Abstract: A composite wire, such as a guide wire, may include a principal section with a relatively large outer diameter, as well as one or more reduced sections with smaller outer diameters. The relatively small outer diameter of each reduced section may be defined by an inner element of the composite wire, while the relatively large outer diameter of the principal section may be defined by one or more outer elements that reside on, and may surround, the inner element. The inner and outer elements may be formed from materials that impart the composite wire with one or more desired characteristics, such as a stiffness, hardness and flexibility. In specific embodiments, the inner element may comprise a standard, small diameter guide wire, while the outer element comprises a tube formed from polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Each outer element may be secured to the inner element at one or more locations.

Abstract: A liquid administration device includes an operation unit; a structure that includes an accommodation body configured to accommodate the liquid therein and a needle tube communicatable with the inside of the accommodation body; a cover member that is movable between a protection position and an exposure position; a biasing member that biases the cover member in a distal direction; an exposure restriction unit configured to restrict movement of the cover member to the exposure position when a movement amount of the cover member with respect to the structure reaches a predetermined exposure restriction operation amount; and a movement amount restriction unit.

Abstract: Improvements in fluid volume measurement systems are disclosed for a pneumatically actuated diaphragm pump in general, and a peritoneal dialysis cycler using a pump cassette in particular. Pump fluid volume measurements are based on pressure measurements in a pump control chamber and a reference chamber in a two-chamber model, with different sections of the apparatus being modeled using a combination of adiabatic, isothermal and polytropic processes. Real time or instantaneous fluid flow measurements in a pump chamber of a diaphragm pump are also disclosed, in this case using a one-chamber ideal gas model and using a high speed processor to obtain and process pump control chamber pressures during fluid flow into or out of the pump chamber. Improved heater control circuitry is also disclosed, to provide added or redundant safety measures, or to reduce current leakage from a heater element during pulse width modulation control of the heater.

Abstract: This document provides devices, systems, and methods for treating patients with wounds that include a fistula. For example, this document provides a multi-lumen tubular device that can deliver wound irrigation, wound suction, and fistuloclysis nutritional support through the lumens of the tubular device.

Abstract: A fluid infusion device and related operating methods are disclosed. The fluid infusion device has a housing, a fluid pump mechanism having an inlet and an outlet, a first flow path in fluid communication with the inlet and at least partially defined by structure compatible with fluid cartridge modules containing medication fluid, a second flow path in fluid communication with the outlet and terminating at a subcutaneous conduit for a body, and a drive motor that actuates the pump mechanism. An exemplary operating method detects a first installation of a fluid cartridge module in the housing. The detecting occurs after the housing has been affixed to the body and after the subcutaneous conduit has been inserted into the body. In response to the detecting, the operating method initiates an automatic priming operation to prepare the device for delivery of the medication fluid to the body.

Abstract: A microneedle cartridge is provided comprising a pair of concentric cylinders wherein an inner cylinder supports a microneedle array block and moves up and down an inside cylinder, driven by a central rod which connects the microneedle array to a drive motor. An inner baffle cylinder fits inside the inner cylinder and surrounds the central rod, isolating the microneedle array from the internal cavity of the machine. Fabric gaskets treated with antimicrobial solution are placed at the locations where the inner baffle cylinder meets the inner cylinder and where the inner cylinder meets the outer cylinder. A piston rod cradle at the bottom of the cartridge engages a cup-shaped polymer reciprocating piston rod that interacts with the device motor through a connecting metal piston. A removable, autoclavable metal nosecone covers the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A system for at least partial closed-loop control of a medical condition is disclosed. The system includes at least one medical fluid pump. The medical fluid pump including a sensor for determining the volume of fluid pumped by the pump. Also, at least one continuous analyte monitor, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the medical fluid pump and the at least one continuous analyte monitor. The controller includes a processor. The processor includes instructions for delivery of medical fluid based at least on data received from the at least one continuous analyte monitor.

Abstract: In corneal crosslinking by applying a photoactivated crosslinking facilitator such as riboflavin to the cornea and irradiating the cornea with light, the cornea is contacted with a liquid (33) containing a source of oxygen during irradiation. The liquid transfers oxygen to the cornea to facilitate crosslinking.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing the accumulation of gases in an implantable infusion device. In one example, an implantable infusion device (IID) includes a housing, an expandable and contractible reservoir, and a standoff member. The expandable and contractible reservoir is configured to store a therapeutic agent and is arranged within the housing. A first end of the reservoir is configured to collapse toward a second end of the reservoir as the reservoir contracts. The standoff member is interposed between the first end and the second end of the reservoir and is configured to hold at least a portion of the first end offset from the second end when the reservoir is in a contracted state.

Abstract: A needleless connector has a housing with an internal cavity having an interior surface, a port, an output flow channel, and a fluid flow path through the cavity between the port and the output flow channel. A collapsible valve is disposed within the cavity. The valve has one or more rings each having a surface that is in sealing contact with the interior surface of the housing. There are one or more notches formed in each of the one or more rings, and the flow path passes through one of the notches in each of the one or more rings.

