A chest tube insertion device includes 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 pneumostatic 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.

An optically transparent actuator apparatus is provided that includes an optically transparent bi-stable member including an optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layer. The bi-stable member is structured to move from a first state to a second state in response to a first stimulus and from the second state to the first state in response to a second stimulus. Also, a display apparatus includes a plate member and an actuator assembly coupled to the plate member. The actuator assembly includes a number of optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layers, wherein each of the optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layers is structured to move from a first state to a second state in response to a first stimulus.

A system includes a console assembly, a trocar assembly operably coupled to the console assembly, a camera assembly operably coupled to the console assembly having a stereoscopic camera assembly, and at least one rotational positional sensor configured to detect rotation of the stereoscopic camera assembly about at least one of a pitch axis or a yaw axis. The console assembly includes a first actuator and a first actuator pulley operable coupled to the first actuator. The trocar assembly includes a trocar having an inner and outer diameter, and a seal sub-assembly comprising at least one seal and the seal sub-assembly operably coupled to the trocar. The camera assembly includes a camera support tube having a distal and a proximal end, the stereoscopic camera operably coupled to the distal end of the support tube and a first and second camera module having a first and second optical axis.

Disclosed is a system and method for the placement of elongate medical members within a patients body using coaptive ultrasound. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a flexible tube includes a first balloon at a distal end of the tube, and a second balloon at the distal end of the tube and positioned within the first balloon. The first and second balloons are inflatable to form one or more echogenic windows between them, which echogenic window may be detected from within a patient's body by an ultrasound probe that is external to the patient's body. Detection of such echogenic window is used to identify an acceptable location on the patient's body at which to insert a guidewire configured to receive an elongate medical member without damage to surrounding patient tissues or organs.

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a vein introducer and/or cannulation needle. Specifically, the needle includes a straight section attached to a distal end of a housing, and a curved section that comprises sharp tip. The curved or arcuate section is shaped to facilitate vessel introduction and maneuverability. Thus, the curved shape of the needle allows a user to access an internal vessel (e.g., a subclavian vein) in a parallel manner. As a result, the vessel can be accessed more safely and with decreased pain. The disclosed needle can therefore be used to provide fluidic and/or instrument access to an internal body structure (e.g., a subclavian vein).

A myringotomy device includes a housing; an elongated tube extending from the housing; and a retractable cutting tool extendable through the elongated tube, the cutting tool comprising a blade. The cutting tool is configured such that when advanced, the blade of the cutting tool extends beyond a distal end of the elongated tube. The cutting tool is also configured such that when retracted, the blade is retracted into the elongated tube and a fluid conduit is created from the distal end of the elongated tube to the housing.

The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for treating tension pneumothorax by using a rapid deployment chest port. The rapid deployment chest port can penetrate a patient's body to access a distressed pleural space. The rapid deployment chest port may create an airtight seal between the inside and outside of the patient's body and, when expanded, allow air or fluid to flow in one direction from inside the body to outside the body.

An insertion device is disclosed. The insertion device includes a base portion, a top portion slidably connected to the base portion, an introduction needle, a catheter in slidable relation to the introduction needle, and a substantially cylindrical flash chamber, the flash chamber having an inlet in fluid communication with the introduction needle. The flash chamber is connected to the base portion, the top portion slidably engages with the flash chamber, and the catheter and the top portion slidably advance with respect to the introduction needle and the base portion.

A handheld body cavity access device includes a handle having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and a cavity. A dilator assembly has a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end. A blade assembly is at least partially disposed within the dilator assembly and has a proximal end, a distal end, and a blade hub coupled to the proximal end and disposed in the cavity of the handle. The dilator assembly is movable axially between a retracted position, in which a distal end of the blade assembly extends from the distal end of the dilator assembly, and an extended position, in which the distal end of the blade assembly is covered by the distal end of the dilator assembly. The blade hub includes a body defining a bore aligned with the longitudinal axis and a tab extending away from the longitudinal axis.

A method and apparatus for treating a synovial cyst is disclosed. The method includes determining a presence and location of a cyst within a body, penetrating the cyst through a penetration bore to release a synovial fluid accumulation from within the cyst. A suction is applied to the cyst to via the penetration bore to extract a volume of the fluid accumulation from within the cyst. A weeping tube is inserted in the penetration bore to communicate synovial fluid from the cyst to maintain the cyst in a depressed condition for a predetermined temporal period. The weeping tube an external sidewall and an interior channel configured to communicate a synovial fluid from the synovial cyst. A plurality of protrusions about the external sidewall engage with a body tissue surrounding a penetration bore in the body tissue to retain the weeping tube at a desired placement within the penetration bore.