Abstract: Fluid delivery systems and methods of delivering a therapeutic agent are disclosed that include a subcutaneously implantable port that can be easily and efficiently located through the tissue of a patient. The port includes a body that defines a chamber having an open top, a delivery opening, and a catheter connection portion, and a septum disposed on the body, where the septum includes a lower surface extending over the open top of the chamber and an opposite, upper surface. The port further includes a cap of the port that defines an opening extending therethrough and the cap is configured to be coupled to the body to secure the septum within the port with the opening of the cap providing needle access to the septum. The cap includes a downwardly tapered surface that extends around the opening and is configured to direct a needle towards the upper surface of the septum.

Abstract: Presented herein are oleaginous strains of yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae that have been modified to allow for xylose utilization. Such strains are also modified to allow for higher lipid accumulation utilizing a broad range of sugar monomers such as those released during pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass. Methods of producing lipids and ethanol using these yeast strains are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein that allow for infusion and aspiration through a single device. The device can be used to treat a stroke by delivering the device to the site of a blood clot and simultaneously or sequentially infusing a thrombolytic or other drug into the clot and aspirating the dissolving clot from the patient. The methods and devices can advantageously permit more efficient thrombolytic infusion and clot aspiration. Modular systems are also disclosed, as are methods of treating subdural hematoma or other conditions.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to deliver a drug to a patient in coordination with a physiological parameter of the patient (e.g., the patient's natural cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsation or the patient's heart or respiration rate). In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to use a combination of infusion and aspiration to control delivery of a drug to a patient. Catheters, controllers, and other components for use in the above systems are also disclosed, as are various methods of using such systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that generally involve CED devices with various features for reducing or preventing backflow. In some embodiments, CED devices include a tissue-receiving space disposed proximal to a distal fluid outlet. Tissue can be compressed into or pinched/pinned by the tissue-receiving space as the device is inserted into a target region of a patient, thereby forming a seal that reduces or prevents proximal backflow of fluid ejected from the outlet beyond the tissue-receiving space. In some embodiments, CED devices include a bullet-shaped nose proximal to a distal fluid outlet. The bullet-shaped nose forms a good seal with surrounding tissue and helps reduce or prevent backflow of infused fluid.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally provide protection for devices (e.g., microcatheters) having small tips. Methods and devices are also disclosed herein that generally facilitate use of commercially-available stereotactic systems with devices (e.g., microcatheters) having small tips.

Abstract: Percutaneous therapy or drug delivery devices are described herein. The device can include one or multiple lumens inside a cannula or catheter body. The device can include features for reducing or preventing backflow or reflux of infusate along the device insertion track, such as one or more bullet noses, over tubes, and/or micro-tips. The device can be used in any of a variety of treatment methods, including to inject cancer therapy medicinal products directly into pulmonary tumors or tumors located in other regions of the body. The device can include features to keep the distal tip secure during patient respiration or during other patient movement, and can reduce the incidence of reflux during therapy delivery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a drug or other therapy over an extended period of time (e.g., several hours, days, weeks, months, years, and so forth) are disclosed herein, as are systems and methods for monitoring various parameters associated with the treatment of a patient. Systems and methods are also disclosed herein that generally involve CED devices with various features for reducing or preventing backflow.

Abstract: The methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein generally involve convection-enhanced delivery of drugs to a target region within a patient. Microfluidic catheter devices are disclosed that are particularly suitable for targeted delivery of drugs via convection, including devices capable of multi-directional drug delivery, devices that control fluid pressure and velocity using the venturi effect, and devices that include conformable balloons. Methods of treating various diseases using such devices are also disclosed, including methods of treating cerebral and spinal cavernous malformations, cavernomas, and hemangiomas, methods of treating neurological diseases, methods of treatment using multiple microfluidic delivery devices, methods of treating hearing disorders, methods of spinal drug delivery using microfluidic devices, and methods of delivering stem cells and therapeutics during fetal surgery. Methods of manufacturing such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to deliver a drug to a patient in coordination with a physiological parameter of the patient (e.g., the patient's natural cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsation or the patient's heart or respiration rate). In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to use a combination of infusion and aspiration to control delivery of a drug to a patient. Catheters, controllers, and other components for use in the above systems are also disclosed, as are various methods of using such systems.

