Abstract: A medical device for infusing medical substances has activation buttons accessible on the exterior of the device housing. Activation buttons and corresponding electrical switches within the housing are configured to prevent inadvertent activation of the buttons and therefore inadvertent operation of the switches to initiate a process such as medical substance delivery to the user. The device employs overlap of respective time traces initiated by activation of the activation buttons to determine whether activation is intended and valid. These time traces do not have to be initiated simultaneously or in any particular sequence. The activation buttons can be elastomeric overmolded buttons set within cutouts in the housing, and, when depressed, make physical contact with respective switches.

Abstract: A rotary pump for a fluid metering system is provided. The rotary pump reciprocates, and is reversed by a signal from a limit switch that is deflected by an actuator arm on a rotating sleeve of the pump system. The sleeve receives a gasket that forms a seal between the sleeve and the housing, the gasket having an opening surrounding a side hole of the sleeve to permit fluid to pass through the side hole between a pump volume and an inlet port or outlet port of the housing.

Abstract: An echogenic balloon dilation catheter and a balloon thereof. The balloon includes a balloon body, a balloon cone at each side of the balloon body, and a balloon tip extending from the balloon cone and fixed to the catheter, the balloon body and the balloon cone being formed of a plurality of polymer layers in a radial direction of the balloon. The balloon may be of enhanced echogenicity using a variety of disclosed techniques.

Abstract: A system and method for developing applications (Apps) for automated assessment and analysis of processed biological samples. Such samples are obtained, combined with nutrient media and incubated. The incubated samples are imaged and the image information is classified according to predetermined criteria. The classified image information is then evaluated according to Apps derived from classified historical image information in a data base. The classified historical image information is compared with the classified image information to provide guidance on further processing of the biological sample through Apps tailored to process provide sample process guidance tailored to the classifications assigned to the image information.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biological fluid collection device, such as a blood collection device, that is adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample having a cellular portion and a plasma portion and quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively separate the plasma portion from the sample. A pressure gradient can be applied across a separation member to facilitate movement of the plasma portion ahead of the cellular portion. The present disclosure allows for both passive and active plasma separation and dispensing.

Abstract: A syringe adapter includes a housing having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, with the housing including a connector body positioned at the first end of the housing and configured to be secured to a syringe barrel, a cannula positioned within the housing, with the cannula defining a transfer opening and a valve opening, a seal arrangement positioned within the housing and movable within the housing, and an aspiration assembly comprising an aspiration housing defining an aspiration opening, a filter received by the aspiration housing, and one-way valve received by the aspiration housing, where the valve opening of the cannula is positioned within the aspiration housing, and where air is configured to flow into the filter via the aspiration opening, into the one-way valve, and into the valve opening of the cannula.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for characterizing particles of a sample in a flow stream. Methods according to certain embodiments include generating frequency-encoded fluorescence data from a particle of a sample in a flow stream; and calculating phase-corrected spatial data of the particle by performing a transform of the frequency-encoded fluorescence data with a phase correction component. In certain embodiments, methods include generating an image of the particle in the flow stream based on the phase-corrected spatial data. Systems having a processor with memory operably coupled to the processor having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to calculate phase-corrected spatial data from frequency-encoded fluorescence data of a particle a flow stream are also described. Integrated circuit devices (e.g., field programmable gate arrays) having programming for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining whether a culture in a vessel contains a plurality of microorganisms are provided. A normalization relative value is calculated for each respective measurement of a biological state of the culture between (i) the respective measurement and (ii) an initial biological state. For each fixed interval of time points, a derivative of the normalization relative values in the interval of time points is calculated, thereby forming a plurality of rate transformation values. For each set of rate transformation values in the plurality of rate transformation values, a measure of central tendency of the values in the set is computed, thereby forming a plurality of average relative transformation values. A determination whether the culture contains the microorganisms is made based on whether any calculated average relative transformation value exceeds a first threshold or whether an extent of growth exhibited by the culture exceeds a second threshold.

Abstract: A medication injection method where a dose set knob of a medication injection pen is rotated with respect to the housing of the medication injection pen during dose setting and dose correcting, a driver is selectively engages with the dose set knob, the driver being rotatably fixed with respect to the housing during dose setting and dose correcting, the driver is moved axially with the dose set knob during the dose setting and the dose correcting, and the driver is rotated with the dose set knob during an injection.

