Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible member having a distal end portion arranged for anchoring the instrument in the patient's stomach and for enabling fluids to be removed from the patient's stomach. Suction is applied to the patient's stomach by the distal end portion of the instrument to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement with the instrument to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

Some embodiments of a medical system include a catheter device, such as an intravenous cannula device, having an external anchor device and a subcutaneous anchor device to secure a distally extending cannula of the device in a selected position relative to a skin penetration point.

A skin-safe effluent containment system that may be used to contain fluid leakage from openings in the body of a patient and will adhere to skin in any condition: healthy or injured, wet or dry, smooth, scarred, or uneven. Fluid leakage can occur from natural orifices such as the anus and vagina, spontaneously formed enteric fistulas, rectovaginal fistulas, and surgical openings such as ileostomy and colostomy stomas. The system includes a vacuum-adherent pouch device, comprised of a pouch connected to a porous foam ring which has an air-permeable contact layer on its bottom surface and an air seal on its top surface. The inner and outer perimeters of the foam ring are enclosed and sealed with skin-adhesive materials. When placed on the patient, negative pressure (vacuum) is applied to the foam ring so that the foam collapses and compresses the vacuum-adherent pouch device down against the patient's skin. Negative pressure in combination with the adhesive materials on the perimeters of the foam ring forms a fluid barrier around the opening in the body of the patient so that leakage can be directed into the pouch and drawn away to a separate effluent container.

Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible member having a distal end portion arranged for anchoring the instrument in the patient's stomach and for enabling fluids to be removed from the patient's stomach. Suction is applied to the patient's stomach by the distal end portion of the instrument to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement with the instrument to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing fluid communication between body lumens. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for placing the muscularis layers of first and second body lumens in contact to establish a long term or permanent open flow or access passage therebetween.

Disclosed is a percutaneous transabdominal port that provides access to a hollow visceral organ. The percutaneous transabdominal port is hollow and has a channel connecting the external surface of the abdomen to the inside of an organ. A catheter or other instrument may pass through this channel into the organ. The percutaneous transabdominal port has a hollow tube which spans an abdominal wall tract, an internal retainer to prevent unintended removal, and an external retainer to prevent withdrawal into the body. If the internal retainer does not rely on inflation, the hollow tube may be cut to length. An optional seal prevents fluid leakage while permitting passage of catheters or instruments. An optional closure cap is described. A method of inserting, utilizing, and removing the percutaneous transabdominal port is described.

An implantable renal replacement therapy device may include: a first catheter configured to be inserted into a blood vessel in a subject's body; a pump in fluid communication with the first catheter, the pump is configured to pump subject's blood from the blood vessel; a filter in fluid communication with the pump, the filter is configured to: receive the subject's blood from the pump, and filter the received blood to provide a filtered blood and a filtrate liquid, wherein the filter is in fluid communication with the first catheter to cause an outflow of the filtered blood from the filter to the blood vessel; and a second catheter in fluid communication with the filter and configured to be inserted into an urinary bladder in the subject's body to cause an outflow of the filtrate liquid from the filter to the urinary bladder.

Medical device designs for enteral nutrition that inhibit the relative motion of one device member to another device member are herein disclosed. The gastric and/or intestinal feeding tube shaft is disposed of teeth, furrows, ridges, indentions, tabs, or corrugations that operate with an external retaining member. Alternative embodiments utilize an external retaining member with a collet fitting that applies pressure against the gastric and/or intestinal feeding tube shaft. The assemblies prevent the relative motion of the internal retention member relative to the external retaining member and assist in maintaining the internal retention member against the gastric wall.

A feeding tube and method for introducing a feeding tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, whereby the feeding tube is introduced by using a variation of the Ponsky “pull” method of feeding tube placement. The feeding tube comprises an elongate shaft having a distal end and proximal end. The feeding tube also comprises a coupling structure for coupling the feeding tube to a pull wire, the coupling structure being internal to and proximal of the distal end of the feeding tube shaft. The coupling structure is configured to engage an outwardly biased anchor member affixed to the end of the pull wire. The feeding tube is introduced within the patient by attaching the anchor member of the previously placed pull wire to the coupling structure of the feeding tube, and then pulling the pull wire so as to pull the feeding tube into and through the gastrointestinal tract of the patient.

An endoscope and methods of use thereof are provided, which includes at least one multi-functional extending arm supporting a plurality of imaging, lighting and other sensory elements. The arms provide a mounting platform upon which cameras, lights and sensors may be mounted to generate multiple-angled images and video, arena-like lighting and other data for performing a minimally-invasive surgical (MIS) procedure. The arms may be inserted through a single portal in the endoscope and extended outward in multiple directions from the single portal once inserted into a body cavity. The endoscope may also include support arms which support the extending arms within the body cavity and a stabilization plate which anchors the endoscope to an external surface of the body. An endoscopic tool with optical, lighting and other sensors integrated into a functional end is also provided.