Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for use in delivering and/or recovering materials to and/or from a tissue site in the body, the catheter comprising one or more macroporous regions adapted to selectively deliver molecules and/or recover cells from the tissue site, based on one or more physical-chemical-biological characteristics. The macroporous region can be provided in the form of a helical hollow wires, and can be adapted to both recover cells from the tissue site (e.g., bacterial or other cells present in interstitial fluid) and optionally to permit the infusion of medicament to the site, under corresponding conditions.

Abstract: A catheter (100) is disclosed that includes a reinforced hollow fiber (114) and is suitable for insertion- in a body tissue in order to deliver and/or recover fluids to and/or from the tissue. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a combination of catheter body (112), hollow fiber region (114), and reinforcing means (116), to provide a catheter having sufficient structural integrity for the hollow fiber region to be positioned within a body tissue, preferably without the need for ancillary devices such as introducers or protective sheaths, and to there be used for the purpose of delivering and/or recovering fluids from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for providing convection enhanced delivery of bioactive agent to a tissue site. The apparatus involves the use of semipermeable membranes, typically in the form of one or more hollow fibers, together with a source and conduit of solution containing the bioactive agent to be delivered. The use of hollow fiber technology provides an optimal combination of features, including delivery kinetics and distribution, as compared to conventional (e.g., standard needle) type delivery devices.

Abstract: A system for use in treating a tissue site, e.g., a site exhibiting or at risk for developing compartment syndrome, the system including a monitor for use in controlling the function and operation of one or more apparatuses providing insertable catheters. The system includes at least one apparatus having a catheter portion that includes both a suitably protected, functional device tip, adapted to be positioned and used within the tissue site, and one or more hollow fiber membranes, e.g., an array of such membranes, adapted to be positioned within the tissue site in order to simultaneously collect fluid therefrom. The catheter portion is adapted to be safely inserted and positioned within the tissue site, in a manner that permits it to function there while substantially minimizing direct impingement of the non-fluid tissue on the functional device tip surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for use in delivering and/or recovering materials to and/or from a tissue site in the body, the catheter comprising one or more macroporous regions adapted to selectively deliver molecules and/or recover cells from the tissue site, based on one or more physical-chemical-biological characteristics. The macroporous region can be provided in the form of a helical hollow wires, and can be adapted to both recover cells from the tissue site (e.g., bacterial or other cells present in interstitial fluid) and optionally to permit the infusion of medicament to the site, under corresponding conditions.

Abstract: A method and system, together with corresponding apparatus and components, and corresponding kits, for use in performing topical wound therapy by using topical negative pressure (TNP) in combination with one or more hollow fiber catheters. In one embodiment, the method provides hollow fiber catheters for the removal of fluid or fluid components from the wound area by ultrafiltration. In another embodiment the hollow fiber catheters are connected to an infusion pump and used to deliver therapeutic fluids to the wound area. In yet another embodiment, a first set of hollow fiber catheters is connected to a vacuum pump and a second set is connected to an infusion pump to simultaneously remove excess tissue fluid and deliver therapeutic fluid to the wound site.

Abstract: A medical device having incorporated electrodes that can be used for delivering drugs or other therapeutic fluids at a uniform rate over an extended area to an internal anatomical location of a patient's body. The device can also be used for aspirating excess fluid from an internal anatomical location of a patient's body.

Abstract: A system and related methods and components for treating a tissue site exhibiting interstitial hypertension, including tissue swelling, and particularly swelling associated with cerebral edema, compartment syndrome, and congestive heart failure, by the use of water removal therapy, in order to remove only water from biological fluids. Included also is a system for such use that incorporates one or more monitors, optionally in addition to the use of water removal therapy. By removing only water, all other biologic agents, including essentially all solutes and formed blood elements (such as cells) are increased in concentration in the remaining bodily fluid(s). WRT can be applied to several clinical conditions in which there is an excess of water, and is ideally used in an extracorporeal fashion, in combination with other functions and related components as well, including ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A catheter (100) is disclosed that includes a reinforced hollow fiber (114) and is suitable for insertion—in a body tissue in order to deliver and/or recover fluids to and/or from the tissue. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a combination of catheter body (112), hollow fiber region (114), and reinforcing means (116), to provide a catheter having sufficient structural integrity for the hollow fiber region to be positioned within a body tissue, preferably without the need for ancillary devices such as introducers or protective sheaths, and to there be used for the purpose of delivering and/or recovering fluids from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A self-introducing medical device that can be used for delivering drugs or other therapeutic fluids at a uniform rate over an extended area to an internal anatomical location of a patient's body. The device can also be used for aspirating excess fluid from an internal anatomical location of a patient's body.

