Abstract: A surgical instrument stabilizer system that includes an articulating boom that is releasably connectable to a surgical table side rail. The articulating boom includes an actuator, a multi-directional flexible arm having a first end region attached to the actuator, and a cable extending through the flexible arm. The cable has one end region connected to the actuator and another end region connected to a preload tensioning mechanism. The actuator is operable to tighten and loosen the cable, and the preload tensioning mechanism maintains an amount of tension in the cable when the actuator loosens the cable. The system further includes a surgical instrument-supporting member that is attached to a second end region of the flexible arm and is configured to releasably retain a surgical instrument.

Abstract: There is provided a cassette unit that is suitable for use with an auto-injector having an electrically powered drive unit. The cassette unit has a housing defining a cassette unit housing cavity and a needle projection aperture. The cassette unit housing cavity is arranged for receipt of a syringe that is suitable for use in the injected delivery of drug to a patient. The cassette unit includes a removable cap that fits over and thereby, acts such as to close off the needle projection aperture; and connecting to the removable cap, a needle cover defining a needle sheath for sheathing of the needle tip of the syringe. The removable cap is provided with a finger-grip feature that is sized and shaped for gripping by the finger of a user to allow for removal of the removable cap and needle cover from the cassette unit housing.

Abstract: Provided is an auto-injector for a syringe suitable for the injected delivery of drug to a patient. The auto-injector comprises a cassette unit arranged for receipt of a syringe. The cassette unit and/or syringe is movable from a rest position, in which the syringe needle tip is within the drive unit housing to a use position, in which the needle tip protrudes from a needle delivery aperture thereof. The auto-injector comprises a drive unit arranged for docking receipt of the cassette unit at a docking position and a drive arrangement. The drive unit is arranged for initial receipt of the cassette unit at an intermediate pre-docking position and for subsequent transport of the cassette unit to the docking position. In embodiments, the drive unit is arranged such that transport of the cassette unit to the docking position is permitted only following verification of an identifier at the intermediate pre-docking position.

Abstract: There is provided an auto-injector for a syringe that is suitable for use in the injected delivery of drug to a patient. The auto-injector comprises a cassette unit arranged for receipt of a syringe provided with a needle cover and removable cap. The auto-injector also comprises a drive unit arranged for docking receipt of the cassette unit at a docking position and a drive arrangement. The drive unit is provided with a timer that starts a time count on removal of the removable cap and needle cover from the cassette unit.

Abstract: There is provided a cassette unit that is suitable for use with an auto-injector having an electrically powered drive unit. The cassette unit has a housing defining a cassette unit housing cavity and a needle projection aperture. The cassette unit housing cavity is arranged for receipt of a syringe that is suitable for use in the injected delivery of drug to a patient. The cassette unit includes a removable cap that in a capping position fits over and thereby, acts such as to close off, the needle projection aperture. The cassette unit includes a cap lock feature movable from a first cap locking position in which it prevents removal of the removable cap from the capping position with the cassette unit to a second cap non-locking position in which it no longer prevents such cap removal.

Abstract: Provided is a cassette unit suitable for use with an auto-injector having an electrically powered drive unit. The cassette unit has a housing defining a cassette unit housing cavity and a needle projection aperture. The housing cavity is arranged for receipt of a syringe suitable for use in the injected delivery of drug to a patient. The syringe has a barrel for containing a volume of a liquid drug formulation, the barrel defining an end flange at the rear end thereof and a forward shoulder at the forward end thereof. The cassette unit includes a sleeve form adapter arranged for receipt by the syringe barrel and to fit at least partly over the end flange of the syringe barrel. Accommodation of different syringe sizes within the same cassette unit geometry is achievable by selecting a sleeve form adapter tailored to the particular sizing of the barrel of each different syringe.

Abstract: Provided is a cassette unit suitable for use with an auto-injector having an electrically powered drive unit. The cassette unit has a housing defining a cassette unit housing cavity and a needle projection aperture. The housing cavity is arranged for receipt of a syringe for injected delivery of a drug to a patient. The cassette unit includes a removable cap that in a capping position fits over and thereby acts to close off the needle projection aperture; and connecting to the removable cap, a needle cover defining a needle sheath for sheathing the needle tip of the syringe. The removable cap is provided with one or more first engagement features arranged for selectively engaging one or more second engagement features of the cassette unit housing when the removable cap is in the capping position to thereby restrict/prevent rotation of the removable cap and needle cover relative to the housing.

