprights, the respective locking mechanisms provided at the arm and the base would coact to lock the arm in place, to thereby maintain the tip of the needle within the bore formed in the base. To use, the safety needle inserter is placed over the infuser assembly, with the sharp cannula extending through the infuser housing and axially mating with the blunt cannula of the infuser assembly, but with the tip of the sharp cannula protruding beyond the tip of the blunt cannula. The combined needle inserter / infuser assembly is pressed down onto the skin surface of the patient so that the combination sharp / blunt cannulas penetrate the patient and puncture the self-sealing septum of a portal reservoir implanted in the patient. Once the safety needle inserter is removed from the infuser assembly, with the infuser housing septum being self-sealing, a closed fluid communication path is established between the portal reservoir and a fluid store that may be connected to the catheter of the infuser assembly. Long term access of the implanted portal reservoir is thereby achieved.

A vial access transfer set for use with a bottle containing a medicinal fluid that provides a mechanism for securely attaching an administration set to the bottle and also provides a universal spike port to which any primary IV line can be readily attached. The vial access transfer set includes a novel, vented vial access adapter to which a length of tubing can be connected, the adapter comprising a top wall, a cannula connected to the top wall and a uniquely configured, resiliently deformable slitted skirt connected to the top wall and extending therefrom. With this construction, during the interconnection of the vial access transfer set with the bottle, the rubber septum of the bottle can readily be pierced by the cannula and the resiliently deformable skirt positively snapped into place over the neck portion of the drug vial or bottle to maintain the adapter in secure connection with the bottle. The apparatus is easy to use and positively prevents the accidental separation of the length of tubing carrying the medicinal fluid from the bottle.

An endoscopic ablation system is provided for use with a flexible endoscope for the ablative treatment of diseased tissue on the interior lining a body lumen. The endoscopic ablation system includes a support member for supporting at least two electrodes that are electrically connected to a RF generator. The electrodes have a shape, size, and spacing that provide ablation between the electrodes, while minimizing ablation of tissue directly underneath the electrodes. The endoscopic ablation system can also include a sheath that fits over a flexible endoscope. A flexible coupling can join the support member to the sheath to facilitate intubation. The support member can include a side opening, and the sheath can include a seal, so that the aspiration means of the endoscope may be used to evacuate the air from inside the body lumen and pull the tissue to be treated into intimate contact with the electrodes.

An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time. The apparatus is of a low profile, laminate construction having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane, which in cooperation with the base of the apparatus defines one or more fluid reservoirs each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes a novel, conformable ullage made of formable materials. The conformable ullage uniquely conforms to the shape of elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distend configuration and in so doing can move between a central chamber and a toroidal chamber formed in the cover of the apparatus. This arrangement will satisfy even the most stringent medicament delivery tolerance requirements and will elegantly overcome the limitations of materials selection encountered in devices embodying solely rigid ullage construction. Additionally, the infusion cannula of the apparatus is connected to the base in a novel manner which permits expeditious subdermal delivery to the patient via a cannula which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the base.

An example apparatus places translaminar screws across a facet joint between adjacent first and second vertebrae in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The apparatus includes a first K-wire, a second K-wire, a first fixation block, a second fixation block, a support block, a first rod member, a second rod member, and a cannula. The first K-wire is inserted into the spinous process of the first vertebrae. The second K-wire is inserted into a transverse process of the second vertebrae. The first fixation block has perpendicularly extending first and second passages. The first K-wire extends into the first passage in the first fixation block. The second fixation block has perpendicularly extending first and second passages. The second K-wire extends into the first passage in the second fixation block. The support block has perpendicularly extending first and second passages. The first K-wire extends into the first passage in the support block. The first rod member extends through the second passage in the first fixation block and the second passage in the second fixation block. The second rod member further secures the first and second fixation blocks to the first and second vertebrae. The second rod member extends through the second passage in the support block. The cannula enables implantation of the translaminar screws across a facet joint between the first and second vertebrae.

