Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for producing an output laser beam having two or more angularly deflected laser beams (e.g., for irradiating a sample in a flow stream) with a predetermined intensity profile. Systems for practicing the subject methods having a laser, an acousto-optic device, a radiofrequency generator and a controller for adjusting the amplitude of the radiofrequency drive signals to produce an output laser beam of angularly deflected laser beams with a predetermined intensity profile are also described.

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 biological fluid collection device that includes a housing and a cartridge that is removably receivable within a portion of the housing is disclosed. The biological fluid collection device of the present disclosure allows for collection of capillary blood from a finger stick and provides a closed system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample. In one embodiment, a cartridge of the present disclosure also provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. In another embodiment, a cartridge of the present disclosure provides automatic plasma separation of the blood sample. Advantageously, once the cartridge is filled with a sample aid removed from the housing, the cartridge can be used for a variety of important purposes.

Abstract: A system for providing the collection of advanced, improved, and novel new components and elements in a single package to simplify assembly and use of the infusion set by the user, including one or more of an exemplary pushbutton-type inserter, squeeze-type inserter, contact-type inserter, skin pinching-type inserter, folding retraction-type inserter, and/or multistage-type inserter (700) having at least one reusable stage, an exemplary set (350) having an adhesion means with two or more user-selectable degrees of adhesion strength, a self-sealing tube connection means, a lens feature to view a site beneath the set, exemplary tube management and connection elements (450), insulin supply (475), adhesion concealment means (500), finger loops on the inserter and site preparation wipes or sprays (550) which can be provided as part of the inserter.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present teachings provide a system for performing cytometry that can be operated in three operational modes. In one operational mode, a fluorescence image of a sample is obtained by exciting one or more fluorophore(s) present in the sample by an excitation beam formed as a superposition of a top-hat-shaped beam with a plurality of beams that are radiofrequency shifted relative to one another. In another operational mode, a sample can be illuminated successively over a time interval by a laser beam at a plurality of excitation frequencies in a scanning fashion. The fluorescence emission from the sample can be detected and analyzed, e.g., to generate a fluorescence image of the sample. In yet another operational mode, the system can be operated to illuminate a plurality of locations of a sample concurrently by a single excitation frequency, which can be generated, e.g., by shifting the central frequency of a laser beam by a radiofrequency.

Abstract: A system for the closed transfer of fluids that provides substantially leak-proof sealing and pressure equalization during engagement of a cannula with a vial, during transfer of a substance from a vial chamber to a barrel chamber via the cannula, and during disengagement of the cannula from the vial is disclosed. The leak-proof sealing of the system substantially prevents leakage of both air and liquid during use of the system. The system of the present disclosure also permits pressure equalization between a vial and the system when the system is attached to the vial. The system is compatible with a needle and syringe assembly for accessing a medication contained within a vial for administering the medication to a patient.

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.

Abstract: A system includes a vial access device including a spike, with the vial access device attachable to a first vial defining a first vial size, and an adapter transitionable between a shield position in which the adapter is attachable to the vial access device such that the adapter shields the spike of the vial access device and a vial position in which the adapter is attachable to a second vial defining a second vial size, the second vial size different than the first vial size.

Abstract: A fluid connector, including a fluid path portion having an integral cannula extending in a first direction from a interior surface, and a latching portion secured to the fluid path portion and having a pair of displaceable arms. Each arm includes a connector latch disposed at a first cantilevered end of the arm, and an activation lever disposed at an opposite cantilevered end of the arm and extending in a second direction, not parallel to the first direction. A portion of the activation lever includes a first lateral tactile feature aligned substantially parallel to the first direction to prevent forward slippage of the fluid connector from a user's grasp in the second direction, and a portion of the activation lever includes a lateral tactile feature aligned substantially parallel to the second direction to prevent slippage of the fluid connector from a user's grasp in the first direction.

Abstract: A drug transfer adapter includes a body having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, a transfer spike extending from the body and defining an opening, with the transfer spike configured to pierce a closure of a container, a connector extending from the body, and a securing member extending from the body. The securing member has a first side and a second side positioned opposite the first side, with the first side of the securing member including an adhesive surface configured to secure the body to a container.

