Abstract: There are many medical situations that require removal of fluid from a patient. There are many ways to remove the fluid but many of these situations have not been solved. Herein, inventions are disclosed that generate osmotic pressure that can be used to remove these fluids very effectively, a technique which requires no harsh suction or pumping. One embodiment involves implanting a reservoir that has a semipermeable membrane sidewall. The reservoir contains trapped osmotic solutes that can not pass out through the membrane. But fluid from the patient can flow in. The osmotic pressure from the trapped solutes in the reservoir draws fluid from the patient across the semipermeable membrane and into the device. In some versions, the membrane can be changed as desired during the lifetime of the device by pulling the membrane out through the implanted device and putting a new one back in.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.