Abstract: A syringe is disclosed. The syringe may include a syringe body, a first slot formed in the syringe body, a first sleeve covering the first slot, a thumb grip including a first slot guide disposed in the first slot, the thumb grip shaped to slide from a first position near the distal end of the syringe body toward a second position near the proximal end of the syringe body, and a plunger disposed in the fluid chamber of the syringe body. The plunger is configured to move towards the proximal end of the syringe body in response to pressure applied by a user to the thumb grip and includes a first plunger slot guide.

Abstract: Described herein are polysaccharide gel formulations including at least one inhibitor of polysaccharide degradation and methods of making the same. The methods described herein involve the steps of providing at least one polysaccharide and incorporating at least one inhibitor of degradation into the polysaccharide. In some embodiments, the incorporating step comprises 1) mixing the at least one inhibitor with the at least one polysaccharide at a highly hydrated state thereby encapsulating the at least one inhibitor in a polysaccharide network, and 2) dehydrating the polysaccharide network thereby controlling release kinetics or final swell ratio. In another embodiment, the incorporating step comprises 1) encapsulating at least one inhibitor into a biocompatible or biodegradable vessel and 2) combining the polysaccharide and the vessel into a gel formulation. The polysaccharide gel formulations described herein can be used for a variety of cosmetic applications.

Abstract: A syringe is disclosed. The syringe may include a syringe body, a first slot formed in the syringe body, a first sleeve covering the first slot, a thumb grip including a first slot guide disposed in the first slot, the thumb grip shaped to slide from a first position near the distal end of the syringe body toward a second position near the proximal end of the syringe body, and a plunger disposed in the fluid chamber of the syringe body. The plunger is configured to move towards the proximal end of the syringe body in response to pressure applied by a user to the thumb grip and includes a first plunger slot guide.

Abstract: A transorally implanted intragastric balloon or treating obesity and for weight control including a variable size balloon with one or interconnected regions acting to exert a pressure on the stomach, to provide a stomach volume occupying effect, and/or to anchor the balloon within the stomach.

Abstract: Transoral obesity treatment devices and related methods for operation thereof are described which occupy space within a stomach and/or stimulate the stomach wall. The transoral obesity treatment devices and related methods are intended to assist a patient in maintaining a healthy body weight. Features of the devices include insertion transorally and without invasive surgery, without associated patient risks of invasive surgery, and without substantial patient discomfort. The life span of these devices may be material-dependent upon long-term survivability within an acidic stomach, but is intended to last one year or longer. The devices have the capacity to vary in size and are desirably self-actuating in that they change shape and/or volume using internal motors or actuators. The changing character of the devices helps prevent the person's stomach from compensating for the implant, such as sometimes happens with static intragastric devices.

Abstract: Described herein are injection devices capable of automatically injecting substances into the soft tissue of a patient. The devices can inject low to high viscosity materials at predetermined, user selected injection rates, allowing the operator more control than a traditional syringe. The devices can allow mixing of more than one substance and/or reconstitution of a solid substance for injection. The injection devices described herein can allow the operator to easily inject one or more low to high viscosity liquid or gel soft-tissue augmentation fillers, one or more drugs, one or more other biocompatible materials, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are polysaccharide gel formulations including at least one inhibitor of polysaccharide degradation and methods of making the same. The methods described herein involve the steps of providing at least one polysaccharide and incorporating at least one inhibitor of degradation into the polysaccharide. In some embodiments, the incorporating step comprises 1) mixing the at least one inhibitor with the at least one polysaccharide at a highly hydrated state thereby encapsulating the at least one inhibitor in a polysaccharide network, and 2) dehydrating the polysaccharide network thereby controlling release kinetics or final swell ratio. In another embodiment, the incorporating step comprises 1) encapsulating at least one inhibitor into a biocompatible or biodegradable vessel and 2) combining the polysaccharide and the vessel into a gel formulation. The polysaccharide gel formulations described herein can be used for a variety of cosmetic applications.

Abstract: A modular injection system enables a user to control the dilution ratio of mixed injectable fluid. In one embodiment, modular injection system includes a handheld injection device operatively connected to a separate control device. In one embodiment, the control device includes a drive unit configured to apply extrusion forces to fluids. In another embodiment, the handheld injection device includes the drive unit. In one embodiment, the modular injection system produces the mixed injectable fluid based on a selected dilution ratio. In one embodiment, the modular injection system produces the mixed injectable fluid based on selected injection rates.

