An apparatus is provided for producing and/or disengaging a fluid flow-capable medical threaded connection. The connection can be a Luer lock connection. The apparatus includes a first receiving device for receiving a first connecting element, and a second receiving device for receiving a second connecting element. The first receiving device and the second receiving device are rotatable relative to each other about a common screwing axis, and displaceable relative to each other along the screwing axis. The apparatus is designed to relatively move the first receiving device and the second receiving device toward and away from each other such that the first connecting element and the second connecting element can be screwed together or disengaged. An associated connecting element can be introduced into the first receiving device and/or into the second receiving device, in a radial direction relative to the screwing axis. A method is also provided.

Medical devices and methods thereof for determining bacterial infections in blood. The medical devices and methods thereof can utilize a coating including an antibody conjugated to a reporter protein configured to indicate a bacterial infection in a patient's blood by way of an antigen thereof. Exemplary medical devices include, but are not limited to, a catheter assembly, an AV fistula needle set, an extension set for either a catheter assembly or an AV fistula needle set, and a hemodialysis tubing set. The medical devices and methods thereof can utilize immunochromatographic separation of the antibody and an antigen-antibody complex to indicate a bacterial infection in a patient's blood.

An integrated catheter assembly includes a housing member, an outer lumen member extending from the housing member, and a needle member having a needle slidably or movably coupled to the housing member, wherein the needle can be extended beyond the outer lumen. Once a flash of blood is confirmed the needle member is uncoupled from the housing member and removed from within the patent's vein or artery. An inner lumen member having an elongated member housing an inner lumen is then connected to the housing member. A thump slide supported within the elongated member and coupled to the inner lumen is advanced moving the inner lumen through the housing member and the outer lumen into the patient's vein or artery beyond the end of the outer lumen The end of the thump slide/elongated member is connected to tubing extending to a dialysis machine and this tubing is used to transfer clean or detoxed blood from the machine back into the patent. The outer lumen is connected to separate tubing to transfer blood out of the patent to the dialysis machine. The integrated catheter assembly therefore receives and delivers blood through a single injection site. Alternatively, another embodiment is shown where the needle remains within the patient during dialysis.

A catheter includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal end portions defining a longitudinal axis, and first and second tip segments. The elongate shaft and the first and second tip segments define respective first and second lumens. Each tip segment includes a proximal portion fixed relative to the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a distal portion. Each tip segment defines a side opening in fluid communication with a respective one of the first and second lumens. Each tip segment is movable between a straight configuration in which each respective tip segment is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a curved configuration in which each tip segment has a concave portion with respect to the longitudinal axis. The side openings face each other along the concave portions.

A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a pressure sensor mounted at a proximal end of a patient line made of a distensible material that provides PD solution to a patient through a catheter. During treatment, an occlusion can occur at different locations in the patient line and/or the catheter. When an incremental volume of additional solution is provided to the patient line while the occlusion is present, a change in pressure results. The change in pressure depends on dimensions and a distensibility of a non-occluded portion of the patient line. If the change in pressure, the incremental volume, properties related to the distensibility of the patient line, and some of the dimensions of the patient line are known, a location of the occlusion can be inferred. An occlusion type can be inferred based on the location of the occlusion.

An intravenous sensing system includes an intravenous needle that may be inserted into an artery. Thus, the intravenous needle may receive blood from the artery. The intravenous needle may be fluidly coupled to a dialysis machine. Thus, the blood may be routed to the dialysis machine. A sensing unit is coupled to the needle. The sensing unit senses blood pressure inside the artery when the intravenous needle is inserted into the artery. The sensing unit is electrically coupled to the dialysis machine. Thus, the dialysis machine may monitor the blood pressure.

A catheter for vascular insertion, including a catheter body defining a first lumen and a second lumen, and including a distal region. The distal region may include a first distal opening in fluid communication with the first lumen, and a second distal opening in fluid communication with the second lumen. The distal region may also include a first lateral opening defined by the catheter body and in fluid communication with the first lumen, and a second lateral opening defined by the catheter body and in fluid communication with the second lumen. One or both of the first and second lateral openings may be defined by an angle cross-cut through an outer perimeter of the catheter body.

An electromagnetic radiation (EMR) delivery system for delivering EMR at wavelengths, intensities, exposures, and durations to locations inside and/or outside a patient's body in, on, and surrounding a catheter and/or a catheter extension to prevent, reduce, and/or eliminate infectious agents in, on, or surrounding the catheter and/or catheter extension. A smart light engine box generates the therapeutic EMR, controls treatments, and monitors the health of the system. A fiber optic disposable makes at-home use of the EMR delivery system possible. Specific embodiments of the EMR delivery system for use with peritoneal dialysis catheters, dialysis accesses, and hemodialysis accesses are also disclosed.

A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient to the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes two reservoirs which can be alternately placed in the dialysis flow path using various controllable fluid valves. The hemodialysis system may include a sorbent filter in the dialysate flow path which filters used dialysate. Alternatively, the filter may be positioned within a separate closed loop filter flow path which is isolated from the blood flow path and dialysate flow path. For this embodiment, the hemodialysis system includes additional controllable fluid valves which selectively connect the filter flow path to the reservoir which is not currently providing dialysis treatment to a patient.

Various systems, devices, and methods for endovascular implants and placement thereof are disclosed. The implants include a proximal implant segment, a distal implant segment, connector struts connecting the proximal implant segment to the distal implant segment, and a side opening between the proximal implant segment and the distal implant segment. The implants can be used to create an arteriovenous fistula or connect one vessel of the body to another by placement of the proximal implant segment and the distal implant segment within the vessels to be connected. The implants can include one or more anchors for securing the implant in place with respect to the vessels of the body it is connecting. The implants can also include a continuous strut or ring at a distal edge of the proximal implant segment. Also disclosed are methods for percutaneous placement of the implants, and a device for percutaneous delivery.