Abstract: A high aspect ratio in-plane metal microneedle array, a manufacturing method and a clamping and inserting auxiliary device thereof is disclosed. A large-size metal sheet is cut into small metal sheets. A clamping tooling composed of two upper and lower metal cover plates is processed. Inner sides of the upper and the lower cover plates of the tooling are provided with grooves in which the metal sheets are placed and fastened by bolts. Wire cutting is conducted on the tooling and the metal sheets as a whole to obtain a plane metal microneedle array with a plurality of microneedle bodies. In addition, an assembling and clamping device and an inserting auxiliary device of the high aspect ratio in-plane metal microneedle array is provided. The assembled inserting auxiliary device is placed on skin, and the microneedle array is inserted into the skin through the auxiliary device.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular and/or peri-urethral tissue ablation includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes which expand around a central axis to engage the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the injection an ablative fluid for ablating tissue, and/or nerve fibers in the outer layer or deep to the outer layer of the vessel, or in prostatic tissue. The system may also include a means to limit and/or adjust the depth of penetration of the ablative fluid into and beyond the tissue of the vessel wall. The catheter may also include structures which provide radial and/or lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes expand uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened injection needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall.

Abstract: A transseptal puncture system that includes a needle member that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a first lumen therethrough, a dilator that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a second lumen therethrough, a sheath that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a third lumen therethrough, a needle control device that is configured to move the needle member a predetermined distance from a stowed position to a deployed position and a guidewire that includes a distal end and a proximal end and is movable within the first lumen. The needle member is movable within the second lumen and the distal end of the needle member is configured to puncture the septum. The dilator is movable within the third lumen.

Abstract: An access needle includes a hollow shaft having a lumen sized and shaped to slidably receive a guidewire therein and having a distal end including an angled surface extending proximally and transversely from a sharpened distal-most tip of the shaft to a beveled smoothed area of the shaft proximal and transverse to the sharpened tip. The beveled smoothed area is positioned to slidably engage a guidewire extended distally out the distal end of the needle so that, as the guidewire is retracted proximally into the needle, the beveled smoothed area slidably engages the guidewire to minimize abrasion to the guidewire.

Abstract: A catheter for actively scoring or slicing a lesion. A catheter body includes first and second lateral openings. A selectively deployable cutter is connected to the catheter body. The cutter has a retracted configuration in which it does not perform a slicing or scoring function, such as while tracking through the vasculature, and a deployed configuration for slicing or scoring an obstruction. The cutter may include a plurality of retractable blades, such that when deployed, each blade projects in a different direction, such as from one of the lateral openings. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-beveled needle point geometry for hypodermic needles such as pen needles. A proximal bevel is formed at a first angle of inclination, a pair of intermediate bevels at a second angle of inclination, and a pair of distal bevels at a third angle of inclination and differing angles of rotation. The second angle of inclination is substantially different than the first angle of inclination to define a marked apex at the intersections between the proximal bevel and the intermediate bevels. At least one smooth transition is typically provided between adjacent bevels, between a bevel and an outer surface of the needle, and/or between a bevel and the lumen of the needle.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to an implant needle (1) for introducing an implant into a body of a patient, comprising a receiving portion configured to receive an implant and provided in a hollow needle main body (2), and a taper-shaped tip portion (3). The taper-shaped tip portion (3) is further comprising: a first slant surface (14a) contiguous to a first outer peripheral surface (15) of the hollow needle main body (2), wherein the first slant surface (14a) is provided as a first non-cutting edge; a second slant surface (16a) contiguous to a second outer peripheral surface (17) of the hollow needle main body (2), wherein the second slant surface (16a) is provided as a second non-cutting edge; and a pair of sharpened surfaces (9a, 9b) symmetric with respect to an edge point (10) and a longitudinal axis (13) of the needle main body (2), wherein the sharpened surfaces (9a, 9b) are both provided with a cutting edge.

Abstract: A puncture needle includes: a rod-shaped main body; and a blade surface located at a distal end portion of the main body, which includes: first, second, and third blade surface portions. The first blade surface portion and the second blade surface portion form a blade edge at a ridge line where the first blade surface portion and the second blade surface portion meet, wherein a needle tip is located at a distal end of the blade edge. The third blade surface portion is contiguous with a proximal side of at least the first blade surface portion, and the third blade surface portion is a single flat surface that is inclined with respect to a central axis of the main body. In a side view of the main body, a line extending along the third blade surface portion intersects with the first blade surface portion.

