Abstract: Glycerophosphate salts have been found to drastically improve the treatment of urogenital disorders such as urethral strictures and vaginal atrophy. Methods, devices and kits are described for treating urogenital disorders using a composition comprising an effective amount of a glycerophosphate salt.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to nasal stents incorporating a filter and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, a nasal stent has a stent body having a lumen with the same inner diameter (ID) along the length thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the nasal stent has a stent body having a lumen with a decreasing ID along the length thereof. In any embodiment, the stent is capable of having a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. The nasal stent may further include a tubular insert housing a retaining mechanism to retain a filter at a proximal end thereof. A support may further fix the filter at a proximal end thereof. When inserted within a nostril of a person, the filter may function to filter particulates from the air when a person breathes in.

Abstract: A ureteral stent for assisting the movement of urine along a patient's ureter and into the patient's bladder. The stent includes an elongated tubular segment extending toward the bladder from a kidney end region for placement in the renal cavity to a bladder end region. A central lumen connects at least one opening at the first end region to at least one opening in the bladder end region. Thin flexible tail(s) are attached to the bladder end region of the tubular segment at a point outside the bladder so as to receive urine from the opening in the bladder end region of the tubular segment and to transport urine from there across the ureter/bladder junction and into the bladder. The tails include an elongated external urine-transport surface sized and configured to transport urine along the ureter. The urine transporting surface(s) are sized and configured to extend along at least part of the ureter, across the ureter/bladder junction, and from there into the bladder.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved means for preventing eversion and subsequent obstruction of thin-walled, floppy gastrointestinal liners implanted in the digestive tract of an animal. The implantable devices include an anchor adapted for attachment within a natural body lumen and a thin-walled, floppy sleeve open at both ends and defining a lumen therebetween. A substantial length of the sleeve has material characteristics that result in the sleeve being prone to eversion in the presence of retrograde pressures. Exemplary eversion-resistant features provide an increased stiffness and/or an increased friction coefficient between the anchor and the proximal end of the sleeve to resist eversion. In some embodiments, the eversion-resistant feature includes an anti-buckling element, such as a wire coupled along the substantial length of the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating bladder emptying dysfunctions of a human, in which a catheter that can be inserted into the urethra is provided with a bladder emptying channel and with a balloon arrangement, which serves to seal the bladder and to hold the catheter inside the bladder lumen and which can be filled with a fluid. In addition, an automatically closing valve having an elastically held closure part is provided in a proximal end area of the catheter and is connected via a connecting channel filled with an actuating fluid to an actuating balloon placed at the distal end section of the catheter. Without the use of mechanical means, the closure part can be lead out of a sealing system solely due to a hydraulic action effected by the actuating balloon via the hydraulic pressure built up in the connecting channel at said proximal end section.

Abstract: A device to facilitate insertion or threading of a flexible silicone intubation stent into the lacrimal drainage system of a patient. The device has an oblong hollow semi-rigid probe having the flexible stent releasably secured to its blunted distal end. The probe and stent are oriented in a side-by-side configuration and inserted endwise through the punctal opening, down through the nasolacrimal duct and into the nasal cavity. The flexible stent is detached from the distal end of the probe, and the probe withdrawn, leaving the stent in place. The flexible stent can be temporarily secured to the distal end of the probe through a number of means. One preferred way is to friction fit a resilient distal aperture of the stent upon the distal end of the probe and occlude the probe's distal opening. The stent is detached by injecting a pressurized fluid through the channel of the probe thereby forcing the distal end of the stent to pop off.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent for introduction into a hollow organ, in particular the gastrointestinal tract, of a human or animal patient, which brings about vacuum sealing of leaks, such as anastomosis insufficiencies, in the hollow organ.

Abstract: A medical device that is at least partially formed of a novel metal alloy, which novel metal alloy improves the physical properties of the medical device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a ureteral stent includes an elongate member having a first portion and a second portion, which is coupled to the first portion. The first portion of the elongate member is configured to be disposed within a kidney of a patient. The second portion of the elongate member, which has a sidewall that defines a lumen, is configured to deliver fluid from a first location of the sidewall of the second portion to a second location of the sidewall of the second portion via capillary action. The second portion of the elongate member is configured to be disposed within at least one of a bladder and a ureter of the patient.

