A patency checking system, may include a fluid path to be coupled to an intravenous (IV) device at a distal end of the fluid path; a patency port formed along a length of the fluid path; and a plunger fluidically coupled to the fluid path at the patency port to selectively draw blood into the fluid path to confirm patency of the fluid path.

A closed-system, drug administering catheter assembly includes a transfer adapter, a stopcock, a medicament injector containing chemotherapy medicament, a medicament pressure reservoir, and a urethral balloon catheter comprising a drain lumen and a distal tip, all connected together in a closed-system. The medicament injector is configured to inject the chemotherapy medicament through the stopcock, the drain lumen, and into an environment of the distal tip within a patient's organ without leakage of the chemotherapy medicament from the patient into an environment of the patient. The medicament pressure reservoir is configured to store negative pressure that withdraws from the organ used chemotherapy medicament through the drain lumen and the stopcock and holds the used chemotherapy medicament in the medicament pressure reservoir without leakage of the used chemotherapy medicament into the environment of the patient.

Plasma/cell concentrator apparatus and methods are described herein for concentrating constituents from a fluid. Generally, a volume of the fluid may be urged from a first reservoir to a second reservoir through a fluid channel and a volume of desiccant for mixing with the fluid may be introduced to create a mixture. This fluid and desiccant mixture may be passed between the first and second reservoirs until one or more components from the fluid are absorbed by the desiccant. After mixing, the fluid may be withdrawn through a withdrawal channel which is in fluid communication with the fluid channel while preventing the desiccant from passing into the withdrawal channel.

A method and apparatus deliver dry, flowable hemostatic powder into a gas flow stream by gravity delivery within a body of the apparatus. The hemostatic powder is then carried with the gas out of the apparatus into an elongated delivery tube inserted into a patient. Delivery of the powder into the gas flow stream creates a bolus of powder and air which becomes more uniformly distributed as it passes through the elongated delivery tube.

Disclosed embodiments include methods and devices for introducing a sheath into a human or animal subject. Some embodiments include a puncture tool that may simultaneously deliver a sheath and a needle to a desired anatomical location. The needle may be removed and the sheath may be used to define a space that may be used to conduct a procedure.

Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.

A vacuum aspiration system may be used to treat thromboembolic disease, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. The system includes a housing, and a fluid flow path extending through the housing. A first catheter is in fluid communication with the flow path, and a connector is configured to place a source of aspiration in communication with the flow path. A clot container is carried by the housing. A hemostasis valve is provided in the housing, and configured to receive a second catheter and direct the second catheter through the first catheter.

An aspiration system exhibits an accelerated drop in negative pressure at the distal end of an aspiration catheter from the time of opening a valve. The system includes an aspiration pump in communication with a first chamber, and an aspiration catheter configured for placement into fluid communication with the first chamber by way of an elongate aspiration tube. A second chamber is provided between the aspiration tube and the catheter, and a valve is provided between the second chamber and the aspiration catheter. Upon opening of the valve with negative pressure at equilibrium in the first and second chambers, resistance to fluid flow between the second chamber and the distal end of the catheter is less than the resistance to fluid flow between the second chamber and the first chamber, causing a rapid aspiration into the second chamber.

A methods of placing large bore aspiration catheters is disclosed. The method of removing a vascular obstruction includes the steps of transvascularly advancing a distal end of an aspiration catheter into proximity with an obstruction, activating a low flow, detection mode of aspiration through the catheter, and thereafter activating a momentary control to activate a high flow, aspiration mode of operation and draw obstructive material into the distal end of the access catheter.

A hemostasis valve may be used with a catheter such as an aspiration catheter. The hemostasis valve comprises a support, and at least a first lever, pivotably carried with respect to the support. A collapsible tubular sidewall defining a valve lumen is carried by the support. A filament is formed into a loop around the tubular sidewall, the filament having at least a first tail portion extending away from the loop to the first lever. A first spring may be configured to move the first lever in a direction that pulls the first tail portion away from the tubular sidewall, reducing the diameter of the valve lumen in response to reducing the diameter of the loop. A second tail portion may extend away from the loop to a second lever. Each tail portion may be attached to its respective lever, or may be slidably advanceable around a fulcrum on the lever and attached with respect to the support.