Abstract: A surgical suturing tracking system is disclosed. The surgical suturing tracking system is configured to detect and guide a suturing needle during a surgical suturing procedure. The surgical suturing track system comprises a control circuit configured to predict a path of a needle suturing stroke after receiving an input from a clinician, detect an embedded tissue structure, and assess proximity of the predicted path and the detected embedded tissue structure.

Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a blunt cannula and a reservoir. The blunt cannula has a cylindrical wall that defines an axial passage between a first end and a second end of the blunt cannula. The wall has at least a first tapered region at the first end to define an opening in fluid communication with the axial passage and adapted at the first end to resist interruption of fluid flow through the axial passage and out of the first end of the blunt cannula. The reservoir is connected to the second end of the blunt cannula.

Abstract: This small-diameter endoscope surgical instrument comprises: an inner pipe 20 that has an outer diameter equal to that of a small-diameter endoscope 10 to be used, that is used for inserting the small-diameter endoscope surgical instrument into a body, and that is replaced with the small-diameter endoscope 10 after insertion thereof; a guide pipe 30 which is configured to have the small-diameter endoscope or the inner pipe inserted therethrough and which supports the small-diameter endoscope or the inner pipe so as to be movable in an axial direction; and a treatment pipe 40 which is configured to have the guide pipe inserted therethrough to support the guide pipe so as to be movable in the axial direction, and which has, at the leading end thereof, a treatment means such as an electrode, a blade, or a hook, wherein each of the small-diameter endoscope, inner pipe, guide pipe, and treatment pipe has an independent operation part at the proximate end thereof, and thus the rotation angle and the position in the

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for facilitating percutaneous delivery of an implant to a target site of a body of a subject. The apparatus includes a delivery tool that includes a needle that defines a lumen through which the implant passes. The needle has a proximal end and a distal end, and defines a triple-grind bevel at the distal end. The triple-grind bevel defines a primary grind and two side-grinds. The side-grinds do not extend to meet each other to define a point at a distal-most part of the needle. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for lubricating an injection needle when used multiple times at a single occasion to penetrate a support, the method including the steps of: a) depositing a layer of a lubricating composition on the support; b) penetrating multiple times the layer of the lubricating composition deposited in step a) with the injection needle, thereby providing a lubricated injection needle having a deposited layer of the lubricating composition thereon.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a needle including a wall structure, a cutting edge and a blunt contour. The needle advantageously can be used to deliver a sensor (such as a glucose or other analyte sensor) through an outer skin layer and into a sensor depth in a less invasive way than prior art needles. The size of the cutting edge is balanced against a portion of the distal wall structure that has blunt contours. Thus, the needle is capable of cutting the more durable outer skin layer (first phase) and then progressively stretching open the cut for further advancement into the subcutaneous layer (second phase). When the needle is sufficiently advanced, it is retracted leaving the sensor in a desired position. Early testing has shown a reduction of “dip and recover” from glucose sensors delivered using the needle.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a tool that includes a gripping portion that includes a first substantially flat surface and a second substantially flat surface arranged substantially parallel to the first surface and coupled to the first surface by at least one side surface, wherein the gripping portion is shaped and sized such that a user can hold the gripping portion between a thumb and forefinger of the user; and a prying portion that includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a shaft portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first end portion is shaped and sized for the user holding the gripping portion to pry scab tissue away from a patient's skin and the second end portion is coupled to the gripping portion at the at least one side surface.

Abstract: A float retention arrangement and related methods for a humidification chamber that includes at least one float that operates an inlet valve that controls a flow of water through a water inlet opening of the humidification chamber. A cover of the humidification chamber defines an interior space, at least one gas port and a float retention opening. A component forms at least a portion of a water supply conduit for supplying water from a water source to the water inlet opening. The component is insertable into the float retention opening and is positionable to contact and retain the at least one float in a non-use position. In some configurations, the component can be a water spike.

