Abstract: An implantable intragastric volume occupying device system is provided which generally includes a volume occupying device and an active agent, for example, a metabolic agent or satiety inducing agent. The volume occupying device may be structured to contain the agent and permit controlled release of the agent to the patient while the volume occupying device is positioned within the patient's stomach. Methods for treating obesity are also provided which include positioning a volume occupying device in the stomach of a patient and administering a satiety inducing agent to the patient while the volume occupying device is positioned in the stomach. In one embodiment, the active agent may be contained in a reservoir and dispensed to a portion of the patient's body.

Abstract: A wound exudate removal and isolation system includes a porous dressing, a canister in fluid communication with the dressing, and a first valve positioned between the dressing and the canister. The first valve is positionable between an open position and a closed position. A disposal line is fluidly connected to the canister and includes a second valve that is positionable between an open position and a closed position. A pump is fluidly connected to the canister and is configured to draw wound exudate from the dressing into the canister when the first valve is open and the second valve is closed. The pump is configured to force wound exudate from the canister into the disposal line when the first valve is closed and the second valve is open.

Abstract: An extraction sleeve assembly for use in extracting a viscous fluid from the posterior segment of an eye during vitreoretinal surgery is disclosed. The extraction sleeve assembly includes a luer lock fitting and a flexible, tubular extraction sleeve. The extraction sleeve assembly facilitates a shorter extraction time for the viscous fluid.

Abstract: Methods of treating patients for conditions such as breast augmentation, soft tissue defects, and urinary incontinence, are described. The methods include removing adipose tissue from a patient, processing a portion of the adipose tissue to obtain a substantially isolated population of cells comprising disaggregated adipose-derived stem cells, mixing the concentrated population of adipose-derived cells comprising disaggregated adipose-derived cells with a portion of unprocessed, intact, non-disaggregated adipose tissue to form a composition, and administering the composition to the patient from which the adipose tissue was removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering energy during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include applying energy during at least one pulsed energy on period, typically sufficient or intended to rapidly induce and beneficially employ transient cavitation. Applying energy during the pulsed energy on period comprises applying energy during a first high energy period, and applying energy during a second nonzero lower energy period.

Abstract: A device for supplying a patient with breathing gas, which has a housing provided with gas ducts and a corresponding cover (5), shall be improved such that the cover (5) can be manufactured in a simple manner and possesses good sealing properties. To accomplish the object, provisions are made for the cover (5) to consist of a one-piece, plate-like elastomer material and for groove-like depressions (10) extending in the direction of partitions (6) to be present as a seal for the gas ducts (8).

Abstract: A method and device for organizing the software of a fluid management system is disclosed. The processor system of a machine for the treatment of a patient is provided with an interface for connection to an external data storage device. The software of the processor system is divided into a treatment software for controlling and monitoring the treatment of a patient and a tool software for controlling and monitoring the service and/or production activities. In the processor system, the treatment software being stored in the processor system as resident software and the tool software being stored in the processor system as non-resident software. Moreover, updates can be performed with the external data storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site using a biofilm removal endoscope. The endoscope has an insertion portion including an imaging channel terminating at a viewing window and an irrigation channel terminating at a nozzle. The imaging and irrigation channels are permanently affixed relative to one another. The insertion portion is inserted into the patient, with a working end thereof being disposed proximate the target site. The target site is imaged and a flow of fluid is dispensed via the nozzle to mechanically remove bacterial biofilm from the target site.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluid and material delivery methods and devices for practicing the methods. The invention provides a method of delivering cellular material comprising injecting the cellular material into a subject such that the injected cells retain their inherent morphologic characteristics upon injection. The method comprises the steps of aspirating the cellular material into a fluid delivery device which incorporates a syringe arrangement. The cellular material is aspirated into the main body of the syringe until the desired amount of a material has filled the syringe body. The needle of the fluid delivery device is then inserted into the skin of a subject at an angle about parallel to the skin until a desired depth has been reached. The cellular material is then injected in the subject until the desired volume of material has been injected. The needle of the device is then rotated approximately 45 to 90 degrees and the needle is removed from the injection site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ocular implant, particularly a glaucoma stent. It is the object of the present invention to devise an ocular implant which allows the ocular eye pressure to be regulated, i.e., to be maintained at a desired level, while preventing the flow resistance from increasing over time, for example due to fibrosis. In order to achieve this object, the ocular implant according to the invention comprises a small tube (5), the wall surface (3) of which encloses a hollow duct that is open on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the hollow duct, wherein a first opening (1) allowing ocular humor to flow in and a second opening (2) allowing the ocular humor to be discharged is provided, and wherein the wall surface (3) is formed by a liquid-tight material, and wherein at least one pressure-controlled valve (4) is disposed in the area of the wall surface (3).

