Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a reservoir, a drug delivery member in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a plunger disposed in and moveable relative to the reservoir. A plunger rod has a mass MP and is movable from (i) a first position, where the distal end of the plunger rod is spaced apart from the plunger to (ii) a second position, where the distal end of the plunger rod contacts the plunger. A drive mechanism is coupled to the proximal end of the plunger rod and is configured to deliver a drive force FD to move the plunger rod from the first position to the second position. A ratio of the mass of the plunger rod to the drive force of the drive mechanism (MP/FD) is in a range of approximately a value greater than 0 kg/kgf to approximately 0.05 kg/kgf.

Abstract: An autoinjector (100?) for expelling a single dose of a drug from a held cartridge (600) comprising a piston (630). The autoinjector includes a needle shield (350, 380?) axially movable from an initial extended position via a triggering position to a trigger release position. The needle shield (350, 380?) is operatively coupled to a plunger release element (320?, 1320) cooperating with a plunger (310, 400) to define a releasable retaining mechanism that retains the plunger release element (320?, 1320) threadedly engaged with a base thread component (204?, 1204) in a predefined relative rotational and axial position and against rotational bias provided by an actuator (330). The needle shield (350, 380?) is configured for operating the retaining mechanism to release the retaining of the plunger release element (320?, 1320) and the base thread component (204?, 1204) from the predefined relative rotational and axial position upon the needle shield (350, 380?) being moved into the trigger release position.

Abstract: A device and method for establishing retrograde blood flow during recanalization of a vessel having a targeted blockage. While in a collapsed state an occluding component is introduced distally intravascularly traversing the targeted blockage to its distal side. Then, the occluding component transitions to an expanded state having an enlarged diameter forming a seal with an internal wall of the vessel prohibiting anterograde blood flow beyond the expanded occluding component. Retrograde blood flow is thereby established in a region of the vessel bound at one end by the occluding component and at an opposite end by the targeted blockage by dispensing a flushing fluid into the region of the vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for injecting one or more agents into tissue within a patient's body. In one embodiment, an injection device is provided that includes an outer tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; a relatively small cross-section needle tip extending distally beyond the distal end, and an internal pressure release member slidably disposed within the lumen between a distal position and a proximal position to prevent viscous injectate from expressing from the distal tip.

Abstract: An infusion device includes a pump for pumping a medical fluid from a fluid container through a delivery line towards a patient at a flow rate, a sensor for measuring a force on the pump or the delivery line, and a processor device configured to derive, from the force measured by the sensor, a pressure value indicative of the pressure in the delivery line and to compare the pressure value to a threshold value for determining whether an occlusion in the delivery line is present. A storage device stores a compliance value associated with the pump and/or the delivery line, and the processor device is configured to compute, from the stored compliance value, the flow rate and the threshold value, an estimate of a duration between the time of an occurrence of an occlusion and the time at which the pressure value exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A medical device for infusing medical substances has activation buttons accessible on the exterior of the device housing. Activation buttons and corresponding electrical switches within the housing are configured to prevent inadvertent activation of the buttons and therefore inadvertent operation of the switches to initiate a process such as medical substance delivery to the user. The device employs overlap of respective time traces initiated by activation of the activation buttons to determine whether activation is intended and valid. These time traces do not have to be initiated simultaneously or in any particular sequence. The activation buttons can be elastomeric overmolded buttons set within cutouts in the housing, and, when depressed, make physical contact with respective switches.

Abstract: Infusion systems and related methods involving a catheter hub and an extension or IV administration set having a male Luer connector for fluid communication with the catheter hub. A support adaptor is provided with the extension or IV administration set and has a body with a length between first and second ends, and a body wall having a continuous wall surface in a radial direction relative to the length and which defines an exterior of the body. An internal wall of the support adaptor defines a bore with the body wall, wherein the bore has first and second openings. A tubing length is located in the bore and extends out of the second opening. The bore includes first and second bore sections. Optionally, the second bore section is angled relative to the first bore section. A support surface is located beneath the bore, elevation wise.

Abstract: A gas mixture apparatus includes a measurement control system, an activation system, a pressurized chamber with one or more gases, and a mixing chamber. A filter can be preattached to the outlet of the mixture apparatus, allowing excess gas to be discharged therethrough and then atmospheric air to be drawn into the mixture apparatus through the filter for creating a therapeutic gas mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for intracranial vessel access. In particular, a system including a co-axial combination of a steerable variable thickness microwire operatively supporting a tapered larger bore support and larger bore distal access catheter is described. Methods of advancing the intracranial access system through the vasculature are also described.

