Abstract: Effective treatments of acute pain for extended periods of time are provided. The treatments include the administration of one or more drug depots at or near a target site wherein the drug depots include an effective amount of clonidine formulated within a polyorthoester. By administration of one or more drug depots at or near the target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days or at least one hundred and thirty-five days.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain that accompanies post-operative surgeries are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of a combination of bupivacaine and clonidine at or near a target site, one can alleviate or prevent pain. This administration of bupivacaine and clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof is particularly useful following surgery.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the amount of fluid to be removed from a dialysis patient is disclosed. The system utilizes sensors and a computer. The computer obtains the input parameters from the sensors, along with information added directly by the user, and performs a forward algorithm to determine a recommended change in patient fluid level. As fluid is removed, the effect of the removal on the parameters is detected by the sensors and re-transmitted back to the computer. The computer then performs a backward algorithm to refine the variables used in the forward algorithm and obtain more accurate results. The system and method provide for changing the amount of fluid removed from the patient based on the results of the algorithm and the data received from the sensors.

Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses for sorbent recharging are provided. The methods and related apparatuses for recharging can recharge a specific rechargeable layer of a sorbent material such as zirconium oxide and/or zirconium phosphate in a sorbent cartridge. The methods and apparatuses include passing solutions containing aqueous basic solutions through the zirconium oxide. The apparatus allows for recharging the zirconium oxide, and also for recharging zirconium phosphate, wherein the sorbent materials are contained in reusable sorbent modules.

Abstract: A sorbent cartridge comprising one or more detachable modules. The sorbent cartridge can have one or more modules contained therein having connectors connecting each of the modules. One or more of the modules can be reusable and the sorbent materials therein recharged. The sorbent cartridge can include a module containing an anion exchange resin, such as zirconium oxide, downstream of zirconium phosphate in the sorbent cartridge to recapture phosphate anions that leach out of the zirconium phosphate.

Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses for sorbent recharging are provided. The methods and related apparatuses for recharging can recharge a specific rechargeable layer or module of a sorbent material such as zirconium phosphate in a sorbent cartridge. The methods and apparatuses include a fluid source containing at least one recharging fluid, wherein the fluid source is fluidly connectable to at least one rechargeable sorbent module for use in sorbent dialysis in a fluid flow path. The methods and apparatuses include passing a single solution through the zirconium phosphate for ion exchanges, resulting in zirconium phosphate to maintain a substantially consistent pH in a dialysate used during dialysis.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain and inflammation are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of fluocinolone at or near a target site, one can reduce, prevent or treat inflammation and pain and autoimmune disorders. In various embodiments, fluocinolone formulations may be provided within biodegradable polymers to reduce, prevent or treat sciatic pain and/or inflammation. In various embodiments, prevent transplant rejection for at least twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the pain relief can be for at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: Effective treatments of acute pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of dexamethasone at or near a target site, one can relieve pain cause by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic back pain and joint pain as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for reducing, treating or preventing postoperative pain or inflammation in a patient in need of such treatment, the methods and compositions comprising administering one or more biodegradable drug depots comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ketorolac or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a target tissue site, wherein the drug depot releases an effective amount of ketorolac or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a period of 3 to 10 days.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain and/or inflammation from tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, bursitis and/or an oral-facial disease are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of at least one alpha adrenergic agonist at or near a target site, one can reduce, prevent or treat pain and/or inflammation from tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, bursitis and/or an oral-facial disease.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain, such as chronic pelvic pain, for extended periods of time are provided. The treatments include the administration of one or more drug depots intraspinally wherein the drug depots include an effective amount of bupivacaine formulated within a polyorthoester. By administration of one or more drug depots, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to chronic pelvic pain syndromes, spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least thirty days, at least sixty days, at least one hundred days or at least one hundred and thirty-five days.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. The treatments include the administration of one or more drug depots intraspinally wherein the drug depots include an effective amount of a benzodiazepine, such as midazolam, formulated within a polyorthoester. By administration of one or more drug depots, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to chronic pelvic pain syndromes, spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days or at least one hundred and thirty-five days.

Abstract: This invention provides for using a locally delivered low dose of a corticosteroid to treat pain caused by any inflammatory disease including sciatica, herniated disc, stenosis, mylopathy, low back pain, facet pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteolysis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or tarsal tunnel syndrome. More specifically, a locally delivered low dose of a corticosteroid can be released into the epidural space, perineural space, or the foramenal space at or near the site of a patient's pain by a drug pump or a biodegradable drug depot.

Abstract: Effective treatments of acute pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of dexamethasone at or near a target site, one can relieve pain cause by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic back pain and joint pain as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot useful for reducing, preventing or treating post-operative pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable drug depot comprising a polymer and a therapeutically effective amount of a local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the drug depot is implantable at a site beneath the skin to reduce, prevent or treat post-operative pain, and the drug depot is capable of releasing (i) a bolus dose of the local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a site beneath the skin and (ii) a sustained release dose of an effective amount of the local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a period of at least 4 days.

Abstract: Flowable pharmaceutical depots are described. The flowable pharmaceutical depot includes a polyester, such as a polylactic acid or a poly(trimethylene carbonate) endcapped with a primary alcohol and a pain relieving therapeutic agent, such as a post operative pain relieving therapeutic agent. Method of making and using the same are also described.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDS) having anti-infective properties are described. Anti-infective agents are disposed in, on, or about at least a portion of a surface of the medical device. The anti-infective agents are disposed in or on a vehicle, which may be in the form of a coating layer or covering. The vehicle may be biodegradable so that, over time, the anti-infective agent is removed from a tissue location into which the device is implanted, reducing the likelihood that microorganisms resistant to the anti-infective agent will develop. IMDs having an anti-infective agent and an anti-activity agent disposed therein, thereabout, or thereon are also described. The anti-activity agent interferes with the activity of the anti-infective agent, may be released from a surface at the IMD at a time when activity of the anti-infective agent is no longer desired, and may reduce the likelihood that microorganisms resistant to the anti-infective agent will develop.