Abstract: A balloon retention urinary catheter includes a porous and spongy distal tip. In one method, a polymer is mixed with sacrificial particles and the mixture is molded in the form of the tip, and then cured. The cured tip is then placed in a solvent in which the sacrificial particles elute from the tip but in which the polymer is insoluble. Once the particles elute out of the polymer in the tip, a softer porous polymeric structure results. The tip may be structured to be softer prior to use or for transformation to a softer state once in the bladder.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a safety catheter includes providing a catheter having a catheter body comprising an exterior surface, a drainage lumen, and an inflation lumen, forming a balloon inflation port between the exterior surface and the inflation lumen, forming a deflation port between the exterior surface and one of the inflation and drainage lumens, fixing a balloon sleeve to the exterior surface over at least the balloon inflation port to define a fluid-tight balloon interior between an interior surface of the balloon sleeve and at least a portion of the exterior surface, removably inserting a deflation plug in the deflation port to water-tightly seal the deflation port until the deflation plug is removed, connecting a proximal portion of a deflation connector to an inside surface of one of the lumens, and connecting a distal portion of the deflation connector to the deflation plug.

Abstract: A safety balloon catheter includes a catheter having a stretch valve, a connector, a balloon inflated with an inflation fluid, a hollow inflation lumen extending through the catheter to the balloon and conveying inflation fluid thereto and therefrom, a hollow second lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon to the second lumen. The stretch valve has a hollow base fixed in the second lumen at a proximal catheter end and shaped to permit a fluid therethrough and a hollow plug slidably positioned in the second lumen at a given distance from the base to, in a steady state, prevent inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, when actuated, slide within the second lumen to permit inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen. The connector connects the base and the plug and has a length greater than the given distance.

Abstract: A balloon retention urinary catheter includes a porous and spongy distal tip. In one method, a polymer is mixed with sacrificial particles and the mixture is molded in the form of the tip, and then cured. The cured tip is then placed in a solvent in which the sacrificial particles elute from the tip but in which the polymer is insoluble. Once the particles elute out of the polymer in the tip, a softer porous polymeric structure results. The tip may be structured to be softer prior to use or for transformation to a softer state once in the bladder.

Abstract: An implantable device for treatment of glaucoma of the eye. In one aspect, the device includes an elongate duct for diverting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye, the elongate duct having a central axis with a proximal end and distal end opposite one another. A least one element is spaced apart from the proximal end and the distal end of said elongate duct and extends radially outward beyond an outer surface of said elongate duct in at least two directions transverse to the central axis of said elongate duct, wherein the at least one element has a distal portion with a tapered profile facing the distal end of said elongate duct. The at least one element is configured to deform in a tissue passage leading into the anterior chamber of the eye as it is inserted into the tissue passage in response to forces applied by surrounding ocular tissue of the tissue passage. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Implantable devices and systems and methods are provided for controlled delivery of a therapeutic agent to the eye, which employ a flexible reservoir for holding a supply of the therapeutic agent, and a flexible tube that extends from the reservoir. The tube has an inlet end in fluid communication with the interior space of the reservoir, an outlet end spaced from the reservoir, and a lumen that extends from the inlet end to the outlet end. The lumen of the tube is configured to deliver therapeutic agent from the reservoir through the tube.

Abstract: A glaucoma treatment system includes a glaucoma drainage device having a flexible tube with distal and proximal ends, and an inserter with a filament that extends beyond the distal end of a rigid elongate member (e.g., rod or inserter tube). The filament is configured to detachably couple a distal portion of the drainage device tube to the elongate member of the inserter. The filament may extend through a wall of the distal portion of the drainage device tube. The filament and elongate member of the inserter can be configured for relative movement to detach the drainage device tube from the inserter. The elongate member can define an internal channel, and the filament can be configured for axial movement in this channel so that the filament may move toward the proximal end of the elongate member to detach the drainage device tube from the inserter. Other tools are described and claimed.

Abstract: A hanger for pictures and the like is provided that includes at least one elongate bar. Two openings (e.g., thru-holes or slots) extend between corresponding planar front and back surfaces of the bar(s). The two openings are configured to receive fasteners for attaching the bar(s) to the support surface. The two openings are spaced from one another along the lengthwise dimension of the bar(s). Two hooks extend forward and upward from the at least one planar front surface. The two hooks are spaced from one another along the lengthwise dimension of the bar(s). Each hook includes a transition from a planar front surface of the bar(s). Methods of fabricating the hangar and methods of use are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compounds and compositions for sustained release of ocular therapeutics.

Abstract: A glaucoma drainage device includes an elongated body extending axially from a distal end to a proximal end. The distal end forms a wedge with a leading distal edge. During implantation of the device into the suprachoroidal space of the eye, the wedge can facilitate penetration into and spreading open the tissue of the suprachoroidal space. The elongate body has one or more outer surfaces that define at least one open groove extending from at or near the proximal end towards the distal end of the body. With the distal end of the elongate body located in the suprachoroidal space of the eye and the distal end of the elongate body extending into the anterior chamber of the eye, the at least one open groove is configured such that aqueous humor flows along the open groove from the anterior chamber of the eye to the suprachoroidal space of the eye.

Abstract: A glaucoma drainage device includes an elongated body extending axially from a distal end to a proximal end. The distal end forms a wedge with a leading distal edge. During implantation of the device into the suprachoroidal space of the eye, the wedge can facilitate penetration into and spreading open the tissue of the suprachoroidal space. The elongate body has one or more outer surfaces that define at least one open groove extending from at or near the proximal end towards the distal end of the body. With the distal end of the elongate body located in the suprachoroidal space of the eye and the distal end of the elongate body extending into the anterior chamber of the eye, the at least one open groove is configured such that aqueous humor flows along the open groove from the anterior chamber of the eye to the suprachoroidal space of the eye.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are medical devices, such as intraocular shunts, that are made from materials comprising non-degradable, swellable polymer hydrogels, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A method for treating glaucoma with an implantable glaucoma device includes inserting a hollow elongated needle into the eye between the cornea and iris and into the anterior chamber of the eye to form a needle tract in the eye, introducing a distal end of a guidewire through the needle and into the anterior chamber, introducing a snare through a corneal incision into the anterior chamber. The snare has a sheath and a hook or loop inside the sheath and extendible therefrom. The method includes capturing a segment of the guidewire proximate the distal end of the guidewire with the snare within the anterior chamber, removing the needle from over the guidewire outside of the eye, coupling a glaucoma drainage device to a proximal end of the guidewire that extends outside of the eye, and pulling on the captured guidewire segment with the snare to pull the glaucoma drainage device into the needle tract and into the anterior chamber of the eye until the glaucoma device is located in an implanted position in the eye.

Abstract: An inserter device is provided for use with a glaucoma drainage device including a tube having a proximal end and a distal end with a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The inserter device includes an elongate member having a distal end defining a stop surface, and a stylus extending beyond the distal end of the elongate member. The stylus is sized and configured to be received within the lumen of the glaucoma drainage device with the stop surface interfacing to and limiting proximal movement of the glaucoma drainage device. The stylus has a first length that extends beyond the stop surface that is less than a second length of a portion of the lumen of the tube of the glaucoma drainage device that extends beyond the stop surface. Systems and methods are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A safety balloon catheter includes a catheter having a stretch valve, a connector, a balloon inflated with an inflation fluid, a hollow inflation lumen extending through the catheter to the balloon and conveying inflation fluid thereto and therefrom, a hollow second lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon to the second lumen. The stretch valve has a hollow base fixed in the second lumen at a proximal catheter end and shaped to permit a fluid therethrough and a hollow plug slidably positioned in the second lumen at a given distance from the base to, in a steady state, prevent inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, when actuated, slide within the second lumen to permit inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen. The connector connects the base and the plug and has a length greater than the given distance.

Abstract: An endovascular system includes inner and outer catheters, a handle system operably coupled one end of the catheters, and a microvalve coupled to the other end of the catheters. The microvalve is constrained in a radially-collapsed closed configuration for advancement within a vessel to a treatment site. The handle system is operable to displace the inner and outer catheters portions relative to each other to move the microvalve between closed and open configurations. An indicator is provided to visually indicate the extent by which the microvalve is opened within the vessel.

Abstract: A device implantable into the eye is provided that includes an elongate duct portion having a longitudinal axis. The duct portion defines at least one lumen that extends from a distal end to a neck spaced longitudinally from the distal end. The device further includes a second portion that includes two tubular segments that extend or flare outwardly from the neck opposite one another relative to the longitudinal axis. The second portion includes at least one outlet in fluid communication the at least one lumen of the duct portion to permit fluid to flow through the device. In embodiments, the first duct portion and the second portion are formed together as a unitary structure. The two tubular segments of the second portion can extend or flare outwardly from the neck opposite one another relative to the longitudinal axis in a Y configuration.

Abstract: A safety balloon catheter includes a catheter having a stretch valve, a connector, a balloon inflated with an inflation fluid, a hollow inflation lumen extending through the catheter to the balloon and conveying inflation fluid thereto and therefrom, a hollow second lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon to the second lumen. The stretch valve has a hollow base fixed in the second lumen at a proximal catheter end and shaped to permit a fluid therethrough and a hollow plug slidably positioned in the second lumen at a given distance from the base to, in a steady state, prevent inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, when actuated, slide within the second lumen to permit inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen. The connector connects the base and the plug and has a length greater than the given distance.

Abstract: A glaucoma treatment system includes a glaucoma drainage device having a flexible tube with distal and proximal ends, and an inserter with a filament that extends beyond the distal end of a rigid elongate member (e.g., rod or inserter tube). The filament is configured to detachably couple a distal portion of the drainage device tube to the elongate member of the inserter. The filament may extend through a wall of the distal portion of the drainage device tube. The filament and elongate member of the inserter can be configured for relative movement to detach the drainage device tube from the inserter. The elongate member can define an internal channel, and the filament can be configured for axial movement in this channel so that the filament may move toward the proximal end of the elongate member to detach the drainage device tube from the inserter. Other tools are described and claimed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compounds and compositions for sustained release of ocular therapeutics.