A low-profile access port for subcutaneous implantation within a patient. The access port can include a set of receiving cups which can be placed in fluid communication with a catheter. The set of receiving cups can provide a greater skin surface with which to access the port to avoid repeated penetrations at a single locus, such as during consecutive dialysis treatments. The access port can alternatively include needle penetrable arms or elongate chambers that also have a slim, low profile. The access port can include a needle guide to direct subsequent needle access to different insertion points to permit healing at the previous insertion points. The access port can be formed of a modular construction with a first conduit, a second conduit, and an outer shell. The outer shell can include a proximal portion and a distal portion. The access port can include a stem assembly and a locking member.

An implantable medical device is provided for controlled drug delivery within the bladder, or other body vesicle. The device may include at least one drug reservoir component comprising a drug; and a vesicle retention frame which comprises an elastic wire having a first end, an opposing second end, and an intermediate region therebetween, wherein the drug reservoir component is attached to the intermediate region of the vesicle retention frame. The retention frame prevents accidental voiding of the device from the bladder, and it preferably has a spring constant selected for the device to effectively stay in the bladder during urination while minimizing the irritation of the bladder.

A method of making a catheter includes obtaining a hollow tube having a proximal section, a distal section, an elongated conduit, and one or more fluid openings formed in the distal section of the hollow tube that are in fluid communication with the elongated lumen. The method includes inserting a mandrel within the elongated lumen, positioning a first visible marker over an outer surface of the hollow tube at a junction of the proximal and distal sections of the hollow tube, and placing a sacrificial material over the first visible marker to completely cover the first visible marker. Heat is applied for shrinking the sacrificial material, which, in turn, compresses the first visible marker against the outer surface of the hollow tube, and for least partially melting the first visible marker for fusing the first visible marker to the outer surface of the hollow tube.

The present invention relates to flexible sheath assemblies capable of being localized in three-dimensions (i.e., determining the location and orientation) in real-time based on two-dimensional x-ray images, and related systems and methods.

A system and method for determining an access trajectory to a target site to safely place a surgical access instrument (e.g., guide wire, dilator, cannula, etc.) through a tissue (e.g., muscle, fat, brain, liver, lung, etc.) without damaging nearby neurovascular structure is described herein. The trajectory determination system includes a nerve stimulation probe and a dilator guide having a plurality of guide channels and registerable to an operating table in a fixed orientation. Motor nerve stimulation (e.g., EMG, MMG) is performed with the stimulation probe positioned in each of said plurality of guide channels to generate a map of nerve locations within intervening anatomical structures (e.g., muscle, bone, etc.) between the dilator guide and the surgical target site. Available access pathways are determined based on the nerve location data and displayed on a display unit.

A flexible tubular drive shaft for a medical device comprising: an elongated tubular body having an opening extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end and a distal end. The elongated tubular body includes a proximal portion having a first rigid section and a first flexible section; a middle portion having a second rigid section; and a distal portion having a second flexible section. The first rigid section is configured to couple the tubular drive shaft to a torque input apparatus to transfer torque to the distal end of the tubular body. The first flexible section is configured to minimize torsion of the tubular body between the first rigid section and the second rigid section, and the second flexible section is configured to increase flexibility of the distal portion of the tubular body.

A suction device for use with a medical device may include a suction device body and an extension. The suction device body may include a first lumen positioned therein and including a plurality of holes. The extension may include a second lumen positioned therein and may be coupled to the suction device body and configured to facilitate connection of the suction device body to a suction line. The second lumen may be in communication with/open to the first lumen and the suction line may be adapted for connection to a pump configured to apply a negative pressure to the first and second lumens. The suction device may evacuate fluids and/or solids from a patient in an area proximate to the suction device.

A method of performing a medical procedure in a cerebral vessel of a patient including advancing a first catheter system towards an embolus within a cerebral blood vessel and a second catheter system towards the embolus through the first catheter, applying aspiration pressure through the lumen of the second catheter; anchoring a distal end of the second catheter onto the embolus via the aspiration pressure; applying a proximally-directed force on the second catheter; and advancing the first catheter over the second catheter towards the embolus while the distal end of the second catheter remains anchored onto the embolus; and automatically applying aspiration pressure within the first catheter upon the second catheter portion entering into the first catheter.

Disclosed are microcatheter devices with features that provide effective axial response, good distribution of bending forces, and a smooth bending stiffness profile that minimizes abrupt changes in stiffness. A catheter device includes a microfabricated inner shaft having a plurality of gaps, and an outer member comprising a polymer material disposed within the gaps. The catheter device provides non-linear bending stiffness such that bending becomes more difficult as the bend angle increases.

A microcatheter comprising an inner layer, a strike layer and an outer layer and a braided skeleton located between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the inner layer is made of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and has a thickness of 0.0015 inch or less, wherein the strike layer includes a polyether block amide and has a thickness of 0.001 inch or less, and wherein a distal portion of said outer layer is made of polycarbonate-based thermoplastic polyurethane having a shore of 90A or below.