Abstract: A control device for use with a steerable medical device comprises a steering shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof, a first steering cam is affixed to the steering shaft to rotate in unison therewith. A second steering cam is mounted on the steering shaft and freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the steering shaft independent of the steering shaft. A latch assembly is operatively connected to the first steering cam and the second steering cam and operable in an inactive configuration in which the first and second steering cams are positioned to maintain first and second steering wires in an un-tensioned or reduced tension state, and further operable in an active configuration in which the first and second steering cams are positioned to maintain the first and second steering wires in a tensioned state. A rotary knob assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A control device for use with a steerable medical device comprises a steering shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof, a first steering cam is affixed to the steering shaft to rotate in unison therewith. A second steering cam is mounted on the steering shaft and freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the steering shaft independent of the steering shaft. A latch assembly is operatively connected to the first steering cam and the second steering cam and operable in an inactive configuration in which the first and second steering cams are positioned to maintain first and second steering wires in an un-tensioned or reduced tension state, and further operable in an active configuration in which the first and second steering cams are positioned to maintain the first and second steering wires in a tensioned state. A rotary knob assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for performing a dialysis treatment includes a dialysis fluid machine; a disposable dialysis fluid carrying member operable with the dialysis fluid machine; and a venting filter provided by the disposable member, the venting filter positioned and arranged to be coupled along with the disposable member to the dialysis fluid machine to perform the dialysis treatment and to vent air from the disposable member.

Abstract: A method of preparing and using a contact lens is disclosed. In one step, a light-absorbing dye solution, comprising a light-absorbing dye disposed in a solution, is dispensed onto a contact lens. In another step, the light-absorbing dye is reacted with the contact lens so that the contact lens permanently contains the light-absorbing dye. The transmission of light of a certain wavelength through the contact lens is reduced due to the reacted light-absorbing dye permanently contained within the contact lens.

Abstract: A system for performing a dialysis treatment includes a dialysis fluid machine; a disposable dialysis fluid carrying member operable with the dialysis fluid machine; and a venting filter provided by the disposable member, the venting filter positioned and arranged to be coupled along with the disposable member to the dialysis fluid machine to perform the dialysis treatment and to vent air from the disposable member.

Abstract: A method of preparing and using a contact lens is disclosed. In one step, a light-absorbing dye solution, comprising a light-absorbing dye disposed in a solution, is dispensed onto a contact lens. In another step, the light-absorbing dye is reacted with the contact lens so that the contact lens permanently contains the light-absorbing dye. The transmission of light of a certain wavelength through the contact lens is reduced due to the reacted light-absorbing dye permanently contained within the contact lens.

Abstract: A method of forming and/or using a contact lens is disclosed. In one step, bioactive agents are pad printed to form a layer. In another step, the layer is cured to form a portion of the contact lens. The contact lens is shipped to users in dry state without immersing in aqueous packaging solution.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a disposable cassette including a flexible sheet and a plurality of dialysis fluid pathways, a plurality of actuators operable with the flexible sheet to direct dialysis fluid through the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways, and a controller configured to (i) determine at least one limitation of the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways, (ii) generate a flow schedule indicating how dialysis fluid should be directed through the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways in accordance with the at least one limitation, and (iii) control the plurality of actuators so that dialysis fluid is pumped through the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways according to the flow schedule.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a disposable cassette including a flexible sheet and a plurality of dialysis fluid pathways, a plurality of actuators operable with the flexible sheet to direct dialysis fluid through the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways, and a controller configured to (i) determine at least one limitation of the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways, (ii) generate a flow schedule indicating how dialysis fluid should be directed through the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways in accordance with the at least one limitation, and (iii) control the plurality of actuators so that dialysis fluid is pumped through the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways according to the flow schedule.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes a disposable cassette including a flexible sheet; a hardware unit including (i) at least one pump actuator and piston head moved by the pump actuator, (ii) at least one valve actuator, (iii) at least one sensor, and (iv) a disposable cassette interface for interfacing with the disposable cassette, the disposable cassette interface including: (a) at least one pump aperture, the at least one piston head moveable out of and retractable into the at least one pump aperture to move a corresponding pumping portion of the flexible sheet of the disposable cassette, the piston head moving within a vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber enabling a vacuum to be pulled around the piston head to the flexible sheet of the disposable cassette; (b) at least one valve aperture, at least a portion of the at least one valve actuator located in the valve aperture to move a valve portion of the flexible sheet of the disposable cassette; and (c) at least one sensor aperture, the at least one sensor

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a flow channel that utilizes various principles of fluid dynamics to simplify the processes of preparing a sample prior to in vitro diagnostic analysis. A flow channel wherein flow conditions result in a Reynolds number no greater than about 2000, preferably no greater than about 1000, provides enhanced separation of blood cells from a liquid medium, i.e., serum or plasma.