Abstract: A ureteral stent comprising a short renal coil made of a pliable material and a wick portion made of a material having a hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity different from that of the renal coil and extending from a ureteropelvic junction to a bladder so as to assist in the transfer of urine out of a kidney and into the bladder and to improve patient comfort. Due to increased hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity, wick may be significantly smaller in diameter than renal coil, resulting in less reflux of urine into the kidney and further decreasing patient discomfort. The stent may further comprise one or more couplers between the renal coil and wick portion, such as clamps, couplers, sutures, adhesives or receiving ends of the renal coil, and the wick portion may further comprise a sheath surrounding an elastic core to prevent kinking and enhance the ability of the wick portion to move with the patient. A novel method of ureteral stent placement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stent for assisting urinary release in a male patient includes a first segment, a second segment, and a connecting member disposed between the first and second segments. The first segment includes a multi-winged malecot. When the stent is properly positioned within the patient's urinary system, the first segment is located on one side of the external sphincter with the multi-winged malecot located within the bladder to inhibit migration of the stent, and the second segment is located on the other side of the external sphincter and also tends to inhibit migration of the stent. The connecting segment is sized to extend through the external sphincter to couple the first and second segments together while not interfering with the normal operation of the external sphincter.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a stent includes an elongate member and a distal retention member. The elongate member is configured to be disposed within a ureter of a patient and has a first portion, a second portion and a plurality of beads bonded together. The plurality of beads define a plurality of spaces between the plurality of beads. The plurality of spaces are configured to allow fluid to flow from the first portion of the elongate member to the second portion of the elongate member. The distal retention member is configured to help maintain a portion of the stent within a kidney of the patient.

Abstract: An esophageal valve comprising a polymeric valve body having an outer support region, at least three valve leaflets, and a main body region extending between the support region and the valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the valve is closed, an antegrade open configuration in which the valve leaflets are opened in response to an antegrade force to allow flow through the valve and a retrograde open configuration in response to a retrograde force which is substantially larger than the antegrade force.

Abstract: A device for occluding a target body lumen, comprises a wire structure defining a wire structure lumen extending therethrough and movable between a reduced diameter insertion configuration and an expanded diameter deployed configuration and a basket structure extending across the wire structure lumen and including therein a cell growth promoting agent to promote cell growth across the wire structure lumen to occlude the target body lumen.

Abstract: A method of biodissolving in an aqueous medium at least a part of a device, the part of the device being made of N-acetylchitosan with a degree of acetylation of more than 3% and less than 25%. In the method, the biodissolution of the part of the device is controlled by adjusting the pH of the aqueous medium in contact with the N-acetylchitosan part of the device to a value of equal or less than 6.0.

Abstract: A one-way valve prosthesis for percutaneous placement within a vein, the valve including a valve body having an inlet and an outlet with a lumen that extends there between. The valve body is operable to alternate between a closed configuration wherein the valve body has a double cone shape and an open configuration wherein the valve body has a double frustoconical shape. A valve seat if formed within the lumen of the valve body at a midsection thereof. The valve seat is constricted to prevent flow there through when the valve body is in the closed configuration and the valve seat is open to allow flow there through when the valve body is in the open configuration. The valve seat opens in response to an actuation pressure and closes in the absence of the actuation pressure.

Abstract: An adjustable neonatal airway stent for use in the airways of a neonate is provided. The stent may include a flexible mesh member having a generally cylindrical shape and size that is capable of being delivered to a neonatal airway. The mesh member may include overlapping inner and outer portions, where the inner portion is adjacent to an inner edge of the flexible mesh. Further, the stent may include a plurality of locking projections that extend outwardly from the inner portion and are capable of engaging the mesh of the overlapping outer portion to prevent contraction of the stent, while allowing expansion of the stent to at least one diameter when implanted in a neonatal airway. The projections may include angularly extending tips, and the stent may be expandable to a second diameter greater than the first diameter in situ.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses involving biocompatible structures for tissue engineering and organ replacement and, more specifically, biocompatible structures formed by three-dimensional fabrication, are described. In some embodiments, the biocompatible structures are scaffolds for cells that can be used as tissue engineering templates and/or as artificial organs. The structures may be three-dimensional and can mimic the shapes and dimensions of tissues and/or organs, including the microarchitecture and porosities of the tissues and organs. Pores in the structure may allow delivery of molecules across the structure, and may facilitate cell migration and/or generation of connective tissue between the structure and its host environment. Structures of the invention can be implanted into a mammal and/or may be used ex vivo as bioartificial assist devices.

