Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter, in particular an endovascular catheter, having an applicator device for liquid active substances for applying same to an active substance storage zone mounted on the catheter.

Abstract: A combined occlusion/infusion catheter is placed in the aorta of a cardiac arrest patient to occlude the aorta at a location just above the renal arteries/celiac trunk while rapidly infusing a liter or more of cold saline into the aorta below the occlusion. This flushes white cells from the bowel (now placed into a state of hypothermic stasis) induces hypothermia in the whole body, with perfusion pressure of the cold fluid maximized to the brain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for treating or preventing or suppressing a disease or condition in a non-human animal. The method comprises the steps of providing a single delivery device containing two components for sequential delivery from the delivery device. A first component is delivered from the single delivery device into a teat canal of a non-human animal and subsequently the second component is delivered from the single delivery device into the teat canal. The components are delivered without substantial mixing of the components.

Abstract: An infusion system, which may be a closed loop, or “semi-closed-loop”, infusion system, uses state variable feedback to control the rate at which fluid is infused into a user's body. The closed loop system includes a sensor system, a controller, and a delivery system. The “semi-closed-loop” system further includes prompts that provide indications to the user prior to fluid delivery. The sensor system includes a sensor for monitoring a condition of the user and produces a sensor signal which is representative of the user's condition. The delivery system infuses a fluid into the user at a rate dictated by the commands from the controller. The system may use three state variables, e.g., subcutaneous insulin concentration, plasma insulin concentration, and insulin effect, and corresponding gains, to calculate an additional amount of fluid to be infused with a bolus and to be removed from the basal delivery of the fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled reaction device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to various embodiments, a reaction device is placed in an environment in order to perform a chemical reaction in an environment. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. In selected embodiments, an acoustic control signal may be used.

Abstract: An electrokinetic delivery system for personal use in self-administration of a medicament to a treatment site on an individual includes a device shaped to conform with the shape of a portion of an individual's finger from a tip thereof to a location past the first finger joint. A self-contained power source is carried by the device and a first electrode is carried by the device adjacent a distal end portion thereof and the tip of the individual's finger. The first electrode is in electrical contact with the power source. A second electrode is carried by the device for contact with the individual's finger. The second electrode is in electrical contact with the power source. Upon application of the first electrode over a treatment site with the medicament disposed between the first electrode and the treatment site and completion of an electrical circuit through the individual's body and said electrode, the device applies current for electrokinetically driving the medicament into the treatment site.

Abstract: A needleless injector has a syringe body having an opening at one end, a piston housed within the syringe body for urging a liquid within the syringe body through the opening and a ram for driving the piston. A shock absorbing component is provided for reducing an initial transfer of force from the ram to the piston. The initial rate of pressure increase on the liquid is reduced, thereby controlling the rate of collapse of gas bubbles in the liquid.

Abstract: Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: An active heating system for an underwater diver uses material particles that can generate heat in an exothermic reaction in the presence of oxygen. The material particles are positioned at selected region(s) within an underwater diver's attire. A source of oxygen gas is coupled to the selected region(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: A safety device for shielding the sharp tip of a medical needle has a needle mount which either directly supports a medical needle, or indirectly supports the needle for instance where the needle is provided as a part of a syringe. A sleeve is carried directly or indirectly on the needle mount and is slidably movable to a needle shielding position where the sleeve surrounds the needle sharp tip. A spring including forwardly projecting spring blades when sufficiently loaded acts on an internal conical surface of the sleeve to drive the sleeve to its shielding position and a locking mechanism then locks the sleeve in that position. A camming mechanism serves to load the spring blades in the course of the use of the safety device such that thereafter the interaction of the blades with the conical surface urges the sleeve to its shielding position, the camming mechanism being activated by movement of the sleeve to expose the needle for use.

Abstract: A method for delivering a substance to an infected nail of an individual is described. The method includes the step of applying a device to at least one infected nail of an individual, where the device includes at least one active electrode and at least one counter electrode, where the at least one counter electrode is in contact with the individual, and where the device is connected to at least one power source. The method also includes the steps of disposing a medicament between the at least one active electrode and the at least one infected nail, applying a salt solution to the at least one infected nail, and providing an electrical current from the power source to the at least one active electrode to facilitate delivery of the medicament into the region of the at least one infected nail.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the invention relate to an applicator, and methods of use thereof, which can house multiple component formulations in separate material receptacles, which can then be easily reconstituted at time of use without any assembly by the user. A device of the invention can be used for, but is not limited to, applying hydrogel formulations to dura mater, abdominal tissue in hernia repair, tissues near the spine, lung tissue, intestinal tissue, and any of the internal tissues. A device of the invention can be configured to apply a spray or a stream of liquid formulation onto a surface to be treated. A device of the invention can be configured to deliver the formulation through an endoscope or laparoscope.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes: (i) a fluid cassette including diaphragm operated first and second pump chambers; (ii) a first pressure sensor operable with the first pump chamber; (iii) a second pressure sensor operable with the second pump chamber; and (iv) a to-patient port of the cassette in fluid communication with the first and second pump chambers, wherein the first pressure sensor is located between the first pump chamber and the to-patient port and the second pressure sensor is located between the second pump chamber and the to-patient port.

Abstract: A switch operated therapeutic agent delivery device is described. The device comprises two parts, which are assembled by a user prior to use. A first part contains a power supply and circuitry for the device; and a second part comprises electrodes and reservoirs containing the therapeutic agent to be delivered. The action of combining the two parts of the device causes the two parts to be irreversibly coupled together, completes an electrical connection between the two parts, and closes one or more switches, thereby connecting a power source, such as a battery, into the device's circuitry, thereby powering the device on so that it is ready for use. The device can then be attached to a patient, who can operate the device by pressing a button in a proper sequence.

Abstract: A method for transmitting torque and variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes the steps of providing a hollow body, transmitting torque along the hollow body with a corrugated tube, applying suction to create a vacuum in the hollow body for placing the hollow body in a relatively stiff condition, relieving the vacuum for placing the hollow body in a relatively flexible condition, maintaining the hollow body in the relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions with tendons disposed within the hollow body, and individually adjusting at least some of the tendons in length for steering a distal end of the hollow body.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of an intravascular therapeutic device, includes an elongated, flexible pusher member and a therapeutic device connected to a severable portion of a first connector member mounted to the flexible pusher member with an elongated second connector member connected to the therapeutic device. The first connector member or second connector member may be capable of being broken by heat, and a heat source is provided for heating and breaking the first connector member or the second connector member to release the therapeutic device.

Abstract: A wearable iontophoresis device for the prolonged delivery of a positively charged pharmaceutical species from a salt formulation is disclosed that includes a readily oxidizable metal-based sacrificial anode in the form of a generally planar layer having a connecting area that has a width that is sufficient to insure complete consumption of the oxidizable metal wherein the anode is configured to have a minimum operating life of at least 6 hours under skin-safe conditions, and a drug delivery gel pad in electrical contact with said anode for accommodating a gel containing a positively charged pharmaceutical species in salt form formulated for transdermal delivery.

Abstract: An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe having a coaxial feedline and cooling chamber is disclosed. The disclosed probe includes a dipole antenna arrangement having a radiating section, a distal tip coupled to a distal end of the radiating section, and a ring-like balun short) or choke, which may control a radiation pattern of the probe. A conductive tube disposed coaxially around the balun short includes at least one fluid conduit which provides coolant, such as dionized water, to a cooling chamber defined within the probe. A radiofrequency transparent catheter forms an outer surface of the probe and may include a lubricious coating.