Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and systems that alter intracranial compliance, cerebral blood flow and/or intracranial pressure pulsatility/waveform by oscillating the contraction and expansion of a compressible composition within the cranial or spinal cavities such that they increase intracranial capacity. The contraction and expansion of the compressible composition in the oscillating compliance devices can be due to an individual's intracranial pressure, the result of the expansion and compression of a reservoir which is mediated by the contractility of the heart or driven by a pump gaited to a biorhythm. The invention also relates to methods for protecting an individual's brain from abnormal arterial pulsations and for altering an individual's cerebral blood flow using the devices and systems of the invention.

Abstract: A urethral catheter assembly utilizing a removable guide wire for navigating the catheter through a patient's urethral lumen during the insertion procedure. The guide wire being very flexible and having a low coefficient of friction, thus reducing the likelihood of injuring or puncturing the urethra during insertion. The guide wire extends beyond the distal end of the catheter assembly to ensure that the flexible tip of the guide wire is the first contact point between the catheter assembly and the urethral lumen. In one embodiment, the guide wire extends beyond the proximal end of the catheter assembly and is adapted to be handled by a medical doctor to manually maneuver the guide wire through the urethra.

Abstract: An earplug insertion device can include a housing that is configured to hold a first earplug and a second earplug. The device can also include an ejection mechanism that can be configured to respond to a first user force by ejecting the first earplug from the device in a first ejection motion. The ejection mechanism can also being configured to respond to a second user force by ejecting the second earplug from the device in a second ejection motion.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of devices and methods for treating a lung including, for example, treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are disclosed. A device may include a plurality of media and a deployment member. The media may be configured for deployment into one or more airways of a lung. The deployment member may be configured for insertion into or proximate the one or more airways of the lung. Also, the deployment member may be configured to deploy the plurality of media substantially simultaneously. Further, the plurality of media may be configured to be retained within the one or more airways of the lung.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to silk-based drug delivery compositions for controlled, sustained delivery of therapeutic agent(s) as well as methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the treatment of glaucoma, though insertion of an implant into the lumen of the Schlemm's canal to realize proper drainage of the aqueous humor, which implant is brought into its position in the Schlemm's canal by means of a catheter having a distal and a proximate portion and provided with a number of pores through which a gaseous or fluid medium which comes from a pressure source can emerge during insertion of the catheter carrying the implant into the Schlemm's canal, and while the catheter is being inserted into the Schlemm's canal the gaseous or fluid medium is released under pressure thereby expanding the Schlemm's canal and the implant and upon releasing the implant at its determined location, the catheter can be withdrawn from the Schlemm's canal.

Abstract: Compositions comprising an antimicrobial effective concentration of sucralose and methods of using for treating pharyngeal and other bacterial conditions.

Abstract: A bone implantable medical device made from a biocompatible material, preferably comprising titania or zirconia, has at least a portion of its surface modified to facilitate improved integration with bone. The implantable device may incorporate a surface infused with osteoinductive agent and/or may incorporate holes loaded with a therapeutic agent. The infused surface and/or the holes may be patterned to determine the distribution of and amount of osteoinductive agent and/or therapeutic agent incorporated. The rate of release or elution profile of the therapeutic agent may be controlled. Methods for producing such a bone implantable medical device are also disclosed and employ the use of accelerated Neutral Beam irradiation, wherein the Neutral Beam is derived from an accelerated gas cluster ion beam irradiation for improving bone integration.

Abstract: Provided are methods of delivering at least one pharmaceutical agent to the central nervous system (CNS) of a subject, methods of treating a neurological disorder or pain in a subject that include administering at least one pharmaceutical agent onto a SEM graft in the skull base of the subject. Also provided are methods of treating a neurological disorder or pain in a subject that include forming a SEM graft in the skull base of the subject and administering at least one pharmaceutical agent onto the SEM graft in the skull base of the subject. Also provided are methods of forming a SEM graft in the skull base of a subject, compositions for administration onto a SEM graft in the skull base or into an endonasal reservoir or endonasal reservoir device in a subject, and devices for administering such compositions onto a SEM graft in the skull base of a subject.

