Systems and methods for controlling fluid flow are described. In some aspects, a system may include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The system may be configured to be in a first state if a male fitting of a device is not inserted in a female fitting of the third port. The valve may block a first fluid path defined between the first port and the third port if the system is in the first state. The system may also be configured to be in a second state if a male fitting of a device is fully inserted in the female fitting of the third port. The valve may block a second fluid path defined between the first port and the second port if the system is in the second state.

Syringe assemblies comprising a disinfecting reservoir collar to ensure adherence to aseptic techniques for use in flush procedures for vascular access devices (VAD's) are described. The syringe assemblies include a plunger rod, a syringe barrel, and a reservoir collar that permits disinfection of a hub of a VAD connector upon connection to the reservoir collar. Also described are methods of disinfecting vascular access devices.

Syringe assemblies comprising a disinfecting reservoir collar to ensure an adherence to aseptic techniques for use in flush procedures for vascular access devices (VAD's) are described. The syringe assemblies include a plunger rod, a syringe barrel, and the reservoir collar that permits disinfection of a hub of a VAD connector upon connection to the reservoir collar. Also described are methods of disinfecting the vascular access devices.

A multi-tubing intravenous (IV) extension set may include an outlet tubing fluidly coupled to a primary multi-tubing connector at one end and fluidly coupled to a vascular device at an opposite end, and a primary inlet tubing having a proximal end with an adapter for connection to a syringe containing a priming or a medicinal fluid, and a distal end coupled to the primary multi-tubing connector. The IV extension set may further include at least one secondary inlet tubing with a proximal end having an adapter for receiving a medicinal fluid and a distal end selectively fluidly coupled to the primary multi-tubing connector. A slide clamp may be positioned on the outlet tubing to restrict flow between the proximal and distal ends of the outlet tubing and cause priming fluid flowing into the outlet tubing via the multi-tubing connector to reverse direction into the at least one secondary inlet tubing.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to flush syringe assemblies comprising an integrated contamination-prevention device integrated with device connector flushing positioned so that the practitioner cannot forget to apply disinfectant. The flush syringe assemblies comprise a barrel with an elongate plunger rod disposed therein and a cap comprising a passageway. The plunger rod includes a stopper of which at least a portion can be embedded in the passageway of the cap to form a plug in the cap. Methods of flushing a vascular access device (VAD) while providing a flush syringe assembly described herein are also disclosed.

Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked. Systems and methods for flushing a shunt system are also disclosed herein, as are various systems and methods for opening auxiliary fluid pathways through a shunt system.

An imaging device capable of acquiring images of an internal structure of a living body highly accurately in a wide range. An imaging device has a first housing to which a proximal portion of an outer sheath is fixed, with a drive shaft for driving a imaging unit and an inner sheath extending through the first housing, and a second housing to which a proximal portion of the inner sheath is fixed and which holds the drive shaft rotatably therein. The first housing has a first port held in fluid communication with an inner lumen of the outer sheath, and the second housing is movable toward and away from the first housing. The imaging device also includes a first gap between the inner sheath and the outer sheath and a second gap between the inner sheath and the drive shaft.

The presently described catheter is an improved multi-function hypospadias catheter adapted to be urethrally inserted and secured within a patient's bladder using an attached internal crescent shaped retention balloon. The inverted crescent configuration of the balloon reduces the contact surface area between the balloon and a patient's bladder wall to reduce bladder spasms. The catheter is removed from the patient (when needed) via deflation of the crescent shaped balloon, which deflates completely so as to not contact a patient's urethra during insertion and removal of the catheter. The catheter includes a double lumen with a one-way flow valve. One lumen provides a passageway to drain urine from a patient's bladder. The second lumen provides a passageway to inflate and deflate the crescent shaped retention balloon.

A medical placeholder. The medical placeholder has at least one hollow body which is expandable and which defines an interior space, a gas infeed hose which is connected or connectable in a gas-permeable manner with the interior space of the hollow body, and a gas discharge hose which is connected or connectable in a gas-permeable manner with the interior space of the hollow body. The hollow body consists partly or completely of at least one plastic material which is permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide. A one-way valve is arranged in the gas infeed hose and a pressure relief valve is arranged in the gas discharge hose. Also disclosed is a method for gas-flushing a surface of a medical placeholder.

A device to flush a catheter assembly may include a first extension tube and a first connector, which may be coupled to a distal end of the first extension tube. The device may include a second extension tube and a second connector, which may be coupled to a distal end of the second extension tube. The device may include a syringe and an extension, which may be coupled to the syringe. In some embodiments, a first fluid pathway may extend through the first extension tube, and a second fluid pathway may extend through the second extension tube. In some embodiments, a third fluid pathway may extend through the extension. In some embodiments, the third fluid pathway may branch into the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway.