Abstract: An apparatus to treat a patient comprises a container to receive fluid of a device implanted in the eye. The fluid of the device can be analyzed to determine a component of the vitreous humor of the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus to treat a patient comprises a container to receive fluid of a device implanted in the eye. The fluid of the device can be analyzed to determine a component of the vitreous humor of the eye.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a therapeutic fluid to devices implanted in the body, for example to containers of devices implanted in the eye of a patient. The methods and apparatus may comprise an injector to increase an amount of therapeutic agent injected into the device implanted in the eye, or a structure to receive the therapeutic fluid within the device implanted in the eye, or combinations thereof. The device implanted in the eye may comprise a reservoir chamber having a fluid with a density different than the therapeutic fluid, and the apparatus can be adapted to at least partially separate the implanted device fluid from therapeutic fluid within the reservoir chamber to increase and amount of therapeutic fluid placed in the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: Described are implantable therapeutic devices, systems and methods to treat a patient. The device includes a hollow refillable housing for implantation within the posterior segment of an eye through a penetration in the sclera including a proximal retention structure protruding outward from a proximal end region of the housing, an access portion opening, and a penetrable barrier positioned at least in part within the access portion opening, the penetrable barrier configured to be repeatedly penetrated. A rigid porous structure is positioned within a region of the housing away from the access portion opening into a reservoir chamber extends along an axis between the penetrable barrier and the porous structure includes a volume sized to deliver therapeutic amounts of a therapeutic agent to the eye for an extended period of time. A cover is coupled to at least an upper surface of the proximal retention structure.

Abstract: A device for injecting a therapeutic agent into an ocular implant at least partially implanted in an eye including an injection lumen providing a pathway for injecting the therapeutic agent into the implant; an outlet lumen providing a pathway for pre-existing fluid in the ocular implant to exit the implant; and a collection chamber fluidly coupled to the outlet lumen that provides a first fluid outflow resistance and a second fluid outflow resistance. The first fluid outflow resistance is lower than a first resistance to outflow of the implant. The second fluid outflow resistance is greater than a force imparted onto the implant by intraocular pressure of the eye. Injection of therapeutic agent into the implant via the injection lumen causes the pre-existing fluid to exit the implant and enter the collection chamber via the outlet lumen and causes a second pre-existing fluid to displace from the collection chamber.

Abstract: Described are implantable therapeutic devices, systems and methods to treat a patient. The device includes a hollow refillable housing for implantation within the posterior segment of an eye through a penetration in the sclera including a proximal retention structure protruding outward from a proximal end region of the housing, an access portion opening, and a penetrable barrier positioned at least in part within the access portion opening, the penetrable barrier configured to be repeatedly penetrated. A rigid porous structure is positioned within a region of the housing away from the access portion opening into a reservoir chamber extends along an axis between the penetrable barrier and the porous structure includes a volume sized to deliver therapeutic amounts of a therapeutic agent to the eye for an extended period of time. A cover is coupled to at least an upper surface of the proximal retention structure.

Abstract: A device for injecting a therapeutic agent into an ocular implant at least partially implanted in an eye including an injection lumen providing a pathway for injecting the therapeutic agent into the implant; an outlet lumen providing a pathway for pre-existing fluid in the ocular implant to exit the implant; and a collection chamber fluidly coupled to the outlet lumen that provides a first fluid outflow resistance and a second fluid outflow resistance. The first fluid outflow resistance is lower than a first resistance to outflow of the implant. The second fluid outflow resistance is greater than a force imparted onto the implant by intraocular pressure of the eye. Injection of therapeutic agent into the implant via the injection lumen causes the pre-existing fluid to exit the implant and enter the collection chamber via the outlet lumen and causes a second pre-existing fluid to displace from the collection chamber.

Abstract: Described are implantable devices having expandable reservoirs for the sustained release of therapeutic agents. The device is configured to be at least partially implanted in an eye and includes a retention structure and a penetrable element coupled to and extending within at least a portion of the retention structure. A porous drug release mechanism is positioned in fluid communication with an outlet of the device; and a reservoir having a volume configured to contain one or more therapeutic agents is in fluid communication with the outlet through the porous drug release mechanism. The device is at least partially inserted along an axis of insertion. The reservoir enlarges from an insertion configuration having a first three-dimensional shape to an expanded configuration having a second three-dimensional shape, the second three-dimensional shape being eccentrically positioned relative to the axis of insertion.

Abstract: The present technology relates to depot assemblies for the controlled, sustained release of a therapeutic agent. The assembly can include a depot having a therapeutic region comprising an analgesic, and a control region comprising a bioresorbable polymer and a releasing agent mixed with the polymer. The releasing agent may be configured to dissolve when the depot is placed in vivo to form diffusion openings in the control region. The depot may be configured to be implanted at a treatment site in vivo and, while implanted, release the therapeutic agent at the treatment site for no less than 3 days. The assembly further includes a fixation portion coupled to the depot and configured to facilitate attachment of the depot assembly to tissue at or adjacent to the treatment site.

Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein may be for wound healing, including the treatment, amelioration, or prevention of scars and/or keloids by applying and/or maintaining a pre-determined strain in an elastic skin treatment device that is then affixed to the skin surface using skin adhesives to transfer a generally planar force from the bandage to the skin surface. Applicators are used to apply and/or maintain the strains, and some of the applicators are further configured to provide at least some mechanical advantage to the user when exerting loads onto the skin treatment device.

Abstract: A device for injecting a therapeutic agent into an ocular implant at least partially implanted in an eye including an injection lumen providing a pathway for injecting the therapeutic agent into the implant; an outlet lumen providing a pathway for pre-existing fluid in the ocular implant to exit the implant; and a collection chamber fluidly coupled to the outlet lumen that provides a first fluid outflow resistance and a second fluid outflow resistance. The first fluid outflow resistance is lower than a first resistance to outflow of the implant. The second fluid outflow resistance is greater than a force imparted onto the implant by intraocular pressure of the eye. Injection of therapeutic agent into the implant via the injection lumen causes the pre-existing fluid to exit the implant and enter the collection chamber via the outlet lumen and causes a second pre-existing fluid to displace from the collection chamber.

Abstract: An injector apparatus comprises an elongate structure having one or more openings positionable near a penetrable barrier of an implantable device so as to receive fluid of the implantable device. The apparatus comprises a needle and a sheath extending over at least a portion of the needle. The elongate structure may comprise a distal tip to penetrate tissue and the penetrable barrier, and a distal opening near the tip to release therapeutic fluid into the implantable chamber. In many embodiments the distal tip, the distal opening, and the plurality of openings are separated from a stop that engages a tissue of the patient and limit penetration depth such that the distal opening and the plurality of openings are located along an axis of the implantable device to increase an efficiency of the exchange.

Abstract: Described are implantable therapeutic devices, systems and methods to treat a patient. The device includes a hollow refillable housing for implantation within the posterior segment of an eye through a penetration in the sclera including a proximal retention structure protruding outward from a proximal end region of the housing, an access portion opening, and a penetrable barrier positioned at least in part within the access portion opening, the penetrable barrier configured to be repeatedly penetrated. A rigid porous structure is positioned within a region of the housing away from the access portion opening into a reservoir chamber extends along an axis between the penetrable barrier and the porous structure includes a volume sized to deliver therapeutic amounts of a therapeutic agent to the eye for an extended period of time. A cover is coupled to at least an upper surface of the proximal retention structure.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus to insert an implantable therapeutic device into a patient. The apparatus includes a proximal handle and a distal placement portion coupled to the proximal handle and configured to hold the implantable therapeutic device. The distal placement portion includes a first side having a first engagement structure at a distal end of the first side, the first engagement structure configured to surround at least a first portion of a proximal end region of the implantable therapeutic device. The distal placement portion includes a second, opposite side having a second engagement structure at a distal end of the second side, the second engagement structure configured to surround at least a second, opposite portion of the proximal end region of the implantable therapeutic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an atherectomy catheter which has a cutting element that is able to cut both soft tissue and hard tissue, and methods of cutting material from a blood vessel lumen using a rotating cutting element. The cutting element has a sharp cutting edge that surrounds a cup-shaped surface and at least one surface of abrasive material. The cup-shaped surface directs the cut material into a tissue chamber. The cutting edge and the cup-shaped surface together are well suited to cut and remove relatively soft tissue from the blood vessel. The abrasive material surface in combination with the cutting element is well suited to abrade and remove hard material from the blood vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus to treat a patient comprises a container to receive fluid of a device implanted in the eye. The fluid of the device can be analyzed to determine a component of the vitreous humor of the eye.

Abstract: A catheter for performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having a proximal bend, a distal bend and a hinge element. A distal portion of the shaft includes a window extending through the sidewall of the shaft between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft. A working element is disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft and is configured for performing the procedure through the window at the treatment site. The bends and hinge element are configured to urge the window against a wall of the vessel at the treatment site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a therapeutic fluid to devices implanted in the body, for example to containers of devices implanted in the eye of a patient. The methods and apparatus may comprise an injector to increase an amount of therapeutic agent injected into the device implanted in the eye, or a structure to receive the therapeutic fluid within the device implanted in the eye, or combinations thereof. The device implanted in the eye may comprise a reservoir chamber having a fluid with a density different than the therapeutic fluid, and the apparatus can be adapted to at least partially separate the implanted device fluid from therapeutic fluid within the reservoir chamber to increase and amount of therapeutic fluid placed in the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus to treat a patient comprises a container to receive fluid of a device implanted in the eye. The fluid of the device can be analyzed to determine a component of the vitreous humor of the eye.

Abstract: Described are implantable therapeutic devices, systems and methods to treat a patient. The device includes a hollow refillable housing for implantation within the posterior segment of an eye through a penetration in the sclera including a proximal retention structure protruding outward from a proximal end region of the housing, an access portion opening, and a penetrable barrier positioned at least in part within the access portion opening, the penetrable barrier configured to be repeatedly penetrated. A rigid porous structure is positioned within a region of the housing away from the access portion opening into a reservoir chamber extends along an axis between the penetrable barrier and the porous structure includes a volume sized to deliver therapeutic amounts of a therapeutic agent to the eye for an extended period of time. A cover is coupled to at least an upper surface of the proximal retention structure.