Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a pump assembly and a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound. The pump assembly and the wound dressing can be fluidically connected to facilitate delivery of negative pressure to a wound via a fluid flow path. The system can be configured to efficiently deliver negative pressure and to detect and indicate presence of conditions, such as a blockage in a fluid flow path. Monitoring of the conditions can be performed by detecting a level of activity of a pump of the pump assembly.

A reduced pressure treatment system is provided that includes a canister that is fluidly connected to a tissue site and is configured to receive fluid drawn from the tissue site under the influence of a reduced pressure. A reduced pressure source provides the reduced pressure and is fluidly connected to the tissue site by a fluid communication path, which may include a source conduit, the canister, and a target conduit. A sensing device communicates with the source conduit and is configured to sense a pressure in the source conduit. A valve communicates with the source conduit and is configured to vent the reduced pressure. A processing unit communicates with the sensing device and the valve and is configured to open the valve for a selected amount of time, determine a decay of reduced pressure, and determine a fill status of the canister based on the decay of reduced pressure.

An ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece with a sensor and a surge control system and a method. The central aspiration lumen of the ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece consists of two components of plug-in loose fit: a fixed lumen and an extension lumen; a small pressure sensor is mounted on the extension lumen, but still able to keep the easy-to-use size and maintain the ultrasonic performance of the handpiece. The extension lumen minimizes the effect of ultrasonic vibration on the sensor while maintaining sufficient stiffness for installing and removing the phacoemulsification tip. The design of the handpiece transducer reduces the effect of this sensor installation on the ultrasonic performance. For ultrasonic phacoemulsification cataract removal surgery, the short distance from the pressure sensor to the surgical site provides a technical solution for reliably controlling the risk of the post occlusion surge.

Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a pump assembly and a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound. The pump assembly and the wound dressing can be fluidically connected to facilitate delivery of negative pressure to a wound via a fluid flow path. The system can be configured to efficiently deliver negative pressure and to detect and indicate presence of conditions, such as a blockage in a fluid flow path. Monitoring of the conditions can be performed by detecting a level of activity of a pump of the pump assembly.

A device for thoracic drainage comprises a container connector for a secretion collection container (3), which can be connected to the pleural cavity of a patient, and a venting device (10) for releasing air from the secretion collection container in passive operation. In order to keep the counterpressure as low as possible during the air release and thus make it easier to force air out of the pleural cavity (1) of a patient, the venting device has a controllable vent valve (12). For this purpose, a control device (7) determines the pressure in the secretion collection container by reading out a pressure sensor (11) and controls the valve to release air from the secretion collection container when the determined pressure exceeds a threshold value. The device can optionally also be operated actively by way of a vacuum connector (25). An ancillary line (2′) permits monitoring of the drainage line (2).

Disclosed is a chest drainage system which reduces or eliminates pooling of blood/liquid and/or clogging/clotting in the drainage tube. Generally, the chest drainage system continuously monitors chest tube status and clears pooled liquid when necessary to restore negative pressure to the chest. The system may include a valve device which is located between the patient's chest tube and drainage tube and may be used with any standard chest tube. The chest drainage system also includes a controller for monitoring the pressure at or near the valve device and/or at or near the suction device, and possibly a pump for assisting in clearance of pooled liquid and/or clots. The controller may also control the valve device and/or suction device in response to pressure signals.

A method for improving a flow condition through a catheter inserting a distal end of a sheath within the vasculature of a subject, placing the aspiration catheter through the sheath and advancing the aspiration catheter such that an open distal end of the aspiration lumen is distal to a distal end of the sheath and is in proximity to a thrombus within a blood vessel of a subject, coupling an extension conduit in fluid communication with a lumen of the sheath to a second fluid source, and activating a pump such that pressurized fluid from the first fluid source is applied to the supply lumen of the aspiration catheter, wherein when an active flowing condition is not present, fluid from the second fluid source is caused to flow through the lumen of the sheath.

A suction valve stem, a suction valve, an endoscopic valve kit, and a method for molding a stem are provided. The suction valve stem includes: a button head, and a stem body connecting to the button head. The stem body includes: an air passage through the center bore, a recessed slot, disposed on the stem body below the button head and above the side opening, a sealing area, disposed on the stem body below the side opening, and a flat, disposed on the stem body. The air passage includes a side opening disposed on side surface of the stem body and a bottom opening disposed at a bottom end of the stem body. The recessed slot is disposed 90 degrees from the side opening. The flat is disposed 90 degrees from the side opening and has a fluid communication to the bottom end of the stem body.

A device for selectively filtering a substance suctioned from a surgical site includes a valve that may be positioned in a bypass mode and a filtration mode. The valve is placed within a body that includes an inlet and an outlet. In the bypass mode, a first inlet of the valve is adapted to be aligned with the body inlet. The first inlet guides the substance through a bypass passageway to the body outlet. In the bypass mode, a bowl and a filter of the body are sectioned off from a flow path of the filtration device such that the bowl and the filter can be removed without interrupting an application of suction to a surgical site by the filtration device. In a filtration mode, a second inlet of the valve is adapted to be aligned with the body inlet to direct the substance into the filter.

A method is provided for facilitating urine output from the kidney, including: (a) inserting a catheter including: a drainage lumen including a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's kidney, renal pelvis and/or in the ureter adjacent to the renal pelvis and a proximal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion including a funnel support including at least one sidewall, wherein the funnel support includes a first diameter and a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter, the second diameter being closer to an end of the distal portion of the drainage lumen than the first diameter, wherein the proximal portion of the drainage lumen is essentially free of or free of openings; and (b) applying negative pressure to the proximal portion of the drainage lumen for a period of time to facilitate urine output from the kidney.