Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding, such as upper GI bleeding. In certain aspects, the invention provides topical formulations that stop bleeding in the GI tract by forming a gel when a polymer in the formulation exceeds a threshold level (optionally a pre-determined threshold level) for a property of the polymer of the formulation, which threshold level may be for example, a physical (e.g., temperature), chemical (e.g., pH), or temporal threshold level following contact with the affected tissue. In certain aspects, a combination of properties, such as a combination of physical (e.g., temperature), chemical (e.g., pH), or temporal threshold levels determines when the polymer in the formulation transitions from a liquid to a gel. Methods of using such compositions are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the body includes a lumen for housing at least a part of an imaging device, and a fluid delivery channel that is fixed in position relative to the body, and an opening that is in fluid communication with the fluid delivery channel, wherein the fluid delivery channel has a first portion, and a second portion that forms an angle with an axis of the first portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the body includes a lumen for housing at least a part of an imaging device, and a fluid delivery channel that is fixed in position relative to the body, and an opening that is in fluid communication with the fluid delivery channel, wherein the fluid delivery channel has a first portion, and a second portion that forms an angle with an axis of the first portion.

Abstract: Components for an endoscopic vessel harvesting system suitable for harvesting target vessels such as the saphenous vein or radial artery for cardiac artery bypass graft surgery. The main components of such systems include a vessel dissector and a vessel harvester, both of which work in conjunction with a separately provided endoscope. The vessel dissector is an elongated cannula having a blunt tip for separating layers of facial around vessels. The tip may be movable, and is typically transparent to permit viewing forward of the tip using the endoscope. Internal features of the tip may reduce glare back to the endoscope. Several devices improve visibility through the tip by reducing interference from tissue or fluid on the tip. The vessel harvester also has an elongated cannula for receiving the endoscope. Several tools within the harvester permit manipulation, severing, and sealing of vessels forward of the distal end.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for local administration of therapeutic agents to the rectum or colon, such as by enema. The methods and compositions are useful for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for local administration of therapeutic agents to the rectum or colon, such as by enema. The methods and compositions are useful for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Abstract: Enema compositions containing corticosteroids or salicylic acid derivatives are disclosed. The compositions are liquid at room temperature but turn to gels at body temperature. They are useful for treating inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: Components for an endoscopic vessel harvesting system suitable for harvesting target vessels such as the saphenous vein or radial artery for cardiac artery bypass graft surgery. The main components of such systems include a vessel dissector and a vessel harvester, both of which work in conjunction with a separately provided endoscope. The vessel dissector is an elongated cannula having a blunt tip for separating layers of facial around vessels. The tip may be movable, and is typically transparent to permit viewing forward of the tip using the endoscope. Internal features of the tip may reduce glare back to the endoscope. Several devices improve visibility through the tip by reducing interference from tissue or fluid on the tip. The vessel harvester also has an elongated cannula for receiving the endoscope. Several tools within the harvester permit manipulation, severing, and sealing of vessels forward of the distal end.

Abstract: Enema compositions containing corticosteroids or salicylic acid derivatives are disclosed. The compositions are liquid at room temperature but turn to gels at body temperature. They are useful for treating inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: Components for an endoscopic vessel harvesting system suitable for harvesting target vessels such as the saphenous vein or radial artery for cardiac artery bypass graft surgery. The main components of such systems include a vessel dissector and a vessel harvester, both of which work in conjunction with a separately provided endoscope. The vessel dissector is an elongated cannula having a blunt tip for separating layers of facial around vessels. The tip may be movable, and is typically transparent to permit viewing forward of the tip using the endoscope. Internal features of the tip may reduce glare back to the endoscope. Several devices improve visibility through the tip by reducing interference from tissue or fluid on the tip. The vessel harvester also has an elongated cannula for receiving the endoscope. Several tools within the harvester permit manipulation, severing, and sealing of vessels forward of the distal end.

Abstract: A method of delivering nicotine to treat dyskinesia, such as Levodopa induced dyskinesia (LID), includes delivering a first dose of nicotine to a patient using a transdermal delivery device and delivering a second dose of nicotine to the patient using the transdermal delivery device. The first and second doses are timed such that a refractory period between peak plasma levels of nicotine in the patient prevents desensitization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors while reducing symptoms of LID.

Abstract: Components for an endoscopic vessel harvesting system suitable for harvesting target vessels such as the saphenous vein or radial artery for cardiac artery bypass graft surgery. The main components of such systems include a vessel dissector and a vessel harvester, both of which work in conjunction with a separately provided endoscope. The vessel dissector is an elongated cannula having a blunt tip for separating layers of facial around vessels. The tip may be movable, and is typically transparent to permit viewing forward of the tip using the endoscope. Internal features of the tip may reduce glare back to the endoscope. Several devices improve visibility through the tip by reducing interference from tissue or fluid on the tip. The vessel harvester also has an elongated cannula for receiving the endoscope. Several tools within the harvester permit manipulation, severing, and sealing of vessels forward of the distal end.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the body includes a lumen for housing at least a part of an imaging device, and a fluid delivery channel that is fixed in position relative to the body, and an opening that is in fluid communication with the fluid delivery channel, wherein the fluid delivery channel has a first portion, and a second portion that forms an angle with an axis of the first portion.

Abstract: Enema compositions containing corticosteroids or salicylic acid derivatives are disclosed. The compositions are liquid at room temperature but turn to gels at body temperature. They are useful for treating inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: A device for receipt in a user's mouth includes a tongue engagement element having a front region, a rear region, and side regions that define an opening for receiving a user's tongue, means for retaining the user's tongue in a forward position, and means for changing the size of the opening. The tongue engagement element is shaped such that when placed in a user's mouth, the rear region extends over the user's tongue and the front region extends under the user's tongue. A method of securing a tongue engagement element in a user's mouth includes moving an expanded tongue engagement element under a front region of a tongue and over a rear region of the tongue, and allowing the tongue engagement element to return toward a non-expanded state. The tongue engagement element acts to resist rearward motion of the tongue.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring the extravascular lung water status of a patient. For example, an acoustic diagnostic device is provided that includes a housing configured to be worn by a patient and including a patient contact surface configured to contact the patient's skin of the patient's thorax; an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic energy via the patient contact surface into the patient's thorax and receiving reflected acoustic energy from the patient's thorax; and one or more processors coupled to the acoustic transducer for analyzing the reflected acoustic energy to provide an indication of extravascular lung water status of the patient.

Abstract: A device for receipt in a user's mouth includes a tongue engagement element having a front region, a rear region, and side regions that define an opening for receiving a user's tongue, means for retaining the user's tongue in a forward position, and means for changing the size of the opening. The tongue engagement element is shaped such that when placed in a user's mouth, the rear region extends over the user's tongue and the front region extends under the user's tongue. A method of securing a tongue engagement element in a user's mouth includes moving an expanded tongue engagement element under a front region of a tongue and over a rear region of the tongue, and allowing the tongue engagement element to return toward a non-expanded state. The tongue engagement element acts to resist rearward motion of the tongue.