Abstract: Provided are active agent delivery devices configured to deliver an active agent formulation into or through a mucosal layer in a subject. The active agent delivery devices include a power reservoir configured to eject the active agent formulation at a pressure sufficient to deliver the active agent formulation into or through a mucosal layer in a subject. Methods of using the subject active agent delivery devices are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses of the type broadly applicable to numerous medical applications in which it is desirable to insert one or more steerable or non-steerable catheters or similar devices into a working channel of an associated device, such as an endoscope, catheter, etc., or passageway of a patient, are disclosed. The apparatuses may include catheters having a dedicated guide wire channel and one or more of the following: viewing capabilities, a working channel, and auxiliary channels, such as insufflation/irrigation channels. The catheters may include a guide wire channel that is configured to provide the catheter or other device with rapid exchange capabilities.

Abstract: A device, kit, and method for producing medically-deliverable intravenous solution may include supplying a water to a housing, pumping the water through the housing while purifying the water, metering concentrated intravenous solution into the water to create a medically-deliverable intravenous solution, and dispensing the medically-deliverable intravenous solution, such as immediate intravenous infusion to a patient.

Abstract: An intravenous (IV) device, may include a needle; a catheter coaxially formed around the needle; a fluidic path fluidically coupled to a hollow formed through the needle and catheter; and a printed circuit board (PCB), including: a network interface device; a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to the fluidic path to measure a biological characteristic related to a plurality of patient vitals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a syringe and medical kit, which allow for doses of epinephrine of 0.15 mg or 0.15 mL, 0.3 mg or 0.3 mL, and 0.5 mg or 0.5 mL, the most commonly prescribed doses which are utilized today in treating anaphylaxis or other allergic reactions. Currently, existing syringes may include many markings of ten or more dosages. Although these prior art syringes are useful, it is difficult to use them for a patient who must quickly identify a correct dose level among many other marks. The above problem can be addressed by a syringe design which has only a few dosage markings, which correspond to commonly used standard dosages for children and adults. When used with a standard concentration of 1:1000 epinephrine solution, such a device can rapidly provide a known quantity of medicine to a patient who is in urgent need of it.

Abstract: An improved catheter insertion assembly having a transparent tubular member open at each end; a plunger assembly slidable within the tubular member having a stem portion at a first end; and at least a partially transparent chamber having a needle base and sealing member on a second end of the plunger assembly; an elongated tubular needle embedded within the needle base and extending there from with the needle in fluid communication with the transparent chamber; a catheter assembly, a transparent cannula and a transparent hub attached to the second end with the tubular needle passing longitudinally through the cannula; a fluid passage formed between the needle and the cannula so that when the plunger is retracted a vacuum is established within the fluid passage and blood is visibly drawn through the fluid passage into the transparent cannula and if volume permits, blood then would be visible in the transparent hub, and then if volume permits blood would be visible in the void of the catheter body (barrel) crea

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes: a catheter including a circumferential wall and a distal opening; an inner needle inserted through the catheter, the inner needle having a sharp needle tip at a distal end of the inner needle; and a deflection suppression mechanism that supports the inner needle via the catheter to suppress deflection of the inner needle, the deflection suppression mechanism including a contact support portion that is configured to support the catheter when the catheter is advanced with respect to the inner needle. The circumferential wall of the catheter includes one or more side holes. In an initial state before the catheter is advanced with respect to the inner needle, the contact support portion is located proximal of a distal-most one of the one or more side holes and a gap is formed between an outer surface of the catheter and an inner surface of the contact support portion.

Abstract: A renal therapy system is disclosed. In an example, the renal therapy system includes a user interface device, such as a tablet computer. The renal therapy system also includes a renal therapy machine configured to perform a renal therapy. The renal therapy machine includes a data transfer interface configured to communicatively couple to the user interface device, a dialysis fluid pump, and a processor that operates a connectivity agent having an activated mode and a deactivated mode. When in the activated mode, the connectivity agent enables the processor to send data related to a performance of the renal therapy to a system hub. In the deactivated mode, the processor is prevented from sending the data to or receiving any data from the system hub. The user interface device is configured to receive data from and send data to the processor regardless of a status of the connectivity agent.

