The present disclosure provides for a method of performing a percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) that includes inserting a tracheal tube including an inflatable cuff through a mouth and into a trachea of a patient; inserting a bronchoscope into the tracheal tube; inserting a puncturing wire through a channel of the bronchoscope. The puncturing wire includes a sharp cutting end and a dull gripping end. The method also includes puncturing the trachea of the patient with the sharp cutting end of the puncturing wire from within the trachea at a selected location to create a stoma; passing at least one dilator over the sharp cutting end of the puncturing wire for dilating the stoma; inserting a tracheostomy tube into the trachea through the stoma; and removing the puncturing wire from the patient.

The following describes various applications and uses for a controllably rigidizable flexible device or sheath. Such rigidizing mechanisms can allow for a transition between a rigid state and a flexible state of a sheath. Rigidization can be applied along an entire length of a flexible sheath or along select portions of the sheath, and the rigidization can be of varying stiffness. Rigidization can be user controlled or automatically controlled using computer processes.

Irrigation devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. The system comprises a catheter with one or more lumens and an expandable portion. One or more pumps are used to supply a mixture of contrasting and dilating agents in an interior kidney volume and flush a portion of the mixture out of the interior kidney volume. The method comprises placing a catheter into the interior kidney volume through a ureter, occluding a portion of the ureter with a distal end of the catheter, forming an exit port through an exterior kidney surface, flowing the contrasting and dilating agents through the one or more lumens to supply the mixture in the interior kidney volume, and flushing a portion of the mixture out of the exit port.

A blood flow stimulator may help encourage blood flow in a limb of a patient. The blood flow stimulator may include a housing configured for sealing about the limb of the patient. The housing may include a sealable volume, and the sealable volume may receive the limb of the patient. The blood flow stimulator may include a seal, and the seal may be coupled with the housing. The seal may engage with at least a portion of the limb, for instance to segregate the sealable volume from a surrounding environment of the blood flow stimulator. The blood flow stimulator may include a conduit extending through the housing. The conduit mat help provide access to the sealable volume, for instance from the surrounding environment. In some examples, an adjustable stent is utilized to enhance blood flow within vasculature of a patient. A stent operator may change a size of the stent.

A procedural sheath and methods of use that assists in maintaining a fluid path while the procedural sheath is positioned within a vascular conduit of a patient. The procedural sheath includes one or more channels extending longitudinally along a working length of the body of the sheath. Each channel includes one or more fluid paths configured to allow blood to flow from the vascular conduit into a device receiving lumen of the sheath. One or more elongate members selectively coupled to the body operatively cooperate with the channels to fluidly control fluid access into the device receiving lumen through the fluid paths.

An intubation assembly and shield configured to at least partially reduce the risk of contagion of airborne illnesses. The intubation assembly comprises an intubation apparatus assembly, which may comprise an intubation apparatus such as a laryngoscope, endoscope, bronchoscope, or other fiberoptic device. The intubation apparatus assembly may be operatively disposed on the shield assembly. The intubation apparatus may be placed on a correspondingly dimensioned sleeve. The shield assembly comprises a body with a plurality of side segments and a first transparent component with a shield opening disposed thereon. The shield opening may be used for insertion of the intubation apparatus assembly. The shield assembly may also comprise a second transparent component with at least one longitudinally disposed slot for insertion of an endotracheal tube or other intubation apparatus(es). The shield assembly may be provided with ports to attach a vacuum device to provide negative pressure.

An intubation assembly and shield configured to at least partially reduce the risk of contagion of airborne illnesses. The intubation assembly comprises an intubation apparatus assembly, which may comprise an intubation apparatus such as a laryngoscope, endoscope, bronchoscope, or other fiberoptic device. The intubation apparatus assembly may be operatively disposed on the shield assembly. The intubation apparatus may be placed on a correspondingly dimensioned sleeve. The shield assembly comprises a body with a plurality of side segments and a first transparent component with a shield opening disposed thereon. The shield opening may be used for insertion of the intubation apparatus assembly. The shield assembly may also comprise a second transparent component with at least one longitudinally disposed slot for insertion of an endotracheal tube or other intubation apparatus(es). The shield assembly may be provided with ports to attach a vacuum device to provide negative pressure.

A delivery device for a compound including: a housing, vial holding a compound; and a source of propellant, wherein the housing provides an inlet and an outlet for the vial, wherein the inlet is in fluid communication with the source of propellant and is directed against the compound and the outlet allows for delivery of the compound.

A delivery device for a compound including: a housing, vial holding a compound; and a source of propellant, wherein the housing provides an inlet and an outlet for the vial, wherein the inlet is in fluid communication with the source of propellant and is directed against the compound and the outlet allows for delivery of the compound.

A method and system according to preferred embodiments of the present invention allows optimizing the dispensing of aerosol medicaments. In particular the system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows the administration of an exogenous pulmonary surfactant to very young patients (e.g. preterm neonates). A catheter 101 conveys atomized surfactant directly to the retro-pharyngeal region in order to increase efficiency of the medicament administration without being invasive: this is particularly important for very young patients, such as pre-term born neonates suffering from neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (nRDS). According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the catheter is made of biocompatible flexible material (e.g. plastic material). It is possible to couple the catheter with a rigid scaffolding (e.g. metallic) to increase stiffness of the device and to improve easiness of positioning operations. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the delivery of the atomized medicament is done by means of an air blasting technique.