Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to a securable inner drug delivery plug or stopper that is configured to be inserted into, and secured (retained) within, an opening of the inner ear of a recipient. The securable inner drug delivery plug is configured to deliver drugs directly into the inner ear.

Abstract: Methods and related systems treating headache and migraine. The method may include producing an injury to a nerve at an identified location of hypersensitivity; wherein the identified location is a location of nerve hypersensitivity. The identified location may be within the anterior or frontal aspect of a nasal cavity, corresponding to a location of the V1 branch of the trigeminal nerve. Producing an injury may comprise providing cryotherapy to the identified location. The cryotherapy is supplied by a chilled probe, a cryo-balloon, a nasal spray device, or a gel applicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extracorporeal blood treatment device comprising at least one output unit for outputting at least one report to a user of the blood treatment device, wherein the blood treatment device is configured to output at least one report by means of the output device after the end of a specific period of time since the switching on of the blood treatment device and/or on the occurrence of a specific event, said report relating to one or more pieces of information relating to the validity of a test carried out at the blood treatment device.

Abstract: A drug delivery device (1) includes a delivery unit, an electronic control system and a plunger sensing system (70). The delivery unit (3) includes a drug container (6) comprising a barrel portion (6a) and a plunger (12) slidably mounted within the barrel portion and sealing against an inner surface of the barrel portion (6a) for containing a liquid drug (78) within the drug container. The plunger sensing system (70) includes an optical sensor (71) with a transmitter (71a) and a receiver (71b), the transmitter configured for transmitting an optical signal to a back end (73) of the plunger (12) and the receiver configured to receive the optical signal reflected off the plunger back end (73). The plunger sensing system is connected to the electronic control system (47) configured to measure a time of flight of the optical signal from the transmitter to the receiver and to determine therefrom a position of the plunger within the cylinder portion of the drug container.

Abstract: Provided are a medicine injecting tip, which injects a medicine into a hole in a skin formed by a needle while invading the needle to a preset depth of a deep portion of the skin, a hand piece equipped with the medicine injecting tip, and a skin treatment device using the medicine injecting tip. The medicine injecting tip includes a cylinder, a plunger that reciprocates downward and upward, and has a first space and a second space formed inside the cylinder, and a needle disposed in the plunger and disposed in the second space of the cylinder. The needle is inserted into a skin and a negative pressure state is formed in the second space when the plunger moves downward, and the needle is discharged from the skin and a positive pressure state is formed in the second space, when the plunger moves upward.

Abstract: Ambulatory infusion pumps, pump assemblies, and baseplate assemblies, including cartridges, baseplates, cannulas, inserters, and related components and batteries therefor, as well as component combinations and related methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for delivery of a ferrofluid to a targeted treatment site, such as delivery of a ferroadhesive to a pathological fistula to occlude the fistula. A device includes a catheter having a lumen and a distal opening. A hollow solenoid is coupled to a distal section of the catheter, and a hollow core of the solenoid allows passage of a ferrofluid through the catheter and through the hollow core so that it may exit past the distal end of the hollow solenoid. The solenoid may be selectively actuated to maintain or control the position of the delivered ferrofluid.

Abstract: Ambulatory infusion pumps, durable assemblies, and disposable assemblies, including energy sources, reservoirs, baseplates, and related components therefor, as well as component combinations and related methods.

Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a housing, a cartridge received within the housing, with the cartridge configured to receive a medicament, a drive assembly received within the housing and configured to engage the cartridge and dispense medicament from the cartridge, and a needle actuator assembly received within the housing, with the needle actuator assembly including a patient needle configured to pierce a patient's skin. A bottom surface of the housing defines a port interface configured to receive an implanted injection port.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft having a first lumen inside thereof, an expansion/contraction portion that is disposed on a distal end portion of the shaft and is expandable and contractible in a radial direction, and an actuation portion that expands and contracts the expansion/contraction portion. The expansion/contraction portion has a fixed portion fixed to the shaft, a sliding portion capable of sliding in a longitudinal direction of the shaft on an outer peripheral face of the shaft, and a suspension portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft that connects the fixed portion with the sliding portion. When the sliding portion is slid toward the fixed portion by the actuation portion, the suspension portion expands in a radial direction of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provide a puncture instrument capable of administering (supplying) a drug solution. The puncture instrument includes a puncture tip section (2); a first tubular body (3) connected to the puncture tip section (2) at the distal end; and an outer tubular body (5) at least partially covering the first tubular body (3). The first tubular body (3) is formed to be rotatable around an axis along the longitudinal direction. The first tubular body (3) has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the outer tubular body (5). A drug solution supply path (5a) is provided on the outside of the first tubular body (3).

