Methods, apparatus, and systems to non-invasively determine intra-luminal placement and patency of a vascular access device. Patency and/or placement are estimated indirectly by measuring a physiological parameter which is indicative of proper patency and/or placement of the vascular access device in a patient. The measurement is compared to a reference value or calibration. If the comparison indicates indication of proper patency and/or placement, a signal is generated. The signal can be used in a number of ways. One example is to give a user-perceivable alarm or indication of proper patency and/or placement. Non-limiting examples include activating a light, an audible buzzer, a vibration, readable displayed text or graphics, or some combination of the same. The user can then have an indirect and at least semi-automatic way of estimating proper patency and/or placement of a vascular access device.

A sheath for producing a fully sealed access to the interior of a vessel of an animal or human body comprises a base sheath having a tubular body defining a pass-through channel. The base sheath is adapted to be inserted into the vessel through a vessel aperture. A wall of the tubular body of the base sheath has a through channel. This channel extends in the wall from the distal end towards the proximal end. The channel can be present separately from the pass-through channel of the base sheath or can form a sideways extension of the pass-through channel, at least at the distal end. Such through channel is adapted to conduct blood from the vessel to the proximal end of the sheath when the sheath has been inserted into a vessel.

The invention relates to a device A for monitoring a vessel opening for an extracorporeal blood treatment device B with an extracorporeal blood circulation (I), which has an arterial blood line (20) with an arterial cannula (19) and a venous blood line (21) with a venous cannula (22). Moreover, the invention relates to an arrangement with a device A for monitoring a vessel opening and an extracorporeal blood treatment device B, and a method for monitoring a vessel opening during an extracorporeal blood treatment. The monitoring device A comprises a sensor (1) for detecting at least one physical variable, which is characteristic for the state of the vessel opening, and an evaluation apparatus (7), connected to the sensor (1) by way of a connection cable (6), for producing signals characteristic for the state of the vessel opening. The evaluation apparatus (7) has a data transmission unit (38) for establishing a wireless connection between the evaluation apparatus (7) and the blood treatment device B. The evaluation apparatus (7) is distinguished by a control unit (39) configured in such a way that an interruption in the wireless connection between the evaluation apparatus (7) and the blood treatment device B is identified, for example if the patient were to lie on the evaluation apparatus (7). Moreover, the monitoring device A has a signal unit (40), which has a vibration transducer (40A) which causes the housing (8) of the evaluation apparatus (7) to vibrate when the wireless connection is interrupted.

A sheath for producing a fully sealed access to the interior of a vessel of an animal or human body comprises a base sheath having a tubular body defining a pass-through channel. The base sheath is adapted to be inserted into the vessel through a vessel aperture. The sheath further comprises an expansion device which is adapted to cooperate with the base sheath such that the outer diameter of the sheath increases in the region of the vessel aperture with the sheath in a stationary position in the vessel and upon actuation of the expansion device.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a percutaneous skin connector including a base and a cap. The base has a channel extending through it and a plurality of base magnets are positioned around the channel and exposed at a base surface. A skirt which allows tissue ingrowth extends from the base to further secure the base to the patient. The connector also includes a cap with a bore extending through it and a plurality of cap magnets positioned around the bore and exposed at a cap surface. The base magnets and cap magnets attract and align the cap surface to the base surface. The connector further includes a release mechanism adapted to at least partially separate the cap from the base when the cap is rotated relative to the base and out of alignment with the base.

A medical tube comprises a tail to connect an embedded wire to an electrical component. The tail may comprise a flattened portion and an exposed portion to facilitate attachment of the medical tube to an electrical component. The tail may comprise a second flattened portion. One or more wires, such as a heater wire or a sensor wire, may be embedded in the medical tube. The medical tube may comprise a connector that comprises a printed circuit board to which the one or more wires is attached. The connector may comprise features to support the printed circuit board, aid in assembly of the one or more wires to the connector, and protect electrical components against liquid ingress.

A medical tube comprises a tail to connect an embedded wire to an electrical component. The tail may comprise a flattened portion and an exposed portion to facilitate attachment of the medical tube to an electrical component. The tail may comprise a second flattened portion. One or more wires, such as a heater wire or a sensor wire, may be embedded in the medical tube. The medical tube may comprise a connector that comprises a printed circuit board to which the one or more wires is attached. The connector may comprise features to support the printed circuit board, aid in assembly of the one or more wires to the connector, and protect electrical components against liquid ingress.

Vascular access devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. According to some embodiments, the present technology includes an implantable vascular access device comprising a catheter and a housing defining a fluid reservoir and an outlet port configured to mate with a catheter, the outlet port fluidically coupled to the fluid reservoir. The vascular access device can comprise one or more sensing elements carried by the housing and/or the catheter, which are configured to capture physiological data while the device is implanted within a patient The device can also include a data communications unit configured to receive physiological data from the one or more sensing elements and transmit the physiological data to one or more remote computing devices.

The Brain Portal is a device that allows for easy access to the brain for treatments that require multiple visits inside the brain case to alleviate the need for multiple craniotomies. Such treatments could involve multiple injections of medicines that have to be given over a period of days or weeks. In a different configuration, it also allows for electrical stimulation of the brain thru electrodes without the need for batteries, and allows the flow of electricity from outside the brain to the affected areas using induction coils. The Brain Portal can also be used as an easy means to collect samples of cerebral spinal fluid without the need of a spinal tap. Furthermore, having an easy access allows the physician the option of injecting drugs directly into the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier, thereby lowering the dosage needed to treat disease.

A sheath for producing a fully sealed access to the interior of a vessel of an animal or human body comprises a base sheath having a tubular body defining a pass-through channel. The base sheath is adapted to be inserted into the vessel through a vessel aperture. A wall of the tubular body of the base sheath has a through channel. This channel extends in the wall from the distal end towards the proximal end. The channel can be present separately from the pass-through channel of the base sheath or can form a sideways extension of the pass-through channel, at least at the distal end. Such through channel is adapted to conduct blood from the vessel to the proximal end of the sheath when the sheath has been inserted into a vessel.