Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.

Abstract: An implantable fluid management device, designed to drain excess fluid from a variety of locations in a living host into a second location within the host, such as the bladder of that host. The device may be used to treat ascites, chronic pericardial effusions, normopressure hydrocephalus, hydrocephalus, pulmonary edema, or any fluid collection within the body of a human, or a non-human mammal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for regulating the transfer of energy inductively between an implantable device and an external charging system, wherein the energy transfer rate is regulated by varying an operating frequency of an inductive energy transfer circuit of the implantable device responsive a temperature measured within the implantable device.

Abstract: A system for noninvasively monitoring cancerous cells within bodily fluid accumulated due to ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable pump having control circuitry; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge and communicate with the implantable pump to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable pump and charging and communication system. The implantable pump is configured to move fluid containing cancerous cells from a body cavity to the bladder such that the fluid may be excreted during urination, collected and analyzed with an analysis station to assess progress of the cancer or efficacy of a cancer treatment program.

Abstract: A device for removing fluid from a first bodily cavity and for directing that fluid into a second bodily cavity while avoiding risks of infection and, in one embodiment, excessive dehydration of the first bodily cavity. The device includes an uptake tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the first bodily cavity and a distal end in fluid communication with a pump, and an outflow tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the pump and a distal end in fluid communication with the second bodily cavity. The distal end of the uptake tube may be coupled to a reservoir configured to expand upon ingression of fluid into the reservoir and to contract upon removal of fluid due to a negative pressure provided by the pump.

Abstract: Under one aspect of the present invention, a catheter includes an elongate member; a plurality of septa configured to define a plurality of lumens along the elongate member; and a plurality of slits defined through the elongate member, each slit configured to provide fluidic communication between an environment about the catheter and a corresponding lumen of the plurality of lumens, at least one slit having a different length than at least one other slit.

Abstract: An artificial liver system for treating liver failure includes a reservoir to provide albumin-containing dialysis fluid to the patient's peritoneum, an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

Abstract: An implantable fluid management device, designed to drain excess fluid from a variety of locations in a living host into a second location within the host, such as the bladder of that host. The device may be used to treat ascites, chronic pericardial effusions, normopressure hydrocephalus, hydrocephalus, pulmonary edema, or any fluid collection within the body of a human, or a non-human mammal.

Abstract: An implantable fluid management device, designed to drain excess fluid from a variety of locations in a living host into a second location within the host, such as the bladder of that host. The device may be used to treat ascites, chronic pericardial effusions, normopressure hydrocephalus, hydrocephalus, pulmonary edema, or any fluid collection within the body of a human, or a non-human mammal.

Abstract: An artificial liver system for treating liver failure includes a reservoir to provide albumin-containing dialysis fluid to the patient's peritoneum, an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

Abstract: A device for removing fluid from a first bodily cavity and for directing that fluid into a second bodily cavity while avoiding risks of infection and, in one embodiment, excessive dehydration of the first bodily cavity. The device includes an uptake tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the first bodily cavity and a distal end in fluid communication with a pump, and an outflow tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the pump and a distal end in fluid communication with the second bodily cavity. The distal end of the uptake tube may be coupled to a reservoir configured to expand upon ingression of fluid into the reservoir and to contract upon removal of fluid due to a negative pressure provided by the pump.

Abstract: An implantable fluid management device, designed to drain excess fluid from a variety of locations in a living host into a second location within the host, such as the bladder of that host. The device may be used to treat ascites, chronic pericardial effusions, normopressure hydrocephalus, hydrocephalus, pulmonary edema, or any fluid collection within the body of a human, or a non-human mammal.

Abstract: A device for removing fluid from a first bodily cavity and for directing that fluid into a second bodily cavity while avoiding risks of infection and, in one embodiment, excessive dehydration of the first bodily cavity. The device includes an uptake tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the first bodily cavity and a distal end in fluid communication with a pump, and an outflow tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the pump and a distal end in fluid communication with the second bodily cavity. The distal end of the uptake tube may be coupled to a reservoir configured to expand upon ingression of fluid into the reservoir and to contract upon removal of fluid due to a negative pressure provided by the pump.

Abstract: A transvesicular drainage device configured to drain excess fluid from a variety of locations in the human body into the bladder. The device may be used to treat ascites or any fluid collection within the body of a human or of a non-human mammal.

Abstract: A device and methods for treating renal failure are disclosed. One embodiment of the device is an implantable peritoneal dialysis device. When in use, the device can have a semi-permeable reservoir implanted in the peritoneal cavity. The reservoir can receive blood waste and drain through one or more conduits, via a pump, to the biological bladder. Solids and/or a solution benefiting dialysis can be pumped to the reservoir and/or implanted in the peritoneal cavity.