In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to methods of treating or preventing bleeding at a tissue site comprising applying a chitosan powder composition to the tissue site. In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to chitosan powder compositions for application to a tissue site, where the powder compositions comprise a chitosan salt, a crosslinked chitosan, a derivatized chitosan, or a combination thereof. In various aspects, the disclosure pertains to catheter assemblies, which are preloaded with a chitosan powder composition and which are configured to deliver the chitosan powder composition a tissue site.

A sphincterotome device can be used to achieve appropriate positioning within the biliary duct during cannulation. The sphincterotome device enables performance of a double-wire or multiple wire procedure without the need for removal and reintroduction of the sphincterotome device, thereby allowing for a shorter procedure.

Use of embolic material that is biodegradable provides for embolizing a hypervascular vessel formed in response to chronic inflammation in a musculoskeletal vasculature or a vessel related to production of ghrelin. The embolic material is biodegradable within a predetermined period of time. Medical systems are configured for delivery of embolic material for embolizing the hypervascular vessel or the vessel related to production of ghrelin.

The present invention relates to the use of a formation agent, such as nitric oxide or sodium nitrite to produce methemoglobin as an alternative MRI contrast agent. The formation agent can be infused using either a respiratory system or a delivery mechanism. One embodiment of this invention relates to systems and methods for producing an image of an internal region with a magnetic resonance scanning system. Blood is drawn from the patient. The blood is exposed to formation agent through a delivery system, to produce blood that has a higher saturation of methemoglobin. Where in vitro techniques are used the treated blood is injected back into the patient. The patient is scanned in the magnetic resonance scanner. These systems and methods can be used to produce images of regions which may not otherwise be possible with other contrasting agents. For example, an accurate vascular brain MRI may not be as informative if the patient is injected with an existing contrasting agent. In addition, an alternate embodiment of the invention relates to internally exposing the blood to the formation agent by placing the gas-permeable membrane along a particular blood pathway or intravenous sodium nitrite.

A method of advancing a guidewire having an imaging device disposed thereon within a cavity of a body includes placing a guidewire into a cavity of a body, said guidewire having an image sensor disposed about a guide member on a distal end of the guidewire and a plurality of power lines operatively coupled to the guide member and the image sensor. At least two power lines of the plurality of power lines are disposed on opposing sides of the guide member and extend from the distal end of the guidewire to a proximal end of the guidewire. As the guidewire is advanced through the body cavity, the distal end of the guidewire is positioned by pulling one of the at least two power lines while maintaining the position of the other of the at least two power lines.

In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to methods of treating or preventing bleeding at a tissue site comprising applying a chitosan powder composition to the tissue site. In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to chitosan powder compositions for application to a tissue site, where the powder compositions comprise a chitosan salt, a crosslinked chitosan, a derivatized chitosan, or a combination thereof. In various aspects, the disclosure pertains to catheter assemblies, which are preloaded with a chitosan powder composition and which are configured to deliver the chitosan powder composition a tissue site.

A method and apparatus for fluid removal from a patient includes a disposable fluid removal subassembly and a portable drive subassembly that manage controlled extraction of a fluid from a patient. The fluid removal subassembly is configured for accessing a fluid filled cavity of a patient and also coupled with a fluid flow inducer having an inflow fluid intake and an outflow fluid output. The entire fluid removal subassembly, inclusive of a connector, a fluid conduit, and the fluid flow inducer, but exclusive of the outflow fluid output and a collection bag, is fluidly sealed from an external environment, and un-vented to the external environment. The fluid removal system enables a closed-loop fluid path between the patient through to the fluid flow inducer, which is under direct control by the patient of flow rate and therefore resulting pressure in the fluid path.

A catheter and guide wire assembly (10) for measurement of blood pressure in a living body, comprising: a proximal tube (11) having a distal end and a proximal end; a distal tube (12) having a distal end and a proximal end, which is connected to the distal end of the proximal tube (11);a fluid-permeable coil (13) having a distal end and a proximal end, which is connected to the distal end of the distal tube (12);a distal tip (14), in which the distal end of the fluid-permeable coil (13) is secured; and a core wire (16), which is attached in the proximal tube (11) and which extends through a portion of the proximal tube (11), the distal tube (12) and the fluid-permeable coil (13), and is secured in the distal tip (14), wherein the distal end of the proximal tube (11) and the proximal end of the distal tube (12) are connected by a butt joint and wherein the core wire (16) is glued or brazed to the inner wall of the proximal tube (11) at or close to the butt joint.

Disclosed are sheaths that comprise a first sheath member having a first passageway, a first length, and a first proximal end defined by a first valve apparatus configured to seal the first passageway, the first passageway having a first passageway diameter at a location in the first passageway; and a second sheath member coupled to the first sheath member, the second sheath member having a second passageway and a second length, the second passageway having a second passageway diameter at a location in the second passageway; where the first passageway and the second passageway are separate from each other and not co-axial, the first length is different from the second length, and the first and second sheath members are positioned beside each other for a portion of their first and second lengths.

Described herein is a liquid embolic delivery device designed to minimize excess embolic solvent buildup therein. The liquid embolic delivery device generally comprises an outer catheter, an inner catheter that is longitudinally moveable within the outer catheter. The inner catheter is used for an initial embolic solvent flush and to deliver liquid embolic, while the outer catheter is used to remove excess solvent.