Abstract: A surgical technique and device wherein an indwelling tube is placed in the eye of a patient having glaucoma. The tube diverts aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the suprachoroidal space from which it is removed by blood flowing in the choroidal and uveal tissues. This decreases the intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Implantable devices and methods for delivering pharmaceutical substances into a patient. The implantable device includes the following components: (a) an implant body, (b) a reservoir in the implant body, (c) a heterogeneous composition disposed in the reservoir, which includes a pharmaceutical substance in the solid state contacted by a solution of the pharmaceutical substance, and (d) a nanochannel membrane for delivering the pharmaceutical substance from the reservoir to a patient. Extended, high-quality delivery of low solubility drugs such as hormones and chemotherapeutic agents are achieved.

Abstract: The percutaneous probe, made in MRI-compatible materials, comprises: a body percutaneously inserted into the tissue of a patient's body organ (8) having a region (10) to be analyzed, treated and monitored during a single medical procedure; at least one information collection sensing device (30,33,34); treatment application transducers (30) 360° disposed to emit focused or defocused therapeutic ultra-sound waves. The computerized system comprises a parametrizable command device (50) adapted to simulate then command a generation of the therapeutic ultra-sound waves, and to monitor the treatment by thermal MRI images.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide an atraumatic urinary catheter. The atraumatic urinary catheter has a first tubule, a second tubule and a third tubule. The first tubule is provided with a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is wide and extended from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tubule and the first channel is open in both ends. The second tubule comprises a third channel, which is connected to a bladder cavity. The third tubule placed on the first tubule and the second tubule as a cover, to form a catheter's balloon. In order to avoid balloon explosion, the sterile water in the balloon is drained by the self-retaining mechanism of the catheter to prevent an irritation and tissue traumatization.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for delivering reduced pressure to a subcutaneous tissue site, such as a bone tissue site. In one instance, a manifold for providing reduced pressure to a subcutaneous tissue includes a longitudinal manifold body formed with at least one purging lumen and a reduced-pressure lumen. The manifold further includes a plurality of manifolding surface features or slits formed on the second, tissue-facing side of the longitudinal manifold body and a plurality of apertures formed in the longitudinal manifold body on the second, tissue-facing side. The plurality of apertures fluidly couple the reduced-pressure lumen and the manifolding surface features or slits. The manifold further includes an end cap fluidly coupling the reduced-pressure lumen and the at least one purging lumen. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented.

Abstract: A bio-compatible lumen bearing device such as a catheter formed of a polymeric material having a titanium surface bonded to the underlying exposed catheter surface. The titanium surface is employed in patients to improve bio-compatibility and enhance lubricity during insertion and removal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for infusing medication into a patient's body using a medication chamber referenced to ambient pressure. The apparatus includes a medication chamber enclosed by a peripheral wall which includes a movable portion configured to transfer exterior ambient pressure into the chamber. Means are provided for exerting a negative bias force acting on the movable portion in a direction opposed to the ambient pressure force. Thus, the resultant pressure in the chamber will be negative with respect to ambient pressure, reducing the risk that the chamber can be overpressurized and produce an unintended medication discharge.

Abstract: A method for evaluating dosing from an implanted infusion system that includes receiving input regarding the identity of a therapeutic agent into an external device. The method further includes displaying on the external device a predetermined set of symptoms associated with the therapeutic agent; receiving input into the external device regarding with which of the symptoms the patient presents; and determining whether the therapeutic agent is being delivered, or has been delivered, at an appropriate dose based on the input identity of the therapeutic agent and the input symptoms.

Abstract: A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.

