A needle system a handle and a needle slider partially positioned in the handle. The needle slider has an aspiration port at a proximal end of the needle slider. A needle connected to and extending away from the needle slider. A restrictor is disposed in the aspiration port of the needle slider. The restrictor is configured to inhibit passage of a sample through the aspiration port.

Methods and apparatus are provided for applying an fragment of a neurotoxin such as the active light chain (LC) of the botulinum toxin (BoNT), such as one of the serotype A, B, C, D, E, F or G botulinum toxins, via permeabilization of targeted cell membranes to enable translocation of the botulinum neurotoxin light chain (BoNT-LC) molecule across the targeted cell membrane to the cell cytosol where a therapeutic response is produced in a mammalian system. The methods and apparatus include use of catheter based delivery systems, non-invasive delivery systems, and transdermal delivery systems.

The present invention is an inflatable balloon which is enclosed by an expandable cover which becomes increasingly porous/permeable during expansion. The balloon is coated or enclosed with a matrix which contains a pharmaceutically active agent. During expansion of the balloon, the pharmaceutically active agent is released or extruded through the expandable cover into a body cavity such as an artery or vein. The present invention also provides for a method of treating a disease or condition by delivering the inflatable balloon to a particular body cavity.

Endobronchial methods, devices and systems for treating emphysema by creating an airway bypass in a patient's airway including a longitudinal fenestration held open by an airway expander.

Methods and systems for administering directed fluidics during a medical procedure for removing an object are disclosed. A method includes inserting first and second medical instruments into a treatment site, providing irrigation and aspiration of the treatment site through the first and second medical instruments, determining a characteristic of one of the irrigation and the aspiration, and selecting a characteristic of the other of the irrigation and aspiration based on the determined characteristic.

Endotracheal devices and methods of using endotracheal devices are provided. The devices include a first elongated conduit having an internal dimension, a second elongated conduit having an external dimension less than the internal dimension of the first conduit, and a manipulation rod operatively mounted to the second conduit, where the manipulation rod allows an operator to move the second conduit within the first conduit. The manipulation rod may be used translate and/or rotate the second conduit within the first conduit. The first and second elongated conduits may be provided with inflatable cuffs to minimize the passage of fluids. Though aspects of the invention may be uniquely adapted for insertion through the trachea and into a bronchus, aspects of the invention may be used for other bodily passages.

Devices, systems for localized delivery of a chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or targeted drug/biologic therapy to a target tissue area of an internal body organ of a patient. A catheter 10 forms a sealed treatment chamber in a natural lumen extending through the target tissue area. Air is purged from the chamber, which is then filled with a liquid drug solution for an adequate treatment session time, solution volume and drug concentration to saturate the target tissue area, thereby providing the treatment. The liquid drug solution may be circulated or recirculated through the chamber or maintained stationary therewithin. The drug may saturate the target tissue area and pass therethrough into the lymphatic system or interstitial space, which may serve as a reservoir of the drug for continued therapeutic treatment after withdrawal of the catheter. The chamber is evacuated at the end of the treatment session.

A device for introducing material into a body cavity is shown. The device includes a catheter with a distal tip. A first lumen extends through the catheter. The catheter is configured to faun a mist from liquid passed through the first lumen, for example including a misting nozzle in fluid communication with the first lumen and configured to provide a mist from a flow of liquid through the first lumen. An inflatable balloon may be included on the catheter to allow the user to isolate the portion of the body in which the material is introduced. Additional described features can provide for controlled deflection of a distal region of the catheter, guidewire or guide loop tool lumens, misting nozzles on the catheter, and delivery apparatuses including the catheter devices coupled to endoscopes such as bronchoscopes. Methods of use of the catheter devices and delivery apparatuses are also described.

A bronchoscopy scope guide (30) for a non-invasive ventilation (NIV) patient interface (10) comprises a semi-rigid scope guide tube (32), a bronchoscopy scope seal (48), and a semi-rigid grommet (34). The semi-rigid scope guide tube (32) includes a principal axis (36) and entrance and exit guide portions (38,40). The bronchoscopy scope seal (48) couples to the scope guide tube for sealing around a bronchoscopy scope when inserted through the scope guide tube. The semi-rigid grommet (34) is disposed about an outer circumference of and flexibly coupled to the scope guide tube (32) and is located in a principal plane (52) transverse to the principal axis of the scope guide tube. The scope guide tube (32) is pivotally manipulate-able about the flexible coupling of the grommet (34) for positioning a distal end (46) of the exit guide portion of the scope guide tube proximate, but not in contact with, one of a nasal cavity or mouth opening of a patient for assisted guidance control of the bronchoscopy scope within an interior region (58) of the patient interface (10) in performance of a bronchoscopy procedure.

A bronchoscopy scope guide (30) for a non-invasive ventilation (NIV) patient interface (10) comprises a semi-rigid scope guide tube (32), a bronchoscopy scope seal (48), and a semi-rigid grommet (34). The semi-rigid scope guide tube (32) includes a principal axis (36) and entrance and exit guide portions (38,40). The bronchoscopy scope seal (48) couples to the scope guide tube for sealing around a bronchoscopy scope when inserted through the scope guide tube. The semi-rigid grommet (34) is disposed about an outer circumference of and flexibly coupled to the scope guide tube (32) and is located in a principal plane (52) transverse to the principal axis of the scope guide tube. The scope guide tube (32) is pivotally manipulate-able about the flexible coupling of the grommet (34) for positioning a distal end (46) of the exit guide portion of the scope guide tube proximate, but not in contact with, one of a nasal cavity or mouth opening of a patient for assisted guidance control of the bronchoscopy scope within an interior region (58) of the patient interface (10) in performance of a bronchoscopy procedure.