Abstract: A peripheral intravenous catheter assembly may include a low-drag septum. The septum may include a body having a distal end and a proximal end, which may be sealed. The septum may include a slot disposed within an outer surface of the body and oriented along a longitudinal axis of the body. The slot may include a distal end spaced apart from the distal end of the body, and a proximal end spaced apart from the proximal end of the body. An introducer needle may extend through the slot.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include reconfigurable integrated circuits for characterizing particles of a sample in a flow stream. Reconfigurable integrated circuits according to certain embodiments are programmed to calculate parameters of a particle in a flow stream from detected light; compare the calculated parameters of the particle with parameters of one or more particle classifications; classify the particle based on the comparison between the parameters of the particle classifications and the calculated parameters of the particle; and adjust one or more parameters of the particle classifications based on the calculated parameters of the particle. Methods for characterizing particles in a flow stream with the subject integrated circuits are also described. Systems and integrated circuit devices programmed for practicing the subject methods, such as on a flow cytometer, are also provided.

Abstract: A biological fluid sampling transfer device adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to separate a plasma portion from a cellular portion. After separation, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid sampling transfer device also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The biological fluid sampling transfer device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the biological fluid sampling transfer device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.

Abstract: A disinfection cap is described for connection to a medical connector, the disinfection cap includes a housing having a top wall and sidewall forming a cavity, disinfectant or antimicrobial agent and a ball disposed within the cavity. An outer surface of the housing includes a thread sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of a threaded connector, or more specifically a male luer connector. The cap may also include a peelable seal to prevent the disinfectant or the antimicrobial agent from exiting the cavity. The cavity of the cap may also include one or more ribs disposed on the inner surface of the cavity to retain the ball in the cavity, forming a flow channel as the ball is depressed further into the cavity. An exterior sidewall surface of the housing may include a plurality of grip members.

Abstract: Methods of dispensing small piece goods include storing one or more small piece goods in a storage container for a storage and dispensing station, engaging a positioner of a retainer with a separating device to fix the retainer above a dispensing opening, securing, by a holder, the retainer against a concurrent rotation with the separating device. Also, aligning, by the holder, the retaining section with the dispensing opening, rotating the separating device within the housing to situate a first channel above the dispensing opening, preventing, via the retaining section, additional small piece goods from entering the first channel containing a first small piece good and dispensing the first small piece good through the dispensing opening. Methods of using a system for storage and dispensing of drug portions are also provided.

Abstract: A disinfecting cap is described including a housing, a protrusion and a cap cover, the housing including a top wall, an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity, and an open bottom end opposite the top wall formed by the cylindrical sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of a female needleless connector or a male needleless connector, wherein the protrusion is positioned within the first cavity and includes an inner surface, an outer surface and an end distal the top wall of the housing, the inner surface of the protrusion defining a second cavity, and wherein the outer surface of the protrusion and an inner surface of the essentially cylindrical sidewall define a gap therebetween, and the cap cover is dimensioned and positioned to cover at least a portion of the gap between the outer surface of the protrusion and the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: The safety device includes a tubular body configured to receive a barrel, a head arrangement configured to abut against the flange and to lock into a flange, at least two actuation arms connecting the tubular body and the head arrangement, said actuation arms having a proximal link connected to the head arrangement by a proximal hinge and a distal link connected to the tubular body by a distal hinge, the proximal link and the distal link being connected by an intermediate hinge, the actuation arm being movable between a collapsed position in which the tubular body is maintained in a position proximally close to the flange uncovering the needle and an extended position in which the tubular body is maintained in a position distally distant from the head arrangement shielding the needle; a locking means for maintaining the actuation arms in a collapsed position and a biasing member for maintaining the actuation arms in an extended position.

Abstract: Medical articles formed from ionically bonding an ionic compound and an active agent provide enhanced properties. The ionic compound comprises an ionic additive incorporated into a base polymer. The ionic additive may be one or more of an anionic additive, a cationic additive, and a zwitterionic additive. Medical articles herein have antimicrobial, anti-fouling, and/or antithrombotic characteristics.

Abstract: A Luer coupling limits the maximum assembly torque applied to corresponding male and female Luer connector portions of the coupling and another vascular access device (VAD). Corresponding, opposing detents, which are in slidable, mating, abutting engagement contact with each other, limit the maximum applied torque during Luer assembly by slipping past each other when exceeding a desired torque threshold. The torque threshold is selected to be sufficiently high to assure fluid-tight connection, but below a level that induces seizure of the mating Luer connector components. In some embodiments, the opposing detents also create audible and/or tactile vibrations, such as a “clicking” sound as the opposing detents skip over each other. In some embodiments the opposing detents are a pawl and a ratchet.

Abstract: An accessory (60) configured to be attached to a medical device (10) to disinfect a skin surface or a portable medical device surface (54). The accessory (60) comprising a plurality of disinfecting materials (68), and a mounting mechanism (62) that is configured to attach and detach the accessory (60) to the medical device (10).

Abstract: A syringe adapter is provided. The adapter includes a housing having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end. The housing may include a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion. The first end of the housing can include a connector configured to be secured to a syringe barrel. The adapter also includes a cannula positioned within the housing and a seal arrangement including a membrane positioned within the housing and movable within the housing. The first portion of the housing can be connected to the second portion via axial and radial interference between the first portion and the second portion of the housing.

