Various exemplary methods and devices (10, 110, 210) for delivering liquid therapeutic agents in solid tumors are provided. In general, a delivery device configured to deliver a liquid therapeutic agent into a solid tumor or other soft tissue can be configured to compress tissue and seal any fluid gaps around the delivery device during the delivery of the liquid therapeutic agent. In an exemplary embodiment the delivery device includes three elongate tubular shafts (12, 14, 16, 112, 114, 116, 212, 214, 216) configured to move longitudinally relative to one another. The elongate tubular shafts are configured to cooperate with one another to deliver the liquid therapeutic agent through a passageway of the delivery device to the solid tumor or other soft tissue and seal any fluid gaps around the delivery device while the liquid therapeutic agent is delivered into the solid tumor or other soft tissue.

A medical guidewire assembly is movable through an exit portal of a guidewire introducer. The guidewire introducer and the medical guidewire assembly are each insertable, at least in part, into a patient. The medical guidewire assembly is configured to reduce, at least in part, the hoop stress surrounding a puncture hole extending through the tissue of the patient. This is done in response to movement, at least in part, of the medical guidewire assembly relative to the puncture hole (after the puncture hole has been initially formed).

Disclosed are rapidly insertable central catheter (“RICC”) insertion assemblies and methods. For example, a RICC insertion assembly can include a RICC, an access guidewire, an introducer needle, and a coupler coupling the foregoing components together. The introducer needle can include a needle shaft and a sheath. The needle shaft can include a longitudinal needle slot. The sheath can seal the needle slot thereunder except for a sheath opening thereto in a proximal portion of the sheath. The coupler can include a coupler housing and a valve module disposed in the coupler housing. The valve module can seal the needle shaft and the sheath therein. The access guidewire can include a proximal end coupled to the coupler and a distal end disposed in the introducer needle, thereby enforcing a loop in the access guidewire. The RICC can be disposed over the loop in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

Disclosed are rapidly insertable central catheter (“RICC”) insertion assemblies and methods. For example, a RICC insertion assembly can include a RICC, an access guidewire, an introducer needle, and a coupler coupling the foregoing components together. The introducer needle can include a needle shaft and a sheath. The needle shaft can include a longitudinal needle slot. The sheath can seal the needle slot thereunder except for a sheath opening thereto in a proximal portion of the sheath. The coupler can include a coupler housing and a valve module disposed in the coupler housing. The valve module can seal the needle shaft and the sheath therein. The access guidewire can include a proximal end coupled to the coupler and a distal end disposed in the introducer needle, thereby enforcing a loop in the access guidewire. The RICC can be disposed over the loop in a ready-to-deploy state of the RICC insertion assembly.

An integrated catheter assembly includes a housing member, an outer lumen member extending from the housing member, and a needle member slidably or movably coupled to the housing member, wherein the needle member can be extended beyond a first port of the outer lumen member in a first position and concealed in the outer lumen member in a second position. The outer lumen member has a side port between its first and second ports such that when the needle is extended in the first position and inserted into an arteriovenous fistula, blood from the arteriovenous fistula flashes into the needle member, is diverted through a relief port of the needle member out the side port of the outer lumen member for delivery to a dialysis machine. The assembly further includes an inner lumen member that is disposable through the housing member to extend out from the same the outer lumen member to provide dialyzed blood from the machine. The assembly therefore receives and delivers blood through a single injection site.

One or more insertion mechanisms may be configured to insert and retract one or more needles associated with a component configured to implantable component into the tissue of a patient. For example, a component or implantable component may include a cannula for delivery of medication to a patient or an analyte sensor. An insertion mechanism may be configured to be part of or enclosed within a structure of the Disease Management System. For example, an insertion mechanism may be configured to operate within the structure of the Disease Management System and not require outside components or devices to apply one or more needles or implantable components to the patient.

One or more insertion mechanisms may be configured to insert and retract one or more needles associated with a component configured to implantable component into the tissue of a patient. For example, a component or implantable component may include a cannula for delivery of medication to a patient or an analyte sensor. An insertion mechanism may be configured to be part of or enclosed within a structure of the Disease Management System. For example, an insertion mechanism may be configured to operate within the structure of the Disease Management System and not require outside components or devices to apply one or more needles or implantable components to the patient.

An expandable introducer device includes an introducer hub, an expandable tubular membrane coupled to the hub and extending distally therefrom, and a rigid spine attached to, partially attached to, extending through, or incorporated into the inner surface of the tubular membrane. The tubular membrane includes a folded configuration and an expanded, unfolded configuration when a device is advanced through the tubular membrane.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a delivery apparatus for a prosthetic heart valve. Disclosed delivery apparatuses can include a handle, a first shaft extending from the handle, a second shaft disposed around the first shaft, and a valve cover. The valve cover can be coupled to a distal end portion of the first shaft and can be configured to house a prosthetic heart valve in a radially compressed state. The valve cover can have an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the second shaft, and the first shaft and valve cover can be movable together in an axial direction relative to the second shaft.

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.