Abstract: A trackable guidewire is presented. The guidewire includes a plurality of wires arranged in a predetermined pattern to form a body of the guidewire, where the plurality of wires is configured to simultaneously provide electrical conductivity of signals and mechanical strength. A guidewire assembly is also presented, where the guidewire assembly includes a guidewire, where the guidewire includes a plurality of wires arranged in a predetermined pattern to form a body of the guidewire, and the plurality of wires is configured to simultaneously provide electrical conductivity of signals and mechanical strength, and one or more sensing devices, where the one or more sensing devices are operatively coupled to the guidewire. Methods of making the guidewire and the guidewire assembly are also contemplated in conjunction with the present technique.

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: Improved solid pharmaceutical dispensing systems and methods provide direct transfer of doses from bulk blister packaging material. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a positioning mechanism that alters the spacing between portions of a de-blister apparatus. The de-blister apparatus comprises a de-blister roller, cylinder or elongated cylindrical toothed gear which pushes against a first side of packaging material to remove individual doses from a conventional blister package. The apparatus may operate under manual or automatic control and preferably includes adjustable or movable package holding rollers which are preferably aligned with portions of packaging material between the rows of blister cavities at a side of the packaging material opposite the side at which the roller or cylinder is located.

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 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 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 cryosurgery device for dispensing a liquid refrigerant from a container having a valve stem extending outwardly therefrom. The device includes an actuator adapted to seat on the valve stem of the container in order to depress the valve stem to release the refrigerant from the container. The actuator includes an inner passageway having opposed ends disposed therein, one of the ends of the passageway being in fluid communication with the valve stem. An applicator tube is mounted to the actuator at the other end of the inner passageway. A cap is disposed on the top of the container. The actuator is movably positioned on the cap and a shield is attached to the cap to completely receiving the applicator tube. Liquid refrigerant can only be dispensed when the actuator is positioned properly and the applicator tube is disposed within the shield means.

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 method for minimizing tracking system interference caused by a motor driven ultrasonic imaging device is disclosed herein. The method includes providing an ultrasonic imaging device adapted to obtain a generally real time three-dimensional image. The ultrasonic imaging device includes a motor configured to rotate a transducer array within a catheter housing. The method for minimizing tracking system interference also includes estimating a noise signal produced by the motor, selecting a tracking system signal strength and/or frequency adapted to minimize a tracking system interference, and implementing a field generator to produce a tracking system signal at the selected tracking system signal strength and/or frequency.

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 (3D) volume. The ultrasound catheter also includes at least one tracking element adapted to provide an estimate of a position and orientation of the distal end of the catheter housing. The at least one tracking element is disposed within the catheter housing and located immediately adjacent to the distal end.

Abstract: A trackable guidewire is presented. The guidewire includes a plurality of wires arranged in a predetermined pattern to form a body of the guidewire, where the plurality of wires is configured to simultaneously provide electrical conductivity of signals and mechanical strength. A guidewire assembly is also presented, where the guidewire assembly includes a guidewire, where the guidewire includes a plurality of wires arranged in a predetermined pattern to form a body of the guidewire, and the plurality of wires is configured to simultaneously provide electrical conductivity of signals and mechanical strength, and one or more sensing devices, where the one or more sensing devices are operatively coupled to the guidewire. Methods of making the guidewire and the guidewire assembly are also contemplated in conjunction with the present technique.

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: A method for minimizing tracking system interference caused by a motor driven ultrasonic imaging device is disclosed herein. The method includes providing an ultrasonic imaging device adapted to obtain a generally real time three-dimensional image. The ultrasonic imaging device includes a motor configured to rotate a transducer array within a catheter housing. The method for minimizing tracking system interference also includes estimating a noise signal produced by the motor, selecting a tracking system signal strength and/or frequency adapted to minimize a tracking system interference, and implementing a field generator to produce a tracking system signal at the selected tracking system signal strength and/or frequency.

Abstract: Improved solid pharmaceutical dispensing systems and methods provide direct transfer of doses from bulk blister packaging material. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a positioning mechanism that alters the spacing between portions of a de-blister apparatus. The de-blister apparatus comprises a de-blister roller, cylinder or elongated cylindrical toothed gear which pushes against a first side of packaging material to remove individual doses from a conventional blister package. The apparatus may operate under manual or automatic control and preferably includes adjustable or movable package holding rollers which are preferably aligned with portions of packaging material between the rows of blister cavities at a side of the packaging material opposite the side at which the roller or cylinder is located.

Abstract: A hand-held device (10) useful for dispensing a liquid material includes a housing (11) containing the material to be dispensed and having a dispensing nozzle (12) and a resettable ratchet (13, 50) operatively connected to a biased piston (30). The ratchet mechanism (13, 50) including a release lever (13) normally preventing movement of the piston (30) until released. When the lever (13) is released the piston (30) is biased toward the dispensing nozzle (12), such that an amount of the material is urged to flow toward the nozzle (12). The housing (11) is configured to be pen-like.

Abstract: A cable lock device includes a housing, a tampering subsystem, and a cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the housing and is electrically connected to the tampering subsystem and the second end is selectively attached to the housing. In addition, a switch is disposed within the housing and is electrically connected to the tampering subsystem. The switch is movable between an open state and a closed state to indicate when the second end is attached to the housing. The tampering subsystem includes control circuitry that monitors the position of the switch and the status of the cable to detect removal of the second end from the housing and/or severance of the cable. The control circuitry relays status information of the cable lock device to a control unit via a transmitter to alert a property owner of a security breach.

Abstract: Portable medical oxygen concentrator comprising an air separation system adapted to recover oxygen from air; a bottom platform and a shell having an outer wall, wherein the shell is detachably connected to the bottom platform, wherein the shell and bottom platform define an enclosed volume when the shell is connected to the bottom platform, and wherein the air separation system is disposed in the enclosed volume; and one or more rechargeable batteries detachably connected to the outer wall of the shell and adapted to provide power to drive the air separation system. The air separation system may comprises a pressure swing adsorption system having two or more adsorbent columns and a rotary valve for directing gas flow sequentially to, from, and among the columns. A base assembly attached to the bottom platform may be adapted to support the two or more adsorbent columns and the rotary valve.

Abstract: A shaving aid material pump of a shaving apparatus, includes a reciprocating mechanism selectively operable to transfer shaving aid material from a reservoir to a port for dispensing to a surface being shaved. The reciprocating mechanism includes a biasing mechanism, wherein the shaving apparatus includes one or more razor blades. The reciprocating mechanism is attached to the one or more razor blades, and wherein a reciprocating motion of the one or more razor blades in a shaving action operates the reciprocating mechanism to dispense the shaving aid material.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus includes a razor blade, a reservoir for containing a non-solid shaving aid material, at least one conduit extending between the reservoir and one or more ports, and a pump in fluid communication with one or both of the reservoir and the conduit. Movement of the razor blade actuates the pump, and the pump transfers shaving aid material from the reservoir to the one or more ports.