Abstract: An injection device and method are shown. Devices and methods include a forceps and a needle advancement mechanism to clamp a portion of tissue and control a depth of penetration of the needle between gripping ends of the forceps. An injection device and method are shown where selected components of the injection device such as a syringe and forceps are disposable, while the remaining portions of the injection device are reusable. Devices and methods are shown that utilize micro-needles to control a depth of penetration.

Abstract: A medication delivery system having a holding chamber capable of delivering dosages of medicament from a metered dose inhaler. The holding chamber includes an actuator detector, a flow detector, and a display. In another embodiment, a medication delivery system includes a holding chamber having an input end and an output end, a metered dose inhaler operably coupled to the input end of the holding chamber, and a metered dose inhaler identifier associated with the holding chamber and operable to identify the metered dose inhaler coupled to the holding chamber.

Abstract: A syringe stabilizing apparatus has a base and a syringe support. The syringe support is vertically disposed above the base, elevating a fluid-filled portion of an infusion set vertically above the base and orienting a delivery end of the fluid-filled portion upwardly relative to a horizontal plane to take advantage of a gravitational effect on a fluid during delivery of the fluid from the fluid-filled portion to a patient. The syringe support comprises a first retainer and a selectively actuated tube clamp. The first retainer has an opening in which a rigid portion of the infusion set is received and retained therein without further user intervention. The selectively actuated tube clamp is operatively aligned with the first retainer. A flexible tube extending from the rigid portion of the infusion set extends through the selectively actuated tube clamp.

Abstract: A system for drawing a solution is provided. The system includes a filter, a vacuum source, and an actuator. The filter has an input port, a first output port, a second output port, and a flow path defined in part by the input port and the second output port. The vacuum source is in fluid communication with the first output port and operative to apply a vacuum to the flow path. The actuator is operative to facilitate movement of the solution along the flow path.

Abstract: Provided herein is an implant for delivering a hydrophobic active agent to a target tissue. The implant may include a scaffold defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the scaffold is substantially impermeable to a hydrophobic active agent, and a silicone tubing having a wall permeable to the active agent, wherein a first length of the silicone tubing is affixed to the first surface of the scaffold, wherein the two ends of the silicone tubing extend from the first surface, and wherein a path outlined by a second length of the tubing within the first length is circuitous. Also provided is a method of using the implant to locally deliver a hydrophobic active agent to a target tissue, and kits that find use in performing the present method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for measuring an impedance of one or more target cells before and after an electroporation protocol has been applied to the one or more target cells. The result of the impedance measurement provides a feedback control that can be implemented during and/or after the electroporation protocol to customize the electrical treatment for a particular target cell or cellular tissue.

Abstract: A needle safety clip including means to cover the end of a needle, e.g., after use, and allowing for another medical instrument, e.g., a guidewire or a catheter to extend from the clip with the needle-sharp end secured in the clip. A distal end section of the safety clip includes a slot to receive the guidewire therethrough in a safety position while blocking the needle from moving distally past the distal end section.

Abstract: A device and method for drug delivery includes a casing for housing a drug storage container, the container including a dose delivery member, at least a portion of the dose delivery member extending through an opening in the casing; a guard movable relative to the casing between extended and retracted positions; an interference arrangement for providing selected threshold of resistance to movement of the guard from the extended position to the retracted position during insertion of the dose delivery member into body tissue at an injection site, the arrangement having a first member and a second member, the first and second members engaging one another to retain the guard in the extended position, one of the first and second members moving if the selected threshold of resistance is exceeded to allow the members to slide past one another to allow the guard to move into the retracted position.

Abstract: A fluid-delivery system, a fluid-delivery device, and an adapter are described herein for applying fluid to tissue. The adapter generally includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes a grasping handle to be grasped by a grasping instrument having a pair of jaws, and a collar surrounding the grasping handle to increase a grip on the pair of jaws. The distal portion is adapted to connect with the fluid-delivery device. The fluid-delivery device generally includes a tip to apply the fluid to the tissue, a tip saturator to supply the tip with the fluid, a flow regulator to control fluid flow to the tip saturator, and a fluid housing to contain the fluid which is appliable to the tissue. The fluid-delivery system includes the adapter connected with the fluid-delivery device. The fluid-delivery system is particularly advantageous for marking tissues during endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: A drive train for a wind-up injection device is described. The drive train includes a torsional energy storage adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element, a rotatable user handle, a rotationally driveable expelling mechanism adapted to expel the liquid drug, and a clutch element coupled with the torsional energy storage via the rotatable element and including a ratchet for maintaining the rotatable element at one of a number of discrete angular positions against the torque of the torsional energy storage. The clutch element is adapted to transmit the torque from the user handle to the torsional energy storage, or alternatively from the torsional energy storage to the expelling mechanism. The ratchet is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle to the torsional energy storage. The drive train is adapted to dampen torque peaks visco-elastically and/or visco-frictionally.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery device and method for delivering a drug to a living body. The device includes a housing having at least one opening, a reservoir within the housing adapted to contain the drug, a temporary seal closing the at least one opening of the housing, and a heating element in thermal contact with the temporary seal. The heating element is adapted to generate heat in response to a magnetic field to melt the temporary seal and release the drug within the reservoir through the at least one opening of the housing.

