Abstract: Foley type catheter embodiments for sensing physiologic data from a urinary tract of a patient are disclosed. The system includes the catheter and a data processing apparatus and methods for sensing physiologic data from the urinary tract. Embodiments may also include a pressure sensor having a pressure interface at a distal end of the catheter, a pressure transducer at a proximal end, and a fluid column disposed between the pressure interface and transducer. When the distal end is residing in the bladder, the pressure transducer can transduce pressure impinging on it into a chronological pressure profile, which can be processed by the data processing apparatus into one or more distinct physiologic pressure profiles, for example, peritoneal pressure, respiratory rate, and cardiac rate. At a sufficiently high data-sampling rate, these physiologic data may further include relative pulmonary tidal volume, cardiac output, relative cardiac output, and absolute cardiac stroke volume.

Abstract: An automated therapy system having an infusion catheter; a sensor adapted to sense a patient parameter; and a controller communicating with the sensor and programmed to control flow output from the infusion catheter into a patient based on the patient parameter without removing fluid from the patient. The invention also includes a method of controlling infusion of a fluid to a patient. The method includes the following steps: monitoring a patient parameter with a sensor to generate a sensor signal; providing the sensor signal to a controller; and adjusting fluid flow to the patient based on the sensor signal without removing fluid from the patient.

Abstract: An automated therapy system having an infusion catheter; a sensor adapted to sense a patient parameter; and a controller communicating with the sensor and programmed to control flow output from the infusion catheter into a patient based on the patient parameter without removing fluid from the patient. The invention also includes a method of controlling infusion of a fluid to a patient. The method includes the following steps: monitoring a patient parameter with a sensor to generate a sensor signal; providing the sensor signal to a controller; and adjusting fluid flow to the patient based on the sensor signal without removing fluid from the patient.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating and managing addiction are disclosed where an apparatus for mitigating addictive behavior may generally comprise at least two electrodes for positioning in proximity to an ulnar nerve of a body of a subject and one or more sensors configured to detect physiologic parameters which correlate to one or more symptoms indicative of addictive behavior of the subject. A pulse generator may be programmed to receive a sensor output based on the detected physiologic parameters and to apply a treatment stimulation to the ulnar nerve through a skin surface of the subject such that the addictive behavior of the subject is reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, systems and method for introducing fluids into a body cavity for treatment. One embodiment provides an apparatus for treating a patient including an access device for insertion into the peritoneal cavity of the patient including an infusion member in a lumen of the access device. An oxygenated solution may be infused and removed into and out of the cavity via the infusion member.

Abstract: Foley type catheter embodiments for sensing physiologic data from a urinary tract of a patient are disclosed. The system includes the catheter and a data processing apparatus and methods for sensing physiologic data from the urinary tract. Embodiments may also include a pressure sensor having a pressure interface at a distal end of the catheter, a pressure transducer at a proximal end, and a fluid column disposed between the pressure interface and transducer. When the distal end is residing in the bladder, the pressure transducer can transduce pressure impinging on it into a chronological pressure profile, which can be processed by the data processing apparatus into one or more distinct physiologic pressure profiles, for example, peritoneal pressure, respiratory rate, and cardiac rate. At a sufficiently high data-sampling rate, these physiologic data may further include relative pulmonary tidal volume, cardiac output, relative cardiac output, and absolute cardiac stroke volume.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus for the treatment or prevention of osteopenia or osteoporosis, stimulating bone growth, preserving or improving bone mineral density, and inhibiting adipogenesis is disclosed where the apparatus may generally comprise one or more vibrating elements configured for imparting repeated mechanical loads to the hip, femur, and/or spine of an individual at a frequency and acceleration sufficient for therapeutic effect. These vibrating elements may be secured to the upper body of an individual via one or more respective securing mechanisms, where the securing mechanisms are configured to position the one or more vibrating elements in a direction lateral to the individual, and the position, tension, and efficacy of these vibrating elements may be monitored and/or regulated by one or more accelerometers.