Abstract: A vessel access and closure assist system is used for accessing a vessel to perform a vascular intervention. The system facilitates the delivery of a vessel closure device onto a blood vessel for closing an opening in the wall of the blood vessel. The vessel access and closure assist system includes a procedural introducer sheath that directly couples to a vessel closure device delivery sheath such that the procedural introducer sheath does not have to be exchanged with the vessel closure device delivery sheath.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for a prescription-regulated software application and an associated medical device. In some aspects, a smart medicine-injection device (e.g., smart insulin pen) is configured to be in communication with a patient's companion device (e.g., smartphone) having a software application (prescription app) that serves the patient as a complimentary medical device to the smart medicine-injection device, in which only certain features and functionalities of the prescription app are fully operable based on device pairing with the smart medicine-injection device to unlock medical device capabilities only available to the patient through prescription.

Abstract: Embodiments provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering therapeutic agents (TAs) within the GI tract such as antibodies (AP-antibodies) or other proteins which neutralize PCSK9 molecules. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device e.g., a capsule for delivering TAs into the intestinal wall (IW). Embodiments also provide TA preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the IW and/or peritoneum and degrade to release the TA into the bloodstream to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be operably coupled to delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the IW. Embodiments are particularly useful for delivery of AP-antibodies and related TA's for the treatment of cholesterol, lipid and related conditions where such TAs are poorly absorbed and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: A dual balloon catheter having two independently inflatable balloons that provides complete or intermittent synchronous occlusion of blood vessels (such as the contralateral iliac veins, for example) via the balloons, which can be used for the purpose of decreasing the pressure in the inferior vena cava, which results in decongestion of the kidneys, liver/splanchnic compartment, lymphatic system, and the heart.

Abstract: A sample holder for holding a sample during an X-ray imaging process includes a sample placement surface on which the sample is placed for positioning the sample in a depth direction of the sample holder. The sample holder also includes a first alignment portion for aligning the sample in a width direction of the sample holder, and a second alignment portion for aligning the sample in a height direction of the sample holder.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for treating inflammation and pain of articular joints (e.g., the knee). An implantable device includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a flange disposed at the proximal end, a bore extending from an opening at the proximal end into the elongate body, one or more fixation members disposed on an outer surface of the elongate body, and a payload (e.g., a drug-polymer core) having a therapeutic agent disposed within the bore. The payload has a substantially constant surface area on an exposed portion throughout elution of the therapeutic agent after the implantable device is implanted in a body. The therapeutic agent is configured to elute using zero-order kinetics, constantly and continuously at an amount that is above a predetermined lower threshold and does not exceed a predetermined upper threshold unlike a pulse-dose injection.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a hemodialysis machine or a peritoneal dialysis machine, is provided with control commands in a secure manner based on the commands being detected on a separate control component. The control commands are detected and thereupon a message is generated which contains a request to activate an operating element. Only if the indicated operating element has been activated is the control command forwarded to a dialysis machine for execution.

Abstract: Embolization particles can be safely delivered to the left gastric artery of a patient by introducing the distal end of a catheter in the patient's left gastric artery, inflating a balloon located near the distal end of the catheter so that the balloon prevents blood from flowing through the left gastric artery, and injecting a mixture of particles and contrast agent into the proximal end of the catheter so that they flow through the catheter. In addition, a path is provided for blood to flow into the catheter through an opening in the sidewall of the catheter at a position that is proximal to the balloon, and out through the distal end of the catheter. This blood flow helps to carry the particles along to their destination in the distal portion of the left gastric artery. The particles are also prevented from flowing into portions of the patient's artery system that are proximal of the balloon.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for identifying device connections in a connection area includes receiving a plurality of physical parameters of a plurality of devices from a plurality of transmission sources in a connection area, wherein the plurality of physical parameters indicates physical states of the plurality of devices. At least one physical connection state is determined between the plurality of devices based on the plurality of physical parameters of the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A drug delivery device, in the form of an injector, may include one of a number of systems for limiting the delivery of a medical fluid or drug product in case of movement of (e.g., removal of) the injector relative to the patient as determined by a proximity sensor. The drug delivery system may in the alternative or in addition include systems for indicating the amount of medical fluid or drug product delivered (or not delivered) in case of movement of (e.g., removal of) the injector relative to the patient as determined by the proximity sensor. The injector may be, for example, an on-body injector or an hand-held autoinjector.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatically adjustable device for affixing to the nose of animals, which may be used simultaneously for administering medicinal or non-medicinal substances and/or for collecting and transmitting information about the animal by means of onboard sensors, the device being composed of a flexible support body and a pair of adjustable members that are connected by a system of swivel joints, allowing the articulation of the members in all directions. The system of swivel joints enables the adjustable members to automatically adjust to the wall of the nasal septum of each animal, which affords greater comfort and offers a larger area of contact between the face of the adjustable members of the device and the nasal mucous membrane of the animal.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of applying ultrasonic energy to a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises positioning an ultrasound radiating member at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature. The method further comprises activating the ultrasound radiating member to produce pulses of ultrasonic energy at a cycle period T?1 second. The acoustic parameters such as peak power, pulse width, pulse repetition frequency and frequency or any combination of them can be varied non-linearly.