Abstract: Provision of a blood purification system comprising a blood purification tubing and a blood purification apparatus particularly suitable for use in continuous hemofiltration in which in the treatment of a patient with renal disease, multiple organ failure, and the like, the amount of water removed from the patient and the amount of supply to the patient can be more accurately controlled, and in which preparation operation is easy. A blood purification system comprising a blood purification tubing and a blood purification apparatus wherein the soft tubes of flow paths connecting a first planar panel and a second planar panel, and the location of the soft tubes are selected to satisfy a formula of a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An injection device with a puncture function includes, in a single casing, a cylindrical cartridge in which insulin is enclosed, a cartridge holder to which the cartridge is inserted, a needle inserted at a front end of the cartridge, a reciprocation unit for reciprocating the cartridge toward the needle, and an extrusion member for extruding the insulin from a rear end of the cartridge toward the needle, and the motion speed and the motion amount of the reciprocation unit are made variable.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for targeted administration of a drug to a patient's eye. In one embodiment, the method includes inserting a hollow microneedle into the sclera of the eye at an insertion site and infusing a fluid drug formulation through the inserted microneedle and into the suprachoroidal space of the eye, wherein the infused fluid drug formulation flows within the suprachoroidal space away from the insertion site during the infusion. The fluid drug formulation may flow circumferentially toward the retinochoroidal tissue, macula, and optic nerve in the posterior segment of the eye.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled osmotic pump device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, an osmotic pump device is placed in an environment in order to pump a material into the environment or into an additional fluid handling structure within the osmotic pump device. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. In selected embodiments, a magnetic field, an electric field, or electromagnetic control signal may be used.

Abstract: A biopsy apparatus having a disposable cutting element and a reusable handpiece is disclosed. The disposable cutting element includes an inner cannula that defines an inner lumen and terminates in a cutting edge. The inner cannula is slidably disposed within an outer cannula that defines an outer lumen that has a tissue-receiving opening. The inner cannula is driven by a rotary motor and a reciprocating motor. Both motors are constructed of a MRI compatible material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating hypertension, e.g., via a pulsed electric field, via a stimulation electric field, via localized drug delivery, via high frequency ultrasound, via thermal techniques, etc. Such neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such neuromodulation is performed in a bilateral fashion. Bilateral renal neuromodulation may provide enhanced therapeutic effect in some patients as compared to renal neuromodulation performed unilaterally, i.e., as compared to renal neuromodulation performed on neural tissue innervating a single kidney.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a first device having a communications control circuit configured to initiate transmission of a wireless communication signal, and a second device including a communication interface circuit and a number of other circuits. The communication interface circuit may be responsive to the wireless communication signal to provide information carried by the wireless communication signal to at least one of the other circuits. Alternatively or additionally, the communication interface circuit may be responsive to the wireless communication signal to receive information specified by the wireless communication signal from at least one of the other circuits and to transmit another wireless communication signal carrying the retrieved information back to the first device. In either case, the communication interface circuit is unresponsive to control thereof by any of the number of other circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds (1) using cells or tissues to cleanse the circulating fluid to enhance wound healing by destroying or limiting the harmful substances in the circulating fluid from the wound (5) thus enhancing the beneficial substances.

Abstract: An intravascular port access device includes a first component having a chamber configured to attach reversibly to an intravenous line port. A second component reversibly attaches to the first component and contains a disinfecting agent and an applicator material. The second component is configured to be reversibly received over external surfaces of the intravenous line port. A method of cleansing an intravenous line port includes providing a port cleaning device having a first component includes a second cleaning agent. A third component has a microbiocidal agent and is reversibly attached to the first component. The second component is removed from the device, the external surfaces of the port are contacted with the second cleaning agent. the first cleaning agent is ejected from the chamber into the port, and the third component is used to cap the port.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that are used to separate cells from a wide variety of tissues. In particular, automated systems and methods are described that separate regenerative cells, e.g., stem and/or progenitor cells, from adipose tissue. The systems and methods described herein provide rapid and reliable methods of separating and concentrating regenerative cells suitable for re-infusion into a subject.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a wound drainage system for draining fluid from a wound of a patient. The system includes a drain catheter. A suction means applies suction at the drain catheter such that fluid is drawn from the wound. While drawing fluid from the wound, a controller periodically increases and decreases the application of suction at the drain catheter. This allows the tissue surrounding the wound drain to relax, thus preventing obstruction of the drain catheter.

Abstract: A subcutaneous drain, preferably for implantation into the skull of a patient comprises a basically hollow cap and a stem with an inside, central passageway passing from top of the cap through the stem. A lumen is provided through at least a portion of the inside, central passageway with the lumen preferably exiting the cap through a side slit in the cap and stem. The lumen is provided with a supporting ledge to reduce kinkage and promote an unimpeded fluid path. The side slit is resilient to allow for the selective removal of the lumen. The cap and stem are, as mentioned, substantially hollow and defines a chamber in communication with the subdural space, so that with the device in place, a physician can use a hypodermic needle to gain access to fluid in the subdural space by piercing the needle tip of the hypodermic syringe or needle through the thin wall of the cap of the device. A circumferential flange is provided to facilitate location of the device. Also, the stem is slightly inwardly tapered.

Abstract: An enema includes a liquid in a dispenser having a bottle, a nozzle attached to the bottle, and a valve. The valve may be a membrane having a slit and a thickness of at most 0.90 mm. The valve may be attached to the bottle or it may be attached to the nozzle. The enema can be administered more easily, with a lower amount of force. A method of bowel cleansing includes inserting the enema into a rectum and applying a compression force to the enema bottle.

Abstract: A catheter device and methods useable to extract material from a body conduit, e.g., a blood vessel, are provided. The catheter comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the body conduit, an opening in a wall of the catheter in fluid communication with a material collection chamber, and a controllably arcuate segment near the distal tip of the catheter and the opening. The catheter may include a sliding member, located within a lumen of the catheter, used to move the material entering the catheter through the arcuate segment opening, into the material collection chamber and away from said opening. The catheter may include a single mechanism utilized to both generate a vacuum to cause material to enter the catheter at the arcuate segment opening and also cause the sliding member to travel, inside the catheter, moving material away from the opening and into the material collection chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for debridement of devitalized tissue in skin lesions, that includes a plurality of height- and angle-adjustable inlet tubes and at least one outlet tube and a member that forms an occlusive seal around a skin lesion. The plurality of inlet tubes is adapted for directing a continuous stream of enzymatic solution to the surface and into the entire volume of the wound bed of the lesion and the at least one outlet is adapted for removing the enzymatic solution, fluids draining from the lesion and tissue debris from the occluded skin lesion.

Abstract: A polymeric material comprised of (i) at least one random copolymer comprised of ethylene oxide and one or more other alkylene oxide(s) and (ii) at least one non-random polymer comprised of one or more poly(alkylene oxide)s has been discovered. Preferably, it is a polymer alloy. Alkylene oxide homopolymers or block copolymers may be the non-random polymer. In a related discovery, an adhesive material can be made by suspending (a) particles in (b) a matrix of at least one poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, or a combination thereof. The handling characteristics may be adjusted for different utilities (e.g., from runny oil to hard wax). Applications include use as adhesive, cohesive, filler, lubricant, surfactant, or any combination thereof. In particular, the hard materials may be used for cleaning or waxing.

Abstract: Cells present in processed lipoaspirate tissue are used to treat patients. Methods of treating patients include processing adipose tissue to deliver a concentrated amount of stem cells obtained from the adipose tissue to a patient. The methods may be practiced in a closed system so that the stem cells are not exposed to an external environment prior to being administered to a patient. Compositions that are administered to a patient include a mixture of adipose tissue and stem cells so that the composition has a higher concentration of stem cells than when the adipose tissue was removed from the patient.

