This invention relates to a surgical smoke evacuation system for use in removing gases and smoke created in surgical procedures form within an insufflated surgical cavity, Such a system comprises a discharge assembly adapted to form a gases path, and having an end which in use is located within said surgical cavity so that gases and/or surgical smoke inside said cavity can pass out of said cavity and through said discharge assembly along said gases path, a flexible discharge limb having an operational site end and an outlet end, and a self-supporting wall defining a gases flow passage between said operational site end and said outlet end, in use said open operational site end sealingly connected to said discharge assembly so that said gases and/or surgical smoke can pass out of said discharge assembly and into said discharge limb, a filter connected in use to the outlet end of the discharge limb, at least part of said wall of the discharge limb formed from a breathable material, said breathable material allowing the passage of water vapour through the wall of the discharge limb without allowing the passage of liquid water or surgical smoke or other gases.

A system for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a moveable tissue site, such as a joint, includes a flexible dressing bolster. The flexible dressing bolster has a first side and a second, inward-facing side, and a plurality of flexion joints formed on the flexible dressing bolster. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the flexible dressing bolster and the patient's epidermis and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced-pressure subsystem are operable to deliver a reduced pressure to the moveable tissue site. The flexible dressing bolster is operable to allow articulation or movement of the moveable tissue site. The sealing subsystem may include a drape with folds. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented.

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to an elongated layer of material and a lip to be placed in contact with a wound and the elongated layer of material to be wrapped around a wound filler, their methods of use and systems incorporating the same, wherein the wound filler lip is configured to be positioned beneath the fascia. Additionally, some embodiments described herein are directed to the closure of the wound and the use of attachment mechanisms on the elongate layer and lip to attach to the wound surface.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems, devices and methods for monitoring dimensional changes in medical devices attached to or implanted in the body, such as wound fillers. Disclosed embodiments may facilitate measuring the degree of wound closure by incorporating conductive elements into the wound filler. In some embodiments, the conductive elements may be conductive filler, a flexible conductive element, or an arrangement of discrete non-flexible conductive elements. The density of conductive material in an area or volume of the wound filler upon wound closure may be detected by a detection device that assesses the local dielectric constant of the wound filler, such as through use of a capacitive plate, or by a detection device that measures the resonant frequency of a conductive element.

A system for providing instillation fluid to a deep abdominal wound includes an instillation module and a connection structure. The instillation module defines a first surface and a second, abdominal contents-facing surface. The instillation module includes a distribution hub configured to receive instillation fluid from an instillation fluid source. The connection structure includes a first surface, a second, abdominal contents-facing surface; and a flow path extending between the first surface and the second surface. The flow path includes an inlet configured to receive an instillation fluid conduit engaged with the instillation fluid source and an outlet in fluid communication with the instillation module. The flow path defines an axis extending between the inlet and the outlet. The flow path is configured to compress in a direction defined by the axis.

Systems, devices and methods for draining and analyzing bodily fluids and assessing health are described generally comprising a pumping mechanism which is fluidly connectable at a first end to a portion of a drainage line and a venting mechanism having a one-way valve and which is connectable at a first end into fluid communication with a drainage catheter and the drainage line. The pumping mechanism may be configured to create a negative pressure within the drainage line when the pumping mechanism is in communication with the drainage line, and the one-way valve may be configured to open to an environment when the venting mechanism is connected at the first end and when the drainage line is at a pressure less than an environmental pressure such that an airlock is prevented from forming within the drainage line.

A dressing assembly for use with a reduced pressure treatment system, the dressing assembly develops a directed force under reduced pressure. The directed force may be a radial force or a closing force. The dressing assembly includes a shaped dressing bolster having a shaped extremity that is operable to evenly deliver the radial force and to distribute reduced pressure. Numerous shapes may be used for the shaped extremity. The dressing assembly may further include an over-drape to assist in creating a seal over the shaped dressing bolster and against a portion of a patient's epidermis.

A reduced-pressure system for treating tissue, such as damaged subcutaneous tissue, includes a shaped dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis and substantially sized to overlay the damaged subcutaneous tissue. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the shaped dressing bolster and a portion of the patient's epidermis, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The reduced-pressure system may develop a force, which may include a vertical force that is realized at tissue site deeper than the epidermis or a closing force directed towards the incision. The shaped dressing bolster is shaped to evenly distribute the force. Other methods and systems are included.

A drainage or infusion catheter and methods of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter includes a tube body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of ports arranged along the tube body from the distal end to the proximal end. The distal end of the tube body is configured to deform around itself into a substantially spiral shape so as to cover at least one of the plurality of ports located near the proximal end of the tube body. In another embodiment, a flap is configured to erupt from apertures arranged in the tube and extend outwardly around the tube body so as to cover at least one of the plurality of ports located near the proximal end of the tube body.

A dissection device may include an inflatable balloon disposed at a distal end of a catheter, the catheter having an inflation lumen extending through the catheter to an interior space defined within the inflatable balloon. The inflatable balloon may include a top wall, a bottom wall spaced apart from the top wall, an outer perimeter wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and a plurality of inner walls each extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and in sealing contact with the outer perimeter wall at a first end of the inner wall. The inflatable balloon may include a series of interconnected chambers including a central chamber in direct fluid communication with the inflation lumen, and laterally disposed chambers each having an opening fluidly connecting to each adjacent chamber.