Abstract: An infusion pump assembly includes an enclosure assembly. A reservoir assembly is positioned at least partially within the enclosure assembly and is configured to contain an infusible fluid. A pump assembly is positioned at least partially within the enclosure assembly and is configured to effectuate the dispensing of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoir assembly. Processing logic is positioned at least partially within the enclosure assembly and is configured to control the pump assembly. A removable cover assembly is configured to releasably engage the enclosure assembly. A combination of the removable cover assembly and at least a portion of the enclosure assembly defines a power supply cavity configured to prevent a removable power supply assembly from being reverse-polarity electrically coupled to the processing logic.

Abstract: A fluid infusion device and related operating methods are disclosed. The fluid infusion device has a housing, a fluid pump mechanism, a transcutaneous conduit assembly having a fluid conduit coupled to the pump mechanism, and an insertion mechanism for inserting the conduit into the body. An exemplary method begins by detecting a first installation of a fluid cartridge module in the housing, wherein the detecting occurs after the housing has been affixed to the body. In response to the detecting, the operating method automatically activates the insertion mechanism to insert the fluid conduit into the body.

Abstract: A cosmetic device 10 for performing iontophoresis on the skin 40 of a human, includes carbon sheet electrodes 33A and 33B to be mounted on the skin 40 of the human, and provides an electric signal to the carbon sheet electrodes 33A and 33B, the electric signal being obtained by superimposing an AC signal and a high-frequency signal that has a frequency higher than a frequency of the AC signal while setting a position to which the high-frequency signal is superimposed at a polar region of the AC signal that does not contribute to the iontophoresis.

Abstract: A medical tube which is relatively thin in thickness over its entirety while an outer layer and an inner layer are preferably prevented from being separated from each other. A medical tube includes a first layer and a second layer that is provided adjacent to an inner circumferential surface of the first layer. The medical tube also includes a wedge-shaped convex portion that is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the second layer so as to be widened in width radially outward, and a concave portion that is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the first layer, with the convex portion and the concave portion engaging each other.

Abstract: An indicating member for attachment to a syringe includes: a tag for indicating at least one administration condition of a liquid medicament, the tag including a through hole, an engaging section extending from the tag and configured to be attached to an engaging hole of a syringe, and a hanger that is provided with the tag via the through hole, and is configured to extend around and thereby hang from at least one of (i) a syringe barrel of the syringe, (ii) a nozzle of the syringe, (iii) a liquid medicament delivery tube attached to the syringe, and (iv) a syringe barrel nozzle connection section attached to the syringe.

Abstract: An in-joint pump and control device comprising a pump and an in-joint sensor. The pump is configured to convey fluid to a body joint surgical site. The pump has an algorithm associated therewith to make calculations and to assist in controlling the operation of the pump. The in-joint sensor is operatively associated with the pump by at least a communication member. The in-joint sensor comprises a sheath, an integration member attached to the sheath, a pressure sensor connected to the integration member, and a temperature sensor adjacent the sheath. The pressure sensor is adapted to provide pressure information to the pump via the communication member. The temperature sensor is also adapted to provide temperature information to the pump via the communication member.

Abstract: A liquid administration device includes a structure that includes an accommodation body configured to accommodate liquid therein and a needle configured to communicate with an inside of the accommodation body; an operation unit configured to discharge the liquid inside the accommodation body from the needle by moving toward the structure in a distal direction; a cover member that is movable between a protection position at which the needle is covered and an exposure position at which the needle is exposed; a first biasing member that biases the operation unit toward the structure in the distal direction; and a second biasing member that biases the cover member in the distal direction. The operation unit has a first contact portion and the structure has a second contact portion, the contact portions being configured to come into contact with each other when the operation unit moves toward the structure in the distal direction.

Abstract: Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body by providing a variety of dissection modes on a single access device.

Abstract: A cap for use in enteral feeding from a container. The cap includes a base and an insert cutter. The base has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer ring. The top surface has a protruding port suitable for insertion of a spike connector. The protruding port defines a spike insertion chamber extending from a spike connector insert aperture to a spike connector outlet aperture. The outer ring is configured for attachment to a container having a mouth. The insert cutter has a first end portion attached to the bottom surface of the base and about an edge of the spike connector outlet aperture and a second end portion extending over at least a portion of the spike connector outlet aperture. The insert cutter is capable of flexing in an insertion direction of a spike connector inserted through the spike insertion chamber.

Abstract: A liquid administration device includes an inner structure that includes a cylindrical body that has a bottom part in a distal portion thereof and an opening portion in a proximal portion thereof, a needle tube that is mounted in the distal portion of the cylindrical body and has a sharp needle tip at a distal end and a proximal end of which is communicatable with an inside of the cylindrical body, and a gasket that is located in the cylindrical body; an operation member that includes a plunger, the operation member being configured to perform a pressing operation in which the plunger is moved relative to the cylindrical body in a distal direction while being pressed; an engagement portion that includes: a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion.