Abstract: Liquid container with a predetermined break point (4), which is covered by an elastomer septum (3). The container forms a hollow body (10) made of a single material that is compatible with critical liquids such as medicines. The elastomer septum (3) and the predetermined break point (4) can be pierced by a hollow needle (51) in order to withdraw liquid from the container.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal device for implanting within a patient's gastrointestinal tract, the device having a central axis and a first expandable portion comprising a hollow tubular braided structure of wire and having a first cylinder extending parallel to the central axis, the first cylinder having a length and a first face; a neck portion extending from the first face of the first expandable portion parallel to the central axis, the neck portion having a first end, a second end, a wall extending between the first end and second end, and a diameter sized to fit within a pylorus; and a second expandable portion comprising a hollow tubular braided structure of wire and having a second cylinder extending parallel to the central axis, the second cylinder having a second face located at the proximal end of the second cylinder and oriented transverse to the central axis.

Abstract: A cassette is provided for installation in a dialysis monitor to pump a treatment solution through a dialyzer. The cassette is a unitary component with a hydraulic manifold (53) and a pneumatic manifold (54) integrated into a body (52). The body (52) has connectors for connecting the hydraulic manifold (53) to the dialyzer and the pneumatic manifold (54) to a pneumatic pressure source. A set of solution pumps is integrated in the cassette, and each solution pump includes a pump cavity inside the body. The solution pumps are operable to displace the treatment solution through the hydraulic manifold (53) to and/or from the dialyzer by action of a reciprocating gas-liquid interface in the pump cavity (30) of the respective solution pump. The gas-liquid interface is formed directly between a gaseous substance and the treatment solution.

Abstract: A tubing set suitable for use in co-operation with a medical liquid delivery device includes a delivery tube configured to supply a medical liquid or blood to a patient, and a vial gate for the connection of vials containing drugs to be delivered into the medical liquid or blood. The vial gate includes a delivery lumen configured to deliver the drug from the vial to the delivery tube, and a vent lumen configured to deliver a replacement fluid from a location inside the tubing set to the inside of the vial in order to replace the delivered drug. The vial gate also includes at least one one-way valve placed along the vent lumen or the delivery lumen.

Abstract: An intraocular pressure sensor system has a first pressure sensor located in an anterior chamber of an eye and a remote pressure sensor located remotely from the first pressure sensor. The remote pressure sensor measures or approximates atmospheric pressure. A difference between readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor approximates intraocular pressure.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for simultaneously or near-simultaneously diagnosing and treating tension pneumothorax and/or hemothoraxA Veress-type needle portion includes a hollow needle for puncturing the chest wall over a blunt hollow probe biased by one or more springs to extend distally into the pleural cavity. Openings in the blunt hollow probe connect via a pathway to an automatic check valve, which permits the flow of air and/or fluid only in a proximal direction. Pressure from within the pleural cavity is transmitted to the interior surface of a pressure documenter. If pressure greater than atmospheric pressure is present in the pleural cavity, the pressure documenter will be automatically urged proximally to simultaneously allow air and/or fluid to escape from the pleural space through the device, thus treating the tension pneumothorax and/or hemothorax, as well as providing a stable indicator to positively document the diagnosis of increased pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods and articles are described to prepare and track medications and medication containers as they are prepared, administered to patients and, in some cases, disposed of. Information such as medication type, concentration, and volume are associated with medication containers during preparation and this information can later be consumed/utilized when administering the medication from a container to a patient. Disposing of any remaining medication can also be tracked.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for use in accessing a vasculature of a patient during renal replacement or other therapies is disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter assembly includes a catheter body that defines first and second lumens. The catheter body defines a distal tip region that includes a venous lateral opening that is in fluid communication with the first lumen and an arterial lateral opening that is in fluid communication with the second lumen.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices and methods of implanting an intraocular shunt into an eye. In certain aspects, methods of the invention involve creating an opening in the sclera, and positioning a shunt in the anterior chamber of the eye such that the shunt terminates via the opening in the intra-scleral space, thereby facilitating fluid flow through both the opening and the intra-scleral space.

Abstract: A method for treating wounds, comprised of the application of reduced pressure to a wound site and alteration of the temperature over said wound. A system for wound healing, comprising: a substantial impermeable drape sized to cover and enclose the wound creating a reservoir and adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound; a sterilizable porous cooling pad incorporated into a wound sponge adapted to provide localized cooling to said wound, said cooling pad located between said wound and said cover or over the drape; a reduced pressure supply mechanism capable of providing subatmosphere pressure over said wound site.

