Abstract: This disclosure relates to thermal thrombectomy and atherectomy systems and methods for removing an occlusion, such as a thrombus and/or plaque from a blood vessel. The systems can include a distal balloon and a proximal balloon. The distal balloon can be positioned distal of the occlusion, and the proximal balloon can be positioned proximal of the occlusion. The system can include an irrigation catheter that directs heated fluid to the occlusion between the distal and proximal balloons. The heated fluid can soften and/or emulsify the occlusion. The system can include an aspiration catheter that can aspirate the softened and/or emulsified occlusion from the blood vessel.

Abstract: A lacrimal drug delivery device includes a reservoir configured to hold a drug. The reservoir is moveable between a relaxed state and an expanded state. A connector is fluidly coupled to the reservoir and a lumen is formed in the connector wherein the drug is configured to flow from the reservoir to a delivery site through the lumen. A hydrogel is within the lumen and configured to absorb the drug from the reservoir and deliver the drug from the lumen at the delivery site. The hydrogel includes a first section which absorbs the drug at a first rate of absorption. A delivery guide is detachably coupled to the reservoir to deliver the reservoir into a lacrimal sac of a patient.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus disclosed in this document may be used to create parts with void features such as holes, cavities, channels, slots, and the like. In some embodiments, the void features have a large depth to width aspect ratio. In some embodiments, the void features are formed in pliable, resilient and/or elastomeric materials. In some embodiments, the void features are formed in parts comprising silicone elastomer or silicone rubber. The void features may be adapted and configured for use in medical applications, aerospace applications, electrical applications, and/or industrial applications in some embodiments.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module includes a piston slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to thermal thrombectomy systems and methods. The thermal thrombectomy systems can apply heat to a thrombus, softening and/or melting the thrombus, which can include one or more proteins and/or biopolymers of the thrombus, to ease removal. The thermal thrombectomy systems can include a heated wire that can be navigated to the thrombus. The distal portion of the wire can apply heat to the thrombus while the proximal portion may be insulated. The heated wire can include coils and or other features to facilitate engagement with the thrombus.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to thermal emulsification systems and methods for cataract removal. The thermal emulsification systems can apply heat to the crystalline lens of the eye, resulting in the emulsification of the crystalline lens. The emulsified crystalline lens can be aspirated from the capsular bag of the eye. The thermal emulsification systems can include one or more elements that can be heated to apply localized heat to the crystalline lens to avoid unintentional damage to other ocular components and cellular structures of the eye, such as the capsular bag. The thermal emulsification systems can supply heated fluid to the lens to apply localized heat to the lens to avoid unintentional damage to other ocular components and cellular structures of the eye, such as the capsular bag.

Abstract: A device for maintaining patency of a prostatic urethra includes a stent having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway therebetween. The device includes longitudinal and angled struts and nodes, each longitudinal strut coupled to at least one angled strut at a corresponding node, the struts and nodes coupled to each other to form a plurality of cells, circumferentially adjacent cells forming stent regions. The stent includes a nose region, a body region, and a tail region. The stent is configured to expand from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration within a bodily lumen. The stent includes a collapsibility gradient along its length such that it provides a nose region radial force at the nose region, a body region radial force at the body region, and a tail region radial force at the tail region, wherein the nose region radial force is less than the tail region radial force, and the tail region radial force is less than the body region radial force.

