An inflated implant, such as an attenuation device, previously implanted in a urinary bladder can later be removed according to a number of different methods. Preferably, removal is accomplished transurethrally. In one embodiment, removal is accomplished by reducing the inflated implant from an enlarged profile to a reduced profile so that it may be withdrawn transurethrally by a removal system. The removal system can be configured differently depending upon whether reduction from the enlarged profile to the reduced profile is accomplished by deflation, compression, and/or other ways.

A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the drainage lumen and has a radially self-expandable proximal section fixedly connected within the drain lumen by self-expansion, a flexible intermediate section longitudinally movable within the drain lumen, and a distal plug movably positioned in the drain lumen to prevent fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state and being slidably disposed within the drain lumen such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the distal plug slides within the drain lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port.

An implantable medical device is provided for controlled drug delivery within the bladder, or other body vesicle. The device may include at least one drug reservoir component comprising a drug; and a vesicle retention frame which comprises an elastic wire having a first end, an opposing second end, and an intermediate region therebetween, wherein the drug reservoir component is attached to the intermediate region of the vesicle retention frame. The retention frame prevents accidental voiding of the device from the bladder, and it preferably has a spring constant selected for the device to effectively stay in the bladder during urination while minimizing the irritation of the bladder.

Implantable devices and methods for delivery of lidocaine or other drugs to a patient are provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a first drug portion which has a first drug housing which contains a first drug formulation in a solid form which includes a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of lidocaine; and a second drug portion which includes a second drug housing which contains a second drug formulation which includes lidocaine base. In another embodiment, the device includes a drug reservoir component which has an elastic tube having at least one lumen bounded by a porous sidewall having an open-cell structure, a closed-cell structure, or a combination thereof; and a drug formulation contained within the at least one lumen, wherein the device is deformable between a low-profile deployment shape and a relatively expanded retention shape.

The present disclosure provides a balloon-free, self-retainable and threadable urethral catheter that contains special external markings to guide insertion, and that could be indwelled easily and safely. Through various experiments and the structural configuration, the balloon-free, self-retainable and threadable urethral catheter of the present disclosure can make insertion of a mushroom-tip urethral catheter easily performed by primary care medical professionals, instead of previously only been done by senior urologists with a semi-rigid stainless-steel stylet. This disclosure leads to better urine drainage and reduces irritation to the posterior wall of the bladder. With the special design of this disclosure, minor urethral structure can be overcome to insert this catheter safely.

Implant devices for intravesical administration and local drug delivery. The device has a body which includes a hollow tube formed of a biocompatible material; at least one reservoir in the tube which contains a drug; and one or more apertures through which the drug can be released. The device is configured for minimally invasive insertion into a body cavity, such as the bladder. The hollow tube may be elastomeric to permit the device to be elastically deformed from its initial shape into an elongated shape for passage through a catheter, where following such passage the device can return to or toward its initial shape to facilitate retention of the device in the body cavity. The body may have a narrow, elongated shape effective to permit insertion of the drug delivery device through a catheter without necessarily deforming the body, yet include flexible projections which effect retention within the body cavity.

A containing catheter for facilitating sequential treatment operations therethrough, is provided. The containing catheter comprises a median portion comprising an elongated, substantially tubular member, and a distal portion, comprising a distal stiff member. A catheterization apparatus is provided, comprising the containing catheter and an elongated inner catheter insertable into the containing catheter. A method of catheterization is provided, comprising providing the containing catheter, stiffening a portion of the containing catheter and inserting the stiffened containing catheter into a body conduit of a patient.

A guidewire, methods of manufacture, and methods of use is described. The guidewire may include a core having one or more preformed ribs along a portion thereof. The ribs may form a portion of the outer surface of the guidewire or form a texture or shape of the outer surface of the guidewire. The ribs and outer texture of the guidewire can beneficially help the guidewire remain in a desired location in a body and help prevent or limit migration. Forming the ribs on the outer surface of the core may enable the guidewire to have greater rigidity and stiffness. The core may include a reduced diameter region distal of the ribs. The guidewire may include a cap over the reduced diameter region of the core.

A medical device is disclosed. The medical device may include an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end an expandable end effector assembly extending distally from the distal end of the elongate member. The end effector assembly may include a plurality of end effector units each having an injector for simultaneously delivering material into tissue.

Ureteral catheters and assemblies are provided including: a drainage lumen including a proximal portion configured to be positioned in at least a portion of a patient's urethra and a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's ureter and/or kidney, the distal portion including a coiled retention portion including at least a first coil having a first diameter and a second coil having a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter; or wherein the retention portion extends radially outwardly from a portion of the distal end of the drainage lumen portion, the retention portion including a proximal end having a first diameter, a distal end having a second diameter, and a wall and/or surface extending therebetween, the retention portion having a second diameter is greater than the first diameter when deployed; or wherein the retention portion includes a plurality of drainage tubes.