Biliary drainage catheters are medical devices used to relieve obstructions in the bile ducts, allowing bile to flow from the liver to the intestines or externally. They are crucial in managing conditions like jaundice, cholangitis, and bile duct strictures by providing a minimally invasive solution to restore normal bile flow.

Biliary Drainage Catheters

Medical devices are instruments, machines, implants, or related articles used to diagnose, prevent, or treat diseases and other medical conditions without primarily relying on chemical action within or on the body. They range from simple tools like thermometers to complex machinery like MRI machines, and their development and regulation are critical to ensuring safety and efficacy in healthcare.

Medical Devices

Bile ducts are a series of thin tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine, playing a crucial role in the digestion of fats. Disorders of the bile ducts, such as blockages or inflammation, can lead to serious conditions like cholangitis or biliary cirrhosis, requiring timely medical intervention.

Bile Ducts

Bile flow

The liver is a vital organ responsible for detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of biochemicals necessary for digestion. It plays a crucial role in metabolism, regulation of blood sugar levels, and storage of nutrients, making it essential for overall health and homeostasis.

Liver

Intestines

Obstructions in the bile ducts

Relieve obstructions

Managing conditions

Jaundice is a medical condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin and eyes due to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. It can result from various underlying causes, including liver disease, hemolysis, or bile duct obstruction, and requires diagnosis and management based on its etiology.

Jaundice

Cholangitis is an infection of the bile duct system, usually caused by a bacterial infection that ascends from the small intestine. It often presents with Charcot's triad of symptoms: fever, jaundice, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain, and requires prompt medical treatment to prevent complications such as sepsis.

Concepts

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