Vasca, Inc.

Spiration, Inc.

John H Wang

James M Brugger

Charles David Finch

Jeffrey H Burbank

Hugo Xavier Gonzalez

Lauri J DeVore

Steven Chase Springmeyer

Richard Shea

Paul F Marad

Charles David Finch, Jr

Hendrik Klaas Kuiper

John E Moran

Hendrick K Kuiper

Richard O Shea

The present invention includes an intra-bronchial device, system, and method for providing a therapeutic agent to a patient. A device includes a flow control member for placement in an air passageway communicating with a lung portion, and when deployed in the air passageway inhibits a therapeutic agent distal of the control member from moving proximal of the control member, and includes the therapeutic agent associated with the flow control member. The control member may inhibit movement of the therapeutic agent by limiting airflow, and may include a one-way valve limiting exhalation of air from the lung portion. The control member may include a flexible membrane impervious to air flow, or a separator arranged to inhibit the movement of the therapeutic agent. The control member may include at least one anchor, and the anchor may be releasable from the air passageway for removal of the intra-bronchial device.

Device and method for intra-bronchial provision of a therapeutic agent

Implanted catheters are locked with a solution comprising a lower alcohol, typically ethanol, propanol, or butanol, in a range from 1% to 99% by volume, and an additive in a range from 1% to 99% by volume, the additive comprising an anti-microbial, typically taurolidine or triclosan, or an anti-coagulant, typically riboflavin, sodium citrate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, or citric acid. The use of an alcohol and additive solution can effectively reduce fouling of the catheter, particularly clotting and thrombus in intravascular catheters, as well as eradicate existing infections and/or reduce the risk of potential infections. Existing infections and/or potential infections can be further reduced by employing a catheter body which permits an anti-microbial solution to penetrate into the catheter body and preferably through the catheter into tissue surrounding the implanted catheter.

Methods and kits for locking and disinfecting implanted catheters

Implanted catheters are locked with a solution comprising a lower alcohol, typically ethanol, propanol, or butanol, most preferably isopropanol, and an additive, the additive comprising an anti-microbial, typically taurolidine or triclosan, or an anti-coagulant, typically riboflavin, sodium citrate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, or citric acid. The use of an alcohol and additive solution can effectively reduce fouling of the catheter, particularly clotting and thrombus in intravascular catheters, as well as reduce the risk of infection. The risk of infection can be further reduced by employing a catheter body which is sufficiently porous to permit the anti-microbial solution of a lower alcohol and another anti-microbial or anti-coagulant compound to penetrate into the catheter body and preferably through the catheter into tissue surrounding the implanted catheter.

Implanted catheters are locked with a solution comprising a lower alcohol, typically ethanol, propanol, or butanol, most preferably isopropanol. The use of an alcohol can both reduce fouling of the catheter, particularly clotting and thrombus in intravascular catheters, as well as reducing the risk of infection. The risk of infection can be further reduced by employing a catheter body which is sufficiently porous to permit the lower alcohol or other anti-microbial solution to penetrate into the catheter body and preferably through the catheter into tissue surrounding the implanted catheter.

Implantable ports and other devices are cleansed by the injection of a washing solution into a region in the device or in a tissue pocket surrounding the device. In a first embodiment, the washing solution is injected through an aperture in the device to flush internal regions of the device before infusing the tissue pocket and flushing outwardly through a tissue tract leading to the device. In other embodiments, the washing solution is injected directly to a target site on the exterior of the device. Implantable devices may include special, usually hardened, target regions for receiving the sharpened end of a needle used to inject the washing solution. Kits will include devices, syringes, access devices, and instructions for cleansing according to the methods of the present invention.

Methods and apparatus for inhibiting infection of subcutaneously implanted devices

Implantable ports and other devices are disinfected by the injection of an anti-microbial agent into a region in the device or in a tissue pocket surrounding the device. In a first embodiment, the anti-microbial agent is injected through an aperture in the device to flush internal regions of the device before infusing the tissue pocket and flushing outwardly through a tissue tract leading to the device. In other embodiments, the anti-microbial agent is injected directly to a target site on the exterior of the device. Implantable devices may include special, usually hardened, target regions for receiving the sharpened end of a needle used to inject the anti-microbial agent. Kits will include devices, syringes, access devices, and instructions for disinfection according to the methods of the present invention.

Methods and apparatus for disinfecting subcutaneously implanted devices

Implantable ports and other devices are disinfected by the injection of an anti-microbial agent into a tissue pocket surrounding the device. In a first embodiment, the anti-microbial agent is injected through an aperture in the device to flush internal regions of the device before infusing the tissue pocket. In other embodiments, the anti-microbial agent is injected directly to a target site on the exterior of the device. Implantable devices may include special, usually hardened, target regions for receiving the sharpened end of a needle used to inject the anti-microbial agent.

Systems for draining retained body fluids comprise an implantable port in an access tube. Usually, a drainage cannula for connecting the implantable port to a site of fluid retention is also provided. The implantable port and drainage cannula are implanted subcutaneously with one end of the cannula within the site of fluid retention and the port located remotely from such site. Drainage may then be effected by percutaneously introducing the access tube to the port and optionally applying a vacuum. Kits comprise the implantable port together with instructions for implanting the port as described above. Kits also comprise an access tube with instructions for use for accessing an implanted port as described above.

Systems and methods for removing retained fluids and infusing

A catheter with valve for implantation in a vascular structure of a living being. The catheter is in the general shape of a 'T' with the top of the 'T' implanted within the lumen of or anastomotically attached to a vascular structure. The lumen of the implanted portion of the catheter completely occupies or may be aligned with the lumen of the vascular structure, causing all blood flow through the vascular structure to be directed through the implanted portion of the catheter. A valve is placed in the wall of the implanted portion of the catheter which opens into the lumen of the leg of the 'T' of the catheter upon application of sufficient differential pressure between the lumens of the two portions of the catheter. The leg of the 'T' may be connected to the side wall of the implant portion of the catheter at an angle, such that the axis of the lumen of the leg of the 'T' intersects the axis of the lumen of the implanted portion of the catheter at approximately a 45.degree. angle.

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Sammamish, WA, United States of America

John H Wang