Abstract: Systems and processes for managing data relating to one or more medical or biological conditions of a plurality of subjects (such as patients) over a wide area network, such as the Internet, may be employed for diabetes subjects or subjects with other medical conditions requiring monitoring and/or treatment over time. Such systems and processes provide various functions for several types of users, including patients or subject-users, healthcare provider-users and payor entity-users and combinations thereof, which allow for improved treatment and medical data management of individual subjects and groups of subjects and which allow collection and analysis of aggregate data from many subject sources, for improving overall healthcare practices of providers and subjects (e.g., patients).

Abstract: Medical systems and methods for treating kidney disease alone, heart failure alone, kidney disease with concomitant heart failure, or cardiorenal syndrome are described. The systems and methods are based on delivery of a chimeric natriuretic peptide to a patient. Methods for increasing peptide levels include direct peptide delivery via either an external or implantable programmable pump.

Abstract: Methods of treating heart failure, or decreasing blood pressure, comprising administering an NP at an appropriate does, or in an amount sufficient to provide particular concentrations of NP, are provided.

Abstract: Methods of treating heart failure, or decreasing blood pressure, comprising administering an NP at an appropriate dose, or in an amount sufficient to provide particular concentrations of NP, are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having elements designed to modulate their chemical reactions as well as methods for making and using such sensors. In certain embodiments of the invention, the sensor includes a hydrophilic comb-copolymer having a central chain and a plurality of side chains coupled to the central chain, wherein at least one side chain comprises a silicone moiety.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing multiple parameters includes an implantable housing and a plurality of implantable sensors disposed within the implantable housing. The plurality of implantable sensors sense parameters in a patient, such as biological or physiological parameters, for example, and each responds to an analyte in the patient. The plurality of implantable sensors may include, but is not limited to, electrochemical, potentiometric, current and optical sensors.

Abstract: Systems and processes for managing data relating to one or more medical or biological conditions of a plurality of subjects (such as patients) over a wide area network, such as the Internet, may be employed for diabetes subjects or subjects with other medical conditions requiring monitoring and/or treatment over time. Such systems and processes provide various functions for several types of users, including patients or subject-users, healthcare provider-users and payor entity-users and combinations thereof, which allow for improved treatment and medical data management of individual subjects and groups of subjects and which allow collection and analysis of aggregate data from many subject sources, for improving overall healthcare practices of providers and subjects (e.g., patients).

Abstract: Systems and processes for managing data relating to one or more medical or biological conditions of a plurality of subjects (such as patients) over a wide area network, such as the Internet, may be employed for diabetes subjects or subjects with other medical conditions requiring monitoring and/or treatment over time. Such systems and processes provide various functions for several types of users, including patients or subject-users, healthcare provider-users and payor entity-users and combinations thereof, which allow for improved treatment and medical data management of individual subjects and groups of subjects and which allow collection and analysis of aggregate data from many subject sources, for improving overall healthcare practices of providers and subjects (e.g., patients).

Abstract: A long term analyte sensor for measuring at least one analyte in the body of a user and which includes a housing, a plurality of analyte contacting sensor elements and at least one structure for relaying information away from the sensor. This plurality of analyte contacting sensor elements are typically disposed in an array. The analyte sensor further includes at least one sensor protection membrane that is controllable in a manner such that sensor elements may be activated (e.g. exposed to the external environment) at different times so as to extend the useful life of the sensor. In illustrative analyte sensors, the analyte is glucose.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide compositions which are effective to inhibit the development of biofilms on a surface of a medical device having the composition applied thereto, to medical devices having the composition applied to a surface thereof and to methods for using the compositions to coat medical devices.

Abstract: Systems and processes for managing data relating to one or more medical or biological conditions of a plurality of subjects (such as patients) over a wide area network, such as the Internet, may be employed for diabetes subjects or subjects with other medical conditions requiring monitoring and/or treatment over time. Such systems and processes provide various functions for several types of users, including patients or subject-users, healthcare provider-users and payor entity-users and combinations thereof, which allow for improved treatment and medical data management of individual subjects and groups of subjects and which allow collection and analysis of aggregate data from many subject sources, for improving overall healthcare practices of providers and subjects (e.g., patients).