Abstract: A device for the rapid attachment of biomedical devices, comprising: at least one base element associable with a supporting plane and defining a guiding seat extending along a sliding direction, the guiding seat being intended to receive by shifting an anchoring element associable with one or more biomedical devices; removable attachment device/component (or the like) of the base element to the supporting plane; removable locking device/component (or the like) of the anchoring element associated with the base element, the locking device/component locking the anchoring element with respect to the base element along the sliding direction upon reaching a predefined anchoring position.

Abstract: Controlled motion capsules and associated systems and methods are described. Controlled motion capsules can decelerate, and stop, without damaging epithelial walls. If any components fail, a controlled motion capsule, without added energy, becomes its most compact shape, passing harmlessly through the GI tract. Controlled motion capsule may include a shape changing material, comprising a reversible soft copolymer, in a container in the capsule, with a nonionizing radiation emitter, and a controller to activate the nonionizing radiation to expand and contract the shape changing material, on detection of certain conditions or instructions. Expansion of the shape changing material, including contact with epithelial walls, decelerates and can stop the controlled motion capsule movement. Motion control allows scientists to study the microbiome, doctors to deliver intestinal drugs at precise locations, and to closely examine signs of precancerous growth.

Abstract: A nanoparticle (NP)-peptide conjugate provides efficient steric hindrance/blockage of cellular membrane potassium (K+) channels to mediate depolarization of cellular membrane potential.

Abstract: Devices for protecting a user from a sharp tip of a medical needle includes a central body portion, a medical needle having a sharp tip, a pair of wings in attachment to the central body portion. The medical needle includes a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to at least one of a long axis of the central body portion and the delivery tube. The pair of wings are selectively positionable in a first position in which the pair of wings are spaced apart from the medical needle and a second position in which the pair of wings are proximate the medical needle. A mechanical fastener is disposed on at least one of the pair of wings, the mechanical fastener configured to selectively attach the pair of wings together in the second position with the medical needle positioned therebetween. Methods of using the device including administering medicinal fluids.

Abstract: A surgical guide is provided comprising a body defining a first cavity that is configured for disposal of a surgical instrument and an opening. A connector is disposable with the opening and is engageable with a surgical robot. At least one insert is disposable in the first cavity. The at least one insert defines a second cavity configured for disposal of an alternate surgical instrument. Systems, methods, spinal constructs, implants and surgical instruments are disclosed.

Abstract: This document provides devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions such as valvular stenosis. For example, this document provides devices and methods by which a guide catheter can align itself with a blood flow stream to thereby help direct a guidewire or other elongate device transmitted from the guide catheter through an orifice of a heart valve.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for harvesting one or more organs, e.g., a lung from a donor body. In one embodiment, a distal end of a tubular member is introduced into the donor body's vasculature via a percutaneous access site, and the tubular member is manipulated until the distal end of the tubular member is disposed within the thoracic duct. Fluid is removed from the thoracic duct through the tubular member to a location exterior to the patient's body, and one or more organs are removed from the donor body. Optionally, one or more parameters within the thoracic duct or other parameters of the donor body may be monitored and fluid removal may be adjusted to reduce fluid accumulation within the one or more organs.

Abstract: Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing surgical procedures. In general, one or more adjuncts can be used in conjunction with surgical instruments. The adjunct(s) can have medicant(s) thereon and/or therein. The medicant(s) can vary depending on the desired effect of the medicant(s) on surrounding tissue. As a non-limiting example, medicant(s) can be provided to influence hemostasis, inflammation, macrophages, and/or fibroblasts. When used in conjunction with a surgical stapler, the adjunct(s) can be disposed between and/or on jaws of the stapler, incorporated into a staple cartridge disposed in the jaws, or otherwise placed in proximity to the staples. When staples are deployed, the adjunct(s) can remain at the treatment site with the staples.

