Abstract: An apparatus to treat a patient comprises a container to receive fluid of a device implanted in the eye. The fluid of the device can be analyzed to determine a component of the vitreous humor of the eye.

Abstract: A catheter for performing a procedure at a treatment site in the lumen of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having a proximal bend, a distal bend and a hinge element. A distal portion of the shaft includes a window extending through the sidewall of the shaft between the hinge element and the distal end of the elongate tubular shaft. A working element is disposed within the lumen of the elongate tubular shaft and is configured for performing the procedure through the window at the treatment site. The bends and hinge element are configured to urge the window against a wall of the vessel at the treatment site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a therapeutic fluid to devices implanted in the body, for example to containers of devices implanted in the eye of a patient. The methods and apparatus may comprise an injector to increase an amount of therapeutic agent injected into the device implanted in the eye, or a structure to receive the therapeutic fluid within the device implanted in the eye, or combinations thereof. The device implanted in the eye may comprise a reservoir chamber having a fluid with a density different than the therapeutic fluid, and the apparatus can be adapted to at least partially separate the implanted device fluid from therapeutic fluid within the reservoir chamber to increase and amount of therapeutic fluid placed in the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: Described are implantable therapeutic devices, systems and methods to treat a patient. The device includes a hollow refillable housing for implantation within the posterior segment of an eye through a penetration in the sclera including a proximal retention structure protruding outward from a proximal end region of the housing, an access portion opening, and a penetrable barrier positioned at least in part within the access portion opening, the penetrable barrier configured to be repeatedly penetrated. A rigid porous structure is positioned within a region of the housing away from the access portion opening into a reservoir chamber extends along an axis between the penetrable barrier and the porous structure includes a volume sized to deliver therapeutic amounts of a therapeutic agent to the eye for an extended period of time. A cover is coupled to at least an upper surface of the proximal retention structure.

Abstract: An apparatus to treat a patient comprises a container to receive fluid of a device implanted in the eye. The fluid of the device can be analyzed to determine a component of the vitreous humor of the eye.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a therapeutic fluid to devices implanted in the body, for example to containers of devices implanted in the eye of a patient. The methods and apparatus may comprise an injector to increase an amount of therapeutic agent injected into the device implanted in the eye, or a structure to receive the therapeutic fluid within the device implanted in the eye, or combinations thereof. The device implanted in the eye may comprise a reservoir chamber having a fluid with a density different than the therapeutic fluid, and the apparatus can be adapted to at least partially separate the implanted device fluid from therapeutic fluid within the reservoir chamber to increase and amount of therapeutic fluid placed in the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: A catheter is provided, which includes a cutting element having one or more raised elements. The cutting element has a cup-shaped surface at the distal end that may be smooth and continuous except for the raised elements.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus to insert an implantable therapeutic device into a patient. The apparatus includes a proximal handle and a distal placement portion coupled to the proximal handle and configured to hold the implantable therapeutic device. The distal placement portion includes a first side having a first engagement structure at a distal end of the first side, the first engagement structure configured to surround at least a first portion of a proximal end region of the implantable therapeutic device. The distal placement portion includes a second, opposite side having a second engagement structure at a distal end of the second side, the second engagement structure configured to surround at least a second, opposite portion of the proximal end region of the implantable therapeutic device.