Abstract: A device for connecting an injection needle to an injection apparatus, wherein the device provides a plurality of possible points of contact in at least two planes, and wherein the points of contact have associated spring forces for acting generally perpendicularly on the injection apparatus.

Abstract: A dental-plaque detection system and dental-plaque detection method which are excellent in the detection accuracy of dental plaques and also capable of improving the situation to stain sites other than dental plaques (such as interdental parts and gums) are provided. The dental-plaque detection system includes a dental-plaque staining agent, which contains at least one selected from yellow pigment of beni-koji, turmeric extracts, and curcumin; and a light-emitting apparatus, which outputs light having a wavelength within a range of 250 to 500 nm to an object in the oral cavity where the dental-plaque staining agent is attached. The dental-plaque detection method includes attaching a dental-plaque staining agent, which contains at least one selected from yellow pigment of beni-koji, turmeric extracts, and curcumin onto an object in the oral cavity; and thereafter irradiating light having a wavelength within a range of 250 to 500 nm onto the object.

Abstract: A hemofiltration system and method for pumping blood from a patient's blood stream into an access line, introducing an anticoagulant solution into the pumped blood, filtering the pumped blood and delivering it to a return line, introducing a substitution fluid into the pumped blood, introducing a calcium and magnesium solution into the blood traveling through the return line, and returning the blood back to the patient's blood stream.

Abstract: Drainage belongs to medical equipment, particularly to medical tools and is specified for drainage of cavities. Drainage comprises a first tube, an additional tube, which is fixed upon it, a unit of the clot's splitter and the splitter's fixing element. The additional tube has a smaller diameter with an opening, inside which the conductor is mounted, a unit of clots splitter is installed on the working end of the drainage, it comprises a cylinder, a tube with an opening, placed on it, which is the continuation of the additional tube of the drainage and a spring with a cutter inside the cylinder. A cutter is located diametrically inside the working head, while in the end of the wall of the first tube and the splitter's unit comprises a channel, inside which splitter's fixing element was led, its working end is inside the unit's cylinder and fixes the splitter.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device having a flexible pushrod that can adjust from a curved configuration to a generally straight configuration. The flexible pushrod is part of a drive system of the pump device so that the flexible pushrod can be controllably and incrementally advanced toward a medicine reservoir to incrementally dispense the medicine therein. In particular embodiments, the flexible pushrod may comprise an anti-rotation mechanism, an anti-torsion mechanism, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Cells present in adipose tissue are used to promote wound healing in a patient. Methods of treating patients include processing adipose tissue to deliver a concentrated amount of regenerative cells obtained from the adipose tissue to a patient. The methods may be practiced in a closed system so that the regenerative cells are not exposed to an external environment prior to being administered to a patient. Accordingly, in a preferred method, cells present in adipose tissue are placed directly into a recipient along with such additives necessary to promote, engender or support a therapeutic benefit.

Abstract: A device for use in a system or method of collecting and processing aspirated tissue received from a harvesting device is provided by a canister body having a vacuum port and an evacuation port operable to be placed in communication with a vacuum source, a tissue harvesting port for directing tissue into the canister body received from the harvesting device under suction, and a separator element dividing the canister body into an upper vacuum chamber in communication with the vacuum port and the tissue harvesting port and a lower vacuum chamber in communication with the evacuation port, the separator element including a plurality of apertures enabling fluid to pass between the chambers while restricting tissue from doing the same and a depression with a channel leading to a tissue retrieval port to facilitate processed tissue collection.

Abstract: A dispenser containing a substance to be applied on a patient is described. The dispenser comprises a plunger, a tube and a perforated element located inside the tube. The tube contains openings at its application end. When the plunger is pushed during application, the substance is squeezed through the perforated element and the openings and is applied to the patient. Selection of the height of the perforated element and presence or absence of alignment between the perforations of the perforated element and the openings allows control of the application of the substance on the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for injecting a liquid medicine such as a Ringer's solution, and more particularly, to a device for regulating the amount of liquid medicine to be injected.

Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, at least one of compositions, methods, devices, systems, kits, or products regarding rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells or gametes. Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, methods of modifying germ cells or gametes, or methods of administering modified germ cells or gametes to at least one biological tissue.

