Systems and methods for improving kidney function. A first mechanical circulatory support system (MCS) is introduced in a patient's heart, and a second mechanical circulatory support system is introduced in a patient's inferior vena cava or renal vein. The second mechanical circulatory support system is operated while the first mechanical circulatory support system is operating. A renal parameter is monitored during. Combined operation of the two mechanical circulatory support systems results in a change in renal parameter, e.g. pressure drop in the renal vein, indicating an improvement in kidney function. Once the renal parameter is determined to be below a target threshold, operation of the second mechanical circulatory support device is stopped.

A percutaneous urinary catheter is provided, including a proximal portion, a distal portion configured to be deployed in a kidney and/or renal pelvis of the urinary tract, and at least one lumen extending at least partially through the proximal portion of the percutaneous urinary catheter; and a negative pressure source in fluid communication with the at least one lumen, the negative pressure source being configured to draw fluid from the urinary tract into the at least one lumen of the percutaneous urinary catheter for removal of the fluid from the urinary tract.

Apparatus and methods are described including an impeller that includes an impeller frame that comprises proximal and distal end portions and at least one helical elongate element that winds from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. A film of material is coupled to the at least one helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the film of material coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. The film of material is shaped to define a hollow central lumen therethrough. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including manufacturing an impeller by coupling a material to a helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the material coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. A portion of a structure that includes the helical elongate element is dipped into the material while the material is in a liquid state. The material is dried, while the material is being supported by the at least one helical elongate element. During the drying of material, the structure is rotated about its longitudinal axis, such as to facilitate the formation of a film of the material having a substantially uniform thickness within the impeller blade. Other applications are also described.

A catheter devices/systems and methods therefrom are described herein for treating acute kidney injury, especially the contrast-induced acute kidney injury wherein the devices prevent the contrast dyes from entering into kidney and/or facilitate blood flow of kidney by said catheter system.

In some aspects, provided herein are antimicrobial compositions comprising partially esterified polygalacturonic acid and certain fatty acids (e.g., caprylic acid). In some embodiments, the antimicrobial composition may be administered (e.g., topically or orally) to a subject, such as a human patient to treat an infection (e.g., an infection comprising a biofilm). In some aspects, improved catheters are provided.

Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for the removal of objects from the body. The device may be a urethral catheter configured to aspirate kidney stones from the urinary tract through one or more aspiration ports at the distal face or along a lateral side of the catheter. The catheter may include one or more irrigation ports at the distal face or along the lateral side of the catheter for dislodging kidney stones. The device may be steerable. The spatial arrangement of the one or more irrigation ports with respect to the one or more aspiration ports may vary. The device may include an irrigation tube and/or a shield member configured to spatially confine the kidney stones adjacent the catheter. Various temporal patterns of aspiration and irrigation are disclosed for optimizing removal of kidney stones.

Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for the removal of objects from the body. The device may be a urethral catheter configured to aspirate kidney stones from the urinary tract through one or more aspiration ports at the distal face or along a lateral side of the catheter. The catheter may include one or more irrigation ports at the distal face or along the lateral side of the catheter for dislodging kidney stones. The device may be steerable. The spatial arrangement of the one or more irrigation ports with respect to the one or more aspiration ports may vary. The device may include an irrigation tube and/or a shield member configured to spatially confine the kidney stones adjacent the catheter. Various temporal patterns of aspiration and irrigation are disclosed for optimizing removal of kidney stones.

Catheter devices/systems and methods therefrom are described herein for treating acute kidney injury, especially the contrast-induced acute kidney injury wherein the devices may prevent the contrast dyes from entering into kidney and/or facilitate blood flow of kidney by said catheter system.

Systems and methods for improving kidney function. A first mechanical circulatory support system (MCS) is introduced in a patient's heart, and a second mechanical circulatory support system is introduced in a patient's inferior vena cava or renal vein. The second mechanical circulatory support system is operated while the first mechanical circulatory support system is operating. A renal parameter is monitored during. Combined operation of the two mechanical circulatory support systems results in a change in renal parameter, e.g. pressure drop in the renal vein, indicating an improvement in kidney function. Once the renal parameter is determined to be below a target threshold, operation of the second mechanical circulatory support device is stopped.