A bi-directional valve assembly, including valves for use in closed-ended catheters or other elongate tubular devices, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a catheter assembly for insertion into a body of a patient is disclosed and comprises an elongate catheter tube including an outer wall that at least partially defines at least one lumen that extends between a proximal end and a closed distal end thereof. The catheter tube includes a valve assembly that in turn includes a linear slit valve defined through the outer wall of a distal segment of the catheter tube, and a deformation region. The deformation region includes a compliant segment disposed in the outer wall of the catheter tube and a thinned portion of the outer wall. The compliant segment and thinned portion of the deformation region cooperate to preferentially deform the outer wall and open the slit valve during aspiration through the catheter tube.

The invention relates to a wetting mechanism 20 for wetting a tube 12 of a catheter 10. The wetting mechanism 20 includes a housing 16 to be positioned at or proximal to the tip end 13 of the catheter tube 12, where the housing 16 comprises a holding chamber 22 and a wetting chamber 23. The wetting mechanism 20 comprises a fluid release control component 26 for controlling release of fluid within the holding chamber 22 into the wetting chamber 23. At least a portion of the catheter tube 12 is then able to be introduced and be moved through the wetting chamber 23 to wet the catheter tube 12, in use.

Intravenous cannula devices configured to prevent blood backflow and needle prick injuries include a catheter assembly and a needle guard assembly. The catheter assembly includes a hub having a coaxial recess and a valve member positioned therein. The valve member is cylindrical and includes a distal surface having slits collectively defining prongs configured to open and close upon passage of a needle therethrough. Cannula devices configured to prevent needle stick injuries include a safety release component at a distal end of the needle guard assembly. The safety release component includes moveable locking elements configured to fit within an annular groove defined by a proximal portion of the hub upon movement of a needle through the safety release component. Proximal retraction of the needle through the safety release component causes the moveable locking elements to be displaced from the annular groove, thereby decoupling the catheter assembly from the needle guard assembly.

Disclosed is a system including a flow regulating system. The flow regulating system may assist in ensuring a selected pressure within an inlet volume. The flow regulator may be included in a shunt assembly. The shut assembly may include an inlet catheter configured to assist in maintaining an open flow path therethrough.

An ultrasound catheter with a lumen for fluid delivery and fluid evacuation, and an ultrasound source is used for the treatment of intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhages. After the catheter is inserted into a blood clot, a lytic drug can be delivered to the blood clot via the lumen while applying ultrasonic energy to the treatment site. As the blood clot is dissolved, the liquefied blood clot can be removed by evacuation through the lumen.

A drainage system comprising: (a) a catheter including a sensor; (b) a first valve in fluid communication with an interior of the catheter; (c) a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the controller including logic configured to direct at least one of opening and closing of the first valve using at least one of an elapsed time and a presence of a predetermined condition; and, (d) a venturi pump in fluid communication with the interior of the catheter.

A dialysis catheter includes an elongate catheter member having an outer wall member defining proximal and distal end regions, and first and second longitudinal lumens. The outer member includes first and second ports in respective fluid communication with the first and second longitudinal lumens. The first opening and the first lumen define an inflow passage. The second opening and the second longitudinal lumen define an outflow passage. A valve is disposed relative to the outer member proximal of the first port. The valve is adapted to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined vacuum pressure level realized within the first longitudinal lumen to permit flow of blood through the valve and into the first longitudinal lumen. The valve may be adapted to move to the open position in the event of a luminal occlusion.

A medical tube, which is inserted into a tubular organ and discharges and suctions fluid, is provided with a tube-shape main body which extends a prescribed length and with a valve which is disposed in a portion of the main body that is inserted into the tubular organ and can discharge or suction a fluid, wherein the valve includes multiple slits which are formed so as to extend axially of the body a prescribed length, reaching from the outer periphery to the inner periphery of the main body, and which are provided spaced in the circumferential direction of the main body. Each slit is formed tilted in the same direction with respect to a radially-extending line which passes through the axial center of the main body.

The invention relates to a urine flow control system (50) including a catheter device (10, 100) for insertion into a urethra, the catheter device (10, 100) having: a proximal end portion (14) and an opposite distal end portion (16, 102), a conduit (C) between said proximal end portion (14) and said distal end portion (16) having a urine inlet opening (2) at said proximal end portion (14) and a urine outlet opening (4, P) at said distal end portion (16, 102), and a magnetically actuatable valve located at said distal end portion (16, 102) for controlled discharge of urine from said catheter device (10, 100) through said outlet opening (4, P), and a magnetic actuator device with an actuator magnet (201), separate from said catheter device (10, 100), for operating said valve, characterized in said magnetic actuator device (200) comprising a housing (205) for receiving urine discharged from said catheter device (10, 100), said housing (205) having a first open end (202) configured for receiving said distal end portion (16, 102) with said magnetically actuatable valve and said outlet opening (4, P), and a second end, said housing (205) having at said first end (202) said actuator magnet (201).

A catheter for the directional conveyance of a fluid, in particular a body fluid, is provided. The catheter includes a sleeve having an internal space and a frame. The sleeve has at least three openings and is configured at least in a region between the first opening and the second opening as a conduit for the fluid. A check valve is arranged at the second opening. The check valve includes a valve foil which is at least partially attached to the sleeve such that the second opening can be completely covered by the valve foil.