Abstract: The present application includes a sheath that is suitable for use in a variety of medical procedures. In one or more implementations, the sheath includes a shunt member, and a curvable portion. The curvable portion may be configured in various orientations to facilitate an intervention, such as a hemodialysis intervention, or the like, by an operator. The curvable portion may be configured to bend between a substantially straight configuration and a curved configuration. In implementations, the sheath may be configured to have detachable and/or interchangeable components (e.g., shunt member, curvable portion, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for treating a respiratory distress in a infant in need of such treatment, the method comprising intratracheal administration of a pulmonary surfactant by a thin tube. The invention also concerns a kit for performing said method.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an implantable repository including a housing comprising at least one bioactive agent and at least one attachment member coupled to the housing, the at least one attachment member configured to couple the implantable repository to at least one of a medical device and a tissue surface.

Abstract: A first device housing may be configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from a base carried by a user and may include a first carrier body arranged for movement at least between a refracted position and an advanced position. The first carrier body may support a piercing member for insertion through skin of the patient. A second device housing may be configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from the first device housing and may include a second carrier body operatively connectable with the first carrier body and arranged for movement at least between a retracted position and an advanced position. A driver in the second device housing may be arranged to move the first carrier body toward the advanced position to insert at least a portion of the piercing member through skin of the patient.

Abstract: Provided herein are a device and method for attenuating posttraumatic stress syndrome, menopause symptoms, dysautonomia and pain by interfering with sympathetic chain signaling, particularly by blocking stellate ganglion conduction.

Abstract: A portable therapeutic fluid delivery device and a method for delivering a therapeutic fluid into a body of a patient are provided. In one aspect the therapeutic fluid delivery device and the method can be implemented using at least one housing securable to the body of the patient, a reservoir coupled to the at least one housing, a therapeutic fluid dispensing mechanism, a memory component, a controller, at least one bolus delivery button configured to signal the controller to initiate the delivery of the therapeutic fluid into the body of the patient; and, an inadvertent initiation prevention mechanism adapted for preventing the patient from activating the at least one bolus delivery button.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an applicator (1) for inserting an implant, in particular a rod-like implant (2) containing an active substance, under the skin of a human or animal, comprising a housing (3), a cannula (6) extending from the housing (3), and a handle (15) for grasping and maneuvering the applicator (1) and the cannula (6) during insertion of an implant (2). In accordance with the invention, the handle (15) extends above at least part of the length of the cannula (6). Such a handle facilitates insertion of the cannula and/or accurate positioning of the implant.

Abstract: An insertion device may include a base adapted to be carried by a patient, and a housing attached to the base, the housing having a fluid connector arranged for movement relative to the base. A pair of interactive elements including a first interactive element may be supported on the base and a second interactive element supported on the housing at a location to be interactable with the first interactive element when the fluid connector is moved to a predetermined position. Circuitry may be configured to detect an interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element when the fluid connector is in the predetermined position, the circuitry configured to provide a signal or a change in state in response to detecting the interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element.

Abstract: The containment and fixation system of the present invention generally includes a biomatrix sleeve, biomatrix particles or combinations thereof made of a biomatrix material. The biomatrix material is comprised of one or more biocompatible proteins and one or more biocompatible solvents. The biomatrix material utilized in the sleeve and/or particles may also include one or more pharmacologically active agents like therapeutic biochemicals such as a bone mending biochemical (e.g. hydroxyapatite) or an angiogenic growth factor (e.g. BMP).

Abstract: Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices are accomplished via stabilized implantable systems and ingestible pills. In one embodiment, a method of producing satiety comprising the steps of accessing a gastrointestinal tract of a patient and implanting an intraintestinal therapeutic substance eluting implant. The implant is capable of eluting a satiety inducing substance selected from at least one of a nutrient, a specific satiety inducing bio-active substance, pancreatic polypeptides, free fatty acids, cholecystokinin, amino acids, glutamine, lipids, linoleic acid, or a combination thereof, from the implant into the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: An improved technique for manufacturing a propellant pillow for use in filling a propellant chamber of an implantable pump is disclosed. The method preferably results in the creation of an already filled propellant pillow, which therefore negates the need for the separate filling of the pillow.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering an agent to a solid tissue in vivo for assessment of efficacy are described. One method involves withdrawing of a needle from and injecting of the agent into the solid tissue; another method involves delivering the agent using a plurality of microdialysis probes to a solid tissue.

