Abstract: Containers for cryopreservation of biological material are disclosed. Each container is configured to provide a substantially consistent freeze profile throughout a chamber of the container. Specific embodiments include containers having a uniform dimension between two opposing walls defining the chamber, and containers wherein a ratio of a sum of the interior surface areas to the volume of the chamber is at or between 1 to 5 and 2 to 5.

Abstract: Devices and methods useful for injecting therapeutics into the body of a patient are illustrated and described herein. In certain aspects, needle assemblies comprising a needle having a needle shaft with one or more side openings and a needle sheath slidably moveable along the needle shaft to selectively expose or cover all or a portion of the one or more side openings are provided. Such assemblies may include an interference fit between the needle sheath and the needle shaft and/or a seal positioned around the needle shaft proximal of the plurality of one or more side openings and configured to prevent fluid from leaking between the needle sheath and the needle shaft and beyond a proximal end of the needle sheath.

Abstract: A device for introducing material into a body cavity is shown. The device includes a catheter with a distal tip. A first lumen extends through the catheter. The catheter is configured to faun a mist from liquid passed through the first lumen, for example including a misting nozzle in fluid communication with the first lumen and configured to provide a mist from a flow of liquid through the first lumen. An inflatable balloon may be included on the catheter to allow the user to isolate the portion of the body in which the material is introduced. Additional described features can provide for controlled deflection of a distal region of the catheter, guidewire or guide loop tool lumens, misting nozzles on the catheter, and delivery apparatuses including the catheter devices coupled to endoscopes such as bronchoscopes. Methods of use of the catheter devices and delivery apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Described in one aspect is a multi-pressure monitoring system for cell or other therapy includes a first catheter having a first lumen for accepting a treatment device, a second lumen for inflating a balloon, a pressure sensor for monitoring fluid pressure within the first lumen, and a flow restrictor such as a hemostasis valve for limiting the exchange of fluids into and out of the first lumen while treatment devices are present or exchanged in the first lumen. Also disclosed is a method of using the first catheter with a first pressure monitor coupled to the first pressure sensor along with a second catheter attached to a second pressure sensor coupled to a second pressure monitor. The second catheter is positioned within the first lumen of the first catheter during treatment operations and the first and second pressure monitors are used to verify proper pressures throughout the procedure.

Abstract: An intravascular filter assembly has an expanded state for capturing thrombi in a patient's blood vessel, a first a collapsed state for removal from the patient's blood vessel in a first direction and a second collapsed state for removal from the patient's blood vessel in a second direction. A plurality of first struts extends from a first axial side of a fixed hub, and a plurality of second struts extends from the opposite axial side of the fixed hub. An axially movable hub has a first position radially surrounding the tubular body, a second position axially spaced apart from the fixed hub along the first struts, and a third position axially spaced apart from the fixed hub along the second struts. The first struts are collapsed when the movable hub is in the second position, and the second struts are collapsed when the movable hub is in the third position.

Abstract: Described in one aspect is a multi-pressure monitoring system for cell or other therapy includes a first catheter having a first lumen for accepting a treatment device, a second lumen for inflating a balloon, a pressure sensor for monitoring fluid pressure within the first lumen, and a flow restrictor such as a hemostasis valve for limiting the exchange of fluids into and out of the first lumen while treatment devices are present or exchanged in the first lumen. Also disclosed is a method of using the first catheter with a first pressure monitor coupled to the first pressure sensor along with a second catheter attached to a second pressure sensor coupled to a second pressure monitor. The second catheter is positioned within the first lumen of the first catheter during treatment operations and the first and second pressure monitors are used to verify proper pressures throughout the procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating tissue with apparatus that includes an priming portion for initiating a healing response in the tissue to be treated, and which delivers a bioactive agent during or after preparing tissue adjacent the apparatus, as by generating or aiding a healing, regeneration or repair response in the tissue. The priming portion may comprise an abrasive surface, fluid ejection ports, and/or stimulation by electrical, thermal, or light energy.

Abstract: A device for thrombolytic therapy is provided. The device includes an elongate catheter with a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and a first lumen extending through both distal and proximal end portions. The distal end portion of the catheter includes an echogenic tubular potion that defines or surrounds a portion of the first lumen. An expandable balloon coaxially surrounds the tubular portion. The tubular portion additionally includes a plurality of indentations defined upon an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: An intravascular filter assembly has an expanded state for capturing thrombi in a patient's blood vessel, a first a collapsed state for removal from the patient's blood vessel in a first direction and a second collapsed state for removal from the patient's blood vessel in a second direction. A plurality of first struts extends from a first axial side of a fixed hub, and a plurality of second struts extends from the opposite axial side of the fixed hub. An axially movable hub has a first position radially surrounding the tubular body, a second position axially spaced apart from the fixed hub along the first struts, and a third position axially spaced apart from the fixed hub along the second struts. The first struts are collapsed when the movable hub is in the second position, and the second struts are collapsed when the movable hub is in the third position.

