In one embodiment, a system for evacuating subdural hematomas includes an inlet configured to be placed in fluid communication with a subdural space, an irrigation reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet and configured to supply irrigation fluid to the inlet and the subdural space, an outlet separate from the inlet and also configured to be placed in fluid communication with the subdural space, and a pump in fluid communication with the outlet and configured to create negative pressure within the subdural space and evacuate fluid from the subdural space.

An apparatus for moving a fluid to or from a cavity on a body of a human or mammal patient. The apparatus comprising a fluid movement device, an energy source adapted to supply energy to said fluid movement device and at least one connecting tube having a tube end. The at least one connecting tube being connected to the fluid movement device. The apparatus further comprises, a flexible patch. The fluid movement device and the at least one connecting tube forms a fluid moving arrangement adapted to be implanted inside the body of the human or mammal patient. The fluid movement device is adapted to move fluid from a treatment area via the at least one connecting tube to a delivery area. The flexible patch comprises a net structure adapted to be overgrown by human fibrotic tissue hen implanted in the patient

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a debris removal system is provided for a body-space drainage system having one or more body tubes with a body tube lumen disposed therein. The debris-removal system comprises an elongated cleaning member and a cleaning head adapted to be advanced distally at least a portion of a length of the body tube lumen to dislodge debris therein. A collapsible sheath can be used to maintain a sterile field in the body tube lumen while the cleaning member is being used by enclosing at least a portion of the cleaning member that is not contained within the body tube lumen, and permitting external digital manipulation of the cleaning member through the sheath to advance and/or retract the cleaning member, and cleaning head, in the body tube lumen.

A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from the vascular system of a patient is implantable in the patient's body. The blood clot removal device comprises a blood flow passageway, a filter provided in the blood flow passageway for filtering blood clots, and a cleaning device for cleaning the filter. By means of such blood clot removal device and system, the risk of blood clots reaching sensitive areas of the patient's body, such as the brain, is reduced.

Systems and methods for filtering materials from biologic fluids are discussed. Embodiments may be used to filter cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a human or animal subject. In an example, CSF is separated into a permeate and retentate using a tangential flow filter. The retentate is filtered again and then returned to the subject with the permeate. During operation of the system, various parameters may be modified, such as flow rate and waste rate.

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. The catheter includes a tube with two retention features, a detachable portion, and an inner tube. The inner tube is removably insertable into both the tube and the detachable portion, and a wire extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the inner tube and through the tube, to keep the pieces attached. The wire may be removed to remove the inner tube and then the detachable portion from the tube. When the detachable portion is attached to the tube, the catheter is a nephroureteral catheter. When the detachable portion is removed from the tube, the catheter becomes a stent.

Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imagable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked. Systems and methods for flushing a shunt system are also disclosed herein, as are various systems and methods for opening auxiliary fluid pathways through a shunt system.

The invention relates to a medical fluid drainage device for drainage of edematous tissues comprising at least one pumping element (1, 23, 33), having an inlet and an outlet, at least one outlet member (2) having at least one lumen, connected directly or indirectly to the outlet of said pumping element and connecting said pumping element to a body cavity or to a vessel or to a subcutaneous area, and at least one inlet member (3) connected to said inlet of said pumping element and providing fluidic connection between said edematous tissue and said pumping element, and characterized in that the inlet member comprises at least two inlet lumens (4, 5, 6) connected in parallel to said inlet of said pumping element, each of said lumens (4, 5, 6) contains at least one fluid access region, wherein each fluid access region (8, 9, 10) being adapted to allow simultaneous edematous fluid entry from distinct regions of said edematous tissue.

A pump assembly is provided, including a pump module configured to be positioned within an interior portion of a ureter and/or renal pelvis of a patient for providing negative pressure to the patient's ureter and/or kidney, the pump module including: a housing including a flow channel for conducting fluid, wherein the housing is configured to be positioned within the interior portion of the ureter and/the renal pelvis; and a pump element positioned within the channel to draw fluid through the channel; and a control module coupled to the pump module, the control module being configured to direct motion of the pump element to control flow rate of fluid passing through the channel, and including a housing configured to be positioned within at least one of a second interior portion of the patient's ureter, a second portion of the patient's renal pelvis, or an interior portion of a patient's bladder.

The disclosure relates generally to an extended use systems and devices for management of bladder function for people with urinary dysfunction. The system includes a catheter and a valve that can control fluid flow. The catheter can be placed inside the bladder using devices that facilitate insertion and extraction. The placement of the catheter can be done by a trained individual such as a patient, as well as a clinician, a nurse, or a caretaker. Once placed inside the bladder, the catheter can be fully-internal, meaning no portion of the catheter is visible from outside of the patient's body.