Abstract: A medication delivery pen having a vial retainer with a side opening have flexible snap wings that spread to receive and retain a standard or threaded vial within the vial retainer. The vial retainer also includes an improved means of attaching the vial retainer to a pen injector body, using a cam and cam follower design together with a ratcheting mechanism to prevent removal of the vial from the medication delivery pen. Alternatively, a release mechanism could be used so that the vial may be removed from the medication delivery pen. In addition, the vial retainer includes an opening for receiving the vial defined by a pair of flexible snap wings.

Abstract: A laminated orthopedic brace made of a unique blend of material combining Airpreene.TM. material with Coolmax.TM. material as a liner. 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 culture medium and blood specimen are introduced into a sealable glass vial having a head space gas mixture such that a change in the gas mixture composition can be monitored by a chemically sensitive material in the vial comprising a mixture of two fluorescent sensor materials. The first sensor material exhibits a long fluorescence decay time and/or a fluorescence intensity that depend on a first chemical parameter, such as oxygen concentration. The second sensor material exhibits a fluorescence intensity that depends on a second chemical parameter, such as pH or carbon dioxide concentration, the fluorescence decay time of the second sensor material being extremely short.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, the tip has a conical portion. Four connection tabs are orthogonally and evenly spaced on the outer circumference of the conical portion. The tip has a flange surrounding an outer circumference of the conical portion and parallel to the connection tabs. Between the connection tabs and the flange is a gap. The connection tabs and gap have a size such that they securely connect the tip of the acoustic reflectometer. The tip also may have a set of handling tabs connected between the flange and the conical section which simplify attachment of the tip to and removal of the tip from the acoustic reflectometer. The inner diameter of the tip has a shape that provides a matching acoustic impedance to the ear canal.

Abstract: A system and method for measurement of ear conditions utilizing a test signal. The apparatus includes a wave guide having a proximal and distal end. The distal end is connected to a probe tip, which may be fabricated of a semi-rigid material or rigid material and may further be a material transmissive light. The probe tip is sized so as to fit at least a portion of the probe tip within the ear canal. The wave guide further includes an acoustic energy source disposed substantially at the proximal end for generating a test acoustic wave in response to a source signal. The wave guide further includes an acoustic energy detector, for example a microphone, for detection of reflected acoustic energy and generation of a electrical signal in response. The apparatus is controlled by a processor. The processor is adapted to generate the source signal which will preferably contain pseudo-random noise.

Abstract: A medication cartridge for use with a medication delivery pen having a cartridge body with threads at its distal end for receiving a pen-needle. The threads are either integrally molded in the cartridge or on the outer surface of a cap used to retain a septum on the distal end of the cartridge body. The cartridge body of the medication cartridge also includes threads or a snap-ring at its proximal end for attaching the medication cartridge directly to a pen body housing of the medication delivery pen without the need for a medication cartridge holder.

Abstract: A medication delivery pen having a magnifier for sufficiently magnify dosage numerals used by the user to set the desired dose of medication to be dispensed by the medication delivery pen. The magnifier being integral with a pocket clip on the medication delivery pen, such that the magnifier means extends over a window through which the user sees the set desired dose and at a predetermined distance such that the dose is sufficiently magnified for the user.

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 determining 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.

Abstract: An improved medication delivery pen is provided for injecting fluids such as insulin within body tissue. The medication delivery pen includes a mechanism that prevents the removal of a cartridge unless an injector button on the medication pen is in a predefined position, a bayonet attachment and an improved clutch assembly in a dose setting mechanism that provides improved control over the torque necessary to rotate a units counter ring in the medication delivery pen using a dose setting knob.

Abstract: A pen needle of the present invention includes an extender that is rotatably attached to a hub on the pen needle to set the pen needle to a desired injection length. The extender is rotated into multiple predefined positions using a shield that is removably mounted on the pen needle. Each predefined position for the extender corresponds to a predetermined injection length for the pen needle such that the extender covers a section of the pen needle not being used for the injection. After the shield has been used to rotate the extender into one of the predefined positions the shield is removed from the pen needle to expose the distal point of the pen needle so that the injection can be performed.

Abstract: A disposable pen needle assembly is provided that includes a snap lock feature that provides a user with a simple method of detaching and attaching the pen needle to the medication delivery pen. In addition, the pen needle assembly includes a multi-use shield that initially shields the distal end of the pen needle prior to use and then both shields the proximal end of the needle and locks the used needle in its outer cover prior to disposal.

Abstract: A pen needle having a cylindrical hub including a distal section that is received in a needle holder and a proximal section having threads that mate with a pair of lugs in an adaptor mounted on a medication delivery pen. The distal end of the pen needle includes a plurality of splines that mate with splines in the needle holder to prevent the pen needle from rotating within the needle holder and aid in threading the pen needle onto the adaptor. The pen needle is fully received in the needle holder to shield the proximal point of the pen needle and can only be removed from the needle holder by using the adaptor or a cartridge retainer having the proper pair of lugs thereon.

Abstract: An improved medication delivery pen is provided for injecting fluids such as insulin within body tissue. The medication delivery pen includes a mechanism that prevents the removal of a cartridge unless an injector button on the medication pen is in a predefined position, a bayonet attachment and an improved clutch assembly in a dose setting mechanism that provides improved control over the torque necessary to rotate a units counter ring in the medication delivery pen using a dose setting knob.

Abstract: A needle assembly having a telescoping shield that extends over the distal end of the needle when released by an actuator that is triggered during a standard sequence of operation of a medical procedure. For example, the telescoping shield extends by a compression spring from a starting retracted position to a venipuncture partially extended position during the standard sequence of operation of drawing a blood sample with an evacuated blood collection tube and needle holder. After the procedure is complete and the needle is removed from the patient the shield continues to extend to a fully extended and locked position over the distal end of the needle rendering the needle safe and preventing needle stick injuries.

Abstract: The present invention describes a multiple sample container for use in a method and apparatus for detecting microorganisms in a culture container. The container includes a block having a plurality of through holes for dividing the sample into a plurality of partial samples. Each partial sample has its own head space and its own sensor. The spacial array of partial samples is read out by a CCD camera and split into partial sample to generate a spacial array that results in a substantial reduction in the time to detection.

Abstract: A pen needle dispenser having a cover rotatably mounted on a circular shaped container having a plurality of cavities, with each cavity dimensioned to receive a pen needle assembly with or without shields. The cover includes a slot that is rotated into alignment with one of the cavities in the container to provide the user with access to one unused shielded pen needle and thereby permits the pen needle to be mounted on a medication delivery pen. After use the used unshielded pen needle is returned to and locked in the cavity. Then, the cover is rotated until the slot is aligned with another cavity containing the next unused shielded pen needle to be used during the next injection. The pen needle dispenser prevents the cover from rotating the slot back to cavities containing used pen needles.