Abstract: A lacrimal drug delivery device includes a reservoir configured to hold a drug. The reservoir is moveable between a relaxed state and an expanded state. A connector is fluidly coupled to the reservoir and a lumen is formed in the connector wherein the drug is configured to flow from the reservoir to an delivery site through the lumen. A hydrogel is within the lumen and configured to absorb the drug from the reservoir and deliver the drug from the lumen at the delivery site. The hydrogel includes a first section which absorbs the drug at a first rate of absorption. A delivery guide is detachably coupled to the reservoir to deliver the reservoir into a lacrimal sac of a patient.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering fluid into a patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, the device may include a syringe cartridge and a syringe driver that may be coupled to the cartridge. The cartridge may include a housing including a proximal end, a distal end, and defining an interior, the cartridge further including a piston slidably disposed within the interior for delivering fluid within the interior through a port in the distal end. The driver may include a plunger for advancing the piston within the interior of the housing, a source of pressurized fluid, a valve, and an actuator member coupled to the valve for selectively opening a flow path from the source to the plunger to control flow of the pressurized fluid to advance the plunger to deliver fluid from the interior of the housing at a desired rate.

Abstract: A stent is disclosed that is configured to maintain patency of the prostatic urethra despite an enlarged prostate. The stent can include a handle that, in an undeflected position, is disposed outside of the flow path of the stent. When the handle is pulled, the handle can deflect to generally aligned with a central axis of the stent. A capture device is disclosed that includes a tapered tip to navigate a working channel of a delivery device and a hook that can capture the stent handle and be moved into a tube to retain the stent handle to facilitate maneuvering of the stent in and out of the working channel of the delivery device. A loading adapter with a tapered port is disclosed that can be disposed on the delivery device to distribute compressive forces applied by the port on the stent during loading into the working channel.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module includes a piston slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.

Abstract: A method for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and/or snoring that includes the step of administering to a tissue of a mammal an amount of deoxycholic acid. The method includes injecting the deoxycholic acid into a fatty tissue located in the throat, nasal cavity or mouth of the patient so as to reduce a volume of the fatty tissue.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical intervention related to the lacrimal system. The invention relates to a lacrimal system device or system and methods of using the device for drug delivery to the eye, sinuses and/or periocular tissues.

Abstract: Modular IOL systems including a base and a lens, wherein the lens includes fixed and actuatable tabs for connection to the base. The modular IOL allows for the lens to be adjusted or exchanged while leaving the base in place, either intra-operatively or post-operatively. Drug delivery capabilities and/or sensing capabilities may be incorporated into the base. Injector devices may be used to facilitate placement of the base and the lens sequentially or simultaneously into the eye.

Abstract: Modular IOL systems including a base and a lens, wherein the lens includes fixed and actuatable tabs for connection to the base. The modular IOL allows for the lens to be adjusted or exchanged while leaving the base in place, either intra-operatively or post-operatively. Drug delivery capabilities and/or sensing capabilities may be incorporated into the base. Injector devices may be used to facilitate placement of the base and the lens sequentially or simultaneously into the eye.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module includes a piston slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.

Abstract: Gas-powered fluid injection systems and methods are disclosed, e.g., for delivering fluids into a patient's body. An injection device comprises a driver housing which forms and/or encloses a gas pressure source, an actuation piston driven by the gas pressure source and a hydraulic fluid pressurized by movement of the actuation piston. The hydraulic fluid flows through an adjustable valve into a plunger lumen which pushes a plunger of a fluid dispensing device, such as a syringe, to dispense an injection fluid, such as a medicament. The injection device has a movable plunger sleeve which receives the plunger of the fluid dispensing device. The plunger sleeve is moved during the activation and de-activation of the injection device such that it relieves residual pressure in the fluid dispensing device thereby preventing the fluid dispensing device from continuing to dispense injection fluid after the injection device has been de-actuated.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module includes a piston slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.

Abstract: A self-adhering, flexible gonioscopic lens for adhering to cornea and scleral regions of an eye includes a central lens having a body including a contact surface and a viewing surface, the contact surface having a radius of curvature that approximates the radius of curvature of the cornea, an eye fixation system configured for fixing the central lens to the eye, wherein the eye fixation system is attached to the annular perimeter of the contact surface of the central lens, extending around only a portion of the annular perimeter of the contact surface of the central lens to define a cut-out portion in the eye fixation system of the gonioscopic lens.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module includes a piston slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.