Abstract: A bypass device can be implanted into a body tissue to provide fluid channels through the body tissue. The bypass device includes an open tubular base, and a plurality of pronged features attached to the open tubular base, the pronged features being reconfigurable from a first position to a second position. In the first position the pronged features extend longitudinally along a plane of the open tubular base, and the pronged features are reconfigurable to the second position by flexing the pronged features relative to the tubular base, such that in the second position the pronged features are configured for insertion through the body tissue. The pronged features may be configured as opposing arrow-shaped tangs that are flexed to form tent structures that are insertable through the body tissue.

Abstract: Provided is a ureteral stent including a bladder portion positioned in a bladder of a patient, a kidney portion positioned in a kidney and ureteral passageway of the patient, and one or more tethers coupling the bladder portion to the kidney portion. The ureteral stent allows urine to pass around a blockage, and allows a ureter orifice connecting the ureteral passageway to the bladder to move between a compressed state and an uncompressed state to prevent or minimize urinary reflux, flank pain, blood in the urine, etc., while allowing the bladder portion to move freely in the bladder to prevent the bladder portion from irritating the trigone muscle.

Abstract: Provided is a ureteral stent for placement in a bladder, a kidney and a ureteral passageway connecting the bladder and the kidney. The ureteral stent includes a solid bladder portion free of a lumen positionable in the bladder, a tubular kidney portion positionable in the kidney and the ureteral passageway, and a tether connecting the bladder portion and the ureter portion to allow the bladder portion to float in the bladder and to allow a ureter orifice connecting the ureteral passageway to the bladder to move between a compressed state and an uncompressed state. By not having a lumen, the solid bladder portion allows the bladder to have a smaller diameter while maintaining a necessary uncoil force. The smaller diameter also allows the bladder portion to be inserted into a scope alongside a pusher tube, thereby avoiding loading the bladder portion onto a guidewire.

Abstract: An accessory device introduction system works in conjunction with an endoscope and enables more than one accessory device to be used at the same time. The system has a plurality of channels which only expand to accommodate said accessory device(s) when introduced. The system further includes an attachment assembly which connects securely to the endoscope by means of a compression friction fit between the endoscope and itself. The attachment assembly also provides at least one accessory port to be presented to an end user to enable the end user to pass an accessory device within said accessory port and channel. The system further includes a multi-channeled endoscope shaft sheath which is connected to the attachment assembly at one end and the distal end of the endoscope shaft at the other end, thereby covering an entire outer shaft diameter length. The shaft sheath has a plurality of channels which correspond to those of the attachment assembly.

Abstract: An intrathecal delivery system for a pharmaceutical includes a reservoir containing a volume of the pharmaceutical agent, and a pump configured to deliver a portion of the pharmaceutical agent contained in the reservoir. A controller is configured to receive biological cycle information pertaining to a biological cycle (e.g., cardiac cycle), and configured, based on the received biological cycle information, to control the pump to deliver the pharmaceutical agent into a patient's intrathecal space as a high-speed bolus at a time corresponding to a time determined based on Processing the biological cycle information. The high-speed bolus may be delivered at a rate of 10-100 ?L per second. The timing of such delivery corresponds to a time within the biological cycle when cerebrospinal fluid flow is optimal for intrathecal delivery of the pharmaceutical agent. Conditions for which treatment is enhanced by the intrathecal delivery system include refractory hypertension, spasticity and chronic pain management.