Abstract: Medical implants that include a containment layer surrounding, or surrounded by, a biodegradable medical device provide the benefit that pieces formed during degradation of the medical device are held within a constrained place and thus do not causes injury to a hosts.

Abstract: Medical implants that include a containment layer surrounding, or surrounded by, a biodegradable medical device provide the benefit that pieces formed during degradation of the medical device are held within a constrained place and thus do not causes injury to a hosts.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices have zones of high in vivo stability that are adjacent to zones of relatively low in vivo stability, so that when these medical devices are implanted into a host, the zones of low in vivo stability degrade first and allow the formation of independent segments of relatively intact high in vivo stability bands that are sufficiently small that they may pass from the host in a non-harmful manner.

Abstract: Medical implants that include a containment layer surrounding, or surrounded by, a biodegradable medical device provide the benefit that pieces formed during degradation of the medical device are held within a constrained place and thus do not causes injury to a hosts.

Abstract: A catheter having a plurality of longitudinal lumens for removing biological, natural and/or man-made materials from cavities, ducts, vessels, or other locations in a patient's body. The multi-lumen catheter comprises a longitudinally-extending suction lumen with suction holes through which materials pass into the lumen in response to suction forces generated by a source of negative pressure coupled to a proximal end of the lumen. A longitudinally-extending vent lumen coupled to a source of at least neutral vent pressure through, for example, an opening to ambient air at the proximal end of the lumen, and preferably, through vent holes disposed along a length of the catheter. A dividing septum between the adjacent lumens has one or more ports fluidically coupling the lumens.

Abstract: A catheter having a plurality of longitudinal lumens for removing biological, natural and/or man-made materials from cavities, ducts, vessels, or other locations in a patient's body. The multi-lumen catheter comprises a longitudinally-extending suction lumen with suction holes through which materials pass into the lumen in response to suction forces generated by a source of negative pressure coupled to a proximal end of the lumen. A longitudinally-extending vent lumen coupled to a source of at least neutral vent pressure through, for example, an opening to ambient air at the proximal end of the lumen, and preferably, through vent holes disposed along a length of the catheter. A dividing septum between the adjacent lumens has one or more ports fluidically coupling the lumens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cryosurgical catheter which is heated in order to prevent its freezing within the lumen of an endoscope. The catheter is to be used with an endoscope to perform cryoablation on an internal tissue; e.g., the esophagus. Electric conductivity to produce heat employs an electrical conductive coating on the catheter. Also, disclosed is a fitting for use with a catheter comprising both a connection for receiving gas and an electrical connection.