Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.

Abstract: Method are provided for treating a patient having bladder pain and/or irritative voiding symptoms. The method includes administering to the patient's bladder lidocaine or another anesthetic agent continuously over a treatment period of 24 hours or more in an amount effective to achieve a therapeutic effect which is sustained beyond the end of the treatment period.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing electrochemical actuation are described herein. In one embodiment, an actuator device includes an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode At least a portion of the negative electrode is formed with a material formulated to at least one of intercalate, de-intercalate, alloy with, oxidize, reduce, or plate with a first portion of the positive electrode to an extent different than with a second portion of the positive electrode such that a differential strain is imparted between the first portion and the second portion of the positive electrode and such that at least a portion of the electrochemical cell is displaced. The electrochemical cell includes a portion that is pre-bent along an axis of the electrochemical cell to define a fold axis and the displacement of the at least a portion of the electrochemical cell is maximized along the fold axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.

Abstract: Implant devices for intravesical administration and local drug delivery. The device has a body which includes a hollow tube formed of a biocompatible material; at least one reservoir in the tube which contains a drug; and one or more apertures through which the drug can be released. The device is configured for minimally invasive insertion into a body cavity, such as the bladder. The hollow tube may be elastomeric to permit the device to be elastically deformed from its initial shape into an elongated shape for passage through a catheter, where following such passage the device can return to or toward its initial shape to facilitate retention of the device in the body cavity. The body may have a narrow, elongated shape effective to permit insertion of the drug delivery device through a catheter without necessarily deforming the body, yet include flexible projections which effect retention within the body cavity.

Abstract: A device includes a tissue expanding portion and an enclosure positioned on a surface of the tissue expanding portion. The enclosure includes an enclosure wall and a drug formulation pocket defined by the enclosure wall. A solid drug formulation that includes a drug is housed within the drug formulation pocket.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and treatment methods are provided, particularly for use in the bladder. The device is configured for retention in the bladder for at least a portion of the drug delivery period and includes at least one biodegradable component such that following a biodegradation at a selected time, the retention function is lost and the device or portions thereof are resorbed and/or excreted. The method may include deploying into the bladder of a patient a device having a device structure housing a drug formulation comprising at a drug; releasing drug from the device structure into the bladder; and then, changing the composition of urine in the bladder, e.g., by altering the pH, to trigger degradation of at least part of the device structure to enable the device structure or parts thereof to be excreted from the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.

Abstract: Microchip devices are provided that include a substrate; a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, each reservoir defining an internal volume; and a reservoir cap positioned on or in each of the reservoirs bounding the internal volume from an external environment, the reservoir cap being formed of a material that undergoes a phase change upon heating, wherein the internal volume can communicate with the external environment upon heating said reservoir cap to cause said reservoir cap to undergo a phase change and rupture.

Abstract: A method delivers an implantable device through the urethra and into the bladder. A deployment instrument is inserted into the urethra, the implantable device is inserted into the deployment instrument, and a stream of fluid is injected into the deployment instrument. The stream of fluid drives the implantable device from the deployment instrument into the bladder. The deployment instrument is removed from the urethra, leaving the implantable device wholly implanted in the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.

Abstract: Apparatuses for delivering compositions of matter comprising a magnetically sensitive drug carrier and a related drug and methods for causing the drug carriers to localize within the patient using an internal or external magnetic field are described.

Abstract: A uniaxially compressed dosage form manufactured by three-dimensional printing that preserves the predetermined internal architecture of the dosage form while producing an improved surface finish. The compression compacts the dosage form, eliminating at least some of the void space that remains at the end of conventional three-dimensional printing. Surface finish obtained as a result of the uniaxial compression process can be essentially equal to that obtained from conventional tablet pressing. Additionally, the internal structure or spatial variation of composition of the dosage form is preserved during the pressing operation, with geometric shrinkage occurring mostly in the direction of the axis of pressing. Further, as a result of compression, a greater quantity of API can be packed into a given final volume of dosage form.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for delivering drug to the eye. The method and system may include implanting into the eye a device which comprises two or more discrete reservoirs, each reservoir containing a drug; and directing focused light to the implanted device to open a first one of the reservoirs and thereby permit the drug to diffuse from the first reservoir to the patient's eye.

Abstract: Intravesical devices are provided that are wholly deployable within the bladder of a patient in need of treatment and are well tolerated by the patient. The device may include an elastic body having a retention shape having (i) dimensions that provide intravesical mobility and that prevent voiding of the medical device through the urethra, and (ii) dimensions, buoyancy, or both, that exclude the medical device from entering the orifices of the ureters. The elastic body may exert a maximum acting force less than 1 N when compressed to a shape with a maximum dimension in any dimension of 3 cm. The device may include a drug for controlled release within the bladder, for treatment of the bladder or a regional tissue. Methods of treatment are also provided that include selecting a patient in need of treatment in the bladder where tolerability of the treatment is a primary concern.

Abstract: A device includes a tissue expanding portion and an enclosure positioned on a surface of the tissue expanding portion. The enclosure includes an enclosure wall and a drug formulation pocket defined by the enclosure wall.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to magnetic resonance (MR)-based methods and kits for measuring the viscosity of liquid samples.

Abstract: A patch pump device generally includes at least one fluid source, a fluid communicator, and an electrochemical actuator. The fluid communicator is in fluid communication with the fluid source. The electrochemical actuator is operative to cause fluid to be delivered from the fluid source into the fluid communicator.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.

Abstract: A uniaxially compressed dosage form manufactured by three-dimensional printing that preserves the predetermined internal architecture of the dosage form while producing an improved surface finish. The compression compacts the dosage form, eliminating at least some of the void space that remains at the end of conventional three-dimensional printing. Surface finish obtained as a result of the uniaxial compression process can be essentially equal to that obtained from conventional tablet pressing. Additionally, the internal structure or spatial variation of composition of the dosage form is preserved during the pressing operation, with geometric shrinkage occurring mostly in the direction of the axis of pressing. Further, as a result of compression, a greater quantity of API can be packed into a given final volume of dosage form.