Abstract: The present invention is a label system and method for label alignment and placement on a container. The label system includes a first label or a container whereby the first label includes alignment symbology and a second label having an alignment area corresponding to the alignment symbology of the first label. The second label is positioned on the container whereby the alignment area of the second label is aligned with the alignment symbology of the first label. The method for label alignment and placement comprises the steps of (i) providing a container with identification information and a label bearing area; (ii) scanning the identification information; (iii) processing the identification information; (iv) printing indicia on a label at a position defined by the identification information; and (v) placing the label on the container with the indicia positioned at the desired predetermined location.

Abstract: A closure assembly is provided that includes an outer cap with a skirt dimensioned to telescope over the open top end of the tube. An annular shoulder extends inwardly from the top end of the skirt and includes an aperture through which a needle may be directed. A laminated seal is bonded to the bottom surface of the annular shoulder of the outer cap and extends continuously across the aperture in the annular shoulder. A stopper is secured on the bottom surface of the annular seal and is dimensioned for sealing engagement in the open top of the tube. Outer circumferential portions of the bottom surface of the laminated seal between the skirt and the stopper are bonded to the open top end of the tube. The bond between the closure and the laminated seal is stronger than the bond between the tube and the laminated seal. Thus, the closure assembly retains its structural integrity after opening of the tube and can be used to reseal the tube.

Abstract: A resealable barrier closure is provided for a container with an open top and an annular snap ring below the open top. The closure includes a shell having an outer skirt dimensioned to telescope over the open top of the container. The outer skirt has a snap ring for engaging the snap ring on the container. The shell further includes an inner skirt to telescope into the open top of the container. An elastomeric diaphragm is sealingly engaged in the inner skirt. A barrier cup extends across the bottom face of the diaphragm and telescopes upwardly over the inner skirt. The barrier cup initially is sealed hermetically to the container and to the plastic shell. The container may be opened by urging the plastic shell upwardly with sufficient force to break the seal between the barrier cup and the container. The container then may be resealed by merely urging the closure back over the open top of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for verifying the drop delay in a flow cytometer, which is indicative of the time that elapses from a moment at which a particle of interest is detected at an interrogation point in the flow of cytometer to the moment at which a sorting condition, such as a charging potential, is applied in response to the detection to a droplet forming at a droplet forming location in the flow cytometer. The apparatus and method analyzes the content of the droplets formed by the flow cytometer, and based on the analysis, provides an indication as to whether the drop delay time at which the flow cytometer is operating is correct. Specifically, the charging potential should be applied to the droplet containing the detected particle of interest. The content of the droplets can be analyzed at the droplet formation point, or at a location downstream of the droplet formation point, to detect the presence or absence of a particle of interest that was detected at the interrogation point in the flow cytometer.

Abstract: A corneal incision device of the present invention includes a surgical blade and a frame having an inner surface with a configuration that is generally in the shape of a ring-like segment of a hollow sphere. The frame has an aperture therein to allow the surgical blade to be inserted through the frame beyond the inner surface. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow movement of the surgical blade in one axis. The device may have a protuberance affixed to the inner surface of the frame adjacent to the aperture disposed to distort a surface of a patient's eye when the device is selectively positioned on the eye by a practitioner. The device has provisions for holding, advancing and withdrawing the surgical blade through the aperture, disposed on the frame. The device is releasably retained on the patient's eye by fixation elements disposed on the inner surface of the frame. There is a handle affixed to the frame to facilitate the practitioner's manipulation of device.

Abstract: A drape is described for use in various ophthalmic surgeries including refractive eye surgery. The drape can be configured in at least sixteen different ways for both single or bilateral eye surgical procedures. The drape includes an adhesive liner that acts as a cover for the non-surgical eye. A tent portion is also provided that allows the patient to blink or comfortably keep open the covered non-surgical eye. Allowing the patient to blink or keep open the covered non-surgical eye gives support or assists in fixation of the surgical eye. The drape is also positions the apertures are on the lower half of the drape in order to leave the bottom of the nose and mouth uncovered for patient comfort. An adhesive liner may be provided with the drape for allowing coverage of the non-surgical eye.

Abstract: Method of using a drape is described for use in various ophthalmic surgeries including refractive eye surgery. The drape can be configured in at least sixteen different ways for both single or bilateral eye surgical procedures. The drape includes an adhesive liner that acts as a cover for the non-surgical eye. A tent portion is also provided that allows the patient to blink or comfortably keep open the covered non-surgical eye. Allowing the patient to blink or keep open the covered non-surgical eye gives support or assists in fixation of the surgical eye. The drape is also positions the apertures are on the lower half of the drape in order to leave the bottom of the nose and mouth uncovered for patient comfort. An adhesive liner may be provided with the drape for allowing coverage of the non-surgical eye.

Abstract: A pen needle magazine dispenser for holding and dispensing a novel pen needle assembly. The pen needle magazine dispenser includes a number of threaded sleeves within cavities that interact with threads on each pen needle assembly to attach the pen needle to a special adapter on a conventional medication delivery pen. The magazine dispenser includes a sterility barrier and a cap to cover the pen needles.