Abstract: A medical puncture needle comprising includes: a rod-shaped body portion; and a blade surface formed at a distal end portion of the rod-shaped body portion. The blade surface includes: a first blade surface portion that is inclined with respect to a central axis of the body portion and extends to a tip, and a second blade surface portion that is formed on a back side of the first blade surface portion. A blade edge extending to the tip is formed by a ridgeline at which the first blade surface portion intersects the second blade surface portion. The second blade surface portion comprises a first plane and a second plane having different angles with respect to a virtual plane including the central axis passing through the tip at an orthogonal cross-section that is orthogonal to the central axis.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular and/or peri-urethral tissue ablation includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes which expand around a central axis to engage the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the injection an ablative fluid for ablating tissue, and/or nerve fibers in the outer layer or deep to the outer layer of the vessel, or in prostatic tissue. The system may also include a means to limit and/or adjust the depth of penetration of the ablative fluid into and beyond the tissue of the vessel wall. The catheter may also include structures which provide radial and/or lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes expand uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened injection needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall.

Abstract: A medical puncture needle includes an end portion including a needle tip; and a main body portion contiguous with the end portion, having a substantially circular cross-sectional outer shape. The end portion includes a first bevel formed by a curved surface, the bevel having an angle that gradually decreases toward the needle tip in an axial direction, in a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction, relative to an imaginary plane that extends along an axis of the main body portion.

Abstract: A re-entry device (1) for recanalization procedures of an arterial vessel by an intraluminal or subintimal technique includes a catheter (10) having a distal end (12) with a curved tip (13) by an angle (?) of between 30° and 90°, and an angled-tip stylet (2) insertable into the inner lumen of the catheter (10) to exit from a distal opening (14) thereof. The angled-tip stylet (2) is metal and has a distal end (22) with a curved tip (23) ending in a sharped apex (24). The distal end (22) of the an angled-tip stylet (2) is tapered and has a length of 3-5 cm, and the curved tip (23) is bent by an angle (?) of between 30° and 50°. The structure makes the apex (24) adjustable outside the two-dimensional plane defined by the curved tip (13) of the catheter (10) to facilitate penetration of the arterial wall.

Abstract: A medical puncture needle includes: a distal end portion including a needle point; and a rod-like main body portion continuous with the distal end portion, wherein: the distal end portion includes a blade surface, the blade surface includes: a first blade surface portion and a second blade surface portion on a front side of the distal end portion, the first and second blade surface portions intersecting each other at a ridgeline that forms a blade edge having the needle point at one end, and a third blade surface portion continuous with each of the first blade surface portion and the second blade surface portion on a main body portion side, and the third blade surface portion includes a protruding curved surface.

Abstract: A medical puncture needle includes: a distal end portion including a needle point; and a rod-like main body portion continuous with the distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a blade surface. The blade surface includes: a first blade surface portion on a front side of the distal end portion, the first blade surface portion being inclined with respect to a center axis of the main body portion and extending to the needle point, and a second blade surface portion on a back side of the distal end portion. When a virtual plane including the center axis of the main body portion is established, the second blade surface portion comprises a curved surface in which an angle with respect to the virtual plane in a cross section orthogonal to the center axis direction gradually increases toward the needle point side in the center axis direction.

Abstract: A medical puncture needle includes a rod-shaped main body portion; and a blade surface formed at a distal end portion of the main body portion. The blade surface includes a first blade surface portion and a second blade surface portion that intersect to form a blade edge. A needle tip is formed at a location at which a distal end of the blade edge intersects a first ridge line at an outer edge of the first blade surface and a second ridge line at an outer edge of the second blade surface. At least one of the blade surface portions is planar, and, in a central axis direction of the main body portion, said at least one blade surface portion extends to a location proximal of a middle position of a blade surface region in which the blade surface is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implant needle for introducing an implant into a patient. The needle has a hollow main body having a receiving portion configured to receive an implant. A taper-shaped tip portion is cut from the hollow needle main body and includes a first slant surface contiguous to an outer peripheral surface of the main body and formed at a first predetermined angle with respect to an axis of the main body. The first slant surface has an inner non-cutting edge and an outer non-cutting edge. The needle also includes a pair of second slant surfaces, each of which forms a second predetermined angle with respect to the main body axis that is larger than the first predetermined angle. Each second slant surface has an inner non-cutting edge and an outer cutting edge that is contiguous with an edge point of the tip portion. A method of manufacturing the implant needle is also disclosed.

