Abstract: The invention provides flow directed catheters and methods which are useful in introducing various fluids to a target site within a body lumen. In one exemplary embodiment, a flow directed catheter is provided which comprises a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one axial lumen. At least one jet is in fluid communication with the axial lumen. The jet is angled toward the proximal end of the catheter body so that a fluid which is flowed through the axial lumen exits the jet to distally propel the catheter body.

Abstract: Microchips are provided, which control both the rate and time of release of multiple chemical substances and which allow for the release of a wide variety of molecules in either a continuous or pulsatile manner. In all of the preferred embodiments, a material that is impermeable to the drugs or other molecules to be delivered and the surrounding fluids is used as the substrate. Reservoirs are etched into the substrate using either chemical (wet) etching or ion beam (dry) etching techniques well known in the field of microfabrication. Hundreds to thousands of reservoirs can be fabricated on a single microchip using these techniques. The molecules to be delivered are inserted into the reservoirs by injection or spin coating methods in their pure form or in a release system. Exemplary release systems include polymers and polymeric matrices, non-polymeric matrices, and other excipients or diluents. The physical properties of the release system control the rate of release of the molecules.

Abstract: An iontophoresis electrode that includes a reservoir for holding electrolytic solution, a pH buffer, the pH buffer immobilized within the reservoir and the pH buffer having a buffering capacity of at least about 0.5 milliequivalents of acid or base per gram of pH buffer, and an electrical connection in electrical communication with the reservoir.

Abstract: A corneal irrigation cannula is used in tectonic lamellar keratoplasty. The cannula is hand manipulatable and allows for entry into the interface of a corneal flap or cap and a corneal bed for the delivery for irrigating fluid under low flow through a plurality of irrigating ports thereby irrigating the interface by gently elevating the overlying cap or flap and washing residual debris from the corneal bed.

Abstract: A method for preventing the onset or advancement of osteoporosis or other metabolic bone disorders in a patient by iontophoretically administering to the patient an effective amount of a bisphosphonate which would be effective for preventing the onset or advancement of osteoporosis or other bone disorders and wherein the effective amount of bisphosphonate is delivered over a period of from about four (4) hours to about forty-eight (48) hours, at intervals of from about once a week to about twice a year and wherein the effective amount of bisphosphonate also contains an agent capable of chelating calcium.

Abstract: A phaco-emulsification needle is provided for use with a plastic or elastomeric sleeve, the needle having a mid-region portion defining a plurality of outwardly extending projections forming longitudinally-oriented grooves that provide adequate irrigant flow rates to the anterior chamber of the eye, even when the entry wound compresses the sleeve against the outer surface of the needle, thereby reducing the risk of collapse of the anterior chamber due to inadequate irrigant flow and reducing the risk of excessive heat transmission to the entry wound.

Abstract: A medication delivery straw which delivers medication held within the straw tube. When the patient drinks fluid through the straw, the medication is dissolved and ingested by the patient. A particle barrier at one end of the straw prevents viscous or powdered medicines, or crushed tablets, from falling out of the straw. The particle barrier has apertures which allow fluid to enter the straw during use. The fluid dissolves the medication in the straw while the patient is drinking. Optional features include disposable funnels (which may be preloaded with medicine) for filling the straw with the correct dosage of medication, funnels which are capable of attaching to pill crushers, removable caps for straws with premeasured doses of medication that prevent medicine loss during handling or storage, flexible necks for ease of use, and flexible straw walls to allow crushing medicine tablets within the straw. In the alternative, a medicine sack holds the medication much like a teabag holds tea.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery system including a patch, a controller and a magazine. The patch may be secured in a compartment formed in the magazine so that upon insertion of the controller along the magazine to fasten the controller to the patch, a dry drug contained in the patch is hydrated and the patch and controller can be removed from the magazine for attachment to the skin of a patient.

Abstract: A photodynamic therapy balloon catheter with microporous membrane is provided which has an elongated optical fiber, an inner tubular member, a porous balloon member surrounding the inner tubular member, and fluid material provided between the inner tubular member and the porous balloon member. The porous balloon member having a plurality of holes of a size to permit medication delivered through a lumen to pass outwardly through the holes. The balloon carries on an outer surface a substantially hydrophilic, tubular microporous membrane covering the holes, to break up streams of flowing medication. Light-reflective material is included in any one of a plurality of the inner member, fluid material, porous balloon member, and microporous membrane in any combination to provide a uniform light illumination for activating treatment fluids located on an elongated treatment site within a living body.