Abstract: A system, including catheter apparatus, and related method for performing site specific therapy. The catheter apparatus can include one or more semipermeable microcatheters for use in performing site specific microdialysis. The system and method are particularly suited for use in addressing cerebral edema by affecting the osmolar relationship between fluids making up the brain tissue. Also disclosed is an apparatus having a delivery/recovery mechanism in the form of a pump reservoir and one or more catheters in the form of semipermeable microcatheters, for use in delivering and/or recovering fluid to and/or from a tissue site or for performing tissue engineering outside of the body. The apparatus can be used in a method to perform site specific microtherapy, including for the treatment of avascular necrosis, compartment syndrome, cerebral edema, and to improve skin flap survival in the course of reconstructive surgery.

Abstract: A system, including catheter apparatus, and related method for performing site specific therapy. The catheter apparatus can include one or more semipermeable microcatheters for use in performing site specific microdialysis. The system and method are particularly suited for use in addressing cerebral edema by affecting the osmolar relationship between fluids making up the brain tissue. Also disclosed is an apparatus having a delivery/recovery mechanism in the form of a pump reservoir and one or more catheters in the form of semipermeable microcatheters, for use in delivering and/or recovering fluid to and/or from a tissue site or for performing tissue engineering outside of the body. The apparatus can be used in a method to perform site specific microtherapy, including for the treatment of avascular necrosis, compartment syndrome, cerebral edema, and to improve skin flap survival in the course of reconstructive surgery.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to position a functional device tip, such as a sensor, in a body site having both fluid and non-fluid tissue components, in a manner that substantially mitigates the impingement of non-fluid tissue impingement on the device tip. One such apparatus can be used to both remove fluid from a tissue site, such as a site exhibiting tissue swelling, and to determine tissue pressure, using a single catheter. An apparatus can provide a pressure sensor that is adapted to be positioned and used within the tissue site itself, without substantial impingement by non-fluid tissue, and optionally also provides the ability to concurrently remove and/or deliver fluids or components thereof to or from the tissue site.

Abstract: A method and system, together with corresponding apparatus and components, and corresponding kits, for use in performing topical wound therapy by using topical negative pressure (TNP) in combination with one or more hollow fiber catheters. In one embodiment, the method provides hollow fiber catheters for the removal of fluid or fluid components from the wound area by ultrafiltration. In another embodiment the hollow fiber catheters are connected to an infusion pump and used to deliver therapeutic fluids to the wound area. In yet another embodiment, a first set of hollow fiber catheters is connected to a vacuum pump and a second set is connected to an infusion pump to simultaneously remove excess tissue fluid and deliver therapeutic fluid to the wound site.

Abstract: A system and method for performing site specific therapy to alleviate tissue swelling, involving the placement and use of recovery catheters having semipermeable membranes adapted to recover bulk fluid or fluid components from a tissue site. Fluid recovery can be accomplished by the delivery of a hydratable medium to the membranes, under conditions suitable to permit fluid or components to pass through the membranes in order to hydrate the medium, which is then removed from the tissue site. The method and system can also include the use of components for monitoring the progress of the system, and components for introducing a recovery catheter to a tissue site.

Abstract: A system and related methods and components for treating tissue swelling, and particularly swelling associated with cerebral edema, compartment syndrome, and congestive heart failure, by the use of water removal therapy, in order to remove only water from biological fluids. Included also is a system for such use that incorporates one or more monitors, optionally in addition to the use of water removal therapy. By removing only water, all other biologic agents, including essentially all solutes and formed blood elements (such as cells) are increased in concentration in the remaining bodily fluid(s). WRT can be applied to several clinical conditions in which there is an excess of water, and is ideally used in an extracorporeal fashion, in combination with other functions and related components as well, including ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A system, including catheter apparatus, and related method for performing site specific therapy. The catheter apparatus can include one or more semipermeable microcatheters (preferably in the form of hollow fibers) for use in performing site specific microdialysis. The system and method are particularly suited for use in addressing cerebral edema by affecting the osmolar relationship between fluids making up the brain tissue. Also disclosed is an apparatus having a delivery/recovery mechanism in the form of a pump reservoir and one or more catheters in the form of semipermeable microcatheters, for use in delivering and/or recovering fluid to and/or from a tissue site or for performing tissue engineering outside of the body. The apparatus can be used in a method to perform site specific microtherapy, including for the treatment of compartment syndrome or cerebral edema.