The present disclosure relates to an end effector for an electrosurgical instrument, comprising an electrode assembly for delivering a radio-frequency (RF) power signal to a surgical site, the electrode assembly comprising an active electrode, a return electrode, and an insulating element in between the active electrode and the return electrode, the active electrode comprising an aperture which provides access to a suction channel extending through the insulating element to a lumen for carrying fluid from the surgical site, wherein the lumen is at least in part defined by an inner surface of the return electrode, wherein the electrode assembly is configured to conduct electrical current between the active electrode and the return electrode via a first current path through the suction channel when the RF power signal is supplied to the electrodes.

A surgical drain system for use during and following surgery is provided. A collection reservoir is placed in fluid communication with the body of a user through a collection port. A pump creates a vacuum pressure to urge fluid into the collection reservoir. Fluid exits the collection reservoir through a drain port. A drain mechanism allows air to come into the collection reservoir through an air intake aperture and collected fluid to leave the reservoir simultaneously. The drain system can be worn beneath clothes.

Methods of assembling a manifold for a medical waste collection system. A flapper valve unit is secured to a head of a cap. A filter element is positioned within a shell. Basket hands of the filter element are fitted between first pairs of ribs of the cap skirt. Fingers of the shell are fitted between second pairs of ribs of the cap skirt. The cap is secured to the shell to cover an open distal end of the shell. A drip stop is secured to the proximal end base of the shell to seat within the outlet opening. Ears may be fitted through holes defined by the flapper valve unit and cap holes defined by the cap so as to snap lock to the head of the cap. The hub of the flapper valve unit may be compressed with the ears snap locked to the head of the cap.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises a sealing layer comprising at least one orifice, an absorbent layer over the sealing layer, absorbing wound exude and a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer.

A biocompatible controlled release form of complexed iodine is achieved by a complexation of polyvinyl alcohol based foam and characterized by a residual starch component to optimize iodine release profiles. The resulting iodine complexed polyvinyl alcohol foam may be utilized locally as an antimicrobial agent that releases controlled amounts of iodine sufficient to kill microbes for extended durations without excessive bulk and rigidity.

A method of operating an aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal end includes the acts of at least partially blocking the distal end of the aspiration catheter with an embolus, creating a vacuum at the distal end of the aspiration catheter with a vacuum source adjacent the proximal end of the aspiration catheter, at least partially relieving the vacuum at the distal end of the catheter by at least one of interrupting the vacuum from the vacuum source and venting the aspiration catheter with a vent fluid adjacent the proximal end, and repeating the acts of interrupting the vacuum and venting the aspiration catheter in a timing cycle that maximizes the time that the aspiration catheter is at vacuum and changes pressure at the distal end of the catheter from vacuum to at least atmospheric pressure during each cycle.

A catheter or shaft, such as a distal access support or aspiration catheter, is provided that is configured to be advanced at least partially within a patient. The catheter or shaft may include a flexible and hollow shaft including a proximal end and a distal end. The flexible and hollow shaft may include a slotted portion with a plurality of slotted openings, the slotted portion including a first segment with a first pattern of slotted openings and a second segment extending proximally relative the first segment with a second pattern of slotted openings different from the first pattern.

An example syringe includes a barrel having a distal end region and an inner surface defining a lumen extending therein, wherein the inner surface includes a proximally facing surface, and wherein the distal end region includes a distal end. The syringe also includes a plunger having a body portion and a distal tip extending distally away from a distal end region of the body portion, wherein the distal end region includes a distally facing surface. Further, the plunger is configured to be positioned within the lumen of the barrel and a portion of the distal tip of the plunger extends distally of the distal end of the barrel when the plunger is positioned within the lumen of the barrel.

Some embodiments are directed to a system 10 for the application of topical negative pressure therapy to a site 18 on the body of a mammal. Some embodiments of the system 10 comprise a piston 22 and cylinder 24 device 12 having a self-contained power source for the generation of a reduced pressure and for aspirating the site 18. Some embodiments of the system 10 comprise a dressing 14 sealably surrounding the site 18 that can be operably connected to the device 12 by a conduit means 16 to apply the reduced pressure to the site 18.

A body cavity irrigation and drainage system including a catheter apparatus that has a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, a first flow channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a second flow channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end and being fluidly isolated from the first flow channel. The catheter apparatus may alterable between: (1) a first state in which the first and second flow channels are linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis along an entire length of the first and second flow channels; and (2) a second state in which a distal portion of the first flow channel curls away from the longitudinal axis in a first direction and a distal portion of the second flow channel curls away from the longitudinal axis in a second direction that is different from the first direction.