The present invention involves, in some embodiments, mechanisms and methods of occluding collapsible tubing with an occluder to prevent fluid flow therethrough. In some embodiments, a tube occluding mechanism is disclosed that includes a bendable occluding member for creating a force that can be applied to a collapsible tube to occlude the tube. In some embodiments, the collapsible tube can be an inlet/outlet tube on a removable pumping cartridge that is coupled to a reusable pump drive component when the system is in operation. In such embodiments, the occluding mechanism can be attached to the reusable component and can be used to block fluid flow to and from the pumping cartridge. In some embodiments, the occluding member can comprises a spring plate which can create a force to occlude tubing when in a relaxed, unbent configuration, and which can be bent to unocclude the tubing. In some preferred embodiments, in a default configuration of the tube occluder mechanism (when no external force is applied to the occluding member) the tubes are occluded, so that the tube occluder mechanism provides a fail-safe configuration preventing fluid flow to and from a pumping cartridge to which the tubes can be connected.

Systems and methods are adapted for treating the carotid artery. The systems include interventional catheters and blood vessel access devices that are adapted for transcervical insertion into the carotid artery. Embodiments of the systems and methods can be used in combination with embolic protection systems including blood flow reversal mechanisms, arterial filters, and arterial occlusion devices.

Systems and methods are adapted for treating the carotid artery. The systems include interventional catheters and blood vessel access devices that are adapted for transcervical insertion into the carotid artery. Embodiments of the systems and methods can be used in combination with embolic protection systems including blood flow reversal mechanisms, arterial filters, and arterial occlusion devices.

A nasal cannula includes a cannula body having a passageway extending therethrough from a first end to a second end and an airflow restrictor coupled to the cannula body and positioned to selectively restrict air flow through the passageway during exhalation. A flow regulator is settable to a plurality of airflow positions and cooperates with the airflow restrictor to regulate the air flow during exhalation such that the air flow during exhalation is variable in response to the airflow position of the flow regulator. In one embodiment, an airflow restrictor is deformable from an at-rest configuration to an inhalation configuration during inhalation, and exerts a substantially constant backpressure during exhalation for a predetermined range of expiration flow rate. Methods of use are also provided.

The present invention involves, in some embodiments, systems and methods for pumping fluid into or out of a patient via a cartridge. The cartridge may include a membrane defining a chamber and mechanisms to supply, measure and control pressure in the chamber. The system further includes a processor that can be configured to compare certain pressure measurements to each other to facilitate determining if an error condition exists in the medical system if the difference between measurements is greater than a threshold. In certain cases the error condition may indicate leakage of the membrane, for example due to a pinhole in the membrane.

The present invention involves, in some embodiments apparatus, such as dialysis apparatus, and methods for pumping fluid. Certain embodiments comprise a housing enclosing a pump drive assembly for actuating at least one pump on a removable fluid pumping cassette. The housing may comprise a door connected to the housing for enclosing an installed cassette in the housing upon closure of the door. The pump drive assembly may comprise a mating block configured for operative association with an installed cassette and may be configured to permit a sealing engagement with an installed cassette upon closure of the door. To facilitate sealing, certain embodiments of the door include a movable compression plate configured to exert a compressive force on an installed cassette against the mating block when the door is in a closed position.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for irrigating a tissue site are described. The system can include a tissue interface and a sealing member configured to be placed over the tissue site to form a sealed space, and a negative-pressure source fluidly coupled to the sealed space. The system includes an irrigation valve having a housing, a piston disposed in the housing, a fluid inlet to fluidly couple a fluid inlet chamber to a fluid source, and a fluid outlet to fluidly couple a fluid outlet chamber to the sealed space. A piston passage extends through the piston and fluidly couples the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber, and a biasing member is coupled to the piston to bias the irrigation valve to a closed position. The negative-pressure source is configured to move the piston between the closed position and an open position to draw fluid to the sealed space.

Systems and methods are adapted for treating the carotid artery. The systems include interventional catheters and blood vessel access devices that are adapted for transcervical insertion into the carotid artery. Embodiments of the systems and methods can be used in combination with embolic protection systems including blood flow reversal mechanisms, arterial filters, and arterial occlusion devices.

The invention relates to a valve used in medical procedures. More specifically the invention relates to an introducer sheath valve used in minimally invasive and conventional surgical procedures. The valve may accommodate a wide range of surgical implement diameters, shapes, and multiple implements without imposing the high frictional forces of known valves.

The invention relates to a valve used in medical procedures. More specifically the invention relates to an introducer sheath valve used in minimally invasive and conventional surgical procedures. The valve may accommodate a wide range of surgical implement diameters, shapes, and multiple implements without imposing the high frictional forces of known valves.