A method and apparatus for use in controlling a dispensing rate of medication or other substance via a syringe, including, without limitation, into a patient, intravenous line port or heparin lock. A fluid flow rate control apparatus has a housing defining an inner chamber with an inlet port and an outlet port. Sealing seats are formed at or near both the inlet and outlet ports, and a moveable sealing element, such as a ball, can move within the inner chamber between the sealing seats. A spring biases the ball toward the inlet port sealing seat.

An implantable medical pump system configured to selectively permit access to a medicament reservoir by way of at least one contactless key, including an implantable medical pump having an medicament reservoir fluidly couple to an access port via a conduit including an access valve, and at least one contactless key configured to impart a magnetic field upon a portion of the implantable medical pump to manipulate the access valve between a closed position isolating the medicament reservoir from the access port, and an open position fluidly coupling the medicament reservoir to the access port.

An implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator for treating hydrocephalus in patients of all ages is disclosed as well as a system and method for use of the same. In one embodiment of the implantable intracranial pulse pressure modulator, two one-way valves are interposed in parallel, opposing orientations between a vestibule and a chamber. One of the one-way valves, in response to systole, provides fluid communication from the vestibule to the chamber such that a small aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is displaced from a cerebral ventricle into a ventricular catheter, thereby reducing intraventricular systolic pressure. The other one-way valve, in response to diastole, provides fluid communication from the chamber to the vestibule such that the same volume of CSF is reintroduced into a cerebral ventricle, thereby increasing intraventricular diastolic pressure. Together, both processes work synergistically to reduce intraventricular pulse pressure in order to treat hydrocephalus.

A device may be configured to deliver an agent to a target tissue via pressurized fluid and the device may include a catheter including a lumen; an enclosure configured to store an agent, receive a pressurized fluid, and release a combination of the pressurized fluid and the agent; and a valve downstream of the enclosure to receive the combination of the pressurized fluid and the agent from the enclosure. The valve may have a first configuration preventing flow of the combination through the lumen and a second configuration permitting flow of the combination through the lumen.

A sensor module has an arterial catheter connection hub. The sensor module has a perfusion inflow hub coupled through an arterial/portal blood chamber to the arterial catheter connection hub. The sensor module has a venous catheter connection hub. The sensor module has an effluent outflow hub coupled through a venous blood chamber to the venous catheter connection hub. The sensor module has an arterial sensor to sense a parameter of an arterial fluid flowing through the arterial/portal blood chamber. The sensor module has a venous sensor to sense a parameter of a venous fluid flowing through the venous blood chamber. The sensor module has a processor coupled to the arterial sensor and the venous sensor to determine a relationship between the parameter sensed by the arterial sensor and the parameter sensed by the venous sensor.

A surgical apparatus of the present disclosure includes a wound retractor having a specimen bag attached thereto. Kits of the present disclosure include the surgical apparatus and a vacuum tube. In embodiments, the vacuum tube may be introduced into a lumen of the wound retractor. A vacuum source is attached to a proximal end portion of the vacuum tube to draw a vacuum through the vacuum tube, which in turn draws a tissue specimen into the lumen of the vacuum tube through an opening in the distal end portion of the vacuum tube. The vacuum tube, possessing the tissue specimen therein, may then be removed from the wound retractor. Methods for using the surgical apparatus and/or kits of the present disclosure are also provided.

An infusion pump is disclosed. The infusion pump comprises a chamber having a distal end and a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end. A piston is arranged for reciprocating movement within the chamber and along the longitudinal axis. At least one outlet is arranged from the chamber and may comprise an outlet valve. At least one inlet is provided into the chamber. The outlet and the inlet are axially spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the chamber. A method for operating the pump is also provided.

A percutaneous nephrostomy catheter system includes a nephrostomy catheter lumen, an extension tubing and a collection bag. The extension tubing is inserted into the nephrostomy catheter lumen. The collection bag is fluidly coupled to the extension tubing. A percutaneous nephrostomy catheter system also includes a catheter hub which employs a Luer valve in order to facilitate nephrostomy care so that when the percutaneous nephrostomy system is in place urine flows from the renal pelvis into the nephrostomy catheter lumen, the extension tubing and the collection bag. The Luer valve employs a scalloped Luer-style male connector which, when screwed into the catheter hub allows flow.

A method for treating pleural effusion in a patient, the method comprising: providing a valve comprising: a body having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending therebetween; an inlet disposed at the proximal end of the body, the inlet being fluidically connected to the lumen; an outlet disposed at the distal end of the body, the outlet being fluidically connected to the lumen; and at least one valve element disposed in the lumen of the body, the at least one valve element being a one-way valve element configured to permit the passage of fluid in a single direction through the lumen of the body; and implanting the valve in the body of the patient such that the inlet of the valve is fluidically connected to the pleural cavity of the patient, and such that the outlet of the valve is fluidically connected to a second body cavity.

A lubrication device for lubricating a joint of a human or mammal patient, which is entirely implantable in a patient's body, comprises a reservoir for storing a lubricating fluid and a fluid connection for introducing the lubricating fluid into the joint when the device is implanted in the patient's body. Further, the fluid connection comprises a fluid connection device connecting the reservoir with the joint such that a lubricating fluid flow is established from the reservoir into the joint. The fluid connection comprises either an infusion needle adapted to be intermittently placed into the joint for injecting the lubricating fluid, or a tube adapted to be permanently placed into the joint for continuously injecting the lubricating fluid.