A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.

Embodiments include methods and systems for maintaining glucose homeostasis. Systems can include a pump, a first reservoir including a homeostasis agent, an umbilical catheter capable of being advanced in the umbilical vein or in the falciform ligament, and a sensor. Systems can also include a biocompatible coating, a microprocessor in communication with the pump and the sensor, and a power supply. Methods can include implanting a pump and reservoir subcutaneously in a patient, advancing a catheter in the umbilical vein or in the falciform ligament, measuring a blood glucose level, pumping a homeostasis agent, and administering the homeostasis agent to the portal venous system.

Implantable gas delivery device and methods, systems, and devices including same. According to one embodiment, the implantable gas delivery device includes a porous core that permits facile transport of gas throughout its open volume. The porous core has sufficiently high tensile strength to withstand pressurization without significant deformation. The porous core is generally planar and is shaped to include a pair of opposing surfaces and a periphery. Diffusion membranes are fixed to the two opposing surfaces of the porous core. A gas supply tube has one end inserted into the porous core and another end connectable to a gas source. The periphery of the porous core is sealed gas-tight, either with a gasket or by sealing the porous core and/or diffusion membranes. The device may be used to deliver a gas to an implanted cell capsule or to native cells or tissues or may be used to expel waste gas.

An apparatus includes a magnetic-field transducer, and circuitry. The magnetic-field transducer is configured to be coupled externally to a body of a patient. The circuitry is configured to generate and apply to the magnetic-field transducer a time-varying signal, so as to generate a time-varying magnetic field outside the body of the patient, for supplying electrical energy by inductive coupling to an electronic device that is positioned inside the body, to estimate an intensity of the magnetic field that reaches the electronic device, and to assess fluid retention in an organ of the patient based on the estimated intensity of the magnetic field.

Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow to and from a region of a patient's lung, such as to achieve a desired fluid flow dynamic to a lung region during respiration and/or to induce collapse in one or more lung regions. Pursuant to an exemplary procedure, an identified region of the lung is targeted for treatment. The targeted lung region is then bronchially isolated to regulate airflow into and/or out of the targeted lung region through one or more bronchial passageways that feed air to the targeted lung region. An exemplary flow control device is configured to block fluid flow in the inspiratory direction and the expiratory direction at normal breathing pressures and allow fluid flow in the expiratory direction at higher than normal breathing pressures.

The present invention provides an implantable medical device (10), such as a neural implant, a neural stimulator, a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a glucometer or a drug pump. The device (10) includes a battery (B) providing a supply of electric power for operation of the device, and a system (1) for thermoelectric charging or re-charging of the battery (B). The system (1) includes a field-sensitive component (2) configured and/or adapted for transducing a field of magnetic energy, microwave energy, ultrasound energy, and/or X-ray energy into heat; and a thermoelectric module (4) arranged and/or connected to interface with the field-sensitive component (2) for generating an electric potential from the heat transduced by the field-sensitive component (2). The thermoelectric module (4) is arranged in electrical connection with the battery (B) for applying the electric potential to the battery (B).

An implantable blood pump includes a control unit storing patient specific settings. The control unit is configured to store patient specific settings. The patient specific settings can be used to determine a target operating speed for the blood pump and/or a target operating mode for the blood pump. The patient specific settings can include at least one of an operating mode for the pump, a set speed for the pump, a lower speed limit for the pump, a patient hematocrit value, a patient hematocrit date, a patient blood density, and a periodic log rate for event and periodic data.

The invention relates to an apparatus for exchanging material between blood and a gas/gas mixture, comprising a chamber (1) through which blood can flow and in which a plurality of material-permeable fiber tubes is provided, the gas/gas mixture being flowable through the fiber tubes, blood being flowable around the fiber tubes. At least one deformable element (9) is provided in the chamber (1) in addition to the fiber tubes, through which the gas/gas mixture can flow, this deformable element being deformable and restorable, in particular compressible out of a relaxed shape and restorable to a relaxed shape by pressure fluctuations acting on the at least one element (9) externally, in particular pressure fluctuations transmitted by the blood in the chamber (1).

A method of implanting a penis erection stimulation system into a patient's body comprises cutting the skin of the patient body, dissecting free an area near the left and right corpus cavernosum, placing a drug delivery device within the dissected area and placing at least one infusion needle of the drug delivery device in a first position in the patient's body in between the left and right corpus cavernosum.

An occlusion device includes first and second crossing frame elements each of annular ring-shape, as well as first and second annular support elements connected to respective extremities of the crossing frame elements. The frame and support elements are provided with covers made of a substantially impervious material. The occluder may include a covering sleeve of stretchable material. The occluder substantially stops or reduces the flow of blood therethrough, creating blood statis and subsequent occlusion by clot formation within the occluder. The structure of the frame elements ensures good edge sealing and enhanced fixation of the occluder in a vessel as blood pressure impinges upon the covers of the occluder.