Tactile sensing devices, systems, and methods to image a target tissue location are disclosed. When force is applied to the tactile sensing device, voltage data is detected and visualized on a screen, indicating the target tissue location.

Medical devices, assemblies and methods for guarding sharp tips of medical needles are disclosed herein. Some embodiments include an expandable device configured to be at least partially disposed within the needle lumen. The device may include an expandable distal portion that is designed to shift between a first configuration in which the expandable distal portion has an outer diameter that is the same as or less than the inner diameter of the needle lumen and a second configuration in which the expandable distal portion has an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the needle lumen. An elongated inner member may be used to shift the expandable distal portion from the first configuration to the second configuration.

A sheath assembly configured to be positioned over a needle of a needle assembly or over a needle of a catheter assembly includes an elongated tube which defines a bore and an echogenic structure and a connector configured to be fixated to an outside of the cannula wall of the needle, thereby fixating the sheath assembly.

Catheter system, devices and methods for diagnosing and treating lateral stenosis causing back pain and or leg pain. The devices comprise a tubular part for insertion into a working cannula to self-position itself safely within the foramen, and minimize the risk of displacement medially or laterally, to prevent nerve or dura injury. An expandable membrane is configured to maintain the catheter device within the foramen. Expansion of this membrane would decompress the nerve within the foramen by opening the foraminal canal as the membrane expands.

The invention relates to a syringe with a visual indicator and retaining elements, which is used in the application of epidural anaesthesia. The syringe has the particularity of comprising a visual indicator located at the front end of a plunger that drives the fluid contained in the barrel, which visual indicator is an element in the form of a bellows comprising two discs with a membrane between the two discs, wherein the membrane can be deformed according to the pressure in the syringe. The syringe also comprises longitudinal lateral flanges on the body of the plunger, which have a surface with a plurality of teeth, wherein the plunger is rotatable relative to its axial axis, and wherein the teeth allow the plunger to be secured.

A method and apparatus are provided for use in locating a target region which is situated in the body of a subject, for example for the delivery of drugs. The system includes an assembly for controlling the flow of fluid from a fluid reservoir to a conduit, such as a needle. A sensor detects a characteristic indicative of the fluid pressure in the conduit. The system processes data from the sensor to detect the presence of a pulsatile waveform. A controller may control further operation of the system based on information regarding the presence of the pulsatile waveform and features of the waveform, such as amplitude.

The invention generally relates to a continuous anesthesia nerve conduction apparatus and method thereof, and more particularly to a method and system for use in administering a continuous flow or intermittent bolus of anesthetic agent to facilitate a continuous or prolonged nerve block. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The sheath also includes an embedded conductive element for transmitting an electrical signal from a proximal portion of the sheath to a distal portion of the sheath. A cannula is arranged in the at least one lumen of the sheath and has a distal end protruding from a distal portion of the sheath. The cannula is electrically coupled to at least a portion of the embedded conductive element and is configured to provide nerve stimulation.

Insertion devices and associated systems and methods for the percutaneous placement of patient leads are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a cannula having a lumen and a first dilator. The first dilator can be positioned within the lumen and the first dilator and the cannula can be used to create a percutaneous entry point. An additional dilator can be positioned over the first dilator and advanced into the percutaneous entry point to expand the percutaneous entry point. A final dilator can be inserted into the patient and two leads can be advanced into the patient through the final dilator.

A dilator assembly comprising an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a first lumen extending along the body, a second lumen extending along the body so that it is a parallel to the first lumen, and a joint lumen disposed adjacent the distal end of the body, wherein both the first lumen and second lumen are in fluid communication with the joint lumen. A guidewire has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the guidewire is slidably received in the first lumen and the second end of the guidewire is slidably received in the second lumen.

Endovascular drug delivery systems and methods are disclosed herein for delivering a therapeutic agent to the intracranial subarachnoid space of a patient, and/or deploying an endovascular drug delivery device distal portion in the intracranial subarachnoid space and a portion of the drug delivery device body in a dural venous sinus such that a therapeutic agent is delivered from the deployed drug delivery device into the intracranial subarachnoid space.