Abstract: A vascular access device may include a housing, which may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a slot. The distal end of the housing may be configured to be coupled to a catheter assembly. The vascular access device may also include an instrument disposed within the housing. The instrument may include a catheter or a probe. The instrument may include a proximal end and a distal tip. The proximal end of the instrument may extend through the slot and may be configured to move along the slot to move the instrument from a proximal position to a distal position. In response to movement of the proximal end of the instrument from the proximal position to the distal position, the catheter may be advanced beyond the distal end of the housing into the catheter assembly and/or vasculature of a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a fixed magnet assembly that can be implemented into automated platforms for performing polynucleotide extraction from biological samples and preparing the polynucleotides into an amplification-ready form. The fixed magnet assembly can be used to provide magnetic energy to a container containing magnetic particles and a reaction mixture of polynucleotides, in order to bring about a separation of the magnetic particles from the reaction mixture. This can prevent or reduce magnetic particle carryover in the prepared amplification-ready sample, thereby improving amplification results.

Abstract: A disinfection cap is described for connection to a medical connector, the disinfection cap includes a housing having a top wall and sidewall forming a cavity, an open cell foam structure disposed within the cavity and a closed cell foam structure disposed against the open cell foam structure, the closed cell foam structure having an interference fit between the closed cell foam structure and the inner surface of the housing. The closed cell foam structure may have a polygonal or star shape, wherein fluid can flow through a gap formed between the closed cell foam structure and the inner surface of the cavity. The open cell foam structure may be impregnated with disinfectant, whereby compression of the open cell foam structure causes excretion of the disinfectant upon insertion of a luer connector.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include methods for generating angularly deflected laser beams for irradiating a sample in a flow stream. Methods according to certain embodiments include generating a first set of angularly deflected laser beams and a second set of angularly deflected laser beams, propagating the first set of angularly deflected laser beams along a different optical path from the second set of angularly deflected laser beams, combining the first set of angularly deflected laser beams with the second set of angularly deflected laser beams and directing the combined sets of laser beams onto a sample in a flow stream and detecting light from the sample. Systems having a laser, an acousto-optic device and an optical adjustment component configured to generate a first set of angularly deflected laser beams and a second set of angularly deflected laser beams are also described.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are disclosed for high-sensitivity single molecule digital counting by the stochastic labeling of a collection of identical molecules by attachment of a diverse set of labels. Each copy of a molecule randomly chooses from a non-depleting reservoir of diverse labels. Detection may be by a variety of methods including hybridization based or sequencing. Molecules that would otherwise be identical in information content can be labeled to create a separately detectable product that is unique or approximately unique in a collection. This stochastic transformation relaxes the problem of counting molecules from one of locating and identifying identical molecules to a series of binary digital questions detecting whether preprogrammed labels are present. The methods may be used, for example, to estimate the number of separate molecules of a given type or types within a sample.

Abstract: An integrated disinfection device is described syringe assembly having two integrated disinfection units assembled to a syringe for disinfecting and sterilizing corresponding medical connectors, specifically access ports of corresponding medical connectors. The integrated disinfection unit includes a first cup and a second cup. The first cup having a chamber containing a first absorbent material, a first disinfectant or an antimicrobial agent in the first cup, and a first peelable seal. The second cup having a chamber containing a second absorbent material, a second disinfectant or an antimicrobial agent in the second cup, and a second peelable seal. A threaded connection is disposed on the bottom exterior surface of the first cup having threads that are sized and pitched to engage threads of a luer lock collar on the distal end of the syringe barrel to allow the first cup to be connected to the syringe assembly.

Abstract: A syringe with an integrated vein finder is disclosed, which illuminates a potential venipuncture site of a patient and identifies a vein that is suitable for venipuncture with the syringe, for blood collection or intravenous drug administration. The syringe portion of the system includes a syringe barrel and a pointed-tip needle projecting from the distal end of the barrel for venipuncture. An illumination module is coupled to the syringe barrel; it has an illumination source that projects an electromagnetic beam into an illumination zone distal the syringe's pointed tip, for illuminating and identifying a subcutaneous vein. The integrated vein finder and syringe system is operable by a sole clinician, such as a phlebotomist, who can easily manipulate the syringe and illuminate the venipuncture site with one hand, without assistance of another clinician.

Abstract: Medical articles formed from ionically bonding an ionic compound and an active agent provide enhanced properties. The ionic compound comprises an ionic additive incorporated into a base polymer. The ionic additive may be one or more of an anionic additive, a cationic additive, and a zwitterionic additive. Medical articles herein have antimicrobial, anti-fouling, and/or antithrombotic characteristics.

Abstract: An IV catheter system may have a catheter component and a needle component. The catheter component may have a catheter hub, a cannula extending distally from the catheter hub, and a push feature extending outward from the catheter hub. The push feature may have an outer surface that receives contact from a digit to move the IV catheter system from an insertion configuration, in which the needle is within the cannula, to a fluid delivery configuration, in which the needle is outside the catheter hub. The needle component may have a needle hub and a needle extending distally from the needle hub along an axis. The push feature may be formed of a flexible material that causes the push feature, in response to pressure exerted on the outer surface by a dressing securing the catheter component to a patient, to deflect the outer surface toward the cannula axis.