Abstract:
Methods, devices and systems facilitate gastric retention of a variety of therapeutic devices. devices generally include a support portion for preventing the device from passing through the pyloric valve or esophagus wherein a retaining member may optionally be included on the distal end of the positioning member for further maintaining a position of the device in the stomach. Some embodiments are deliverable into the stomach through the esophagus, either by swallowing or through a delivery tube or catheter. Some embodiments are fully reversible. Some embodiments self-expand within the stomach, while others are inflated or otherwise expanded.
Abstract:
Foley type catheter embodiments for sensing physiologic data from a urinary tract of a patient are disclosed. The system includes the catheter and a data processing apparatus and methods for sensing physiologic data from the urinary tract. Embodiments may also include a pressure sensor having a pressure interface at a distal end of the catheter, a pressure transducer at a proximal end, and a fluid column disposed between the pressure interface and transducer. When the distal end is residing in the bladder, the pressure transducer can transduce pressure impinging on it into a chronological pressure profile, which can be processed by the data processing apparatus into one or more distinct physiologic pressure profiles, for example, peritoneal pressure, respiratory rate, and cardiac rate. At a sufficiently high data-sampling rate, these physiologic data may further include relative pulmonary tidal volume, cardiac output, relative cardiac output, and absolute cardiac stroke volume.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for applying gastrointestinal stimulation include implanting a stimulation device including a body with at least one expandable portion and a bridging portion and at least one stimulation member in the gastrointestinal tract. The at least one stimulation member includes one or more energy delivery members, one or more sensors, or a combination of both. The body maintains the device within the gastrointestinal space, and preferentially within the pyloric portion of the patient's stomach, and prevents passage of the device from the gastrointestinal space, but is not rigidly anchored or affixed to the gastrointestinal wall tissue.
Abstract:
Foley type catheter embodiments for sensing physiologic data from a urinary tract of a patient are disclosed. The system includes the catheter and a data processing apparatus and methods for sensing physiologic data from the urinary tract. Embodiments may also include a pressure sensor having a pressure interface at a distal end of the catheter, a pressure transducer at a proximal, and a fluid column disposed between the pressure interface and transducer. When the distal end is residing in the bladder, the pressure transducer can transduce pressure impinging on it into a chronological pressure profile, which can be processed by the data processing apparatus into one or more distinct physiologic pressure profiles, for example, peritoneal pressure, respiratory rate, and cardiac rate. At a sufficiently high data-sampling rate, these physiologic data may further include relative pulmonary tidal volume, cardiac output, relative cardiac output, and absolute cardiac stroke volume.
Abstract:
A device and a method for treating a medical condition include a reversible member disposed in a patient's gastro-intestinal tract, and a dispensing member coupled to the reversible member that delivers a drug and/or a noxious when a predetermined substance is detected. In a different embodiment, the device and method of the present invention include a polymer infused with a drug and disposed into a preformed shell inside the gastric space, where it expands and hardens, releasing the drug over time. Both the casing and the polymer may be biocompatible. The present invention enables the slow-release of anti-addictive agents without patient tampering and with the appropriate dosage. Ancillary systems such as sensors, actuators, refill and recharge ports, and communication and data processing units may also be included.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, systems and methods for introducing fluids into a body cavity for hypothermic, resuscitative, or other treatment. One embodiment provides an apparatus for introducing fluids into a peritoneal cavity comprising an access device for insertion into subcutaneous tissue, an infusion member and an advancement member. The access device includes a lumen, a proximal end, a tissue penetrating distal end and a stop for controlling the depth of the distal end into tissue. The infusion member includes an infusion lumen, a removal lumen and at least one sensor and is advanceable from a lumen of the access device into the peritoneal cavity. The advancement member is removably positionable in an infusion member lumen and has sufficient column strength to advance the infusion member tip through abdominal wall tissue into the peritoneal cavity. When the advancement member is removed, the infusion member tip is substantially atraumatic.
Abstract:
An implantable fluid management device, designed to drain excess fluid from a variety of locations in a living host into a second location within the host, such as the bladder of that host. The device may be used to treat ascites, chronic pericardial effusions, normopressure hydrocephalus, hydrocephalus, pulmonary edema, or any fluid collection within the body of a human, or a non-human mammal.
Abstract:
An implantable fluid management device, designed to drain excess fluid from a variety of locations in a living host into a second location within the host, such as the bladder of that host. The device may be used to treat ascites, chronic pericardial effusions, normopressure hydrocephalus, hydrocephalus, pulmonary edema, or any fluid collection within the body of a human, or a non-human mammal.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for measuring pressure in a patient are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a pressure measurement system comprising a pressure source, a compliant bladder, a catheter in communication with the pressure source, pressure sensors, and a controller configured to determine a pressure within the compliant bladder. The pressure measurement system can inflate the compliant bladder with gas or air to determine a pressure within a patient. In one embodiment, the pressure measurement system measures pressure within a peritoneal cavity.
Abstract:
An energy emitting apparatus for providing a medical therapy includes one or more energy generators, a logic controller connected to the one or more energy generators, and optionally one or more sensors that are connected to the logic controller for detecting muscle stimulation or electric conduction in a target nerve. The energy generators produce energy focused on the target nerve upon receiving a signal from the logic controller, and the energy can be varied by the logic controller according to an input provided by the one or more sensors. In certain embodiments, the energy emitting apparatus includes one or more conductive coils that produce a magnetic field focused on the target nerve upon receiving an electric current. In certain embodiments, a variety of cooling mechanisms or systems may be implemented for cooling the coil.