Abstract: Ureteral stents having at least a portion of a proximal end of the ureteral stent constructed with a material that dissolves after being exposed to a bodily fluid for a period of time are disclosed herein. At least a portion of the proximal end portion of the elongate member includes a dissolving portion configured to dissolve in response to being exposed to a bodily fluid for a period of time. The elongate member also includes a non-dissolving portion that includes the entire retention member of the distal end portion and is substantially stable in the bodily fluid of the urinary tract of the patient. In some embodiments, a medial portion of the ureteral stent is also constructed with one or more dissolving materials. In some implementations, the proximal and/or the medial portions of the ureteral stent are constructed using various combinations of dissolving and non-dissolving materials.

Abstract: Provided herein are a coating or a device (e.g., absorbable stent) that includes a PEGylated hyaluronic acid and a PEGylated non-hyaluronic acid biocompatible polymer and the methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A stent and a method for implanting a stent for prophylactically protecting a duct are provided. The stent includes a non-expandable, generally tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a lumen extending through at least a portion of the body, a distal opening in the distal portion in fluid communication with the lumen and a proximal opening in the proximal portion in fluid communication with the lumen. The stent further includes a cap portion operably connected to the proximal portion of the body, the cap portion is movable between a non-expanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The non-expanded configuration has a reduced diameter to facilitate advancement into the patient and the expanded configuration has an expanded diameter configured to protect an opening of the internal bodily duct so as to prevent an unintentional entry of an elongate medical device through the opening and into the passageway of the internal bodily duct.

Abstract: This is directed to methods and devices suited for maintaining an opening in a wall of a body organ for an extended period. More particularly devices and methods are directed maintaining patency of channels that alter gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent for use in maintaining patency of the frontal sinus drainage pathway and for the management of the frontal sinus postoperatively. The self-expanding frontal sinus stent helps maintain the pathway connecting the frontal sinus cavity open by filling this space and preventing restenosis of the frontal sinus drainage pathway following sinus surgery. The self-expanding stent may include a medical grade, flexible plastic material having with one or more recoil mechanisms having a memory to self expand. The self-expanding stent is compliant meaning that it may expand to the actual size of the space into which it is placed. The self-expanding stent may also be self-retaining. An insertion tool having the appropriate angulation and malleability may be used for ease of insertion of the self-expanding stent endoscopically into the frontal sinus.

Abstract: A device and method for treating an occluded infection collection along the digestive tract with a stent delivered to an appendix, diverticulum or other anatomical structure of the digestive tract. A device and method to remove an obstruction from an occluded infection collection along the digestive tract with an obstruction removal device delivered to an appendix, diverticulum or other anatomical structure of the digestive tract.

Abstract: An implant system including a transurethral prostatic implant positioned in a prostate and including a lumen with an inner perimeter that surrounds an outer perimeter of a urethra at the prostate. The implant system may include a delivery tool including a shaft having a distal portion and an implant-holding portion proximal to the distal portion, the distal portion being sized for entry into a urethra, and the implant-holding portion being thicker than the distal portion, and an implant positioned on the implant-holding portion.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus to treat cataract where the cataractous lens is pierced and the resulting opening is mechanically maintained using a lens system device such as a pinhole device, expandable tubular lens, a stent or similar small diameter device, some of which are capable of supporting a secondary intraocular lens. The resulting passageway or lumen created in the cataractous lens allows visible light to better reach the retina, thus improving vision. This lens system device that can be placed into an in situ cataract provides for a much simpler surgical technique and reduces related pre and post operative procedures and potential complications. The method does not involve removal of the cataractous lens and replacement with an intraocular lens, but rather involves the addition of a device that maintains an improved passageway for light through the cataractous lens, reducing scatter and improving image formation on the retina. Intraocular lenses may also be used in concert with this invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing and applying therapy or prophylaxis to wounds, in which irrigant fluid containing a physiologically active material from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. A biodegradable scaffold underlies the dressing on the wound bed to promote tissue growth. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. micro-filtration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing, an assembly comprising the dressing and scaffold, and a method of treatment using the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent for introduction into a hollow organ, in particular the gastrointestinal tract, of a human or animal patient, which brings about vacuum sealing of leaks, such as anastomosis insufficiencies, in the hollow organ.

