Abstract: An improved catheter insertion assembly having a transparent tubular member open at each end; a plunger assembly slidable within the tubular member having a stem portion at a first end; and at least a partially transparent chamber having a needle base and sealing member on a second end of the plunger assembly; an elongated tubular needle embedded within the needle base and extending there from with the needle in fluid communication with the transparent chamber; a catheter assembly, a transparent cannula and a transparent hub attached to the second end with the tubular needle passing longitudinally through the cannula; a fluid passage formed between the needle and the cannula so that when the plunger is retracted a vacuum is established within the fluid passage and blood is visibly drawn through the fluid passage into the transparent cannula and if volume permits, blood then would be visible in the transparent hub, and then if volume permits blood would be visible in the void of the catheter body (barrel) crea

Abstract: An anchoring mechanism and method for anchoring a device within a biological conduit include an expandable element configured for retaining the device at a desired angle relative to a central axis of the biological conduit. A steering mechanism is preferably provided for orienting the device prior to operation of the anchoring mechanism. The anchoring mechanism and method are employed in drug delivery devices, brachytherapy devices or for anchoring a catheter or sheath to provide a working channel for reliable guidance of a wide range of tools to a target location within the body.

Abstract: An actuating member for making a flexible elongated member perform a predetermined action includes a push/pull member having a tip side and a base end side, the push/pull member including: a first moving portion and a second moving portion that are located on the base end side of the push/pull member and are movable relative to one another along an axis of the push/pull member, a first extending portion that extends from the first moving portion towards the tip side of the push/pull member, and a second extending portion that extends from the second moving portion towards the tip side of the push/pull member; an operating member that is rotatable about an axis that intersects an axis of the push/pull member, the operating member being configured such that rotation of the operating member causes movement of the first moving portion and the second moving portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap for a medical connector. More specifically, the present invention related to an antimicrobial cap for placement over a connector, wherein various features of the antimicrobial cap maintain the connector in an antiseptic state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device comprising a generally tubular distal housing part (10; 110) having opposite proximal and distal ends, wherein third mechanically coded interface means (11; 111) are arranged on its proximal end; a generally tubular proximal housing (20; 120) part having opposite proximal and distal ends and being releasibly connected to said distal housing part, wherein with fourth mechanically coded interface means (22; 122) are arranged on its distal end; a medicament container having a slidable stopper, wherein said container is arranged to be positioned within said proximal housing part; a plunger rod (60; 160) arranged within said distal housing; drive means arranged within said distal housing and being operably connected to said plunger rod for driving said plunger rod and thereby said stopper towards the proximal end of the device; wherein said device further comprises an interface member (50; 150) comprising first (51; 151) and second (52; 152) mechanicall

Abstract: A syringe includes a syringe cylinder and a distal end designed as a syringe cone. The distal end comprises a region set back in a radial direction such that an edge extending in the circumferential direction is formed. The edge has a first chamfer, and comprises an attachment piece having a clamping region. Holding forces are introduced from the attachment piece via the clamping region in the region of the syringe set back in a radial direction. The clamping region comprises a distal edge. The the distal edge of the clamping region has a second chamfer.

Abstract: A trocar for use in a minimally invasive surgical procedure includes an elongated body, nozzle means and means for delivering a pressurized flow of fluid to the nozzle means. The elongated body has a generally tubular configuration with coaxially arranged inner and outer walls and longitudinally opposed proximal and distal end portions, with the inner wall defining a lumen to accommodate passage of an instrument therethrough. The nozzle means is operatively associated with the inner wall of the body for directing pressurized fluid into the lumen to develop a pressure differential in an area within a region extending from a location adjacent a distal end portion of the lumen to a location adjacent a proximal end portion of the lumen, to form a fluid seal around an instrument passing therethrough.

Abstract: Described is a device and method for administration of molecules to tissue in vivo for various medical applications, the device comprising a single hypodermic injection needle and at least two spaced elongate electrodes which provide for the ability, when the needle is inserted into tissue, such as skin or muscle, to pulse tissue with a non-uniform electric field sufficient to cause reversible poration of cells lying along or in close proximity to the track made by the needle upon its insertion into said tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inserter for an infusion set for intermittent or continuous administration of a therapeutical substance, such as e.g. insulin. The inserter comprises a needle hub comprising an insertion needle and two spring units assuring automatic insertion and automatic retraction of the insertion needle. The inserter comprises a housing (1), a carrier body (2) carrying an infusion part (8), a needle hub (3), a first moving unit (4) bringing the carrier body (2) to a forward position and a second moving unit (5) bringing the carrier body (2) to a retracted position. The inserter is characterized in that it has means for activation which should be activated at least once in order to bring the carrier body (2) from a retracted to a forward position, and back from the forward to the retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device comprising a generally tubular distal housing part (10; 110) having opposite proximal and distal ends, wherein third mechanically coded interface means (11; 111) are arranged on its proximal end; a generally tubular proximal housing (20; 120) part having opposite proximal and distal ends and being releasibly connected to said distal housing part, wherein with fourth mechanically coded interface means (22; 122) are arranged on its distal end; a medicament container having a slidable stopper, wherein said container is arranged to be positioned within said proximal housing part; a plunger rod (60; 160) arranged within said distal housing; drive means arranged within said distal housing and being operably connected to said plunger rod for driving said plunger rod and thereby said stopper towards the proximal end of the device; wherein said device further comprises an interface member (50; 150) comprising first (51; 151) and second (52; 152) mechanicall

