A system for anal and/or stomal irrigation comprises a reservoir (102) for an irrigating liquid, a catheter (100) comprising a catheter tip for insertion into the rectum or stoma of a user and for expelling of the irrigating liquid from the catheter tip, and a tubing system (121) providing a conduit for the irrigating liquid between the reservoir and the catheter tip. A pump (101) is provided to pump the irrigating liquid from the reservoir to the catheter tip, and a control system (103) controls a flow condition, such as the amount of liquid expelled at the catheter tip. A sensor (153) determines a measure of pressure in at least one first predetermined position in the tubing system and/or the catheter during operation of the pump, on the basis of which the flow condition is estimated. The control system is configured to control the pumping operation of the pump in response to the measure of pressure.

A rectal drainage appliance is disclosed comprising a tubular element having an inflatable balloon at a distal end for anchoring the appliance in the rectum. The appliance includes one or more of: (i) first and second auxiliary lumens communicating with the inflatable balloon to provide independent inflation and pressure monitoring paths coupled to the balloon; (ii) a pressure state indicator defined by a mechanical element configured to flip between first and second states or shapes responsive to sensed pressure; and (iii) a collapsible auxiliary lumen larger than the inflation lumen, and configured to permit admission of irrigation fluid. The pressure state indicator may also be used in intestinal drains.

A low-cost and simple-to-use system and method to facilitate a prophylactic pleural lavage protocol at the time of thoracostomy tube placement for traumatic hemothorax in order to reduce the need for secondary intervention for the management of retained hemothorax. The invention may be used in conjunction with existing chest tubes and be administered at the time of initial chest tube placement, and continued at the bedside (by a bedside nurse) over the duration of chest drainage, as necessary. The system includes an operator device that semi-automatically administers a pleural lavage protocol consisting of saline instillation, and suction to slow the clotting process, prevent “gelling” of blood, and maintain drainability.

A system for anal or stomal irrigation comprises a reservoir (102) for an irrigating liquid; a catheter (100) comprising a catheter tip for insertion into the rectum or stoma, a thermo sensor (128) connected to the reservoir for obtaining a measure of a temperature within the reservoir, a tubing system and/or the catheter. A control system (103) operatively connected with the thermo sensor is configured to determine a temperature within the reservoir. A method for predicting a temperature in a reservoir for irrigation liquid is also provided.

Methods and devices for providing liquids to nasal and/or paranasal cavities are disclosed. Probe portions of a first and of a second probe are introduced to a user's first and second nostril, respectively. Each probe has a primary channel and a secondary channel. Fluid is provided to the secondary channels to expand the expandable portions of the secondary channels, seal the nostril openings and expand alar sidewalls of the nostrils. This may reveal ducts that lead to the paranasal cavities. The liquid is provided through the primary channels to the nasal cavity, the liquid being disposed to reach and stimulate the soft palate, and may trigger a swallow reflex to raise the soft palate and exert pressure to the liquid, the liquid may find an escape route through the ducts and into the paranasal cavities.

Ablation systems of the present disclosure facilitate the safe formation of wide and deep lesions. For example, ablation systems of the present disclosure can allow for the flow of irrigation fluid and blood through an expandable ablation electrode, resulting in efficient and effective cooling of the ablation electrode as the ablation electrode delivers energy at a treatment site of the patient. Additionally, or alternatively, ablation systems of the present disclosure can include a deformable ablation electrode and a plurality of sensors that, in cooperation, sense the deformation of the ablation electrode, to provide a robust indication of the extent and direction of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue at a treatment site.

Disclosed is an auxiliary apparatus for fecal bypass for bypassing and discharging feces in the intestines.

Since supporting portions are connected to a single air flow tube to simultaneously expand when air is injected, and the size of the supporting portions is limited, the auxiliary apparatus for fecal bypass of the present invention does not damage the inner wall and outer wall (mucous membrane and serous membrane) of the intestines.

Also, the present invention comprises a liquid moving tube allowing a therapeutic liquid being refluxed quickly and automatically when the pressure inside the intestines increases, thereby preventing abdominal pain of a patient.

An irrigation balloon catheter includes one or more inner balloons inside of an irrigation balloon. The inner balloon(s) can be compliant with a volume that is dynamically adjustable for rapid inflation, rapid deflation, complete deflation, and/or irrigation flow adjustment. An inflator tool can be configured to inflate or deflate the inner balloon to adjust flow from the outer, irrigation balloon to affect temperature at electrodes of the irrigation balloon.

Ablation systems of the present disclosure facilitate the safe formation of wide and deep lesions. For example, ablation systems of the present disclosure can allow for the flow of irrigation fluid and blood through an expandable ablation electrode, resulting in efficient and effective cooling of the ablation electrode as the ablation electrode delivers energy at a treatment site of the patient. Additionally, or alternatively, ablation systems of the present disclosure can include a deformable ablation electrode and a plurality of sensors that, in cooperation, sense the deformation of the ablation electrode, to provide a robust indication of the extent and direction of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue at a treatment site.

The invention generally relates to intracavitary medical devices and methods for using the devices. In one aspect, the devices comprise: a tube comprising a longitudinal body having opposed proximal and distal ends, and at least three lumens extending there between; and an expandable balloon region located at the distal end of the tube; wherein at least one lumen comprises at least one of: a drainage lumen which opens at a portion of the distal end of the tube and configured to allow fluid communication from a body cavity into the drainage lumen, an inflation lumen connected to an interior of the balloon region and configured to enable passage of a distending fluid to control expansion and contraction of the balloon region, and an instillation lumen which opens at a portion of the distal end of the tube and configured to allow a fluid to be introduced from the instillation lumen into the body cavity.