Abstract: Smart sensors are employed to determine one or more of drug identification, dose, flow rate, concentration, agglomeration, and degradation and/or other characteristics of drug administration that can be detected via sensing technology. A smart sensor(s) can be coupled to or retrofitted onto injection pen injectors and/or drug delivery cartridges and/or infusion sets or cannulae, enabling infusion sets, pen injector systems or drug delivery cartridges to improve tracking of drug self-administration and stop medication errors that occur primarily through self or automated injection (e.g., due to incorrect or incomplete dosing, excessive dose or rate, incorrect drug, or drug degradation).

Abstract: Smart sensors are employed to determine one or more of drug identification, dose, flow rate, concentration, agglomeration, and degradation and/or other characteristics of drug administration that can be detected via sensing technology. A smart sensor(s) can be coupled to or retrofitted onto injection pen injectors and/or drug delivery cartridges and/or infusion sets or cannulae, enabling infusion sets, pen injector systems or drug delivery cartridges to improve tracking of drug self-administration and stop medication errors that occur primarily through self or automated injection (e.g., due to incorrect or incomplete dosing, excessive dose or rate, incorrect drug, or drug degradation).

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the use of a fluid over the lifecycle of the fluid, said systems including a plurality of fluid identification stations, each station having one or more sensors to detect and identify a parameter of a fluid, wherein a each station is operably interconnected thereby permitting each station to access and verify the identity of a fluid as determined by each independent fluid identification station.

Abstract: An attachment device for identifying one or more constituents within a fluid includes a first end configured to selectively attach to an opening of a container holding a fluid, and a sensor coupled to the attachment body. The sensor further includes one or more sensor elements positioned to detect and analyze a fluid within the container. The sensor is further configured to perform one or more tests on the fluid, wherein the one or more tests are useful in identifying one or more constituents within the fluid.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which an end effector (e.g., medical instrument, such as a needle, catheter, etc.) is manipulated to simulate needle insertion, etc. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the haptics device includes a receiver. The receiver receives the end effector when it's inserted by a user into the haptics device. Sensors that are associated with the receiver monitor the motion and position of the end effector, generate signals indicative thereof, and transmit the signals to the data processing system. The signals are processed to determine the effects of manipulation of the end effector.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which an end effector (e.g., medical instrument, such as a needle, catheter, etc.) is manipulated to simulate needle insertion, etc. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the haptics device includes a receiver. The receiver receives the end effector when it's inserted by a user into the haptics device. Sensors that are associated with the receiver monitor the motion and position of the end effector, generate signals indicative thereof, and transmit the signals to the data processing system. The signals are processed to determine the effects of manipulation of the end effector.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which a user interacts with various mechanisms that are intended to enable the user to simulate various aspects of a vascular-access procedure. The haptics device is designed so that its physical form and manner of use are not inconsistent with the experience of performing an actual vascular access procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the use of a fluid over the lifecycle of the fluid, said systems including a plurality of fluid identification stations, each station having one or more sensors to detect and identify a parameter of a fluid, wherein a each station is operably interconnected thereby permitting each station to access and verify the identity of a fluid as determined by each independent fluid identification station.

Abstract: An attachment device for identifying one or more constituents within a fluid includes a first end configured to selectively attach to an opening of a container of holding a fluid, and a sensor coupled to the attachment body. The sensor further includes one or more sensor elements positioned to detect and analyze a fluid within the container. The sensor is further configured to perform one or more tests on the fluid, wherein the one or more tests are useful in identifying one or more constituents within the fluid.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator comprises a data-processing system and a haptics device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which an end effector, which is representative of a medical instrument (e.g., a needle, catheter, etc.), is manipulated with respect to a haptics-device base to simulate instrument insertion. The data-processing system, by exchanging signals with the haptics device, provides a three-dimensional simulation that includes the resistive forces that a medical practitioner would experience if the simulated procedure were an actual procedure that was being performed on a real anatomy (e.g., human arm, etc.). The simulator displays the ongoing simulation and assesses the performance of its user.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which an end effector (e.g., medical instrument, such as a needle, catheter, etc.) is manipulated to simulate needle insertion, etc. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the haptics device includes a receiver. The receiver receives the end effector when it's inserted by a user into the haptics device. Sensors that are associated with the receiver monitor the motion and position of the end effector, generate signals indicative thereof, and transmit the signals to the data processing system. The signals are processed to determine the effects of manipulation of the end effector.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system that provides realistic training and practice for vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface for performing vascular-access procedures by manipulating a needle/catheter module to simulate needle insertion, etc. Some embodiments of the system include a palpation module, a skin-stretch module, or both. The palpation module provides an ability to practice palpation and occlusion techniques, while the skin-stretch module provides an ability to practice a skin-stretch technique.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator comprises a data-processing system and a haptics device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which an end effector, which is representative of a medical instrument (e.g., a needle, catheter, etc.), is manipulated with respect to a haptics-device base to simulate instrument insertion. The data-processing system, by exchanging signals with the haptics device, provides a three-dimensional simulation that includes the resistive forces that a medical practitioner would experience if the simulated procedure were an actual procedure that was being performed on a real anatomy (e.g., human arm, etc.). The simulator displays the ongoing simulation and assesses the performance of its user.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which an end effector (e.g., medical instrument, such as a needle, catheter, etc.) is manipulated to simulate needle insertion, etc. In some embodiments, the orientation of the end effector is sensed. In some embodiments, the end effector is reversibly couples to a force-feedback system, but not until the user does so.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which an end effector (e.g., medical instrument, such as a needle, catheter, etc.) is manipulated to simulate needle insertion, etc. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the haptics device includes a receiver. The receiver receives the end effector when it's inserted by a user into the haptics device. Sensors that are associated with the receiver monitor the motion and position of the end effector, generate signals indicative thereof, and transmit the signals to the data processing system. The signals are processed to determine the effects of manipulation of the end effector.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which a user interacts with various mechanisms that are intended to enable the user to simulate various aspects of a vascular-access procedure. The haptics device is designed so that its physical form and manner of use are not inconsistent with the experience of performing an actual vascular access procedure.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system that provides realistic training and practice for vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface for performing vascular-access procedures by manipulating a needle/catheter module to simulate needle insertion, etc. Some embodiments of the system include a palpation module, a skin-stretch module, or both. The palpation module provides an ability to practice palpation and occlusion techniques, while the skin-stretch module provides an ability to practice a skin-stretch technique.