Abstract: A method for separating, or removing, particulate material, e.g., blood cells, from a sample of fluid, e.g., whole blood of a patient, in which the particulate material is suspended. In the case of separating blood cells from blood plasma or blood serum, the resulting samples of blood plasma or blood serum can be used for in vitro diagnostic applications. In normal practice, a whole blood sample of a patient are provided and then introduced into an apparatus that contains a flow channel. An acoustic field, which contains acoustic standing waves from external ultrasonic transducers, is located within the flow channel. Laminar flow is maintained in the flow channel. Blood cells and platelets are separated from blood plasma or blood serum at the end of the flow channel and collected. The method described herein allows fluid components to differentially migrate to areas of preferred acoustic interaction.

Abstract: A container having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto by means of a stud or a radio frequency identification tag retainer projecting from the exterior surface of the container. The container can be used to contain medical products, and the container can be of various types, such as, for example, a bottle, a micro-well plate, a cartridge, a tube. In one embodiment, the container has a radio frequency identification tag affixed thereto. The container comprises a mouth, a neck, a body, and a bottom. The container can also have a closure, a septum, or an adapter for other components of an automated clinical analyzer. The neck is capable of receiving a closure. A stud or a radio frequency identification tag retainer projecting from the bottom of the container, preferably the center of the bottom of the container, serves to retain the radio frequency identification during the attachment of the radio frequency identification tag to the container.

Abstract: A container comprising a body having embedded therein a plurality of chipless radio frequency identification elements. The chipless radio frequency identification elements comprises a plurality of categories of resonant elements. The resonant elements can be utilized in a system having a binary code feature. The combination of different resonant elements can be read and translated to identify the features of a particular product. The container can be prepared by compounding moldable compositions with the resonant elements and molding the moldable compositions containing the resonant elements into the final product. The invention also provides a system and a method for reading the binary code provided by the chipless radio frequency identification elements.

Abstract: A closure for a container, e.g., a container for holding reagents for an automated analyzer. The closure comprises a cap having an opening, the opening capable of communicating with the mouth of a container. The invention also provides an assembly comprising the closure of this invention and a container. The invention also provides a method for preparing the closure.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a flow channel comprising a hydrophobic membrane to improve control of flow and control of processing conditions in the flow channel, and to improve the removal of gas bubbles from the flow channel of the microfluidic device. In addition, the invention enables the process controls of the microfluidic device to know when gas bubbles have been removed, so that the next step in the process can be carried out.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a flow channel that utilizes various principles of fluid dynamics to simplify the processes of preparing a sample prior to in vitro diagnostic analysis. A flow channel wherein flow conditions result in a Reynolds number no greater than about 2000, preferably no greater than about 1000, provides enhanced separation of blood cells from a liquid medium, i.e., serum or plasma.

Abstract: A container comprising a body having embedded therein a plurality of chipless radio frequency identification elements. The chipless radio frequency identification elements comprises a plurality of categories of resonant elements. The resonant elements can be utilized in a system having a binary code feature. The combination of different resonant elements can be read and translated to identify the features of a particular product. The container can be prepared by compounding moldable compositions with the resonant elements and molding the moldable compositions containing the resonant elements into the final product. The invention also provides a system and a method for reading the binary code provided by the chipless radio frequency identification elements.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a flow channel comprising a hydrophobic membrane to improve control of flow and control of processing conditions in the flow channel, and to improve the removal of gas bubbles from the flow channel of the microfluidic device. In addition, the invention enables the process controls of the microfluidic device to know when gas bubbles have been removed, so that the next step in the process can be carried out.

Abstract: A container comprising a body having embedded therein a plurality of chipless radio frequency identification elements. The chipless radio frequency identification elements comprise a plurality of categories of resonant elements. The resonant elements can be utilized in a system having a binary code feature. The combination of different resonant elements can be read and translated to identify the features of a particular product. The container can be prepared by compounding moldable compositions with the resonant elements and molding the moldable compositions containing the resonant elements into the final product. The invention also provides a system and a method for reading the binary code provided by the chipless radio frequency identification elements.