A balloon dilator device, comprising an annularly shaped, cylindrical type structure having walls that are expandable from a radially collapsed state to a radially expanded state by inflation of a balloon inserted within the annular structure. Once the walls have been expanded, they remain in the expanded state even if the balloon is deflated, because the radially expanded state is a state of minimum mechanical potential energy, and in order to return to the collapsed state, the structure would have to pass a state of higher potential energy. The device walls require sufficient stiffness in their longitudinal direction to enable the device to be pushed into a minimally invasive incision made in the subject. This device stiffness can be achieved either by its mechanical material properties, or by its substantially closed wall structure, or by use of a stiff protector sheath used to protect the walls during insertion.

A system and method for video assisted percutaneous needle cricothyrotomy and tracheostomy to assist physicians in quickly intubating patients suffering from respiratory distress when oral or nasal intubation is not possible or contraindicated. The system and method includes a display monitor, a percutaneous needle assembly including a connection hub having a syringe port for removably attaching a syringe, a needle port for attaching a hollow needle, and a stylet port in communication with the needle port for receiving a fiber optic stylet that extends through the hollow needle. The fiber optic stylet includes one or more illuminators, and a camera for capturing and transmitting anatomical images for display on the display monitor to visually assist physicians in locating a patient's trachea lumen. The fiber optic stylet is positioned within the trachea lumen, and used as a guide wire to insert a dilator and cannula for ventilating the patient.

Methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel. Devices include axially concentric assemblies of a piercing needle and a dilator that guides an outer catheter into a vessel, such as a blood vessel. The assemblies described herein can include retraction mechanisms and/or lock mechanisms to control needle positioning during catheterization processes as well as improved valves that prevent leakage of fluid from the proximal end of the devices. The devices and method include the use of novel valves to prevent undesired leakage of fluids through the proximal end of the catheter.

Methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel. Devices include axially concentric assemblies of a piercing needle and a dilator that guides an outer catheter into a vessel, such as a blood vessel. The assemblies described herein can include retraction mechanisms and/or lock mechanisms to control needle positioning during catheterization processes as well as improved valves that prevent leakage of fluid from the proximal end of the devices. The devices and method include the use of novel valves to prevent undesired leakage of fluids through the proximal end of the catheter.

Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body.

Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body.

The invention relates to an indwelling venous cannula (1) for application to a living being, having a venous catheter (2), wherein a puncture needle (3) can be guided in a longitudinally movable manner in the venous catheter (2). The puncture needle (3) is designed as a hollow needle over a portion of its length, wherein at least part of an additional portion of the length of the puncture needle (3) is solid.

Dilator includes a hollow shaft having a tapered portion, in which an outer diameter of a distal end is smaller than a outer diameter of a proximal end, and a main body portion which has a distal end located at the proximal end of the tapered portion, extends toward a proximal end side, and has a constant outer diameter. A spirally-arranged protruding portion which is configured of a coil body formed by winding a wire is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion and the main body portion. The spirally-arranged protruding portion has gaps between portions adjacent to each other along a longitudinal direction of the hollow shaft. The spirally-arranged protruding portion is not joined to the tapered portion, but is joined to the main body portion at a joint part.

Dilator includes a hollow shaft having a tapered portion, in which an outer diameter of a distal end is smaller than a outer diameter of a proximal end, and a main body portion which has a distal end located at the proximal end of the tapered portion, extends toward a proximal end side, and has a constant outer diameter. A spirally-arranged protruding portion which is configured of a coil body formed by winding a wire is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion and the main body portion. The spirally-arranged protruding portion has gaps between portions adjacent to each other along a longitudinal direction of the hollow shaft. The spirally-arranged protruding portion is not joined to the tapered portion, but is joined to the main body portion at a joint part.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and methods to assist in the introduction of an instrument into a patient, and more particularly to medical devices for measuring and/or monitoring forces applied during introduction of an access sheath through a body lumen.