Catheters, sheaths, or other tubular devices are provided that include a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, and a steerable distal portion. The tubular device includes a primary lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; an auxiliary lumen adjacent the primary lumen; and one or more reinforcement members including windings extending helically along at least the distal portion, at least some of the windings passing between the primary and steering element lumens and at least some of the windings surrounding both the primary and steering element lumens. In one embodiment, a steering element is slidably disposed within the auxiliary lumen. Apparatus and methods for making such tubular devices are also provided.

The present invention contemplates devices and methods to administer nutritional compositions and/or therapeutic drugs directly into a portal venous system. For example, total parenteral nutrition therapy may be administered directly into the hepatic portal venous system thus circumventing known side effects of conventional parenteral administration. Alternatively, hepatic diseases and disorders may be treated using locally administered therapeutic drugs. Devices capable of direct portal venous system administration include, but are not limited to, a direct portal access catheter or a transjugular access catheter.

A catheter assembly for organizing a catheter system is disclosed. The catheter assembly can include a molded hub, a catheter tube coupled to a distal end of the molded hub, a plurality of extension legs having distal ends coupled to the molded hub, and a securing mechanism. The molded hub can include a pair of hub lumens forming a hub portion of a pair of fluid pathways through the catheter assembly. The catheter tube can include a pair of catheter tube lumens. The securing mechanism can be configured to secure the plurality of extension legs together. The securing mechanism can be in the form of a slidable collar including a proximal opening and distal opening, wherein the slidable collar is positioned over the plurality of extension legs.

The intravenous catheter device (100) includes a catheter hub (102), a valve member (158), an actuator member (176) and a valve closure member (192). The valve member (158) includes a convex portion (162) provided with slits (170) defining prongs (172). The slits (170) are configured to open when a needle (116) is pierced through the slit (170) to puncture a vein of a patient. The valve closure member (192) is disposed inside the catheter hub (102) such that the first surface (194) of the valve closure member (192) abuts the convex portion (162) of the valve member (158). When the luer lock member (206) abutting the actuator member (176) inside the catheter hub (102) is disengaged, the valve closure member (192) is adapted to push the prongs (172), closing the passage (204) for the fluid flow and preventing blood flow from the punctured vein of the patient.

Manifolds and methods of operating manifolds are provided. An example manifold for controlling multi-lumen devices is provided that includes a substance supply mechanism. The substance supply mechanism independently provides a substance to, or remove a substance from, each of a plurality of lumens. The example manifold also includes a lumen selection mechanism. The lumen selection mechanism selectively opens and closes a connection between the substance supply mechanism and at least one of the plurality of lumens. A corresponding method of operation is also provided. An example embodiment also includes a manifold for use with a vessel seclusion device.

The present invention is directed to a dual lumen cannula configured to be inserted into a patient's body as simple as a single lumen cannula. The dual lumen cannula includes at least one inner lumen configured to be inserted into an outer lumen and connected via an inner lumen connection unit and an outer unit connection unit. Embodiments of the presenting invention further allow for the connection of at least one flow router to the other end of the inner lumen connection unit. When installed, the outer lumen is first inserted into the patient's body, followed by the insertion of the inner lumen into the outer lumen of the already cannulated patient until the inner lumen connector unit is in coupling contact with the outer lumen connector unit. Advantages of the inventive cannula presented herein include, among other things, reduction of external forces on the dual lumen cannula.

Manifolds and methods of operating manifolds are provided. An example manifold for controlling multi-lumen devices is provided that includes a substance supply mechanism. The substance supply mechanism independently provides a substance to, or remove a substance from, each of a plurality of lumens. The example manifold also includes a lumen selection mechanism. The lumen selection mechanism selectively opens and closes a connection between the substance supply mechanism and at least one of the plurality of lumens. A corresponding method of operation is also provided. An example embodiment also includes a manifold for use with a vessel seclusion device.

Disclosed herein is a catheter placement system with a stiffening system and associated methods thereof. The catheter placement system can include a needle, catheter (e.g. rapid insertion central catheter), one or more guidewires, and a stiffening system, configured to place the catheter while containing portions of the catheter placement system that contact the patient within a sterile environment. Advantageously, the catheter placement system can provide all tools necessary for accessing a vasculature, dilating the insertion site and placing the catheter within a single device, mitigating repeated insertion of multiple tools and reducing the risk of introducing pathogens or the like. Further, the overall time required to place the catheter is reduced, reducing patient down time and improving patient outcomes.

An intervertebral disc surgical system has at least one optical cannula configured with a working channel and an optical channel, wherein the working channel and the optical channel are positioned parallel to one another. The working channel is configured to receive the elongated tubular member of an electrosurgical instrument and the optical channel is configured to receive an optical scope. The optical cannula has an optical cannula operative end for entering an operative field of a patient.

Methods and apparatus provide therapeutic electromagnetic radiation (EMR) for inactivating infectious agents in, on or around a catheter residing in a patient's body cavity and/or for enhancing healthy cell growth. Transmitting non-ultraviolet therapeutic EMR substantially axially along an optical element in a lumen of the catheter body and/or the catheter body. Through delivery of the therapeutic EMR to particular infected areas and/or areas requiring tissue healing. The inactivation of the major sources of infection in, on, and around catheters and/or enhance healthy cell growth around catheters is accomplished by utilizing controlled relative intensity and/or treatment region specific dosing of the therapeutic EMR emitted radially from the optical element. Specific embodiments of urinary catheters and peritoneal dialysis catheters are also disclosed.