Abstract: A medical implant including a drug sensor and a global positioning system (GPS) module connected to a wireless network. The GPS module sends a location of the patient and optionally information of when patient uses an illegal drug when the sensor detects the drug within the patient's bloodstream.

Abstract: A modular drive train is selectively securable within a wearable injector. The drive train includes a chassis and a telescoping driving assembly mounted within the chassis. The driving assembly includes a first shaft rotatable relative to the chassis, and a second shaft connected with the first shaft and axially movable relative thereto. Rotation of the first shaft axially drives the second shaft. The chassis includes one of a bearing and an elastically expandable collar projecting axially forward into the chassis from a rear end thereof, and the first shaft includes the other of the bearing and the elastically expandable collar projecting axially rearwardly from a rear end thereof. The collar is configured to elastically snap over an interference element of the bearing, whereby engagement of the collar with the bearing axially secures the first shaft to the chassis and permits rotation of the first shaft about the bearing.

Abstract: A sampling capsule is provided. The sampling capsule includes an enclosure, a sampling assembly, a sample drawing assembly and a control module. The sampling assembly includes a sample chamber arranged in the enclosure, an outer sampling port on the enclosure, a sampling tube connecting the outer sampling port and the sample chamber, and a sampling switch for opening or closing the connecting tube. The sample drawing assembly includes a sample drawing port on the enclosure and connected to the sample chamber, and a silicone plug fitted in the sample discharging port. The control module includes a microprocessor communicating with the sampling switch.

Abstract: A display device includes a substrate including a main display area, main display elements being in the main display area; a component area, auxiliary display elements and a transmission area being in the component area; and a peripheral area outside the main display area; an initialization voltage line in the main display area and extending in a first direction; a bottom metal layer in the component area between the substrate and the auxiliary display elements; and a bias line in the main display area and extending in the first direction, the bias line being connected to the bottom metal layer and being at a same layer as the initialization voltage line, wherein the bias line and the initialization voltage line are alternately arranged along a second direction crossing the first direction, in a first region of the main display area around the component area.

Abstract: A method of preparing a prefilled syringe is disclosed that includes obtaining a syringe barrel and a needle adaptor cap assembled on the tip of the syringe barrel, wherein the needle adaptor cap has a rubber element tightly sealing the orifice of the tip of the syringe barrel and the syringe barrel together with the needle adaptor cap assembled on the tip of the syringe barrel is sterilized by a first sterilizing. Filling a drug substance into an interior of the syringe barrel and sealing the interior of the syringe barrel. Packaging the syringe barrel with a rubber stopper sealing the interior thereof and the needle adaptor cap assembled on the tip of the syringe barrel. Providing a second external surface sterilizing of the packaged syringe barrel with the rubber stopper sealing the interior thereof and the needle adaptor cap assembled on the tip of the syringe barrel.

Abstract: Improved methods for synthesizing taurolidine, improved compositions or formulations comprising taurolidine and methods for reducing an amount of impurities in taurolidine are provided herein, among other things. The taurolidine may be substantially free of impurities. The taurolidine may be a polymorph, for example, Polymorph A or Polymorph B. The composition or formulation may comprise Low-Molecular-Weight (LMW) Heparin.

Abstract: A computing device comprises a memory and a data interface for connecting to a corresponding interface in a storage assembly. The memory comprises instructions which, on connection with the storage assembly, cause a processor of the storage assembly to: detect, using a device sensor of the storage assembly, one or more medicament delivery devices stored in the storage assembly; and display, on a display screen provided on the storage assembly, information relating to a medicament stored in the storage assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to methods of scoring a sample containing tumor tissue from a cancer patient. The score is representative of a spatial proximity between at least one pair of cells, a first member of the at least one pair of cells expressing a first biomarker and a second member of the at least one pair of cells expressing a second biomarker that is different from the first biomarker. The score obtained from these methods can be indicative of a likelihood that a patient may respond positively to immunotherapy.