Abstract: A vial adaptor having a bottom part adapted to be attached to the head section of a medical vial or any type of vessel or device that has a head section similar to that of the head of a standard medicine vial. The top part has numerous components. The apparatus also has a first locking mechanism; and a second locking mechanism. The first locking mechanism is adapted to lock a top part to the bottom part such that a tip of a spike cannot contact a stopper in the head section when the head section is being attached to the bottom part and to release the top part from the bottom part after the bottom part has been attached to the head section. The second locking mechanism is adapted to allow, after the bottom part has been attached to the head section, the spike to penetrate the stopper in the head section and to irremovably lock the top part to the bottom part.

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 for gastric bypass is disclosed. The apparatus for gastric bypass includes a primary passage having an input and an output. The apparatus also includes a bypass conduit, coupled to the primary passage, having an input and an output, wherein the passage input is interspersed with the conduit input. The apparatus further has a primary regulator coupled to the primary passage and adjustable to control a primary flow profile from the input to the output of the primary passage. The apparatus also has a bypass regulator coupled to the bypass conduit and adjustable to control a bypass flow profile from the input to the output of the bypass conduit.

Abstract: A method includes initiating a blood fluid removal session of a patient; monitoring an indicator of tissue fluid volume of the patient, or a portion thereof, during the blood fluid removal session; monitoring an indicator of blood fluid volume of the patient during the blood fluid removal session; determining whether a ratio of the indicator of tissue fluid volume to indicator of blood fluid volume is outside of a predetermined range; and altering the rate of fluid removal during the blood fluid removal session if the ratio is determined to be outside of the predetermined range. A blood fluid removal system may be configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: A vial access device is described comprising an upper housing having a fluid connecter in fluid communication with the upper housing; a vial access spike projecting from the upper housing; a fluid filter body within the upper housing or connectable thereto, the fluid filter body in fluid communication with the vial access spike and the fluid connector. Methods of reducing or eliminating particulate matter from medicament solutions are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for use in accessing a vasculature of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter assembly includes a catheter body that includes a flattened oval outer surface and defines first and second lumens. The catheter body defines a distal tip region that includes a venous lateral opening that is in fluid communication with the first lumen and includes a distal-facing portion. The distal tip region further includes an arterial lateral opening that is in fluid communication with the second lumen, includes a distal-facing portion, and is substantially un-staggered with respect to the venous lateral opening. A distal end opening is in fluid communication with a power injectable third lumen. In another embodiment, the first and second lumens each generally include a reniform cross-sectional shape. In yet another embodiment, a dual-lumen catheter includes first and second lumens that each define a modified ellipse cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Dialysis systems and methods are described which can include a number of features. The dialysis systems described can be to provide dialysis therapy to a patient in the comfort of their own home. The dialysis system can be configured to prepare purified water from a tap water source in real-time that is used for creating a dialysate solution. The dialysis systems described also include features that make it easy for a patient to self-administer therapy. For example, the dialysis systems include disposable cartridge and patient tubing sets that are easily installed on the dialysis system and automatically align the tubing set, sensors, venous drip chamber, and other features with the corresponding components on the dialysis system. Methods of use are also provided, including automated priming sequences, blood return sequences, and dynamic balancing methods for controlling a rate of fluid transfer during different types of dialysis, including hemodialysis, ultrafiltration, and hemodiafiltration.

Abstract: An implantable fluidic valve actuated by osmotic pressure gradient and methods of operating it are provided. The valve includes: an input fluid channel; an output fluid channel in fluid communication with the input fluid channel at an aperture; and a semi-permeable membrane forming a portion of a sealed chamber. The semi-permeable membrane may have an outer surface forming a wall of the input fluid channel, and an inner surface forming a wall of the sealed chamber, the membrane being configured to allow diffusion of a solvent into and out of the sealed chamber; and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed within the sealed chamber configured to receive a voltage. A pump including the above elements and a check valve is provided. An ocular implant including an inlet tube sized to receive aqueous humor and an intra-ocular pressure control system having a fluidic valve as above is also provided.

Abstract: A device comprising a body including a first polymer and a closure including a second polymer that is substantially not bondable to the first polymer and has a relatively higher shrinkage rate than the first polymer, wherein at least a portion of the closure overlaps at least a portion of the body, forming a hermetic seal therebetween and defining a sealed, empty, sterile container.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system for shunting aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of an eye includes an implant having an elongated body made of biocompatible material and a delivery device. At least a portion of the elongated body is implantable between a sclera and a ciliary body while the elongated body resides entirely within the confines of the sclera and a cornea with the proximal end of the implant being configured to reside within an anterior chamber angle and a lumen extending from at least one inlet port of the implant, through at least a portion of the elongated body, to one or more outlet ports of the implant so as to drain fluid from the anterior chamber toward a choroid of the eye. The delivery device includes an elongated member with a curved distal end portion to deliver the implant using an ab interno procedure.