Abstract: Implantable or insertable medical devices are described. The medical devices comprise (a) a therapeutic agent and (b) a polymeric release region, which controls the release of the therapeutic agent upon administration to a patient. The polymeric release region further comprises a silicone copolymer that contains a plurality of siloxane units and a plurality of non-siloxane units. Also described are methods for administering a therapeutic agent to a patient using the above implantable or insertable medical devices as well as methods of making the above devices.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient includes a catheter, a stop feature, a container and a bar. The catheter has a proximal end and a distal end and includes a body defining a lumen that extends to the distal end of the catheter. The stop feature is in proximity to the distal end of the catheter. The container is configured to house the therapeutic agent and is insertable and slidably disposable in the lumen of the catheter. The container is also configured to engage the stop feature of the catheter. The bar is slidably disposable in the lumen of the catheter. Sliding of the bar distally in the lumen forces the therapeutic agent out of the container and out of the lumen when the container is engaged with the stop feature. The stop feature is configured to inhibit the container from exiting the lumen.

Abstract: A medical device for providing direct port-like endoscopic access to the urinary bladder of a patient and a method of utilizing and inserting the medical device. The medical device can include a hollow tube with a main channel and a separate channel, a cap with an inflation port and a hollow flexible stem fluidly connecting the inflation port and the separate channel. A method can include inserting a needle above the pubic symphysis of a mammal, threading a guide wire through the needle, removing the needle and inserting the medical device. The method can optionally include determining measuring the depth between the skin surface of the patient's suprapubic region and urinary bladder.

Abstract: An aspiration catheter includes an aspiration tube and an aspiration lumen extending between and opening to the distal and proximal ends of the aspiration tube, and a guidewire tube bonded to the outer surface of the aspiration tube on a distal end portion of the aspiration tube, with at least a portion of the guidewire tube being parallel to the aspiration tube. A guidewire lumen extends through the guidewire tube and opens at a proximal opening located at a proximal end of the guidewire tube. The outer surface of the aspiration tube has a flat portion where the outer surface is parallel to an axial direction of the aspiration lumen, and the proximal opening of the guidewire lumen is located at the flat portion of the outer surface of the aspiration tube.

Abstract: Disposable items made from bioplastic resins include a biodegradable resin; and a plasticizer; wherein the resin and plasticizer are intermixed to provide a generally homogenous bioplastic that is formed to provide the device. A disposable device includes a multidose syringe, a specimen tube, a scalpel, a lancet, a sharps container, or a suction canister. A method of disposing of an item includes providing an item made from a biodegradable resin and a plasticizer that are intermixed to provide a generally homogenous bioplastic; sterilizing the item utilizing radiation or ethylene oxide gas; shredding the item; and composting the item into a compost end product, thereby disposing of the item.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to intraocular shunts, and in particular, to intraocular shunts configured to form a drainage pathway between the anterior chamber and the intra-scleral space.

Abstract: A catheter configured with an elongate tube and a diffuser is disclosed. The diffuser may be configured to facilitate high flow rates through the catheter and to resist blockage of openings disposed within the body. Further, the catheter may be comprised of flexible materials to facilitate delivery into and removal from the body. In some embodiments the diffuser may be generally disc shaped.

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: An injector system including a docking station and a cassette and various transfer devices for transferring fluid from a bulk fluid container to a reservoir in the cassette are described herein along with methods for using such devices and systems to inject fluid from the bulk fluid container into a patient.

Abstract: A syringe includes a plunger having a plunger tube with proximal and distal ends, a center tube with a center passage that extends within the plunger tube, and a balloon disposed over the center tube and sealingly fixed to at least one of the center tube and the plunger tube. The syringe also includes a barrel having a barrel tube having proximal and distal ends and an interior configured to accept a portion of the plunger, a tip fixedly coupled to the proximal end of the barrel tube, a post fixedly attached to the tip and extending within the barrel tube toward the distal end, the tip configured to partially extend into the center passage of the plunger, and a gas passage extending from a proximal end of the tip to the distal end of the post.

Abstract: Provided is a device for delivery into a body lumen having a longitudinally extending stem and a plurality of bristles extending generally radially outwardly from the stem. The device includes at least two different groups or types of bristles.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides medical devices possessing reactants thereon, which further promote adherence of the device to tissue in vivo and/or release of bioactive agents from the device.

Abstract: A delivery device assembly for delivering a medical device to a target site within a patient includes a first polarizable tine and a second reactive tine that is not polarized. The first tine is connected to a first wire that has an electric coil surrounding a portion of the first wire. A current is passed through the electric wire to cause the polarizable tine to become polarized, thereby causing the reactive tine that is not coupled to the electric coil to move toward the polarized tine. The relative movement of the tines releases the medical device from its attachment to the tines.

Abstract: Stabilizing an object in the body of a patient involves the injection of a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) material or other flowable material into the body of the patient so that the material contacts the object. The LCST material or other flowable material then forms a gel in the body such that the object is contained at least partially within the gel and thereby stabilized by the gel such that the object can then be easily fragmented within the body and/or retrieved from the body.

Abstract: Adjustable volume syringes, and systems and methods for using the same, are disclosed. An adjustable volume syringe may include a delivery syringe, a reservoir syringe located at least in part within the delivery syringe, and a reservoir plunger located at least in part within the reservoir syringe. The delivery syringe is configured to contain a first amount of a fluid. The reservoir syringe is configured to contain a second amount of the fluid. An administration amount of fluid may be determined at or prior to an administration time. An amount of fluid in the delivery syringe may be adjusted to an administration amount at or prior to the administration time based on whether the administration amount is greater than, less than or equal to the first amount. The administration amount of fluid may be dispensed to a patient at the administration time.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a device comprising a catheter. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of removing an agent from blood.

Abstract: The presently disclosed delivery systems utilize microtools, also referred to as theragrippers, to deliver a drug or other therapeutic agent to targeted tissue. More particularly, the drug delivery system and methods provide a delivery system that is capable of anchoring to a tissue site and then delivering a drug or therapeutic agent to the tissue directly to or in the vicinity of the site over an extended period of time. Any number of theragrippers may be deployed as desired to deliver different doses of a desired drug or therapeutic agent. The theragrippers also can be biodegradable such that they remain in place for an extended period of time and then degrade without adversely affecting the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An intragastric implant comprises an anchor and a therapeutic device or a diagnostic device. The anchor is adapted to extend between the fundus and the pyloric valve of a stomach, to be retained without attachment to the stomach wall, and to anchor the device within the stomach with a relatively stable position and orientation. The therapeutic or diagnostic device is adapted to extend from the esophagus or stomach to the intestines or stomach. The therapeutic or diagnostic device, when extending into the esophagus, will be slidably received through the gastroesophageal junction and, when extending into the intestines, will be slidably received in the pyloric valve.

Abstract: Device methods and systems for ablating a mucosal surface to treat patients with mucin hypersecretion is disclosed. An ablation device having a balloon membrane with a plurality of electrodes arranged on an external surface thereof is disclosed. The ablation device may be configured to ablate epithelial tissue of one or more target structures, such as the inner wall of a gallbladder. Each of the plurality of electrodes may be electrically coupled to a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of electrodes at a time. The controller may activate less than all of the plurality of electrodes, thereby implementing a partial ablation procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tetracaine based anesthetic formulations and methods of use thereof. The invention further relates to topical formulations of tetracaine and methods of topically anesthetizing body tissues. The present invention also relates to tetracaine based dental anesthetic formulations and methods for anesthetizing the maxillary dental arch using these formulations.