Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module includes a piston slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.

Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes a cartridge including a piston slidably disposed within an interior for delivering medicament within the interior through an outlet, and a driver including a plunger coupled to the piston, a source of pressurized fluid, and an actuator member for opening a flow path at least partially between the source and the plunger to advance the plunger and piston to deliver medicament from the interior. One or more sensors are operatively coupled to the plunger to measure displacement of the plunger, a processor is coupled to the sensor(s) for analyzing sensor signals to measure volume of medicament delivered from the interior, and an output device, e.g., one or more LEDs or speakers, provide outputs related to the volume of medicament delivered.

Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes an injector cannula having a soft injector tip. A retractable tip protector tube is slidably disposed on the flow cannula between an extended position in which the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and a retracted position in which the tip protector tube is retracted proximally thereby exposing at least part of the injector tip. Accordingly, the tip protector tube protects the injector tip from being damaged while advancing the injector tip to a target injection site.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module includes a piston slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.

Abstract: Gas-powered fluid injection systems and methods are disclosed, e.g., for delivering fluids into a patient's body. An injection device comprises a driver housing which forms and/or encloses a gas pressure source, an actuation piston driven by the gas pressure source and a hydraulic fluid pressurized by movement of the actuation piston. The hydraulic fluid flows through an adjustable valve into a plunger lumen which pushes a plunger of a fluid dispensing device, such as a syringe, to dispense an injection fluid, such as a medicament. The injection device has a movable plunger sleeve which receives the plunger of the fluid dispensing device. The plunger sleeve is moved during the activation and de-activation of the injection device such that it relieves residual pressure in the fluid dispensing device thereby preventing the fluid dispensing device from continuing to dispense injection fluid after the injection device has been de-actuated.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering fluid into a patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, the device may include a syringe cartridge and a syringe driver that may be coupled to the cartridge. The cartridge may include a housing including a proximal end, a distal end, and defining an interior, the cartridge further including a piston slidably disposed within the interior for delivering fluid within the interior through a port in the distal end. The driver may include a plunger for advancing the piston within the interior of the housing, a source of pressurized fluid, a valve, and an actuator member coupled to the valve for selectively opening a flow path from the source to the plunger to control flow of the pressurized fluid to advance the plunger to deliver fluid from the interior of the housing at a desired rate.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus and corresponding methods are provided for delivering viscous fluids in a controlled manner, such as delivering a viscous fluid in a surgical setting. The self-contained apparatus can include a motion following pressure regulator that allows for linear control of a regulated pressure. The regulated pressure can be used for dispensing a viscous fluid from a syringe that is coupled to the self-contained apparatus. The pressure regulator regulates a pressure derived from a pressurized fluid reservoir located at least partially within a housing of the apparatus. This allows the viscous fluid to be delivered using pressure to provide a driving force greater than a force easily delivered manually, while still allowing a surgeon to retain fine control over the rate of viscous fluid delivery.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for filling syringes, e.g., for use during pneumatic retinopexy or other medical procedures. In one embodiment, the system includes a housing carrying a gas canister including an outlet communicating with a fluid path extending from the outlet to a syringe cavity. A syringe includes a barrel receivable in the syringe cavity such that a port of the barrel communicates with the fluid path. An actuator is provided on the housing for selectively opening the outlet of the gas canister to deliver gas therein along the fluid path into the interior of the barrel, thereby causing the plunger to move from a distal position to a proximal position.

Abstract: A gas mixture apparatus includes a measurement control system, an activation system, a pressurized chamber with one or more gases, and a mixing chamber. The apparatus can also include additional pressure regulation control systems. The gas mixture apparatus can be used to introduce and automatically perform the steps to achieve a desired concentration of the one or more gases contained in the pressurized chamber. The gas mixture apparatus can include the pressurized chamber within the apparatus itself such that no external devices are necessary for introducing the one or more gases into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus and corresponding methods are provided for delivering viscous fluids in a controlled manner, such as delivering a viscous fluid in a surgical setting. The self-contained apparatus can include a motion following pressure regulator that allows for linear control of a regulated pressure. The regulated pressure can be used for dispensing a viscous fluid from a syringe that is coupled to the self-contained apparatus. The pressure regulator regulates a pressure derived from a pressurized fluid reservoir located at least partially within a housing of the apparatus. This allows the viscous fluid to be delivered using pressure to provide a driving force greater than a force easily delivered manually, while still allowing a surgeon to retain fine control over the rate of viscous fluid delivery.

Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter can include an energy storage portion, an actuator portion, and a lens support portion. The energy storage portion can include a compressible energy storage device, such as a compressible fluid, springs, and other devices. The inserter can include an actuator portion operating with a substantially incompressible fluid, such as liquids or other noncompressible fluids. The actuator can be configured to provide an operator with control over the release of energy from the energy storage portion so as to move a plunger for the discharge of a lens from an intraocular lens cartridge.

Abstract: A gas mixture apparatus includes a measurement control system, an activation system, a pressurized chamber with one or more gases, and a mixing chamber. The apparatus can also include additional pressure regulation control systems. The gas mixture apparatus can be used to introduce and automatically perform the steps to achieve a desired concentration of the one or more gases contained in the pressurized chamber. The gas mixture apparatus can include the pressurized chamber within the apparatus itself such that no external devices are necessary for introducing the one or more gases into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for filling syringes, e.g., for use during pneumatic retinopexy or other medical procedures. In one embodiment, the system includes a housing carrying a gas canister including an outlet communicating with a fluid path extending from the outlet to a syringe cavity. A syringe includes a barrel receivable in the syringe cavity such that a port of the barrel communicates with the fluid path. An actuator is provided on the housing for selectively opening the outlet of the gas canister to deliver gas therein along the fluid path into the interior of the barrel, thereby causing the plunger to move from a distal position to a proximal position.

Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter can include an energy storage portion, an actuator portion, and a lens support portion. The energy storage portion can include a compressible energy storage device, such as a compressible fluid, springs, and other devices. The inserter can include an actuator portion operating with a substantially incompressible fluid, such as liquids or other noncompressible fluids. The actuator can be configured to provide an operator with control over the release of energy from the energy storage portion so as to move a plunger for the discharge of a lens from an intraocular lens cartridge.