Abstract: An airway manifold includes a manifold body having an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The body portions are engaged such that the upper body portion is rotatable relative to the lower body portion, whereby a generally hollow interior space is defined. The lower body portion has a port open to the interior space, and the upper body portion includes a plurality of ports open to the interior space. A first upper body port is axially alignable with the lower body port to define a substantially linear passageway therebetween when the upper body portion is at a first rotatable position relative to the lower body portion. A second upper body port is axially alignable with the lower body port to define a substantially linear passageway therebetween when the upper body portion is at a second rotatable position.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods for delivering bioactive agents and/or cells into an extended volume of tissue are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cell-delivering needle arrangement has a tube positioned within a tube and fixedly attached to a wall thereof. In one exemplary method, a cell-delivering needle is advanced into tissue, a suspension of cells is passed through a first lumen and out of side ports, and a suspension of cells is passed through a second lumen and out of a distal opening. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An intravascular filter assembly has an expanded state for capturing thrombi in a patient's blood vessel, a first a collapsed state for removal from the patient's blood vessel in a first direction and a second collapsed state for removal from the patient's blood vessel in a second direction. A plurality of first struts extends from a first axial side of a fixed hub, and a plurality of second struts extends from the opposite axial side of the fixed hub. An axially movable hub has a first position radially surrounding the tubular body, a second position axially spaced apart from the fixed hub along the first struts, and a third position axially spaced apart from the fixed hub along the second struts. The first struts are collapsed when the movable hub is in the second position, and the second struts are collapsed when the movable hub is in the third position.

Abstract: A nebulizing catheter for bronchial therapy includes a catheter having a sheath defining an interior space and an open tip. A nebulizer is positioned in the interior space and located adjacent the open tip. The nebulizer includes a piezoelectric device. A liquid mixture is provided and placed in flow communication with the piezoelectric device for nebulizing a portion of that liquid mixture into small droplets for use in the bronchial therapy.

Abstract: A device for introducing a material into a body cavity is shown. The device includes a catheter with a distal tip. A first lumen extends through the catheter. The catheter is configured to form a mist from liquid passed through the first lumen, for example including a misting nozzle in fluid communication with the first lumen and configured to provide a mist from a flow of liquid through the first lumen. An inflatable balloon may be included on the catheter to allow the user to isolate the portion of the body in which the material is introduced. Additional described features can provide for controlled deflection of a distal region of the catheter, guidewire or guide loop tool lumens, first and second misting nozzles on the catheter, and delivery apparatuses including the catheter devices coupled or that can be coupled to endoscopes such as bronchoscopes. Methods of use of the catheter devices and delivery apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Described in one aspect is a multi-pressure monitoring system for cell or other therapy includes a first catheter having a first lumen for accepting a treatment device, a second lumen for inflating a balloon, a pressure sensor for monitoring fluid pressure within the first lumen, and a flow restrictor such as a hemostasis valve for limiting the exchange of fluids into and out of the first lumen while treatment devices are present or exchanged in the first lumen. Also disclosed is a method of using the first catheter with a first pressure monitor coupled to the first pressure sensor along with a second catheter attached to a second pressure sensor coupled to a second pressure monitor. The second catheter is positioned within the first lumen of the first catheter during treatment operations and the first and second pressure monitors are used to verify proper pressures throughout the procedure.

Abstract: An airway manifold includes a manifold body having an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The body portions are engaged such that the upper body portion is rotatable relative to the lower body portion, whereby a generally hollow interior space is defined. The lower body portion has a port open to the interior space, and the upper body portion includes a plurality of ports open to the interior space. A first upper body port is axially alignable with the lower body port to define a substantially linear passageway therebetween when the upper body portion is at a first rotatable position relative to the lower body portion. A second upper body port is axially alignable with the lower body port to define a substantially linear passageway therebetween when the upper body portion is at a second rotatable position.

Abstract: A guide catheter assembly includes an outer sheath and an inner catheter disposed, at least partially, within the outer sheath. A tether tethers the inner catheter to the outer sheath. The guide catheter assembly has a first configuration where the tether is untensioned and distal ends of the outer sheath and inner catheter are pointing in a first direction. In a second configuration of the guide catheter assembly, the tether is tensioned, the distal end of the outer sheath is pointing in the first direction, the distal end of the inner catheter is pointing in a second direction that is different from the first direction, and the tether is oriented at an angle different from both the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: Described in one aspect is a multi-pressure monitoring system for cell or other therapy includes a first catheter having a first lumen for accepting a treatment device, a second lumen for inflating a balloon, a pressure sensor for monitoring fluid pressure within the first lumen, and a flow restrictor such as a hemostasis valve for limiting the exchange of fluids into and out of the first lumen while treatment devices are present or exchanged in the first lumen. Also disclosed is a method of using the first catheter with a first pressure monitor coupled to the first pressure sensor along with a second catheter attached to a second pressure sensor coupled to a second pressure monitor. The second catheter is positioned within the first lumen of the first catheter during treatment operations and the first and second pressure monitors are used to verify proper pressures throughout the procedure.

Abstract: An airway manifold includes a manifold body having an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The body portions are engaged such that the upper body portion is rotatable relative to the lower body portion, whereby a generally hollow interior space is defined. The lower body portion has a port open to the interior space, and the upper body portion includes a plurality of ports open to the interior space. A first upper body port is axially alignable with the lower body port to define a substantially linear passageway therebetween when the upper body portion is at a first rotatable position relative to the lower body portion. A second upper body port is axially alignable with the lower body port to define a substantially linear passageway therebetween when the upper body portion is at a second rotatable position.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods for delivering bioactive agents and/or cells into an extended volume of tissue are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cell-delivering needle arrangement has a tube positioned within a tube and fixedly attached to a wall thereof. In one exemplary method, a cell-delivering needle is advanced into tissue, a suspension of cells is passed through a first lumen and out of side ports, and a suspension of cells is passed through a second lumen and out of a distal opening. Other embodiments are disclosed.