Abstract: A medication delivery apparatus including a housing, a container of medication mounted to the housing, an outlet such as an injection needle, and a drive assembly adapted to force medication from the container and through the outlet upon movement of an actuator. The housing periphery includes a projecting abutment for digit engagement which is ergonomically designed for abutting contact by a first digit of a hand of a user when the housing is grasped within the user's hand such that a second digit of the hand of the user may operate the actuator. When the actuator is moved axially, this abutting contact of the first digit with the abutment permits application of an axial force by the first digit on the abutment in a direction generally opposite to an axial force applied to move the actuator.

Abstract: A multi-use medication dispensing pen made of a plastic material that is recyclable after the contents of the medication cartridge have been exhausted. The pen is made of a minimal number of parts, which include a housing, a dial mechanism, a generally cylindrical button assembly located within the proximal end of the dial mechanism, an internally threaded nut, and an externally threaded leadscrew. The pen is arranged so that the dial mechanism must be rotated to the zero-dose position prior to setting a dose. The pen includes a lockout mechanism that prevents the dial mechanism from being inadvertently depressed during dosing. The pen further includes a mechanism that limits the maximum dosage that can be dialed up and a mechanism that prevents the user from dialing up a dosage greater than that remaining in the cartridge.

Abstract: A process for preparing two connected powder transfer conduits for cleaning without releasing powder from the conduits. The conduits are connected to each other by flexible tube of a water-dissolvable material to enable powder communication between the two conduits. A sealing operation is performed to form a seal in the tube sufficient to prevent the powder communication from one side of the seal to the other. The seal is then severed to produce two tube sections where each tube section is sealed at the point of severance. A cleaning conduit is then place over at least one of the two tube sections and connected to the respective conduit. The cleaning conduit is connected to a liquid cleaning source which is adapted to deliver a cleaning liquid capable of dissolving the tube section thereunder upon contact therewith.

Abstract: System for analyzing a protein sample, comprising a reactor vessel, a chromatographic column, a mass spectrometer, and a computer system. The reactor vessel comprises an enzyme activity capable of digesting the protein sample in order to provide a plurality of peptide digests, an inlet port for receiving the protein to be digested, and an exit port for discharging the peptide digests. The chromatographic column comprises a chromatographic medium capable of chromatographically fractionating the peptide digests as the peptide digests are eluted through the column, wherein the chromatographic column comprises an inlet port for receiving the peptide digests, said inlet port being in flow communication with the exit port of the reactor vessel, and wherein the chromatographic column comprises an exit port for discharging an effluent comprising the chromatographically fractionated peptide digests.

Abstract: A device for aligning a syringe with a vessel having a variable internal volume and containing an injectable solution. The device includes one section for removably retaining a vessel of an injectable solution, one section for allowing insertion and extraction of a syringe, and another section adjoining the two aforementioned sections for accurately aligning the needle of the syringe with the opening of the vessel. The alignment device further includes a clip for both releasably retaining the vessel in the device and for enabling the device to be clipped to a shirt pocket.

Abstract: A device for reading the labeled contents of an insulin container and then providing an audible message informing the user of the labeled contents. The device includes a recessed surface, such as a cylindrical well, into which an insulin container is insertable by a vision impaired person. An optical scanner or reader reads a code furnished as part of the labeling on the inserted insulin container. A microcomputer compares the read code to known code patterns and a speech output is generated as to the type of insulin within the container. The speech output is broadcast over a speaker so as to be audible to a listener. The device may be integrated into a blood glucose sensor, or furnished in a unit that may assemble to an existing blood glucose sensor.

Abstract: A hopper assembly for feeding literature to a literature dispenser. The literature dispenser and a label dispenser are positioned on opposite sides of a conveyor on which products being furnished with literature and labels are transported. The hopper assembly includes a chute which is designed to have an upstream chute portion adjacent the conveyor. The upstream chute portion is positioned within the reach of an operator who is stationed on the same side of the conveyer as the label dispenser, and a single operator can load both the hopper assembly and the label dispenser without moving from one side of the conveyor to the other. The hopper assembly also includes a literature escapement having a plurality of retaining members mounted on a pair of support elements. The retaining members engage a forward facing surface of a piece of literature and are arranged in spaced relationship to provide an opening through which the piece of literature is removable from the hopper assembly in the forward direction.

Abstract: A container for a liquid medicament suspension, e.g. an insulin crystal suspension, has a tube with a sealing piston, a cap, and a mixing element which moves along the tube to assist mixing the suspension. The element is guided by the inner surface of the tube and has restricted lateral movement but is free to move axially, for example, by tilting or end to end inversion of the container. Flow passages such as apertures and peripheral recesses are provided in the mixing element which can serve to promote turbulent flow.The containers are particularly suited for use as multi-dose cartridges for pen-like injection devices or for portable infusion devices which have piston-operating mechanisms to cooperate with the container piston.

Abstract: The position of a bone in a body part e.g. a heel 15 is sensed by placing the foot 13 on a surface 12 and sensing pressure points between the underface 14 of the foot and the surface 12. The surface 12 is part of a xerographic device. The distances between pressure points are compared with stored data to obtain for example a measurement of bone condition using ultrasound transducers 19. The body part could be a hand (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An improved drug delivery system comprising a gun style injection device used for holding and administering a disposable pre-filled drug cartridge, a holster device used for receiving an end of the gun style injection device and thereafter severing cannula from cartridge and disposing of spent cannulas and cartridges, and an improvement to the drug cartridge is disclosed. The gun style injection device conprises a barrel, a handle, a hinged and spring loaded squeeze lever, and a safety trigger. The holster device comprises a leg protection panel to which a housing is coupled for disposing of spent cartridges. The holster housing is adapted for receiving the barrel of the gun style injection device. The holster housing provides a means for severing the cannula from a used cartridge and disposing of both the cannula and cartridge in separate containers. The cartridge design itself is improved in order to increase the performance of the gun style injection device and the holster cannula severing mechanism.