Abstract: An adjustable hydrocephalus valve is used for pressure equalization of the cerebrospinal fluid in the cranium of a hydrocephalus patient. The adjustable hydrocephalus valve is implantable in a patient. The valve controls drainage of excess cerebrospinal fluid. The valve has an inlet, an outlet, and a housing through which cerebrospinal fluid flows between the inlet and the outlet. The valve also has a spring, an adjusting mechanism, and at least one rotatable part, which are disposed in the housing.

Abstract: A glaucoma drainage device regulator (GDDR) is disclosed which comprises a membrane and a lumen to regulate the flow of aqueous in conjunction with different ocular (e.g., glaucoma) filtering procedures. In connection with aqueous shunting, the GDDR can be placed over the tip of a shunt tube in the anterior chamber, either at the time of initial surgery or also in devices which have been previously implanted. In connection with trabeculectomy, the GDDR can comprise a flange for seating the GDDR at the sclerostomy in trabeculectomy surgery.

Abstract: Devices and methods establish and facilitate retrograde or reverse flow blood circulation in the region of the carotid artery bifurcation in order to limit or prevent the release of emboli into the cerebral vasculature such as into the internal carotid artery. The methods are particularly useful for interventional procedures performed through a transcarotid approach or transfemoral into the common carotid artery.

Abstract: A fluid collection system for collecting fluids leaked from a surgical incision is provided. The fluid collection system broadly includes a baseplate having an adhesive backing that couples the baseplate to a patient's skin and includes a wafer having a centrally positioned opening. The opening receives a first end of a surgical drain tube. A wafer connector is disposed around the opening and detachably couples to a fluid remover connector on a fluid remover The leaked fluid remover defines a septum space and a septum is housed within the septum space. The septum has an orifice that receives a second end of the surgical drain tube. The septum is capable of moving about radially, axially and/or pivotally to alleviate side load tension on the septum caused by displacement of the surgical drain tube.

Abstract: A container (10) comprising a plurality of compartments (A, B, C) separated by compartment dividers (6), and an inlet connector (3) for receiving a liquid via a connection tube (2). The compartment dividers rupture when a sufficient pressure is applied by a liquid or gas introduced into the container (10) through the inlet connector (3). Some of the compartments comprise powder, which dissolves at the introduction of liquid into the container. A system, process and use in the field of dialysis are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods of treating an ocular disorder including forming a self-sealing incision in a cornea into an anterior chamber of an eye; introducing through the incision a fluid drainage tube having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal, internal lumen extending through the fluid drainage tube, wherein at least the proximal end passes through the anterior chamber; and implanting the distal end of the fluid drainage tube in fluid communication with the suprachoroidal space such that the proximal end of the fluid drainage tube remains in fluid communication with the anterior chamber.

Abstract: Delivery devices are described. In one embodiment, a delivery device includes a catheter and a sealing pad coupled to an outer surface of the catheter. The delivery device may further include a recess formed in an outer surface of the catheter. The sealing pad may be coupled in the recess. Methods for delivering a tubular device are described. In one embodiment, a method may include inserting a distal end of a catheter into a lumen of a tubular device. The catheter may include a sealing pad coupled to an outer surface of the catheter. The method also includes positioning the sealing pad inside a drawstring coupled circumferentially to the tubular device, and cinching the drawstring around the catheter at the sealing pad to couple the tubular device to the catheter.

Abstract: A system includes a vial access device including a vial access housing having a wall defining an elongate opening between an opening proximal end and an opening distal end, the vial access housing including a spike and a vial connection element attachable to a first vial defining a first vial size to secure the vial access device to the first vial, and an adapter movable within the elongate opening of the vial access housing. The adapter is transitionable between a first position where the adapter is adjacent the opening distal end of the vial access housing and the adapter is attachable to a second vial defining a second vial size and a second position where the adapter is adjacent the opening proximal end of the vial access housing and the vial connection element of the vial access device is attachable to the first vial.

Abstract: A method for treating glaucoma with an implantable glaucoma device includes inserting a hollow elongated needle into the eye between the cornea and iris and into the anterior chamber of the eye to form a needle tract in the eye, introducing a distal end of a guidewire through the needle and into the anterior chamber, introducing a snare through a corneal incision into the anterior chamber. The snare has a sheath and a hook or loop inside the sheath and extendible therefrom. The method includes capturing a segment of the guidewire proximate the distal end of the guidewire with the snare within the anterior chamber, removing the needle from over the guidewire outside of the eye, coupling a glaucoma drainage device to a proximal end of the guidewire that extends outside of the eye, and pulling on the captured guidewire segment with the snare to pull the glaucoma drainage device into the needle tract and into the anterior chamber of the eye until the glaucoma device is located in an implanted position in the eye.

Abstract: An adjustable height tool for locating a magnetically readable and settable valve which includes a wall having a first perimeter. A platform can be disposed within the first perimeter. A valve cut-out can disposed within the platform and receive at least a portion of the valve. A movable foot can be disposed below the platform by which a displacement element moves the foot at least one of toward or away from the platform, in fixed increments of about 1.5 mm, upon rotation of the displacement element. This movement increases or decreases the distance between the platform and the skin/valve.

