One embodiment provides a tightly targeted minimally invasive therapy (TTMIT) parathyroid tissue ablating instrument. A substance that cytotoxically ablates parathyroidal tissue during application in the parathyroidal tissue of therapeutically sufficient units of an electromagnetic energy having a frequency only ranging from ultraviolet to visible to near infrared. A substance delivery device is configured to introduce the substance into the parathyroidal tissue. An electromagnetic energy treatment device is configured to apply the therapeutically sufficient units of the electromagnetic energy within a thermal range that is non-cytotoxic to the parathyroidal tissue to the substance after the substance has been introduced by the substance delivery device. A sensor is configured to monitor activation of the substance as the therapeutically sufficient units of the electromagnetic energy are applied. The electromagnetic energy treatment device is further configured to modulate applying the therapeutically sufficient units of the electromagnetic energy once the substance has been activated.

An intermittent urinary catheter assembly comprising an intermittent urinary catheter comprising a catheter tube (4) with a proximal insertion end (3) and a distal outlet end, the catheter tube comprising a plurality of draining openings (6) at a proximal portion, a handle connected to the distal outlet end of the catheter tube (4), where the handle (30) comprises a first cavity (31) and a coaxial second cavity (33), the first cavity being adapted to provide a through-going hole for draining liquid (urine), and a protective tube (40) adapted for being telescoped in a longitudinal direction between a first proximal position and a second distal position, wherein, in the first proximal position, the protective tube (40) at least partly covers the catheter tube and, in the second distal position, the protective tube is positioned in the second cavity of the handle thereby exposing the full length (L) of the catheter tube for insertion.

A medical device product (10) comprises a package (12) defining an interior cavity (14), an activating liquid located within the interior cavity of the package, and a medical device (18) located within the interior cavity of the package. At least one portion of the medical device is activated by absorbing an amount of the activating liquid. A liquid-drawing member (20) is located within the interior cavity of the package. The liquid-drawing member absorbs any excess activating liquid within the cavity that was not absorbed by the at least one portion of the medical device.

A medical device product (10) comprises a package (12) defining an interior cavity (14). The interior cavity includes a first compartment (16) and a second compartment (18) that are separated by a vapor permeable barrier (20). A vapor donating liquid (22) is located in the first compartment, and the vapor donating liquid donates a vapor (28). A medical device (24) and a draw element (26) are located in the second compartment. The medical device includes at least a portion that is activated by the vapor. The draw element draws the vapor from the first compartment across the barrier and into the second compartment. The vapor activates the portion of the medical device.

A catheter assembly including a tapered steering spine having a varying stiffness along an axial length. The tapered steering spine is tailored to provide increasing flexibility from proximal to distal in a way that makes the bend radius more uniform along the length of the steering section. In one embodiment, the tapered steering spine includes structures on adjacent rings that engage with each other when the steering section is flexed to limit the minimum bend radius to a predetermined minimum and which enhances the torsional rigidity of the steering section regardless of the degree of flexure of the steering section. The limited bend radius can prevent excessive bending of components such as fiber optics. The enhanced torsional rigidity can negate the need for torque braid in the section of the catheter shaft that surrounds the tapered steering spine.

A catheter assembly includes an inner liner made of flexible material and an outer layer having a steering mechanism. A catheter assembly is provided that includes an inner liner made of flexible material, and an outer layer having a steering mechanism that includes at least one wire and a corresponding lumen for each of the at least one wire through which the respective wire may travel. The outer layer includes a braided wire assembly that includes at least two wires braided into a wire mesh, and further includes a see-through portion positioned proximate a pull wire extraction location to facilitate extraction.

The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to catheters for advancing past a vascular stenosis. Each of these catheters has at least one friction-reducing feature to reduce the friction between the catheter and the stenosis as the catheter is urged therethrough.

An antimicrobial lubricant applied to an outer surface of an introducer needle as part of a catheter assembly device. The catheter assembly device further includes a blood control septum having a slit through which the introducer needle is threaded. The antimicrobial lubricant is squeegeed, or removed from the outer surface of the introducer needle as the needle is removed from the slit following catheterization. The removed antimicrobial lubricant forms a deposit on the septum at a location proximate to the slit, thereby preventing colonization and growth of pathogens on the septum and other adjacent components and surfaces of the catheter assembly device.

Targeted ablation of parathyroidal tissue is provided through hyperthermia adjuvant therapy. An in situ localization of parathyroidal tissue is obtained. A temperature-sensitive adjuvant is instilled into the parathyroidal tissue. Hyperthermia is therapeutically induced within the parathyroidal tissue. Heat-inducing energy is targeted into the parathyroidal tissue, which selectively includes the temperature-sensitive adjuvant. Application of the heat-inducing energy to the parathyroidal tissue is continued over a therapeutic range. In a further embodiment, the targeted ablation of the parathyroidal tissue is provided through hypothermia adjuvant therapy with the targeted use of cold-inducing energy.

A carrying platform for moving a device within a conduit, the carrying platform comprising: a body configured to be moveable within the conduit; a number of clampers provided on the body and configured to releasably engage the conduit for immobilizing the carrying platform relative to the conduit; and a device engagement mechanism provided on the body and configured to releasably engage the device.