Abstract: Described herein are injection devices capable of automatically injecting substances into the soft tissue of a patient. The devices can inject low to high viscosity materials at predetermined, user selected injection rates, allowing the operator more control than a traditional syringe. The devices can allow mixing of more than one substance and/or reconstitution of a solid substance for injection. The injection devices described herein can allow the operator to easily inject one or more low to high viscosity liquid or gel soft-tissue augmentation fillers, one or more drugs, one or more other biocompatible materials, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for attaching a fluid access port to a patient. The system generally comprises an implantable access port with a bottom exit port and method for attaching an access port to a patient. In addition, a tube guard, flexible tube exit port, tissue guard, and porous coupling member are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for attaching a fluid access port to a patient. The system generally comprises an implantable access port and method for attaching an access port to a patient. In addition, a tube guard, tube shroud, tissue guard, porous coupling member and a prefabricated mesh member may be attached to the access port. For example, the prefabricated mesh may be coupled to the access port to facilitate securing the access port to the tissue of the patient.

Abstract: Needle guides are disclosed. An example needle guide includes a base; a housing configured to hold a container, the housing disposed on the base such that a longitudinal axis of the container is held at a first angle to vertical; and a syringe holder configured to guide insertion of a needle of a syringe into the container, the syringe holder disposed on the housing such that the syringe is inserted into the container at a second angle to the longitudinal axis of the container.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the handheld injection device includes a first housing having a first axis and a second housing having a second axis. In one embodiment, the second housing is configured to support a needle. In one embodiment, the first axis and a second axis form an adjustable angle between about 180 degrees and about 90 degrees.

Abstract: A medical syringe with an extendible plunger rod is provided which facilitates injection of a large volume of material, for example, a dermal filler. The rod may include an outer plunger rod, an inner plunger rod, a compression spring configured to exert force tending to push the inner plunger rod in a direction distal to the outer plunger rod, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism prevents movement of the inner plunger rod relative to the outer plunger rod while both the inner and outer plunger rods are depressed, until the outer plunger rod has been depressed a first predetermined distance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the handheld injection device includes a first housing having a first axis and a second housing having a second axis. In one embodiment, the second housing is configured to support a needle. In one embodiment, the first axis and a second axis form an adjustable angle between about 180 degrees and about 90 degrees.

Abstract: A syringe is disclosed. The syringe may include a syringe body, a first slot formed in the syringe body, a first sleeve covering the first slot, a thumb grip including a first slot guide disposed in the first slot, the thumb grip shaped to slide from a first position near the distal end of the syringe body toward a second position near the proximal end of the syringe body, and a plunger disposed in the fluid chamber of the syringe body. The plunger is configured to move towards the proximal end of the syringe body in response to pressure applied by a user to the thumb grip and includes a first plunger slot guide.

Abstract: An intragastric implant for obesity treatment is disclosed. The device delays digestion by providing a duodenal sleeve, and may also slows gastric emptying by limiting flow through the pyloric sphincter. The implant includes an elongated axially-compressible duodenal sleeve having a non-tissue-piercing anchor on a proximal end sized to lodge within the duodenal bulb. The anchor may have oppositely-directed anchoring flanges to resists migration in both directions. The sleeve may also have barbed ribs to resist proximal movement back up into the stomach. A method of implant includes collapsing/compressing the device and transorally advancing it through the esophagus to be deployed within the duodenum. A dissolvable jacket may constrain the implant for delivery and naturally dissolve upon implant. Removal of the implant may occur in the reverse.

Abstract: A syringe is disclosed. The syringe may include a syringe body, a first slot formed in the syringe body, a first sleeve covering the first slot, a thumb grip including a first slot guide disposed in the first slot, the thumb grip shaped to slide from a first position near the distal end of the syringe body toward a second position near the proximal end of the syringe body, and a plunger disposed in the fluid chamber of the syringe body. The plunger is configured to move towards the proximal end of the syringe body in response to pressure applied by a user to the thumb grip and includes a first plunger slot guide.

Abstract: An extendible plunger rod for use with a syringe is provided. Example plunger rods may include an outer plunger rod with a proximal end and a distal end, the outer plunger rod having an inner cavity; an inner plunger rod, housed at least partially within the inner cavity of the outer plunger rod; a compression spring disposed within the inner cavity of the outer plunger rod and between the proximal end of the outer plunger rod, and the inner plunger rod, the compression spring configured to exert force tending to push the inner plunger rod in a direction distal to the outer plunger rod; and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism configured to prevent movement of the inner plunger rod relative to the outer plunger rod while both the inner and outer plunger rods are depressed into a syringe body, until the outer plunger rod has been depressed at least a first predetermined distance into the syringe body.