An antimicrobial lubricant applied to an outer surface of an introducer needle as part of a catheter assembly device. The catheter assembly device further includes a blood control septum having a slit through which the introducer needle is threaded. The antimicrobial lubricant is squeegeed, or removed from the outer surface of the introducer needle as the needle is removed from the slit following catheterization. The removed antimicrobial lubricant forms a deposit on the septum at a location proximate to the slit, thereby preventing colonization and growth of pathogens on the septum and other adjacent components and surfaces of the catheter assembly device.

An obturator can include antimicrobial features which assist in sterilizing or maintaining the sterility of fluid contained within a vascular access device while the device is not being used for infusion or other access to the patient's vasculature. These antimicrobial features include antimicrobial coatings applied to various surfaces of an obturator and antimicrobial components bonded or otherwise secured to an obturator. Various combinations of antimicrobial coatings and/or components can be used on an obturator as necessary to provide a desired amount of antimicrobial agents within a particular enclosed volume of a vascular access device.

A balloon catheter device of the present invention includes an elongate catheter shaft comprising multifilar cable tubing having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes a coating that allows the shaft to provide a patent fluid passage, and a part of the distal portion inside a balloon may be uncoated or otherwise open to the balloon lumen, allowing for passage of fluid through the shaft into the balloon lumen. The distal cable tube end includes a connection structure configured to provide desirable strength, pushability, and trackability.

A renal flow system injects a volume of fluid agent into a location within an abdominal aorta in a manner that flows bi-laterally into each of two renal arteries via their respectively spaced ostia along the abdominal aorta wall. A local injection assembly includes two injection members, each having an injection port that couples to a source of fluid agent externally of the patient. The injection ports may be positioned with an outer region of blood flow along the abdominal aorta wall perfusing the two renal arteries. A flow isolation assembly may isolate flow of the injected agent within the outer region and into the renals. The injection members are delivered to the location in a first radially collapsed condition, and bifurcate across the aorta to inject into the spaced renal ostia. A delivery catheter for upstream interventions is used as a chassis to deliver a bilateral local renal injection assembly to the location within the abdominal aorta.

A method for venting the left ventricle of a patient's heart includes the step of providing a left heart vent catheter that includes an elongate tube having a hollow passageway. The catheter is provided with a plurality of openings and a balloon near the distal end. The balloon can be inflated after the catheter is in place so as to engage a desired part of the heart such as the aortic valve or tricuspid valve and thereby prevent undesired withdrawal of the catheter. The openings near the distal end permit fluid to be withdrawn from the heart through the hollow passageway. After the surgical procedure has been completed, the balloon can be collapsed and the catheter can be withdrawn.

Applicants hereby present a “clean” copy of the amended Abstract:

A method for venting the left ventricle of a patient's heart includes the step of providing a left heart vent catheter that includes an elongate tube having a hollow passageway. The catheter is provided with a plurality of openings and a balloon near the distal end. The balloon can be inflated after the catheter is in place so as to engage a desired part of the heart such as the aortic valve or tricuspid valve and thereby prevent undesired withdrawal of the catheter. The openings near the distal end permit fluid to be withdrawn from the heart through the hollow passageway. After the surgical procedure has been completed, the balloon can be collapsed and the catheter can be withdrawn.

Compositions and methods for inhibiting and interrupting biofilm formation, and for destabilizing established biofilms are provided, the novel compositions including polymeric resins and monomeric non-polymerizable and polymerizable resins. More particularly, the compositions and methods enable the protection and removal of biofilms from surfaces in the context of medical, consumer, domestic, food service, environmental and industrial applications, where the effects constitute beneficial and desirable biofilm attenuating activity.

In some examples, a catheter may include a catheter body, a first expandable member, and a second expandable member. The catheter body may define a first lumen, a second lumen, a delivery port, and a surface extending from the delivery port into the first lumen. The first lumen may define a first central longitudinal axis. The second lumen may define a second central longitudinal axis spaced from the first central longitudinal axis in a direction orthogonal to the second central longitudinal axis. The delivery port may be in fluid communication with the first lumen. The surface extending from the delivery port into the first surface may be oriented at an obtuse or acute angle relative to the first central longitudinal axis.

The disclosure provides for an adjustable catheter system with isovolumetric suction and restoration of fluid for the removal of a thrombus and a method of use thereof. The catheter system includes an inner catheter and an outer sheath surrounding at least a portion of the inner catheter. The inner catheter may include at least three lumina extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the inner catheter, at least one infusion fenestration along the infusion segment, and a distal encapsulation balloon at the distal end. The outer sheath may include at least three lumina extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the outer sheath and a proximal encapsulation balloon at the distal end. The catheter system may further include an agitator for mechanical morcellation of the thrombus.

A system and method for the use of magneto-rheological fluids (MRF) and magnetically controlled elastomers (MCE) for use in fluid control and distribution apparatus which are responsive to control by a magnetic field are disclosed.

A low frequency micro oscillator-driven oscillating system including at least one electric oscillation generator operative to produce oscillations at a first frequency, at least one oscillated article, at least one intermediate element, having at least one resonant frequency lower than the first frequency, the at least one intermediate element being oscillated by the at least one electric oscillation generator and being operative to cause the at least one oscillated article to oscillate and a power supply circuit, supplying electrical power intermittently in a periodic manner to the at least one electric oscillation generator, thereby causing the at least one oscillated article to oscillate at at least one second frequency, lower than the first frequency.