Abstract: A stable-foam inhalation-device cartridge for a stable-foam inhalation device which dispenses a stable foam to be consumed by a user. The cartridge is devoid of an electrical energisation component. The cartridge includes a flexible mixing chamber, first and second foam-generation elements, an expansion chamber, a partitioning element having one or more mixing members for agitating a consumable foam and a discharge element. The discharge element has an outlet opening an inlet opening and a discharge conduit which interconnects the inlet opening with the outlet opening. The discharge conduit has a longitudinal extent which locates the inlet opening at a position closer to the partitioning element than to the outlet opening.

Abstract: A supplementary device is configured to be attached to a drug delivery device. The supplementary device comprises a non-contact sensor configured to output signals indicative of the position of a moveable component within the drug delivery device. The supplementary device further comprises a processor configured to receive the signals output from the non-contact sensor. This processor is additionally configured to determine, based on the signals, whether the drug delivery device is in a pre-activation state or a post-activation state.

Abstract: Anti-snagging components for use in infusion sets are provided. The anti-snagging component includes a sliding surface that guides an infusion set component past an obstruction when the infusion set is moved during manufacture or use. An anti-snagging structure may be integrally formed as a portion of an infusion set component or the anti-snagging structure may be a separate component that connects or attaches to an infusion set component. Some anti-snagging structures include a covering portion to cover a needleless connector and a tail portion to connect to a length of tubing. The covering portion may include an anti-microbial coating.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter. The catheter may include a catheter shaft and a balloon. The balloon may comprise a cone portion, a waist portion, and a body portion. A fiber braid may be disposed along the balloon. An inner surface of the waist portion may be thermally bonded to an outer surface of the catheter shaft and an inner surface of the fiber braid may be adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the waist portion.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device includes a device housing for placing on the skin of a patient, the housing including a needle aperture; a needle for injecting a medicament, the needle arranged to pass through the needle aperture; and sensors configured to provide a signal when the housing is placed on the skin of the patient. The sensors are arranged around the needle aperture.

Abstract: A device for secluding a body vessel may include a distal balloon, a proximal balloon, an aspiration port positioned adjacent to the distal balloon, an injection port positioned adjacent to the proximal balloon, and a lumen assembly. The lumen assembly may comprise a central lumen, a distal balloon lumen operably coupled to the distal balloon, a proximal balloon lumen operably coupled to the proximal balloon, an aspiration port lumen operably coupled to the aspiration port, and an injection port lumen operably coupled to the injection port. The distal balloon and the proximal balloon may define a treatment chamber therebetween, and the aspiration port and the injection port may be positioned within the treatment chamber on the lumen assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety puncturing system comprising a cannula and a guidewire.

Abstract: A sensor assembly measures characteristics of a fluid entering or exiting a patient via a catheter. The sensor assembly includes a flow tube that accepts the fluid at a first end thereof expels the fluid at a second end thereof, a plurality of sensors disposed about the flow tube, the sensors including at least one temperature sensor that measures temperature of the fluid and at least one pressure sensor that measures pressure of the fluid, and a connector that connects the sensor assembly to the catheter. The sensors may also include a clarity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a flow sensor, and/or an air detector. The sensor assembly may also include a wireless communication device that provides wireless communication. The sensor assembly may communicate with a dialysis machine via a network. The dialysis machine may be a peritoneal dialysis machine.

Abstract: An introducer needle assembly including a compressible section between the rigid needle and the hub. Once the vessel is entered as determined by blood entering the syringe, the compressible section of the introducer needed is occluded by compressing the section with the thumb and a finger. Neither blood for air can pass. Since the compressible section is in a flattened area it is easier to hold the needle while the syringe is unscrewed. The operator then can begin threading a guidewire down the divide which is now easier to enter because blood is not coming out of the hub thus obscuring the lumen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lubricant coating (5) for a medical injection device (1), comprising successively: —a bottom layer (50) in contact with the medical device surface (21) of the container to be lubricated, comprising a mixture of cross-linked and non-cross-linked poly-(dimethylsiloxane), —an intermediate layer (51) consisting essentially of oxidized poly-(dimethylsiloxane) and having a thickness comprised between 10 and 30 nm and, —a top layer (52) consisting essentially of non-cross-linked poly-(dimethylsiloxane) and having a thickness of at most 2 nm. The invention also relates to a medical injection device comprising such a lubricant coating, and a manufacturing process for said coating.

Abstract: Devices and methods for securing a catheter and monitoring a catheter insertion site. Exemplary embodiments can allow monitoring of the site without removal of the device. Exemplary embodiments can also secure a catheter while maintaining patient comfort.