A biodiffusion chamber for performing autologous cell vaccination is provided. The biodiffusion chamber is adapted for insertion into and removal from a subject. In some embodiments, the biodiffusion chamber comprises (i) a chamber body defining a hollow cavity and including a first surface and a second surface, (ii) a first semi-permeable membrane coupled to the first surface, (iii) a second semi-permeable membrane coupled to the second surface, and (iv) an element and/or feature adapted for removing the biodiffusion chamber from the subject. The first semi-permeable membrane and the second semi-permeable membrane are permeable to fluids and soluble factors but are not permeable to cells. In some embodiments, composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide is inserted into the biodiffusion chamber and allowed to diffuse out of the biodiffusion chamber and into the subject via at least one of the first semi-permeable membrane or the second semi-permeable membrane.

A food packaging system has a housing that includes a food receptacle. The food receptacle includes a food product that is available for purchase. A slot formed in the housing, and an induction heating element is positioned in the slot.

Disclosed herein is a biomaterial for treating a condition. A biomaterial of the disclosure can be, for example, a surgical article. The biomaterial can comprise a plurality of geometric elements and a therapeutic agent. The biomaterial can comprise a first geometric element formed by a porous border that comprises a polymer and the therapeutic agent. The biomaterial can comprise a second geometric element formed by a non-porous border and a solid region, wherein the therapeutic agent may not diffuse into the second geometric element. Implantation of a biomaterial disclosed herein into a subject can treat, for example, cancer.

Systems and devices for pulsed heating of the ST36 acupoint and/or other acupoint(s) by noninvasive transcutaneous magnetic induction heating towards (1) ameliorating cognitive impairment arising, for example, from head-injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's; (2) helping to prevent neurodegenerative diseases; (3) preventing and treating age-related cognitive decline; and (4) preventing and treating depression manifesting, for example, as Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, or Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood.

Described here are systems and methods for delivering an active agent to target tissues of the ear, nose, or throat using a drug delivery platform having the therapeutic drug embedded as part of the drug delivery platform. The drug delivery platform is implanted into a target tissue, and the active agent elutes out of the body 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 into a sinus tissue can be from 3 to 12 months, or longer, thereby providing relief for the full duration of an allergy season. Moreover, the duration of therapy can provide relief to individuals with chronic paranasal sinus condition symptoms for a period of time longer than presently available therapies, thus allowing for only semi-annual or annual applications of the therapy.

An apparatus includes a housing and a pushrod. The housing defines a delivery passage and an exit port in fluid communication with the delivery passage. At least a portion of the pushrod is movably disposed in the delivery passage. A distal end portion of the pushrod is configured to move a drug dosage form through at least a portion of the delivery passage to convey the drug dosage form through the exit port when the distal end portion of the pushrod is moved from a first position to a second position. A surface of at least one of the pushrod or the housing defining the delivery passage is nonplanar, curved and/or contoured.

An assistive device for subcutaneous injections or implants. The assistive device is placed under a blood pressure cuff that displaces the skin and subcutaneous tissues of a patient at an insertion site in order to allow guided insertion of a needle or implant applicator into a subcutaneous fat layer. The skin and subcutaneous tissue is displaced or drawn, via pressure applied by the blood pressure cuff, through an injection window of a device body into a hollow cavity of the device body. A guide channel leads from a front side of the device body into the hollow cavity, and an applicator of an adapter is inserted through the guide channel into the subcutaneous fat layer.

An implantable drug delivery device and method for delivering a drug to a living body. The device includes a housing having at least one opening, a reservoir within the housing adapted to contain the drug, a temporary seal closing the at least one opening of the housing, and a heating element in thermal contact with the temporary seal. The heating element is adapted to generate heat in response to a magnetic field to melt the temporary seal and release the drug within the reservoir through the at least one opening of the housing.

Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for subcutaneous membrane, encapsulation chamber, or reservoir implantation comprising or employing an implantation device configured to insert a membrane, encapsulation chamber, or reservoir into a subject.

The invention provides implantable drug delivery devices comprising a core comprising a polymer (or polymer blend) and one or more drugs or pharmaceutical substances, and an outer shell comprising a polymer (or polymer blend) and one or more porogen materials. The invention reduces burst release of drug. Pharmaceuticals such as triiodothyronine (T3) or ropinirole can be delivered by the devices.