A Catheter for the transfer of human embryos including an outer catheter characterized by an integrated element of transverse folds in the shape of an “accordion” at a specific distance from its tip. When being compact, the element of transverse folds is 1 cm long while the distance of its center from the tip of the catheter is 5.5 cm but can vary +/−1 cm. The element of transverse folds has the ability to bend, expand, compress and generally be configured in the desired shape and angle by the operating clinician in order to facilitate its passage through the cervical channel. The shape and angle are capable of being re-configured by the operating clinician if deemed necessary. The element of transverse folds is also capable of automatically adjusting in shape and angle during its passage through the cervix, following the anatomy of the cervical channel.

An apparatus and methods for tissue restoration are provided. The apparatus may include a catheter shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal tip, the catheter shaft defining lumens including an inflation lumen and a light fiber lumen, a coated balloon positioned on a translucent distal segment of the catheter shaft proximal to the distal tip in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the coated distal balloon comprising a translucent material and a coated material on an outer surface of the coated balloon, and a light fiber positioned in the catheter shaft in the light fiber lumen and extending through the translucent distal segment.

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.

An embodiment of the disclosure is a catheter system configured to be attached to an implanted medical device, such as an implanted valve. The catheter includes an engagement assembly having an elongated member that extends along a central axis, and an engagement member coupled to the elongated member. The engagement assembly has a retracted configuration, where the engagement member is disposed within the channel of the catheter, and an engagement configuration, where the engagement member is disposed outside of the channel and extends outwardly along a direction that is angled with respect to the central axis.

A catheter is provided which includes an outer catheter and an extendable inner catheter. A sealing feature is positioned between the inner catheter and the outer catheter to seal the annular gap between the two while allowing axial translation. The seal may be a compliant protrusion surrounding the inner catheter and may have a chevron-shape for facilitating axial translation. The seal may be a one-way valve configured to allow antegrade flushing but prevent retrograde flow. The seal may be squeegee-like flange on the distal tip of the outer catheter. The seal may be an expandable bulge, which may be mechanically expandable or inflatable or which may be a photosensitive or electrosensitive hydrogel. The seal may include a spring that is radially compressed upon translation or rotation of the inner catheter to transiently break the seal. Also provided is a seal for sealing between the catheter and the vasculature.

The wound drainage apparatus for drug-assisted removal of bodily fluids includes a double-lumen tubing member connected to a customizable branched tubing member for placement in a wound cavity. A perforated inner tube connected to an anticoagulant drug delivery pump and a solid outer tube connected to a fluid drainage vacuum make up the double-lumen tubing member. The branched tubing member includes a plurality of secondary wound cavity tubes branching away from a primary wound cavity tube. The apparatus disclosed herein improves upon current drainage systems by preventing occlusions produced by blood clots forming in fluid drainage tubes.

One embodiment is a medical device with a flexibly deformable external hose. The external hose includes multiple openings, at least one of them arranged in a first end of the external hose. It includes a flexible internal hose, which is arranged on the inside of the external hose. The internal hose, in an expanded state, has an external diameter that is at least equal to the internal diameter of the external hose, closing the openings of the external hose. The external diameter of the internal hose can be transitioned from the expanded state into a radially contracted state, exposing the openings. A connection firmly connects the external hose and the internal hose on the first end of the external hose, and closes them in fluid-tight manner. A connector supplies the fluid into the intervening space between the external and the internal hose.

A steerable guide catheter includes a tip ring at a distal end and one or more pullwires configured to engage with the tip ring when put in tension, the pullwire(s) thereby subjecting the steerable guide catheter to a curving or turning force. The tip ring includes a saddle and one or more pullwire channels allowing the pullwire to be looped over the saddle such that when the pullwire is placed under tension, it abuts against the saddle of the tip ring. Some embodiments include additional catheters axially aligned within or outside of the steerable guide catheter, and include a keying feature aligning the rotation of the multiple catheters. The keys of the keying feature can be formed of a polyamide with a glass microsphere filler, and can be thermally welded to the catheter.

An apparatus includes a catheter, an introducer, and an actuator. A distal end portion of the introducer is configured to couple to an indwelling peripheral intravenous line. The actuator is movably coupled to the introducer and is configured to move the catheter between a first position, in which the catheter is disposed within the introducer, and a second position, in which a distal end portion of the catheter is distal to the introducer. A first portion of the actuator is disposed outside of the introducer and in contact with an outer surface of the introducer such that (1) a longitudinal axis defined by a second portion of the actuator is nonparallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the introducer and (2) the second portion of the actuator exerts a force on a proximal end portion of the catheter operable to increase an internal stress with in a portion of the catheter.

A surgical system comprising a catheter comprising an irrigation tube, a suction tube, an occlusion balloon disposed about the irrigation tube and suction tube, and a console in operative communication with the irrigation tube and the suction tube. The surgical system also comprising a remote operations unit in communication with the console via a connector, wherein an input to the remote operations unit is communicated to the console, which in turn acts to operate the irrigation tube and suction tube in a manner corresponding to the input.