Abstract: Described herein are a system and a method for forming a stent of a desired length endoluminally. The system includes an elongate stent body and an outer sheath overlying the stent body. An endoluminal cutting mechanism is operatively connected to a drive cable in communication with the outer sheath. The cutting mechanism is configured to cut the stent body in response to motion of the drive cable. The method of forming the stent of a desired length endoluminally includes directing a system including an elongate stent body and an outer sheath overlying the stent body into a body lumen, positioning the stent body at an endoluminal site, and severing the stent body to form a stent of a desired length at the endoluminal site. An undeployed portion of the stent body remains in the outer sheath for optional deployment in a subsequent severing operation.

Abstract: A nephroureteral catheter is provided that comprises a detachable portion such that when the detachable portion is removed, the catheter converts into an internal stent. Catheter 100 allows drainage of urine into the bladder and externally into a bag. The catheter includes a tube having a circular cross section, a detachable portion, a locking mechanism, an inner tube, a first pigtail curl, a second pigtail curl, and a marker. The marker indicates the tube end. The tube includes a first end, a second end, and a plurality of holes. The detachable portion is attached to the tube with the inner tube, as the inner tube is placed and is friction sealed to the walls of a hollow portion that extends through both the detachable portion and a section of the tube. The inner tube may be removed from within the tube, past the marker that indicates the end of the tube, so that detachable portion is now removable from within the patient's body.

Abstract: A ureteral stent for assisting the movement of urine along a patient's ureter and into the patient's bladder. The stent includes an elongated tubular segment extending toward the bladder from a kidney end region for placement in the renal cavity to a bladder end region. A central lumen connects at least one opening at the first end region to at least one opening in the bladder end region. Thin flexible tail(s) are attached to the bladder end region of the tubular segment at a point outside the bladder so as to receive urine from the opening in the bladder end region of the tubular segment and to transport urine from there across the ureter/bladder junction and into the bladder. The tails include an elongated external urine-transport surface sized and configured to transport urine along the ureter. The urine transporting surface(s) are sized and configured to extend along at least part of the ureter, across the ureter/bladder junction, and from there into the bladder.

Abstract: An anti-reflux drainage device includes an elongated member defining a lumen, and a valve disposed along the elongated member. The valve can include one or more lumens in fluid connection with the lumen of the elongated member, a socket, a shaft disposed in the socket, and a stopper connected to the shaft that occludes the second lumen when exposed to retrograde pressure. Another such device includes an elongated member and a ball valve. The ball valve can include a seat and a shoulder defined by the elongated member, and a ball disposed in the elongated member between the seat and shoulder that occludes lumen when exposed to retrograde pressure.

Abstract: A gastroenterological medical device, particularly a stent for the gall or pancreatic duct, has a substantially tubular, intrinsically stable carrier that is provided with a spacer layer that is attached to the carrier surface, and a layer of an electronegative glycosaminoglycan that is attached to the spacer layer.

Abstract: A stent that is at least partially formed of a novel metal alloy, which novel metal alloy improves the physical properties of the stent.

Abstract: A stent that is at least partially formed of a novel metal alloy, which novel metal alloy improves the physical properties of the stent.

Abstract: A medical device that is at least partially formed of a novel metal alloy, which novel metal alloy improves the physical properties of the medical device.

