Abstract: A method of controlling fluid flow from a fluid source to a patient includes the step of mating a first connector comprising a first body with a first fluid passage therethrough and a conductive element disposed the first body to a second connector comprising a second body with a second fluid passage therethrough and two separated electrical contacts disposed on the body such that the two electrical contacts engage the conductive element when the first and second connectors are mated. The two electrical contacts are electrically coupled to a normally closed, electrically activated valve that is fluidically coupled to the second fluid passage and configured to open only when a circuit is completed through the two electrical contacts.

Abstract: A piston for a needleless valve system comprising a head portion configured to be disposed in the needleless valve system and controlling fluid flow through the needleless valve system. The head portion comprising a continuous top surface, and an opening disposed proximate the continuous top surface, wherein the continuous top surface is non-planar when the opening is in an open position.

Abstract: An applicator assembly includes a head portion having a proximal, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a fluid chamber, a container slidably coupled to the body, a breakable membrane sealing an end of the container, and a hollow puncture mechanism, wherein the hollow puncture mechanism is mounted in the interior portion of the head portion and an interior of the container is placed in fluid communication with the application member by way of a fluid conduit that is formed through the hollow puncture mechanism from the container to the fluid chamber when the container is axially translated toward the head portion and the puncture mechanism pierces the breakable membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of fluids to a patient includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube connected to each other at an angular joint. A rotary valve and a piston are fitted to the angular joint forming a chamber. The rotary valve is provided with a priming channel notch and a pumping notch. For priming operation with the fluid delivery apparatus, a user sets the rotary valve to a priming position. During pumping operation, the rotary valve rotates in coordination with the piston to transfer a quantum of fluid from the inlet tube to the outlet tube via the chamber. A second piston is optionally provided on the outlet tube for smoothing out flow rate pulsations.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating drug data sets is provided. The system and method includes identifying when entries in a current data set differ from a data set comprising an aggregate of entries for a plurality of institutions, and prompting a user to determine if a change in the current data set should be changed. The system and method also identifies cases where different dose units are used for the same drug. A report is generated noting exceptions.

Abstract: An inspectable joint in a medical device is disclosed that includes at least one medical-grade tube having an end, a medical-grade fitting having at least one joining surface configured to accept the end of the tube, and a joining material disposed between the tube and the joining surface. The joining material includes a first component configured to couple the tube to the fitting and a second component configured to provide observable evidence of the presence of the joining material between the tube and the joining surface.

Abstract: A system for component based aggregation of medication orders may include a processor and memory. The processor may receive display a queue that lists medication orders to be prepared by a healthcare professional, the medication orders indicating component medications that will be used to prepare the ordered medications. The processor may receive a selection of a first medication order listed in the queue, where the first medication order indicates a first component medication. The processor may determine a second medication order listed in the queue that indicates the first component medication. The processor may reorder the displayed queue such that the second medication order is listed adjacent to the first medication order. The processor may notify the healthcare professional of the second medication order, such as by displaying an indication of the second medication order separately from the queue.

Abstract: An applicator assembly may include body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a container having a closed proximal end, an interior, and an open distal end, wherein the container is coupled to the proximal end portion, a material bonded to the open distal end and sealing the interior of the container, and an application member attached to the distal end portion, wherein the interior of the container is placed in fluid communication with the application member by way of a compressive force applied along circumferential areas toward the distal end of the container. A method of manufacturing an applicator for applying a solution to a surface is provided.

Abstract: A medical device includes a gesture detector for detecting a gesture of a second device with respect to the medical device. The gesture is detected within a small time window. The medical device also includes an association gesture determiner for determining that the gesture is an association gesture for initiating a request to associate the medical device with the second device, and a device associator for associating the medical device with the second device based on the association gesture.

Abstract: In a peristaltic medical infusion pump unit, comprising a peristaltic assembly and a counter surface or anvil facing said peristaltic assembly and provided by the inner surface of a door pivotally mounted on a housing of the unit, the door is readily non-destructively removable and replaceable. In use of the peristaltic pump unit, a flexible resilient tube forming part of a medical fluid delivery line is extended between the peristaltic assembly and the counter surface or anvil provided by the door. The medical fluid delivery line has first and second color coded fittings spaced therealong upstream and downstream of the peristaltic assembly and the region of the housing of the pump unit across which the infusion line is extended is provided, correspondingly spaced above and below the peristaltic assembly with correspondingly color coded support means for these fittings.