A combination tissue apposition and suture capturing device (100) for performing endoscopic procedures typically in the gastro-esophageal tract. The device (100) is particularly adapted for forming multiple plications used in a gastroplasty procedure devised to cure or ameliorate gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The device includes a tissue sewing capsule (102) attached to the distal end of an endoscope having a needle (120) that is deposited in a capsule (102) distal tip cavity following the suturing of a tissue fold and retrieved to enable the suturing of a subsequent tissue fold without the need for multiple intubations. A suture clip delivery device (200) is also disclosed that is adapted to fit within the capsule (102) to enable suture (118) capture without the need for multiple intubations. The combination device eliminates the need for an overtube and maximizes the speed efficiency of the gastroplasty procedure. A method for using the combination device is also disclosed.

Catheter devices having low profile shafts and laterally deployable members (e.g., cannulas, needles, etc.) that may be extended or advanced laterally from the catheter shaft. Also disclosed are methods for bypassing a vascular obstruction (e.g., a chronic total occlusion or other full or partial obstruction) wherein a guidewire is entrapped in a subintimal space adjacent to the obstruction. A catheter of the foregoing character is advanced over the entrapped guidewire and into the subintimal space. The laterally deployable member is then advanced or extended from the subintimal space back into the true lumen of the blood vessel distal to the obstruction. A second guidewire is then advanced through or along the laterally deployable member. The catheter and first guidewire are then removed and one or more working device(s) (balloons, atherectomy devices, setnts, etc.) is / are advanced over the second guidewire and used to establish a subintimal bypass channel through which blood may flow around the obstruction.

An infusion system includes a disposable wearable infusion device and a filler device. The disposable infusion device has a body arranged to be adhered to a patient's skin and a reservoir for holding a liquid medicant to be infused into the patient. The filler device is arranged to detachably receive the infusion device body and to transfer a volume of the liquid medicant to the infusion device reservoir. The filler device may be part of a service device arranged to detachably receive the infusion device and which also includes a cannula driver and a cannula for providing the infusion device with a cannula and deploying the cannula to beneath a patient's skin.

An intubation assistance apparatus includes a main body; an insertion instrument having an elongated insertion section for insertion into a trachea or its vicinity of a patient from a mouth cavity of the patient; and an imaging device for acquiring an image of an observation site at a distal end portion of the insertion instrument as an electronic image. The intubation assistance apparatus is adapted to be used in an assembled state that the main body, the insertion instrument and the imaging means are assembled together. The main body includes a display having a rectangular screen for displaying the electronic image taken by the imaging device in the assembled state. The display is rotatably provided on the proximal end portion of the main body so as to be rotatable between a first position where the display is close to the main body and a second position where the display is far away from the main body, in which the center of the screen is located on the central axis of the insertion instrument regardless of the rotation angle of the display when the display is viewed from the side of the screen in the assembled state.

A portable, low power, low cost, endoscope having a removable probe with a miniature digital CCD imager, single white LED illuminator and an imaging lens on the distal end and a miniature multi pin connector on the proximal end; both ends connected with a multi trace flexible circuit hidden inside of the protecting flexible sleeve; and a full color LCD monitor and associated image signal processing electronics and powered by the small battery cells.

Devices and methods for injecting or otherwise delivering multiple-component therapies to human or animal subjects. Devices having injectors (e.g., syringes) attached to biaxial or coaxial injection cannula(s) are used to deliver multiple components of a particular therapy such that those components become combined shortly before or upon exiting the injection cannula(s). In some embodiments, the injector devices of the present invention may include a first set of finger grips at a first location and a second set of finger grips at a second location. Also, in some embodiments, the injector devices of the present invention may include depth slops for controlling the depth within tissue at which the therapeutic substance is delivered. Also, in some embodiments, the injector devices of the present invention may include refill manifolds with attached syringes or other reservoirs containing the component substances to facilitate refilling of the injectors.

A flexible medical intubation instrument provided for placement into an animal or human patient comprises a catheter with at least one longitudinally extending lumen or channel. A fixed or slideably removable sensor cable is at least partially contained within the channel, having a sensor for sensing a characteristic or condition. While enabling observations through the sensor channel, the working channel may simultaneously function as a drain or an irrigation duct, a feeding tube, or to provide a passage for the insertion of one or a succession of surgical devices such that the catheter serves as a protective artificial tract or liner as surgical devices are inserted and removed through it in succession so as to minimize tissue trauma.

