A method of creating a feature on a needle. The method comprising the steps of providing a needle having a sharpened distal end for insertion into an insertion site on a subject, a proximal end, and a tubular wall defining an inner diameter and an outer diameter; gripping a distal portion of the needle about the outer diameter; gripping a proximal portion of the needle about an outer diameter; and applying a compressive force between the distal portion and the proximal portion sufficient to effect an outward buckling of the tubular wall, thereby increasing an outer diameter of the tubular wall between the distal portion and the proximal portion.

A transcranial fastening device (1) for a drainage catheter (3), comprising an external body (5) being equipped with a passage (P), the passage (P) being equipped with blocking means (9) of the drainage catheter (3) adapted to allow a sliding of the drainage catheter (3) through the passage (P) along a first movement direction (M1) and to prevent a sliding of the drainage catheter (3) through the passage (P) along a second movement direction (M2).

A flushable catheter configured to facilitate flushing of the catheter down the toilet and for disposal thereof. The flushable catheter optionally having a selected density such that the catheter has a desired buoyancy relative to water. Alternatively or in addition to having a selected density, the flushable catheter optionally includes a water capture element that is contacted by flushing water and captures the force of the flushing water to propel the catheter down the toilet and/or across a trapway/U-bend sewer pipe.

Methods and devices for introducing a colonoscope. An head of an endoscopic guide includes a balloon configured to accommodate a magnetic or ferromagnetic agent. A magnetic field source is configured to generate a magnetic field to exert a retaining force on the magnetic or ferromagnetic agent contained in the endoscopic balloon. The magnetic field is applied using the magnetic field source externally at an area of an abdomen of the patient in which the expanded endoscopic balloon with the magnetic or ferromagnetic agent is present to attract the endoscopic balloon against an anchoring point on a wall of the colon with a retaining force on the magnetic or ferromagnetic agent. The endoscopic guide is put in traction by applying a pulling force on the proximal end of the endoscopic guide to keep the endoscopic guide tensioned and to reduce curvature of loops of the colon.

A urinary catheter deployment cassette or system includes a catheter pack, a urinary catheter, and an introducer aid. The catheter pack defines an interior compartment having a rotatable spindle at least partially positioned therein. The urinary catheter is at least partially received within the interior compartment of the catheter pack and associated with the spindle. The catheter pack includes a deformable or pierceable cover that the spindle engagement member of the introducer aid is pressed to rotate the spindle and deploy the catheter from the catheter pack. In another embodiment, a catheter pack includes an associated drainage adaptor for draining fluid from the catheter pack or a urinary catheter positioned within the catheter pack. In another embodiment, a cassette includes a rotatable drum with a two-piece catheter wrapped around it and a joining tube that places the pieces of the catheter in fluid communication.

Methods and apparatus for a stone fragment suction device. An apparatus includes a steerable access sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a tip at the distal end, and a suction conduit positioned within a central lumen of the steerable access sheath from the distal end to the proximal end, the steerable access sheath containing an outer lumen surrounding the central lumen with one or more channels therethrough, an outer circumference of the outer lumen and an outer circumference of the central lumen forming concentric circles, the steerable access sheath further including a radiopaque material at the distal end or along a length of the steerable access sheath to enable tracking with a remote fluoroscopic device.

The invention provides a catheter (1) which is movable between an un-expanded and an expanded configuration by use of an advancing mechanism (20). The advancing mechanism facilitates safe and non-contaminated use of the catheter.

Apparatus and methods for a stone fragment suction device are provided with fluid flow paths at a distal tip to encourage creation of turbulence or a vortex to enhance stone dust or debris removal via directed flow using targeted fluid exit conduits. An apparatus includes a steerable access sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a tip at the distal end, directed flow channels at the distal tip, and a suction conduit positioned within a central lumen of the steerable access sheath from the distal end to the proximal end, the steerable access sheath containing an outer lumen surrounding the central lumen with one or more channels therethrough, the steerable access sheath may further include a radiopaque material at the distal end or along a length of the steerable access sheath to enable tracking with a remote fluoroscopic device.

A tubular insertion aid for catheter manipulation is disclosed. The insertion aid is particularly suited for urinary catheters, such as hydrophilic urinary catheters for intermittent use. The insertion aid comprises a forward opening, a rearward opening and a slit opening extending along a part of the sidewall of the tubular insertion aid, so that a first portion of the tubular insertion aid in the axial direction forms a solid circumference around the tubular insertion aid, and a second portion in the axial direction is provided with the slit opening extending in an axial direction of the tubular insertion aid. The tubular insertion aid further comprises a first inward protrusion formed on the interior side of the tubular insertion aid in a part of the second portion being provided with the slit, wherein the first inward protrusion is arranged along a first protrusion line extending along the inward circumference of the tubular insertion aid essentially perpendicularly to the axial direction of the tubular insertion aid.

A dilation apparatus comprises an elongate member and a dilation assembly that is slidable along the elongate member. The dilation assembly comprises a platform and an inflatable dilator. The platform and the elongate member cooperate to absorb inflation forces from the dilator directed toward the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, such that the dilation forces are exerted against tissue asymmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The dilation apparatus may be used to dilate the ethmoid infundibulum in a human patient. Various devices may be used to maintain the dilated state of an ethmoid infundibulum, including a wedge, a mesh, and a tether. An illuminator may be configured to reach around an uncinate process, retract the uncinate process, and then illuminate the ethmoid infundibulum to provide improved visualization of the ethmoid infundibulum.