Abstract: In a mask for patient ventilation, a frame portion is included for surrounding a respiratory opening of a patient. A retention strap is coupled with the frame portion for maintaining positive pressure between the frame portion and the respiratory opening of the patient. A removable insert is configured to physically attach and detach from the frame portion without requiring removal of the frame or the retention strap from the patient.

Abstract: A system and method of associating a plurality of objects is disclosed. A physical space is defined and a real-time locating system (RTLS) is used to determine objects that are within the physical space. The objects determined by the RTLS to be within the physical space are associated. The objects include at least one of a caregiver, a patient, a medical device, a medication, and a medical substance.

Abstract: A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing.

Abstract: A sterile drape configured for isolating a portion of a surgical device within a sterile environment, comprising: a plurality of drape interface mechanisms comprising: at least one drape/handle interface mechanism comprising a first ring defining a first opening through the sterile drape and configured for coupling with a control mechanism, the control mechanism comprising a surgical device for controlling a surgical instrument; and at least one drape/shaft interface mechanism comprising a second ring defining a second opening through the sterile drape, and configured for sealingly receiving a shaft there through as the shaft moves with a piston and is detachably coupled with the piston, wherein the piston is configured for responding to a first set of control signals sent by a first mechanical manipulation mechanism via a first connector by moving between a proximal end and a distal end of a first mechanical slave cylinder.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an applicator assembly suitable for application of a catheter patch about an insertion site of a percutaneous device includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and laterally extending right and left side gripping members, a pull tab member attached toward the proximal end of the body, and a release tab connected to the pull tab member, wherein the release tab is positioned toward the distal end of the body so that a lower surface of the release tab abuts an upper surface of the body. The release tab may have a securing mechanism for securing a catheter patch to a lower surface of the body toward the distal end of the body. A method of applying a catheter patch about an insertion site of a percutaneous device using an applicator assembly is provided.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a disposable portion and a non-disposable portion configured to communicate with each other wirelessly. The disposable portion includes electrical elements such as one or more sensors configured to be in sensing proximity of fluid, a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive radio frequency energy from a transmitter located on the non-disposable portion and power the electrical elements on the disposable portion. The non-disposable portion wirelessly controls the disposable portion during a fluid delivery session by programming operational parameters and monitoring fluid delivery measurements over the wireless communication link.

Abstract: An extensible deployment system is disclosed that provides for flexible deployment and centralized management of a scalable communication system. The scalable communication system may be segmented into multiple groups of services, e.g. multiple solutions, that may be deployed across one or more servers. The groups of services may each access separate databases in a single database instance that may allow for the groups of services to be deployed and upgraded independently. A management interface may be provided that allows for centralized management, and deployment, of all of the groups of services, irrespective of the independent upgrade paths of the groups of services. The management interface may include a local authentication system and may also be interoperable with one or more external authentication systems, such that users may use login credentials of an external authentication system to access the management interface.

Abstract: An infusion data communication system provides a communication link among a fluid container, an infusion pump, and a patient through which identification data may be communicated. Data devices are located at the fluid container and the patient and conduct low frequency RF energy at a low power level containing the data into the medical fluid. The data-laden RF energy propagates through the medication fluid to data readers at the infusion pump which receives the RF energy and reads the data. A comparison is made to verify that the right medication is mounted to the infusion pump for administration to the right patient. RFID devices may be used for the data devices and readers. Pump programming data may also be propagated to the infusion pump from the container RFID tag. The RFID device at the patient may be writable and may be used to store a patient MAR.

Abstract: Methods of injecting curable material within a bone structure, such as vertebroplasty, include locating a distal end of an access cannula within the bone structure. A channel creating device is inserted into a cannula lumen. A distal segment of the channel creating device is distally advanced from cannula distal end and into the bone structure. A curved channel is created in the bone structure with the distally advancing distal segment. A distal portion of a cavity creating device is then inserted into the cannula lumen, with the distal portion including an expandable body carried by an elongated body. The distal portion is distally advanced, following a path of the curved channel. The expandable body is transitioned to the expanded state to form a cavity in the bone structure. Finally, curable material is delivered to the cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein generally include methods and/or devices for increasing blood flow, controlling the vasodilatation of a patient's vascular structure, regulating the temperature of a portion of a mammal, and for improving various interventional procedures and/or therapeutic techniques. The device may also include one or more access ports, or apertures, that allow access to portions of the mammal's extremity to allow interventional type medical devices, therapeutic devices, surgical support equipment or patient monitoring devices to have access to the extremity on which a body element is disposed. The device may also be configured to allow other supporting components, which may include IV or other catheters, a means of accessing to a portion of the extremity positioned inside the temperature regulating device.