Abstract: Interventional catheter-based systems and methods are described herein for use in generating an initial pathway through vascular occlusions. The catheter systems generally include two elements. A first element is a Blunt Dissection Catheter including a manually actuated assembly located at the distal tip of the Blunt Dissection Catheter that performs blunt dissection in the vascular occlusion to produce a dissection track, or small pathway through the occlusion. The second element is a Sheath Catheter that serves as a conduit within which the Blunt Dissection Catheter is freely advanced, retracted and rotated. The first and second elements are used in some combination to cross vascular occlusions in both the coronary and peripheral vasculature.

Abstract: To identify an alternative swelling medium with a hydrophilic polymer, we have observed that a swelling medium containing only 6% PEG 2000 and 0.9% NaCl failed to protect a hydrophilic coating during electron beam sterilization and subsequent storage at ambient and higher temperatures in an accelerated storage stability test. An unacceptably low dry-out time, below the specified 5 minutes, was obtained. However, when the biological buffer sodium citrate was added to a swelling medium containing PEG 2000, the performance of the stored catheters was as good as or better than the performance of catheters stored with the conventional swelling medium.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: The intervertebral disc is avascular. Nutrients and waste are diffused through adjacent vertebral bodies into the disc. As we age, calcified layers form between the disc and vertebral bodies, blocking diffusion of nutrients, oxygen and pH buffer in blood. Under anaerobic conditions, lactic acid is produced, irritating nerve endings and causing nonspecific pain. In addition, the disc begins to starve and flatten. The weight shifts abnormally from disc to the facet joints causing strain and back pain. Lactic acid inhibitor inhibits production of lactic acid from pyruvate within the disc to reduce or alleviate back pain.

Abstract: A hypodermic drug delivery apparatus for delivering a pressurized medication fluid generally incorporates a reservoir containing at least one deliverable fluid, a reservoir pressurizing device, a rupturing member, a fluid administration device for communicating with the reservoir via a fluid passageway, and a rupture control mechanism for preventing rupture of a wall portion of the reservoir below a threshold pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is an IV line clasp that has a contoured recessed channel provided in a head that is designed to receive and hold the IV equipment securely and has adjustable cotton straps attached on either side of the head that secure together on their ends via hook and loop fasteners to hold the IV in place on the patient's body without the use of tape.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: An injection device comprises a syringe extendible against a spring bias from a retracted position in a housing to a projecting injecting position. A spring biased plunger has collapsible elbows which, when the plunger is released, initially engage the end of the syringe to drive it to the projecting position, whereupon arresting of the syringe movement causes the elbows to collapse inside the syringe to allow the plunger to engage and drive the bung.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for treating one or more conditions or symptoms associated with a tonsil procedure. In some variations, a drug-releasing device may be at least partially delivered to one or more tonsillar tissues before, during, or after a tonsil procedure. In some variations, the drug-releasing device may be configured to be biodegradable. In other variations, the drug-releasing device may comprise one or more hemostatic materials or one or more adhesives. The drug-releasing device may be configured to release one or more drugs or agents, such as, for example, one or more analgesics, local anesthetics, vasoconstrictors, antibiotics, combinations thereof and the like.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: A skin retention device 10 for a medical jet-injection unit 20 having a contact face provided with adhesive 12 in the area surrounding and close to the injection opening(s) 11 of the nozzle 21 which ensures good contact between the nozzle 21 and the skin 30 of a subject in the area chosen for an injection. The injection force can be lowered dramatically. In case of two-stage jet-injections, the initial injection force can be lowered because the skin retention close to the injection point significantly reduces the energy consuming elastic expansion of the skin 30 in the injection area, and the second injection force can be lowered because of the high degree of fixed positioning of the injection opening of the nozzle 21 relative to the injection channel in the skin 30 made during the initial injection stage.

Abstract: The present invention may provide devices suitable for insertion into a body passage. The devices may include a conduit and a distal head region located at the distal end of said conduit. A plurality of apertures on the surface of said head region and conduit may be used to direct a liquid spray outwards from said device. The apertures may be designed and spatially arranged such that when the device is inserted into a body passage, the liquid spray emitted from said apertures may be capable of both reducing the frictional contact between the device and the walls of said passage and of cleansing said passage of undesired solid and other particulate matter.

Abstract: A skin treatment apparatus that includes, a disposable electrode carrier with a plurality of voltage-applying dome-shaped elements protruding from the surface of the electrode carrier. Further, the protruding elements are spaced apart in a pattern. The apparatus operates to apply a voltage to at least some of the protruding elements. The apparatus applies a voltage to the protruding elements with a magnitude that is sufficient to result in an electrical break down of the skin and thereby cause electric current enabling the desired treatment.

Abstract: A syringe including a barrel for containing a fluid, a needle associated with the barrel and in fluid communication therewith, a first plunger adapted to be contained at least partially within the barrel and movable relative thereto, a second plunger located at least partially externally to the barrel and movable relative thereto wherein the first plunger is releasably engaged with the second plunger, and wherein depression of the second plunger moves the first plunger to expel fluid contained within the barrel, and further depression of the second plunger frees the first plunger for movement relative to the second plunger from a use condition to a storage condition in which the needle is wholly contained within the barrel.

Abstract: An injection device for injecting a dose of drug, e.g. insulin for diabetes treatment, in which energy is stored in a spring member during dose setting. The stored energy is released and used for driving an injection mechanism during injection of a previously set dose. The injection device further comprises means for electronically detecting the amount of a set dose and/or means for electronically detecting the amount of an injected dose. The electronic detecting means allows storage and/or logging of data relating to injections performed using the injection device.

Abstract: An enteral connector assembly and system (700) communicates fluid between a bag B? or a bottle B? and an enteral feeding set. The system (700) includes an end cap (705) that communicates enteral fluid across a barrier (715) having a specially configured barrier keyway (720) formed with a barrier port (725). The barrier (715) establishes an interstice (165) that when combined with the spike barrier (715) prevents introduction of and fluid communication with legal intravenous spikes (LS) and other incompatible connectors, while enabling connection to and fluid communication with compatible components such as an interconnect (740) having multiple tines (745) that include specially shaped tips (750) that extend across the interstice (165) to pierce a seal, septum, and/or sealing membrane and form a fluid pathway.

Abstract: A transluminal device may include an elongate section extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the device. The elongate section may be configured to be inserted into a body cavity. The device may include a balloon within the elongate section between the proximal end and the distal end.

Abstract: A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.

Abstract: A post-occlusion chamber collapse canceling system for a surgical apparatus that detects the breaking of occlusions by tissue fragments in the distal end of the aspiration path and produces a response comprising a transitory blockage of the distal end the aspiration path to terminate the chamber collapse and a simultaneous transitory venting of the aspiration line to relieve the vacuum, in a way that post-occlusion chamber collapses are cancelled.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to eluting coils having a relaxed coiled state and a straightened state that may be deployed at a fixed location within a patient's body and may accurately dispense and distribute fluids and or dissolvable substances at site specific locations of the body. Some embodiments of eluting elements are configured to be subsequently retrieved from a delivery site.