A kyphoplasty system includes various instruments which can be selectively used in a surgical theater (e.g., during a surgical operation on a patient) or a surgical training environment. The kyphoplasty system can include one or more of a kyphoplasty apparatus, a prone table mat, a connector system, a bone introducer needle, and a biopsy device. The kyphoplasty system may also include a training system for use in the training environment.

A medical device may include a plurality of links reciprocally movable between a loose configuration having a first rigidity and a compact configuration having a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity, wherein application of a force to a distalmost link of the plurality of links when the plurality of links are in the loose configuration causes the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another, and application of the force to the distalmost link when the plurality of links are in the compact configuration does not cause the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another.

Surgical access stabilization devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. For example, the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein can be used during a surgical procedure to selectively establish, stabilize, and maintain a desired trajectory and/or positioning of a surgical access device. An exemplary surgical access stabilization device can include a pad with an adhesive distal facing surface to adhere to an anchor surface, a surgical access device coupled to the pad, and a locking mechanism to selectively lock a position of the surgical access device relative to the pad. In one embodiment, the anchor surface can be the skin of a patient. An exemplary surgical access device stabilization method can include making an incision in a patient at a surgical site, inserting a surgical access device through the incision, adhering a pad to an anchor surface, e.g., the skin of the patient, coupling the surgical access device to the pad, and selectively locking a position of the surgical access device relative to the pad. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

An access device for placing a medical article within a body space includes a needle, a dilator, and a medical article. The needle can include an elongated needle body with a distal end and a hub from which the needle body extends. The elongated needle body can include at least one side fenestration and an outer diameter. The dilator can be slideably disposed on the needle body and include a dilator hub and an elongated dilator shaft that extends from the dilator hub. The dilator shaft can include at least one side fenestration in communication with the needle side fenestration. The dilator shaft can also include an inner diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the needle. The medical article can include a tubular section and a hub. The tubular section can be disposed on the dilator and define a space between the medical article and the dilator in communication with the needle side fenestration through the dilator side fenestration. At a least portion of the medical article can be configured to allow visual determination of the presence of a body fluid within the space.

The elongated introducer assembly is configured to be selectively movable proximate to the biological feature of the patient, and puncture the biological feature of the patient and form a puncture site through the biological feature; and dilate the puncture site; and receive the auxiliary device for facilitation of movement of the auxiliary device toward the puncture site.

Methods of chest tube insertion include using an insertion device including a semi-rigid curvilinear sheath body having a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen defined axially through the sheath body from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen including a distal end opening at the distal end and a proximal end opening at the proximal end, and a tapered tube clamp at the distal end of the sheath body, the tube clamp including one or more clamp tabs angled radially inward toward the distal end opening. The chest tube insertion device is supported during insertion into the chest cavity by a stylet. The chest tube insertion device is also removable from a chest tube when a free end of the chest tube is positioned in the chest cavity of a patient while suction is maintained.

This document relates to the apparatus and methods used in the minimally invasive creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). In particular, the invention relates to the creation of an AVF using catheters and an alignment methodology that is based upon detection of asymmetric electric fields. The invention finds particular application in vascular access (VA) in the hemodialysis (HD) population.

Systems and methods are disclosed that include a guide catheter apparatus insertable through a external body passage of a subject. The guide catheter apparatus includes a substantially rigid shaft and a handle. The shaft has a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a lumen extending between the proximal opening and the distal opening. The handle has a structure to allow a position of the guide catheter to be controlled by some or all of three fingers of one hand of an operator of the handle. The structure of the handle is adapted to permit the operator to position a thumb and index finger of the hand to manipulate a working device inserted into the lumen of the guide catheter, where the working device is manipulable via a portion of the working device immediately adjacent to the handle.

Disclosed are access devices that can be used to safely guide instruments, such as EP ablation catheters, to a therapy site such one within the pericardial space of the heart. The access devices include integrated visualization, illumination, stabilization, and safety features in a single platform that can, for example, more safely and efficiently identify and ablate several ventricular tachycardia (VT) locations on the left ventricle of the heart.

Systems and methods for removal of thrombus from a blood vessel in a body of a patient are disclosed herein. The method can include: providing a thrombus extraction device including a proximal self-expanding member formed of a unitary fenestrated structure, a distal substantially cylindrical portion formed of a net-like filament mesh structure, and an inner shaft member connected to a distal end of the net-like filament mesh structure; advancing a catheter constraining the thrombus extraction device through a vascular thrombus, deploying the thrombus extraction; retracting the thrombus extraction device to separate a portion of the thrombus from the vessel wall and to capture the portion of the thrombus within the net-like filament mesh structure; and withdrawing the thrombus extraction device from the body to remove thrombus from the patient.