Abstract: A medical device for placement in a body of a mammal is provided. The medical device comprises (1) a polymeric matrix forming the device and defining a lumen through the device, the matrix comprising polymer macromolecules and defining spaces between the polymer macromolecules; (2) a drug contained within at least some of the spaces of the matrix; and (3) a material contained within at least some of the spaces of the matrix to affect diffusion of the drug out of the polymeric matrix when the medical device is placed in the body of the mammal.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, ureteral stents are provided that comprise an elongated stent body, at least one deployable retention structure, and at least one sleeve and/or sheet of drug-releasing material. In various embodiments, at least one sleeve and/or sheet of drug-releasing material is deployed concurrently with the deployment of at least one deployable retention structure. The ureteral stents of the present disclosure are adapted to release the urologically beneficial drug into a subject.

Abstract: Various embodiments identify some constraints for multiple mask designs of multi-patterning lithography processes for manufacturing an electronic design and colors multiple routing tracks in a layer of the electronic design with certain colors. These embodiments color fixed object(s) in the design with one or more of these certain colors based on coloring of the multiple routing tracks. Some embodiments further color movable object(s) based on results of coloring the fixed object(s) or coloring routing track(s). Some embodiments route the physical design with coloring of fixed object(s), coloring of movable object(s), or routing connectivity. Multiple-patterning conflicts may be detected based on the coloring of fixed object(s), coloring of movable object(s), or routing connectivity. Some embodiments route with search-and-repair strategy(ies) to improve or resolve conflict(s). Some embodiments color objects upon their creation, and the layout is thus multiple-patterning design rule clean as constructed.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, injectable bulking compositions are provided which contain the following: (a) fibers that are configured to prevent migration to locations in the body remote from the injection site, for example, because they have a minimum length that is sufficiently large to prevent migration of the fibers and/or because they have surface features that stimulate host tissue response to lock the fibers in position and (b) a carrier in an amount effective to render the composition injectable.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a stent includes an elongate member and a distal retention member. The elongate member is configured to be disposed within a ureter of a patient and has a first portion, a second portion and a plurality of beads bonded together. The plurality of beads define a plurality of spaces between the plurality of beads. The plurality of spaces are configured to allow fluid to flow from the first portion of the elongate member to the second portion of the elongate member. The distal retention member is configured to help maintain a portion of the stent within a kidney of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides implantable or insertable medical apparatuses that deliver one or more urologically beneficial agents to the urinary tract. In one aspect, the medical apparatuses comprise a reservoir, a catheter, an implantable or insertable urological medical device, and an optional pump.

Abstract: Disclosed are mesh materials adapted for use in an implantable sling. The mesh materials include biodegradable and non-degradable components that may be adapted to facilitate scar-tissue in-growth as the biodegradable components degrade.

Abstract: Implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which comprises: (a) a biocompatible polymer; and (b) at least one therapeutic agent selected from an anti-inflammatory agent, an analgesic agent, an anesthetic agent, and an antispasmodic agent. The medical devices are adapted for implantation or insertion at a site associated with pain or discomfort upon implantation or insertion. In many embodiments, the therapeutic will be selected from at least one of (i) ketorolac and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof (e.g., ketorolac tromethamine) and (ii) 4-diethylamino-2-butynylphenylcyclohexyl glycolate and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof (e.g., oxybutynin chloride). Also provided are uses for the implantable or insertable medical devices, which uses comprise reducing pain or discomfort accompanying the implantation or insertion of such devices. Further uses may comprise reducing microbial buildup along the device.

Abstract: A medical device for placement in a body of a mammal is provided. The medical device comprises (1) a polymeric matrix forming the device and defining a lumen through the device, the matrix comprising polymer macromolecules and defining spaces between the polymer macromolecules; (2) a drug contained within at least some of the spaces of the matrix; and (3) a material contained within at least some of the spaces of the matrix to affect diffusion of the drug out of the polymeric matrix when the medical device is placed in the body of the mammal.

Abstract: A system for accessing a patient's body may include an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and two lumens. The elongate member may include two lumens and a thickness of material extending between external and internal surfaces of the elongate member. The system may also include a first illumination device associated with a first of the two lumens such that a portion of the first illumination device may extend into the thickness of material. A second illumination device may be associated with the second of the two lumens such that a portion of the second illumination device may extend into the thickness of material. Further, the system may include an imaging device having a first portion extending into the thickness of material, a second portion protruding into the first of the two lumens, and a third portion protruding into the second of the two lumens.

