Abstract: An underpants-type disposable diaper wherein the end portions of elastic members are kept from being drawn in, and the bonding strength in side sealed portions is kept from deteriorating. The diaper has outer member defining front and back body sections, wherein side portions of the outer member in the front and back body sections are joined to form side sealed portions, which produce a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The front and/or back body sections, are provided with a tortuous elastic member extending with curvature from one to the other of the side sealed portions, and bonded thereto with adhesive. The amount of adhesive applied to a zone neighbouring the inner zone of each side sealed portion is larger than that applied to the outer zone of each side sealed portion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for deploying an anastomotic stent between portions of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract are disclosed. The anastomotic stents are configured to atraumatically engage the tissue walls and to permit the flow of fluid, partially digested food, and food. The stents can be deployed using endoscopic catheter devices, laparoscopic tools, and combinations of both endoscopic tools and laparoscopic tools. Examples of anastomoses include anastomoses between the stomach and a portion of the intestines such as the jejunum. Anastomoses can also be formed between two closed ends of the intestines, such as two closed ends of the colon formed during a colon resection procedure. Anastomoses can also be formed between a fundal pouch formed during a gastric bypass procedure and the jejunum. Laparoscopic tools are disclosed to deploy a stent by selectively removing a radial restraint on a self expanding stent with the restraint removed through the laparoscopic access points.

Abstract: A dynamic aspiration method including engaging a distal end of an aspiration catheter against an occlusion in a blood vessel, applying a vacuum through an aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter using a vacuum source coupled to a proximal end of the aspiration lumen by a connecting tube, whereby portions of the occlusion are drawn into the aspiration lumen, through the connecting tube and into a collection receptacle by the vacuum source, sensing flow through the connecting tube, and automatically generating pressure differentials when a clog or restricted flow is detected.

Abstract: A blood treatment device includes an extracorporeal blood circuit, a dialyzer and a dialysis fluid circuit. The extracorporeal blood circuit has an arterial portion, a venous portion, an air detector configured to monitor whether air is present in the venous portion, at least one blood pump configured to pump blood through the extracorporeal blood circuit, a venous hose clamp configured to selectively clamp or release the venous portion, a user interface, and a control unit. When the control unit receives information from the air detector that there is air in the venous portion, the control unit is configured to stop the blood pump, close the venous hose clamp, raise an alarm, and display on the user interface instructions for removing air in the venous portion and displaying status reports about the removal of air, and carry out automatic removal of air from the venous portion on a user-initiated basis.

Abstract: Interventional procedures on the carotid arteries are performed through a transcervical access while retrograde blood flow is established from the internal carotid artery to a venous or external location. A system for use in accessing and treating a carotid artery includes an arterial access device, a shunt fluidly connected to the arterial access device, and a flow control assembly coupled to the shunt and adapted to regulate blood flow through the shunt between at least a first blood flow state and at least a second blood flow state. The flow control assembly includes one or more components that interact with the blood flow through the shunt.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a topsheet with natural fibers and a semi-hydrophilic composition is provided. The semi-hydrophilic composition may have a wax ester and a polyglyceryl emulsifier in a ratio of between about 0.5:1 and 1.5:1. The topsheet may have a Contact Angle of between about 35° and about 100°. The topsheet may have a Fluid Strike-Through time of between about 0.5 seconds to about 18 seconds and a wicking height of between about 0 mm and about 10 mm.

Abstract: To prevent or suppress the occurrence of tearing of an elastic film between stretchable regions in an elastic sheet stretchable structure. An elastic sheet stretchable structure is provided, in which an elastic film is laminated between a first sheet layer having air permeability and a second sheet layer having air permeability, and the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer are bonded at a large number of sheet bonded portions arranged at intervals. At the boundary between a first stretchable region and a second stretchable region, a separation distance Px in an elastic limit elongation state between a bonded portion located on a side of the boundary of the first stretchable region in a stretchable direction and a bonded portion located on a side of the boundary of the second stretchable region in a stretchable direction is 10 mm or less.

Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus (28) that includes a shunt (26). The shunt includes a flared distal portion (40), a flared proximal portion (44), and an intermediate portion (42), disposed between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The apparatus further includes a constricting flexible longitudinal element (38) passing circumferentially along the intermediate portion of the shunt, configured to constrict the intermediate portion of the shunt, and one or more proximal-portion-collapsing flexible longitudinal elements (36) configured to collapse the proximal portion of the shunt. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides, in various embodiments, devices and methods relating to ex-vivo organ care. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to aortic cannulas for use in perfusion systems to return perfusate to the heart or delivering perfusate from the heart while the organ is sustained ex vivo at physiologic or near-physiologic conditions.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating intraocular pressure are disclosed. The devices include shunts for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the uveoscleral outflow pathway, including the supraciliary space and the suprachoroidal space. The shunts are preferably implanted by ab interno procedures.