Abstract: A vascular access device may be an integrated catheter. The vascular access device includes a catheter and catheter adapter having a catheter hub and side port. The contact angle of a probe is greater than 90 degrees. The entrance angle of a probe entering the catheter hub from the side port may be less than 45 degrees. The vascular access device may include a component configured to direct the path of a probe towards the catheter opening. The component may be a protrusion extending into the lumen of the side port, internal fluid passageway, and/or extension tube, or a septum within the catheter hub. The vascular access device includes an access adapter in fluid communication with the side port and permitting insertion of a probe into the catheter through the side port with or without a separate luer adapter. Methods of using a vascular access device are further disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting a treatment regimen for a particular patient are provided. The treatment regimen is selected using a first data store including a first plurality of patient records for a first plurality of patients, and a second data store including efficacy rates of a plurality of treatment regimens against a plurality of infections and infection-causing pathogens. The system, or a user of the system, identifies a first infection of the particular patient and a first treatment regimen to be prescribed to treat the first infection. A second plurality of patient records is generated by identifying, in the first plurality of patient records of the first data store, patient records associated with diagnosis or treatment of the first infection. The second plurality of patient records are appended with efficacy rates for the first infection from the second data store.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymeric dyes, their preparation, and their uses. Some embodiments relate to their use for detecting biological activity in samples, such as the presence of bacteria in blood.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and usage techniques for modular lateral flow assay reader devices that can receive a number of different modules having a barcode scanning input device and optional network connectivity capabilities. A barcode scanning module can provide a simple input method that reduces errors compared to manual data entry. A network connectivity module can enable transmission of test results over a public network for standardizing, tracking and electronically connecting test results from assay reader devices located throughout a network. Such devices can programmatically implement a simplified workflow whereby pressing a single button readies the device for imaging, analyzing, and data storage/transmission and, in some implementations, configures the device to operate in one of a plurality of device operation modes.

Abstract: A vial adapter configured to allow direct fluid withdrawal with a syringe from a fluid container having a self-healing sealing member is described. The syringe is connected to the vial adapter by a vial adapter connecting member and a corresponding syringe connecting member. In use, the fluid container is pressed against the vial adapter, and the vial adapter removably locks the fluid container to the vial adapter. When removably locked, a stake of the vial adapter pierces the sealing member.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection device that is adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The biological fluid collection device includes a housing, a puncturing element transitionable between a pre-actuated position wherein the puncturing element is retained within the housing and a puncturing position wherein at least a portion of the puncturing element extends through the housing, and a cartridge removably connectable to a portion of the housing. After collecting a blood sample, the cartridge is removable from the housing and the cartridge is able to transfer the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid collection device provides a closed system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, a septum housing, and a septum. The catheter adapter may include a distal end, a proximal end, an inner wall extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a lumen formed by the inner wall. The septum housing may include one or more protrusions and may be secured to the inner wall by one or more of the following: an interference fit between the one or more protrusions and the inner wall, a snap fit between the one or more protrusions and the inner wall, and bonding between the one or more protrusions and the inner wall. The septum may be at least partially disposed within the septum housing and configured to at least substantially seal the lumen.

Abstract: A vascular access system may include a catheter assembly, which may include a catheter hub and a catheter extending distally from the catheter hub. The vascular access system may include an instrument advancement device coupled to the catheter assembly. The instrument advancement device may include a vascular access instrument. The vascular access instrument may include a coil formed by a flat wire wound around an axis into multiple loops. The instrument advancement device may be configured to advance the vascular access instrument from a retracted position to an advanced position beyond a distal end of the catheter. The distal end of the catheter may include a distal opening. The coil may extend through the distal opening of the catheter in response to the vascular access instrument being in the advanced position.

Abstract: A micropump according to the invention uses axially oriented pistons to define a pump volume. Translating the pistons axially with respect to each other within a pump housing draws a metered amount of fluid into the pump volume from a reservoir port for delivery to a cannula port when the space is collapsed. Radially situated seals on the pistons cooperate with the axial movement to close off and open the cannula port and the reservoir port respectively at different positions of the piston stroke.

Abstract: A cap is described for connection to a needleless connector having an open lumen, the cap includes a housing having a top wall and sidewall forming a first cavity, a flexible container, an porous absorbent material and a sealing rubber. The flexible container includes an inner thread on an inner surface, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of a female needleless connector. The inner surface of the flexible container defines a second cavity. The sidewall of the housing having a split-thread protrusion integrally formed with the distal wall, an outer thread disposed on an outer surface of the split-thread protrusion, the outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of a male needleless connector. The second cavity configured to define a chamber to contain an absorbent reservoir material, a sealing rubber and disinfectant or antimicrobial agent.