Abstract: Articulation devices, systems, methods for articulation, and methods for fabricating articulation structures make use of balloon arrays, with inflation of the balloons locally altering articulation. Inflation fluid may be directed toward the balloons from an inflation fluid source via a series of channels, the balloons and channels included in a helical multi-balloon assembly. The balloons may be supported by encasing the helical balloon assembly in a polymer matrix, such as by winding the balloon assembly onto a mandrel and dip-coating some or all of the assembly in an elastomer such as a silicone, a urethane, or the like. The balloons may be supported by one or more spring, with loops of the spring(s) optionally being inward of the balloons, outward of the balloons, or interspersed between the balloons, and/or a mesh tube, braid, or other compliant materials may be included.

Abstract: A guidewire retention assembly is disclosed. The assembly may include a body member extending between a first end and a second end and defining a retention lumen, a connector defining a connector lumen, a vent, and a continuous outside surface, the vent comprising an opening extending radially from the connector lumen, and the connector releasably coupleable to the first end of the body member and the second end of the body member, such that the connector releasably couples the first end of the body member to the second end of the body member.

Abstract: In one implementation, an insulin delivery system using an on-body network includes an insulin delivery device that is adapted to administer dosages of insulin to a patient; a controller that is adapted to control operation of the insulin delivery device, to establish a first network connection in which the controller acts in a central role, and to establish a second network connection in which the controller acts in a peripheral role; one or more peripheral devices that are adapted to generate patient data related to blood glucose levels and to transmit the patient data wirelessly over the first network connection, the peripheral devices acting in a peripheral role over the first network connection; and a mobile application installed on a mobile computing device that is programmed to communicate with the controller over the second network connection, the mobile application communicating in a central role over the second network connection.

Abstract: A syringe exostructure includes a main body which removably receives a syringe having a syringe barrel and a syringe plunger. A drive plunger is reciprocatably mounted on the main body, and a plunger bar is slidably received in an axial channel on the drive plunger. The plunger bar is configured to removably couple to the syringe plunger when the syringe is introduced into the main body. A drive pawl assembly is fixed to an upper surface of the drive plunger and transfers forward motion of the drive plunger to the plunger bar as the drive plunger is advanced and disengages from the plunger bar when the drive plunger is retracted. A locking pawl assembly is fixed to the main body and extends through a slot formed in the bottom of the axial channel in the drive plunger. The locking pawl engages the plunger bar and allows the plunger bar to be advanced by the drive plunger as the drive plunger is advanced but prevents the plunger bar from being retracted by the drive plunger as the drive plunger is retracted.

Abstract: A balloon catheter and balloon system particularly useful with drug-coated balloons is described. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter system includes various features designed to address problems with drug rubbing off due to contract friction during delivery of the balloon—including by utilizing a protective sleeve to shield the drug-coated balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter system includes an inner high-pressure balloon and an outer drug-coated balloon to mitigate the time associated with performing vessel dilation.

Abstract: A method for detecting the need for providing assistance to an individual suspected of overdosing on an opiate is provided. The method includes using a wearable device for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more physiological parameters of the individual. If the level of one of the one or more physiological parameters exceeds a threshold level specific to that parameter, an alarm is triggered. If the alarm is not aborted, an alert is transmitted to one or more emergency contacts conveying that the individual has overdosed. The method optionally provides for injection of an opioid receptor antagonist into the individual to reverse the effects of the overdose. Also provided is a device for implementing these methods.

Abstract: A system for mixing drug products and injecting includes a syringe body, proximal and distal stopper members disposed in the syringe body, a plunger member, and a needle hub assembly coupled to the distal needle interface of the syringe body. The proximal and distal stopper members form a proximal drug chamber between there between and a distal drug chamber between the distal stopper member and a distal end of the syringe body. The plunger member includes a needle retention feature, an energy-storage member, and an energy-storage member latching member all disposed in disposed in a plunger interior. First and second sizes of the respective proximal and distal drug chambers can be modified by movement of the proximal and distal stopper members relative to the syringe body. The needle is at least partially retractable into plunger interior upon manipulation of the plunger member relative to the syringe body.

Abstract: A user-powered medicament injector including a reusable, user-powered automatic injection assembly including a user energizable medicament injection subassembly and a medicament module removably insertable into the reusable, user-powered automatic injection assembly and including a module housing adapted to receive a syringe having a barrel, a needle engaged to said barrel, and a removable needle cap covering the needle; a needle shield configured to be moveable with respect to the module housing and a needle cap remover associated with the needle shield. The medicament module is configured for energizing the user energizable medicament injection subassembly by insertion of the medicament module into the reusable, user powered automatic injection assembly.

Abstract: In example methods and systems described, insulin therapy for a patient can be determined. At least one of a short-acting subcutaneous insulin dosage recommendation, a correction subcutaneous insulin dosage recommendation, an intravenous insulin dosage recommendation, a recommended amount of carbohydrates to be administered to the patient, or combinations thereof, can be determined. In addition, information indicating a confirmation of a nutrition intake for the patient, and a long-acting insulin-on-board for the patient can be received, and based on this information, a required long-acting subcutaneous or intravenous insulin dosage for the patient can be determined. The short-acting subcutaneous or intravenous insulin dosage recommendation can be adjusted based, at least in part, on a difference between the long-acting insulin-on-board and the required long-acting subcutaneous or intravenous insulin dosage.

