Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating strictures in body lumens and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent.

A mobile inhaler is provided and a container for using therewith. The mobile inhaler comprises: a mouthpiece comprising at least one inhaling opening; a body element connected to the mouthpiece and comprising a housing for holding a DC power source; a power conversion unit comprising an inverter operative to convert a DC voltage provided by a DC power source, into a higher AC voltage; a nebulizer comprising an ultrasonic vibrator and a mesh, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator is activated by the AC voltage, and wherein the nebulizer is adapted to enable converting into aerosol droplets at least part of a liquid comprised in an enclosure, and the aerosol droplets to be directly inhaled from the mouthpiece; and an enclosure adapted to enable holding a liquid, and characterized in that it provides a connection to enable fluid transfer from the enclosure to the nebulizer.

The method and system according to preferred embodiments of the present invention allows an effective delivery of aerosolized medicament (e.g., a surfactant) to the patient's lungs. According to a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention provides an efficient delivery of the aerosol medicament (possibly breath synchronized). A glass vial in which medicaments are usually stored and shipped is used directly as a component of the system. Its function in the system is that of an intermittently pressurized chamber that can inject the surfactant into the catheter of the atomizer device. According to a preferred embodiment the delivery can be done in phase with the beginning of each inspiration. The main elements of the system are: a source of compressed gas, the already mentioned medicament vial, a catheter, and optionally means to detect the breathing pattern and a control unit.

The system allows optimizing the dispensing of aerosol medicaments. In particular the system allows the administration of an exogenous pulmonary surfactant to very young patients (e.g. preterm neonates). A catheter (101) conveys atomized surfactant directly to the retropharyngeal region in order to increase efficiency of the medicament administration without being invasive: this is particularly important for very young patients, such as pre-term born neonates suffering from neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (nRDS). The catheter is made of biocompatible flexible material (e.g. plastic material). It is possible to couple the catheter with a rigid scaffolding (e.g. metallic) to increase stiffness of the device and to improve easiness of positioning operations. The delivery of the atomized medicament is done by means of an air blasting technique.

A fluid delivery and airway management device including a tubular member dimensioned for introducing a fluid into a trachea of a mammal, the tubular member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The tubular member is dimensioned for positioning of the proximal portion in an oral cavity of a mammal, the middle portion in an oropharynx of the mammal and the distal portion in an esophagus of the mammal. An inflatable oral cavity balloon is positioned at the proximal portion and dimensioned to occlude the oral cavity. An inflatable esophageal balloon is positioned at the distal portion and dimensioned to occlude the esophagus. Apertures may be formed within the middle portion such that a fluid introduced into the tubular member is output through the apertures to a trachea.

An adaptor for a respiratory assistance system delivers aerosols to a patient. The adaptor is lightweight with a small footprint to increase patient comfort. The adaptor has a nozzle and a sealing mechanism to maintain pressure therein regardless of whether the nozzle is inserted into the adaptor. The adaptor is configured to connect to medical tubing and a medicament delivery device.

A device (100) for facilitating the positioning of a catheter for the delivery of liquid medicament to spontaneously breathing patient, including: —an elongated main body (101) shaped to follow the internal shape of the patient's upper airways, the elongated main body (101) being provided with guiding means (107) adapted to house a catheter; —a substantially ring-shaped terminal element (103) adapted to engage the internal wall of the patient's retro-pharynx, the substantially ring-shaped terminal element (103) being connected to the elongated main body (101) by means of at least one spoke (105), the substantially ring-shaped element (103) and the at least one spoke (105) creating a chamber where the medicament can be delivered through the catheter.

A medical device assembly comprises a medical device, such as a urinary catheter, comprising an insertable part and a non-insertable part. The insertable part comprises an elongate shaft provided with a hydrophilic coating or surface. The assembly further comprises a wetting fluid compartment arranged to encircle at least a part of the medical device, and preferably at least a part of the non-insertable part, and an aqueous fluid arranged in the wetting fluid compartment. At least one of the aqueous fluid and the hydrophilic coating or surface comprises at least one surfactant. The hydrophilic coating or surface is maintained essentially separated from the aqueous fluid, and arranged to become wetted by movement of the elongate shaft through the wetting fluid compartment.

A portable device for removal of metabolic waste from the blood of patient having kidney disease or in need of hemodialysis is provided. Methods of hemodialysis employing the portable device beneficially obtain a dialysate by electrokinetic means from excess fluid in the peripheral blood of the patient in need thereof. The methods employ a branched microfluidic channel for the use of ion concentration polarization to separate charged from neutral species in blood to obtain the dialysate for undergoing hemodialysis. Beneficially the methods and device are resistant to biofouling, remove the need for a dialysate and/or dialysate reservoir, and provide a disposable, wearable device.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating strictures in body lumens and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent.