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: A medical device reduces the risk of operating room fires caused by light sources by shielding the illuminated light cable from directly interacting with surgical drapes or patient skin. The device includes a silicone housing that mates circumferentially over existing endoscopic light cables and a thermal insulator can be positioned over the light emitting tip of the cable.

Abstract: A medical device reduces the risk of operating room fires caused by light sources by shielding the illuminated light cable from directly interacting with surgical drapes or patient skin. The device includes a silicone housing that mates circumferentially over existing endoscopic light cables and a thermal insulator can be positioned over the light emitting tip of the cable.

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: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for securely dispensing one or more prescribed substances at a given time and/or date are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, a pill dispensing device may include a generally tamper-proof portable housing. A replaceable cartridge may be configured to be removably disposed within the portable housing. The replaceable cartridge also may be generally tamper-proof. The portable housing and/or the replaceable cartridge may be operable to dispense a predefined amount of a prescribed substance at a given time and/or date.

Abstract: A sublingual dental absorbent pad has a U-shaped body made of a moisture permeable bottom layer, a moisture impermeable top layer, an a moisture absorbent middle layer. The dental absorbent pad has a generally U-shape so that it fits in the mouth under the tongue. The dental absorbent pad has a central portion from which extend two legs which are separated from each other in a divergent manner to form a V-shaped space therebetween. The central portion has a front edge with a generally flat or shallow arcing configuration.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for securely dispensing one or more prescribed substances at a given time and/or date are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, a pill dispensing device may include a generally tamper-proof portable housing. A replaceable cartridge may be configured to be removably disposed within the portable housing. The replaceable cartridge also may be generally tamper-proof. The portable housing and/or the replaceable cartridge may be operable to dispense a predefined amount of a prescribed substance at a given time and/or date.

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: 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: 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: 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 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: Ureteral catheters and assemblies are provided including: a proximal portion; and a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion, wherein the retention portion includes an inwardly facing side including one or more drainage ports and an outwardly facing side, and wherein, when negative pressure is applied through the ureteral catheter, fluid is drawn into the ureteral catheter through the one or more drainage ports while mucosal tissue is prevented from appreciably occluding the one or more drainage ports.

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.