Abstract: An intravenous therapy system, may include a processor; a data storage device; and a handheld ultrasound probe to detect structures within a patient's body, the handheld ultrasound probe including a video display device physically and operatively coupled to the handheld to display the structures within the patient's body and a magnetic field detector to detect the presence of a vascular access device (VAD) and provide closed-loop feedback to guide the VAD into a blood vessel within the patient's body detected by the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for applying an anti-pathogenic material to various surfaces of a medical device, wherein the method includes identifying various surfaces of the medical tests which include noncritical dimensions, and limiting the application of the anti-pathogenic material to those surfaces. Some aspects of the invention further include the application of an anti-pathogenic lubricant material to various parts or components of a medical device to reduce friction.

Abstract: Water-soluble fluorescent polymeric dyes and polymeric tandem dyes are provided. The polymeric dyes include a water solvated light harvesting multi-chromophore having a conjugated segment of aryl and/or heteroaryl co-monomers. The molar ratio of the co-monomers can be adjusted to provide beneficial technical properties, such as increased water solubility and improved absorption and emission spectra. For instance, the conjugated segment can have a first co-monomer substituted with a water-soluble group (WSG) and a second co-monomer, wherein the first co-monomer is in an amount that is equal or greater than the amount of the second co-monomer, multi-chromophore. The polymeric tandem dyes further include a signaling chromophore covalently linked to the multi-chromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided are aggregation-resistant labeled specific binding members that include the subject water-soluble polymeric dyes.

Abstract: A biological sample is provided, wherein the biological sample is a liquid-based cytology sample. A slide is placed in a holder. The slide is pre-coated with a composition that will cause cells to adhere to the slide. A settling chamber is placed over the slide and the settling chamber is locked onto the holder. The settling chamber has openings in both proximate and distal ends. The opening in the distal end of the settling chamber is positioned over the slide. A density reagent is then dispensed into the settling chamber. The liquid-based cytology sample is then dispensed into the settling chamber over the reagent. The assembly formed by the holder, slide and settling chamber (and its liquid contents) is placed in a centrifuge. The density reagent and the liquid thereover are decanted from the settling chamber. The settling chamber is removed from over the slide.

Abstract: An echogenicity quantitative test system for a sample echogenic medical device includes a fixture into which the echogenic medical device is positioned in relation to an ultrasonic probe connected with an ultrasound diagnostic device. The fixture includes a frame; a probe holder having a first guide rod and a probe clamp configured to hold the ultrasonic probe and movably held on the first guide rod, and a sample holder having a second guide rod and a sample clamp configured to hold the medical device sample. The sample clamp is movably held on the second guide rod. The frame may include guide rails, and the first guide rod and the second guide rod are movably disposed in the guide rails so as to allow for adjustments to the relative positions of the ultrasonic probe and the sample echogenic medical device.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a needle assembly coupled to a catheter adapter. The needle assembly may include a housing, an introducer needle, a distal opening, a first magnet, and a second magnet. In response to proximal withdrawal of the introducer needle, the first magnet may move towards the second magnet, which may block the distal opening and/or prevent blood from leaking out the distal opening.

Abstract: A vascular access device including a catheter adapter, a port opening, and an elastomeric valve. The catheter adapter extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The port opening is formed in a surface of the catheter adapter in fluid communication with a side port of the catheter adapter and the lumen. A structural geometry of the port opening directs a fluid into the lumen in a proximal direction. The elastomeric port valve is disposed within the lumen and configured to deform in response to a transverse force applied thereto. A proximal gap may result between the inner wall forming the lumen and a proximal side of the elastomeric port valve, thereby opening a fluid path.

Abstract: Grippers for a picking device for drug packages and methods for operating the picking device are provided. The gripper has a tray having an end portion with an arcuate front, the end portion forming a loading and unloading front. The gripper further includes a transport device arranged above the tray and configured for moving drug packages from a storage surface onto the tray, and at least one sensor arranged in the end portion of the tray and configured to determine a presence of a drug package in a detection area of the at least one sensor.

Abstract: Pinch clamps are provided which generate positive displacement while also preventing rebound. To prevent rebound while providing positive displacement, the upper and lower clamping surfaces may be configured to form a pinch profile along which the tubing is compressed with the pinch point being formed at the distal end of the pinch profile. To further prevent rebound, the lower arm of the pinch clamp can include blocking ribs that interface with the upper clamping surface to prevent distal travelling of the pinch point even if the upper arm is forced into an over-engaged position.

Abstract: A storage container having a base storage compartment configured to receive a divider by which the storage compartment is divided into two or more sub-compartments, wherein divider includes a tool configured to provide a secondary utility or function unrelated to dividing the storage compartment.

Abstract: A catheter system may include a catheter lumen, first and second electrodes, and a sensor in communication with the first and second electrodes. The sensor may be configured to detect at least one of: a bulk volume of blood within a blood vessel and extravasation of a drug from the blood vessel into soft tissue adjacent the blood vessel. Other catheter systems may include a catheter lumen and a sensing chip coupled to the catheter lumen. The sensing chip may be configured to detect at least one of: a bulk volume of blood within a blood vessel and extravasation of a drug from the blood vessel into soft tissue adjacent the blood vessel.

