Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention advantageously leverage the expansion, dilation or by-pass of the Schlemm's canal using adjustable reversible self-expanding eye stents (SES) or eye tension rings (ETRs) of desired sizes to control and improve aqueous flow throughout the range of the uveolymphatic canal. As such, some embodiments include tension ring(s) or cylinders that sits either inside or outside the Schlemm's canal wall and is at least partially within the canal and/or is partially or fully anchored, attached, adhered, or otherwise held in place with respect to the wall and/or elsewhere in the canal. The partial or complete expansion of the canal can be pre-configured based on pre-operative metrology of the Schlemm's canal to a customized and adjustable fit across the various zones within the uveolymphatic canal and based on the patient specific and evolving needs.

Abstract: The present invention relates a puncture needle includes: a sheath having a longitudinal axis; a needle tube that is arranged inside the sheath to be moved along the longitudinal axis and that has a needle tip; and a protective tube that is arranged inside the needle tube to be moved along the longitudinal axis and that has a lumen into which a guide wire is inserted. The needle tube has a step portion formed at a position midway along the needle tube. The protective tube has a protrusion, which protrudes radially outward, on an outer peripheral surface thereof at a position midway nearer a proximal end side of the protective tube than the step portion is. A distal end of the protective tube is positioned at a position to protrude from the distal end of the needle tube when the protrusion abuts the step portion.

Abstract: A device for the continuous monitoring of blood characteristic quantities in an external cardiovascular supporting circuit, said circuit including a venous line which conveys blood from the patient to an oxygenator, and along which at least one pump is arranged, and an arterial line which returns blood from the oxygenator to the patient, where said oxygenator comprises at least one blood inlet port connected to said venous line and at least one blood outlet port connected to said arterial line, at least one inlet channel and at least one outlet channel of a work gas intended to supply oxygen to the blood and/or to remove carbon dioxide from the same.

Abstract: A system for preparing a cancer vaccine (and optionally purifying the blood) has a blood filtration system, controlled by a processing unit, for filtering exogenous blood plasma to isolate tumor cells, tumor stem cells and tumor breakdown products. The blood filtration system filter includes multiple layers having differently sized apertures to retain differently sized materials (from among (i) tumor cells of different sizes, (ii) tumor stem cells and (iii) tumor DNA or other breakdown products. A device directs electromagnetic radiation at the isolated tumor cells, tumor stem cells and tumor DNA (or other breakdown products). The electromagnetic radiation may cause at least one of the (i) isolated tumor cells, (ii) isolated tumor stem cells, (iii) isolated tumor protein or breakdown products of the cells such as DNA to have a coagulated outer layer or a coagulated outer surface. The electromagnetic radiation may have a UV wavelength. A conical coil improves blood flow rate uniformity.

Abstract: A reconstitution device comprising a cartridge (212) containing a first substance, the cartridge having a plunger (238) at one end and a piercable septum (222) at a second end, a vial (218) containing a second substance, the vial having a piercable septum (224), a housing (210), a cartridge needle hub (226), the cartridge needle hub (226) having a needle (228) protruding therefrom, a vial needle hub (229), the vial needle hub having a needle (222) protruding therefrom, the vial needle hub (229) and the cartridge needle hub (226) being releasably securable together, cartridge latches (240) holding the cartridge needle hub (226) within the housing, vial needle hub latches (231) extending to engage the housing, and a plunger rod (232), the plunger rod having an inner portion (234) engageable with the plunger (238) of the cartridge, the plunger rod (232) having an outer portion (236) which is adapted to engage the vial needle hub latches (240) to release the vial needle hub (229) from engagement with the cartridg

Abstract: An ocular implant having an inlet portion and a Schlemm's canal portion distal to the inlet portion, the inlet portion being disposed at a proximal end of the implant and sized and configured to be placed within an anterior chamber of a human eye, the Schlemm's canal portion being arranged and configured to be disposed within Schlemm's canal of the eye when the inlet portion is disposed in the anterior chamber.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a self-sealing cannula and methods of its use. The self-sealing cannula can be minimally invasively placed into the heart for drawing and/or returning blood with a self-sealing function at the interface of the blood access site. The disclosed cannula can be implemented as a single lumen cannula or a double lumen cannula, which can be used with ventricular assist devices for heart support or pump-oxygenators for ECMO and respiratory support. Through a self-sealing mechanism fixed on the ventricular wall or atrial wall, a cannula body is attached to the self-sealing fixture and blood is drawn into the lumen via an external pump and returned to the circulation system through a separate cannula. In the case of the double lumen cannula embodiment, the blood will be drawn into the drainage lumen of the double lumen cannula and returned through an infusion lumen at the desired location.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial comprises a piercing member and a bag. The bag can be contained within the piercing member such that the bag is introduced to the vial when the vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In some embodiments, the bag expands within the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In other embodiments, a vial comprises a bag for regulating pressure within the vial as liquid is removed therefrom. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands within the vial, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts within the vial.

Abstract: Provided herein is a gas exchange composite membrane and methods of making the same. The gas exchange composite membrane may find use in a method of exchanging gas with blood in a subject in need of blood oxygenation support, which method is also disclosed. Also provided herein are systems and kits that find use in performing the methods of exchanging gas with blood.

Abstract: An illustrative method for reducing intraocular pressure in a patient may comprise deploying an ocular implant adapted to reside at least partially in a portion of Schlemm's canal of an eye and administering a therapeutic agent comprising a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor to the patient. The ocular implant may be configured to lower the intraocular pressure from an initial to a second pressure within a first range and the therapeutic agent may lower an intraocular pressure to a third pressure within a second range, the third pressure lower than the second pressure.

