Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include anchor assemblies and methods for using the same to immobilize a device within a body portal. In one embodiment, the anchor assembly is utilized to immobilize a catheter relative to a covered (e.g., skin-covered) burr hole formed in a skull. Anchor assemblies in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may include anchors located subdermally that may be unlocked from outside the body to release the device without a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A catheter for use with a medical infusion or other fluid system. The catheter may include a flexible elongate tubular core that is resistant to radial collapse, and a separate tubular tip member forming the catheter distal tip. The catheter may further include a flexible, e.g., elastomeric, jacket that surrounds at least a portion of the tubular core. The jacket may have a radial compliance that is greater than that of the tubular core. The jacket may further define an outer diameter that is about 4 to about 6 times greater than an outer diameter of the core.

Abstract: A method of delivering a fluid medication to a patient under direction of a medical professional continually at a basal rate and at an interval rate in each of a plurality of time slots over a specified period of time. The total dose of the fluid medication to be delivered to the patient over the period of time based on the basal rate and the interval rate for each of the plurality of time slots is determined, compared the total dose against a maximum dose. The basal rate is adjusted, if necessary, so that the total dose does not exceed the maximum dose.

Abstract: A drug infusion system capable of delivering a fluid medication to a patient under direction of a medical professional continually at a basal rate and at an interval rate in each of a plurality of time slots over a specified period of time. The total dose of the fluid medication to be delivered to the patient over the period of time based on the basal rate and the interval rate for each of the plurality of time slots is determined, compared the total dose against a maximum dose. The basal rate is adjusted, if necessary, so that the total dose does not exceed the maximum dose.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter introducer assembly having a safety feature to prevent accidental needle sticks. The introducer assembly includes a needle assembly having a groove disposed on its outer surface. The introducer includes a protector made of a hollow member having an open distal end and an inwardly disposed resilient flange or a clip disposed thereon. The protector is coaxially slidably disposed around the needle with the flange abutting the outer surface of the needle and adapted to engage the groove when a catheter assembly is removed from the needle.

Abstract: A pain management system for the infusion of drug to a wound site includes a pump connected to medical tubing which is connected to an improved infusion catheter for providing uniform delivery of fluid throughout an anatomical region. One method by which the infusion catheter is advanced to the wound site includes a guide needle that is placed within an introducer tubing. The needle is pierced through the patient's skin, after which the guide needle is withdrawn and discarded, leaving the introducer tubing in place partially under the patient's skin. The infusion catheter is then threaded through the introducer tubing and advanced to the wound site. The introducer tubing is then withdrawn and the infusion catheter remains in place to provide drug to the wound site. The introducer tubing is preferably peeled off of the infusion catheter and discarded.

Abstract: A robotic medical system for use with an intravascular catheter that delivers fluid within an anatomical vessel is provided. The robotic medical system comprises a user interface configured for receiving at least one command, an electromechanical driver configured for being coupled to the catheter, a fluid delivery controller coupled to the catheter, and an electric controller configured for directing the electromechanical driver to mechanically move the catheter within at least one degree-of-freedom and for directing the fluid delivery controller to deliver fluid to the catheter in response to the at least one command. The robotic medical system may further comprise a source of fluid and a fluid line configured for coupling the source of fluid to the catheter, and a manifold configured for fluidly interfacing with the catheter, in which case, the manifold has a fluid inlet port coupled to the fluid line.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing machine, such as a peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis machine, includes a dispenser or cassette that pumps a medical fluid for dialysis or other treatments for patients. The machine includes and uses an autoconnect device for connecting containers of liquid, such as bags of dialysis fluid or medication fluids, to the machine, while maintaining the sterility of the connection. The autoconnect device removes the cap from the fluid bag and pierces the scaling membrane on tubing from the bag. This makes it easier for patients to receive treatment, especially home treatment. Other embodiments are useful for dispensing other liquids from other types of dispensing or pumping machines.

Abstract: A needle shield assembly with a needle having a distal tip and a static feature is provided. The needle shield assembly includes an adapter having an open distal terminus and an open proximal terminus to allow passage of the needle and a needle shield slidably associated with the adapter having an open distal end and an open proximal end where the open proximal end is sufficiently narrow to restrict proximal movement of the needle static feature causing the shield to move in a proximal direction when the needle is pulled proximally after the static feature has established contact with the needle shield proximal end. The assembly includes a canting plate having an unactivated first position and an activated second position that restricts needle movement. The canting plate is activated via a canting plate retention system in communication with the canting plate and responsive to proximal movement of the needle.

Abstract: A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device.

