A catheter for insertion into a body cavity of a subject (such as the urinary bladder), and having a drainage tube extending from a drainage opening adjacent a distal end of the catheter to a drainage outlet adjacent a proximal end of the catheter; a closure member mountable for sliding movement within the drainage tube between a first position such that said drainage opening is in fluid communication with the drainage outlet and a second position wherein the closure member blocks fluid communication between the drainage opening and the outlet port; and an actuator, operable from the proximal end of the catheter, to move the closure member between the first and second positions. The closure member can include a second tube, sliding within the drainage tube, or a slideable plug.

A microcatheter for delivery of embolic fluids includes an outer member dimensioned for insertion within a blood vessel adjacent an embolization site. The outer member defines a first longitudinal lumen, and an inner member is selectively positionable within the first longitudinal lumen of the outer member. The inner member defines a second longitudinal lumen and has a delivery port in fluid communication with the second longitudinal lumen for passage and delivery of embolic fluids toward the embolization site. A valve is disposed within the outer member. The valve is dimensioned to establish a substantial seal about the inner member, to minimize entry of the embolic fluids within the first longitudinal lumen of the outer member subsequent to delivery thereof toward the embolization site.

An infusion catheter assembly has the ability to infinitely titrate the length of a porous fluid distribution section in situ. The infusion catheter assembly thereby provides a length of infusion that can be infinitely varied over a prescribed range, to control the effective infusion length and the rate of infusion. Using the infusion catheter assembly, a physician has the capability to treat only the length of the vessel desired, thereby preventing excessive drug/patient exposures. The porous fluid distribution section can include an array of spaced apart apertures that vary in size and/or density along the length of the porous fluid distribution section, such that the flow rate remains essentially constant for a given inlet pressure independent of the effective infusion length.

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same with an alignment element for stability and anti-rotation of the everting balloon are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and deliver instruments, media, or other catheters into bodily lumens and cavities. The alignment element eliminates the potential for the everting membrane to become twisted or rotated which could impact access or the ability of the system to deliver materials. A compliance member facilitates internal pressurization of the everting catheter system.

Methods of modifying the luminal profile of a body vessel are described. An example method comprises advancing a cannula out of the distal end of a catheter disposed within the lumen of a body vessel of an animal and toward a target site on the wall of the body vessel; passing contrast dye through the cannula toward the target site; simultaneously continuing the advancing and passing until the distal end of the cannula punctures the inner layer of the wall of the body vessel at the target site; and passing a bulking agent through the cannula and into a space between connective tissue layers surrounding the vessel wall at the target site. Medical devices, medical device assemblies, and kits are also described.

An antiseptic cap and packaging for use with a connector are provided. The antiseptic cap includes a material containing an antiseptic solution. Upon application of the cap to the connector, the material compresses thereby releasing the antiseptic solution. Packaging of the antiseptic cap typically includes a cap holder and a lid. A user could remove the cap from the cap holder before applying it to a connector. Alternatively, the cap holder may be used to apply the cap to the connector.

Systems, methods, and articles for providing an antimicrobial composition to the proximal elements of a trans-dermal catheter and into the lumen of the transdermal catheter are disclosed. In an embodiment, an antimicrobial composition on surface a cap element transfers antimicrobial to the proximal end of the transdermal catheter. The system comprises an elongate member configured for insertion into a lumen of a catheter, the elongate member containing an antimicrobial.

Double-lumen infusion catheter including: a shaft having proximal section, distal section, and intermediate section therebetween; first and second lumens extending along a length of the shaft and having arc shaped wall therebetween; and an inflatable member provided distally to intermediate section, and over the distal section. First lumen has cross section larger than cross section of second lumen and is configured to receive a guidewire therethrough and allow fluid flow via an unobstructed portion of first lumen. Unobstructed portion is formed along guidewire outer surface, between guidewire outer surface and inner wall of first lumen, and extends from an inlet at proximal end of intermediate section to an outlet at distal end of intermediate section. First lumen is narrowed to approximate a first diameter in shaft proximal and distal sections, and is widened to approximate a second diameter greater than first diameter in the shaft intermediate section.

A safety balloon catheter includes a catheter having a stretch valve, a connector, a balloon inflated with an inflation fluid, a hollow inflation lumen extending through the catheter to the balloon and conveying inflation fluid thereto and therefrom, a hollow second lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon to the second lumen. The stretch valve has a hollow base fixed in the second lumen at a proximal catheter end and shaped to permit a fluid therethrough and a hollow plug slidably positioned in the second lumen at a given distance from the base to, in a steady state, prevent inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, when actuated, slide within the second lumen to permit inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen. The connector connects the base and the plug and has a length greater than the given distance.

A positioning device with sensing capacities is provided, which facilitates needle or catheter introduction into a body tissue or cavity and is configured to sense the types of encountered tissue. Using the epidural access procedure as an example, device and method designs are presented, which enable the sensing of needle entrance to the epidural space and anchoring of the cannula within the ligamentum flavum tissue to prevent puncturing of the dura mater. In case of tissue sensing by an expandable balloon, balloon fluid pressure and volume are used to indicate tissue and cavity characteristics encountered during the procedure. Device embodiments, device construction methods and treatment methods are provided.