Abstract: A dialysis sheath is used with a catheter that cleans clots from a synthetic blood vessel or fistula. The dialysis sheath comprises a main hollow body and a stop mechanism. The main body has a lower portion for insertion into the synthetic blood vessel or fistula. The stop mechanism is movable between (i) a first position in which the stop mechanism is adjacent to or within a surface of the main hollow body and (ii) a second position in which the stop mechanism radially protrudes from the main hollow body. The stop mechanism is configured to engage an inner surface of the synthetic blood vessel or fistula to maintain the lower portion of the dialysis sheath within the synthetic blood vessel or fistula when the dialysis sheath is moved to a different position. The stop mechanism can be fluid-actuated and include a balloon-like structure.

Abstract: A system for preparation of an implant and ab interno insertion of the implant into an eye including a handle having one or more actuators and an elongated shaft having an outer sheath and an elongate member positioned within a lumen of the tubular outer sheath. The system includes a recess sized for holding a patch of material fixed relative to the handle and a cutting member movable relative to the handle and to the recess. The cutting member cuts the patch of material into an implant as the cutting member moves towards a cutting configuration. The implant, once cut, is axially aligned with the lumen of the tubular outer sheath. The inner elongate member is movable relative to the tubular outer sheath to advance the implant into a deployment position in the lumen of the tubular outer sheath for delivery into the eye. Related devices and methods are provided.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for use in accessing a vasculature of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter assembly includes a catheter body that includes a flattened oval outer surface and defines first and second lumens. The catheter body defines a distal tip region that includes a venous lateral opening that is in fluid communication with the first lumen and includes a distal-facing portion. The distal tip region further includes an arterial lateral opening that is in fluid communication with the second lumen, includes a distal-facing portion, and is substantially un-staggered with respect to the venous lateral opening. A distal end opening is in fluid communication with a power injectable third lumen. In another embodiment, the first and second lumens each generally include a reniform cross-sectional shape. In yet another embodiment, a dual-lumen catheter includes first and second lumens that each define a modified ellipse cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A liquid transfer device is described. The device comprises a connector body comprising a projection portion defining a tab and an IV port arranged at a first end of the connector body, the IV port comprising an elongate connecting member projecting therefrom and defining a cutout. The projection portion is configured to be received by the elongate connecting member, and the tab is configured to mate with the cutout so as to rotationally fix the IV port relative to the connector body.

Abstract: An autotransfusion system for separating fluid constituents includes a centrifuge housing and a rotatable driving member mounted within the centrifuge housing. The rotatable driving member is configured to receive therein and rotationally engage any one of a plurality of centrifuge bowls with different heights. In some embodiments, the centrifuge bowl is integrated with a fluid line organizer to provide for easy and efficient organization of a plurality of different fluid lines incorporated into the autotransfusion system. In some embodiments, the centrifuge bowl and fluid line organizer are easily and efficiently coupled to the centrifuge housing for autotransfusion processing. After autotransfusion processing, the centrifuge bowl and fluid line organizer are easily and efficiently decoupled from the centrifuge housing and discarded.

Abstract: Fluid transfer couplings or connectors including dual function press-in bottle adaptors supporting different syringe types, connectors having a universal port for supporting different syringe types, transfer couplings compatible for use with different syringe types. Other caps and closures incorporating couplings for fluid transfer with different syringe types is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel is provided. The system includes a cannula designed for maneuvering within a blood vessel to a site of interest and applying a suction force, such that the undesirable material can be captured and removed along the cannula away from the site. The system also may include a catheter having a balloon at its distal end. The balloon may be designed to be positioned adjacent to the undesirable material such that the undesirable material is situated between the balloon and the cannula. The catheter may also be designed to subsequently impart a force onto the undesirable material for removal of the undesirable material. A method for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel is also provided.

Abstract: A device and system for flushing a shunt catheter utilizes the available cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flush a blocked catheter. The CSF is pressurized to a predetermined amount and then allowed to suddenly, rapidly and forcefully purge any occlusions. The rapid release of CSF produces flow jets from the catheter pores into the ventricle. This impulse, or “cough”, will push and divert choroid plexus and/or other blockages away from the pores. The device and system may then be allowed to refill at a slow rate, thus reducing the possibility of rapid suction of fluid back into the system and the attendant possibility of drawing the choroid plexus back into the pores. The catheter at the proximal end may also include back-up pores that can be opened to restart flow from the ventricle should the primary pores remain blocked after a flushing attempt.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating and venting pathogen cells in blood. A cassette has a plurality of thin holding chambers that are filled with blood drawn from a patient. A light source illuminates each of the holding chambers and passes light to an underlying sensor array such that the cells in the blood produce shadow images of the cells in the sensor array. A processor performs pattern recognition to identify and locate the pathogen cells by use of an image library. After the pathogen cells are located, a pump is operated to move the identified cells to a processing zone. When each identified cell reaches the processing zone, a control voltage is generated to open a valve to vent the identified pathogen cells. The pump refills the cassette holding chambers, returns the processed blood to the patient, and the procedure is repeated for a treatment time period.

Abstract: Devices, methods and kits are described for reducing intraocular pressure. The devices include a support that is implantable within Schlemm's canal and maintains the patency of the canal without substantially interfering with transmural fluid flow across the canal. The devices utilize the natural drainage process of the eye and can be implanted with minimal trauma to the eye. Kits include a support and an introducer for implanting the support within Schlemm's canal. Methods include implanting a support within Schlemm's canal, wherein the support is capable of maintaining the patency of the canal without substantial interference with transmural fluid flow across the canal.