Abstract: A system includes an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a positive displacement gear pump coupled to an inflow catheter and an outflow catheter, a battery, a processor, and at least one sensor configured to detect a presence of an infection marker, and an external charging and communication system configured to wirelessly communicate transcutaneously with the implantable device. The processor is programmed to periodically activate the pump to move fluid from a first cavity to a second cavity, e.g., the patient's bladder, via the inflow and outflow catheters; receive a signal indicative of the presence of the infection marker from the at least one sensor; generate an alert upon receipt of the signal; and communicate the alert to the external charging and communication system to notify the user.

Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.

Abstract: A system includes an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

Abstract: A system includes an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.

Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.

Abstract: A system includes an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

Abstract: An artificial liver system for treating liver failure includes a reservoir to provide albumin-containing dialysis fluid to the patient's peritoneum, an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.

Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.

Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.

Abstract: An artificial liver system for treating liver failure includes a reservoir to provide albumin-containing dialysis fluid to the patient's peritoneum, an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

Abstract: An artificial liver system for treating liver failure includes a reservoir to provide albumin-containing dialysis fluid to the patient's peritoneum, an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

Abstract: An artificial liver system for treating liver failure includes a reservoir to provide albumin-containing dialysis fluid to the patient's peritoneum, an implantable device including a pump to pump the fluid from the peritoneum to the bladder via respective catheters, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve data reflective of the patient's health; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The monitoring and control software allows a treating physician to remotely adjust the volume, time, and frequency with which fluid is pumped from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder based on the data reflective of the patient's health.

Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.

Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.

Abstract: An implant for occluding a passage in a circulatory system is provided. The implant in one form includes a plurality of thin wire-like members each having a proximal and a distal end and a first holder to which the distal ends of the members are attached. The proximal ends of the members are attached to a second holder. The implant includes an expansible occluding body attached to the members at a point intermediate the first and second holders. A carrier rod is releasably attached to the first holder and upon which the second holder is slidably received. A driving implement is located on the carrier rod, the driving implement contacting the second holder and movable toward the first holder along the carrier rod.

Abstract: An implant for occluding a passage in a circulatory system is provided. The implant in one form includes a plurality of thin wire-like members each having a proximal and a distal end and a first holder to which the distal ends of the members are attached. The proximal ends of the members are attached to a second holder. The implant includes an expansible occluding body attached to the members at a point intermediate the first and second holders. A carrier rod is releasably attached to the first holder and upon which the second holder is slidably received. A driving implement is located on the carrier rod, the driving implement contacting the second holder and movable toward the first holder along the carrier rod.