Abstract: Method and system for controllably administering and/or withdrawing fluid from a patient. In one embodiment, the system may include an infusion needle, a pump adapted to be operably coupled to the infusion needle for creating fluid flow through the infusion needle, and a hands-free switch for activating and/or deactivating the pump.

Abstract: Method and system for controllably administering and/or withdrawing fluid from a patient. In one embodiment, the system may include an infusion needle, a pump adapted to be operably coupled to the infusion needle for creating fluid flow through the infusion needle, and a hands-free switch for activating and/or deactivating the pump.

Abstract: This invention comprises a novel approach for the refixation of a loosened implant to bone, wherein the novel approach comprises providing access to a boundary region between the implant and the bone; removing abnormal interface tissue, wear debris and/or bone cement debris from the boundary region; and inserting bone fixation material into the boundary region so that the bone fixation material engages the implant and the bone and thereby effects refixation of the loosened implant to the bone.

Abstract: Method and system for controllably administering and/or withdrawing fluid from a patient. In one embodiment, the system may include an infusion needle, a pump adapted to be operably coupled to the infusion needle for creating fluid flow through the infusion needle, and a hands-free switch for activating and/or deactivating the pump.

Abstract: Method and system for controllably administering and/or withdrawing fluid from a patient. In one embodiment, the system may include a needle assembly, an ultrasound imager, a fluid supply storage unit, a waste storage unit, a fluid pump, and a foot pedal assembly. A syringe may serve as the fluid supply storage unit and the waste storage unit. The pump may include a bi-directional motor and a gear coupled to the motor. The gear may be engageable with a rack on the syringe plunger to drive the plunger either for fluid aspiration or infusion. Depression of one portion of the foot pedal assembly causes the motor to drive the gear in one direction, and depression of another portion of the foot pedal assembly causes the motor to drive the gear the other direction. The system may include a control device to keep pressure in the fluid path from exceeding a limit.

Abstract: An implant injection system that facilitates the introduction of a bone implant material into the cancellous bone portion of a patient's bone to serve as an anchor or to fill a void in the bone. The implant injection system and method provide a quantity of meltable material which is melted in situ so that the melted material can flow and diffuse into, and be anchored to, the cancellous bone portion beneath the cortical bone layer. The flowing of the bone implant material can be accomplished by an electrical resistance heater or other heater located at the distal end of the implant injection system. The implant material may be provided in multiple layers with an inner layer having a lower flowing temperature than the outer layers. There can also be a looped suture that passes though the meltable material, with the free ends of the suture extending outwardly to be tied to soft tissue to affix the soft tissue to the bone.

Abstract: Method and system for controllably administering and/or withdrawing fluid from a patient. In one embodiment, the system may include a needle assembly, an ultrasound imager, a fluid supply storage unit, a waste storage unit, a fluid pump, and a foot pedal assembly. A syringe may serve as the fluid supply storage unit and the waste storage unit. The pump may include a bi-directional motor and a gear coupled to the motor. The gear may be engageable with a rack on the syringe plunger to drive the plunger either for fluid aspiration or infusion. Depression of one portion of the foot pedal assembly causes the motor to drive the gear in one direction, and depression of another portion of the foot pedal assembly causes the motor to drive the gear the other direction. The system may include a control device to keep pressure in the fluid path from exceeding a limit.

Abstract: The invention provides a particle comprising a surface, wherein a portion of the surface is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation and another portion of the surface is capable of emitting a differential electromagnetic radiation (either different intensity, different frequency or no radiation), and wherein the arrangement of said portions of the surface defines a spatially distributed code for identifying the particle. The invention also provides method of manufacturing a particle having an identifying code comprising providing a particle with a functionalized surface which comprises functional binding moieties and selectively removing a plurality of the functional binding moieties from the surface to create a pattern of functionalized and differentially-functionalized zones on the surface. Various liquid-based assay methods employing the particle of the invention and a kit comprising the particle of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved gastric bypass prosthetic (GBP) device and an improved GBP fixation device, as well as a GBP kit for the surgical treatment of obesity. In one form, a gastric bypass prosthetic (GBP) device of the invention includes a optional flexible tube extending along a central axis from a proximal end to a distal end, and having a tubular tissue fixation portion at or near said proximal end. The tissue fixation portion extends along the central axis between a proximal end and a distal end of the tissue fixation portion, and has an annular outer surface between the proximal end and the distal end of the tissue fixation portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a particle comprising a surface, wherein a portion of the surface is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation and another portion of the surface is capable of emitting a differential electromagnetic radiation (either different intensity, different frequency or no radiation), and wherein the arrangement of said portions of the surface defines a spatially distributed code for identifying the particle. The invention also provides method of manufacturing a particle having an identifying code comprising providing a particle with a functionalized surface which comprises functional binding moieties and selectively removing a plurality of the functional binding moieties from the surface to create a pattern of functionalized and differentially-functionalized zones on the surface. Various liquid-based assay methods employing the particle of the invention and a kit comprising the particle of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A blade suture needle is adapted for use in a suture needle assembly, and with a suture passer device, for passing a suture needle assembly through tissue. The suture needle includes an elongated resilient sheet body member bounded by opposite principal surfaces. The body member includes at least one central aperture extending between the principal surfaces, having dimensions to permit of a capturing flange to pass therethrough. The suture needle may be part of a needle assembly further including an elongated suture passing through an aperture in the needle. A suture passer device includes an elongated pusher guide with pair of opposed jaw members disposed at its distal end, which may be opened or closed in response to a user action at its proximal end. The guide allows passage of an elongated pusher element through a pusher channel therein. One of the jaw members includes a suture assembly channel aligned with the pusher channel.

