An implantable renal replacement therapy device may include: a first catheter configured to be inserted into a blood vessel in a subject's body; a pump in fluid communication with the first catheter, the pump is configured to pump subject's blood from the blood vessel; a filter in fluid communication with the pump, the filter is configured to: receive the subject's blood from the pump, and filter the received blood to provide a filtered blood and a filtrate liquid, wherein the filter is in fluid communication with the first catheter to cause an outflow of the filtered blood from the filter to the blood vessel; and a second catheter in fluid communication with the filter and configured to be inserted into an urinary bladder in the subject's body to cause an outflow of the filtrate liquid from the filter to the urinary bladder.

Implants comprising electrically-responsive hydrogel are described. Systems to provide electricity to induce response in hydrogel-containing implants are described. Methods for utilizing said system and methods for utilizing said hydrogel-containing implants are described.

Minimally invasive catheter relates to the field of eversible catheters. It is primarily intended for use as a urinary catheter, but is also usable in other fields. As a urinary catheter this minimally invasive catheter 1 used as an indwelling or intermittent catheter with transurethral or suprapubic approach. This catheter has specific technical solution for eversible motion where tubular membrane 2, attached between distal part 36a of the handle 36 and distal part 3a of the inner tube 3, can in one case free slide between these two parts and in another be fixed to form hermetically sealed space 14. Free sliding of membrane ensures eversible principle of motion during placement and withdrawal of the catheter 1. Fixation of membrane allows a formation of hermetically sealed space 14 with fluid to make catheter surface smoother and softer, and a balloon 33 to hold catheter 1 in place for prolonged period of time. Thus, present invention provides a urinary catheter that enables the reduced incidence of complications arising due to its application.

A percutaneous urinary catheter configured to be deployed in a urinary tract, including: (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion including a retention portion configured to be deployed in a kidney and/or a renal pelvis, the retention portion including one or more drainage holes leading to one or more lumen(s) within the proximal portion, wherein the retention portion, when deployed, defines a three-dimensional shape sized and positioned to maintain patency of fluid flow between the kidney and/or renal pelvis and a proximal end of the catheter by inhibiting mucosal tissue from appreciably occluding the one or more drainage holes when negative pressure is applied through the catheter.

A percutaneous urinary catheter configured to be deployed in a urinary tract, including: (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion including a retention portion configured to be deployed in a kidney and/or a renal pelvis, the retention portion including one or more drainage holes leading to one or more lumen(s) within the proximal portion, wherein the retention portion, when deployed, defines a three-dimensional shape sized and positioned to maintain patency of fluid flow between the kidney and/or renal pelvis and a proximal end of the catheter by inhibiting mucosal tissue from appreciably occluding the one or more drainage holes when negative pressure is applied through the catheter.

The present invention discloses a urinary catheter that utilizes balloons to generate a method of urine drainage. The disclosed invention does not implement a traditional drainage port and avoids an exposed catheter tip. Rather, this invention consists of a multi-lumen shaft with a divided tip that generates a horizontal aperture for urine drainage when separated. The invention utilizes retention members that can take the form of multiple expandable balloons or a singular, expandable, central balloon. The balloon element can consists of balloons that are attached separately to each divided tip or one balloon shared with adjacent divided tips so that when the balloon element expands, a communication channel is revealed between the bladder and the central lumen of the shaft, ultimately generating a method of urine drainage.

Apparatus for illuminating comprises one or more fibers, the one or more fibers including fiber portions meeting at an apex and a bottom location to form a three dimensional cage; a detector attached to each of the fiber portions for receiving light and transmitting light along each of the fiber portions, respectively; and an illumination member situated within the cage. A method for illuminating a hollow member includes the steps of inserting one or more fibers into the hollow member, wherein one or more fibers include fiber portions that meet at a location to form a three-dimensional cage; permitting light to emit from within the three-dimensional cage and towards the fiber portions; receiving light at distinct locations on each of said fibers; and allowing each of the fibers to transmit the light received on each of the fiber portions out of the hollow member.

Devices that are placed within fluid filled organs, such as the bladder, which reduce the risk of bacterial infections using a combination of active agents and mechanical disruption of bacteria.

A pubic catheter apparatus (20) for storing a urinary catheter and drawing fluid from a bladder comprises a sanitation unit (66) defining a sanitation chamber (68) for impermeably sealing a fluid outlet (42) of the catheter from the environment when the fluid outlet (42) is disposed in the sanitation chamber (68). A support (54, 72) having a retained condition for connecting and holding the sanitation unit (66) adjacent to the body of the human and a release condition for releasing and removing the sanitation unit (66) from the body of the human. The support (54, 72) can include a belt (54) and a pouch (48) disposed thereon for surrounding and storing the sanitation unit (66), and connectors (72) in the pouch (48) having the retained condition for holding the sanitation unit (66) in the pouch (48) and the release condition for removing the sanitation unit (66) from the pouch (48).

Disclosed are a device and a method for irrigating a urinary catheter connected to a drainage bag. The device is configured to be selectively operated in any one of a drainage state, an irrigation state, and a disposal state without requiring its disconnection from the drainage bag. The device includes a port for receipt of a syringe holding an irrigation fluid. When in the drainage state the device enables fluid from the patient to passively drain into the bag. When in the irrigation state the device isolates the catheter from the bag and enables the irrigation liquid to be introduced from the syringe into the catheter and the patient's bladder to produce a contaminated fluid and also enables the contaminated fluid to be withdrawn back into the syringe. In the disposal state the device isolates the catheter from the drainage bag and enables the contaminated fluid to be introduced into the discharge bag.