Abstract: A patch pump utilizes piezoelectricity to dispense medicament from a cartridge syringe to a patient. Pump can include a plurality of piezoelectric elements that when energized cause linear motion of a pushrod that interfaces with the syringe in the cartridge to advance the syringe and dispense the medicament. The high torque generated by the piezoelectric elements is directly converted into the same amount of torque on the lead screw, so no torque increasing gear reduction system is needed and the pushrod utilized to drive the syringe can be contained within and connected directly to the motor assembly. Such a piezoelectric-based system can therefore be made smaller and with fewer moving parts than an electromagnetic motor of the same capability such that the pump has a smaller size than has heretofore been possible with prior art electromagnetic-based syringe pumps and other pumps that utilize gear reduction systems.

Abstract: A breast milk storage system which comprises a mandrel for selective engagement with a bottle connector of a breast pump. The storage system also includes at least one clamp in pivotal engagement with the mandrel, and a lock ring. The lock ring is positioned for rotation about the mandrel and the at least one clamp. Rotation of the lock ring effectuates pivoting of the at least one clamp between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the at least one clamp is pivoted with respect to the mandrel and presses against the mandrel so as to retain a storage bag in place by pinching said storage bag between the at least one clamp and the mandrel.

Abstract: An integrated septum and needle tip shield for use in a catheter assembly includes a septum configured to removably engage with an inner surface of a catheter hub and a tip shield secured inside the septum. The tip shield is configured to move between an open position in which a tip of a needle is distal of the tip shield and a closed position in which the tip of the needle is protected inside the tip shield.

Abstract: An adapter assembly (120) for connecting a catheter assembly (50,52) to a tunneler (110) having a generally tubular body (122) having a first end (124), a second end (126) and a longitudinal axis ( )128 extending therethrough between the first end and the second end. The first end (124) of the adapter is constructed to engage the proximal end (114) of a trocar (110). The second end (126) of the adapter is constructed to releasably engage at least one catheter lumen (50,52). A slider (140) is disposed about the adapter (120) and is longitudinally slidable along the adapter. When the slider (140) is slid towards the second end (126) of the adapter, the slider engages a plurality of legs (134a-134d) on the adapter and biases the plurality of legs toward each other and the longitudinal axis of the adapter.

Abstract: An administering apparatus having a casing including a reservoir for a product to be administered, a piston which can be shifted in the reservoir in an advancing direction towards a reservoir outlet to administer the product, a piston rod, a dosing and drive element for performing a dosing movement for selecting a product dose and a delivery movement for delivering the product dose, and a dose setting member which is moved in the advancing direction during the delivery movement, and which engages the piston rod and the casing such that it can only be moved in the advancing direction jointly with the piston rod and is moved counter to the advancing direction relative to the piston rod during the dosing movement.

Abstract: A patient hydration system including an infusion device for administering hydration fluid to a patient, and a hydration fluid measurement device responsive to a source of hydration fluid, a patient urine output measurement device. A controller is responsive to the hydration fluid measurement device and the patient urine output measurement device. The controller operates the infusion device, in response to the patient urine output measurement device and the hydration fluid measurement device, to hydrate the patient based on the patient's urine output. The controller also monitors the operation history of the infusion device thereby providing redundancy in the measurement of the amount of hydration fluid administered to the patient.

Abstract: Lumen-traveling devices capable of controlled material release and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, as well as additional components such as a sensor, a material release portion, and/or control circuitry. In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to detect a local condition, and a material may be released from the device in response.

Abstract: Syringes and methods of using are described which protect the syringe barrel cavity from contaminants. A first syringe is formed with a corrugated sheath or non-corrugated sheath which is positioned internal or external to the syringe barrel cavity. A second syringe is formed with a syringe barrel having a straight segment and a corrugated segment having the forward face of the plunger handle member molded to the rearward terminus of the corrugated segment of the syringe barrel. A third syringe is formed from mating syringe barrel and plunger member walls. The walls of the mating syringe barrel and plunger member are concentric and slide relative to each other while maintaining an enclosure around the plunger shaft. A fourth syringe is formed from inner and outer concentric syringe barrel walls mating with the walls of a plunger member. The mating walls are concentric and slide relative to each other while maintaining an enclosure around the plunger shaft.

Abstract: A hand-held aspiration apparatus includes a handle configured for suspending and using the syringe with a single hand. The handle includes pivotally connected first and second members. The members of the handle may be pivotally connected at intermediate positions along the lengths thereof. The first member is associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe barrel, while the second member is associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe plunger. The members are configured and associated with one another in such a way that movement of portions thereof toward each other moves the plunger proximally through the barrel, which may create a vacuum in the barrel that may facilitate aspiration, and that movement of portions of the members away from one another moves the plunger distally through the barrel. The aspiration apparatus may be configured for a single-use (i.e., it may be disposable). Applications of use and methods of using a hand-held syringe are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.