Abstract: A computer-implemented method for actively managing increased insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes mellitus is provided. A computer-generated model of glycemic effect for a Type 2 diabetic patient for digestive response is established on a computer workstation. A rise in postprandial blood glucose from a meal planned for ingestion by the patients estimated as displayed through the digestive response model. A coefficient applied to the digestive response model for an initial degree of insulin resistance experienced by the patient is adjusted. Following a physiologic increase in insulin resistance, a rise in postprandial blood glucose from a subsequent meal planned for ingestion by the patient is estimated as displayed through the digestive response model. The coefficient applied to the digestive response model for a subsequent degree of insulin resistance experienced by the patient is adjusted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a tunable personalized tool for estimating glycated hemoglobin is provided. An electronically-stored history of empirically measured glucose levels is maintained for a patient over a set period of time in order of increasing age. A predictive model of estimated glycated hemoglobin is built on a computer workstation. A decay factor is designated particularized to the patient. The decay factor is applied to each of the measured glucose levels. The measured glucose levels is scaled by a scaling coefficient. The measured glucose levels are aggregated and scaled as decayed and scaled into an estimate of glycated hemoglobin for the time period. The glycated hemoglobin estimate is displayed to the patient on the computer workstation.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: An air passageway obstruction device includes a frame structure and a flexible membrane overlying the frame structure. The frame structure is collapsible upon advancement of the device into the air passageway, expandable into a rigid structure upon deploying in the air passageway and recollapsible upon removal from the air passageway. The flexible membrane obstructs inhaled air flow into a lung portion communicating with the air passageway. The device may be removed after deployment in an air passageway by recollapsing the device and pulling the device proximally through a catheter.

Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.

Abstract: A cardiac support device comprising a jacket of flexible and biocompatible material having a first axis for alignment generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of a patient's heart and a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The material exhibits an amount of expansion in response to a force applied to the material along the first axis that is different than an amount of expansion in response to the force applied to the material along the second axis.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a tool of blood glucose change for diabetes mellitus management in an individual patient is provided. Factors specific to a diabetic patient are determined. An insulin sensitivity for an insulin preparation for treatment of diabetes mellitus is identified. A carbohydrate sensitivity for a known quantity of carbohydrate is identified, which is measured postprandial after a fixed time period. A management tool for the diabetic patient is generated. A time course for a dose of the insulin preparation with an amplitude of change proportioned to the insulin sensitivity is mapped. A time course for an amount of carbohydrate with an amplitude of change proportioned to the carbohydrate sensitivity is mapped. The management tool is calibrated by aggregating feedback from testing of blood glucose into at least one of the insulin and the carbohydrate sensitivities.

Abstract: A system and method for managing Type 2 diabetes mellitus through a personal predictive management tool is provided. An insulin resistance for a Type 2 diabetes patient is identified. A time course curve is maintained for a patient population including expected blood glucose levels for a type of human-consumable food. The blood glucose levels following consumption of the food is estimated by adjusting the time course curve as a function of the patient-specific insulin resistance that has been manifested.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a personalized tool for estimating glycated hemoglobin is provided. An electronically-stored history of empirically measured glucose levels for a patient is maintained over a set period of time in order of increasing age. A decay factor is applied to each of the measured glucose levels. The measured glucose levels are aggregated and scaled as decayed into an estimate of glycated hemoglobin for the time period. The glycated hemoglobin estimate is displayed to the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for managing Type 1 diabetes mellitus through a personal predictive management tool is provided. A personal insulin response profile for a patient of Type 1 diabetes mellitus is referenced for a type of insulin preparation. A time course curve is maintained for a patient population including, expected blood glucose levels for a type of human-consumable food. The blood glucose levels are estimated following consumption of the food by evaluating an interaction between the personal insulin response profile and the time course curve over a duration of action of the insulin preparation.

Abstract: A system and method for actively managing Type 2 diabetes mellitus on a personalized basis is provided. A model of glycemic effect for a Type 2 diabetic patient for digestive response is established. The digestive response model is adjusted for a degree of insulin resistance experienced by the patient. A rise in postprandial blood glucose through food ingestion of a planned meal is estimated in proportion to the adjusted digestive response model. The tool also allows for the avoidance of hypoglycemic episodes by medications.

Abstract: A system and method for actively managing Type 1 diabetes mellitus on a personalized basis is provided. Models of glycemic effect for a Type 1 diabetic patient are established for both insulin time course and digestive response. A rise in postprandial blood glucose is estimated through food ingestion of a planned meal in proportion to the digestive response model. An amount of insulin necessary and timing of delivery to mediate transport of blood glucose into cells in proportion to the postprandial blood glucose rise is determined through the insulin time course model.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a personalized diabetes management tool for diabetes mellitus is provided. An insulin activity curve for a patient population for an insulin preparation for diabetes mellitus treatment is identified. A personal insulin activity model for the patient is generated. An insulin sensitivity is determined by taking a derivative of the rate of change of blood glucose over time for the insulin preparation. An insulin sensitivity coefficient for the insulin preparation for a patient of diabetes mellitus is established. The insulin sensitivity coefficient is applied to the patient population insulin activity curve over a duration of action of the insulin preparation.

Abstract: A wearable infusion device delivers a liquid medicant, such as insulin, to a patient. The infusion device comprises a base that contacts a patient's skin and a reservoir arranged to contain a liquid medicant to be delivered beneath a patient's skin. The reservoir has an outlet through which the medicant flows. The infusion device further includes a flexible conduit communicating with the outlet of the reservoir and a pump that causes the medicant to flow down the conduit.

Abstract: A device and method facilitates the forming of a skin fold during deployment of a cannula. The device may be a disposable infusion device and the method comprises adhering, to a skin surface, a base member having a port for receiving a cannula, forming a skin fold having skin surfaces sloping away from opposite sides of the base member, driving a cannula through the port of the base member while maintaining the skin fold, and releasing the skin fold. To facilitate the forming of the skin fold, the device comprises a base having a base surface and a flexible layer member. The flexible layer member has a first surface adjacent the base surface and a second surface adapted to be adhered to a patient's skin. The first surface has a first portion adhered to a portion of the base surface and a second portion adherable to the base surface.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: A wearable liquid medicament delivery assembly comprises a band arranged to at least partially encircle and be secured to a body extremity of a wearer and a liquid medicament delivery device carried by the band.

Abstract: A gastric reduction pouch of a stomach is formed by gathering stomach tissue circumferentially from within the stomach to form a reduced diameter stomach section. A plurality of fasteners are deployed within the gathered stomach tissue to maintain the reduced diameter stomach portion. The gathering step may include folding the stomach tissue to produce a plurality of stomach tissue folds. A device is disclosed that is particularly adapted to permit such gastric reduction of a previously formed gastric reduction pouch.

Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together. The fasteners include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are substantially parallel to each other. The fasteners may be deployed in limited spaces and in various applications including the restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve.