This disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for treating diseases and conditions of the colon and alimentary canal which are associated with obligate anaerobic microorganisms, and particularly, for treating Clostridioides difficile infection. The method and apparatus provide for continuous administration of intraluminal oxygen to the rectum, colon, and cecum to maintain oxygen in those environments at levels toxic to obligate anaerobic microorganisms such as Clostridioides difficile.

This disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for treating diseases and conditions of the colon and alimentary canal which are associated with obligate anaerobic microorganisms, and particularly, for treating Clostridioides difficile infection. The method and apparatus provide for continuous administration of intraluminal oxygen to the rectum, colon, and cecum to maintain oxygen in those environments at levels toxic to obligate anaerobic microorganisms such as Clostridioides difficile.

A gas delivery system supplying a body cavity with a given gas includes a first guide pipe for supplying the given gas into the body cavity and a second guide pipe installed in the first guide pipe for supplying the given gas into the body cavity at a flow velocity that differs from that of the first guide pipe. A flow velocity of the given gas that is supplied from a first conduit which is formed by the first guide pipe and the second guide pipe is faster than a flow velocity of the given gas that is supplied from a second conduit which is formed in the second guide pipe.

Methods and devices are provided for delivering one or more substances within at least one body cavity. Such devices include at least one nosepiece having at least one capsule including a volume V.sub.sub of the substances; at least one base in communication with the nosepiece, the base having at least one chamber configured to confine pressurized fluid at volume V.sub.PF and pressure P.sub.PF, and at least one hollow puncturing member having at least one sharp end and a second end in fluid communication with the base. The first and second ends are fluidly interconnected by at least one hollow tube. A fluid inlet port of the capsule is configured in terms of size and shape to interface in a sealable manner with at least one end of the at least one puncturing member.

Methods and devices are provided for delivering one or more substances within at least one body cavity. Such devices include at least one nosepiece having at least one capsule including a volume V.sub.sub of the substances; at least one base in communication with the nosepiece, the base having at least one chamber configured to confine pressurized fluid at volume V.sub.PF and pressure P.sub.PF, and at least one hollow puncturing member having at least one sharp end and a second end in fluid communication with the base. The first and second ends are fluidly interconnected by at least one hollow tube. A fluid inlet port of the capsule is configured in terms of size and shape to interface in a sealable manner with at least one end of the at least one puncturing member.

Disclosed is a system to generate bubbles. The bubbles may be formed to include a substantially or medically pure gas. The bubbles may be formed on demand and in a selected small size.

A surgical spray instrument is disclosed comprising a main body connectable to a transfer tube; a propellant actuator for selectively releasing propellant from the main body and along the transfer tube and out through a distal end thereof. An ion emitter is arranged along the tube, the ion emitter having an ion emission zone. This enables the directed and concentrated delivery of therapeutic, pharmacological and diagnostic agents to tissues inside or outside of the body. There is further disclosed a surgical assembly for enabling uniform deposition of a particulate material to a surface of an intracorporeal cavity of a patient. The surgical assembly comprises an ion emitter; a dispenser having an outlet locatable within the cavity and for dispensing the particulate material therefrom, and a processor for determining a location of the ion emission zone of the ion emitter in dependence upon the position of the outlet of the distributor within the cavity to provide for the uniform deposition.

A surgical access apparatus is presented including a cannula having a housing and a cannula shaft, the cannula shaft defining an internal lumen and a slot in communication with the internal lumen and an obturator insertable through the internal lumen of the cannula. The obturator includes an obturator shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a tip member disposed at the distal end of the obturator shaft, the tip member configured to form an incision through tissue. An outer surface of the obturator shaft and the tip member defines a channel for receiving and directing insufflation fluid into a body cavity, a portion of the same channel also configured to guide a surgical instrument, such as a suture passer/grasper for closing an incision, towards and through the slot. In this way, the cannula and obturator can be employed both for forming an incision at the beginning of a surgical procedure and for closing the same incision at the conclusion of the surgical procedure.

The disclosed system includes a probe for mechanically cutting tissue Other components of the system include a luminally protective sheath, a microscopic end cauterizing probe, a surgical console, an identification-sensitive self-sealed cassette, and a plurality of flexible tubing lines with pinch valves thereon.

An apparatus and method is provided for reducing middle ear fluid and equalizing middle ear pressure in infants and toddlers. The apparatus coordinates the act of swallowing and the forcing of air into the nostril of the child. The coordinated actions allow air forced into the nostril to traverse the Eustachian tube when in its open state. A flexible member and a main flexible tube, connected accordingly, are both adapted to be inserted into the child's mouth and nostril, respectively, to achieve such coordination and allow air to enter the Eustachian tube when in its open state, ultimately allowing air to reach the middle ear.