Several embodiments and methods are described for draining a lymphatic system for therapeutic purposes. The lymphatic draining can be performed by removal of fluid from the lymphatic system via a needle, a catheter, an access port, a reservoir, a shunt, or a combination of these devices. The drainage devices can be configured for use during only a single procedure or for reoccurring procedures.

The invention comprises an elongated device adapted for insertion, including self-insertion, through the body, especially the skull. The device has at least one effector or sensor and is configured to permit implantation of multiple functional components through a single entry site into the skull by directing the components at different angles. The device may be used to provide electrical, magnetic, and other stimulation therapy to a patient's brain. The lengths of the effectors, sensors, and other components may completely traverse skull thickness (at a diagonal angle) to barely protrude through to the brain's cortex. The components may directly contact the brain's cortex, but from there their signals can be directed to targets deeper within the brain. Effector lengths are directly proportional to their battery size and ability to store charge. Therefore, longer angled electrode effectors not limited by skull thickness permit longer-lasting batteries which expand treatment options.

Devices and methods for vascular navigation, assessment and/or diagnosis are disclosed where a location detection system generally includes an elongate body defining a lumen at least partially along a length of the elongate body. One or more sensors are positioned near or at a distal tip of the elongate body and one or more openings are defined along the elongate body in proximity to the one or more sensors. The one or more openings are configured to control a boundary distance between the one or more sensors and a fluid with a parameter of a known initial value when emitted from the one or more openings. A controller is in communication with the one or more sensors and is configured to track a change in the parameter relating to concentration over the one or more sensors and determine a position of the one or more sensors within a body.

The disclosure provides tissue force sensor systems and methods for tissues, e.g., laryngeal tissue. The systems include a top housing including on an upper side an attachment mechanism for connecting the top housing to a medical device, e.g., a laryngoscope, and on a lower side a first cavity for receiving a top portion of a force measurement device such as a load cell; a bottom housing including on a lower side an attachment mechanism for connecting the bottom housing to a handle, holding system, or suspension system for holding or supporting the medical device, and on an upper side a second cavity for receiving a bottom portion of the force measurement device; and an attachment device for connecting the top housing to the bottom housing.

An apparatus and method is provided for intraoperative tissue stimulation during port-based surgery. The apparatus includes an access port and electrical terminals attached to the access port for tissue stimulation. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus may include an access port, with or without electrical terminals attached to the access port for tissue stimulation, and electrocorticography sensors attached to the access port. The method includes inserting an access port into a tissue, applying an electrical potential to the tissue using electrical terminals attached to the access port, and measuring consequent neural activity using electrocorticography sensors attached to the access port.

Disclosed cannula systems can detect the tissue type within which the cannula tip is located in real time using electrodes adjacent the cannula tip. The sensing cannula system can differentiate when the cannula tip is in adipose tissue or muscle based on electrical impedance. The system can be used in fat grafting and liposuction procedures, for example. An operator can detect if the cannula tip enters muscle by watching for an indicator light or audible alarm that is automatically activated by the device based on a change in sensed impedance. The device may also stop the flow of fat through a pump halting injection into the sub-muscular space.

An access system having a communication component that interfaces with a first device and a second device, where the first device is located inside or on an entity and coupled to a biological organism of the entity, and where the second device is located outside the entity and a controller component that controls a function of the first device, employing the communication component, to provide treatment to the biological organism of the entity coupled to the first device based on a request received from the second device.

In one embodiment, a monitoring system includes a monitoring device configured to removably attach to a tracheotomy tube, the monitoring device including a skin sensor configured to detect contact with skin of a patient's neck.

A pressure sensitive device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion, the distal portion being made of a shape memory alloy, a flexible diaphragm at least partially surrounding the body and defining a fluid chamber between the flexible diaphragm and the distal portion of the body, and a non-compressible fluid disposed within the flexible diaphragm and exhibiting a hydraulic pressure in communication with the flexible diaphragm.

Vascular access assemblies are disclosed herein. In one example, a vascular access assembly comprises a proximal catheter, a distal catheter, and a junction positioned between the proximal and distal catheters and configured to position the proximal and distal catheters in fluid communication. The junction may comprise one or more sensors configured to obtain physiological and/or operational measurements. The junction may be configured to wirelessly transmit the measurements to one or more local or remote computing devices for monitoring by a caregiver.