Connection systems and methods thereof facilitate establishing electrical connections through a barrier such as a drape without compromising a sterile field established by the barrier. A connection system can include two connectors. A first connector can include a first-connector housing defining a cavity, a slideable end piece coupled to a distal-end portion of the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element connected to a first electrical lead. The first piercing element can be configured to enter the cavity and pierce a barrier disposed in the cavity when the slideable end piece is advanced toward a proximal-end portion of the first-connector housing. A second connector can include at least a first receptacle within a second-connector housing connected to a second electrical lead. The first receptacle can be configured to form at least a first electrical connection with the first piercing element after the first piercing element pierces the barrier.

The subject guide catheter extension/pre-dilatation system includes an outer delivery sheath, an inner member extending within the sheath, and a mechanism for engagement/disengagement of the inner member to/from the sheath. The inner member is configured with a tapered distal tip having a delivery micro-catheter and a pre-dilatation balloon member attached to the tapered distal tip in proximity to the micro-catheter. The outer delivery sheath and the inner member are modified for different engagement/disengagement mechanisms operation. The delivery micro-catheter provides for an improved crossability for the balloon member to the treatment site in an atraumatic, expedited and convenient fashion. During the cardiac procedure, a guidewire and a guide catheter are advanced to the vicinity of the treatment site within a blood vessel. Subsequent thereto, the inner member and outer delivery sheath, in their engaged configuration, are advanced along the guidewire inside the guide catheter towards the site of treatment. Once at the treatment site, the balloon member is inflated for pre-dilatation treatment. Subsequently, the inner member is disengaged and retracted from the outer delivery sheath, and a stent is delivered to the treatment site inside the outer delivery sheath.

The disclosure provides insertion tools and articles that facilitate entry of a medical device, such as a balloon catheter, into the body. In embodiments the insertion tools have an elongate hollow body (50) that is able to protect a portion of a medical device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, during an insertion procedure. In one embodiment the insertion tool has an elongate hollow body (131), a tapered distal end (135), and a locking mechanism (133) at the proximal end which can secure a portion of a balloon catheter. An opening at the distal end can allow passage of the balloon in a folded uninflated state.

A system of medical devices includes a radiofrequency generator, a stylet, and an introducer. The stylet includes an elongate shaft having a shaft proximal portion and a shaft distal portion defining a shaft distal end. The shaft is rigid. A radiofrequency puncture electrode is at the shaft distal end. The radiofrequency puncture electrode is electrically connectable to the radiofrequency generator. The introducer includes an elongate tube extending between a tube proximal portion and a tube distal portion defining a tube distal end. The shaft is receivable in the tube with the electrode proud of the tube distal end.

An assembly is provided for accessing a superior vena cava of a patient without visualization of a vasculature of the patient. A stylet has an elongated body including a core wire disposed within a tubular body, the core wire having a pre-formed shape in a first state and a straightened shape in a second state. A first portion of the core wire has a substantially straight shape in the first state. A second portion of the core wire has a first pre-formed bend in the first state. A third portion of the core wire has a substantially straight shape in the first state. A fourth portion of the core wire has a second pre-formed bend in the first state. A fifth portion of the core wire has a substantially straight shape in the first state and includes a narrow segment that increases deflection of the distal tip.

A catheter device includes a housing extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a fixed tubular segment extending from a proximal end immovably coupled to the housing to a distal end, an outer tubular member extending from a proximal end immovably coupled to the housing to a distal end, and an inner tubular member extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The inner tubular member is slidably received within an interior of the outer tubular member and is slidably received over an exterior of the fixed tubular segment. The inner tubular member is configured to slide relative to each of the fixed tubular segment and the outer tubular member to selectively extend or retract the distal end of the inner tubular member relative to the distal end of the outer tubular member.

The present disclosure is directed to methods and devices for fluid drainage from an abscess of a patient.

A catheter may include a distal side and a proximal side comprising a shaft having an outer tubular member, and an insertion member. The catheter may have at least a part of the insertion member in an axial direction disposed in the outer tubular member. At least one outer tubular member or insertion member is a multilayer tube having a first layer and a second layer laminated with the first layer. In a cross-section perpendicular to an axial direction of the multilayer tube, a ratio of cross-sectional areas of the second layer to the first layer is 0.7 or less.

An endotracheal tube assembly with a plurality of curved portions is provided. A first curved portion in the endotracheal tube assembly is located adjacent to an insertion end thereof with a curvature that matches the curvature of a video laryngoscope (e.g., Glidescope®). A second curved portion in the endotracheal tube assembly is located in a central portion of the endotracheal tube assembly. The curvature of the first curved portion is greater than the curvature of the second curved portion. The first curved portion is bent at an angle of between about 120° and about 150° with respect to a straight portion of the endotracheal tube assembly. The second curved portion is bent at an angle of between about 30° and about 60° with respect to the straight portion of the endotracheal tube assembly.

An intermittent urinary catheter assembly 100 includes a reinforcement member 106 extending longitudinally at least partially within the distal end portion of the inner drainage lumen 104 of the catheter shaft. The reinforcement member may serve to connect a drainage member 114 to the catheter shaft and includes a drainage passageway in fluid communication with the inner drainage lumen of the shaft for allowing the drainage of urine through the urinary catheter assembly.