A composition for internal imaging of a subject includes an imaging contrast agent and one or more carrier agents that can pass through cellular and tissue membranes. Examples of imaging contrast agents are iodine-based, silver-based, or barium-based. Examples of carrier agents are dimethyl sulfoxide, urea, or an alcohol. Methods for internally imaging a subject using such a composition are also disclosed.

A medical drainage stent that includes a stent body, and a proximal portion and a distal portion that are located at two ends of the stent body for connecting a first tissue wall and a second tissue wall in a juxtaposing manner. The stent body is fixed between the first tissue wall and the second tissue wall to provide a drainage channel. The proximal portion of the stent has N extension portions, where a fixed end of the extension portion is fixedly connected with an edge of a proximal end of the stent body, and the other end of the extension portion is a free end in a free state. Structures of the N extension portions at least partially protrude from the stent body in a radial direction, so that the proximal portion of the stent is fixed on the first tissue wall, where N is a positive integer.

A delivery system for delivering a drug depot to a site within a patient, the system comprising: a cannula; a delivery stylet configured and dimensioned to be receivable by and slidable forwardly and backwardly within the cannula including to a position wherein a distal portion of the stylet protrudes beyond the distal end of the cannula; a drug depot retainable by the stylet at the distal end of the stylet, the drug depot being visualizable by a diagnostic imaging beam or modality; and an actuator for ejecting the drug depot from the stylet to a site within the body using fluid pressure. Also disclosed are methods using, and uses of, the delivery system, including for treating scoliosis.

A masking package (100) for blind testing of materials stored in a syringe, the masking package (100) comprising: an opaque housing (110) defining a syringe chamber (111) adapted to substantially surround a plunger and at least a portion of a barrel of a syringe; and a plunger extender (130) slidably receivable in the syringe chamber (111) and comprising a coupler (132) adapted to couple to the plunger of a syringe received in the syringe chamber (111), wherein movement of the plunger extender (130) relative to the opaque housing (110) moves the plunger of a syringe received in the syringe chamber (111) relative to the barrel of the syringe; and a masking package (200) for blind testing of materials stored in a vial, the masking package (200) comprising an opaque housing (210) defining a chamber (211) for receiving and surrounding a vial, the housing (210) having a length between an upper end and a lower end and comprising a first housing part (212) and a second housing part (214), the first and second housing parts (212, 214) being openable along the length of the housing (210) to define an opening in the chamber (211) that extends the length of the housing (210) for inserting a vial laterally into the chamber (211), wherein the housing is formed with a single piece construction.

A barrier for use in negative pressure wound therapy can include a base layer and surface structures. The barrier can be used to reduce or prevent tissue ingrowth. A method of using a negative pressure wound therapy system can include positioning a perforated barrier in a wound. After positioning the perforated barrier in the wound, positioning a pad in the wound on top of the perforated barrier, positioning a seal on top of the wound to at least partially seal the perforated barrier and the foam in the wound, and applying negative pressure wound therapy to the wound.

Described is a microneedle device, preferably a controlled release device, for delivery of liothyronine (LT3 or salt thereof) to a patient with hypothyroidism and/or who is not pregnant. The microneedle device contains LT3 or salt thereof in an effective amount to maintain normal, stable levels, in the serum, of free and/or total T3. The microneedle device includes at least two components: multi-dimensional array of microneedle(s) and a substrate to which the base of the microneedle(s) are secured or integrated. The microneedles contain LT3 or salt thereof as well as a biodegradable and/or biodissolvable polymer, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone for controlled release of LT3 or salt thereof. Also described are methods of making and using the microneedle device.

The present invention relates to an implantable device for improving the pump function of the heart of a human patient by applying an external force on the heart muscle, said device comprising at least one pump device comprising: a first part having a first surface, and a second part having a second surface. The first part is displaceable in relation to the second part and said first and second surfaces abut each other, at least partially. The second part exerts, directly or indirectly, force on an external part of said heart muscle.

An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. The access port may include a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. The access port may further include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. The subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. The identification feature can be included on a molded insert.

Various systems and methods are provided for reducing pressure at an outflow of a duct such as the thoracic duct or the lymphatic duct. In one embodiment, an indwelling catheter can be configured to be at least partially implanted within a vein of a patient in the vicinity of an outflow port of a duct of the lymphatic system. The catheter can include first and second restrictors each configured to at least partially occlude the vein within which the catheter is implanted and thus to restrict fluid flow within the vein when the restrictors are activated. The restrictors can each be configured to move between an activated configuration, in which the restrictor occludes the vein, and a relaxed configuration, in which the restrictor does not occlude the vein. The catheter can include a pump, such as an axial motor pump, configured to pump fluid through the catheter.

An enhanced flexibility catheter is provided, such as for distal neurovascular access or aspiration. The catheter includes an elongate flexible body, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a side wall defining a central lumen. The side wall is formed from a plurality of adjacent tubular segments. At least one segment has a first end face inclined at a non normal angle to a longitudinal axis of the catheter. An adjacent segment has a second end face inclined at a complementary angle to form an inclined junction at the transition between the two segments. The transition serves to provide superior bending characteristics along the length of the catheter shaft.