Abstract: The invention relates to bulking agents and apparatus and methods for using the disclosed bulking agents. The bulking agents can be used to treat such conditions as urinary and fecal incontinence, gastro-esophageal reflux, ancurismal blockages, and cosmetic deformities. The invention also relates to an injection method that reduces the injection pressure required to place the bulking agents.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a CVD repair apparatus, in which an auxiliary gas is ejected from a gas-storage module, impinging upon a substrate, and bounced back to a pressure-sensitive sensor provided on a lower surface of a gas-ejection device, so that the gas pressure is detected, and based on the detected gas pressure, the distance between the substrate and the gas-ejection device is determined; when the distance between the substrate and the gas-ejection device is less than a preset lower-limit value, by increasing the auxiliary-gas amount ejected from the gas-storage module to lift up the gas-ejection device, or by preventing the gas-ejection device from moving parallel to the substrate, the substrate is avoided an inadvertent scratch during the movement of the gas-ejection device.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to surgical implants, and in various embodiments to surgical implants configured for promoting growth of collagenous tissue at an anatomical site.

Abstract: A system for implanting an implant and method thereof is disclosed. In general overview, the system includes an implant, an envelope enclosing the implant, a delivery assembly and an attachment piece for attaching the envelope or implant to the delivery assembly. The envelope may include a drug coating, positioning aids, and means to ease envelope removal. In one embodiment, the delivery assembly is employed for implant and/or envelope delivery inside the patient's body. In another embodiment, the delivery assembly and an attachment piece are employed to deliver the implant or the envelope inside the patient's body.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a medical device is provided, which comprises the following: (a) a hollow elongate body (e.g., a elongate cylinder, such as a needle) having distal and proximal ends; and (b) a rotatable member comprising a tissue morselizer and an elongate shaft (e.g., an auger-like tissue-drilling bit). In the devices of the present invention, the elongate shaft is disposed within the hollow elongate body and cooperates with the hollow elongate body to (i) advance material (e.g., morselated tissue) toward the proximal end of the hollow elongate body when the shaft is rotated in a first direction, and (ii) advance material (e.g., a therapeutic agent and/or a bulking agent) toward the distal end of the hollow elongate body when the shaft is rotated in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a ureteral stent includes an elongate member having a first portion and a second portion, which is coupled to the first portion. The first portion of the elongate member is configured to be disposed within a kidney of a patient. The second portion of the elongate member, which has a sidewall that defines a lumen, is configured to deliver fluid from a first location of the sidewall of the second portion to a second location of the sidewall of the second portion via capillary action. The second portion of the elongate member is configured to be disposed within at least one of a bladder and a ureter of the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to bulking agents and apparatus and methods for using the disclosed bulking agents. The bulking agents can be used to treat such conditions as urinary and fecal incontinence, gastro-esophageal reflux, aneurismal blockages, and cosmetic deformities. The invention also relates to an injection method that reduces the injection pressure required to place the bulking agents.

Abstract: The resorption of a medical implant can be controlled with the use of particles embedded in a resorbable bulk material forming the implant or portion thereof. The implant can be removed from a body of a mammal by natural biological mechanisms after use. The resorption of the implant can involve swelling and/or hydrolyzing of the particles within the implant upon contact with a body fluid such that porosity and flow of fluid within the bulk material of the implant is increased. Resorption of the implant may also involve the use of particles with magnetic properties embedded within the implant such that an applied magnetic field causes the particles to vibrate within the bulk material thereby increasing the porosity and thus the flow of fluid, hence facilitating resorption of the implant. The resorption rate of the implant can be controlled by modulating swelling, hydrolysis, or movement of the embedded particles.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to surgical implants, and in various embodiments to surgical implants configured for promoting growth of collagenous tissue at an anatomical site.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a medical device is provided, which comprises the following: (a) a hollow elongate body (e.g., an elongate cylinder, such as a needle) having distal and proximal ends; and (b) a rotatable member comprising a tissue morselizer and an elongate shaft (e.g., an auger-like tissue-drilling bit). The device (i) advance material (e.g., morselated tissue) toward the proximal end of the hollow elongate body when the shaft is rotated in a first direction, and (ii) advance material (e.g., a therapeutic agent and/or a bulking agent) toward the distal end of the hollow elongate body when the shaft is rotated in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The invention also provides a method of treatment for morselizing and removing tissue from within the patient and creating a void within the patient and introducing a therapeutic agent and/or a bulking agent into the void.