Abstract: A catheter with a distal end that rotates through the conversion of linear motion to rotational motion, thus the distal end may be rotated without longitudinally advancing or retracting the distal end. The catheter includes a tube with a single helix or a dual chirality helix cut into the tube, a distal end segment, means for linear displacement of the helix, and means for coupling the junction point of the helix to the distal segment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carotid blood pressure detection device, comprising: a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit, and a controller connected or coupled to the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit. The first sensing unit is disposed on a subject's neck and adjacent to a first position of the subject's carotid arteries. The second sensing unit is disposed on the subject's neck and adjacent to a second position of the subject's carotid arteries. The controller derives a mean arterial pressure of a section of the subject's carotid arteries that lies between the first position and the second position of the subject's carotid arteries from pulse wave data measured and obtained by the first sensing unit and pulse wave data measured and obtained by the second sensing unit.

Abstract: A flexible collar including a rigid body having a cylindrical outer surface and a cylindrical inner surface concentrically aligned with respect to a common longitudinal axis, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the inner surface defining a bore from the top surface to the bottom surface, and each of the top and bottom surfaces having an endless pathway confined to a respective plane and circumscribing a respective edge of the inner surface. The flexible collar further includes at least one accordion region having a plurality of pivots, at least two of the pivots being radially spaced apart from the longitudinal axis at different distances, and the accordion region being configured to radially deform.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for a prescription-regulated software application and an associated medical device. In some aspects, a smart medicine-injection device (e.g., smart insulin pen) is configured to be in communication with a patient's companion device (e.g., smartphone) having a software application (prescription app) that serves the patient as a complimentary medical device to the smart medicine-injection device, in which only certain features and functionalities of the prescription app are fully operable based on device pairing with the smart medicine-injection device to unlock medical device capabilities only available to the patient through prescription.

Abstract: A writing tool includes a refill having an ink reservoir tube formed to be a straight cylinder whose wall thickness is less than 0.56 mm; and a writing tip or a relay member holding the writing tip attached to a first end of the ink reservoir tube, wherein the refill is detachably attached to a barrel, wherein in the refill, amounting strength between the writing tip or the relay member holding the writing tip and the ink reservoir tube is set higher than a mounting strength between the barrel and a connecting portion of the ink reservoir tube. There is provided a writing tool that can prevent the occurrence of a problem such as leakage of ink at a time of replacement of refills and perform replacement of refills smoothly.

Abstract: A method and device handle having a slide assembly for controlling rotational speed of a catheter assembly under various rotational loads. The method includes setting a first current limit in a processor, activating the catheter assembly to rotate, calculating a current value in rotational period of a first current limit, updating a second current limit from the first current limit, and wherein the second current limit is lower than the first current limit.

Abstract: Composite nerve guides for nerve regeneration are provided, wherein the composite guide comprise a nerve graft and a nerve conduit continuing an active agent that promote axon regeneration. The devices can provide structural supports to guide nerve regeneration and locally deliver an active agent (e.g., glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and/or glial growth factor 2 (GGF2) to injured nervous system tissue upon implantation in a subject. Methods of treatment using such devices are also provided.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for identifying device connections in a connection area includes receiving a plurality of physical parameters of a plurality of devices from a plurality of transmission sources in a connection area, wherein the plurality of physical parameters indicates physical states of the plurality of devices. At least one physical connection state is determined between the plurality of devices based on the plurality of physical parameters of the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A nanoparticle (NP)-peptide conjugate provides efficient steric hindrance/blockage of cellular membrane potassium (K+) channels to mediate depolarization of cellular membrane potential.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to an injection device configured for expelling of a dose of a medicament. The injection device comprises a housing configured to accommodate a medicament reservoir, and a drive mechanism comprising an electric propulsion configured to mechanically interact with the medicament reservoir and configured to withdraw or to expel an amount of the medicament from the medicament reservoir. The injection device has at least a first interface directly or indirectly connected to the electric propulsion and configured to connect to a second interface of an auxiliary electronic device. The electric propulsion is controllable by the auxiliary electronic device when the first interface and the second interface are interconnected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device component for delivering medication fluid to a patient. The medical device component includes a fluid infusion device to regulate delivery of medication fluid, a body-mountable base unit, and a top cover assembly that is removably couplable to the base unit and to the fluid infusion device. The base unit includes a cannula to deliver medication fluid under the control of the fluid infusion device, and a physiological analyte sensor to measure a physiological characteristic. The base unit also includes an electronics assembly electrically connected to sensor leads to obtain measurements in the analog domain, to convert measurements into digital sensor data, and to communicate conditioned digital sensor data to the fluid infusion device. The top cover assembly is configured to provide both fluid and electrical connections for the base unit, by way of an infusion tube having sensor conductors integrated therein or otherwise associated therewith.