Disclosed is an expandable transluminal sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion of at least a part of the distal end of the sheath to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration and expanded using a radial dilatation device. In an exemplary application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as ureteroscopy or stone removal.

A cannula seal assembly with a compatible flexible cannula. The cannula includes a rigid cannula body having proximal and distal body ends. The cannula body is composed of material having a first thickness. A flexible thread extends along at least a portion of the cannula body from the distal body end toward the proximal body end. The thread is composed of material having a second thickness, which is less than a first thickness. The cannula is attachable to a cannula seal assembly. The assembly includes a housing having a primary seal and a secondary seal therein. The assembly has a spacer connected between the primary seal and the secondary seal and a reservoir between the primary seal and the secondary seal.

An expandable introducer sheath for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient includes a body which extends from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis. The body includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an expandable reinforcement member which is disposed between said inner and outer layers. The expandable reinforcement member is configured to radially expand as the medical device is axially advanced or retracted through said introducer sheath. Once the medical device has exited the introducer sheath, the expandable reinforcement member facilitates a return of the introducer sheath to its original or unexpanded condition.

The present invention discloses a self-sealing cannula and methods of its use. The self-sealing cannula can be minimally invasively placed into the heart for drawing and/or returning blood with a self-sealing function at the interface of the blood access site. The disclosed cannula can be implemented as a single lumen cannula or a double lumen cannula, which can be used with ventricular assist devices for heart support or pump-oxygenators for ECMO and respiratory support. Through a self-sealing mechanism fixed on the ventricular wall or atrial wall, a cannula body is attached to the self-sealing fixture and blood is drawn into the lumen via an external pump and returned to the circulation system through a separate cannula. In the case of the double lumen cannula embodiment, the blood will be drawn into the drainage lumen of the double lumen cannula and returned through an infusion lumen at the desired location. The present invention achieves minimally invasive insertion without surgical sutures to the heart, and allows for optimal drainage of the blood from the heart. With use of the double lumen cannula, it prevents need for multiple cannulation sites, and greatly reduces the blood recirculation. Removal of the cannula is simplified without need for suturing or insertion of a plugging member.

Systems for providing access across a site of obstruction and methods for manufacturing and using such systems. Such systems may include a sleeve having an inflation lumen; a bushing disposed in a distal section of the sleeve; and an everting member coupled to the sleeve with the bushing, the everting member being movable from an inverted position inside the sleeve to an everted position outside the sleeve in response to an increase in pressure in the inflation lumen.

Cannula devices, systems, and methods are provided for introducing one or more instruments into a patient's body to perform a procedure. In one example, the cannula device includes first and second housings defining a throughbore, and a plurality of elongate members extending distally from the housings, the elongate members cooperatively defining a passage axially aligned with the throughbore between proximal ends and distal tips of the elongate members. The first housing is moveable in an axial direction with respect to the second housing to cause the proximal ends of the elongate members to move outwardly to increase a size of the passage and, optionally, may taper when expanded. Optionally, one or more secondary devices, e.g., an obturator with a sharpened tip, or an obturator and tubular access device may be provided that may be inserted through the throughbore into the passage before expansion of the passage.

A variable diameter tube for use in a vessel inserter for performing hemodynamics researches and related operations comprises two coupled different-characteristic materials which are coupled to one another to provide a single stretchable tube assembly.

An access system is provided for establishing an access path to a surgical site within a patient. The access system comprises an access portal defining a working channel with a central axis, and an adaptor with a mating section mountable to the access portal. The adaptor is selectively rotatable about the central axis. The access portal includes a plurality of openings and the adaptor includes a plurality of projections, each of the projections and openings being arranged so that, in a first orientation, the openings and projections align to allow mounting of the adaptor to the access portal and, in a second orientation, the openings and projections do not align to prevent disassociation between the adaptor and the access portal. The adaptor also includes a holder for a viewing device, the viewing device being movable with the adaptor about the access portal and vertically translatable relative to the access portal.

A reducer device for insertion into a surgical cannula includes a tubular member having a proximal opening and a distal opening and an electrically conductive component configured and positioned to provide an electrically conductive path from an interior of the tubular member to an exterior of the tubular member. The electrically conductive path is localized along an axial length of the tubular member. A method of configuring a surgical device includes positioning a surgical cannula within an incision of a patient's body wall, positioning a reducer device within the surgical cannula, and positioning a surgical instrument within the reducer device. Positioning the surgical instrument within the reducer device includes forming an electrically conductive pathway between the surgical cannula and the surgical instrument.

Surgical access devices having wound closure features incorporated as part of the device are provided. The devices allow suture to be inserted directly into the device and operated to close an opening through which the device is disposed as or shortly after the device is removed from the surgical site. Further, the wound closure features allow for various orientations of wound closure to be achieved by adjusting an angle at which the suture enters tissue surrounding the opening to be closed. Some of the wound closure features provided for include openings formed in both the housing and cannula of the surgical access device, multiple openings formed in one or both the housing and cannula, locations of the openings being adjustable or otherwise movable, and various flexible seals. Other features, as well as methods of closing an opening through which the surgical access device was disposed, are also provided.