Disclosed herein is ureteral stent. The ureteral stent includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle portion. The proximal end includes a retention feature having a coiled shape. The distal end is opposite the proximal end. The middle portion is between the proximal end and the distal end.

Tubing protectors, systems including tubing protection, and methods for protecting tubing, are disclosed, such as for protecting tubing connected between a patient and a dialysis machine (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machine) during a dialysis treatment. A tubing protector may include a tubing sheath attachable to a patient. The sheath may include a first portion for receiving and protecting a length of tubing extendible in the sheath, such as to minimize collapse, kinking, blockage, or combinations thereof, along the length of the tubing. A second portion may comprise a flexible material and enclose the first portion. The first portion may comprise a resilient material, which allows for movement in the sheath and has a strength to allow for reorientation of the tubing, while withstanding deformation of the tubing along the length. The first portion may be a coil, a plurality of rings, a woven mesh, or a solid tube, or combinations thereof.

A system, method and apparatus for performing a thoracostomy comprises a tube for insertion in a patient's chest cavity, an inflatable sac configured on a first section of the tube, an inflation valve for inflating the inflatable sac, and a flange associated with a second section of the tube configured for securing the tube wherein the first section of the tube is inserted into the patient's body and the second section of the tube is external to the patient's body.

Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible member having a distal end portion arranged for anchoring the instrument in the patient's stomach and for enabling fluids to be removed from the patient's stomach. Suction is applied to the patient's stomach by the distal end portion of the instrument to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement with the instrument to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

Ostomy tubes, particularly gastrostomy tubes, with improved retention means are provided. More specifically, retention structures, such as bolsters, for gastrostomy tubes are provided, configured to removably assemble to one end of a gastrostomy tube to facilitate replacement and removal of the tube. The retention structures provided herein may comprise one or more removably assembled retention elements. Further provided are gastrostomy tubes comprising such retention structures, and methods for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy utilizing same.

Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible member having a distal end portion arranged for anchoring the instrument in the patient's stomach and for enabling fluids to be removed from the patient's stomach. Suction is applied to the patient's stomach by the distal end portion of the instrument to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement with the instrument to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

The present invention includes an indwelling tube having a plurality of projections extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the tube and a retention member designed to receive the tube. The retention member includes a projection passage to enable the retention member to receive and pass projections through the passage when the projection and passage are aligned so that the retention member can slide axially along the tube. When the projections and passage are out of alignment, the retention member can be secured between two projections. The present invention enables accurate placement of the retention member along the tube to aid in securing the tube at a desired depth in a patient's body. In a certain embodiment, the retention member may include a locking passage to receive and temporarily secure a projection to the retention member.

Disclosed herein is ureteral stent. The ureteral stent includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle portion. The proximal end includes a retention feature having a coiled shape. The distal end is opposite the proximal end. The middle portion is between the proximal end and the distal end.

The invention relates to a fixing device for fixing a medical, cosmetic, decorative or other article to the skin of a living being, the fixing device comprising the following features: a) a first retaining element having a first piercing point, which is designed to pierce the skin, b) a second retaining element having a second piercing point, which is designed to pierce the skin, the second piercing point being arranged at a distance from the first piercing point, c) a bridge, to which the first and the second retaining element are fastened, d) a fixing portion, which is connected to the bridge or is part of the bridge, the fixing portion being designed to fix the article that is to be fixed.

A medical tube securing jig includes: a skin securing member having a flange portion and a protruding body; and a medical tube holding mechanism part to hold the medical tube. A recessed portion is formed on the protruding body and has female threads. The medical tube holding mechanism part includes: a sealing member elastically deformed by a pressing force applied to the sealing member when the sealing member engages with the recessed portion by fitting engagement thus being brought into close contact with a side wall surface of the recessed portion, a bottom surface of the recessed portion and the medical tube; and a sealing member pressing body having male threads and configured to apply the pressing force to the sealing member in fastening by making the male and female threads engage, and a slit portion is formed in the sealing member.