Abstract: Representative embodiments of a catheter, e.g., a dialysis catheter, and a method of use of the catheter, are disclosed. A representative catheter includes a catheter body and a balloon coupled to the catheter body. The catheter body includes first, second, and third ports, with the second port arranged spaced apart longitudinally from the first port; and first, second, and third lumens, the first lumen in fluid communication with the first port, the second lumen in fluid communication with the second port, and the third lumen in fluid communication with the third port. The balloon is arranged between the first and second ports, and is coupled to the third port. The balloon is inflatable using a fluid injected through a connecting tube and into the third lumen, helping to remove any fibrin sheath which may have formed around the first and second ports, and diminish recirculation of blood during dialysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump device having a pump (8) and an energy supply device (5, 18), wherein the pump has a conveying element (9, 11) which conveys a fluid by means of supplied energy, wherein the pump has a transport state and an operating state, and wherein at least one first element (9, 9a, 10, 10?, 11) of the pump has a different shape and/or size in the transport state than in the operating state. The operating safety of such a pump device is increased by a detection device (12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29) which detects whether at least the first element is in the operating state with respect to shape and/or size by means of a sensor.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A) is provided for emulsifying body tissue. The needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A) is adapted to be attached to a phacoemulsification handpiece that imparts a vibration to the needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A). The needle (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 200, 200A) has a body (104, 220, 220A) with a distal end (99), a proximal end (106), and an aspiration passage (124) extending between the proximal and distal ends (99, 106). The aspiration passage (124) defines a longitudinally-extending central body axis (110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D). The aspiration passage (124) is enlarged at the distal end (99) to define a tip (102, 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, 210, 210A).

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter having a main lumen and a sub lumen and an inner needle inserted through and disposed in the main lumen and allowing blood to flow in the proximal direction of the catheter from a needle tip exposed at the distal end of the catheter. The gap between an outer peripheral surface of the inner needle and a first inner peripheral surface of the main lumen continuous with the distal end of the catheter is narrower than the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the inner needle and a second inner peripheral surface closer to the proximal end side than the first inner peripheral surface.

Abstract: There is provided a microneedle device comprising a substrate and a plurality of microneedles projecting from the substrate, the substrate being substantially spherical and wherein in use, the microneedle device has three-dimensional movement. There is also provided a method of forming the microneedle device of the present invention.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion with a lumen extending therein; inserting the device into the vascular lumen; positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall; and directing the distal portion within the vascular wall.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a subject with a disorder which provides within the subject at least one photoactivatable drug for treatment of the subject, applies initiation energy from at least one source to generate inside the subject a preferential x-ray flux for generation of Cherenkov radiation (CR) light capable of activating at least one photoactivatable drug, and from the CR light, activating inside the subject the at least one photoactivatable drug to thereby treat the disorder.

Abstract: An IV access device can include a needle hub that incorporates a flash chamber. The flash chamber can be used to provide visual confirmation of proper catheter placement within a vein. The flash chamber can include a path-defining structure to facilitate identifying whether blood is continually flowing into the flash chamber. The flash chamber may also be removable from the needle hub. In some cases, the needle hub may include a paddle grip that facilitates insertion of the catheter and separation of the needle hub from the catheter adapter.

Abstract: A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides for an elongated medical device with a hypotube backbone running through the device, and a spiral lumen spiraled around the backbone along the length of the backbone. The backbone may be formed from a nitinol alloy for increased bendability without compromising axial stiffness. The device may also incorporate a jacket around the hypotube and spiral lumen formed using either melting, molding, bonding, or casting. The spiral lumen may be configured to accommodate a variety of uses, including actuation members (e.g., pull wires), tools, and means for aspiration, irrigation, image capture, and illumination. Additionally, the present invention provides a method for constructing an elongated medical device with a hypotube backbone running through the device, and a spiral lumen spiraled around the backbone along the length of the backbone.

Abstract: An IV device assembly may include a lumen forming a fluidic channel within the IV device assembly. The lumen may be fluidically coupled to a vascular access device (VAD) coupler via a funnel coupler, and an IV device assembly coupler at a proximal end of the lumen. The IV device assembly may also include one or more of the following: a collapsible sleeve formed coaxially around a first portion of the lumen and mechanically coupled to the funnel coupler, a patency instrument formed along a second portion of the lumen within the collapsible sleeve and into the VAD coupler, a translation handle that translates the patency instrument out of a distal end of the VAD coupler, and a fixed grip formed around the lumen to maintain a position of the IV device assembly relative to the translation handle.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible and conformal wearable, self-contained medical device. The medical device comprises an integral housing formed by a flexible upper portion and a flexible lower portion joined along their perimeters. The medical device is also provided in a plurality of shapes and configurations for increasing the flexibility and conformability of the housing. The components contained within the housing, such as a drug reservoir, printed circuit board, and power supply are preferably constructed from flexible materials and are formed, connected and positioned according to the configuration of the housing in a manner for enhancing flexibility of the housing. A thermal bubble micropump is provided for controlling flow of a drug from the flexible reservoir, that utilizes a thermal resistor provided locally to a thermal expansion fluid that causes a surrounding membrane to expand and displace a volume of drug to be provided to the user.