Abstract: There is provided herein, according to an embodiment, a plasma thread application of dielectric barrier discharge, which incorporates the effectiveness of plasma in sterilization and the flexibility of thread like structure and has the malleability to be formed into any apparel design. The design of one embodiment uses a dielectric coated/insulated wire in the range of 30 to 40 awg based on the application in question. It can be used as sutures or can be woven into a material for countless bandage-like applications. The ready availability of medically approved dielectric materials is conducive to the manufacture of the same.

Abstract: An infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motor assembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispense at least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoir assembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly. A primary power supply is configured to provide primary electrical energy to at least a portion of the processing logic. A backup power supply is configured to provide backup electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic in the event that the primary power supply fails to provide the primary electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic.

Abstract: The mechanism includes a body, a drive member movable in the body, a main spring that is loaded when a dose is set and is released for moving the drive member during a delivery of a dose, and a movable trigger inhibiting a movement of the drive member, a movement of the trigger releasing the main spring and the drive member. The trigger is moved from a start position to an end position relative to the body during a setting of a dose, the end position having a distance from the start position that increases as the dose set increases.

Abstract: A method of anesthetizing a tympanic membrane of an ear of a patient using iontophoresis is disclosed. The method involves delivering an anesthetizing drug solution to an ear canal of the patient's ear, wherein the drug solution includes an anesthetic and a buffer, and wherein the drug solution has a pH in the range of about 6.5 to about 7.5; and applying an amount of current to the drug solution, wherein the amount of applied current is increased at a rate of less than about 0.5 milliamp per second until a maximum current is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrafiltration of a patient being overhydrated due to congestive heart failure, comprising a tube set including a connector for connection to a patient line for access to the peritoneal cavity of the patient. A flow pump is arranged for addition and removal outflow and inflow (recirculation) of fluid from/to the peritoneal cavity. An osmotic agent peristaltic pump is arranged for replenishment of glucose solution to the fluid added to the peritoneal cavity for promoting ultrafiltration. The glucose is replenished intermittently for keeping a concentration of glucose substantially constant in the peritoneal cavity. The flow pump comprises a pressure chamber with rigid walls and a flexible pump bag arranged therein. An air pump pressurizes the chamber for outflow of fluid from the peritoneal cavity by a sub pressure and inflow of fluid to the peritoneal cavity by an overpressure, which pressures are maintained within safe limits.

Abstract: A guide catheter system for use in treating the sinus cavity or Eustachian tube is described. The system includes a guide catheter that has a proximal end and a distal end and an elongate shaft between the proximal end and the distal end and a guidewire. The guide catheter includes a deflection feature on a distal tip of the distal end for deflecting the guidewire at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for establishing aseptic connections between two or more components or subassemblies. The devices may be used in medical devices such as drug delivery pumps (10). In some embodiments, a connection is made between a drug container (50, 1050, 2050) and a fluid pathway connection assembly (300, 1300, 2300). The fluid pathway connection assembly may include a connection hub (312, 1312, 2312), a piercing member (316, 1316, 2316), and a piercing member retainer (314, 1314, 2314). The assembly may further include a first film (318, 1318, 2318) covering a cavity (312A, 1312A, 2312A), thereby maintaining the aseptic condition of the cavity. The drug container may hold a fluid drug and include a pierceable seal (326, 1326, 2326). A second film (322, 1322, 2322) may cover a recess (328, 1328, 2328) formed by the seal and thereby maintain the aseptic condition of the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments include a catheter anchoring device for securing a percutaneous medical catheter inserted at a skin puncture site to a skin of a body. The catheter anchoring device may include a catheter capture portion coupled to a skin attachment portion. The catheter capture portion may be configured to engage with a portion of the catheter protruding from the skin when the catheter is subcutaneously placed in a body. The skin attachment portion may be configured to adhesively attach the anchoring device to the skin, wherein the skin attachment portion is primarily attached to the skin overlaying and lateral to the subcutaneously located catheter.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device comprising a fluid reservoir; a transcutaneous access tool fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir, the transcutaneous access tool including a needle or a trocar; and a transcutaneous access tool insertion mechanism for deploying the transcutaneous access tool, wherein the insertion mechanism is configured to insert and retract the needle/trocar in a single, uninterrupted motion.

