Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

An ingestible medical device that includes an ingestible capsule. Within the ingestible capsule is a non-refillable drug dispenser containing a therapeutic agent. The capsule can also include a real-time clock. A controller within the capsule can be operatively connected to the drug dispenser and can include a memory module and a processor operable to execute a software application stored on the memory module to control the operation of the drug dispenser to administer the therapeutic agent according to a real-time schedule measured via the real-time clock. The ingestible medical device can also include an iontophoretic circuit or system for drug delivery as well as physiological sensors to detect the occurrence or worsening of a medical condition.

A wireless intraluminal device (102) and an associated system for treating and diagnosing patients are provided. In one embodiment, the wireless intraluminal device (102) includes a flexible elongate member (158) including a proximal portion (106) and a distal portion (108); a sensor assembly (116) coupled to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; a cable (117) coupled to the sensor assembly and extending along the flexible elongate member; and a wireless transceiver (252) positioned within the flexible elongate member, wherein the wireless transceiver is in communication with the sensor assembly via the cable. A wireless communication component (104) wirelessly transmits a sensor measurement collected by the sensor assembly to a sensor measurement processing system (132) via a wireless link (150) for physiological data generation at the sensor measurement processing system.

A medical system configured to estimate a volume of infusate within an implantable medical device, the system including an implantable medical device comprising a fluid reservoir, and an external programmer in communication with the implantable medical device, the external programmer comprising a processor configured to estimate a distribution of refill intervals based on actual infusion data including patient initiated infusions.

A system for treating heart disease, such as pulmonary hypertension or right heart failure, including an implantable component and external components for monitoring the implantable component is provided. The implantable component may include a compliant member, e.g., balloon, coupled to a reservoir via a conduit. Preferably, the compliant member is adapted to be implanted in a pulmonary artery and the reservoir is adapted to be implanted subcutaneously. The external components may include a clinical controller component, monitoring software configured to run a clinician's computer, a patient monitoring device, and a mobile application configured to run on a patient's mobile device.

Medical implants including sensors are described. The implant may have a flexible shell with a base, wherein the plurality of sensors may be incorporated onto and/or into the shell. The plurality of sensors may be distributed at different locations of the shell. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors may be configured to measure one or more parameters such as, e.g., temperature and/or pressure, and may comprise an electromagnetic coil useful for wireless transmission of data. Each sensor may be configured to transmit data at a frequency different from the frequency of one or more of the other sensors, may be configured to transmit data at a time different from a time data is transmitted by one or more of the other sensors, and/or may include a device identifier different from the device identifier of one or more of the other sensors.

An apparatus for treating urinary retention of a patient by discharging urine from the urinary bladder. The apparatus comprises an expandable member, adapted to be implanted inside the urinary bladder of a patient, for discharging urine from the urinary bladder as a result of its expansion in volume, an implantable control device for controlling the volume of the expandable member, and an external energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy from the outside of the patient's body to the inside of the patient's body configured to operate the expandable member and other energy consuming implantable parts of the apparatus.

A minimally invasive circulatory support platform that utilizes an aortic stent pump or pumps. The platform uses a low profile catheter-based techniques and provides temporary and chronic circulatory support depending on the needs of the patient. Also described is a catheter-based temporary assist pump to treat patients with acute decompensated heart failure and provide circulatory support to subjects undergoing high risk percutaneous coronary intervention (“PCI”). Further described is a wirelessly powered circulatory assist pump for providing chronic circulatory support for heart failure patients. The platform and system are relatively easy to place, have higher flow rates than existing systems, and provide improvements in the patient's renal function.

Analyte sensing and response systems include a sensor detecting one or more analytes in a medium. The sensor uses decoupled transmit and receive elements or antennas to transmit a signal into the medium, and receive a response to the transmitted signal. An action that is based on the detection of the analyte is generated which can directly or indirectly affect the detected analyte in the medium. The action is automatically performed. The action can be increasing or decreasing flow from a source of the analyte, or of a chemical compound interacting with the analyte. An example of the action is controlling an insulin pump, where the analyte is glucose.