The present invention provides an intra-ruminal device comprising a body substantially impervious to rumen fluid, the body comprising a barrel, at least one outlet, and at least one matrix in the barrel, a compression arrangement within the body adapted to bias the column of matrices in the barrel to the at least one outlet, and at least one variable geometry device dependent from the body to assist numen retention, wherein the at least one matrix in the barrel comprises at least one active ingredient and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a non-ionic polymer and a cross-linked anionic polymer. The invention also provides a method of making and using the device.

Devices, systems, and methods for delivering fluid are provided. Devices include a housing configured for intravaginal deployment and retention, at least one reservoir configured to contain a fluid, and a fluid dispensing mechanism configured to dispense the fluid past the cervix and to the uterus of the subject. Methods include intravaginally deploying and retaining a device in the subject, and dispensing the fluid from the device such that the fluid is driven past the cervix to the uterus of the subject.

An implantable and retrievable medical device is provided. The device may be implanted in and extracted from a patient and the device is adapted to house and deliver donor cells or other drugs. The device comprises a hollow core having a volume for receiving cells and a plurality of layers surrounding the core. The layers comprise various materials suitable for enhancing immunoprotection and for promoting vascular growth into the device.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a cervical cerclage apparatus and a method for performing a cervical cerclage. In an embodiment of the invention, a cervical cerclage apparatus includes, a length of suture and at least two stitched regions formed by the length of suture around an exterior surface of a cervix. The cervical cerclage apparatus further includes at least two surgical buttons attached the length of suture, each surgical button comprising an inner face and an outer face, wherein the inner face of each surgical button are configured to be placed against the exterior surface of the cervix between the stitched regions, wherein at least one of the surgical buttons comprises Progesterone.

A system and method are provided for securing an ingestible electronic device to a pharmaceutical product without damaging the ingestible electronic device. The product includes the ingestible electronic device being placed on the product in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the ingestible electronic device is placed inside the product. Various embodiments are disclosed in accordance with the present invention for protecting and/or coating of the electronic marker as well as securing the ingestible electronic device onto the product.

Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Some embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. The device comprises a capsule sized to be swallowed and pass through the intestinal tract. The capsule can include at least one guide tube, one or more tissue penetrating members positioned in the guide tube, a delivery member, an actuating mechanism and a release element. The release element degrades upon exposure to various conditions in the intestine so as to release and actuate the actuating mechanism. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Devices and methods are provided for controlled delivery of medical substances such as drugs and medication. For example, a microchip medical substance delivery device includes a control system, and a medical substance capsule that comprises a medical substance contained with a reservoir, and a release structure to release the medical substance from within the reservoir in response to an activation signal generated by the control system. The control system comprises a wireless signal receiving element, processor, actuator circuit, and power supply source. The wireless signal receiving element captures a wireless signal. The processor detects an activation code embedded within the captured wireless signal, and generates an actuator control signal in response to the detection of the activation code. The actuator circuit generates the activation signal in response to the actuator control signal generated by the processor. The power supply source provides power to operate components of the control system.

The invention provides a hydrogel for in-vivo release of medication comprising at least one medication, wherein the surface of the hydrogel comprises a coating such that the surface has one or more sub-surfaces with permeability that is at least 2× higher than the average permeability of the entire surface, wherein the hydrogel has an elastic modulus of between 50 and 1000 kPa.

This special gut microbe and chemical substance sampling technology, utilizing swallowable capsules, is for purpose of determining roles gut contents play in some 52 of most costly, in lives and dollars, of diseases with their known origin in the human gut. Gut microbes and substances are collected, analyzed, medicinal substances and objects deployed, and special provisions for attracting, capturing and preserving certain strains of microbes, and means for perturbing the gut environment and immune system are all intended to research, discover, and ultimately find both the causes and cures for the most devastating human diseases, and in the process, create gut microbiome profiles.

The present invention relates to an intra-ruminal device comprising a body substantially impervious to rumen fluid, the body comprising a barrel, at least one outlet, at least one matrix comprising at least one active ingredient and at least one clay mineral, a compression arrangement and at least one variable geometry device dependent from the body, use of the intra-ruminal device and a method of treating a ruminant animal by administering the intra-ruminal device to the animal.