Abstract: An implantable access device including a port for receiving and guiding a filament, such as a needle, into an entry region of the device. The port includes a plate for receiving a filament, and at least two walls extending upwardly from the plate. The walls are shaped and positioned to guide the filament moving between opposing first and second ends of the plate through an entry region defined between the walls at the second end of the plate. Preferably, a greatest distance between the walls is at least five times greater than a height of the walls, so that the port provides a large filament strike area, yet has a small overall height. In addition, a greatest distance between the ends of the plate is also preferably at least five times greater than the height of the walls, to further increase the filament strike area without increasing height.

Abstract: The invention provides a particle comprising a surface, wherein a portion of the surface is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation and another portion of the surface is capable of emitting a differential electromagnetic radiation (either different intensity, different frequency or no radiation), and wherein the arrangement of said portions of the surface defines a spatially distributed code for identifying the particle. The invention also provides method of manufacturing a particle having an identifying code comprising providing a particle with a functionalized surface which comprises functional binding moieties and selectively removing a plurality of the functional binding moieties from the surface to create a pattern of functionalized and differentially-functionalized zones on the surface. Various liquid-based assay methods employing the particle of the invention and a kit comprising the particle of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable access device including a port for receiving and guiding a filament, such as a needle, into an entry region of the device. The port includes a plate for receiving a filament, and at least two walls extending upwardly from the plate. The walls are shaped and positioned to guide the filament moving between opposing first and second ends of the plate through an entry region defined between the walls at the second end of the plate. Preferably, a greatest distance between the walls is at least five times greater than a height of the walls, so that the port provides a large filament strike area, yet has a small overall height. In addition, a greatest distance between the ends of the plate is also preferably at least five times greater than the height of the walls, to further increase the filament strike area without increasing height.

Abstract: An infusion system for administering multiple infusates at individually programmable rates, volumes, and sequences in any order from any one or more of plural fluid input ports through a patient output port and into the circulatory system of a patient. Infusates may be either continuously or time sequentially administered, and infusates may be either intermittently administered at selectively regular intervals or in time overlap to administer a dilution. Various error conditions are automatically detected and alarms generated in the event of conflicts between infusates, to identify times of no infusions, and to identify system malfunctions. The system is selectively operable, among others, in a priming mode, a maintenance mode, a normal-on mode, and a manual override mode. The system is operative to adapt actual to desired flow rates in normal operation. All fluids flow through a unitary disposable cassette without making any other system contact.

Abstract: An infusion system for administering multiple infusates at individually programmable rates, volumes, and sequences in any order from any one or more of plural fluid input ports through a patient output port and into the circulatory system of a patient. Infusates may be either continuously or time sequentially administered, and infusates may be either intermittently administered at selectively regular intervals or in time overlap to administer a dilution. Various error conditions are automatically detected and alarms generated in the event of conflicts between infusates, to identify times of no infusions, and to identify system malfunctions. The system is selectivley operable, among others, in a priming mode, a maintenance mode, a normal-on mode, and a manual override mode. The system is operative to adapt actual to desired flow rates in normal operation. All fluids flow through a unitary disposable cassette without making any other system contact.

Abstract: An infusion system for administering multiple infusates at individually programmable rates, volumes, and sequences in any order from any one or more of plural fluid input ports through a patient output port and into the circulatory system of a patient. Infusates may be either continuously or time sequentially administered, and infusates may be either intermittently administered at selectively regular intervals or in time overlap to administer a dilution. Various error conditions are automatically detected and alarms generated in the event of conflicts between infusates, to identify times of no infusions, and to identify system malfunctions. The system is selectively operable, among others, in a priming mode, a maintenance mode, a normal-on mode, and a manual override mode. The system is operative to adapt actual to desired flow rates in normal operation. All fluids flow through a unitary disposable cassette without making any other system contact.

Abstract: An infusion system for administering multiple infusates at individually programmable rates, volumes, and sequences in any order from any one or more of plural fluid input ports through a patient output port and into the circulatory system of a patient. Infusates may be either continuously or time sequentially administered, and infusates may be either intermittently administered at selectively regular intervals or in time overlap to administer a dilution. Various error conditions are automatically detected and alarms generated in the event of conflicts between infusates, to identify times of no infusions, and to identify system malfunctions. The system is selectively operable, among others, in a priming mode, a maintenance mode, a normal-on mode, and a manual override mode. The system is operative to adapt actual to desired flow rates in normal operartion. All fluids flow through a unitary disposable cassette without making any other system contact.

Abstract: An infusion device for a syringe includes a ratcheted stepper motor driven intermittently under the control of a control circuit to advance a syringe plunger driver. Different speeds are determined by the detected size of the syringe in the device. A clutch assembly disengageably connects the plunger driver to a drive belt driven by the stepper motor.A connector for a tubing set has a syringe-connect portion located in a recess of the connector, and cooperates with a force sensor in the device to detect occlusions. The connector has annular projecting portions with parallel, spaced apart actuating surfaces for engagement of the force sensor in either of two positions of the connector in the device. The connector is adapted to indicate to a sensor in which position it is located.

Abstract: An infusion system for administering multiple infusates at individually programmable rates, volumes, and sequences in any order from any one or more of plural fluid input ports through a patient output port and into the circulatory system of a patient. Infusates may be either continuously or time sequentially administered, and infusates may be either intermittently administered at selectively regular intervals or in time overlap to administer a dilution. Various error conditions are automatically detected and alarms generated in the event of conflicts between infusates, to identify times of no infusions, and to identify system malfunctions. The system is selectively operable, among others, in a priming mode, a maintenance mode, a normal-on mode, and a manual override mode. The system is operative to adapt actual to desired flow rates in normal operation. All fluids flow through a unitary disposable cassette without making any other system contact.