Abstract: Foley type catheter embodiments for sensing physiologic data from a urinary tract of a patient are disclosed. The system includes the catheter and a data processing apparatus and methods for sensing physiologic data from the urinary tract. Embodiments may also include a pressure sensor having a pressure interface at a distal end of the catheter, a pressure transducer at a proximal end, and a fluid column disposed between the pressure interface and transducer. When the distal end is residing in the bladder, the pressure transducer can transduce pressure impinging on it into a chronological pressure profile, which can be processed by the data processing apparatus into one or more distinct physiologic pressure profiles, for example, peritoneal pressure, respiratory rate, and cardiac rate. At a sufficiently high data-sampling rate, these physiologic data may further include relative pulmonary tidal volume, cardiac output, relative cardiac output, and absolute cardiac stroke volume.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, systems and method for introducing fluids into a body cavity for treatment. One embodiment provides an apparatus for treating a patient including an access device for insertion into the peritoneal cavity of the patient including an infusion member in a lumen of the access device. An oxygenated solution may be infused and removed into and out of the cavity via the infusion member.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus for the treatment or prevention of osteopenia or osteoporosis, stimulating bone growth, preserving or improving bone mineral density, and inhibiting adipogenesis is disclosed where the apparatus may generally comprise one or more vibrating elements configured for imparting repeated mechanical loads to the hip, femur, and/or spine of an individual at a frequency and acceleration sufficient for therapeutic effect. These vibrating elements may be secured to the upper body of an individual via one or more respective securing mechanisms, where the securing mechanisms are configured to position the one or more vibrating elements in a direction lateral to the individual, and the position, tension, and efficacy of these vibrating elements may be monitored and/or regulated by one or more accelerometers.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating the prostate are disclosed where in one embodiment, the apparatus generally comprises a catheter which is sized for placement within a body lumen, at least one balloon positioned along a length of the catheter and defining a contact region for thermally contacting a portion of the body lumen which is in proximity to tissue to be treated, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the at least one balloon through at least one lumen defined through the length of the catheter. The at least one balloon may be configured to receive a refrigerant from the reservoir introduced through the at least one lumen until the contact region is at least partially expanded, the catheter being adjustable to selectively align the contact region against the portion of the body lumen to preferentially cool the portion relative to a remainder of the body lumen surrounding the portion.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus for the treatment or prevention of osteopenia or osteoporosis, stimulating bone growth, preserving or improving bone mineral density, and inhibiting adipogenesis is disclosed where the apparatus may generally comprise one or more vibrating elements configured for imparting repeated mechanical loads to the hip, femur, and/or spine of an individual at a frequency and acceleration sufficient for therapeutic effect. These vibrating elements may be secured to the upper body of an individual via one or more respective securing mechanisms, where the securing mechanisms are configured to position the one or more vibrating elements in a direction lateral to the individual, and the position, tension, and efficacy of these vibrating elements may be monitored and/or regulated by one or more accelerometers.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus for the treatment or prevention of osteopenia or osteoporosis, stimulating bone growth, preserving or improving bone mineral density, and inhibiting adipogenesis is disclosed where the apparatus may generally comprise one or more vibrating elements configured for imparting repeated mechanical loads to the hip, femur, and/or spine of an individual at a frequency and acceleration sufficient for therapeutic effect. These vibrating elements may be secured to the upper body of an individual via one or more respective securing mechanisms, where the securing mechanisms are configured to position the one or more vibrating elements in a direction lateral to the individual, and the position, tension, and efficacy of these vibrating elements may be monitored and/or regulated by one or more accelerometers.

Abstract: Methods and devices for fluid delivery and analyte sensing via an implantable port are disclosed where a port apparatus may be configured for placement within a body of a subject and may generally comprise a port housing and a catheter defining a first lumen which is fluidly coupled to the port housing. A flushing lumen may extend from the port housing and terminate at or near a distal tip of the catheter and an access port may be positioned within or upon the port housing and in fluid communication with the first lumen. Furthermore, an access device configured for percutaneous advancement into contact with the access port may also be included.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating and managing addiction are disclosed where an apparatus for mitigating addictive behavior may generally comprise at least two electrodes for positioning in proximity to an ulnar nerve of a body of a subject and one or more sensors configured to detect physiologic parameters which correlate to one or more symptoms indicative of addictive behavior of the subject. A pulse generator may be programmed to receive a sensor output based on the detected physiologic parameters and to apply a treatment stimulation to the ulnar nerve through a skin surface of the subject such that the addictive behavior of the subject is reduced.

Abstract: A multielectrode sensor for use in obtaining electrocardiograph measurements of a patient is disclosed. The sensor includes a substrate, at least a portion of the substrate being stretchable, and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the substrate. A distance between at least two of the electrodes is adjustable by stretching the substrate between the at least two electrodes.

Abstract: Use of the peritoneal space provides a more direct tracking of blood glucose, capturing faster glucose kinetics, avoiding membrane/encapsulation effects, having less lag time and lag time variability, and eliminating the effect of variations in skin temperature, cardiac output, and body position during sleep. A peritoneal sensor system may be implanted within the peritoneal space and may generally include a sensor/sampler portion, which is implanted in the peritoneal space, and a control portion/controller, which may be implanted elsewhere, such as subcutaneously, or may be external to the patient.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus for the treatment or prevention of osteopenia or osteoporosis, stimulating bone growth, preserving or improving bone mineral density, and inhibiting adipogenesis is disclosed where the apparatus may generally comprise one or more vibrating elements configured for imparting repeated mechanical loads to the hip, femur, and/or spine of an individual at a frequency and acceleration sufficient for therapeutic effect. These vibrating elements may be secured to the upper body of an individual via one or more respective securing mechanisms, where the securing mechanisms are configured to position the one or more vibrating elements in a direction lateral to the individual, and the position, tension, and efficacy of these vibrating elements may be monitored and/or regulated by one or more accelerometers.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes are disclosed in which an analyte concentration within a peritoneal fluid of a human subject may be determined by implanting an analyte sensor apparatus in the subject where the apparatus may comprise a housing and a flexible sensing catheter which has a lumen with a plurality of apertures and an exterior surface with an analyte sensor affixed thereto. The catheter may comprise a proximal end attached to the housing and the remaining end may be positioned freely within the peritoneal space to contact peritoneal fluid where an analyte concentration in the peritoneal fluid may be sensed. The housing may be anchored at a subcutaneous site proximate the peritoneal space. The sensed analyte concentration may then be transduced into a transmittable electrical signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment or prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis, stimulating bone growth, preserving or improving bone mineral density, and inhibiting adipogenesis is described where one embodiment may comprise a motor configured to be in vibrational conductance with an area of the subject, one or more sensors in communication with the motor for receiving feedback relating to the vibrational conductance, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller may be configured to receive the feedback through the one or more sensors and determine an amount of vibrational conductance transmitted to the area of the subject such that the feedback is correlated to a fit of the motor relative to the area of the subject. Additionally, the controller may be further configured to adjust one or more parameters of the motor in response to the correlated fit until the feedback is optimized within a predetermined range for treatment.