Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating, preventing, or reducing the recurrence of a stricture and/or cancer, or for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in a non-vascular body lumen 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. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter includes a length-control mechanism which stretches and elongates the balloon when it is in a deflated state, giving the balloon a smaller cross-sectional deflated profile for tracking through the body lumen and for removal after treatment.

A method for treating esophageal cancer in situ with heated air that can be inhaled through a face mask, at an elevated temperature less than sauna air temperatures and at a constant positive air pressure. The inhaled heated air will heat the very thin tracheoesophageal party wall sheath membrane between the esophagus and the respiratory trachea in the throat. The tracheoesophageal party wall sheath membrane therefore can heat the esophageal cancer tumor adjacent to the heated trachea and tracheoesophageal party wall sheath membrane. The heated air will be inspired/inhaled through the mouth and into the trachea/windpipe. Then the trachea and trachea tube under heated constant positive pressure will then transfer heat through and to the esophagus wall, and esophagus and tumor. The heat from the heater air inspiration through the trachea migrates/transmits/disperses across the membrane separating the trachea/windpipe from the esophagus and hits the esophagus with heat.

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.

The technology relates to acoustic reflectometry systems and methods. An example system includes an acoustic sensor that includes a generator that emits acoustic pulses; and a sensor that detects the emitted acoustic pulses and reflections thereof. The system further includes a monitor, in communication with the acoustic sensor. The monitor performs operations including: receive patient data for a current patient receiving ventilation; provide the patient data as input to a trained clinical model; receive, as output from the trained clinical model, a clinically relevant threshold for an acoustically measurable parameter; process the detected incident and reflected waves to determine a value of the acoustically measurable parameter; compare the value of the acoustically measurable parameter to the clinically relevant threshold; and based on the comparison, generate a notification.

A decannulation detection system includes a dressing, a tube assembly, and a controller. The dressing is applied over a wound or incision site and includes a first electric circuit portion. The tube assembly is positioned in contact with the dressing and includes a second electric circuit portion. When the tube assembly is in contact with the dressing, the first and second electrical circuit portions form a complete electric circuit. The controller is electrically connected to the complete electric circuit and is used to monitor electrical continuity in the complete electric circuit. When the controller detects an electrical discontinuity in the complete electric circuit, the controller triggers an alert regarding the possible occurrence of a decannulation event.

Systems and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to target tissue using a plurality of drug delivery platforms each having a polymer scaffold and the therapeutic agent contained within the polymer scaffold. Each drug delivery platform of the plurality of drug delivery platforms is implanted into the target tissue, allowing the therapeutic agent to elute from each drug delivery platform of the plurality of drug delivery platforms for a target period of time, delivering a therapeutic dose of the therapeutic agent for the target period of time. Each drug delivery platform of the plurality of drug delivery platforms is allowed to biodegrade within the target tissue.

A method for treating esophageal cancer in situ with heated air and by extension heat that can be inhaled through a face mask, at an elevated temperature less than the highest sauna air temperatures and at a constant positive air pressure. The inhaled heated air will heat the very thin tracheoesophageal party wall membrane between the esophagus and the respiratory trachea in the throat. The tracheoesophageal party wall membrane therefore can heat the esophageal cancer tumor adjacent to the heated trachea and tracheoesophageal party wall membrane. The heated air is inspired/inhaled through the mouth and into the trachea/windpipe. Then the trachea and trachea tube under heated constant positive pressure will then transfer heat through and to the esophagus wall, and esophagus and tumor. The heat from the heated air inspiration through the trachea migrates/transmits/disperses across the membrane separating the trachea/windpipe from the esophagus and hits the esophagus with heat.

Systems and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to target tissue using a plurality of drug delivery platforms each having the therapeutic drug embedded as part of the drug delivery platform. Each drug delivery platform is implanted into a target tissue, and the active agent elutes out of the drug delivery platform for a target period of time, delivering a therapeutic dose of the drug for that period of time. The duration of therapy for an implant can be from 3 to 12 months, longer, or shorter.

Various implementations include an automated endotracheal intubation device, including: a flexible tube sized to be advanced within a patient's airway; a base system; and a deployment arm having a proximal end coupled to the base system and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end, the deployment arm including: at least one arm segment coupled to and extending from the base system, the at least one arm segment defining a channel within which the flexible tube is disposed; and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the deployment arm, the end effector including one or more twisted and coiled polymer (TCP) tendons configured to controllably expand and contract upon application of heat.

Devices and methods for allowing for improved assisted ventilation of a patient. The methods and devices provide a number of benefits over conventional approaches for assisted ventilation. For example, the methods and devices described herein permit blind insertion of a device that can allow ventilation regardless of whether the device is positioned within a trachea or an esophagus. In addition, the methods and device allow for timed delivery of ventilations based on a condition of a thoracic cavity to increase the amount and efficiency of blood flow during a resuscitation procedure.