Abstract: Penetrating systems and devices are described herein which include a penetrating portion with two concentric hollow cylinders joined at one end with a substantially ring-shaped end piece and at the other end with a hollow structure forming a fluid reservoir portion, the outer hollow cylinder including a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir portion, the inner hollow cylinder in fluid communication with a second fluid reservoir portion, and the hollow structure formed at least in part from a deformable material.

Abstract: Medical devices, perfusion systems, and methods for detecting a pressure within a space in a subject and for perfusion of fluid into a space in a subject. The space may be a fluid-filled space, or a space that is depleted of fluid due to an obstruction to fluid flow into the space. Methods for forming the medical devices.

Abstract: An operation tool includes a mechanism sequentially moving the injector in a space of an outer cylinder among an initial position in which needles of a main body of the device are retracted inside the space, a first position in which the needles protrude to the outside by a first distance, and a second position in which needles protrude to the outside by a second distance shorter than the first distance. Fluid flows from the injector through the needles in the second position. The mechanism has a unit forcing the injector toward the initial position by a magnetic force, first and second stoppers which can be selectively extended/retracted with respect to the outer peripheral wall of the outer cylinder, and an engaging portion which is selectively engaged with these stoppers on the outer peripheral wall of the injector and selectively arranging the injector in the above three positions.

Abstract: A device for cleaning nasal membranes comprising a head that is inserted into a nostril. Fluid is pumped from a reservoir stored in a body of the device onto the membrane. The head rotates to remove debris from the membrane. A vacuum pump suctions the sprayed fluid and the debris into inlets and stores the used fluid in a chamber in the body.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide for humidifier control systems and methods configured to adjust power to a heater plate in a surgical humidifier to account for changes in flow rate to provide a consistent output, to provide functionality for different modes of use, and to provide accurate control over temperature and/or humidity at relatively low flows. The humidifier control system can receive a flow rate reading and determine a power requirement corresponding to the received flow rate reading, wherein the power requirement is one of a plurality of set points which correspond to ranges of flow rates. The humidifier control system can determine a mode of use based at least in part on the flow rate reading. The humidifier control system can provide electrical power to the heater plate according to the power requirement and/or the mode of use.

Abstract: Provided are mixing syringes having two chambers defined by a pair of pistons located one above the other inside the syringe. Mixing of components separately stored in each of the two chambers occurs when a reversible valve occluding a bore in the distal piston near the discharge end is unseated by removing the retention sleeve and pressing the knob, and the proximal piston nearer the top of the syringe is moved axially toward the distal piston. Further movement of the proximal piston causes it to abut the distal piston resulting in the two pistons acting as one to dispel the now mixed components through the discharge end. Methods are provided for using the syringes for storage and mixing components; discharging the components from the syringe such as by administering the components to a patient in need thereof through a needle when the components are a medicament product.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for electrokinetic transport of fluids to patients. Drug-containing solutions may be placed in vial-like reservoir, which is connected to an apparatus such as a traditional catheter or other device capable of holding a drug-containing solution. Instead of a vial-like reservoir, a doped infusion pad or a gel may be used as a source of the drug-containing solution. The reservoir and apparatus may thus be the same component. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may also be used to transport fluid alone to achieve a clinical effect. The apparatus is placed at the point of drug delivery. The counter-electrode may be placed in or on a patient. Current is passed from the reservoir to the counter-electrode. Through electrokinetic transport, drug-containing solution is delivered along a current path from the drug source to the counter-electrode. A hollow fiber catheter for use in electrokinetic transport is also disclosed.

Abstract: A housing for a drug delivery device is disclosed having a first housing component adapted to receive a cartridge at least partially filled with a medicament, and a second housing component adapted to receive a drive mechanism to operably engage with the cartridge for dispensing of a dose of the medicament, wherein the first housing component comprises an insert portion to be inserted in an axial direction into a corresponding receptacle of the second housing component, and wherein the insert portion comprises at least one radially outwardly extending first interlock member to positively engage and to rotationally lock with a correspondingly shaped second interlock member of the receptacle of the second housing component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pen-type injector equipped with a cartridge holder for a drug delivery device. The cartridge holder has a longitudinal axis and comprises a body for receiving a cartridge, wherein the body comprises at a proximal end engagement means for releasably coupling the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device, a latch member for releasably engaging a cap of the drug delivery device and an alignment element which is visual from the outer side of the body. The alignment element may be an aperture provided in the body and/or a lug which forms the latch member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning directionally operable medical devices with and upon target tissue. Systems and methods for aligning medical devices such as directional ablation catheters to and upon target tissue by monitoring irrigant backpressure. The current disclosure provides solutions to the problem of rotationally or angularly aligning a directional medical device toward tissue.

Abstract: A method of implanting a penis erection stimulation system into a patient's body comprises cutting the skin of the patient body, dissecting free an area near the left and right corpus cavernosum, placing a drug delivery device within the dissected area and placing at least one infusion needle of the drug delivery device in a first position in the patient's body in between the left and right corpus cavernosum.

Abstract: Iontophoretically administering a cosmetic agent requires an active electrode and a return electrode secured to the skin (150). The active electrode includes a flexible biocompatible substrate (20, 170) having a therapeutic face (106, 206) configured for disposition toward the skin (150) and an exterior periphery (32, 182) shaped to facilitate conformance of the substrate (20, 170) to the skin (150) over an intended treatment region. A flexible electrically conductive layer (110, 210) is disposed on the therapeutic face (106, 206). The side of the conductive layer (110, 210) opposite from the substrate (20, 170) defines a driving face (120, 220) to which is affixed an electrically conductive adhesive matrix (82, 192) comprised of a material capable of repeatedly releasably securing the active electrode to the skin (150) through an applied solution (156, 158) of the cosmetic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter for realizing a volume flow into or out of a human or animal organ, comprising a catheter tube and, at a distance from the distal end of the catheter, an affixing device for mechanically affixing the catheter in the tissue of a human or animal organ.

Abstract: A valved container assembly which has a container for containing a fluid, the container extending in an axial direction and having an open front end and a valve disposed in the container. The valved container assembly is configured so that forward axial movement of the valve relative to the container is inhibited. A plunger element is disposed axially rearward of the valve and is axially moveable in the container. The plunger element is configured to increase the pressure of a fluid in a first volume of the container upon forward axial movement relative to the valve. The valve includes a channel bypassing the permanent seal, the channel having a first opening in fluid communication with the atmosphere outside of the valved container assembly and a second opening selectively sealed from the first volume by a resilient seal.

Abstract: A method for detecting a limit of use of a medical device is presented having the steps of starting a timer of a medical device when the medical device is used for the first time, detecting the limit of use of the medical device and indicating the limit of use of the medical device. The limit of use is reached when at least one of a first criterion and a second criterion is met, wherein the first criterion is that the timer reaches or exceeds a time limit and wherein the second criterion is that at least one operation of a drive train of said medical device reaches or exceeds a limit.

Abstract: A catheter includes an electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuator disposed in a steerable tip at the distal end of the catheter. When activated, the EMP actuator deflects the steerable tip through an angle between 0 and 270 degrees, thus permitting the operator to steer the steerable tip through the vasculature. The steerable tip also has at least a first relatively stiff region and a second relatively flexible region, and the EMP actuator is provided next to the first relatively stiff region so that the steerable tip may toward the flexible region when activated. In one implementation, an external interface allows a user to select by name one of many sets of control signals, with each set of control signals being signals calibrated for configuring the catheter to mimic a known catheter.

Abstract: A naso/orogastric device that comprises a naso/orogastric tube sized and shaped for being disposed within the esophagus so that at least a distal segment thereof being placed in the stomach lumen of a patient and at least one self expending element disposed around a peripheral surface of the naso/orogastric tube and having a first thickness in a compressed state and a second thickness in an expanded state, the at least one self expending element switching from the compressed state to the expanded state when absorbing moisture. The first thickness is thinner than the second thickness.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method to vent gas from a body cavity during an endoscopic procedure. A body cavity is in fluid communication with an exhaust gas inlet of a vacuum break device. The vacuum break device has a chamber in fluid communication with both the inlet and an outlet. The chamber may comprise one or more openings in fluid communication with the atmosphere. A conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust gas outlet may be connected directly or indirectly to a suction source. The suction source may be activated.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a fluid delivery system includes a conical body defining an interior cavity and a discharge outlet, the discharge outlet defining an internal passage in fluid communication with the interior cavity; and a connector removably attached to the discharge outlet. The connector includes a central body configured to be at least partially positioned within the internal passage of the discharge outlet, and an annular connector portion connected to the central body and configured to releasably engage an exterior of the discharge outlet, the central body defining an internal channel within the central body that is in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the conical body when the connector is attached to the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A drug-delivery cannula assembly includes a cannula housing adapted for receiving at least one obturator shaft of an obturator assembly therethrough, one or more cannulae, and a supply line coupled to the cannula housing. The cannula housing is adapted for receiving one or more obturator shafts of an obturator assembly therethrough. The one or more cannulae define a longitudinal axis and a passageway aligned with the longitudinal axis. The one or more cannulae each include a proximal end coupled to the cannula housing. The cannula housing is configured to fluidly-couple the one or more cannulae to a source of a drug delivery supply for supplying drugs via the supply line to the one or more cannulae.