Abstract: A capsulorhexis forceps is described which includes a unique removable hub and handle. The hub allows the use of the forceps as a cystotome in addition to a forceps. The hub design comprises a coaxial wire inside a cannula which provides minimal trauma when the forceps is opened and closed for repositioning during the capsulotromy. The hub is also replaceable and disposable after use. This flexibility in hub replacement allows the surgeon to use the forceps either in the initial open or closed position. The handle also may provide a constant grip force to the corneal flap independent of manual actuation force of the forceps.

Abstract: A medication delivery pen includes a housing having an actuator disposed in the proximal end of the housing for setting and administering a dosage of medication, a medication-containing cartridge assembly having a cartridge with a pierceably sealed distal end, an open proximal end removably attachable to the distal end of the housing, and a piston in sliding, fluid tight engagement within the cartridge. A drive mechanism is coupled between the actuator and the cartridge to exert an axial force on the piston to inject the set dosage of medication. The actuator triggers the drive mechanism to administer the injection of medication held in the cartridge and a processor is coupled to the actuator to determine a value equal to the dosage set by the actuator.

Abstract: A medication delivery pen having very few parts allowing it to be manufactured at a very low-cost. The medication delivery pen also includes an automatic release mechanism to allow the user to easily reset the dose on the medication delivery pen and a mechanism for allowing the lead screw to easily retract back into the body of the medication delivery pen when the vial retainer has been removed to receive a new vial.

Abstract: The ophthalmic surgical sponge is described which includes a base and a corneal shield assembly. The base allows absorption of corneal fluid during eye surgery. The corneal shield assembly is used as an absorption structure and a structure to protect the corneal cap which is formed during eye surgery, particularly in surgeries that remove tissue from the corneal stroma. The corneal shield assembly protects the corneal cap as well as the hinge of the flap during the actual tissue removal from either a laser or other tissue removing devices. Thus, the corneal cap is protected from scatter rays from the laser or other debris created from tissue removal of the cornea. Wetting the ophthalmic sponge creates a co-hesive seal so that the corneal shield assembly can seal the corneal cap securely. This seal is removable after the surgery is completed to re-expose the corneal cap and replace the cap on the cornea.

Abstract: A medication delivery pen having a repeat-dose feature that limits motion of the dose control mechanism using an adjustable repeat-dose stop on the dose knob. In addition, the medication delivery pen also provides the user a simple mechanism for setting and correcting the dose and a drive mechanism that makes the dispensing operation as easy as possible requiring as little force as necessary.

Abstract: A portable diagnostic and medication delivery system that includes a housing and a monitor disposed in the housing for monitoring a characteristic of a bodily fluid sample obtained from an individual. A medication delivery pen and a lancer are each removably mounted to the housing. The monitor, which may be integrated into the housing, may monitor blood glucose levels, for example, and the pen may be employed for the delivery of insulin.

Abstract: A method of using an ophthalmic surgical sponge is described. The sponge includes a base and a corneal shield assembly. The base allows absorption of corneal fluid during eye surgery. The corneal shield assembly is used as an absorption structure and a structure to protect the corneal cap which is formed during eye surgery, particularly in surgeries that remove tissue from the corneal stroma. The corneal shield assembly protects the corneal cap as well as the hinge of the flap during the actual tissue removal from either a laser or other tissue removing means. Thus, the corneal cap is protected from scatter rays from the laser or other debris created from tissue removal of the cornea. Wetting the ophthalmic sponge creates a co-hesive seal so that the corneal shield assembly can seal the corneal cap securely. This seal is removable after the surgery is completed to re-expose the corneal cap and replace the cap on the cornea.

Abstract: A needle assembly for a medication delivery pen having a 31 gauge needle cannula that reduces penetration force during an injection process resulting in less pain to the patient without causing any loss in performance or structural integrity.

Abstract: A flow regulator is provided which comprises a housing defining a chamber therein and including inlet and outlet ports that are adaptable to allow fluid to flow into and out of the chamber. A piston assembly, including an orifice defining member in which is formed an orifice, is movably disposed in the chamber and is capable of moving in directions toward and away from the outlet port. An urging device, such as a spring, magnetic or electromagnetic device, urges the piston assembly away from the outlet port. As fluid flows into the flow regulator, the fluid flows through the orifice. The clearance between a control surface of the piston assembly and the outlet port automatically adjusts so that an equilibrium condition occurs in the flow regulator in which the difference between the pressure of the fluid upstream of the orifice and the pressure of the fluid downstream of the orifice is maintained essentially constant.

Abstract: A laminated elbow brace made of a unique blend of material combining Airpreene.TM. material with Coolmax.TM. material as a liner having a movable support. Airpreene.TM. material affords the properties of heat retention, compression and breathability, while Coolmax.TM. material wicks perspiration away from the skin and dries the area quickly. The combination of these materials provides compression and heat retention to the patient while providing wearing comfort.

Abstract: A medication delivery pen having a repeat-dose feature that is performed by using a pull-push operation. In particular, the medication delivery pen includes means for whether the medication delivery pen is armed and a variety of novel drive mechanisms. In addition, the medication delivery pen also includes a priming control mechanism that allows the user to easily prime medication delivery pen prior to arming the pen.