Abstract: A safety needle assembly includes a housing and a cannula hub connected within a side wall of the housing, a needle connected to the cannula and extending from the cannula hub outward from a proximal end of the housing, and a spring connected with the housing. The assembly includes a barrel connected with the spring and at least partially contained within the housing to least partially cover the cannula hub. The barrel is configured for moving, sliding, traveling, activating, relocating, or transitioning from a first mode in which the barrel is securely retracted and locked at least partially within the housing and the needle extends through an aperture of the barrel and the proximal end of the housing, to a second mode in which the barrel extends from the proximal end and beyond the needle.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for intracranial vessel access. In particular, a system including a co-axial combination of a steerable variable thickness microwire operatively supporting a tapered larger bore support and larger bore distal access catheter is described. Methods of advancing the intracranial access system through the vasculature are also described.

Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a casing and a storage container with a dose delivery member, at least a portion of which extends through an opening in the casing. A guard is movable relative to the casing between extended and retracted positions. The guard surrounds the extended portion of the dose delivery member in the extended position, and exposes the extended portion in the retracted position. An interference arrangement is included for providing selected threshold of resistance to movement of the guard from the extended position to the retracted position during insertion of the dose delivery member into body tissue. The arrangement has first and second members engaging one another to retain the guard in the extended position. The first or second member can move if the selected threshold of resistance is exceeded to allow the members to slide and allow the guard to move into the retracted position.

Abstract: An adaptor includes a tubular body having a proximal region and a distal region, the proximal region configured to engage a distal tip of a drug delivery device and the distal region being configured to be connected to a connector. The distal region has a distal end delimiting a distal opening so as to permit introduction of the connector inside the distal region. The distal end is configured to be clamped to the connector when the connector is introduced inside the tubular body. The distal end includes a deformable element having a free end, which is configured to deform towards the proximal region when the connector is introduced inside the tubular body.

Abstract: A device is provided for supplying electrical current to an intervertebral disc. The device comprises a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The distal end comprises a beveled tip for contacting a region of the intervertebral disc, and an electrode disposed within or on a surface of the cannula adjacent to the distal end. The electrode is configured to discharge electrical current to the region of the intervertebral disc. Methods of diagnosing and/or treating discogenic back pain are also provided.

Abstract: A conformable guide for directing penile injections has an elastomeric or conformable tube having an open end distally for passing over a glans and a shaft of a penis toward a root of the penis on placement. The conformable guide can have an annulus shaped spirally wrapped portion of the elastomeric tube at the distal end configured to unwrap on placement toward the root. The elastomeric tube has one or more observable injection site locations marked or otherwise indicated on the elastomeric tube when positioned onto the shaft of the penis. The conformable guide is made of a stretchable synthetic polymer.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a housing and an elongate body extending distally from the housing. The housing defines a filter chamber and a pump chamber therein, the filter chamber in fluid communication with the pump chamber. A filter assembly is disposed within the filter chamber, and a pump is disposed within the pump chamber. The elongate body defines first and second lumens therethrough, and includes at least one first opening in fluid communication with the first lumen and at least one second opening in fluid communication with the second lumen. The first lumen is in fluid communication with the filter chamber of the housing and the second lumen is in fluid communication with the pump chamber of the housing thereby forming a closed filtration loop through the surgical device.

Abstract: A gas mixture apparatus includes a measurement control system, an activation system, a pressurized chamber with one or more gases, and a mixing chamber. A filter can be preattached to an outlet of the mixture apparatus, allowing excess gas to be discharged therethrough and then atmospheric air to be drawn into the mixture apparatus through the filter for creating a therapeutic gas mixture.

Abstract: A medical device for infusing medical substances has activation buttons accessible on an exterior of a device housing. The 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 a user. The device employs overlap of respective time traces initiated by activation of the activation buttons to determine whether the activation is intended and valid. The respective 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.