Systems and methods are disclosed that use wireless coupling of energy for operation of both external and internal devices, including external sensor arrays and implantable devices. The signals conveyed may be electronic, optical, acoustic, biomechanical, and others to provide in situ sensing and monitoring of internal anatomies and implants using a wireless, biocompatible electromagnetic powered sensor systems.

A method for reducing mucus accumulation in an airway including disposing an implantable device within an airway, wherein the implantable device has a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a lumen extending from the first end to the second end; wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has a hydrophobic polymer coating thereon, wherein a polymer coating surface has dynamic water contact angles of 145 degrees or greater; and wherein the implantable device is constructed and arranged to maintain patency of the airway; wherein accumulation of mucus is reduced as compared to a similar implantable device without the hydrophobic portion of the inner surface. An implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making an implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface are also provided. An implantable medical device having a micropatterned surface with enhanced adhesion to tissue, optionally in combination with other region(s) having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making such a device. Methods and devices for prevention of bacterial adhesion to implanted medical devices.

Aspects of the disclosure relate methods and synthetic scaffolds for regenerating gastrointestinal tissue (e.g., esophageal tissue).

Methods and devices for improving airflow distribution in treatment of respiratory conditions are disclosed. According to various embodiments, blocking devices may be used to redirect air away from healthy portions of the lung to diseased portions so that inhaled medication may be more effectively delivered to the patient.

An airway support device of the present disclosure can be attached to tracheal and/or bronchial cartilage on opposing sides of a tracheal and/or bronchial wall to pull the tracheal and/or bronchial cartilages toward each other to reconstruct and/or reshape to a normal anatomy across the membranous tracheal and/or bronchial wall and thus relieving tension across the tracheal and/or bronchial wall. The airway support device can include at least two longitudinal strips that extend longitudinally along and are attached (e.g., sutured) to the trachea and/or bronchus on opposite sides of the tracheal and/or bronchial wall. Pairs of lateral strips extending from each of the longitudinal strips can be attached to each other under tension. The tracheal and/or bronchial wall can be attached (e.g., sutured) to the lateral strips to open the airway of the trachea and/or bronchus.

An implantable artificial bronchus including a body having a proximal upper opening and a distal lower opening. The distal lower opening being in fluid communication with the proximal upper opening, and the body at least partially tapering along a length toward the distal lower opening. The body having a plurality of side openings configured to allow air to enter into and exit the implantable artificial bronchus through the body. A length of the body is greater than 4 times the size of a largest diameter of the body, and the diameter of the proximal upper opening is larger than a diameter of the distal lower opening.

A conveyor for an implant having at least one cavity, including a conveying handle, a conveying cable, and a core wire. The conveying cable is a tubular body, a proximal end of the core wire is connected to the conveying handle, and a distal end of the core wire penetrates a distal end of the conveying cable from a proximal end of the conveying cable; a first control is provided on the conveying handle, and when the implant is connected to the distal end of the conveying cable, the first control controls the distal end of the core wire to extend into the implant to straighten the curved implant, or the first control controls the core wire to withdraw from the implant to restore the implant to a preset shape. The conveyor can load and release the implant on the conveyor, and be used in the entire implanting process.

A launcher for placement and introduction of a medical device into a body lumen is provided. In one embodiment, the medical device is a nested cannula which is pre-designed and fabricated for access to a lumen within a patient body. The launcher comprises a stent having a plurality of guidewires, the guidewires extending from the stent to an external access point of the patient. The guidewires are positioned within a guidetube and disposed within a plurality of channels therein. In some embodiments, a bronchial access assembly comprising a mouthpiece and a J-tube for access to the trachea is also provided. In another embodiment, a stent for introducing a nested cannula is provided. The stent is comprised of a shape memory alloy or other material designed to be deployed within a body lumen, and plurality of guidewires affixed to the stent. In another embodiment, a method for introducing a nested cannula into a body lumen is provided.

Devices, systems, and methods for improving airflow within an airway. One example embodiment includes a method for treating a subject. The method includes (1) placing an expandable object into one or more airways of the bronchial tree of the subject, (2) expanding the expandable object within at least one of the one or more airways such that at least a portion of a wall of the one or more airways is expanded, and (3) placing a stent in the airway such that a portion of the stent is adjacent to the portion of the wall of the one or more expanded airways.

Embodiments of a sizing device that can be used to measure the size of airways lumens, such as those connected to lungs. The sizing device can have different expandable elements in order to accurately and consistently measure the particular dimensions of a lumen. In some embodiments, markings viewable by a user can be used to determine the particular size.