Abstract: A method for treating human pressure ulcers of bedridden patients utilizing flour. The flour is first heated over heat for a sufficient amount of time to undergo a chemical change causing the granule molecules to burst and become gelantize. Flour is a known starch and insoluble in its natural form. The browning of the flour causes a chemical reaction that allows the brown substance to more effectively absorb the moisture in the body. In this method, the brown substance is applied to the infected area each day for a sufficient amount of time until the wound heals.

Abstract: An angiographic injector system and a method of controllably delivering medical fluid to a patient from an angiographic injector system are disclosed. A multiple processor control system is used to actively control the injection process and to monitor sensed functions of the system. The multiple processors provide dual redundancy safety circuits for critical control functions such as syringe motor drive speed and current. A motor/servo-amplifier nested control function is also disclosed. A unique method and apparatus are disclosed for establishing injection parameter default values just prior to an injection procedure that are based on physiological values of the patient to be treated. The injector system uses an interactive display panel that presents sequenced set-up screens to the user and which enables the user to select injection procedures, parameters and other modes of operation directly through the interactive panel.

Abstract: A medical handheld device having a bi-stable display, which can be supplemented by a further display, is presented. The display of the medical handheld device can have a display surface. The display surface can have a keypad in the form of a matrix of sensors. The matrix of sensors can be coupled to image segments on the display surface and can detect touches on the display surface. By coupling the matrix of sensors to the image segments of the display surface, a change of the representation of touched areas of the display surface can occur.

Abstract: A pressure actuated flow control valve for an infusion catheter permits gravity flow of a liquid through the catheter and into a patient while resisting back flow of blood from the patient and into the catheter. The valve has a hemispherical body with an outstanding circumferential flange and a normally closed, diametric slit. The slit is longer on the convex outer surface than on the concave inner surface. Dome thickness diminishes in the area adjacent the slit, reducing total apical deflection upon collapse of the slit toward the concave surface. An inner orthogonal rib biases the slit closed. Upon application of a predetermined pressure, the slit opens toward the concave surface to permit forward fluid flow. At lower pressures, the slit closes to check fluid flow. Greater reverse pressure is required to collapse the slit toward the concave surface to permit reverse fluid flow.

Abstract: A method for treating a facet pain in a subject by providing an effective amount of therapeutic agent in manner that by a biological repair effect on the facet is produced as compared to a temporary anti-inflammatory effect.

Abstract: A device for delivery of material or stimulus to targets within a body to produce a desired response, the targets being at least one of cells of interest, cell organelles of interest and cell nuclei of interest. The device includes a number of projections for penetrating a body surface, with the number of projections being selected to produce a desired response, and the number being at least 500. A spacing between projections is also at least partially determined based on an arrangement of the targets within the body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liquefaction endodontic system having a graspable hand piece includes a contra-angle tip assembly that has an insert and an internal fluid flow passageway. A portion of the fluid flow passageway passes through a C-shaped receiver located at the end of the receiver so that an ultrasonic frequency may pass directly to the fluid flowing through the passageway. The fluid flow passageway may be an injection tube and the tubular body portion of the tip assembly may be injection molded around the injection tube and the insert. A supply tube, which is held in position by tube guides connected to the hand piece, provides a source of flushing fluid with and without pulsed pressure. The fluid pressure pulses may have an ultrasonic energy superimposed thereon as the fluid is forced into a root canal.

Abstract: A device for connecting an injection needle to an injection apparatus, wherein the device provides a plurality of possible points of contact in at least two planes, and wherein the points of contact have associated spring forces for acting generally perpendicularly on the injection apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for delivering anesthesia drugs to a patient. The system comprises means for feeding anesthesia drugs to the patient treated, a measuring device for measuring at least one parameter relating to the effects of the anesthetic drugs fed to the patient, a patient monitor to show the results measured by the measuring devices, and feeding means for feeding patient demographics to the system. The system further comprises means for visual planning of the anesthesia drug delivery before the drugs are actually fed. The system can also comprise means for anesthesia management for drug interaction during the treatment.

Abstract: A device for wound irrigation which has a compressible reservoir housing with a sterile wound irrigation solution and a plurality of ports to facilitate producing a pressurized dispersed stream of wound irrigation solution.

Abstract: A method of treating the intraluminal disease in a coronary artery by injecting therapeutic agents perivascularly into the myocardium near the site of disease.