Abstract: Systems and methods treat a heart valve using a magnetically adjustable annuloplasty ring attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. A changing magnetic field may be used to selectively increase or decrease a circumference of, or otherwise modify the shape of, the implanted annuloplasty ring. The adjustable annuloplasty ring includes a tubular body member, one or more adjustable members, and an internal magnet within the tubular body member. The tubular body member and the one or more adjustable members form a ring shape. The internal magnet is configured to rotate in response to a rotating external magnetic field. The internal magnet is coupled to the one or more adjustable members to change a dimension of the ring shape as the internal magnet rotates. A system for treating a heart valve may include an external adjustment device having one or more external magnets to generate the rotating external magnetic field.

Abstract: A detection and guide system provides access to desired blood vessel locations. An implant formed of a biocompatible material is implanted within a mammalian body proximate an outer surface of a blood vessel. The detection and guide system may be configured to be positioned outside the mammalian body to detect the implant and to guide a needle to the desired entry site of the biological boundary structure. A needle guide may be coupled to a housing of the detection and guide system and directed at an angle such that positioning the implant detector over the implant aligns an opening through the needle guide with the desired entry site. The detection and guide system may, for example, provide metal detection of a metallic implant or magnetic detection of a magnetic implant.

Abstract: A reversibly adjustable heart harness is configured to surround at least a portion of a heart and to provide a compressive force to the heart during at least a portion of a cardiac cycle. The heart harness includes a plurality of wires forming a mesh structure, and one or more tensioning motors connected to the mesh structure. The one or more tensioning motors are configured to selectively increase or reduce tension in the mesh structure to readjust the compressive force provided that the heart harness provides to the heart.

Abstract: A subcutaneous needle conduit attaches directly to a blood vessel or other biological boundary structure. The subcutaneous needle conduit is tapered such that a proximal end is wider than a distal end. A body of the subcutaneous needle conduit guides the tip of a needle or other canula from the proximal end to the distal end. The subcutaneous needle conduit may be funnel-shaped. An elongated funnel shape may be used to selectively provide access to a plurality of desired access sites along an axis of a blood vessel. Other shapes, such as sluice-shaped, may also be used. The subcutaneous needle conduit may be located beneath the skin surface using, for example, tactile sensation, magnetism, metal detection, detection of a signal emitted from a minute transponder, detection of light emission, or through other detection methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat a heart valve using a magnetically adjustable annuloplasty ring attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. A changing magnetic field may be used to selectively increase or decrease a circumference of, or otherwise modify the shape of, the implanted annuloplasty ring. The adjustable annuloplasty ring includes a tubular body member, one or more adjustable members, and an internal magnet within the tubular body member. The tubular body member and the one or more adjustable members form a ring shape. The internal magnet is configured to rotate in response to a rotating external magnetic field. The internal magnet is coupled to the one or more adjustable members to change a dimension of the ring shape as the internal magnet rotates. A system for treating a heart valve may include an external adjustment device having one or more external magnets to generate the rotating external magnetic field.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and administration of medical solutions. The container incorporates a transparent front sheet made from a planar layer of a polymer and an opposing rear sheet. The rear sheet is made from a planar laminate layer. The front and rear sheets are sealed together along a common peripheral edge to form a volume enclosure. The volume enclosure is constructed of materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container thermoplastic to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The volume enclosure is then inflated with a pressurized gas to permanently stretch the front and rear sheets outwardly and to thereby increase the volume capacity of the container. An alternative embodiment of the container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, for containing a diluent and a medicament.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and administration of medical solutions. The container incorporates a transparent front sheet made from a planar layer of a polymer and an opposing rear sheet. The rear sheet is made from a planar laminate layer. The front and rear sheets are sealed together along a common peripheral edge to form a volume enclosure. The volume enclosure is constructed of materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container thermoplastic to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The volume enclosure is then inflated with a pressurized gas to permanently stretch the front and rear sheets outwardly and to thereby increase the volume capacity of the container. An alternative embodiment of the container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, for containing a diluent and a medicament.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a lens defining opposed top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral edge. The cleaning apparatus comprises a rotatable base having a plurality of arms pivotally connected thereto and rotatable therewith. The arms are configured to releasably engage the peripheral edge of the lens. The cleaning apparatus further comprises a steam conduit including a dispensing nozzle which is selectively positionable in a prescribed orientation relative to the lens mounted within the arms, the dispensing nozzle being operative to propel steam towards at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the lens while the lens is being spun by the rotation of the base and the arms.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a lens defining opposed top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral edge. The cleaning apparatus comprises a rotatable base having a plurality of arms pivotally connected thereto and rotatable therewith. The arms are configured to releasably engage the peripheral edge of the lens. The cleaning apparatus further comprises a means for propelling a heated medium towards at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the lens while the lens is being spun by the rotation of the base and the arms.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and administration of medical solutions. The container incorporates a transparent front sheet made from a planar layer of a polymer and an opposing rear sheet. The rear sheet is made from a planar laminate layer. The front and rear sheets are sealed together along a common peripheral edge to form a volume enclosure. The volume enclosure is constructed of materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container thermoplastic to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The volume enclosure is then inflated with a pressurized gas to permanently stretch the front and rear sheets outwardly and to thereby increase the volume capacity of the container. An alternative embodiment of the container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, for containing a diluent and a medicament.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and administration of medical solutions. The container incorporates a transparent front sheet made from a planar layer of a polymer and an opposing rear sheet. The rear sheet is made from a planar laminate layer. The front and rear sheets are sealed together along a common peripheral edge to form a volume enclosure. The volume enclosure is constructed of materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container thermoplastic to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The volume enclosure is then inflated with a pressurized gas to permanently stretch the front and rear sheets outwardly and to thereby increase the volume capacity of the container. An alternative embodiment of the container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, for containing a diluent and a medicament.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and mixing together of diluents and medicaments. The container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, in which the diluents and medicaments are stored. The container is constructed of thermoplastic materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The seals are ruptured by manipulation of the container to thereby mix the contents together for delivery through standard IV arrangement to a patient. The seals are constructed to provide a non-linear resistance characteristic to hydraulic pressure, which causes the seal to peel open completely along its length. The container is folded-over along the line of one of the seals and also includes a locking tab and retaining slot to secure the bag in a folded-over condition.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and mixing together of diluents and medicaments. The container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, in which the diluents and medicaments are stored. The container is constructed of thermoplastic materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The seals are ruptured by manipulation of the container to thereby mix the contents together for delivery through standard IV arrangement to a patient. The seals are constructed to provide a non-linear resistance characteristic to hydraulic pressure, which causes the seal to peel open completely along its length. The container also includes a locking tab and retaining slot to secure the bag in a folded-over condition.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and mixing together of diluents and medicaments. The container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, in which the diluents and medicaments are stored. The container is constructed of thermoplastic materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The seals are ruptured by manipulation of the container to thereby mix the contents together for delivery through standard IV arrangement to a patient. The seals are constructed to provide a non-linear resistance characteristic to hydraulic pressure, which causes the seal to peel open completely along its length. The container is folded-over along the line of one of the seals and also includes a locking tab and retaining slot to secure the bag in a folded-over condition.

