Abstract: An orifice device for delivering one or more drugs includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end; and a winding helically wound around the inner member. The winding includes a plurality of distinct wires helically wound in parallel around the inner member. The winding and the inner member define at least three separate channels for carrying one or more drugs therethrough. An inlet is at the proximal end of the winding and an outlet is at the distal end of the winding for the plurality of distinct wires. In some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of distinct wires have a different dimension. An outer member is used over the winding. Also, at least two of the at least three separate channels have a different fluid flow rate. And, in some embodiments, at least two of the at least three separate channels carry a different drug.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes a shaft for anchoring in a bone and a head, the shaft including a first section having a plurality of barb elements, the barb elements being elastically deformable relative to the body of the shaft, and a second section including a bone thread for engagement with the bone. The first section is located near the tip of the shaft and allows insertion by pushing whereas the second section provides enhanced resistance against pull-out.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes a shaft for anchoring in a bone and a head, the shaft including a first section having a plurality of barb elements, the barb elements being elastically deformable relative to the body of the shaft, and a second section including a bone thread for engagement with the bone. The first section is located near the tip of the shaft and allows insertion by pushing whereas the second section provides enhanced resistance against pull-out.

Abstract: An orifice device for delivering one or more drugs includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end; and a plurality of windings helically wound around the inner member. Each winding defines a separate layer and each winding includes at least one wire helically wound around the inner member. The plurality of windings and the inner member define at least two separate channels for carrying one or more drugs therethrough. An inlet is at the proximal end of each of the plurality of windings and an outlet is at the distal end of the plurality of windings. At least one of the plurality of windings has a plurality of distinct wires helically wound in parallel around the inner member and at least one of the plurality of windings respectively.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device includes a shaft for anchoring in a bone and a head, the shaft including a first section having a plurality of barb elements, the barb elements being elastically deformable relative to the body of the shaft, and a second section including a bone thread for engagement with the bone. The first section is located near the tip of the shaft and allows insertion by pushing whereas the second section provides enhanced resistance against pull-out.

Abstract: A tube of a medical device is inserted into the lung of a patient through a passage, sealed from the pleural cavity, which passes through the chest wall, parietal membrane and visceral membrane into the lung. A flange of the medical device is secured to the chest of the patient. Thus secured, a proximal opening of the tube is positioned within the lung of the patient and an external opening is positioned external to the patient, permitting gasses within the lung of the patient to escape through the chest wall by entering the distal opening, passing through the tube and venting to atmosphere through the proximal opening.

Abstract: An applicator for intravaginal devices includes an elongate handle, an insertion sleeve, and an intravaginal device support member. The elongate handle has an open first end that defines a cavity extending into the handle. The insertion sleeve extends from the open first end of the handle; it is arranged and configured to slide into the cavity of the handle and to accommodate an intravaginal device; and it has associated therewith a trigger. The intravaginal device support member is disposed in the cavity of the handle; it is operatively connected to the handle; and it has a bearing surface disposed proximate the open first end of the handle. The applicators are useful to ensure that intravaginal devices are placed in the appropriate position to be effective.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for creating a localized pleurodesis between the thoracic wall and the lung such that a ventilation bypass conduit may be introduced into the lung through the thoracic wall and visceral membrane without causing a pneumothorax. A medical device such as a catheter is used to enter the pleural cavity and deliver a pleurodesis agent to a localized area between the visceral and parietal membranes.

Abstract: A ventilation bypass system which alleviates symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by allowing air to exit the lung of a patient through the thoracic wall bypassing the natural airways. A pleurodesis is formed between the visceral and parietal membranes surrounding a lung and an opening is made through the thoracic wall into the lung via the pleurodesis. The ventilation bypass system includes a conduit placed through the opening in the thoracic wall into the lung, a flange for securing the conduit to the thoracic wall and preventing over-insertion of the conduit, and a flow control device for controlling flow of material out of the lung.

Abstract: A mechanical device and/or chemical process is utilized to maintain luminal patency in conduits or other devices implanted in the lung or lungs of a patient. The mechanical device and/or chemical process ensures that air flows freely through a conduit implanted through an anastomosis into a lung. The device is suitable for use in conjunction with ventilation bypass treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A mechanical device and/or chemical process is utilized to maintain luminal patency in conduits or other devices implanted in the lung or lungs of a patient. The mechanical device and/or chemical process ensures that air flows freely through a conduit implanted through an anastomosis into a lung. The device is suitable for use in conjunction with ventilation bypass treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: An orifice device for delivering a drug includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end. A winding is helically wound around the inner member. The winding and the inner member define a first channel for carrying a drug therethrough. An inlet is at the proximal end of the winding and an outlet is at the distal end of the winding.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a device and method for preventing the undesired passage of emboli from a venous blood pool to an arterial blood pool. The invention relates especially to a device and method for treating certain cardiac defects, especially patent foramen ovales and other septal defects, through the use of an embolic filtering device capable of instantaneously deterring the passage of emboli from the moment of implantation. The device consists of a frame, and a braided mesh of sufficient dimensions to prevent passage of emboli through the mesh. The device is preferably composed of shape memory allow, such as nitinol, which conforms to the shape and dimension of the defect to be treated.

Abstract: An applicator for intravaginal devices includes an elongate handle, an insertion sleeve, and an intravaginal device support member. The elongate handle has an open first end that defines a cavity extending into the handle. The insertion sleeve extends from the open first end of the handle; it is arranged and configured to slide into the cavity of the handle and to accommodate an intravaginal device; and it has associated therewith a trigger. The intravaginal device support member is disposed in the cavity of the handle; it is operatively connected to the handle; and it has a bearing surface disposed proximate the open first end of the handle. The applicators are useful to ensure that intravaginal devices are placed in the appropriate position to be effective.

Abstract: A mechanical device and/or chemical process is utilized to maintain luminal patency in conduits or other devices implanted in the lung or lungs of a patient. The mechanical device and/or chemical process ensures that air flows freely through a conduit implanted through an anastomosis into a lung. The device is suitable for use in conjunction with ventilation bypass treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A tissue repair matrix has an intricate pattern of loops, struts and bridges and is made of a super elastic alloy. The repair matrix includes hooks which improve the ingrowth when implanted and amorphic circles which provide rounded surfaces to the outer edges which made the repair matrix a-traumatic when implanted. When the repair matrix is cooled the molecular phase becomes martensitic which allows the tissue repair matrix to be compressed for easier insertion into a patient. When the tissue repair matrix is heated, the molecular phase changes to austenitic which causes the tissue repair matrix to expand to a size suitable for medical procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for creating a localized pleurodesis between the thoracic wall and the lung such that a ventilation bypass conduit may be introduced into the lung through the thoracic wall and visceral membrane without causing a pneumothorax. A catheter or implantable device delivers the pleurodesis agent to the pleural cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for creating a localized pleurodesis between the thoracic wall and the lung such that a ventilation bypass conduit may be introduced into the lung through the thoracic wall and visceral membrane without causing a pneumothorax. A medical device such as a catheter is used to enter the pleural cavity and deliver a pleurodesis agent to a localized area between the visceral and parietal membranes.

Abstract: A device for delivering a drug includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and an opening in the distal end thereof. An orifice mechanism at the distal end of the body communicates with the opening. The orifice mechanism includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end; a winding helically wound around the inner member; and wherein the winding and the inner member define a first channel for carrying a drug therethrough. An inlet is at the proximal end of the winding and an outlet is at the distal end of the inner member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an orifice mechanism includes the steps of providing a mandrel having a length and helically wrapping a winding around at least a portion of the length of the mandrel. The mandrel and the winding define a first channel for carrying a drug therethrough. An inlet is at one end of the winding and an outlet is at the other end of the winding.