Abstract: The present technology is directed to systems for treating medical conditions, such as glaucoma, and associated devices and methods. For example, in some embodiments the present technology includes an adjustable flow shunt and a sensor. When implanted in a patient, the adjustable flow shunt can be configured to fluidly couple a first body region with a second body region such that it directs the flow of fluid from the first body region to the second body region. When implanted in the patient, the sensor can measure a physiologic parameter, such as intraocular pressure. The adjustable flow shunt can be adjusted based on the measurements taken by the sensor.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical devices for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. Some embodiments of the present technology provide adjustable devices that are selectively titratable to provide various levels of therapy. For example, the adjustable devices can have a drainage element with a lumen extending therethrough, a flow control element, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly can drive movement of the flow control element to change a dimension of and/or a flow resistance through the lumen, thereby increasing or decreasing the relative drainage rate of aqueous from an eye. In some embodiments, the actuation assembly and the flow control element together operate as a ratchet mechanism that can selectively move the flow control element between a plurality of positions and lock the device in a desired configuration until further actuation of the actuation assembly.

Abstract: Methods for the development and integration of multiple apparatuses and methods for achieving administration of stem cell therapies include precision manufacturing of tissue scaffolds and/or bioreactor substrates. The nano/microscale fiber material extrusion typifying the electrospinning process is married with the fiber alignment and layering characteristic of an additive manufacturing process. The method generates porous fibrous 3-D meshes with precision controlled structures from biopolymer melts and solutions and gels, blends, and suspensions with and without cells. A method of tracking the migration histories and shapes of stem cells on scaffold surfaces relies on immunofluorescent imaging and automated algorithms based on machine learning.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include a flow control plate or cartridge for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the flow control plate can include a shape memory actuation assembly having one or more nitinol actuators for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. The flow control plate can further include a plurality of discrete sheets or layers adhered together to encase the shape memory actuation assembly. The discrete sheets or layers can form flow channels for directing fluid through the flow control plate.

Abstract: The present technology relates to intraocular shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes intraocular shunting systems that include a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within an anterior chamber of the eye outside of an optical field of view of the patient and an outflow portion configured for placement at a different location of the eye. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a rotational control element operably coupled to the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include an actuation structure coupled to the rotational control element and configured to selectively change an orientation of the rotational control element. An amount of fluid through the inflow portion and/or the outflow portion can vary based on the selected orientation of the rotational control element.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to adjustable shunts for treating glaucoma. In particular, some embodiments provide shunts having a plurality of individually actuatable flow control elements that can control the flow of fluid through associated ports and/or flow lumens. For example, each individually actuatable flow control element can be actuated to modify a flow of a corresponding port and/or flow lumen. The individually actuatable flow control elements may be actuated along a given actuation axis. A flow control assembly may include a plurality of flow control elements arranged about a collection region. Accordingly, the shunts described herein can be manipulated into a variety of configurations that provide different drainage rates based on a degree to which the ports and/or flow lumens are blocked or unblocked, therefore providing a titratable glaucoma therapy for draining aqueous from the anterior chamber of the eye.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to adjustable shunts for treating glaucoma. In particular, some embodiments provide shunts having a plurality of individually actuatable flow control elements that can control the flow of fluid through associated ports and/or flow lumens. For example, each individually actuatable flow control element can be actuated to block and/or unblock a corresponding port and/or flow lumen. Accordingly, the shunts described herein can be manipulated into a variety of configurations that provide different drainage rates based on whether the ports and/or flow lumens are blocked or unblocked, therefore providing a titratable glaucoma therapy for draining aqueous from the anterior chamber of the eye.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical devices for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. Some embodiments of the present technology provide adjustable devices that are selectively titratable to provide various levels of therapy. For example, the adjustable devices can have a drainage element with a lumen extending therethrough, a flow control element, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly can drive movement of the flow control element to change a dimension of and/or a flow resistance through the lumen, thereby increasing or decreasing the relative drainage rate of aqueous from an eye. In some embodiments, the actuation assembly and the flow control element together operate as a ratchet mechanism that can selectively move the flow control element between a plurality of positions and lock the device in a desired configuration until further actuation of the actuation assembly.

Abstract: The present technology relates to intraocular shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes intraocular shunting systems that include a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within an anterior chamber of the eye outside of an optical field of view of the patient and an outflow portion configured for placement at a different location of the eye. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a rotational control element operably coupled to the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include an actuation structure coupled to the rotational control element and configured to selectively change an orientation of the rotational control element. An amount of fluid through the inflow portion and/or the outflow portion can vary based on the selected orientation of the rotational control element.