Abstract: Interatrial shunts are described herein that are designed to benefit both the left side of the heart and the right side of the heart. The interatrial shunt is anchored in the atrial septum to permit blood to flow between atrial heart chambers across the atrial septum. In accordance with some aspects, the lumen of the shunt has an effective orifice area selected to permit blood flow across the atrial septum to unload the patient's left ventricle with beneficial effects on the patient's right ventricle. The shunts are structured to be suitably anchored at the atrial septum for long-term implantation. Further, the shunts preferably have insignificant late lumen loss. The interatrial shunts are expected to treat pathologies such as heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract: A system for applying a lavage fluid to a surface, the system having a body configured to house a lavage fluid, an application member in fluid communication with the body, the application member being configured to dispense the lavage fluid, and a warming component configured to communicate with the body so as to transfer energy from the warming component to the body sufficient to warm the lavage fluid housed in the body.

Abstract: A cerebral spinal fluid shunt plug includes a shunt plug housing having a recess formed therein and a shunt valve shaped and dimensioned for positioning within the recess of the shunt plug housing.

Abstract: Provided are systems, dressings, and methods suitable for treating a tissue site, such as an incision or linear wound, for example. The systems, dressings, and methods relate to a dressing assembly that may include a dressing bolster, a comfort layer, and a polymeric enhancement layer. The dressing bolster may include foam and may have a first side and a second side. A first side of the comfort layer may be coupled to the second side of the dressing bolster, and a first side of the polymeric enhancement layer may be coupled to the second side of the comfort layer. An opposing second side of the polymeric enhancement layer may be configured to directly contact the tissue site. Other systems, dressings, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are adapted for treating the carotid artery. The systems include interventional catheters and blood vessel access devices that are adapted for transcervical insertion into the carotid artery. Embodiments of the systems and methods can be used in combination with embolic protection systems including blood flow reversal mechanisms, arterial filters, and arterial occlusion devices.

Abstract: This application discloses methods and tools for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia and the use of retinal nerve fiber layer thinning as a biomarker for the treatment.

Abstract: A monitoring system performs a method for detecting a disruption of a fluid connection between a first fluid containing system and a second fluid containing system. The monitoring system generates a monitoring signal which is representative of a fluid pressure in respect of the first fluid containing system and which is responsive to the disruption of the fluid connection, and a tracking signal which corresponds to and is more smoothed over time than the monitoring signal. The monitoring system further sets a detection range in a given relation to the tracking signal so that the detection range follows changes in the tracking signal, and detects a condition indicative of the disruption by comparing a current pressure value of the monitoring signal to the detection range. The monitoring system may be connected to or part of an apparatus for blood treatment and operable to detect a disconnection of an extracorporeal blood circuit from a vascular system of a patient, e.g.

Abstract: A liquid-collection canister includes a liquid collection chamber defined by at least one wall and a first and second gas-communication pathway formed within the at least one wall. A first aperture is positioned between the first gas-communication pathway and the liquid collection chamber to allow gaseous communication between the liquid collection chamber and the first gas-communication pathway. A second aperture is positioned between the second gas-communication pathway and the liquid collection chamber to allow gaseous communication between the liquid collection chamber and the second gas-communication pathway. A first and a second liquid-air separator are positioned over the first aperture and the second aperture, respectively, to substantially prevent liquid passing through the first and second apertures.

Abstract: An implantable infusate spread promoting system configured to enable improved dispersion of delivered infusate. The system including an implantable device configured to enable infusate delivery within a body of a patient, and an implantable manually actuatable flushing pump configured to remove and re-inject a quantity of fluid with each actuation to promote improved dispersion of the delivered infusate.

Abstract: New and useful systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing negative-pressure therapy with instillation of topical treatment solutions are described. An apparatus may comprise an exudate container, a solution source, and a pneumatically-actuated instillation regulator. The instillation regulator may be coupled to the exudate container and to the solution source, and negative pressure from a negative-pressure source can actuate the instillation regulator. In some embodiments, a negative-pressure source may be configured for a negative-pressure interval and a venting interval, and the instillation regulator can be configured to draw instillation solution from the solution source during a negative-pressure interval and to instill the solution to a dressing during a venting interval.