Abstract: A needle stick prevention device (10, 110) includes a needle shield (20, 120) for selectively covering a distal end of a needle (41, 141). A needle hub (40, 140) is movably received within the needle shield (20, 120). The needle hub (40, 140) includes a proximal end (42, 142), a distal end (46, 146), a needle (41, 141) fixedly connected to the distal end of the needle hub (40, 140), and a plurality of ribs (54) or a cylinder (150) disposed between the proximal and distal ends. An actuation button movably received in a transverse opening of the needle shield (20, 120) to engage the needle shield (20, 120), the needle hub (40, 140) and a medical device. A spring (58, 158) is disposed between the needle hub (40, 140) and actuation member to automatically retract the needle (41, 141) into the needle shield (20, 120).

Abstract: A medical injector including a cap remover or second cap is disclosed. The medical injector includes an injector housing defining a reservoir, a plunger rod, and a stopper engaged with a portion of the plunger rod and slidably disposed within the reservoir. The stopper being sized relative to an interior of the injector housing to provide sealing engagement with a sidewall of the injector housing. The medical injector further includes a needle having a sharpened first end and a second end in communication with the reservoir, a first cap covering the sharpened first end of the needle, and a second cap covering at least a part of the first cap. The second cap is engaged with the first cap such that removal of the second cap simultaneously removes the first cap from the first end of the needle.

Abstract: A silicone septum having a surface coating. The coated silicone septum may be incorporated in an intravenous catheter assembly. The coating reduces static charge among a plurality of vibrating silicone septa during manufacture of the intravenous catheter assembly. The surface coating includes a coating agent selected from a bicarbonate salt and a siloxane polyalkyleneoxide copolymer. The bicarbonate salt may be an alkali metal bicarbonate. The siloxane polyalkyleneoxide copolymer may include copolymer groups selected from ethyleneoxide, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and mixtures thereof. The silicon septum may be coated by contacting an exterior surface of the silicone septum with a coating solution of a solvent and the coating agent for at least 5 minutes. The coating agent has a concentration in the solvent greater than 1 wt. %. Excess coating solution is removed from the exterior surface of the silicone septum. The exterior surface is dried to remove the solvent, forming the surface coating.

Abstract: A device to couple a vascular access device to a medical device may include a body, a spring, and a housing. The body may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end. The proximal end of the body may include a connector. The housing may be coupled to a proximal end of the spring and may enclose the connector. A distal end of the spring may be coupled to the body. The housing may include a flap, which may include an antimicrobial compound. When the housing is disposed in a proximal position, the flap may cover the connector, the antimicrobial compound may contact the connector, and the spring may be uncompressed. In response to movement of the housing from the proximal position to a distal position, the spring may be compressed and the flap may open.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a medication to a patient includes a catheter with a catheter insertion mechanism, a housing, and a base with a surface for supporting a pump mechanism. A noise dampening member in or on the device inhibits noise and vibrations from the pump mechanism from transferring through the base and housing. The noise dampening member can be an elastomer that is coated on or adhered to the base. The noise dampening member can be molded in or on the base in a suitable location to dampen noise produced by the mechanical component. The noise dampening member can be between the base and the mechanical component or spaced from the mechanical component. The noise dampening member can be molded in a recessed area formed in the base and can have a top face that is recessed, aligned with or project from the top face of the base.

Abstract: Provided herein is a prefilled syringe including a syringe barrel having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a chamber, the syringe barrel having an opening at the proximal end. The prefilled syringe also includes a plunger assembly inserted through the opening and axially movable within the chamber of the syringe barrel, with the plunger assembly further including a plunger rod having an elongated body extending between a proximal end and a distal end and a stopper attached to the distal end of plunger rod and positioned within the barrel chamber. The stopper is composed of a blended material including an elastomeric material and an intermixed material having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A wearable unit is provided including a plurality of sensors including a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a patient, a pulse oximeter configured to sense an oxygen saturation of the patient, an accelerometer configured to sense a breathing pattern of the patient, a skin conductance sensor configured to sense a skin conductance of the patient, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor configured to sense an ECG pattern of the patient. The wearable unit may be configured to be worn on the patient's wrist or may be configured to be worn in the patient's ear. Information output by the sensors may be used to determine whether the patient is hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic and to provide an alert the patient or patient's caregiver. Information from the wearable unit may be wirelessly transmitted to an external device.

Abstract: A catheter for use in medical applications is disclosed. The catheter comprises tubing with a tip hole at one end and an end portion at the other end. Fluid exits the catheter at the tip hole thereof. One or more alternative fluid pathway(s) are provided on the sidewall of the catheter to permit outflow of fluid medication from the catheter to ensure proper delivery of the medication to the intended target area, particularly when the tip opening is occluded or restricted for any reason.