A pericardial access system includes an introducer sheath and a mandrel. The introducer sheath has a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. The mandrel has a proximal end, a distal end, end a handle at the proximal end. A wire electrode is disposed at the distal end of the mandrel, and a power supply is coupled to the wire electrode and configured to apply a short burst of energy sufficient to allow the wire electrode to penetrate a pericardial sac of a patient. The pericardial access system is used to deliver an implantable cardiac assist catheter connectable to an external drive unit. An anchor catheter is percutaneously advanced into a patient's pericardial sac and includes an anchor at its distal which may be expanded within the pericardial sac.

A method for puncturing a pericardial membrane of a human patient, the method comprising inserting a needle into the chest of the human patient, detecting a phase of a mechanical activity of the heart of the human patient, advancing the needle toward the heart of the human patient in synchronization with the detected phase of the mechanical activity of the heart of the human patient, and repeating the detecting and advancing steps until the pericardial membrane of the human patient is punctured.

An implantable fluid management device, designed to drain excess fluid from a variety of locations in a living host into a second location within the host, such as the bladder of that host. The device may be used to treat ascites, chronic pericardial effusions, normopressure hydrocephalus, hydrocephalus, pulmonary edema, or any fluid collection within the body of a human, or a non-human mammal.

The present invention provides a novel design for sheaths intended for medical procedures. The sheath includes structures that anchor the sheath in a cavity or space when deployed but are at the same time retractable such that the sheath can be removed without tearing the tissue defining the space.

An apparatus includes a first catheter defining a first longitudinal axis and a first lumen. A first actuator can be coupled to the first catheter and configured to rotate about the first longitudinal axis to deflect a distal end of the first catheter relative to the first longitudinal axis. A second catheter can define a second longitudinal axis and a second lumen. At least a portion of the second catheter can be configured to slide within the first lumen. A magnetic member can be coupled to a distal end of the second catheter. The magnetic member can define a third lumen. The third lumen can be in fluid communication with the second lumen. A second actuator can be coupled to the second catheter and configured to move linearly along the second longitudinal axis so as to vary a spacing between the magnetic member and the first catheter.

A surgical or laparoscopic method of creating and maintaining an opening in the thoracic diaphragm of a patient. The method comprising the steps of creating an incision in the thoracic diaphragm and thereby creating an opening in the thoracic diaphragm, placing a diaphragm passing part in said opening created in the thoracic diaphragm, passing from the abdomen through the thoracic diaphragm and into the thorax; wherein the step of placing said diaphragm passing part comprises placing a force transferring part of the diaphragm passing part in contact with the thoracic diaphragm, the force transferring part being adapted to transfer force between the abdominal side of the thoracic diaphragm and the thoracic side of the thoracic diaphragm while sliding against the thoracic diaphragm.

Disclosed is a pericardiocentesis needle component (10), comprising a guide wire (13) and a puncture needle (12). The guide wire (13) extends into and through the puncture needle (12), and the guide wire (13) comprises a bent section (32) at the distal end and a straight section at the proximal end. The bent section (32) at the distal end is formed by bending the guide wire (13), and the end of the bent section is a pointed-shape structure. The guide wire (13) is made of a highly elastic material. The pointed end rotates at least 90 degrees within a range of no more than 3 mm starting from the pointed end at the bent section (32) of the guide wire. The pericardiocentesis needle component (10) of the present disclosure is less likely to damage a heart during a pericardiocentesis procedure.

A medical system including: a plurality of medical instruments each including an elongated insertion section that can be inserted into the body from the body surface; fixing parts that are provided in the insertion sections of the plurality of medical instruments, respectively, at positions away from the distal ends toward the proximal end side and that can be coupled with or separated from each other; and manipulation parts that are provided at the proximal end side of the insertion sections and that are used to manipulate coupling and separation of the fixing parts.

Devices, systems, and methods for localized drug delivery. In at least one embodiment of a method of localized drug delivery, the method comprises the steps of placing a resorbable device within a tube, introducing the tube within a mammalian body at or near a tissue and/or organ within the mammalian body, and anchoring the resorbable device to the tissue and/or organ. Devices and systems useful for performing such a method are also disclosed herein, wherein an exemplary device comprises at least one drug release portion having at least one drug to be released over time and a binder intermixed with the at least one drug, and at least one resorbable anchor portion coupled to the at least one drug release portion.

An apparatus includes a first catheter defining a first longitudinal axis and a first lumen. A first actuator can be coupled to the first catheter and configured to rotate about the first longitudinal axis to deflect a distal end of the first catheter relative to the first longitudinal axis. A second catheter can define a second longitudinal axis and a second lumen. At least a portion of the second catheter can be configured to slide within the first lumen. A magnetic member can be coupled to a distal end of the second catheter. The magnetic member can define a third lumen. The third lumen can be in fluid communication with the second lumen. A second actuator can be coupled to the second catheter and configured to move linearly along the second longitudinal axis so as to vary a spacing between the magnetic member and the first catheter.