The invention provides methods for the treatment of vaginal laxity which include delivering a cell-containing composition to the vagina. The composition can include fat tissue to provide a bulking effect to reduce the size of the vaginal opening. The cells can provide healing and revascularization of the vaginal treatment area to sustain the bulking provided by the fat. The invention also provides systems and compositions useful for performing the method, and can include instruments and devices for removal of autologous adipose tissue from a patient (e.g., by liposuction), equipment for the enrichment of cells from adipose tissue, mechanical processing of adipose tissue, and the mixing of cells and processed adipose tissue. Devices for the delivery of the cell compositions to the vagina can also be included in the system.

An implantable containment apparatus for receiving and retaining a biological moiety or a therapeutic device within a tissue bed is disclosed. The device includes a shaping element to maintain the device in a generally toroidal configuration and to return the apparatus to that configuration after deformation. The apparatus can be placed in a host tissue with minimal trauma to the patient. Methods for implanting and using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Ingestible devices can directly deliver therapeutic agents to desired tissue(s) of the GI tract of a subject, such as the submucosa, the mucosa, and/or the mucus layer of the GI tract, and methods of using the same. The ingestible devices can deliver therapeutic agents in a safe, effective, and reliable manner. The disclosure also provides pharmaceutical compositions for use in methods of treating a disease or condition in a subject in need thereof.

A nosepiece for delivering substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the nosepiece comprising a body part which comprises a base portion which defines a flow passage therethrough, and a projection at a distal end of the base portion which at least in part provides a tip of the nosepiece and confers a rigidity in the sagittal direction, which enables the tip to open fleshy tissue at an upper region of the nasal valve and thereby expand an open area of the nasal valve, and a flexibility in a lateral direction, orthogonal to the sagittal plane, which facilitates insertion of the tip into the nasal valve.

A nosepiece for delivering substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the nosepiece comprising a body part which comprises a base portion which defines a flow passage therethrough, and a projection at a distal end of the base portion which at least in part provides a tip of the nosepiece and confers a rigidity in the sagittal direction, which enables the tip to open fleshy tissue at an upper region of the nasal valve and thereby expand an open area of the nasal valve, and a flexibility in a lateral direction, orthogonal to the sagittal plane, which facilitates insertion of the tip into the nasal valve.

Capsule devices, such as devices suitable for swallowing into a lumen of a body lumen, are generally provided. In some embodiments, the capsule device (100) comprises a tissue interfacing component (130) disposed relative to a capsule housing (110,120). The capsule device (100) may comprise a plurality of elongated spike members (182, 130) advanceable relative to the capsule housing (110,120) from a non-advanced first state to an advanced second state, wherein free ends of the elongated spike members (182, 130) engages tissue of a lumen wall of the body lumen. In some embodiments, the capsule device (100) comprises an actuator (155) coupled to the plurality of elongate spike members (182) and an energy source (140) coupled to the actuator (155) for moving the plurality of elongated spike members (182, 130) to the advanced second state. At least one of the plurality of spike members (182, 130) is configured as a deflectable spike member (182) that is deflected laterally as the deflectable spike member is advanced toward the second state so that the plurality of spike members (182, 130) act by spreading or pinching engagement on tissue between the plurality of spike members, thereby anchoring the capsule device (100) relative to the lumen wall.

A device for injecting a therapeutic agent into an ocular implant at least partially implanted in an eye including an injection lumen providing a pathway for injecting the therapeutic agent into the implant; an outlet lumen providing a pathway for pre-existing fluid in the ocular implant to exit the implant; and a collection chamber fluidly coupled to the outlet lumen that provides a first fluid outflow resistance and a second fluid outflow resistance. The first fluid outflow resistance is lower than a first resistance to outflow of the implant. The second fluid outflow resistance is greater than a force imparted onto the implant by intraocular pressure of the eye. Injection of therapeutic agent into the implant via the injection lumen causes the pre-existing fluid to exit the implant and enter the collection chamber via the outlet lumen and causes a second pre-existing fluid to displace from the collection chamber.

An implantable drug delivery device and method for delivering a drug to a living body. The device includes a housing having at least one opening, a reservoir within the housing adapted to contain a drug, a temporary seal closing the opening of the housing, and a heating element in thermal contact with the temporary seal. The heating element is adapted to generate heat in response to a magnetic field to melt the temporary seal and release a drug within the reservoir through the opening of the housing.

The presently disclosed embodiments relate to devices and methods for efficiently removing the nitrogen dioxide (NO.sub.2) from a gas stream while enhancing the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in the gas stream without making any reaction byproduct that will adversely influence a respiratory treatment. The devices and methods for nitric oxide (NO) generation and nitrogen dioxide (NO.sub.2) removal or scrubbing can be embedded into other therapeutic devices or used alone.

This disclosure relates to procedures for administering a blockade of the sphenopalatine ganglion (“SPG”). Methods may include advancing a catheter through nostril at least 8 cm. Methods may include advancing the catheter through an inferior meatus. Methods may include causing the catheter to bend after contacting posterior wall of the nasal cavity. Methods may include advancing the catheter superiorly to a position posterior to the middle turbinate. Methods may include advancing the catheter superiorly to a position posterior to the superior turbinate. Methods may include advancing the catheter superiorly into a sphenoethmoid recess. Methods may include bringing a distal tip of the catheter in contact with the SPG. Methods may include ejecting an anesthetic from a distal tip of the catheter and bathing the SPG to administer a blockade of the SPG.