Abstract: A stent based apparatus and method for directing external beam radiation comprising a series of devices and a system of implanting these devices within a patient to direct therapeutic radiation given to the patient. Each of the devices can deliver a tiny gold fiducial (or fiducial constructed of another material capable of acting as a target to direct external beam therapeutic radiation) to a target area in the vicinity of a cancer or other lesion that is considered an appropriate target for external beam radiation therapy, using, for example, the beam radiation system referred to as the Cyberknife radiation delivery system. The current system and devices envision placement of gold fiducials through hollow organs in the body (for example, the gastrointestinal tract, the ureter, blood vessels, bile duct, or the cerebro spinal fluid space). This implantation method can utilize conventional endoscopy or angiography.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided, which have at least two superhydrophobic surface regions which engage one another when the medical device is deployed in vivo.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides medical devices which contain one or more polymeric regions that are at least partially biodisintegrable in bodily fluid. These devices may be implanted or inserted into a subject for treatment of various diseases, disorders and conditions.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods for forming a target tissue substitute. The methods of the invention comprise the following steps: (a) providing a scaffold comprising one or more layers of one or more arrays of microfibers, wherein one or more of the arrays of microfibers is designed to mimic the configuration of one or more structural elements in a target tissue; and (b) culturing cells on the scaffold to form a target tissue substitute. In another aspect, the invention provides implantable medical devices. The implantable medical devices of the invention comprise a scaffold comprising one or more layers of one or more arrays of microfibers, wherein one or more of the arrays of microfibers is arranged to mimic the configuration of one or more structural elements in a target tissue. Typically, cells are cultured on the scaffold to form a target tissue substitute.

Abstract: Methods and devices with two individual tubes for treating abdominal aortic aneurysm that bypass the aneurysm and are placed from the upper aorta to the iliac arteries. A separate upper cuff may also be provided, to secure the tubes above the aneurysm.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided whose surfaces are partially covered with a coating that further comprises silver nanoparticles. Other aspects of the invention pertain to methods of making and using such medical devices.

Abstract: A urological medical system for performing a controlled hydrodistention of the urinary bladder for treating a bladder dysfunction problem comprised of a programmed CPU with associated computer equipment for facilitating an automatic control of a treatment procedure to be performed on a patient, a saline solution warmer, a saline solution pump, a four-way catheter wherein a channel is provided for monitoring the pressure within the bladder during the procedure, a syringe for infusing a medicine through the catheter and a strapping device to secure the syringe and to slidingly engage the catheter to a leg of the patient. Desired parameters are monitored during the procedure and a desired pressure is maintained in the bladder for a predetermined time to perform the controlled hydrodistention of the urinary bladder.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient includes creating at least one incision to gain access to an petitoneal cavity, performing a gastric volume reduction procedure and introducing a device to prevent gastric contents from interacting with at least a portion of the duodenum.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the stomach and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device to the stomach and a flexible sleeve. When implanted within the intestine, the sleeve can limit the absorption of nutrients, delay the mixing of chyme with digestive enzymes, altering hormonal triggers, providing negative feedback, and combinations thereof. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, ureteral stents are provided that comprise an elongated stent body and a urologically beneficial agent. The elongated stent body comprises a kidney portion adapted to occupy the kidney of a subject upon implantation, a ureter portion adapted to occupy the ureter of a subject upon implantation, and a bladder portion adapted to occupy the bladder of a subject upon implantation. The ureteral stents of the invention are adapted to release the urologically beneficial agent into the subject. Moreover, the amount of urologically beneficial agent that is released varies along the length of the stent. Other aspects of the invention pertain to methods of forming such stents and methods of using such stents.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an implant, e.g., a stent, and in particular to a stent having at least one section made of a material having a particular porous structure.

Abstract: A double-tube type stent is inserted into a hollow tubular organ such as a bile duct so as to relieve narrowing of the bile duct on, for instance, an anastomotic area of the intrahepatic bile duct of a liver transplant patient. A hollow cylindrical body has a plurality of rhombic spaces formed by weaving a superelastic shape-memory-alloy wire so as to be crossed. A silicon coating layer is coated on an outer surface of the cylindrical body using a silicon solution. A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tube is fixedly fitted around the cylindrical body having the silicon coating layer leaving a gap therebetween.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides implantable or insertable urological medical devices, which are adapted to release one or more urologically beneficial agents in pharmaceutically effective amounts.

Abstract: A radiation and radiochemically sterilized, multi-component, fiber-reinforced composite, absorbable/disintegratable urinogenital stent, such as an endoureteral stent, with radiomodulated residence time in the biological site of 1 to 10 weeks depending on the high energy radiation dose used for sterilization.