Abstract: Catheters, catheter ports, connectors, and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for drug delivery to a subject. The catheters and catheter ports can include various features to facilitate dosing protocols that require multiple injections, and/or for reducing or eliminating damage that may occur to the catheter, port, or patient tissue as a result of multiple injections.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that generally involve CED devices with various features for reducing or preventing backflow. In some embodiments, CED devices include a tissue-receiving space disposed proximal to a distal fluid outlet. Tissue can be compressed into or pinched/pinned by the tissue-receiving space as the device is inserted into a target region of a patient, thereby forming a seal that reduces or prevents proximal backflow of fluid ejected from the outlet beyond the tissue-receiving space. In some embodiments, CED devices include a bullet-shaped nose proximal to a distal fluid outlet. The bullet-shaped nose forms a good seal with surrounding tissue and helps reduce or prevent backflow of infused fluid.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to deliver a drug to a patient in coordination with a physiological parameter of the patient (e.g., the patient's natural cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsation or the patient's heart or respiration rate). In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to use a combination of infusion and aspiration to control delivery of a drug to a patient. Catheters, controllers, and other components for use in the above systems are also disclosed, as are various methods of using such systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a patterned structure, the structure comprising: i) a substrate, ii) a first layer on top of the substrate, comprising a filler material and a guiding material, wherein at least a top surface of the first layer comprises one or more zones of filler material and one or more zones of guiding material, and iii) a second layer on top of the first layer comprising a pattern of a first material, the pattern being either aligned or anti-aligned with the underlying one or more zones of guiding material; wherein the first material comprises a metal or a ceramic material and wherein the guiding material and the filler material either both comprise or both do not comprise the metal or ceramic material.

Abstract: A method for forming a film with an annealing step and a deposition step is disclosed. The method comprises an annealing step for inducing self-assembly or alignment within a polymer. The method also comprises a selective deposition step in order to enable selective deposition on a polymer.

Abstract: A method of delivering a drug to a patient using a therapy specific, pre-programmed auto-injection device includes positioning the hand-held device proximate to an infusion and aspiration location of the patient, and receiving, at a controller disposed within the housing, an infusion and aspiration profile. The infusion and aspiration profile including an infusion and aspiration protocol for controlling at least one of a plurality of syringes partially disposed within the housing. The method also includes operating at least one actuator coupled to the plurality of syringes according to the infusion and aspiration protocol, causing the syringes to expel a fluid from a respective barrel of the plurality of syringe into the infusion and aspiration location or causing the syringes to draw a fluid from the infusion and aspiration location into a respective barrel of the plurality of syringes.

Abstract: A therapy specific, pre-programmed, hand-held auto-injection device for delivering a drug to a patient includes a housing, a plurality of syringes carried by the housing, at least one actuator disposed within the housing coupled to the plurality of syringes, and a controller disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the at least one actuator. The controller is configured to receive an infusion and aspiration profile, which includes an infusion and aspiration protocol for controlling at least one of the plurality of syringes. The controller is also configured to operate the at least one actuator based on the infusion and aspiration protocol by either expelling a fluid from a respective barrel of the plurality of syringes into the infusion and aspiration location or drawing a fluid from the infusion and aspiration location into a respectively barrel of the plurality of syringes.

Abstract: A method for forming a film with an annealing step and a deposition step is disclosed. The method comprises an annealing step for inducing self-assembly or alignment within a polymer. The method also comprises a selective deposition step in order to enable selective deposition on a polymer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that generally involve CED devices with various features for reducing or preventing backflow. In some embodiments, CED devices include a tissue-receiving space disposed proximal to a distal fluid outlet. Tissue can be compressed into or pinched/pinned by the tissue-receiving space as the device is inserted into a target region of a patient, thereby forming a seal that reduces or prevents proximal backflow of fluid ejected from the outlet beyond the tissue-receiving space. In some embodiments, CED devices include a bullet-shaped nose proximal to a distal fluid outlet. The bullet-shaped nose forms a good seal with surrounding tissue and helps reduce or prevent backflow of infused fluid.