Abstract: A catheter (100) is disclosed that includes a reinforced hollow fiber (114) and is suitable for insertion- in a body tissue in order to deliver and/or recover fluids to and/or from the tissue. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a combination of catheter body (112), hollow fiber region (114), and reinforcing means (116), to provide a catheter having sufficient structural integrity for the hollow fiber region to be positioned within a body tissue, preferably without the need for ancillary devices such as introducers or protective sheaths, and to there be used for the purpose of delivering and/or recovering fluids from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for providing convection enhanced delivery of bioactive agent to a tissue site. The apparatus involves the use of semipermeable membranes, typically in the form of one or more hollow fibers, together with a source and conduit of solution containing the bioactive agent to be delivered. The use of hollow fiber technology provides an optimal combination of features, including delivery kinetics and distribution, as compared to conventional (e.g., standard needle) type delivery devices.

Abstract: A system for use in treating a tissue site, e.g., a site exhibiting or at risk for developing compartment syndrome, the system including a monitor for use in controlling the function and operation of one or more apparatuses providing insertable catheters. The system includes at least one apparatus having a catheter portion that includes both a suitably protected, functional device tip, adapted to be positioned and used within the tissue site, and one or more hollow fiber membranes, e.g., an array of such membranes, adapted to be positioned within the tissue site in order to simultaneously collect fluid therefrom. The catheter portion is adapted to be safely inserted and positioned within the tissue site, in a manner that permits it to function there while substantially minimizing direct impingement of the non-fluid tissue on the functional device tip surface.

Abstract: A method and system, together with corresponding apparatus and components, and corresponding kits, for use in performing topical wound therapy by using topical negative pressure (TNP) in combination with one or more hollow fiber catheters. In one embodiment, the method provides hollow fiber catheters for the removal of fluid or fluid components from the wound area by ultrafiltration. In another embodiment the hollow fiber catheters are connected to an infusion pump and used to deliver therapeutic fluids to the wound area. In yet another embodiment, a first set of hollow fiber catheters is connected to a vacuum pump and a second set is connected to an infusion pump to simultaneously remove excess tissue fluid and deliver therapeutic fluid to the wound site.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to position a functional device tip, such as a sensor, in a body site having both fluid and non-fluid tissue components, in a manner that substantially mitigates the impingement of non-fluid tissue impingement on the device tip. One such apparatus can be used to both remove fluid from a tissue site, such as a site exhibiting tissue swelling, and to determine tissue pressure, using a single catheter. An apparatus can provide a pressure sensor that is adapted to be positioned and used within the tissue site itself, without substantial impingement by non-fluid tissue, and optionally also provides the ability to concurrently remove and/or deliver fluids or components thereof to or from the tissue site.

Abstract: A method and system, together with corresponding apparatus and components, and corresponding kits, for use in performing topical wound therapy by using topical negative pressure (TNP) in combination with one or more hollow fiber catheters. In one embodiment, the method provides hollow fiber catheters for the removal of fluid or fluid components from the wound area by ultrafiltration. In another embodiment the hollow fiber catheters are connected to an infusion pump and used to deliver therapeutic fluids to the wound area. In yet another embodiment, a first set of hollow fiber catheters is connected to a vacuum pump and a second set is connected to an infusion pump to simultaneously remove excess tissue fluid and deliver therapeutic fluid to the wound site.

Abstract: A catheter system for ventilating patients experiencing severe respiratory distress. The system comprises a balloon-tip catheter, means for supplying a stream of oxygen gas at a controlled pressure and flow rate and means for rhythmically causing the balloon to expand and deflate when the catheter is inserted into the patient's trachea. Inflation of the balloon isolates the lower trachea so that a low pressure stream of oxygen flowing out from the distal tip of the catheter will expand the lungs and enter thereinto. When the balloon is deflated, the lungs collapse to discharge respiratory carbon dioxide. The unit is self-contained, and other than a source of oxygen, needs no other source of power to operate.