Abstract: A miniaturized obstruction treatment device, e.g., a brush, particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is enclosed in the lumen of an brush delivery catheter, and the brush bristles of the distal brush are adapted to be garaged in a distal end section of the brush delivery catheter lumen. A Y-connector and an brush sub-assembly connector are attached to the proximal end of the brush delivery catheter and form an brush sub-assembly with the brush drive shaft and brush. The Y-connector allows infusion of thrombolytic agents into the brush delivery catheter lumen for emission at the distal end opening thereof adjacent the brush. In use, the brush sub-assembly connector connects the brush sub-assembly with a drive motor unit connector of a drive motor unit. The drive motor unit receives the proximal end of the drive shaft and rotates it to rotate the brush bristles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatically-driven volume controlled bellows pump apparatus for oscillating liquid into a localized area of the human body, preferably methyl-tertiary butyl ether or another solvent, into the gallbladder. The pump includes a fluid reservoir in the form of an inverted syringe attached via a stopcock to the bellows. The bellows is attached via a second stopcock to a catheter also attached to a priming syringe. An inlet pinch valve is disposed between the bellows and the fluid reservoir and an outlet pinch valve between the bellows and the fluid receiver.To use the pump, a pigtail catheter with outlets in the pigtail is inserted into the desired area of the body, preferably a receptacle such as the gallbladder, to introduce a selected volume of liquid for gallstone dissolution. Liquid is infused into the receptacle by decompression of the bellows with the inlet but not the outlet valve open and then by compression of the bellows with the outlet but not the inlet valve open.

Abstract: A flow sensor wherein a body (10) that includes a recessed surface (18) is covered by a flexible cover (12). The portion of flexible cover (12) adjacent recessed surface (18) moves between a contracted position and an expanded position to indicate flow.