Abstract: A treatment for male erectile dysfunction comprising separately storing a lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and a carrier gel, mixing said lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and said carrier gel creating a homogeneous mixture and applying said homogeneous mixture to the meatus of the glans penis. A system for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction comprising a syringe coupling system for the storage, mixing and application of therapeutic compounds for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, said system further comprising a first syringe and a second syringe. The first and second syringes are filled with a lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents or a carrier gel. The system includes a locking device coupling said syringes to facilitate the transfer of said lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and carrier gel between the syringes and a penile adapter for applying the therapeutic compounds for the treatment of erectile dysfunction to the meatus of the glans penis.

Abstract: A needleless injector including a body at a proximal end, a shaft extending distally from the body, at least one injection orifice at a distal end of the shaft in fluid communication with a fluid chamber at the proximal end, a pressure source in communication with the fluid chamber, and a tissue tensioner located at the distal end of the shaft proximal to the injection orifice, wherein the distal end including the tissue tensioner and injection orifice is positionable within a urethral lumen so that when the tissue tensioner is deployed, tissue of the urethra is tensioned at a location for injection of fluid from the injection orifice into the tissue of the urethra.

Abstract: An apparatus for direct gastric feeding via a gastrostomy tract formed in a patient. The apparatus includes a tube, an internal bolster, an external bolster, and a force-generating device. The force-generating device may include a pair of automatically adjustable spring members on the external bolster. The spring members are responsive to changes in the length of the gastrostomy tract and eliminate the need for periodic adjustment or replacement of the apparatus.

Abstract: Catheter balloon assemblies (10) for delivering a therapeutic agent to a body vessel are provided, as well as related methods of manufacturing and methods of treatment. The catheter balloon assemblies may include a concentrically disposed dual balloon assembly at the distal portion of the catheter having an inner balloon (44), a porous outer balloon (42) concentrically arrayed around the inner balloon and a catheter shaft (30) adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent to the body vessel through the apertures in the outer balloon. Radial outward expansion of the inner balloon may urge the outer balloon into contact with the wall of a body vessel, where the therapeutic agent may be delivered from the catheter shaft through apertures in the outer balloon directly to the wall of the body vessel.

Abstract: An applicator for delivering brachytherapy includes elongate members movable between collapsed and expanded configurations for delivering brachytherapy within a lumpectomy cavity, a vaginal cavity, or other target region. The elongate members may be expandable into a symmetrical or asymmetrical expanded configuration, e.g., into a generally spherical, pear-shaped, or planar configuration. A system for delivering brachytherapy includes the applicator and an access device for lining and/or dilating a body cavity and/or for receiving the applicator therein. The access device is advanced into a body cavity, an expandable member on the access device is inflated, the applicator is advanced into the access device, and the elongate members are expanded to deliver radiation to the target region.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for performing lung volume reduction in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other conditions where isolation of a lung segment or reduction of lung volume is desired. The methods are minimally invasive with instruments being introduced through the mouth (endotracheally) and rely on isolating the target lung tissue segment from other regions of the lung and occluding various lung passageways with the use of occlusal stents. The occlusal stents are delivered with the use of an occlusal stent delivery system which is loaded with the occlusal stent with the use of an occlusal stent loading system.

Abstract: An abdominal cavity balloon for preventing a haemorrhage in a patient's pelvic region, comprising an inflatable balloon, wherein the balloon is provided with a smooth surface and with a strip that is flexurally stiff and formed to follow the balloon's shape for positioning the balloon.

Abstract: A collateral ventilation bypass trap system directly linked with a patient's lung or lungs may be utilized to increase the expiratory flow from the diseased lung or lungs, thereby treating one aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a trap, a filter/one-way valve and an air carrying conduit. The system also includes a retention device for securing system elements in position.

Abstract: Methods for cardiac ventricular restoration include delivering an implantable expandable device into the ventricle via a catheter. The expandable device is anchored either to the wall of the left ventricle or to the inter-ventricular septum and then expanded. When expanded, the device assumes a size and shape which fills the lower portion of the ventricular cavity restoring the normal volume and ellipsoid shape of the remaining portion of the cavity and favorably altering myocardial oxygen demand and wall stress.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter having an ultra soft tip. The catheter includes a braided reinforcement member extending substantially the length of the elongate shaft. A balloon is disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. An ultra soft tip is formed from a distal portion of balloon material extending distal of the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: Methods for cardiac ventricular restoration include delivering an implantable expandable device into the ventricle via a catheter. The expandable device is anchored either to the wall of the left ventricle or to the inter-ventricular septum and then expanded. When expanded, the device assumes a size and shape which fills the lower portion of the ventricular cavity restoring the normal volume and ellipsoid shape of the remaining portion of the cavity and favorably altering myocardial oxygen demand and wall stress.

Abstract: A self-retaining catheter that eliminates the problem of residual urine and also of bladder wall irritation caused by continuous contact with a spherical retention balloon which does not rely on a stylet for placement. The system may use an internal control wire that reversibly foreshortens the proximal end of the catheter thus radially displacing longitudinal strips defined in the proximal catheter to form retention wings. Alternatively, a balloon situated between the longitudinal strips is inflated to force open the retention wings once inside the urinary bladder. Radial displacement of the retention wings widens the spaces between the longitudinal strips, these spaces constituting the drainage apertures which permit complete emptying of the urinary bladder. The radially displaced retention wings abut the bladder wall in a non-continuous manner thereby reducing the area of bladder-catheter contact and further reducing bladder wall irritation.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an endourethral prosthesis, assembly, and attendant methods are provided for patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or urinary retention. The endourethral prosthesis includes a reversibly expandable element disposed circumferentially about, and longitudinally along a tubular member adapted to receive urine. The tubular member is positionable within a lower urinary tract such that the reversibly expandable element operatively engages a structure of the lower urinary tract so as to prevent migration of the prosthesis so positioned. The reversibly expandible element is in non-reversible fluid communication with the tubular element for selective expansion thereof, the reversibly expandible element is further operatively engagable so as to discharge fluid non-reversibly received from the tubular member exterior to same.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion, as well as systems and kits for use in practicing the same, are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the vascular site is flushed simultaneously with a first dissolution fluid (e.g., an organic matter dissolution fluid and/or an inorganic matter dissolution fluid), and a second dissolution fluid attenuating fluid, where flushing is carried out in a manner such that only a surface of the vascular occlusion is contacted with the non-attenuated dissolution fluid. The subject methods, systems and kits for practicing the same find use in the treatment of a variety of different vascular diseases characterized by the presence of vascular occlusions, including both partial and total occlusions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for evacuating material from a body cavity are disclosed. An elongated tubular member constructed and arranged to be inserted through an aperture in a patient's chest is provided. The tubular member is generally L-shaped and has a distal section and a proximal section. The distal section includes a plurality of openings for receiving air and liquids from within the patient's body. The proximal section receives and discharges air and liquids to a receiver. The proximal section includes an expandable cuff for positioning the tubular member in the patient's chest for preventing the plurality of openings from being obstructed in whole or in part.

Abstract: A non-sharp vascular infusion device and related method are disclosed. The non-sharp vascular infusion device permits medicine to be introduced into an IV assembly without creating a danger to healthcare personnel.

Abstract: The CO2 detector has a disc attached to a rim which in turn is attached to a third port on a esophageal detector housing. A baffle rises from an interior surface of the housing to slightly below an opening to the third port. A first and second port of the housing on each side of the third port are in axial alignment. The first port is attached to an elastomeric bulb and the second port is adapted to be connected to an adapter which in turn is attached to an intubation tube. A colorimetric indicator paper is shown through a clear plastic cover after removing backing on the indicator paper through the second port.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion, as well as systems and kits for use in practicing the same, are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the vascular site is flushed simultaneously with a first dissolution fluid (e.g., an organic matter dissolution fluid and/or an inorganic matter dissolution fluid), and a second dissolution fluid attenuating fluid, where flushing is carried out in a manner such that only a surface of the vascular occlusion is contacted with the non-attenuated dissolution fluid. Examples of dissolution fluid/dissolution fluid attenuating fluid pairs include: (1) oxidizing agent fluid and fluid comprising oxidizable neutralizing agent; (2) surfactant fluid and phosphate buffered saline; (3) acidic solution and phosphate buffered saline; etc. Flushing is carried out in this manner for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow through the vascular site to be enhanced, e.g. increased or established.

Abstract: A vascular therapy device is used for treatment, such as injecting or applying medicine, to a lumen or body cavity without surgical treatment. The vascular therapy device includes an elongated shaft, an inflatable balloon attached to a side portion of a distal end portion of the shaft, a first path provided in the shaft and communicating with an inside of the balloon to inflate and deflate the balloon, and a second path provided inside the shaft and extending from a proximal end portion to the distal end portion of the shaft. The second path has an outlet at the distal end portion. When the balloon is inflated, a part of the distal end portion is biased to contact a wall where the shaft is inserted. Thus, when the balloon is inflated, the outlet faces and substantially contacts the wall to thereby provide a treatment through the second path and outlet.

Abstract: A catheter for administering medication into the endolymphatic sacs of the cochlea of the inner ear in humans, through at least one membrane of the inner ear. The catheter is designed with at least one outflow aperture at one end for the medication being administered and with an anchoring element. A medication dosage system can be connected to the other end of the catheter. The outflow aperture can be fed through the membrane of the inner ear and the anchoring element is designed so that it can anchor itself against this membrane.

Abstract: A catheter introducing system includes an introducer catheter comprising a flexible sheath having a hemostasis valve and an obturator having a steering mechanism operated by a proximal actuator handle. The catheter introducer system will usually be introduced with the obturator inside of the flexible sheath so that the obturator can effect steering by laterally deflecting the distal end of the combined sheath and obturator. Such catheter introducing systems are particularly useful for large diameter sheaths which are not readily introduced over guide wires. A first exemplary hemostasis valve comprises a compressed foam insert having an axial lumen therein. A second exemplary hemostasis valve comprises an elastomeric insert which receives and seals over the catheter.

Abstract: A delivery means for delivering liquid containing medicament to a posterior region of the nasal cavity, comprising an elongate tubular member (35; 151) and a nozzle (37; 153) at the free end thereof, which nozzle (37; 153) includes at least one opening (39; 155) through which liquid is in use delivered.

Abstract: Catheter devices and methods for their use in enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion are provided. The subject catheter devices include at least a first, second and third lumen, where: (a) the first lumen is used for delivery of an acidic dissolution solution to the vascular site; (b) the second lumen is used for delivery of a buffer solution to the vascular site; and (c) the third lumen is used for removal of fluid from the vascular site. In many preferred embodiments, the first, second and third lumens are coaxial. In practicing the subject methods, the vascular site is flushed simultaneously with an acidic dissolution fluid and a buffer solution, where flushing is carried out in a manner such that only a surface of the vascular occlusion is contacted with the acidic dissolution fluid and the remainder of the vascular site is not contacted with fluid having a pH that is lower than about 4.

Abstract: An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue in the body including an elongate member having a distal end for being positioned at the obstructed site, a proximal end for being disposed externally of the body and an expandable member at the distal end of the elongate member. The expandable member includes a balloon movable fluidically from a non-expanded position to an expanded position at the obstructed site. The balloon assumes a preformed, predetermined configuration in the expanded position at the obstructed site to separate the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site.