Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sealing an ear canal for retaining a solution in the ear canal. Adhesive earplugs are provided through which the solution can be delivered, and which, following delivery, retain the fluid in the ear canal. The systems and methods may also be useful for delivering an anesthetizing solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein for use with an iontophoresis system for anesthetizing the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sealing an ear canal for retaining a solution in the ear canal. Adhesive earplugs are provided through which the solution can be delivered, and which, following delivery, retain the fluid in the ear canal. The systems and methods may also be useful for delivering an anesthetizing solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein for use with an iontophoresis system for anesthetizing the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sealing an ear canal for retaining a solution in the ear canal. Adhesive earplugs are provided through which the solution can be delivered, and which, following delivery, retain the fluid in the ear canal. The systems and methods may also be useful for delivering an anesthetizing solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein for use with an iontophoresis system for anesthetizing the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A dilation assembly includes a shaft and a dilator coupled with the distal end of the shaft. The dilator includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center portion positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The center portion dilates from a first configuration to a second configuration. The center portion has a larger diameter than the proximal end and the distal end when the center portion is in the second configuration. At least one gripping feature is positioned on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the center portion. The gripping feature provides friction between the center portion and a bodily lumen when the center portion is in the second configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sealing an ear canal for retaining a solution in the ear canal. Adhesive earplugs are provided through which the solution can be delivered, and which, following delivery, retain the fluid in the ear canal. The systems and methods may also be useful for delivering an anesthetizing solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein for use with an iontophoresis system for anesthetizing the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A dilation assembly includes a shaft and a dilator coupled with the distal end of the shaft. The dilator includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center portion positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The center portion dilates from a first configuration to a second configuration. The center portion has a larger diameter than the proximal end and the distal end when the center portion is in the second configuration. At least one gripping feature is positioned on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the center portion. The gripping feature provides friction between the center portion and a bodily lumen when the center portion is in the second configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sealing an ear canal for retaining a solution in the ear canal. Adhesive earplugs are provided through which the solution can be delivered, and which, following delivery, retain the fluid in the ear canal. The systems and methods may also be useful for delivering an anesthetizing solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein for use with an iontophoresis system for anesthetizing the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a balloon catheter, an inflatable balloon, and a force sensor. The balloon catheter is operable to communicate fluid to the balloon. The balloon is disposed on the distal end of the balloon catheter. The balloon is positionable within an airway or other anatomical passageway of a patient. The force sensor is positioned along the balloon catheter or in the balloon and is able to detect a physical change within the balloon catheter or balloon. A control logic may trigger a response based on readings by the force measuring device. For instance, the control logic may trigger an alert when a force related parameter exceeds a threshold; or when a rate of change in the parameter exceeds a threshold. In addition or in the alternative, the control logic may trigger a feature that is operable to reduce fluid pressure in the balloon in response to such conditions.

Abstract: A medical device and a system and for dilating a stenotic airway of a patient are described. The medical device comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft system having an inflation lumen and a ventilation lumen the proximal end. The shaft system has a proximal shaft section and a distal shaft section. An inflatable balloon is attached to the distal shaft section in a position that is proximal to the distal end. The ventilating tip is distal to the balloon on the distal shaft section and has one or more radially facing openings. A method for treating a stenotic airway includes inserting the medical device into a patient's airway, and dilating and ventilating the airway.

