A surgical tool, consisting of a handle and a flexible insertion tube, having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end configured to be inserted into an orifice of a living subject. The tool has an inner tube, which is bendable without breaking over a range of angles in response to a bending force, and which retains the bent shape after the bending force has been removed. The inner tube is located within the insertion tube. A flexible tubing defines a lumen and is contained within the inner tube. A tool working tip is configured to contact tissue in the subject and to mate with a distal termination of the inner tube. A rigid outer tube grips outer surfaces of the working tip and of the inner tube so as to maintain an opening of the working tip in communication with the flexible tubing lumen.

An indwelling pleural catheter system comprises an indwelling catheter device (2) comprising a catheter tube (7) with a fenestrated distal end (7A) configured to reside in the pleural cavity of a subject and a connection hub (10) fluidically coupled to a proximal end (7B) of the catheter tube, a skin anchoring member (3) to anchor the connection hub (10) to the skin of the subject, and optionally a detachable ambulatory suction module (4) configured for detachable attachment to the connection hub (10). The suction module (4) comprises a fluid inlet (19) configured for fluidic coupling to the catheter tube (7) through the connection hub (10) and a fluid outlet (20) configured for detachable fluidic coupling to a pleural fluid drainage system (5) to drain pleural fluid through the detachable ambulatory suction module. The detachable ambulatory suction module is configured to exert a negative pressure in the catheter tube upon detachment of the pleural fluid drainage system from the suction module. Treatment of pleural effusion using the system of the invention is described. An indwelling catheter system for draining fluid from the peritoneal cavity, and methods of treating ascites, is also described.

Systems and methods for nasal irrigation are provided in which a nasal irrigation device includes a source of saline solution, an effluent receptacle, a nasal interface, a vacuum source, a fluid passageway to communicate the source of saline solution with the effluent receptacle through the nasal interface and a nasal cavity of a user, and a switch and valve assembly for selectively controlling the vacuum source and flow of the saline solution through the fluid passageway. The source of saline solution is disposed relative to the device to provide gravitational inducement of the saline solution to the nasal interface in engagement to the device user's nostrils. A combination of the gravitational inducement and a relative vacuum from the effluent receptacle generates a fluid flow for irrigating, cleansing and massaging the nasal cavity and ostia of the user. The entire device is assembled as a hand-held device for convenient lifting and disposal against the user's nostrils.

A surgical instrument assembly includes a surgical instrument having an instrument body, an elongate member with a distal end configured to be inserted into an anatomical passageway of a patient, a sensor operable to generate a signal corresponding to a location of the elongate member, and a first electrical connector electrically coupled with the sensor. The assembly further includes a cable assembly having a cable that communicates with a processor, and a coupling that releasably couples with the instrument body. The coupling includes a coupling body having first and second lateral sides that extend parallel to one another and are configured to extend parallel to a side of the instrument body when the coupling is coupled with the instrument body. The coupling includes a second electrical connector that electrically couples with the first electrical connector to transmit the signal from the sensor proximally through the cable and toward the processor.

A smoke evacuator for use with a surgical access device includes an evacuation ring having an inner peripheral surface defining one or more channels therein disposed in fluid communication with an operating cavity. A connection port is disposed thereon in fluid communication with the channel(s) and adapted to connect to a smoke evacuation system. The evacuation ring includes a profile having an inner flange that forms part of the inner peripheral surface of the evacuation ring and one or more lower flanges, the inner flange is configured to mechanically engage a rim of an access device and the lower flange(s) is adapted to mechanically engage a wound guard, wherein engagement of the inner flange of the evacuation ring atop the access device and engagement of the lower flange(s) with the wound guard secures the access device, the wound guard and the smoke evacuation ring within the operating cavity.

An aspiration system includes an aspiration catheter including a tubular aspiration member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen, and configured to at least partially extend out of the lumen of an elongate tubular member and into the vasculature of a subject, an elongate support member coupled to the tubular aspiration member and extending between the proximal end of the aspiration catheter and the proximal end of the tubular aspiration member, a high pressure injection lumen extending within the elongate support member and having a distal end including a curved portion configured to change a direction of fluid flow by at least about 90°, at least one orifice located at the distal end of the high pressure injection lumen configured to allow liquid to be released into the lumen of the tubular aspiration member, and an annular seal carried by the tubular aspiration member and configured to create a liquid seal against the inner surface of the elongate tubular member.

A coated urinary catheter or urinary stent device includes a urinary catheter or stent which, in a deployed position, includes or defines a protective surface area and a protected surface area and a coating upon at least a portion of the protective surface area. The coating includes a lubricant and an antimicrobial and/or pH buffering material. The device is configured such that, upon application of negative pressure to the catheter or stent, tissue of a urinary tract of a patient conforms or collapses onto the protective surface area and is thereby prevented or inhibited from occluding one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations of the catheter or stent.

Provided is an otitis media treatment instrument and, more particularly, to an otitis media treatment instrument having a ventilation tube installed thereon, the otitis media treatment instrument including: a cutting sheath which is configured in a tube shape, and which has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the ventilation tube; and a suction pipe formed to be able to move relative to the cutting sheath inside the cutting sheath along the longitudinal direction of the cutting sheath, the suction pipe having, on the front end portion thereof, an insertion portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the ventilation tube and having a fixing portion which extends toward the front end of the insertion portion, and which has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the ventilation tube.

Examples relate to garments, systems, and methods for fluid collection or removing fluids from a fluid collection device. The fluid collection garments include a fabric body configured to be worn on the pelvis of a wearer, where the fabric body has a port thereon or therein, where the port holds a fluid collection device therein. The fluid collection device is shaped to complement the female anatomy or male anatomy near the urethra. The fluid collection device can include a vacuum source in fluid communication with the fluid collection device via one or more sections of conduit.

A method includes inserting into a patient body a medical suction tool, which includes a hollow first tube for removing material away from a Eustachian tube of a patient, and a hollow second tube disposed around the first tube. The medical suction tool is navigated to the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is sealed by coupling an outer surface of the second tube to an inner surface of the Eustachian tube. While the Eustachian tube is sealed by the second tube, the material is removed away from the Eustachian tube via the first tube.