Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating, preventing, or reducing the recurrence of a stricture and/or cancer, or for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in a non-vascular body lumen and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter includes a length-control mechanism which stretches and elongates the balloon when it is in a deflated state, giving the balloon a smaller cross-sectional deflated profile for tracking through the body lumen and for removal after treatment.

Drug delivery articles, resident articles, and retrieval systems e.g., for gram-level dosing, are generally provided. In some embodiments, the articles are configured for transesophageal administration, transesophageal retrieval, and/or gastric retention to/in a subject. In certain embodiments, the article includes dimensions configured for transesophageal administration with a gastric resident system. In some cases, the article may be configured to control drug release e.g., with zero-order drug kinetics with no potential for burst release for weeks to months. In some embodiments, the articles described herein comprise biocompatible materials and/or are safe for gastric retention. In certain embodiments, the article includes dimensions configured for transesophageal retrieval. In some cases, the articles described herein may comprise relatively large doses of drug (e.g., greater than or equal to 1 gram).

A vacuum sponge system, comprising: a sponge having an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end, spaced from the proximal end in an axial direction of the sponge; a drainage tube disposed partially in the sponge, and is in fluid communication with the sponge; the drainage tube is connectable with a vacuum pump such that a pressure is applicable to the outer surface of the sponge; and a delivery member having an outer surface and extending in an axial direction of the sponge and adapted to establish a fluid communication between a region from the distal end of the sponge and region from the proximal end of the sponge. The pressure provided by the pump via the drainage tube is applied to a vicinity of the outer surface of the delivery member and the outer surface of the sponge. The delivery member is disposed partially radially outside of the sponge.

A dilator releasably connected with an endoscope to dilate a stricture as the dilator that is releasably connected to a portion of a cylindrical body of the endoscope passes through the stricture. The endoscopic dilator is moveable between an open position and a closed position configured to enable the dilator to be secured to the endoscope. When the dilator is in the closed position, an inner surface or a component on the inner surface of the dilator frictionally secures dilator to the portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscope. When in the open position, the dilator is not frictionally secured to the portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscope.

Laryngeal airway devices for human and veterinary use include an airway tube having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the airway tube is provided with a pre-formed and non-inflatable peri-pharyngeal bowl. The peri-pharyngeal bowl has a posterior bowl portion having a back dorsal portion and a side wall extending around and depending from the periphery of the back dorsal portion to define an internal space, and further having a resiliently deformable flange extending laterally from the side wall of the back dorsal portion which defines an extended internal space, the resiliently deformable flange has inner and outer surfaces that extend to a circumferential edge.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating strictures in body lumens and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent.

A process and a device determine an indicator of an intrinsic end-expiratory pressure in the lungs of a patient. Embodiments are based on the device, ventilator with the device, and the process using the device that includes an interface arrangement configured for an exchange of information with a ventilation device and a control unit that determines first information on a first breathing pressure generated by muscles of the patient, at a first time, at which an inhalation attempt of the patient is present and determines second information on a second breathing pressure generated by the muscles of the patient, at a second time, at which breathing gas flow towards the patient starts. The control unit further determines the indicator of the intrinsic end-expiratory pressure based on the first information and based on the second information.

A system for creating separation between biological surfaces may comprise a hollow body configured for delivery of a fluid to a target location, a fluid supply in fluid-communication with the hollow body, a control element configured to control the delivery of a fluid through the hollow body, at least one first sensor configured to measure at least one parameter of the fluid flowing through the hollow body, at least one second sensor configured to measure at least one parameter of an environment of the hollow body, a feedback control module configured to receive information from one or more of the at least one first sensor or the at least one of the second sensor to control at least one operational function of the system.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating, preventing, or reducing the recurrence of a stricture and/or cancer, or for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in a non-vascular body lumen and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter includes a length-control mechanism which stretches and elongates the balloon when it is in a deflated state, giving the balloon a smaller cross-sectional deflated profile for tracking through the body lumen and for removal after treatment.

A method of preventing contraction and peristaltic wave action of an esophagus in which a GARD is placed, preventing displacement of the GARD towards or into a stomach, the method comprising injecting botulinum toxin very precisely in the muscular layer of the esophageal wall at the level where the GARD is or will be placed. A system comprising a catheter having one or two expandable balloon(s) which carries guide needle catheters that can pierce the esophageal wall and reach precisely the muscular layer of the wall of the esophagus, the needles used to inject the toxin at precisely the exact location in the esophageal wall in relationship with the GARD device to block esophageal peristalsis locally.