The shaft of a dilator has a tapered part whose outer diameter at a distal end is smaller than at a proximal end, and either a distal end part and a proximal end part, or a proximal end part without a distal end part. If only the proximal end part is provided, the pitch of neighboring sections of a spirally-arranged protruding portion on the tapered part is larger than that on the proximal end part. If both the proximal end part and the distal end part are provided, the pitch of neighboring sections of the spirally-arranged protruding portion on the tapered part is larger than those on the distal end part or the proximal end part.

A dilator includes a shaft in a hollow shape whose distal end has a smaller outer diameter than the proximal end, and a connector on the proximal end of the shaft. A spirally-arranged protruding portion on an outer peripheral face of the shaft has gaps between neighboring sections along an axis of the shaft. The shaft has a first location and a second location located closer to the distal end than the first location and having an outer diameter smaller than at the first location. The spirally-arranged protruding portion has, with respect to the axis, an angle of inclination that is larger at the second location than at the first location.

A trocar sleeve comprises a flexible hollow shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end, and a handling head that is formed at the proximal end of the hollow shaft. The trocar sleeve is manufactured from an elastomer material. The hollow shaft comprises an inner contour that is adapted to an outer contour of a trocar mandrel in such a way that the trocar sleeve and the trocar mandrel are arranged to be coupled to one another while generating a defined preload to stabilize the trocar sleeve. A trocar system comprises a trocar sleeve and a trocar mandrel that is arranged to be inserted in the trocar sleeve, while generating a defined preloading in the trocar sleeve. A method of manufacturing a trocar sleeve involves integrally forming a hollow shaft and a handling head in a common mold by molding.

The present invention is directed to an assembly used in minimally invasive procedures whereby laparoscopic instrument heads, prepositioned in the abdomen of a patient are securely doubly attached and detached internally while under direct laparoscopic visualization. The present invention permits surgeons to utilize full sized laparoscopic instrument heads on needlescopic instrument shafts. Multiple locking structures are employed to securely attach the laparoscopic instrument heads to a needlescopic instrument.

Catheter exchange systems and methods may use a cutting tool to sever an encrusted catheter. The cutting tool may include a flexible cannula to encompass and move along the encrusted catheter. A sheath may selectively cover the cutting tool. The cutting tool may selectively transition between a first position in which the cutter is within the sheath and a second position in which the cutting tool is extended beyond the sheath to sever a suture of the catheter. A locking stylet may be used to secure the position of the encrusted catheter and remove the encrusted catheter

A system and method for implanting and stabilizing spinal cord stimulators in an epidural space of the spinal column of a patient to prevent or limit axial movement of the stimulators once implanted in the epidural space. The system includes a drill assembly, a guide wire assembly, and a guide wire receiver. The drill assembly includes a cannula, a drill for creating access points in the patient's spinal column for implanting the stimulators, and an incremental drill adjuster for drilling into the patient's lamina a pre-set, discrete distance. The guide wire assembly includes a hollowed guide wire sleeve, a guide wire housed within the sleeve, and a magnet disposed on a proximal end of the guide wire assembly. The guide wire receiver includes a scoop for receiving and catching the magnet to assist in feeding the stimulators through the epidural space.

A tethered cannula having at least two curved sections for implantation into an eye and a method for implanting the cannula in the eye. The cannula can withstand ever present and changing rotational forces from eye movement and mechanical forces from the movement of the subject. The cannula can be connected to implantable or tetherable devices that are too large, heavy, or obstructive to attach directly to the eye, such as an intraocular pressure sensor or infusion pump.

A septostomy device 10 with a cutting structure or means 140 and tissue capture mechanisms 240, 250 is disclosed, along with a medical procedure for using the device. The system 10 is configured in such a way as to create a permanent interatrial aperture in the heart, including creating a permanent interatrial hole and/or removing tissue.

The present disclosure relates to an intracranial guide for use in a medical procedure, such as to evacuate a subdural hematoma or to relieve an intracerebral hemorrhage. The intracranial guide generally includes a guide cannula to be received within a portion of a cranial port. The cranial port is configured to be anchored in a burr hole to be formed in the patient's cranium. The guide cannula includes at least one channel that may be used to guide a catheter to a targeted portion of the patient's anatomy or to apply a suction force within the patient's cranium.

Device for accessing a pericardial space of a subject in need thereof, the device including a tubular member having an atraumatic distal end and a thread formed on, and at least partially around, the outer surface of the tubular member, proximally to the distal end; wherein the thread is configured to cut, puncture and/or penetrate a pericardium.