Abstract: A device that can be placed within or near the cranial vault that fluctuates in size in response to changes in CSF pressure is disclosed. The device diminishes in size when CSF pressures rise and increases in size as CSF pressures diminish. The device has the effect of reducing the flow of CSF occurring in the foramen magnum and provides an alternative to craniovertebral decompression in Chiari I patients. The device may have applications in other neurologic illnesses associated with abnormal CSF flow, such as Idiopathic Syringomyelia, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, and CSF dural leaks.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are drug delivery devices and methods for the treatment of ocular disorders requiring targeted and controlled administration of a drug to an interior portion of the eye for reduction or prevention of symptoms of the disorder. The devices are capable of controlled release of one or more drugs and may also include structures which allow for treatment of increased intraocular pressure by permitting aqueous humor to flow out of the anterior chamber of the eye through the device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for draining aqueous humor from an eye for reducing intraocular pressure. The draining apparatus comprises a tube defining a passage for fluid flow between an inlet end and an outlet end. An outlet assembly contacts the conjunctival layer externally of the eyeball. The outlet assembly comprises a housing in fluid communication with the outlet end of the tube and having an aperture for allowing egress of aqueous humor onto the external ocular surface. A resistive component is disposed in the housing for providing resistance to a flow of aqueous humor. A pair of tabs project outwardly and are adapted to be disposed subconjunctivally for securing the draining apparatus relative to the eyeball.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sleeve, a seal, and an anchor assembly. The sleeve is flexible and non-permeable and is configured to fit in a duodenum. The seal is positioned at the proximal end of the sleeve and is configured to seal the proximal end of the sleeve against the stomach mucosa, the pylorus, or the duodenum mucosa. The anchor assembly comprises a pair of atraumatic anchor ends and a resilient member positioned between the anchor ends. At least a portion of the resilient member extends along at least a portion of the length of the sleeve. The resilient member is configured to bias the anchor ends generally toward each other, to thereby substantially anchor the sleeve in the duodenum. The sleeve is configured to prevent chyme from contacting the mucosa of the duodenum; and to prevent enzymes excreted in the duodenum from mixing with chyme in the duodenum.

Abstract: A ventricular catheter assembly including a proximal catheter and a cooperating cranial cover. The cranial cover includes a base plate having an opening aligned with a burr hole in the skull of a person. A guide extends upwardly from the base plate and receives the proximal catheter.

Abstract: An adaptor for coupling with a medical container filled with a number N of doses of a product including a gripping member for securing the adaptor to the medical container. The gripping member has at least one needle access port intended to face the outer surface of the septum of the medical container. The adaptor also includes a marking-device coupled to the needle access port, for designating to a user a not yet pierced area of said outer surface, for completing the next of the N successive piercings.

Abstract: A renal therapy blood cleansing system is provided. The renal therapy blood cleansing system includes a blood circuit including a blood filtering device, a therapy fluid circuit including a balance chamber configured to exchange like volumes of fresh and used therapy fluid, a first pump configured to pump fresh therapy fluid to the balance chamber, a second pump configured to pump used therapy fluid to the balance chamber, and at least one valve located downstream from the balance chamber, the at least one valve enabling fresh therapy fluid from the balance chamber to be directed selectively to (i) a flow path leading to an inlet of the blood filtering device, or (ii) a flow path leading to the blood circuit at a location upstream or downstream of the blood filtering device.

Abstract: A facial mask includes a mask body impregnated with a cosmetic composition and a composition retention structure for retaining the cosmetic composition in the mask body. The mask body includes a facial mask layer and a holding device including at least two ear mask layers integrally extended from two side portions of the facial mask layer and/or a chin mask layer integrally extended from a bottom portion of the facial mask layer, adapted for overlaying on the skin surfaces of the face, the ears and/or the chin of the user respectively for skin care treatment of the facial skin surface of the user while the holding device is adapted for wearing the facial mask layer on the user's face by holding to the ears of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an absorbent body, a non-permeable feature, and a port feature. The absorbent body comprises a wicking feature. The non-permeable feature is coupled with the absorbent body. The non-permeable feature and at least a portion of the absorbent body are configured to fit in an opening in a paranasal sinus wall. The port feature extends through the absorbent body. The port feature defines a lumen. The wicking feature extends outwardly relative to the port lumen. During installation of the apparatus, the non-permeable feature is positioned in an opening in the paranasal sinus wall. The absorbent body is oriented such that the wicking feature is in contact with mucosal tissue in a sinus cavity defined by the paranasal sinus wall. A proximal portion of the absorbent body is positioned outside the paranasal sinus wall.

Abstract: An irradiation device for photopheresis, comprising an exposure chamber configured to receive an illumination container holding a target cell suspension; an irradiation source configured to irradiate the illumination container and target cell suspension for a certain exposure time period; an irradiation sensor configured to detect the intensity of irradiation emitted by the irradiation source; and a processing circuit coupled to the irradiation sensor and configured to treat the target cell suspension with a predetermined treatment dosage of radiation, wherein the processing circuit adjusts the exposure time period based on the intensity of irradiation in order to achieve the predetermined treatment dosage.