Abstract: Needle comprising a polyarylene material comprising a polyarylene. The needle can meet all the advantages of metal, while avoiding its drawbacks. It has a high rigidity and ductility, and is excellent in penetrability and ability to hold a sharp edge. It is easily disposable and recyclable. It is non toxic and non irritant.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes: a needle comprising a hollow needle tube, a needle tip at a distal end of the hollow needle tube, and a cutting face disposed adjacent to the needle tip; and a needle hub that includes a tip and a base end, and holds the needle at the needle tip. The needle hub includes a needle tip side end face from which the needle tip projects. An outer diameter of the needle is within a range of 0.15 mm to 0.20 mm, inclusive. A projection needle length extending from the needle tip side end face to the needle tip is within a range of 0.50 mm to 1.25 mm, inclusive. A needle body length extending from the needle tip side end face to a proximal end of the cutting face in within a range of 0.10 mm to 0.70 mm, inclusive.

Abstract: A device for transferring a fluid to and/or from a fluid container having a sealing member. The device includes a piercing member for penetrating the sealing member and an elongated body defining a longitudinal flow channel through which a fluid may flow into and/or out of the fluid container and at least one opening that communicates with the flow channel. The at least one opening is arranged to extend along at least 1% of the length (l) of the piercing member to ensure that at least part of the at least one opening (20) is located substantially adjacent to the innermost side of a sealing member when the device is in use.

Abstract: A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

Abstract: A laparoscopic wound closure device includes an elongated body portion including a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of vertical suture channels. Each vertical suture channel has an entrance at the proximal end and an exit near the distal end for passing a suture needle through, and travels parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body portion of the device. The vertical suture channels are designed to cause a suture needle to deflect laterally as it exits the wound closure device. The wound closure device can be an obturator or a sheath of a trocar assembly, and can be used to inject local anesthetic at the conclusion of surgery.

Abstract: A trocar has an insertion tube. A tube outlet of the insertion tube communicates with a collar of the insertion tube. An incision blade is provided to the tube outlet. The tube outlet opens toward the incision blade. The incision blade can thereby be inserted into an eyeball to form an incision, and the insertion tube can be inserted in the eyeball through the incision while the incision blade remains in the eyeball. Two lateral blade edges extend from a distal blade edge in the incision blade. The blade edges have outermost blade edges located in an outer region, which is a boundary surface, which includes the inner circumferential surface of the tube outlet. Therefore, the width dimension of the incision blade can be set greater than the inner diameter of the insertion tube.

Abstract: A medical puncture needle includes an end portion including a needle tip; and a main body portion contiguous with the end portion, having a substantially circular cross-sectional outer shape. The end portion includes a first bevel formed by a curved surface, the bevel having an angle that gradually decreases toward the needle tip in an axial direction, in a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction, relative to an imaginary plane that extends along an axis of the main body portion.

Abstract: An injection needle includes a needle tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and an edge surface provided at the distal end of the needle tube. The edge surface includes a first ground facet, a second ground facet, and a third ground facet. The first ground facet is located at a position proximal to the second ground facet and the third ground facet. The second ground facet and the third ground facet converge to form a needle point that is offset from a central plane that perpendicularly crosses the first ground facet and includes a central axis of the needle tube. A length of the edge surface is 0.6 to 2.2 mm. An outside diameter of the needle tube is 0.18 to 0.6 mm. A ratio of the outside diameter of the needle tube to the length of the edge surface is 0.265 to 0.325.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a tool that includes a gripping portion that includes a first substantially flat surface and a second substantially flat surface arranged substantially parallel to the first surface and coupled to the first surface by at least one side surface, wherein the gripping portion is shaped and sized such that a user can hold the gripping portion between a thumb and forefinger of the user; and a prying portion that includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a shaft portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first end portion is shaped and sized for the user holding the gripping portion to pry scab tissue away from a patient's skin and the second end portion is coupled to the gripping portion at the at least one side surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fully integrated sterilizable one time use disposable tissue visualization device and methods for using such devices. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate the visualization of an internal tissue site while causing a minimum of damage to the surrounding tissue. Further preferred embodiments may allow for the delivery of fluids and other treatment to an internal tissue site.