Abstract: Surgical assemblies for ocular surgery are provided. Such assemblies include direct measuring devices of intraocular pressure, surgical accessories utilisable in conjunction with a surgical instrument suitable for performing eye surgery, such surgical accessories being insertable in an ocular cavity through an accessory ocular incision. Direct measuring devices of intraocular pressure may be coupled to the surgical accessories so as to be insertable in the ocular cavity along with said surgical accessories through said accessory ocular incision.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that help deliver catheters or other medical devices to locations within a patient's body. The device includes a transporter catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, at least a first balloon located at the distal end, substantially at a tip of the transporter catheter, and at least a second balloon located between the distal end and the proximal end of the transporter catheter. The first balloon is an orienting balloon and the second balloon is an anchor balloon. The transporter catheter may include a single lumen or more than one lumen. The transporter catheter may include a shaft comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer may be made of a material more flexible than the material of the outer layer. The outer layer may also include a braided-wire assembly, said braided-wire assembly being formed by braiding a plurality of flat wires or circular wires. The braided-wire assembly may wrap around the inner layer.

Abstract: A device for delivering a fluid into a biological tissue includes hollow microneedles (10) projecting from a surface (12) of a substrate (14), and a guide element (18) spaced from the substrate. The guide element provides a tissue-contact surface (20) that defines a tissue contact plane oblique to the surface (12) of the substrate (14).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ocular treatment are provided. The apparatus can comprise a microcannula having a proximal end, a distal end, a cavity, and a central longitudinal axis. The apparatus can include a handle coupled to the proximal end of the microcannula. The apparatus can include multiple orifices extending circumferentially about the microcannula distal end, each of the orifices defining a channel extending transverse to the central longitudinal axis, and one or more grooves about a circumference of the microcannula.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that help deliver catheters or other medical devices to locations within a patient's body. The device includes a transporter catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, at least a first balloon located at the distal end, substantially at a tip of the transporter catheter, and at least a second balloon located between the distal end and the proximal end of the transporter catheter. The first balloon is an orienting balloon and the second balloon is an anchor balloon. The transporter catheter may include a single lumen or more than one lumen. The transporter catheter may include a shaft including an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer may be made of a material more flexible than the material of the outer layer. The outer layer may also include a braided-wire assembly, said braided-wire assembly being formed by braiding a plurality of flat wires or circular wires. The braided-wire assembly may wrap around the inner layer.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that help deliver catheters or other medical devices to locations within a patient's body. The device comprises a transporter catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, at least a first balloon located at the distal end, substantially at a tip of the transporter catheter, and at least a second balloon located between the distal end and the proximal end of the transporter catheter. The first balloon is an orienting balloon and the second balloon is an anchor balloon. The transporter catheter may include a single lumen or more than one lumen. The transporter catheter may include a shaft comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer may be made of a material more flexible than the material of the outer layer. The outer layer may also comprise a braided-wire assembly, said braided-wire assembly being formed by braiding a plurality of flat wires or circular wires. The braided-wire assembly may wrap around the inner layer.

Abstract: A catheter includes first and second handles, first and second tubular members, and first and second electrodes. The first tubular member defines a channel therethrough and is coupled to and distally extends from the first handle. The second tubular member is coupled to and distally extends from the second handle. The second tubular member is slidably disposed within the channel of the first tubular member and defines a lumen therethrough. The first and second electrodes are configured to generate an electric field therebetween. The second handle is translatable relative to the first handle between a retracted position in which the second electrode is adjacent the first electrode and an extended position in which the second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode.

Abstract: A wrist mechanism for a surgical instrument is disclosed. In some implementations, a surgical instrument includes an end effector and a unitary wrist mechanism coupled to the end effector, where the wrist mechanism is formed from a single piece of material. The wrist mechanism provides at least one degree of freedom to the end effector, and includes a plurality of link members linked together as well as one or more flexures, where at least one of the flexures includes a chain of a connected plurality of segments. Each flexure connects associated adjacent link members and enables rotational movement of the associated link members relative to each other to provide an associated degree of freedom to the end effector.

Abstract: An irrigation catheter for the treatment of the sinus anatomy is described. The catheter comprises a proximal portion, a rigid middle portion, and a flexible distal portion. The flexible distal portion comprises an irrigation tip and the proximal portion has a stiffness that is intermediate the stiffness of the rigid middle portion and the flexible distal portion. The irrigation tip has a tip opening and one or more radially facing openings. A method for irrigating or suctioning the sinus anatomy includes inserting an irrigation catheter into a patient's anatomy and irrigating or suctioning a target space.

Abstract: An endovascular catheter for vein ablation comprising: an elongated rod sized for insertion into a vein; at least one irritation element coupled to the distal end portion of the rod, the at least one irritation element having an expanded irritation state for contacting an inner wall segment of the vein to irritate the vein segment to trigger spasm of the vein segment and a non-irritation state, the at least one irritation element arranged for iterative changes between the irritation state and the non-irritation state; and at least one support element coupled to the distal end portion of the rod, the support element arranged to apply a mechanical force from the distal end portion to iteratively return the irritation element to the expanded irritation state in response to dynamic feedback of vein walls pressing against the irritation element to force the irritation element into the non-irritation state.

Abstract: Distal access aspiration guide catheter system and methods for delivering implantable devices, catheters, or substances in or near and/or restoring flow through body lumens, such as blood vessel lumens are described. A distal access aspiration guide catheter having a proximal, medial, and distal possessing high flexibility, high resistance to kinking and a large lumen to wall thickness ratio.