An instrument according to the invention for medical or surgical treatment of a human or animal patient comprises at least one tool suitable for influencing a patient, e.g. an electrode, which is or are located in the field of view of an optical element. The optical element is arranged inside a channel in which a fluid flow can be maintained or can be caused in distal direction. The light passage window of optical element is offset relative to the distal opening of channel in proximal direction. A closure device is arranged between light passage window and opening of channel, which blocks passage of substances, particularly passage of liquid droplets and particles, from the opening to the light passage window as long as it is in closed position. If the closure device is open, it unblocks the fluid path and the light path between the light passage window to the opening. Preferably the closure device is controlled pneumatically by means of the liquid or gaseous fluid flowing inside channel. With this measure a contamination of the light passage window during operation of the instrument can be reliably avoided or at least reduced to a minor degree.

Microcatheter for delivering a substance (e.g., infusion agent including embolization material and/or contrast enhancing material) in a small blood vessel towards a target bodily part. Includes a single lumen surrounded by tubular wall having outer diameter and opened at both ends; tubular wall proximal portion is connectable to a pressure source and reservoir containing infusion agent, and tubular wall distal portion ends with a tip; the tubular wall distal portion includes an infusion agent flow disruption section configured to disrupt passage therethrough of incoming retrograded flow of infusion agent, during continuous delivery of infusion suspension from the reservoir to the tip. Disclosed are methods using the microcatheter for performing local embolization in a small blood vessel feeding a (for example, cancerous) target bodily part, and for delivering infusion agent in a small blood vessel towards such target bodily part. Also disclosed are devices and methods for filtering non-target infusion agent.

A guidewire retention assembly is disclosed. The assembly may include a body member extending between a first end and a second end and defining a retention lumen, a connector defining a connector lumen, a vent, and a continuous outside surface, the vent comprising an opening extending radially from the connector lumen, and the connector releasably coupleable to the first end of the body member and the second end of the body member, such that the connector releasably couples the first end of the body member to the second end of the body member.

An assembly includes a catheter that has an insemination lumen for injecting sperm into a uterus. The insemination lumen includes two branches (sub-lumens), one directed toward a left ostium and the other directed to a right ostium of fallopian tubes.

A combination flush catheter and selective catheter as one convertible catheter and methods of using the same. The selective catheter may be a reverse curve or guide catheter. The additional steps of removal of the flush catheter and re-insertion of the selective catheter may be eliminated, reducing the possibility of errors and making the procedure smoother and shorter.

A medical device, which may be adapted for delivering and/or recapturing an implantable implant, includes an elongate sheath and a rigid member that is secured relative to the elongate sheath. The elongate sheath includes an inner polymeric liner, an outer polymeric sheath and a reinforcing braid that extends within the outer polymeric sheath. The reinforcing braid includes a plurality of wire ends that extend beyond a distal edge of the rigid member in order to protect the implantable implant from being damaged by the rigid member in the event that the inner polymeric liner becomes damaged.

A urinary catheter is readily removed and replaced with a second urinary catheter without introducing foreign matter or contaminants into the bladder. The first urinary catheter includes an extra lumen that houses a sheath therein to seal an opening or third hole at or near the tip of the catheter so that fluids do not enter the extra lumen. After the sheath seal is broken and the sheath is extracted from the catheter, a guidewire is threaded through the extra lumen and into the patient's bladder. The first urinary catheter is withdrawn from the patient, leaving the guidewire in the patient. A second urinary catheter is inserted into the patient over the guidewire, with the guidewire present in the urine lumen of the second urinary catheter. The guidewire then is extracted from the patient.

The invention relates generally to methods and systems for the treatment of pelvic tissues using a high pressure injection device to deliver a therapeutic composition that includes a large molecule therapeutic agent, such as a nucleic acid or a polypeptide, to a target tissue in the pelvic area. Methods of the invention can improve delivery of the therapeutic agent into the tissue, which can be beneficial for the treatment of a pelvic tissue disorder, such as bladder and prostate tumors.

A system includes an outer catheter and an inner catheter. The outer catheter has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has a discharge nozzle, a tapered interior wall, and an end orifice. The proximal end is configured to receive a fluid. The discharge nozzle is coupled to the proximal end by a first lumen. The discharge nozzle is configured to direct the fluid in a plurality of discrete streams aligned in a radial fashion about an axis of the first lumen. The interior catheter is configured for placement within the first lumen. A first end of the interior catheter includes an occluder and includes a first temperature sensor. The first temperature sensor is configured to pass through the end orifice. The occluder is configured to engage with the tapered interior wall in a fluid-tight seal. The first temperature sensor includes a sense surface and includes a signal node. The signal node is configured to provide a first signal corresponding to a timewise change in temperature at the sense surface.

Various catheter systems using a patient's own bodily fluids to increase local fluid velocity and therefore localized lower pressure via the Venturi effect. Exemplary systems utilize a pump to suction and eject blood to/from an attached catheter. One catheter comprises a valve moveable such that the area of the opening at the distal end for fluid passage is larger during suction than during ejection. Another catheter comprises openings in the sidewall and a balloon at the distal end to temporarily occlude the vessel during suction. Another catheter comprises a narrow distal opening and multiple openings with valves in the catheter sidewall. When catheters are deployed near a lymphatic opening into the circulation, such as at the thoracic duct, the ejection of blood from the catheter may cause a localized pressure reduction aiding in the reintroduction of lymph into the circulation.