Abstract: A non-coring needle for use in accessing an implanted medical device is disclosed. The non-coring needle is configured so as to include a compact bevel face relative to standard non-coring needles. In one embodiment, the non-coring needle comprises a hollow cannula that defines a lumen and terminates at a sharpened distal tip. The cannula includes a proximal portion and a bent distal portion. The distal portion defines a bevel face extending proximally from the distal tip, and the bevel face includes the lumen distal opening. The bevel face defines an open angle of at least about one degree with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion of the cannula. The bevel face is also laterally offset from the proximal portion of the cannula by an offset distance of no more than about 0.010 inch. A portion of the bevel face is dulled to prevent access port septum coring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fully integrated sterilizable one time use disposable tissue visualization device and methods for using such devices. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate the visualization of an internal tissue site while causing a minimum of damage to the surrounding tissue. Further preferred embodiments may allow for the delivery of fluids and other treatment to an internal tissue site.

Abstract: An injection apparatus for making an injection at a predetermined depth in skin comprises: a skin positioning member, an injection needle (610), and means guiding the injection needle for movement from a parking position above the skin beside said skin positioning member to slide beneath said skin positioning member to an injection position; wherein: the tip (620) of the injection needle is closer to the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion (650) than is the outside of the shaft portion (650) and/or the length of the lumen opening (625) of the needle is in a range from 5 to 15 times the diameter of the shaft (650) of the needle. An injection needle wherein the length of the lumen opening (625) of the needle is in a range from 5 to 15 times the diameter of the shaft (650) of the needle.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an implant tool used to facilitate the implantation of a medical device into a patient. The implant tool includes a housing that is held by a user and a needle attached to the housing. The needle is configured so that a cannula may be positioned over the needle and delivered to the target tissue. The implant tool also includes a release mechanism that pushes the cannula off of the needle. The release mechanism may help the user to keep the cannula at the desired location while removing the needle from the cannula. The implant tool may also include a flange that extends from the housing adjacent to a side of the needle such that the user may provide force against the needle during advancement of the needle into the patient.

Abstract: A coupling device for transferring substances, in particular medical substances, is disclosed. The coupling device can be used for transferring medical substances between a patient and an infusion bag containing the medical substances. In one or more embodiments, the coupling device may include a piercing member for connection to a medical device such as the infusion bag. A piercing member for a coupling device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dip tube insertion member adapted to be used with a liquid dispensing apparatus. The dip tube insertion member facilitates insertion of a dip tube into a liquid storage container without removing the sealing cap of a liquid storage container. The dip tube insertion member includes a probe having a hollow cavity for receiving a dip tube. The probe further includes an upper opening and a lower opening for facilitating insertion of a dip tube into the liquid container. Preferably, the dip tube insertion member takes the form of a cap that is mounted on and about at least a portion of the sealing cap of a liquid storage container of the liquid dispensing apparatus. The dip tube insertion member preferably includes a sealing member forming an air chamber surrounding the probe.

Abstract: Provided is a medical knife which makes it possible to maintain low penetration resistance, without the maximum-width parts of the medical knife creating sudden changes in penetration resistance even when passing through tissue. A knife comprises: a pointed tip; a cutting part which has edges consisting of first oblique faces which are formed along the outer periphery and second oblique faces which are formed inside the first oblique faces; maximum-width parts; and a shank part which is formed contiguously with the maximum-width parts. The cutting part is formed in such a way that the shape of the planar projection thereof becomes wider from the pointed tip towards the maximum-width parts, and the first oblique faces extend further towards the shank part side than the second oblique faces over at least one portion of the area running from the maximum-width parts to the shank part.

Abstract: A vascular access needle assembly is disclosed. The needle assembly contains a needle and a sheath. The needle has a first part, a second part, and a third part. The needle contains a pointed end configured to penetrate skin of a patient and a sheath slidably and rotatably coupled with the needle. The sheath having one or more irrigation slots configured to transmit a fluid from a fluid source to a vascular region.