Abstract: A medical device and a system and for dilating a stenotic airway of a patient are described. The medical device comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft system having an inflation lumen and a ventilation lumen the proximal end. The shaft system has a proximal shaft section and a distal shaft section. An inflatable balloon is attached to the distal shaft section in a position that is proximal to the distal end. The ventilating tip is distal to the balloon on the distal shaft section and has one or more radially facing openings. A method for treating a stenotic airway includes inserting the medical device into a patient's airway, and dilating and ventilating the airway.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided which contain the following: (a) an interior region that contains at least one degradation promoting agent and (b) an exterior region disposed over the interior region that contains at least one biodegradable polymer and at least one therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a balloon catheter, an inflatable balloon, and a force sensor. The balloon catheter is operable to communicate fluid to the balloon. The balloon is disposed on the distal end of the balloon catheter. The balloon is positionable within an airway or other anatomical passageway of a patient. The force sensor is positioned along the balloon catheter or in the balloon and is able to detect a physical change within the balloon catheter or balloon. A control logic may trigger a response based on readings by the force measuring device. For instance, the control logic may trigger an alert when a force related parameter exceeds a threshold; or when a rate of change in the parameter exceeds a threshold. In addition or in the alternative, the control logic may trigger a feature that is operable to reduce fluid pressure in the balloon in response to such conditions.

Abstract: A dilation assembly includes a shaft and a dilator coupled with the distal end of the shaft. The dilator includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center portion positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The center portion dilates from a first configuration to a second configuration. The center portion has a larger diameter than the proximal end and the distal end when the center portion is in the second configuration. At least one gripping feature is positioned on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the center portion. The gripping feature provides friction between the center portion and a bodily lumen when the center portion is in the second configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sealing an ear canal for retaining a solution in the ear canal. Adhesive earplugs are provided through which the solution can be delivered, and which, following delivery, retain the fluid in the ear canal. The systems and methods may also be useful for delivering an anesthetizing solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein for use with an iontophoresis system for anesthetizing the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A spacer for delivery into the natural or man-made openings to the frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, anterior or posterior ethmoid sinuses, or other cells or cavities, anatomical regions such as nostrils, nasal cavities, nasal meatus, and other passageways such as the Eustachian tubes, naso-lachrymal ducts or airway is described. The bioabsorbable polymeric spacers maintain the opening and/or are useful for delivering drugs or other substances to the natural or man-made openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phase separated polymeric regions and to their use in conjunction with implantable or insertable medical devices. In some aspects of the invention, phase separated polymeric regions are provided that include (a) at least one biostable polymeric phase and (b) at least one biodisintegrable polymeric phase, which is of nanoscale dimensions and which undergoes biodisintegration such that the phase separated polymeric region becomes a nanoporous polymeric region in vivo. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods of making implantable or insertable medical devices having at least one nanoporous polymeric region. These methods include (a) providing a phase separated polymeric region comprising a stable polymeric phase and a disintegrable polymeric phase of nanoscale dimensions, (b) selectively removing the disintegrable polymeric phase thereby producing the nanoporous polymeric region.

Abstract: A medical device and a system and for dilating a stenotic airway of a patient are described. The medical device comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft system having an inflation lumen and a ventilation lumen the proximal end. The shaft system has a proximal shaft section and a distal shaft section. An inflatable balloon is attached to the distal shaft section in a position that is proximal to the distal end. The ventilating tip is distal to the balloon on the distal shaft section and has one or more radially facing openings. A method for treating a stenotic airway includes inserting the medical device into a patient's airway, and dilating and ventilating the airway.

Abstract: Described herein are implantable medical devices comprising a biocompatible polymer comprising a triggerable bioadhesive property that allows the device to adhere to body tissue. The triggerable bioadhesive property of the polymer can be triggered or activated by exposure to a stimulus. Also, the present invention pertains to methods of making an implantable medical device comprising a biocompatible polymer comprising a triggerable bioadhesive property that allows the device to adhere to body tissue.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain polymeric release regions that control the release of one or more therapeutic agents. The polymeric release regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers that contain one or more rigid, nonplanar polycyclic molecular structures. The therapeutic agent is disposed beneath or within the polymeric release region.

Abstract: A method of coating a medical device, such as a stent or balloon. The method comprises assembling an array of vertically-oriented carbon nanotubes on a surface of the medical device and contacting the array of carbon nanotubes with a liquid. The liquid is evaporated to form a cellular foam made of carbon nanotubes. The liquid may contain a bioactive agent. Also described are medical devices having a coating of cellular foam that is made of carbon nanotubes.