Abstract: An injector apparatus comprises an elongate structure having one or more openings positionable near a penetrable barrier of an implantable device so as to receive fluid of the implantable device. The apparatus comprises a needle and a sheath extending over at least a portion of the needle. The elongate structure may comprise a distal tip to penetrate tissue and the penetrable barrier, and a distal opening near the tip to release therapeutic fluid into the implantable chamber. In many embodiments the distal tip, the distal opening, and the plurality of openings are separated from a stop that engages a tissue of the patient and limit penetration depth such that the distal opening and the plurality of openings are located along an axis of the implantable device to increase an efficiency of the exchange.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus to insert an implantable therapeutic device into a patient. The apparatus includes a proximal handle (210) and a distal placement portion (220) coupled to the proximal handle and configured to hold the implantable therapeutic device. The distal placement portion includes a first side (222) having a first engagement structure (251) at a distal end of the first side, the first engagement structure configured to surround at least a first portion of a proximal end region of the implantable therapeutic device. The distal placement portion includes a second, opposite side (224) having a second engagement structure (253) at a distal end of the second side, the second engagement structure configured to surround at least a second, opposite portion of the proximal end region of the implantable therapeutic device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a therapeutic fluid to devices implanted in the body, for example to containers of devices implanted in the eye of a patient. The methods and apparatus may comprise an injector to increase an amount of therapeutic agent injected into the device implanted in the eye, or a structure to receive the therapeutic fluid within the device implanted in the eye, or combinations thereof. The device implanted in the eye may comprise a reservoir chamber having a fluid with a density different than the therapeutic fluid, and the apparatus can be adapted to at least partially separate the implanted device fluid from therapeutic fluid within the reservoir chamber to increase and amount of therapeutic fluid placed in the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: An injector apparatus comprises an elongate structure having one or more openings positionable near a penetrable barrier of an implantable device so as to receive fluid of the implantable device. The apparatus comprises a needle and a sheath extending over at least a portion of the needle. The elongate structure may comprise a distal tip to penetrate tissue and the penetrable barrier, and a distal opening near the tip to release therapeutic fluid into the implantable chamber. In many embodiments the distal tip, the distal opening, and the plurality of openings are separated from a stop that engages a tissue of the patient and limit penetration depth such that the distal opening and the plurality of openings are located along an axis of the implantable device to increase an efficiency of the exchange.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a therapeutic fluid to devices implanted in the body, for example to containers of devices implanted in the eye of a patient. The methods and apparatus may comprise an injector to increase an amount of therapeutic agent injected into the device implanted in the eye, or a structure to receive the therapeutic fluid within the device implanted in the eye, or combinations thereof. The device implanted in the eye may comprise a reservoir chamber having a fluid with a density different than the therapeutic fluid, and the apparatus can be adapted to at least partially separate the implanted device fluid from therapeutic fluid within the reservoir chamber to increase and amount of therapeutic fluid placed in the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an atherectomy catheter which has a cutting element that is able to cut both soft tissue and hard tissue, and methods of cutting material from a blood vessel lumen using a rotating cutting element. The cutting element has a sharp cutting edge that surrounds a cup-shaped surface and at least one surface of abrasive material. The cup-shaped surface directs the cut material into a tissue chamber. The cutting edge and the cup-shaped surface together are well suited to cut and remove relatively soft tissue from the blood vessel. The abrasive material surface in combination with the cutting element is well suited to abrade and remove hard material from the blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an atherectomy catheter which has a cutting element that is able to cut both soft tissue and hard tissue, and methods of cutting material from a blood vessel lumen using a rotating cutting element. The cutting element has a sharp cutting edge that surrounds a cup-shaped surface and at least one surface of abrasive material. The cup-shaped surface directs the cut material into a tissue chamber. The cutting edge and the cup-shaped surface together are well suited to cut and remove relatively soft tissue from the blood vessel. The abrasive material surface in combination with the cutting element is well suited to abrade and remove hard material from the blood vessel.

Abstract: Described are implantable therapeutic devices, systems and methods to treat a patient. The device includes a hollow refillable housing for implantation within the posterior segment of an eye through a penetration in the sclera including a proximal retention structure protruding outward from a proximal end region of the housing, an access portion opening, and a penetrable barrier positioned at least in part within the access portion opening, the penetrable barrier configured to be repeatedly penetrated. A rigid porous structure is positioned within a region of the housing away from the access portion opening into a reservoir chamber extends along an axis between the penetrable barrier and the porous structure includes a volume sized to deliver therapeutic amounts of a therapeutic agent to the eye for an extended period of time. A cover is coupled to at least an upper surface of the proximal retention structure.

Abstract: A catheter is provided, which includes a cutting element having one or more raised elements. The cutting element has a cup-shaped surface at the distal end that may be smooth and continuous except for the raised elements.

Abstract: Described are implantable therapeutic devices, systems and methods to treat a patient. The device includes a hollow refillable housing for implantation within the posterior segment of an eye through a penetration in the sclera including a proximal retention structure protruding outward from a proximal end region of the housing, an access portion opening, and a penetrable barrier positioned at least in part within the access portion opening, the penetrable barrier configured to be repeatedly penetrated. A rigid porous structure is positioned within a region of the housing away from the access portion opening into a reservoir chamber extends along an axis between the penetrable barrier and the porous structure includes a volume sized to deliver therapeutic amounts of a therapeutic agent to the eye for an extended period of time. A cover is coupled to at least an upper surface of the proximal retention structure.

Abstract: Described are implantable devices (105) and therapeutic agent delivery formulations for the sustained release of therapeutic agents. In one aspect, described is a device to treat an ocular condition of an eye. The device has a proximal region. A tubular body (115) is coupled to the proximal region and has an outer diameter configured to be inserted at least in part into the eye. A reservoir (130) is in fluid communication with the tubular body and has a volume sized to receive an amount of a formulation of a therapeutic agent. One or more outlets (135) are in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to release therapeutic amounts of the therapeutic agent into the eye for an extended time when the one or more outlets are positioned inside the eye.

Abstract: A catheter is provided, which includes a cutting element having one or more raised elements. The cutting element has a cup-shaped surface at the distal end that may be smooth and continuous except for the raised elements.