Abstract: A chest drainage system includes a collection device and a fluid pathway configured to extend from the collection device to a patient. The fluid pathway has a proximal portion configured to extend proximally toward the patient and a distal portion configured to extend distally from the patient. The chest drainage system also includes a pressure source including an accumulator configured to selectively provide sub-atmospheric pressure to the distal portion of the fluid pathway and a valve configured to selectively relieve pressure in the proximal portion of the fluid pathway. The system is configured to open the valve and to introduce the sub-atmospheric pressure from the accumulator of the pressure source when a predetermined pressure differential is detected between the proximal and distal portions of the fluid pathway.

Abstract: A bio-absorbable stand-alone film is derived at least in part from fatty acids. The bio-absorbable stand-alone film can have anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and wound healing properties, and can additionally include one or more therapeutic agents incorporated therein. The stand-alone film has one or more perforations or depressions formed therein. Corresponding methods of making the bio-absorbable stand-alone film with one or more perforations or depressions include molding, cutting, carving, puncturing or otherwise suitable methods to create the perforations or depressions in the bio-absorbable stand-alone film. The resulting stand-alone film is bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to a radially expandable interventional medical device in a collapsed, wrapped, or folded configuration, the coating applied within at least one fold. Properties of the coating material applied to the medical device are adjusted or varied to result in a desired combination of coverage of the surface of the medical device, drug loading, and coating thickness. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device.

Abstract: A bio-absorbable stand-alone film is derived at least in part from fatty acids. The bio-absorbable stand-alone film can have anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and wound healing properties, and can additionally include one or more therapeutic agents incorporated therein. The stand-alone film has one or more perforations or depressions formed therein. Corresponding methods of making the bio-absorbable stand-alone film with one or more perforations or depressions include molding, cutting, carving, puncturing or otherwise suitable methods to create the perforations or depressions in the bio-absorbable stand-alone film. The resulting stand-alone film is bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A method, a kit, and an apparatus provide a coating on an implantable medical device. The apparatus includes housing, a sealed reservoir chamber disposed in the housing, a reducing template, and a reservoir access port. The sealed reservoir contains the coating material. The reducing template is sized to receive a medical device therethrough for application of the coating material. A seal breaching mechanism can be provided and adapted to breach the sealed reservoir upon activation of the apparatus. The reservoir access port, which is disposed in the housing, is adapted to fluidly couple the reducing template with the reservoir chamber upon activation of the apparatus for coating the medical device.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to a radially expandable interventional medical device in a collapsed, wrapped, or folded configuration, the coating applied within at least one fold. Properties of the coating material applied to the medical device are adjusted or varied to result in a desired combination of coverage of the surface of the medical device, drug loading, and coating thickness. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device.

Abstract: A coated medical device an a method of providing a coating on an implantable medical device result in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: Coatings for medical devices, methods of making the coatings, and methods of using them are described.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to a radially expandable interventional medical device in a collapsed, wrapped, or folded configuration. Properties of the coating material applied to the medical device are adjusted or varied to result in a desired combination of coverage of the surface of the medical device, drug loading, and coating thickness. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device.

Abstract: Devices for the provision of a coating on an implantable medical device are provided. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The devices provide a coating having improved uniformity and coverage which in turn allow for greater control of the amount and dosage of the coating.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to radially expandable medical delivery device provides uniform drug distribution and permeation of the coating and any therapeutic agents mixed therewith into a targeted treatment area within the body. The delivery device is expanded using the pressure of an inflation fluid. After expanding the delivery device to a pre-determined size and shape, the inflation fluid weeps through the porous surface of the delivery device. The coating releases the delivery device and floats on the inflation fluid until bonding to the tissue due to its affinity for the tissue. Once the coating bonds or affixes to the tissue, through an absorption mechanism by the tissue cells of the coating material, the coating and any therapeutics contained therein are delivered to the tissue. The fluid can contain a therapeutic agent, or can be otherwise biocompatible and/or inert.

Abstract: A pleural drainage system having an inflatable membrane and a method of using the system are disclosed. The pleural drainage system includes a pleural drainage catheter system. The pleural drainage catheter system includes an inflatable membrane and a drainage catheter integrally coupled to the inflation membrane, the drainage catheter defining a drainage lumen through which fluid is drawn from the pleural cavity, and an inflation lumen coupled for flow of inflation fluid to and from an interior of the inflatable membrane. The pleural drainage system further includes a suction system coupled to the drainage catheter and a fluid collector coupled to receive fluid from the drainage catheter. The pleural drainage system further includes an inflation system connected to deliver inflation fluid to the interior of the inflatable membrane. The pleural drainage system may be used to monitor an associated airleak in the pleural cavity of a patient.

Abstract: A nanoemulsion and corresponding methods of making and using systems of single or blended high HLB value surfactant(s) for the emulsification of single or blended oils and vitamin E components in an aqueous phase are provided. The resulting nanoemulsions and methods of administering the nanoemulsions, including a corresponding kit, provide delivery of the nanoemulsions to a patient.

Abstract: Fatty acid-derived biomaterials, methods of making the biomaterials, and methods of loading them with silver compounds are described. The silver-containing biomaterials can be utilized alone or in combination with a medical device for the release and local delivery of one or more anti-infective agents. Methods of forming and tailoring the properties of said biomaterials and methods of using said biomaterials for treating injury in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide adhesion barriers having anti-adhesion and tissue fixating properties. The adhesion barriers are formed of fatty acid based films. The fatty acid-based films may be formed from fatty acid-derived biomaterials. The films may be coated with, or may include, tissue fixating materials to create the adhesion barrier. The adhesion barriers are well tolerated by the body, have anti-inflammation properties, fixate, well to tissue, and have a residence time sufficient to prevent post-surgical adhesions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for introducing a catheter through a body opening along an insertion axis. The apparatus includes an arm having an end portion configured to extend into the body opening along the insertion axis, wherein the arm is configured to extend adjacent an external catheter surface. The apparatus also includes a surface extending from the end portion of the arm at an angle to the insertion axis, wherein the surface is configured to extend at least partially within an aperture formed in the catheter.

Abstract: A method of making a radially expandable fluid delivery device includes providing a tube of biocompatible fluoropolymer material with a predetermined porosity based on an extrusion and expansion forming process, applying a radial expansion force to the tube expanding the tube to a predetermined diameter dimension, and removing the radial expansion force. The tube is radially inelastic while sufficiently pliable to be collapsible and inflatable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration upon introduction of an inflation force, such that the expanded configuration occurs upon inflation to the predetermined diameter dimension. The fluid delivery device is constructed of a microporous, biocompatible fluoropolymer material having a microstructure that can provide a controlled, uniform, low-velocity fluid distribution through the walls of the fluid delivery device to effectively deliver fluid to the treatment site without damaging tissue proximate the walls of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for indicating the presence of pressure within a collection chamber of a device such as a chest drainage device. The apparatus includes a bladder configured to be positioned within the collection chamber or within another chamber in fluid flow communication with the collection chamber. The bladder has a concavity formed therein and configured to contract or expand in response to pressure in the collection chamber. The apparatus also includes surfaces associated with the bladder that are configured to move with respect to one another upon contraction or expansion of the concavity of the bladder, thereby indicating pressure within the collection chamber.

Abstract: The present inventions provide various embodiments of medical devices coated with a therapeutic coating comprising a mTOR targeting compound and a calcineurin inhibitor, and methods of applying said coatings. In various aspects, the therapeutic coating comprises a bio-absorbable carrier component at least partially formed of a cellular uptake inhibitor and a cellular uptake enhancer, a mTOR targeting compound and a calcineurin inhibitor. In various aspects, the present invention provides for controlled delivery, which is at least partially characterized by total and relative amounts of a cellular uptake inhibitor and cellular uptake enhancer in a bio-absorbable carrier component.