Abstract: Provided is a cassette unit suitable for use with an auto-injector having an electrically powered drive unit. The cassette unit has a housing defining a cassette unit housing cavity and a needle projection aperture. The cassette unit housing cavity is arranged for receipt of a syringe. The syringe has a barrel for containing a volume of a liquid drug formulation, the barrel defining a flange at the rear end thereof and a forward shoulder at the forward end thereof; a hollow needle at a front end of the barrel, the hollow needle defining a needle tip; and a plunger that is axially movable within the barrel. The cassette unit includes, in contact with the plunger and axially movable within the barrel, a plunger slaving part arranged such that when a drive load is applied to a rear drive-receiving face thereof the drive load is evenly transmitted to the plunger.

Abstract: Provided is a cassette unit suitable for use with an auto-injector having an electrically powered drive unit. The cassette unit has a housing defining a cassette unit housing cavity and a needle projection aperture. The cassette unit housing cavity is arranged for receipt of a syringe suitable for use in the injected delivery of drug to a patient. The cassette unit includes a needle cover defining a needle sheath. The removable cap is provided with a connector defining one or more needle cover gripping elements for gripping the needle cover. The connector defines a central hub and the one or more needle gripper elements attach to the central hub and in spaced arrangement relative to each other. The connector locates within the removable cap such that the central hub of the connector is in spaced relationship with a far end wall or surface of the cap interior.

Abstract: A surgical instrument stabilizer system that includes an articulating boom that is releasably connectable to a surgical table side rail. The articulating boom includes an actuator, a multi-directional flexible arm having a first end region attached to the actuator, and a cable extending through the flexible arm. The cable has one end region connected to the actuator and another end region connected to a preload tensioning mechanism. The actuator is operable to tighten and loosen the cable, and the preload tensioning mechanism maintains an amount of tension in the cable when the actuator loosens the cable. The system further includes a surgical instrument-supporting member that is attached to a second end region of the flexible arm and is configured to releasably retain a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A mesh delivery system for sacral colpopexy procedures is disclosed. The system uses a mesh stabilizer (30) that is introduced in a compressed configuration through a surgical port into the abdomen, and a vaginal probe (10) (inserted through the vagina) with a magnetic or non-magnetic head that engages with the mesh stabilizer (30), anchoring it in position. The mesh stabilizer (30) employs a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy, and folds compact to deliver multiple mesh straps or a single Y-shaped surgical mesh in a streamlined configuration into the abdomen for facilitating the sacral colpopexy procedure. After delivery, the stabilizer (30) expands to a functional configuration where it interfaces with the probe (10) head and stabilizes and adjustably feeds the mesh strap(s) for suturing while maintaining stabilization of the mesh on the vaginal apex and while keeping excess mesh from obscuring the surgeons view. After suturing, the stabilizer can be removed back through the surgical port.

Abstract: A mesh delivery system for sacral colpopexy and other procedures involving surgical mesh is disclosed. The system uses a mesh stabilizer (30) that is introduced in a compressed configuration through a surgical port into the abdomen, and a vaginal probe (10) (inserted through the vagina) with a magnetic or non-magnetic head that engages with the mesh stabilizer (30), anchoring it in position. The mesh stabilizer (30) employs a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy, and folds compact to deliver multiple mesh straps or a single Y-shaped surgical mesh in a streamlined configuration into the abdomen for facilitating the sacral colpopexy procedure. After delivery, the stabilizer (30) expands to a functional configuration where it interfaces with the probe (10) head and stabilizes and adjustably feeds the mesh strap(s) in preparation for fixation to the vaginal muscularis while maintaining stabilization of the mesh on the vaginal muscularis and while keeping excess mesh from obscuring the surgeons view.

Abstract: A drill guide assembly for drilling a tunnel having a fixed, non-zero radius of curvature, where the drill guide assembly includes a housing and a sleeve, or cutting tube, configured to reciprocate within the distal portion where the sleeve, or cutting tube, is configured to receive a bone cutting instrument.

