A whole-body hyperthermia system for raising the body temperature of the entire body of an individual to a predetermined target temperature and for stabilizing the body temperature at the target temperature comprises an apparatus means for raising the body temperature at a rate of at least 1? C./hour, and at least a second thermal means for further adjusting the body temperature to the target temperature Tb. The second thermal means comprises a fluid circuit, which is at least partially within the individual, and a fluid, heated by a heat exchanger to a set temperature is circulated through the fluid circuit.

Described herein is a catheter (10) including a needle (12) arranged for creating a puncture suitable for a TIPS shunt. The catheter can include a flexible catheter body (14) having a proximal and a distal end, the needle (12) being provided at the distal end of the catheter body (14), and an actuator (16) arranged for vibrating the needle, the needle being provided with serrations (18) on its outside.

An EBDLR system includes a multi-layered bio purifier having a plurality of layers. Each layer includes a membrane, a first type of cells on a first side of the membrane in a first channel, and a second type of cells on a second side of the membrane in a second channel. The EBDLR includes a plasma separator to receive blood from a subject and separate a plasma component from the blood, a first reservoir to collect the plasma component, and a second pump to move the plasma component from the first reservoir to the multi-layered bio purifier. The multi-layered bio purifier distributes the plasma component into the first and second channels of each layer to purify the plasma component. The EBDLR includes a second reservoir to collect the purified plasma component and a third pump to infuse the purified plasma component from the second reservoir into the subject.

A method for performing a medical procedure in an intestine of a patient is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising: a catheter for insertion into the intestine, the catheter comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; and a functional assembly positioned on the shaft distal portion and comprising at least one treatment element. The catheter is introduced into the patient, and target tissue is treated with the at least one treatment element. The target tissue comprises mucosal tissue of the small intestine, and the medical procedure can be configured to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

A method for performing a medical procedure in an intestine of a patient is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising: a catheter for insertion into the intestine, the catheter comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; and a functional assembly positioned on the shaft distal portion and comprising at least one treatment element. The catheter is introduced into the patient, and target tissue is treated with the at least one treatment element. The target tissue comprises mucosal tissue of the small intestine, and the medical procedure can be configured to treat at least one of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

A method for performing a medical procedure in an intestine of a patient is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising: a catheter for insertion into the intestine, the catheter comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; and a functional assembly positioned on the shaft distal portion and comprising at least one treatment element. The catheter is introduced into the patient, and target tissue is treated with the at least one treatment element. The target tissue comprises mucosal tissue of the small intestine, and the medical procedure can be configured to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

A system for endoscopic ultrasound guided drainage includes an access sheath extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including an access lumen extending therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end; a stylet slidably received within the access lumen, the stylet extending longitudinally from a proximal end to distal end and including a channel extending therethrough, the channel configured to receive a fluid therethrough; and a dilating sheath extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a dilating lumen extending therethrough. The dilating lumen is sized and shaped to slidably receive the access sheath.

A method of treating liver cirrhosis has micro-cuts being created within the parenchyma of a cirrhotic liver to create micro-cavities, so that hepatocytes have more room to regenerate; and thus an overall increase in hepatocyte volume occurs. Alternatively, the method of treating liver cirrhosis has fibrotic collagen being disrupted enzymatically (eg collagenase) through localized intra-parenchymal injections. The increase in hepatocyte volume at focal sites of mechanical fibrosis disruption (via cuts or collagenase) provides for a whole-organ treatment of a cirrhotic liver.

A bioartificial liver device including a bioreaction chamber having a plurality of semi-permeable membranes and a plurality of filter spaces each confined by two adjacent semi-permeable membranes; a plurality of liver cell perfusion ports each communicating with one of the filter spaces for introducing the liver cells into the filter spaces, and a positive peristaltic pump. In the device, the semi-permeable membranes are disposed substantially horizontal with respect to the ground, and the positive peristaltic pump is adapted to drive the plasma flow from the bottom wall of the device to the top wall. The device of the invention improves the cell loading and the area for substance exchange between the blood and the liver cells.

An integrated on-line monitoring and thermostatic heating apparatus for a bioartificial liver device, the apparatus including a blood inlet, a blood pump, an arterial drip chamber, a bioreactor module, a venous drip chamber, and a blood reinfusion port which are connected in sequence. The bioreactor module includes a thermostatic water tank and a bioreactor disposed in the thermostatic water tank. The bioreactor includes a container, and a first partition and a second partition which are disposed in the container. The first partition and the second partition separate the container into three independent parts, that is, a plasma separator, an oxygenator, and a reactor. The plasma separator and the oxygenator are connected through an external connection pipe. The external connection pipe is equipped with a separation pump. The second partition includes a communication hole, and the reactor and the oxygenator are connected through the communication hole.