Abstract: A catheter assembly allowing for non-contaminated insertion of the catheter into the urinary canal. The catheter assembly includes a urinary catheter, a catheter package and a sealing member. The urinary catheter defines a conduit and has a proximal end adapted for insertion into the urinary canal and an opposite distal end. The catheter package has a hose with a cavity for accommodation of the catheter, and a catheter outlet adapted to dismantle the proximal end of the catheter from the catheter package. The sealing member is adapted to provide a substantially liquid-tight seal between the catheter package and the urinary catheter while the catheter is being dismantled.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle assembly configured such that the movement of a needle shield into position to block the needle tip occurs as a direct consequence of a longitudinal force applied by insertion of a syringe plunger is provided. The hypodermic needle assembly according to the present invention includes a needle, a needle hub, and a safety spring clip assembly, the safety spring clip assembly being configured to automatically launch from the needle hub and slide along the needle to shield the needle tip, thus preventing accidental contact with the needle tip. Additional mechanisms for launching the safety spring clip are also provided, which include using a trigger ring for rotating and launching the safety spring clip. Methods for making and using the hypodermic needle assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive device for a piston in a container containing a liquid comprises a first segment positioned between a second segment and an outlet of the container. The first and second segments each have a first shape in which the respective segment is clamped between lateral walls of the container and a second shape in which the respective segment is released from the lateral walls. A first actuator is configured to vary the first segment between its first and second shapes, and the first segment is in its first shape when the first actuator is inactive. A second actuator is configured to vary the second segment between its first and second shapes, and the second segment is in its second shape when the second actuator is inactive. A connecting segment connects the first segment to the second segment and has an actively variable connecting length.

Abstract: An injection device is provided. The device includes a housing having a first end defining a first opening. A plunger is received within the first opening of the housing to move between first and second positions. A cartridge is disposed in the housing and has an interior serving as a reservoir for a drug. A delivery needle is disposed within the housing and is in fluid communication with the reservoir via an interruptible fluid channel. A locking mechanism is disposed in the housing. In the first position of the plunger the delivery needle is enclosed by the plunger and in the second position of the plunger the delivery needle is placed in an injection position and the plunger activates the locking mechanism whereby when the plunger returns to the first position the locking mechanism prevents the needle from being placed in the injection position.

Abstract: An implantable pump includes a base plate and a can that are parts of the pump housing. The base plate bottom divides the housing into a first electronics chamber and a second chamber. A bellows mechanism is connected to the base plate and is disposed within the second chamber. The bellow mechanism has an expandable sidewall and a bottom plate. The bellow mechanism divides the second chamber into a medicament receiving portion and a non-medicament-receiving portion. The bellow mechanism has an intermediate plate disposed within the medicament-receiving portion. A coil is disposed in a recess on the lower surface of the base plate, and the coil is spaced from an internal wall of the recess. The amount of fluid remaining in the implantable pump can be monitored by energizing the coil. A primary magnetic field is generated by the energized coil.

Abstract: A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient-user and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient-user or with infusion medium are supported by the disposable housing portion, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics and a drive device. A reservoir is supported by the disposable housing portion and has a moveable plunger that operatively couples to the drive device, when the disposable and durable housing portions are engaged.

Abstract: One example of a media delivery system includes a burrette defining a chamber and having inlet and outlet connections in fluid communication with the chamber. The burrette further includes a vent assembly configured for fluid communication with the chamber. In addition, a float and seat assembly of the media delivery system include a buoyant float positioned in the chamber of the burette, where the float is arranged for movement within the chamber. The float and seat assembly further includes a seat assembly positioned in the chamber of the burrette and configured to cooperate with the float to manage a flow of fluid through the outlet connection of the chamber. Finally, a fluid management device is provided that is located proximate the inlet to the chamber.

Abstract: A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device.

Abstract: An injector cap including a sleeve and a blocking means, wherein the sleeve is mounted slidably on a portion of an injection device, e.g., on an ampoule support, is forced by a pre-tensioning means into a first position in which it covers a cannula carried by the injection device, and can be slid against the pre-tensioning means into a second position in which the cannula emerges from the end of the sleeve, and wherein the blocking means non-detachably blocks the sleeve against sliding when it has been returned from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A gas-powered, single-use, needle-less hypodermic jet injection device includes a hand-held injector, and a drug injection cartridge which provides a cylinder of liquid medication to be injected, an injection orifice, and an injection piston. Forceful movement of the injection piston in the cylinder causes an injection jet of medication to be expelled from the injection orifice. The injection device also includes a hermetically sealed gas pressure capsule which remains sealed until the moment of injection and powers the jet injection after opening of this cartridge.