Abstract: The present technology provides microfluidic shunting systems having multiple channels and associated methods of making the same. In some embodiments. the microfluidic shunting systems comprise a plurality of layers or drainage elements that are stacked and adhered together. In some embodiments, individual channels can be positioned in separate layers or drainage elements. and/or can span multiple layers or drainage elements.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems, including adjustable shunting systems having at least two discrete fluid flow paths having different fluid resistances. In at least some embodiments, the shunting systems include an actuator that controls which of the two discrete fluid flow paths is “open” to fluid flow. For example, the actuator can be configured to selectively control the flow of fluid through the system by selectively alternating between (i) opening a first flow path while closing a second flow path, and (ii) opening the second flow path while closing the first flow path.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include a flow control plate or cartridge for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the flow control plate can include a shape memory actuation assembly having one or more nitinol actuators for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. The flow control plate can further include a plurality of discrete sheets or layers adhered together to encase the shape memory actuation assembly. The discrete sheets or layers can form flow channels for directing fluid through the flow control plate.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to shunting systems, including shunting systems having a shapeable/conformable elongated housing or shunting element that can be contoured or otherwise selectively shaped to improve a fit with patient anatomy. The shunting systems and elongated housings described herein can have numerous other advantageous features expected to improve the operation of shunting systems, such as beveled leading edges, lateral outlets, suture rings, positioning appendages, and the like.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include an actuation assembly for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the actuation assembly can include one or more fluid inlets in fluid communication with an environment external to the system. The actuation assembly can further include one or more actuators configured to move a corresponding control element to control the flow of fluid through the fluid inlets. The actuator can also have a first actuation element and a second actuation element configured to move the control element between a first position in which the control element substantially prevents fluid flow through the corresponding inlet and a second position in which the control element does not substantially prevent fluid flow through the fluid inlets.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region, and can include a shunting element, an aperture in the shunting element, and an actuator for selectively controlling the flow of fluid through the aperture. The actuator can include a gating element moveable between a first position in which it does not substantially interfere with fluid flow through the aperture and a second position in which it at least partially blocks fluid flow through the aperture, and a shape memory actuation element configured to move the gating element from the first position to and/or toward the second position when actuated. The system can further include a friction element configured to frictionally engage the gating element to releasably retain the gating element at and/or proximate the second position following actuation of the shape memory actuation element.

Abstract: A biomaterial structure for proliferation of stem cells includes at least one lattice sub-structure, and a structural gradient in which one or more geometrical features of the biomaterial structure varies along at least one dimension of the biomaterial structure in three-dimensional space. In some embodiments, the structural gradient is accomplished by the first and second lattice sub-structures having at least one different geometrical parameter.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to adjustable shunts for treating glaucoma. In particular, some embodiments provide shunts having a plurality of individually actuatable flow control elements that can control the flow of fluid through associated ports and/or flow lumens. For example, each individually actuatable flow control element can be actuated to modify a flow of a corresponding port and/or flow lumen. The individually actuatable flow control elements may be actuated along a given actuation axis. A flow control assembly may include a plurality of flow control elements arranged about a collection region. Accordingly, the shunts described herein can be manipulated into a variety of configurations that provide different drainage rates based on a degree to which the ports and/or flow lumens are blocked or unblocked, therefore providing a titratable glaucoma therapy for draining aqueous from the anterior chamber of the eye.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include a flow control plate or cartridge for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the flow control plate can include a shape memory actuation assembly having one or more nitinol actuators for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. The flow control plate can further include a plurality of discrete sheets or layers adhered together to encase the shape memory actuation assembly. The discrete sheets or layers can form flow channels for directing fluid through the flow control plate.

Abstract: The present technology relates to adjustable shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes an adjustable shunting system that includes a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within a patient. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a gating element operably coupled to the outflow portion of the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include a first actuation element and a second actuation element coupled to the gating element. The first and second actuation elements can be configured to selectively move the gating element relative to the outflow portion to control an amount of fluid flow therethrough. The first and second actuation elements can each extend less than entirely around a perimeter of the drainage element.

Abstract: The present technology relates to adjustable shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes an adjustable shunting system that includes a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within a patient. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a gating element operably coupled to the outflow portion of the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include a first actuation element and a second actuation element coupled to the gating element. The first and second actuation elements can be configured to selectively move the gating element relative to the outflow portion to control an amount of fluid flow therethrough. The first and second actuation elements can each extend less than entirely around a perimeter of the drainage element.