The present invention relates to a method for implanting an implantable apparatus for obtaining urinary control and emptying of the urinary bladder, thereby preventing from or treating involuntary urinary retention. In general terms, the apparatus comprises an expandable member adapted to be implanted inside the urinary bladder of the patient for discharging urine, and a control device for controlling the volume of the expandable member. The control device is adapted to be connected to the expandable member through the wall of the urinary bladder.

The present invention relates to an implantable apparatus for obtaining urinary control and emptying of the urinary bladder, thereby preventing from or treating involuntary urinary retention. In general terms, the apparatus comprises an expandable member adapted to be implanted inside the urinary bladder of the patient for discharging urine, and a control device for controlling the volume of the expandable member. The control device is adapted to be connected to the expandable member through the wall of the urinary bladder.

The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for control of and communication with ventricular assist devices. In certain embodiments, the invention includes an implantable controller that is operatively programmed to direct physiological flow through a ventricular assist device that can be substantially synchronized to the cardiac cycle of the subject. In certain embodiments, the implantable controller is also communicatively connected to an external control unit, such that the implantable controller can transmit data to the external control unit, and instructions can be sent from the external control unit to the implantable controller. In certain embodiments, a system and method for secure communication between a remote device and the implanted ventricular assist device is provided.

The present invention relates to an at least partly implantable system for injecting a substance into a patient's body. The system comprises at least one implantable infusion needle arranged in at least one first housing, the at least one implantable infusion needle having a tip end for injecting a substance into a penetration area of a patient, and at least one drive unit coupled to the at least one implantable infusion needle and arranged for moving the tip end of the at least one infusion needle for varying the penetration site, wherein the at least one drive unit is a drive unit arranged for moving the tip end of the at least one infusion needle using hydraulic force. The system is adapted to use infusion liquid to be injected into the patient's body as hydraulic fluid.

A drug delivery device and a method of operating the drug delivery device are provided. The drug delivery device includes a light emitter disposed in a body to emit light based on a control signal, a drug reservoir configured to react to the light emitted from the light emitter and to release a drug, a photosensor configured to sense light passing through the drug reservoir, and a controller configured to monitor a degree to which the drug reservoir reacts to the light, based on an amount of light sensed by the photosensor.

A system for providing a real-time indication of a location of the distal tip of a medical device in living tissue. The system may include an injection scanning printer that provides a visual indication of detected features to improve the injecting process. Safety needles configured to detect nerves, arteries, veins, or other physiological features upon needle placement but prior to injecting are also provided.

Embodiments herein relate to medical device systems including ear-worn devices. In an embodiment, a medical device system includes an ear-worn device including a control circuit, a microphone in electrical communication with the control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit. The ear-worn device can be configured to received signals from a separate medical device and generate a notification using the received signals. Other embodiments are also included herein.

A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.

A ventricular assist device includes a stent for placement within a cardiac artery and arranged for placement, the stent arranged to have an open configuration defining a flow path, a rotor sized to fit within the stent and arranged for percutaneous placement the flow path, the rotor including a surface disposed about a central portion and angled with respect to the flow path and having a first plurality of magnets. A collar is sized for placement about the cardiac artery and includes a stator. A power source is coupled to the stator, and the stator and the rotor are arranged to rotate the rotor about an axis. A timing control module controls a rotational speed of the rotor. Accordingly, the surface of the rotor is arranged to move blood along the flow path in response to rotation of the rotor.

A system for analyzing a patient using a transcutaneous sensor, having a base unit for attaching to the patient, an injector, releasably connectable to the base unit, for the transcutaneous insertion of the sensor into the patient, and a detection unit, releasably connectable to the base unit, for generating measurement data by the sensor. The base unit has a holding device which is configured to cooperate with the injector and detection unit such that, in a detection configuration with the detection unit arranged on the base unit, a contact pressure is applied to the sensor by the holding device for frictional fixing, and in an injection configuration with the injector arranged on the base unit, a lower contact pressure than in the detection configuration is applied to the sensor by the holding device.