A method of reducing postpartum bleeding includes positioning a device comprising a vacuum element within the uterus; sealing the uterus; activating vacuum in the uterus with the vacuum element of the device while the uterus is sealed; and collapsing the uterus with the vacuum to reduce postpartum bleeding.

Embolic compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as embolic agents to block and fill lumens and spaces. The embolic compositions can be used as liquid embolic agents and crosslinked in situ or as preformed embolic articles, such as microspheres.

Delivery and detachment of an implant can be enhanced by a retraction mechanism to secure portions of a delivery wire within an interior space of the implant. A delivery system can include an implant having a proximal end portion. A delivery wire can include (i) a detachment zone proximal to the proximal end portion and (ii) a distal region distal to the proximal end portion. An expansion member can be located between the proximal end portion and the distal region of the delivery wire. The expansion member can be biased to move the distal region of the delivery wire distally away from the proximal end portion when severed at the detachment zone.

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra.

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra.

A uterine manipulator device includes: an elongated cannulated tube having proximal and distal ends, a cervical cup positioned on the elongated cannulated tube with a top distal portion of a first diameter and a base proximal portion of a second smaller diameter, and an occluder assembly comprising an occluder positioned proximally from the cervical cup on the elongated cannulated tube, the occluder having a body with at least one primary rib and at least two secondary ribs, wherein a diameter of at least one secondary rib is smaller than the diameter of the primary rib.

A system effectively narrows a patulous Eustachian tube (ET) of a patient with a guide catheter, instrument, and insert. The guide catheter includes a shaft, a lumen and a distal end configured to provide access the ET when the guide catheter is inserted into a head of the patient. The instrument comprises a shaft. The insert comprises a body configured to radially expand and retract between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The insert is sized and shaped to be received within the first lumen when in the non-expanded state and is operable to expand to the expanded state to substantially reduce an effective diameter of the ET.

Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device for delivering the agents. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade to release the drug into the bloodstream to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be operably coupled to delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

A medical instrument and method is described for facilitating lacrimal occlusion. The instrument has two arms for holding a plug being inserted through the punctum, each arm having a distal end and a proximal end. Attached to the proximal end of the arms is a dilator oriented in the opposite direction along the longitudinal axis of the instrument. The instrument is conveniently rotated in the hand of the practitioner to alternately present the functioning end of the instrument as either the distal end of the arms (for holding a plug) or the distal end of the dilator (for enlarging the punctum prior to attempting to inserting the plug). The instrument has a means for moving the two arms near to each other and away from each, and a means for holding the two arms near to each other without requiring closing pressure applied by the practitioner.

A mechanotransductive bowel extender device that can be used to correct short bowel syndrome by applying tension to the bowel tissue which, via the process of mechanotransduction, grows in length in response to the applied tension. Such a device is placed within the small bowel and applies tension over a period of several days or weeks by attaching to the lumen of the bowel at two different locations and moving those two points apart, stretching the tissue between. The extender device further capable of localized application and/or evacuation of medically relevant liquid and other material within the bowel.