Implantable drug delivery devices are provided to have a deployment shape for implantation in the body and a retention shape for retention in the body. The device may have one or more elongated drug reservoirs containing a drug, and the drug reservoir may be formed from a deformable material. In one case, a first filament is attached to the first end of the drug reservoir and second filament is attached to the second end of the drug reservoir, wherein a fastener is positioned about the first and second filaments to permit shortening and prevent lengthening of the filaments with reference to the ends of the drug reservoir, as a means for transforming the device from the implantation shape to the retention shape.

A urinary catheter assembly includes a catheter member and a sleeve member receiving at least a portion of the catheter member and having a greater flexibility than the catheter member. The assembly also includes a stylet having a proximal end movably positioned within the catheter member, with a distal portion of the stylet being positioned outside of the catheter member. The assembly is movable between a compact configuration and an extended configuration. In the compact configuration, the distal portion of the stylet is positioned outside of the catheter member and at least partially within the sleeve member. In the extended configuration, a larger distal portion of the stylet is positioned outside of the catheter member than in the compact configuration. The assembly may be in the extended configuration for introduction into a urethra or may be advanced through a urethra prior to being moved to the extended configuration.

A ureteral catheter includes a drainage lumen including a proximal portion configured to be positioned in at least a portion of a patient's urethra and/or bladder and a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's kidney, renal pelvis, and/or in the ureter adjacent to the renal pelvis, the distal portion including a retention portion for maintaining positioning of the distal portion of the drainage lumen, the retention portion including two or more openings on a sidewall of the retention portion for permitting fluid flow into the drainage lumen, wherein a number of the openings nearer to a distal end of the retention portion is greater than a number of the opening(s) nearer to a proximal end of the retention portion.

Impedance is detected between electrodes coupled to an indwelling medical device to monitor bacteria growth and/or formation of a bacterial biofilm in an in vivo environment. When an antimicrobial agent is present in the in vivo environment, the same voltage that enables impedance detection also generates a bioelectric effect, which decreases a size of the bacterial biofilm or inhibits growth of the bacterial biofilm. In some embodiments, the impedance detected between the electrodes can also be used as a feedback mechanism. When detection indicates that a bacterial biofilm has formed, the system can take remedial measures, such as introducing an antimicrobial agent to the in vivo environment and/or delivering a voltage higher than detecting voltage to deliver a greater bioelectric effect. In some embodiments, the electrodes can be formed on a flexible substrate that is mounted on and conforms to a non-flat surface of the indwelling medical device.

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 catheter has a double-action retention mechanism with (a) one retention mechanism having a reinforced retention body transformable into a deployed flower-like configuration when the catheter is inserted in the bodily cavity, and (b) a stabilizer securing the catheter to a patient's body to maintain a stable position. The retention mechanism for securing the catheter in the bodily cavity is configured with a thickened or reinforced wall portions of the retention body. The inner channel of the catheter body is wider than conventional catheters, thus attaining better drainage and better fluid flow. Due to the reinforced flower configuration, an inadvertent removal of the catheter with the flower configuration fully deployed will afflict no significant damage. When the catheter is to be removed, the catheter's body is disengaged from the stabilizer and the flower configuration of the retention mechanism retention body controllably collapses, thus transforming the catheter to a configuration suitable for removal of the catheter from the bodily cavity. The improved Catheter is simple in operation, safe, prevents from CAUTI, and provides a non-residual urine drainage and high flow rate.

A fluid conduit includes a first portion having a first porosity, a second portion disposed immediately adjacent to the first portion, the second portion having a second porosity that is greater than the first porosity, and a third portion of the fluid conduit disposed immediately adjacent to the second portion, the third portion having a third porosity that is less than the second porosity. Each of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion may be integrally formed as a single, continuous piece defining the fluid conduit.

The present invention is a urinary catheter with media injection channel suited for prostatitis treatment and therapy. The urinary catheter with media injection channel contains a catheter body, an injection channel, and at least one injection aperture. The catheter body contains a bladder opening, a balloon, and a utility port. The bladder opening and the utility port are positioned terminally opposite to each other along the catheter body. The balloon is positioned between the bladder opening and the utility port. At least one injection aperture is positioned adjacent to the balloon, opposite to the bladder opening. At least one injection aperture is distributed about the catheter body. The injection channel traverses from the utility port to the at least one injection aperture.

A method of assessing bladder storage anomalies via utilization of an indwelling urinary drainage catheter is provided. A urodynamic assessment assembly is provided, the assembly characterized by a pressure sensor for vesical pressure measurement, a processor/controller for receiving, processing and/or displaying select urodynamic patient parameters comprising sensed/monitored pressure data, and a catheter balloon adaptor for operably uniting the pressure sensor of the urodynamic assessment assembly to a balloon inflation valve of the indwelling urinary drainage catheter, the indwelling urinary drainage catheter operably linked with the urodynamic assessment assembly. Vesical pressure is sensed via the vesical pressure sensor during a bladder emptying event, the bladder emptying event characterized by an application of variable resistance to fluid flow from the bladder via the indwelling urinary drainage catheter with vesical pressure/outlet resistance/flow rate relationships established based upon sensed vesical pressure values.

A rigid package or container for a sterile pre-lubricated, ready to use female-length catheter with enhanced gel holders and simple constructions. A main body of the rigid container has a hollow interior which may receive a gel holder defining an inner cavity filled with a lubricating gel. The gel holder partly inserts into the main body and a tube of the catheter inserts through the gel holder into the main body with a proximal outlet projecting out of the gel holder so as to be graspable. Alternatively, the gel may be provided within the hollow interior of the main body. A rigid and closed cap seals to either the main body or the gel holder and closes the hollow interior of the main body.