Abstract: Medical systems and methods for treating kidney disease alone, heart failure alone, kidney disease with concomitant heart failure, or cardiorenal syndrome are described. The systems and methods are based on delivery of a chimeric natriuretic peptide to a patient. Methods for increasing peptide levels include direct peptide delivery via either an external or implantable programmable pump.

Abstract: Systems and processes for managing data relating to one or more medical or biological conditions of a plurality of subjects (such as patients) over a wide area network, such as the Internet, may be employed for diabetes subjects or subjects with other medical conditions requiring monitoring and/or treatment over time. Such systems and processes provide various functions for several types of users, including patients or subject-users, healthcare provider-users and payor entity-users and combinations thereof, which allow for improved treatment and medical data management of individual subjects and groups of subjects and which allow collection and analysis of aggregate data from many subject sources, for improving overall healthcare practices of providers and subjects (e.g., patients).

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating patients having chronic hepatitis C infection so as to eradicate detectable HCV-RNA and/or inhibit the emergence of a drug resistant HCV variant are disclosed. Certain methods of the invention involve the use of a continuous infusion pump in a multiphasic combination therapy using a therapeutically effective amount of a small molecule inhibitor such as ribavirin and a therapeutically effective amount of interferon-?.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating conditions that are susceptible of treatment with a cytokine wherein certain physiological processes normally associated with cytokine administration (e.g. the induction of SOCS 1 and/or SOCS 3) are diminished or eliminated. The method comprises continuously administering a controlled dose of a cytokine to an individual afflicted with a condition susceptible of treatment with the cytokine.

Abstract: Methods for treating Hepatitis infections are provided. In one embodiment, an initial dosage of interferon is administered to a patient, and interferon serum levels and viral load data is collected over time. This data can be used to determine patient-specific pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters and then construct patient-specific interferon delivery profiles. Patient-specific delivery profiles can then be used to design patient-specific therapeutic regimens.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for pumping fluids such as fluid medications are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide an osmotic pump fluid delivery apparatus including elements designed to control the fluid delivery rate. Typical embodiments of the invention include an arrangement of elements such as solute reservoirs that can manipulate the solute concentrations within an inner osmotic compartment or compartments of an osmotic pump so as to control fluid delivery from the pump. Other embodiments include sealed electro-osmotic pumps that do not discharge ions into the surroundings or require water from an external source. These embodiments of the invention provide new ways to control fluid delivery in apparatuses that employ osmotic processes to function.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating Hepatitis C infections are provided. Typically the method comprises administering interferon-? to the patient subcutaneously using a continuous infusion apparatus, wherein this therapeutic regimen is sufficient to maintain circulating levels of interferon-? in the serum of the patient above a target concentration for a certain period of time.

Abstract: A catheter for use in delivery or withdrawal of a formulation, wherein the catheter has an outer layer comprising a bio-compatible material and a barrier layer comprising a material that provides a more effective barrier than the outer layer against inward and outward diffusion of substances that may cause destabilization of the formulation. The catheter may include a flared distal end tip to aid in the release, during a bolus delivery or catheter flush, of any obstruction situated at the distal end tip of the catheter. The catheter may also include a slit valve at the distal end tip which has one or more and, preferably a plurality of slits that may be elastically extended to an open position by the expulsion of the formulation during an IIP pump stroke. During the interval between IIP pump strokes, the slits return to a closed position and hinder the inflow of body fluid into the distal end tip.

Abstract: A long term analyte sensor for measuring at least one analyte in the body of a user and which includes a housing, a plurality of analyte contacting sensor elements and at least one structure for relaying information away from the sensor. This plurality of analyte contacting sensor elements are typically disposed in an array. The analyte sensor further includes at least one sensor protection membrane that is controllable in a manner such that sensor elements may be activated (e.g. exposed to the external environment) at different times so as to extend the useful life of the sensor. In illustrative analyte sensors, the analyte is glucose.