Abstract: A storage container for a storage and dispensing station for small piece goods, in particular drugs or dietary supplement products, is provided. The storage container includes a housing having a circular cylindrical section, a separating device having a plurality of channels and a base area arranged in the circular cylindrical section of the housing, as well as a retainer. The base area of the separating device is provided with a plurality of depressions and/or elevations, at least in sections, to reduce a possible contact area between the base area and small piece good, the shape and size that is selected in such a way that an electrostatic attraction between small piece goods and the base area is reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a timeline representing a culture media protocol for a culture medium. Providing a timeline representing a culture media protocol can include receiving the culture media protocol for the culture media generating the timeline on a user interface based on the culture media protocol, monitoring time on the timeline, receiving one or more culture media images related to the culture media protocol, associating each of the one or more culture media images with a position on the timeline that correlates to a time at which the culture media image was captured, and generating a selectable marker for each culture media image associated with the timeline, the selectable marker being aligned with the position on the timeline that correlates to the time at which the culture media image was captured.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device having a reservoir for holding a medicament, a pressurizing system that dispenses the medicament from the reservoir when operating, a hollow cannula for insertion into a patient, and a fluid delivery path disposed between the pressurizing system and the hollow cannula and communicating the medicament therebetween. The medicament delivery device also has a pressure sensor external to the pressurizing system, sensing a back pressure in the fluid delivery path, and providing an indication when the back pressure drops below a predetermined threshold after the pressurizing system ceases operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to flush syringe assemblies comprising an integrated contamination-prevention device integrated with device connector flushing positioned so that the practitioner cannot forget to apply disinfectant. The flush syringe assemblies comprise a barrel with an elongate plunger rod disposed therein and a cap comprising a passageway. The plunger rod includes a stopper of which at least a portion can be embedded in the passageway of the cap to form a plug in the cap. Methods of flushing a vascular access device (VAD) while providing a flush syringe assembly described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A safety needle device is disclosed having a housing configured to couple to a syringe, the housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a housing body. A first guide path, a second guide path and a third guide path may be disposed on the housing body. A needle hub is disposed on the proximal end of the housing and a needle cannula is attached to the needle hub. The device having a retractable sheath configured to move between an initial position, a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the housing, wherein the initial position partially exposes a distal tip of the needle cannula, the retracted position fully exposes the needle cannula, and the extended position fully covers the distal tip of the needle cannula. The retractable sheath also may have a guide element. The first, second and third guide paths are configured to slidingly receive the guide element.

Abstract: A storage container for a storage and dispensing station for drugs or dietary supplement products is provided. The storage container has a separating device including a plurality of channels and a retainer for preventing drugs from slipping into a channel aligned with a dispensing opening. The separating device includes an annular groove and the retainer includes a positioner that engages in the annular groove of the separating device and fixes the retainer vertically. The retainer also includes a retaining section and a holder. The holder secures the retainer against a concurrent rotation with the separating device and aligns the retaining section with the dispensing opening by the holder interacting with a circular cylindrical section of the housing.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the methods provided herein relate to sample analysis and particle characterization methods. Some such embodiments include receiving, from a particle analyzer, measurements for a first portion of particles associated with an experiment. Some embodiments also include generating a tree representing groups of related particles based at least in part on the measurements, wherein the tree includes at least three groups. Some embodiments also include generating a measure of relatedness between a first group and a second group of the tree based at least in part on the measurements. Some embodiments also include and configuring the particle analyzer to classify a subsequent particle associated with the experiment with the first group real-time, wherein the subsequent particle is not included in the first portion of particles. Some embodiments also include sorting the subsequent particle.

Abstract: A catheter assembly (10) comprises a catheter (22), a needle (12) having a sharp distal tip disposed in the catheter (22), a catheter hub (14) housing the catheter (22) and the needle (12), the catheter hub (14) having a collar (34) including a notch (36), a needle shield (20) connected to the catheter hub (14) when the needle (12) is in a first position, and a clip (40) disposed in the needle shield (20) that cooperates with the needle (12), wherein the clip (40) engages the catheter hub (14) in the first position of the needle (12), and the clip (40) disengages the catheter hub (14) via the notch (36) when the needle (12) is retracted to a second position to enclose at least a portion of the needle (12). The clip (40) is mounted in the outer housing (38) of the needle shield (20) via a spade (66) having an outer wall (70) exposed to the outside of the needle shield (20), in order to reduce the overall width of the needle shield (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods involving interconnected plate components, including bases, lids and covers, interconnected in a manner such that a continuous strip of each component is prepared. The continuous strips may be stored as rollstock in a reel style. The physical properties of each continuous strip allow the base, lid and/or cover to include means for positive control. In one embodiment, the continuous strip of bases is advanced and processed through an automated system with positive control, and remains in the form of a continuous strip until agar in the bases is cured, at which time the bases are singulated. When a lid is applied to a base using methods described herein, an airtight seal is formed improving the quality of culture media used in testing.

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.