Abstract: A mesh delivery system (2) for sacral colpopexy procedures is disclosed. The system (2) uses a mesh stabilizer (30), an endoscopic introducer (2) that carries the mesh stabilizer (30) into the abdomen, and a vaginal probe (10) (inserted through the vagina) with a head that interfaces with the mesh stabilizer (30) in lock-and-key fashion. The mesh stabilizer (30) delivers mesh straps for sacral colpopexy into the abdomen. After delivery, the stabilizer (30) interfaces with the probe (10) head and locks the mesh stabilizer (30) with mesh straps in place. The endoscopic introducer (20) can then be temporarily detached and removed to facilitate suturing of the mesh to the anterior and posterior vaginal walls. After permanent suturing, the introducer (20) can be reinserted and used to retrieve the mesh stabilizer (30) component.

Abstract: A surgical instrument stabilizer system that includes an articulating boom that is releasably connectable to a surgical table side rail. The articulating boom includes an actuator, a multi-directional flexible arm having a first end region attached to the actuator, and a cable extending through the flexible arm. The cable has one end region connected to the actuator and another end region connected to a preload tensioning mechanism. The actuator is operable to tighten and loosen the cable, and the preload tensioning mechanism maintains an amount of tension in the cable when the actuator loosens the cable. The system further includes a surgical instrument-supporting member that is attached to a second end region of the flexible arm and is configured to releasably retain a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A fluid sampling device (100) that operates by a combination of capillary action to collect a small fluid sample, and by pressure differential when inserted into an analyzer (200) to expose the fluid sample for testing by the analyzer (200). The device is especially suited for use as a disposable blood sampling unit designed to interface with a blood analyzer, albeit the concept of the invention may be employed for sampling and testing virtually any fluids.

Abstract: A mesh delivery system for sacral colpopexy procedures is disclosed. The system uses a mesh stabilizer (30) that is introduced in a compressed configuration through a surgical port into the abdomen, and a vaginal probe (10) (inserted through the vagina) with a magnetic or non-magnetic head that engages with the mesh stabilizer (30), anchoring it in position. The mesh stabilizer (30) employs a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy, and folds compact to deliver multiple mesh straps or a single Y-shaped surgical mesh in a streamlined configuration into the abdomen for facilitating the sacral colpopexy procedure. After delivery, the stabilizer (30) expands to a functional configuration where it interfaces with the probe (10) head and stabilizes and adjustably feeds the mesh strap(s) for suturing while maintaining stabilization of the mesh on the vaginal apex and while keeping excess mesh from obscuring the surgeons view. After suturing, the stabilizer can be removed back through the surgical port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided relating to a secure bag assembly to secure cash in transit (“CIT”). In some implementations, the secure bag assembly is installed in a lockable, removable cassette that is fitted to a bill validator. The cassette and bill validator can be installed in an enclosure like those found in retail kiosks, self-checkout terminals, retail safes or gaming machines. In such an implementation, bank notes are deposited in the bill validator and once identified and validated, are securely stacked in the bag assembly within the cassette. The bag assembly can be used for capacities of one banknote up to the maximum capacity allowed by the cassette. The bag assembly is secured in place when installed and is sealed automatically upon removal from the cassette.

Abstract: A drill guide assembly for drilling a tunnel having a fixed, non-zero radius of curvature, where the drill guide assembly includes a housing and a sleeve, or cutting tube, configured to reciprocate within the distal portion where the sleeve, or cutting tube, is configured to receive a bone cutting instrument.

Abstract: A sacral mesh fixation device and method of use for sacral colpopexy. The sacral mesh fixation device comprises multiple hinged sections pivoted together at opposite ends and adapted to clamp one or more strips of sacral mesh there between. A latching mechanism is provided for releasably latching the opposing sections shut, thereby releasably clamping the sacral mesh to allow verification of tension. A sequential latching mechanism is provided to fixedly lock the fixation device to the sacral mesh by latching the remaining section to the prior sections. At least one of the sections may be sutured to tissue and the sacral mesh inserted between the sections and releasably clamped in place, thereby releasably affixing the mesh to the tissue or fixedly locking the mesh to the device thereby permanently locking the mesh to the tissue.