Abstract: An electroporation apparatus for introducing molecules into cells at a selected location within a cavity in the body of a patient includes an elongated catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and a guide wire extending from the proximal end to the distal end, an inflatable balloon carried by the distal end, the balloon having an inner inflatable bladder and an outer perforated bladder defining a chamber between the two bladders, a first electrode on an outer surface of the outer perforated bladder, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, a remote electrode, a lumen for delivering a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium carrying preselected molecules into the chamber to be infused into the body cavity at the predetermined location; and a source of power for applying a voltage pulse between selected pairs of the electrodes for transport of the molecules by iontophoresis and/or repeatedly generating electric fields of a predetermined amplitude and duration inducing the walls of a plurality

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug delivery system including a patch and a controller. The controller and patch include electronics which ensure proper hydration of the patch. If the controller determines that the patch is sufficiently hydrated, the controller applies current to the patch for delivery of the drug through the skin of the patient.

Abstract: A wound dressing that releases, via hydrolysis and in a controlled manner, acetic acid when subjected to body temperatures and moisture, and is made from a cellulose ester substrate with a partial solvent thereon.

Abstract: A transdermal therapeutic system which is composed of layers exhibits an electrically insulating backing layer (1) being impermeable to active substances, and two galvanic elements which are positioned in separation from each other. The skin-facing electrodes of the galvanic elements have layers thereon consisting of a liquid absorbing material becoming ionically conductive after liquid admission. The layer of at least one of the dermad electrodes comprises a pharmaceutical active substance.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for insufflating gas into a bodily cavity of a human or animal body. The apparatus includes a gas source, a measuring device provided with sensors for sensing the actual gas pressure and the actual gas flow, and a control unit to which the output signals of the sensors are applied. The control unit triggers a pressure regulator, which reduces and regulates the pressure of the gas source to an adjustable insufflation pressure (desired gas pressure), and a flow regulator, which regulates the gas flow to an adjustable value (desired gas flow). For measuring the actual gas pressure, the control unit triggers the flow regulator in such a manner that the gas flow is set at a value between 10 and 40% of the desired gas flow during pressure measurement.

Abstract: An aspiration and irrigation system of an ophthalmologic device for performing surgical operations on an eye of a living being, includes an irrigation unit for conducting a fluid under pressure to the eye via a first passageway, and an aspiration unit for simultaneous removal of fluid and/or tissue from the eye via a second passageway. The aspiration unit includes a two-stage pump system with a primary vacuum pump producing suction to effect a withdrawal of fluid and/or tissue from the eye through the second passageway and a secondary vacuum pump positioned downstream of the primary pump in a third passageway in communication with the second passageway, for boosting the suction pressure produced by the primary pump.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shut-off valve for a suction drainage system wherein flow of waste to a disposable container is stopped at a pre-determined volume which is less than the maximum capacity. A tubular sleeve is coaxially located around the shut-off valve. The shut-off below the maximum volume allows a safety margin for the waste container to be capped off without spilling or geysering.

Abstract: Guide catheter incorporating a braided or braidless construction having increased performance characteristics for catheterization procedures. The guide catheter may include a shaft to provide support to the guide catheter for positioning the guide catheter within the patient's vascular system, and for providing a stimulus to the guide catheter for shaping the guide catheter. The guide catheter may be formed of memory retention material responsive to the stimulus for selectively shaping the guide catheter during a catheter procedure.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for treating a tumor comprising the steps of selecting a target substance which has at least one component with an atomic or molecular resonance frequency or frequencies different from the atomic, molecular or cellular resonant frequencies of normal cells, locating or depositing the target substance within the tumor, and irradiating the target substance with electromagnetic wave energy at a frequency or frequencies corresponding to the atomic or molecular resonance of the component such that the component absorbs energy from the electromagnetic wave, resulting in the release of heat sufficient to destroy, terminate or slow the growth of the tumor without adversely affecting the viability of normal cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for enhancing the rate and efficacy of permeation of a drug into and through skin and into the circulatory system utilizing ultrasound.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for more accurate administration of a composition being infused into a body fluid having formed elements. The improved accuracy is due to a correction factor that corrects for the relative impermeability of the formed elements to the infused composition. In one embodiment, the infusion system is a cardioplegia system in which a controller receives information pertaining to the hematocrit and initial blood potassium concentration and adjusts blood flow rate and crystalloid (KCl) solution flow rate so as to obtain the desired resulting potassium concentration in the cardioplegia. The invention further includes an infusion system that comprises a controller which uses an equation that relates the correction factor to an index of formed elements in the body fluid, such as the hematocrit.