Abstract: The subject invention provides a safety pen needle assembly which includes: a hub; a needle carrier; a needle fixed to the needle carrier; a shield; and, a first engageable locking arrangement for fixing the shield to the needle carrier. Upon a predetermined extent of distal movement of the shield relative to the hub, the first locking arrangement is engaged such that the shield becomes fixed to the needle carrier. Upon further distal movement of the shield relative to the hub beyond the predetermined extent of distal movement, the shield and the needle carrier move in concert together relative to the hub causing a proximal end of the needle to move distally relative to the hub to a retracted state. Advantageously, the subject invention provides a reliable, low-cost safety pen needle assembly which does not require a spring or other biasing element.

Abstract: User-friendly attachment mechanisms for pen needles provide improved handling and ease of use, including locking installation and removal features and sensory feedback when a needle-bearing hub is seated on a pen. Embodiments include a needle-bearing hub includes a circumferentially oriented flexible tab that engages a radially inward rib on an outer cover to assist in attaching a pen device to the pen needle.

Abstract: An instrument, article and method are provided for minimizing pain during administration by injection of a liquid, such as, an anesthetic. The instrument has a forward end. A lightpipe mounted freely for vibration projects out of the forward end. The article, a single use tip, is composed of a tip sleeve removably mounted on the forward end of the instrument and a tip member removably mounted on the projecting lightpipe to vibrate a preselected injection site on a human or animal. The tip sleeve and tip member are covered by an elastic overmold that enables the tip member to vibrate freely with respect to the tip sleeve and light from the lightpipe to illuminate the injection site. A vibration unit mounted in the instrument is coupled to the lightpipe. The method is carried out by imparting vibrations and illumination via the lightpipe to the tip member.

Abstract: An instrument, article and method are provided for minimizing pain during administration by injection of a liquid, such as, an anesthetic. The instrument has a forward end. A rod or lightpipe mounted freely for vibration projects out of the forward end. The article, a single use tip, is composed of a tip sleeve removably mounted on the forward end of the instrument and a tip member removably mounted on the projecting rod or lightpipe to vibrate a preselected injection site on a human or animal. The tip sleeve and tip member are covered by an elastic overmold that enables the tip member to vibrate freely with respect to the tip sleeve and light from the lightpipe to illuminate the injection site. The overmold of the single use tip is torn during removal of the single use tip from the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system including an ultrasound catheter is disclosed herein. The ultrasound catheter includes a flexible catheter housing defining a distal end, a transducer array disposed at least partially within the catheter housing, and a motor coupled with the transducer array. The motor is configured to rotate the transducer array in order to image a three-dimensional volume. The ultrasound catheter also includes a tracking element adapted to provide an estimate of a position and/or orientation of the distal end of the catheter housing. The tracking element is disposed within the catheter housing and immediately adjacent to the distal end.

Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a liquid aerosol formulation, at least one filamentary wick operable to transfer the liquid aerosol formulation, at least one heater operable to at least partially volatilize the liquid aerosol formulation and form an aerosol, a power supply operable to apply voltage across the at least one heater, and a support plate operable to support the at least one heater and the filamentary wick and to form an electrical connection between the at least one heater and the power supply.

Abstract: A blood sample test device has a continuous strip sensor which is advanced through the device so that multiple blood sample tests can be conducted on a single strip. The device is provided with a sprocket having an encoder which engages sprocket holes on the strip to precisely control the advancement of the strip through the device.

Abstract: An improved electrode layout for a continuous strip sensor is provided which reduces misalignment of the electrodes with the contacts which read the position of the strip. Better contact with the electrodes reduces or eliminates transient signals between stop positions of the sensor strip.

Abstract: A tip (41) for use with a lancing device (11). A wall extends upwardly from a base and forms a substantially saddle-shaped distal surface for interfacing with a patient's skin. An opening (43) extends entirely through the tip. The tip (41) is movably received by a pressure sleeve assembly. The pressure sleeve assembly includes a housing (37) and a pressure sleeve movable between first and second positions. A spring (35) is connected between the housing (37) and the pressure sleeve. A lancet (21) is rigidly fixed to the housing (37) and is covered when the pressure sleeve is in the first position and exposed through the substantially saddle-shaped distal surface (42) of the tip (41) when the pressure sleeve is in the second position. The substantially saddleshaped distal surface (42) gathers the patient's skin toward the center of the tip to facilitate expressing blood from a lanced site.

Abstract: An instrument, article and method are provided for minimizing pain during administration by injection of a liquid, such as, an anesthetic. The instrument has a forward end. A rod or lightpipe mounted freely for vibration projects out of the forward end. The article, a single use tip, is composed of a tip sleeve removably mounted on the forward end of the instrument and a tip member removably mounted on the projecting rod or lightpipe to vibrate a preselected injection site on a human or animal. The tip sleeve and tip member are covered by an elastic overmold that enables the tip member to vibrate freely with respect to the tip sleeve and light from the lightpipe to illuminate the injection site. The overmold of the single use tip is torn during removal of the single use tip from the instrument.

Abstract: An improved electrode layout for a continuous strip sensor is provided which reduces misalignment of the electrodes with the contacts which read the position of the strip. Better contact with the electrodes reduces or eliminates transient signals between stop positions of the sensor strip.

Abstract: An improved electrode layout for a continuous strip sensor is provided which reduces misalignment of the electrodes with the contacts which read the position of the strip. Better contact with the electrodes reduces or eliminates transient signals between stop positions of the sensor strip.

Abstract: An improved electrode layout for a continuous strip sensor is provided which reduces misalignment of the electrodes with the contacts which read the position of the strip. Better contact with the electrodes reduces or eliminates transient signals between stop positions of the sensor strip.

Abstract: An instrument, article and method are provided for minimizing pain during administration by injection of a liquid, such as, an anesthetic. The instrument has a forward end. A lightpipe mounted freely for vibration projects out of the forward end. The article, a single use tip, is composed of a tip sleeve removably mounted on the forward end of the instrument and a tip member removably mounted on the projecting lightpipe to vibrate a preselected injection site on a human or animal. The tip sleeve and tip member are covered by an elastic overmold that enables the tip member to vibrate freely with respect to the tip sleeve and light from the lightpipe to illuminate the injection site. The overmold of the single use tip is torn during removal of the single use tip from the instrument.

Abstract: A safety razor adapted to deliver a non-solid shaving aid material during normal use includes a handle, a razor cartridge and a reservoir for the shaving aid material in fluid communication with an applicator of the razor cartridge. A linkage extends from the reservoir to the razor cartridge. Pivotal movement of the razor cartridge away from its at-rest position causes the linkage to move relative to both the razor cartridge and the reservoir and in particular away from the reservoir. A plug of the linkage is removed from a vent aperture of the reservoir providing pressure relief for any partial vacuum caused from dispensing a portion of the shaving aid material. In the at-rest position the plug seals the vent and helps alleviate unwanted drooling of the shaving aid material when the safety razor is not in use.