An airway device is provided for opening a patient's airway. The airway device provides dual tubes which allow the patient to breathe on his / her own, to be ventilated, or to be intubated. The airway device includes a camera which provides constant visualization of the patient's tissues during insertion of the airway device and during the entire medical procedure. A transmission lumen monitors heart and breath sounds. Information from the camera and the transmission lumen is relayed to a microprocessor to allow for monitoring which may be remote. An airway assist device may be used with the airway device for properly positioning the patient's tongue is also disclosed. The airway assist device is inserted into the patient's vallecula to manipulate the patient's tongue.

An antibacterial fluid may be applied to a tubular medical cannula for access to a patient. The fluid comprises a typically metabolizable antibacterial formulation having a viscosity preferably greater than 150,000 cp. The cannula may then be inserted into the patient with an increased lubricity for a reduction of pain, while at the same time, unlike silicones, preferred materials do not readily accumulate in the patient. The fluid may be placed on the skin. The tubular medical cannula may be a rigid, hollow needle, sharp or blunt, a spike, or a flexible catheter. Also, the viscous antibacterial fluid may be used to lock a catheter or other cannula while implanted in the patient, for storage purposes. The formulation is typically an alcohol plus a viscosity increasing agent and optionally a surfactant, a clotting agent, and / or EDTA.

A closed system for harvesting fat through liposuction, concentrating the aspirate so obtained, and then re-injecting the concentrated fat into a patient comprises as its main components a low pressure cannula having between about 7 to 12 side holes of about 1-2 mm by 2.0 to 4.0 mm, a spring loaded syringe holder with a helicoidal spring to apply a substantially constant pressure over the full excursion of the plunger, and a preferably flexible collection bag which is also preferably graduated, cylindrical over most of its body and funnel shaped at its bottom, all of which are connected through flexible tubings to a multi-port valve. The multi-port valve has two flutter / duck bill valves which restrict the fluid flow to a one way direction which effectively allows the syringe to be used to pump fat out of a patient and into a collection bag in a continuous manner. After the bags are centrifuged to concentrate the fat, the excess fluids are separated and the valve is re-connected to permit the syringe pump to reverse fluid flow to graft the concentrated fat back into the patient.

A method and device provides features for the temporary “parking” of sutures with respect to a cannula. In the preferred embodiments the features are slots that maintain tension on, and orientation of, sutures placed therein. The slots or features may be integral with the cannula or part of a separate device which may be removably affixed to the external portion of a cannula. The invention eliminates the multiple steps inherent in current suture management techniques for arthroscopic procedures, particularly rotator cuff repair and assists in tensioning / advancement of tissue into its repair site.

An intubation tool may include an imaging unit. The imaging unit may be, for example, self contained, autonomous and / or single use. Images may be transmitted to, for example, an external receiving system.

Method and apparatus for the extracorporeal treatment of blood by utilizing a peripherally inserted dual lumen catheter assembly for the continuous removal and return of blood for renal replacement treatment, in particularly, treatment of congestive heart failure and fluid overload by ultrafiltration. A catheter is inserted in a peripheral vein and maneuvered upward through the vascular system to access the reservoir of blood in the large or great veins for continuous blood withdrawal and treatment. Air-tight connectors are incorporated in the catheter assembly to overcome the untoward effects of negative pressure in blood withdrawal.

The three dimensional, low friction vasoocclusive coil has a portion that is three dimensionally box or cubed shaped. The three dimensional box or cubed shaped portion will form a basket for filling the anatomical cavity at the site in the vasculature to be treated. The vasoocclusive device is formed from at least one strand of a flexible material formed to have a first inoperable, substantially linear configuration for insertion into and through a catheter or cannula to a desired portion of the vasculature to be treated, and a second operable, three dimensional configuration for occluding the desired portion of the vasculature to be treated. The vasoocclusive coil may optionally include a portion that is substantially J-shaped or helically shaped, for filling and reinforcing the three dimensional portion.