Abstract: A needle disclosed herein may include an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end with a central longitudinal axis defined by the body, where the distal end includes a single sharp point along the central longitudinal axis and defining a distal end terminus three longitudinal fluted surfaces converging at the distal end terminus; and three longitudinal beveled cutting edges defining borders between the fluted surfaces and converging at the distal end terminus. Needle embodiments may include one or more ports open into and/or proximal of the fluted surfaces and communicating with one or more longitudinal needle lumens.

Abstract: A blunt cannula includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion has a non-uniform taper defined by a plurality, such as four, differently tapered segments. The proximal portion may additionally or alternatively have a non-circular, such as oval, cross-section. At least the major diameter (D.sub.MAJ) of the proximal portion my taper toward the distal portion.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter including a catheter wall and a lumen extending lengthwise of the wall. The wall has inner and outer surfaces. The wall includes plural openings that extend through the wall and communicate with the lumen. An elongated hollow needle includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The needle is movable in the lumen to move the distal end portion between the openings. The distal end portion is directed radially outward so as to extend into an adjacent opening. The distal end portion has a configuration that stores potential energy when in the lumen. The potential energy is converted to kinetic energy to produce movement of the proximal end portion as the distal end portion moves from the inner surface of the catheter wall across an edge of an opening. The movement of the proximal end portion is haptically perceptible.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device for parenterally transferring fluid to and/or from a patient includes a housing, a needle, and an occlusion mechanism. The housing defines a fluid flow path and is couplable to a fluid reservoir. The needle has a distal end portion that is configured to be inserted into the patient and a proximal end portion that is configured to be fluidically coupled to the fluid flow path of the housing, and defines a lumen therebetween. The occlusion mechanism selectively controls a fluid flow between the needle and the fluid flow path. The occlusion mechanism includes an occlusion member that is movable between a first configuration where the lumen of the needle is obstructed during insertion into the patient and a second configuration where the lumen of the needle is unobstructed after the needle has been inserted into the patient allowing fluid transfer to or from the patient.

Abstract: A device for delivering a medicament to a patient in need thereof includes: (a) an injector including a first end configured to remain outside a nasal passage of the patient and a second end configured for entry into the nasal passage of the patient, wherein the injector is moveable between a storage position and an engaging position; and (b) an introducer configured for engagement with a nostril of the patient, wherein the introducer includes a passageway configured for slidably receiving the injector, and wherein the introducer includes a curvature along a portion thereof adjacent to the passageway. Methods for ameliorating pain in a patient include (a) introducing the injector through the nasal passage of the patient into a region substantially medial and/or posterior and/or inferior to a sphenopalatine ganglion of the patient; and (b) delivering a medicament from the injector superiorly and/or laterally and/or anteriorly towards the sphenopalatine ganglion.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the force necessary to penetrate living being tissue using a variety of reciprocating motion actuators, including piezoelectric, voice coil, solenoids, pneumatics or fluidics. The reciprocating actuator drives a penetrating member through the tissue at a reduced force while the device detects the passage of the penetrating member through the tissue. Upon passage of the penetrating member through the tissue, electrical power to the reciprocating actuator is automatically terminated. A fluid-containing syringe may be coupled to a channel within the penetrating member. Once the penetrating member tip has passed through the living tissue, the fluid within the syringe no longer experiences any pressure and a plunger within the syringe displaces indicating passage of the penetrating member tip. This motion can provide direct tactile feedback to an operator of the medical device or can automatically open a switch providing electrical power to the medical device.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an air-fuel ratio sensor having an output characteristic which is nonlinear with respect to the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas. An output deviation converter is configured to convert an output deviation to a first predetermined value if an output value of the air-fuel ratio sensor is on a richer side of a predetermined target value and to a second predetermined value if the output value is on a leaner side of the target value. A control input calculator is configured to calculate a control input to feedback-control the output value of the air-fuel ratio sensor such that the output deviation converted by the output deviation converter is to be zero. An air-fuel ratio controller is configured to control the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas using the control input calculated by the control input calculator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new bevel or grinding for a punch-reducing cannula, i.e. a cannula which reduces punching particles, and, in particular, to a punch-reducing cannula having a beveled or ground end as well as to a method for manufacturing a cannula which reduces punching particles.