Abstract: A system for performing irrigation of a body cavity includes a reservoir containing an irrigation liquid, a catheter and a controller. The catheter is configured to be at least partially inserted into the body cavity and has a flushing passage, a drain passage and a retention balloon. A waste drain valve is in fluid communication with the drain passage of the catheter and is movable between a closed configuration, where waste is retained within the drain passage, and an open configuration where waste flows through the drain passage. The controller is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the catheter, and has a pump and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is changeable between configurations where, when the pump is actuated, irrigation liquid is pumped from the reservoir to the retention balloon, from the reservoir to the flushing passage of the catheter and from the retention balloon to the reservoir.

Abstract: A trans-anal irrigation (TAI) device has a pump base unit, an irrigation fluid reservoir, a wireless electronic controller, fluid tubing, and a disposable rectal catheter in fluid communication with the tubing. The rectal catheter has a retention balloon and a waste control valve. The fluid tubing contains two or three separate lumens for irrigation fluid and retention balloon inflation/deflation and optionally for waste control valve actuation. None of the lumens ever communicates with any other lumen. A hydraulic control circuit has a pump that pumps in one direction only but, with suitable control valves, is able to pump water to and from the retention balloon and to and from an optional waste control valve. A water temperature sensor is mounted in the pump base unit at a thin-wall section. The temperature sensor sends a signal to a controller which provides an indication of whether the water temperature is suitable for use.

Abstract: A system for performing irrigation of a body cavity includes a reservoir containing an irrigation liquid, a catheter and a controller. The catheter is configured to be at least partially inserted into the body cavity and has a flushing passage, a drain passage and a retention balloon. A waste drain valve is in fluid communication with the drain passage of the catheter and is movable between a closed configuration, where waste is retained within the drain passage, and an open configuration where waste flows through the drain passage. The controller is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the catheter, and has a pump and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is changeable between configurations where, when the pump is actuated, irrigation liquid is pumped from the reservoir to the retention balloon, from the reservoir to the flushing passage of the catheter and from the retention balloon to the reservoir.

Abstract: A trans-anal irrigation (TAI) device has a pump base unit, an irrigation fluid reservoir, a wireless electronic controller, fluid tubing, and a disposable rectal catheter in fluid communication with the tubing. The rectal catheter has a retention balloon and a waste control valve. The fluid tubing contains two or three separate lumens for irrigation fluid and retention balloon inflation/deflation and optionally for waste control valve actuation. None of the lumens ever communicates with any other lumen. A hydraulic control circuit has a pump that pumps in one direction only but, with suitable control valves, is able to pump water to and from the retention balloon and to and from an optional waste control valve. A water temperature sensor is mounted in the pump base unit at a thin-wall section. The temperature sensor sends a signal to a controller which provides an indication of whether the water temperature is suitable for use.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The systems generally comprise a container having first and second regions and a reservoir containing the therapeutic agent. A pressure source having pressurized fluid is in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of the reservoir. An outlet tube is in fluid communication with the reservoir of the container. At least one slot is formed in a lateral surface of the outlet tube at a position between first and second ends of the outlet tube.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The systems generally comprise a container having first and second regions and a reservoir containing the therapeutic agent. A pressure source having pressurized fluid is in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of the reservoir. An outlet tube is in fluid communication with the reservoir of the container. At least one slot is formed in a lateral surface of the outlet tube at a position between first and second ends of the outlet tube.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The systems generally comprise a container for holding a therapeutic agent, and a pressure source configured to be placed in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of a reservoir of the container. In one embodiment, fluid from the pressure source is directed through a first region of the container in a direction towards a second region of the container. The fluid then is at least partially redirected to urge the therapeutic agent in a direction from the second region of the container towards the first region of the container and subsequently towards the target site. In alternative embodiments, the fluid from the pressure source may be directed through the second region of the container in a direction towards the first region of the container.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.

Abstract: The invention relates to a systems, devices and methods of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. In some instances, a system can include an elongate shaft for delivering a self-expanding, cement-directing stent. The elongate shaft can include at least one of an inner shaft, an outer shaft, a tubular sheath, a flexible guidewire, and an internal polymer extrusion. A rotational handle can be used to control movement of the elongate shaft. The rotational handle can incorporate one or more pins in slots associated with each of the components (e.g., inner shaft, outer shaft, and tubular sheath), such that upon rotation of the handle, the pins are forced to move in the direction of their respective slots.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The systems generally comprise a container for holding a therapeutic agent, and a pressure source configured to be placed in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of a reservoir of the container. In one embodiment, fluid from the pressure source is directed through a first region of the container in a direction towards a second region of the container. The fluid then is at least partially redirected to urge the therapeutic agent in a direction from the second region of the container towards the first region of the container and subsequently towards the target site. In alternative embodiments, the fluid from the pressure source may be directed through the second region of the container in a direction towards the first region of the container.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The systems generally comprise a container for holding a therapeutic agent, and a pressure source configured to be placed in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of a reservoir of the container. In one embodiment, fluid from the pressure source is directed through a first region of the container in a direction towards a second region of the container. The fluid then is at least partially redirected to urge the therapeutic agent in a direction from the second region of the container towards the first region of the container and subsequently towards the target site. In alternative embodiments, the fluid from the pressure source may be directed through the second region of the container in a direction towards the first region of the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. The invention also relates to devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy a stent.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The systems generally comprise a container for holding a therapeutic agent, and a pressure source configured to be placed in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of a reservoir of the container. In one embodiment, fluid from the pressure source is directed through a first region of the container in a direction towards a second region of the container. The fluid then is at least partially redirected to urge the therapeutic agent in a direction from the second region of the container towards the first region of the container and subsequently towards the target site. In alternative embodiments, the fluid from the pressure source may be directed through the second region of the container in a direction towards the first region of the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. The invention also relates to devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy a stent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. The invention also relates to devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy a stent.

Abstract: A sunshade including a shade, a headrest, an anchoring loop, and a support frame. The support frame supports the shade and the headrest. The support frame is adjustable to enable the positions of the shade and the headrest to be set to any one of a range of in-use positions with the shade shading the headrest as required. The anchoring loop is attached to the support frame at both ends and is weighted, for example, by being filled with a weighting material, such as sand, which is inserted into the loop through an opening which is sealed during use to prevent escape of the weighting material. The anchoring loop also serves as a handle for carrying the sunshade when it is folded for transport.

Abstract: A sunshade (1) comprises a shade (2), a headrest (3), an anchoring loop (4), and a support frame (5). The support frame (5) supports the shade (2) and the headrest (3). The support frame (5) is adjustable to enable the positions of the shade (2) and the headrest (3) to be set to any one of a range of in-use positions with the shade (2) shading the headrest (3) as required. The anchoring loop (4) is attached to the support frame (5) at both ends and is weighted, for example, by being filled with a weighting material, such as sand, which is inserted into the loop (4) through an opening which is sealed during use to prevent escape of the weighting material. The anchoring loop (4) also serves as a handle for carrying the sunshade (1) when it is folded for transport.