An extension cannula for use with a conventional ECMO return cannula is provided. The extension cannula includes a flexible conduit transitionable between a collapsed insertion state and an expanded deployed state when in communication with blood flow from an ECMO machine via the ECMO return cannula. The extension cannula may be positioned through a conventional ECMO return cannula such that the proximal end of the flexible conduit is disposed within and proximal to the end of the ECMO return cannula, while the distal end of the flexible conduit is disposed in a patient's thoracic aorta to deliver oxygenated blood directly to the patient's thoracic aorta via one or more pores at the distal region of the flexible conduit to improve cerebral oxygenation, maintain systemic arterial pulsatility, and reduce the potential for end-organ injury.

A medical device may include an introducer sheath, having a distal and a proximal end and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end. The introducer sheath may also include a tab formed at the distal end and extending distal to the lumen, and a frangible portion extending between the distal end and the proximal end.

Advanced catheter placement systems require disengaging a needle from the guidewire without disturbing a position of the guidewire within the vasculature. Embodiments include withdrawing the needle proximally and drawing the needle over a splitter system that includes a splitter wedge. The splitter system separates the needle along a longitudinal axis. A portion of the guidewire can then pass between a first portion and a second portion of the needle, allowing the needle to disengage the guidewire. A catheter disposed on a proximal portion of the guidewire can then be advanced thereover into the vasculature. A needle safety system can adhere a puncture-resistant adhesive tape to the split portions of the needle. The tape can encapsulate the portions of the needle mitigating any damage or trauma caused by sharpened edges of the needle portions.

A multi-headed catheter for fluid delivery and a method of placing a multi-headed catheter for fluid delivery are provided. The multi-headed catheter includes a first tube extending along an axis, wherein the first tube has at least one exit hole provided at a distal end of the first tube to define a perfusion section of the first tube; and a second tube extending along the axis, wherein at least a portion of the second tube is disposed within the first tube, wherein the second tube has at least one exit hole provided at a distal end of the second tube to define a perfusion section of the second tube. The distal end of the second tube is configured to exit said first tube at an opening provided along a wall of the first tube. The perfusion sections of the first tube and the second tube can be independently placed to deliver fluid to distinct anatomical areas within a surgical wound site.

The invention relates to a device and method for blocking air contributing to pneumothorax during a lung biopsy.

The disclosure provides insertion tools and articles that facilitate entry of a medical device, such as a balloon catheter, into the body. In embodiments the insertion tools have an elongate hollow body (50) that is able to protect a portion of a medical device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, during an insertion procedure. In one embodiment the insertion tool has an elongate hollow body (131), a tapered distal end (135), and a locking mechanism (133) at the proximal end which can secure a portion of a balloon catheter. An opening at the distal end can allow passage of the balloon in a folded uninflated state.

An introducer assembly can include an introducer and an access guidewire disposed therein. An introducer needle of the introducer can include a needle shaft having a needle slot extending from a proximal portion of the needle shaft through a distal needle tip. An introducer sheath of the introducer can include a sheath body over the needle shaft sealing the needle slot thereunder but for a sheath-body opening in a proximal portion thereof. The access guidewire can include a distal-end portion disposed in the introducer having an outer diameter greater than a proximal-end portion of the needle slot such that the proximal-end portion of the needle slot catches the distal-end portion of the access guidewire preventing proximal withdrawal of the access guidewire from the needle shaft. A method can include inserting a rapidly insertable central catheter into a blood-vessel lumen of a patient with the introducer assembly.

Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing body lumens and/or for delivering instruments into body lumens, e.g., vessels within a patient's vasculature. A flexible sheath is provided that is expandable from a contracted condition to an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen therein. The sheath is lubricious and has a relatively thin wall, thereby providing a collapsible/expandable guide for delivering fluids and/or instruments through tortuous anatomy and/or into relatively narrow passages. The sheath is advanced from an entry site to a body lumen in the contracted condition. Once the sheath reaches a target body lumen, the sheath is expanded to the enlarged condition, thereby defining a lumen within the sheath, and fluids and/or instruments are introduced into the body lumen via the sheath lumen. Upon completing the procedure, the sheath is removed from the body lumen.

An endoluminal device comprises a tubular member and a reinforcement member that is separable from, or together with, a wall of the tubular member, and removable in-situ.

The present disclosure includes an expandable medical device and outer sheath combination. The outer sheath is capable of being split to form multiple sheath sections that may be peeled back to expose a portion or all of the expandable medical device. The medical device, as well as the outer sheath, may include one or more therapeutic agents for delivery to a treatment area within a patient.