Abstract: A negative pressure therapy system is provided for inducing negative pressure in a portion of a urinary tract of a patient, the system including: (a) at least one ureteral catheter configured to be positioned within a ureter and/or kidney of a patient; (b) one or more sensor(s) configured to determine information about urine produced within a urinary tract of the patient; and (c) a controller configured to increase urine production of the patient by adjusting one or more operating parameters of a negative pressure source for inducing negative pressure through the at least one ureteral catheter into the urinary tract of the patient, based at least in part upon the information determined by the one or more sensor(s).

Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion that includes one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations and is configured to establish an outer periphery or protective surface area that inhibits mucosal tissue from occluding the one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations upon application of negative pressure through the catheter. Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function also are provided.

Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion that includes one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations and is configured to establish an outer periphery or protective surface area that inhibits mucosal tissue from occluding the one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations upon application of negative pressure through the catheter. Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function also are provided.

Abstract: A method for removing excess fluid from a patient with hemodilution is provided. The method includes: deploying a urinary tract catheter into the patient such that flow of urine from the ureter and/or kidney is transported within a drainage lumen of the catheter; applying negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney through the drainage lumen of the catheter to extract urine from the patient; periodically measuring a hematocrit value of the patient; and if the measured hematocrit value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, ceasing the application of the negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney. A system for removing excess fluid from a patient with hemodilution including a ureteral catheter and a pump is also provided.

Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion that includes one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations and is configured to establish an outer periphery or protective surface area that inhibits mucosal tissue from occluding the one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations upon application of negative pressure through the catheter. Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function also are provided.

Abstract: A pump for inducing negative pressure in the ureter and/or kidney is provided. The pump is configured to be in communication with at least one lumen of at least one ureteral catheter and to draw fluid from the ureter and/or kidney into the at least one lumen of the at least one ureteral catheter for removal of the fluid from the ureter and/or kidney. The pump is configured to induce negative pressure ranging from about 0.1 mmHg to about 50 mmHg gauge pressure proximate to the pump inlet, and the pump is configured to have an accuracy of about 10 mmHg or less proximate to the pump inlet.

Abstract: A negative pressure therapy system is provided for inducing negative pressure in a portion of a urinary tract, the system including: (a) at least one ureteral catheter configured to be positioned within a ureter and/or kidney; (b) one or more sensor(s) configured to determine information about at least one of blood composition, blood flow, respiration, heart rate, glucose, protein, or creatinine; and (c) a controller configured to increase urine production by adjusting one or more operating parameters of a negative pressure source for inducing negative pressure through the at least one ureteral catheter into the urinary tract, based at least in part upon the information determined by the one or more sensor(s).

Abstract: Ureteral catheters and assemblies are provided including: a drainage lumen including a proximal portion configured to be positioned in at least a portion of a patient's urethra and a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's ureter and/or kidney, the distal portion including a coiled retention portion including at least a first coil having a first diameter and a second coil having a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter; or wherein the retention portion extends radially outwardly from a portion of the distal end of the drainage lumen portion, the retention portion including a proximal end having a first diameter, a distal end having a second diameter, and a wall and/or surface extending therebetween, the retention portion having a second diameter is greater than the first diameter when deployed; or wherein the retention portion includes a plurality of drainage tubes.

Abstract: Non-load-bearing, drug-eluting components, such as a rod cover, that can be added to load bearing spinal implants.

Abstract: Negative pressure therapy systems are provided for increasing urine production, the negative pressure therapy system including: (a) a pump assembly, the pump assembly including: (i) a pump configured to provide negative pressure to a kidney, and (ii) a controller configured to regulate the negative pressure provided by the pump within a pressure range that facilitates increased urine production from the kidney.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for visualizing and treating an injury, wound or skin using a visual tourniquet and skin patch system made of transparent materials. The inventive bandage system is capable of applying pressure while absorbing bodily fluids away from the wound or skin and providing support for the application of one or more medicaments or a combination of treatment gas and/or medicine. The inventive bandage system enables the practitioner to visually inspect and measure the size of the wound over time without removing or touching the bandage or tourniquet thereby reducing pain and contamination of the wound bed. One embodiment of the inventive bandage system continuously controls the wound bed temperature thereby reducing pain and inhibiting bacterial growth. Other embodiments of the inventive bandage system are used as a visual tourniquet to apply a combination of pressures to a wound or skin.

Abstract: A negative pressure therapy system is provided for inducing negative pressure in a portion of a urinary tract of a patient, the system including: (a) at least one ureteral catheter configured to be positioned within a ureter and/or kidney of a patient; (b) one or more sensor(s) configured to determine information about urine produced within a urinary tract of the patient; and (c) a controller configured to increase urine production of the patient by adjusting one or more operating parameters of a negative pressure source for inducing negative pressure through the at least one ureteral catheter into the urinary tract of the patient, based at least in part upon the information determined by the one or more sensor(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for visualizing and treating an injury, wound or skin using a visual tourniquet and skin patch system made of transparent materials. The inventive bandage system is capable of applying pressure while absorbing bodily fluids away from the wound or skin and providing support for the application of one or more medicaments or a combination of treatment gas and/or medicine. The inventive bandage system enables the practitioner to visually inspect and measure the size of the wound over time without removing or touching the bandage or tourniquet thereby reducing pain and contamination of the wound bed. One embodiment of the inventive bandage system continuously controls the wound bed temperature thereby reducing pain and inhibiting bacterial growth. Other embodiments of the inventive bandage system are used as a visual tourniquet to apply a combination of pressures to a wound or skin.

Abstract: In intervertebral operative spinal procedures, using separate or pre-attached spreader blocks to control the directional growth of a distracting balloon.

Abstract: A syringe having an energy source disposed therein is disclosed. The syringe is capable of both the delivery and/or aspiration of materials as well as the delivery of an effective amount of various types of energy to a target to produce a desired result. A method utilizing the syringe to administer materials and to deliver energy to the material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Non-load-bearing, drug-eluting components, such as a rod cover, that can be added to load bearing spinal implants.

Abstract: A syringe having an energy source disposed therein is disclosed. The syringe is capable of both the delivery and/or aspiration of materials as well as the delivery of an effective amount of various types of energy to a target to produce a desired result. A method utilizing the syringe to administer materials and to deliver energy to the material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating urine output from the kidney, including: (a) inserting a catheter including: a drainage lumen including a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's kidney, renal pelvis and/or in the ureter adjacent to the renal pelvis and a proximal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion including a funnel support including at least one sidewall, wherein the funnel support includes a first diameter and a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter, the second diameter being closer to an end of the distal portion of the drainage lumen than the first diameter, wherein the proximal portion of the drainage lumen is essentially free of or free of openings; and (b) applying negative pressure to the proximal portion of the drainage lumen for a period of time to facilitate urine output from the kidney.

Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion that includes one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations and is configured to establish an outer periphery or protective surface area that inhibits mucosal tissue from occluding the one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations upon application of negative pressure through the catheter. Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function also are provided.

Abstract: Non-load-bearing, drug-eluting components, such as a rod cover, that can be added to load bearing spinal implants.