Abstract: A telescoping portable drug mixing and delivery device configured to store a dry medication separately from a liquid component, wherein a tensile force applied between the housing and a cap opens a valve and causes displacement of a fluid from a first chamber to a second chamber while simultaneously mixing the fluid with a dry medicament prior to injection. An extendable needle guard is provided over the delivery assembly which prevents premature injection as well as inadvertent sticks or other cross contamination of a needle. The needle guard can also form part of a secondary trigger mechanism which injects the reconstituted drug after the mixing stage is complete.

Abstract: A device for incineration and/or vaporization of a target medicinal substance and a method of using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A spring assembly for an administering device includes a driving spring configured as a spiral spring and a spring shaft. An inner end of the spring is rotationally fixedly attached to the spring shaft. A spring sleeve extends around the circumferential region of the spring, wherein the outer end of the spring is connected to the spring sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner and a disk-type spring-sleeve cover is attached to the spring sleeve or the spring shaft. The flange and the spring-sleeve cover extend radially away from an axis of the spring shaft and the flange is arranged near a distal end of the spring shaft. A radial stop is arranged on the flange periphery, and a blocking element is arranged on the spring sleeve to be complementary to the radial stop for releasably rotationally securing to each other when the blocking element and the radial stop engage.

Abstract: A medical injection device used to deliver multiple doses of medication, including: a medication container having a movable piston; a push rod assembly having a plurality of spaced-apart position settings disposed along the length, the push rod assembly displacing the movable piston to dispense medication from the medication container; a spring to bias the push rod assembly to move toward the distal end of the medical injection device; a releasable restraining member configured to restrain the push rod assembly in a locked state against the biasing of the spring, upon release of the releasable restraining member, the push rod assembly moves toward the distal end of the medical injection device; and an arming mechanism configured to move the push rod assembly toward the proximal end of the medical injection device.

Abstract: A system by which resource information relating to an insertable medical device, such as an intravascular catheter, can be identified by its source so as to be accessed by a practitioner, caregiver, or patient, is disclosed. A resource information key is included at a predetermined key location on or proximate to the medical device, the resource information key indicating the source of the resource information. The resource information key may be positioned on an insertable medical device for establishing intravascular access to a patient, such as a peripherally inserted central catheter (“PICC”) having an internal portion configured for intravascular insertion into the patient, and an external portion. The external portion of the PICC may include the resource information key positioned at a predetermined key location. The resource information key may provide a website where a user can acquire the resource information relating to the medical device.

Abstract: A naso/orogastric device having backflow blocking means and comprises a naso/orogastric tube sized and shaped for being disposed within the esophagus so that at least a distal end thereof being placed in the stomach lumen of a patient, at least one elastic esophageal body, positioned along the naso/orogastric tube, having a pressure dependent volume, at least one esophageal sensor that detects fluid around at least one segment of the naso/orogastric tube, and a pressure regulator that regulates a pressure within the elastic esophageal body according to the detection.

Abstract: Infusion systems including infusion devices and consumables and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary consumable component includes a housing, a reservoir contained within the housing, a pumping mechanism for dispensing a fluid from the reservoir, and a readable element associated with the housing. The readable element maintains calibration data characterizing a relationship between delivery of the fluid and actuation of the pumping mechanism.

Abstract: Transdermal patches and devices for delivery of therapeutic drug and/or cosmetic formulations through an intact or porated skin barrier are described. Active-infusion delivers controlled dosing over a period of time to provide long-term efficacy. Methods and devices for preparing active-infusion patches for controlled dose delivery by nonelectronic devices and methods of skin poration that is safe and painless are described.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are used to decouple proximal movement of a catheter supply lead or tubing from the tissue-embedded catheter. A catheter decoupling device comprises a catheter hub, sled and track, wherein the hub comprises a proximal end configured to receive a catheter fluid supply device, and a distal end configured to receive a catheter, the sled receives and retains the hub, the track receives and retains the hub; and, the hub has a limited range of back-and-forth motion relative to the track.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. The flow activator may be actuated in a deployment direction by a deployment actuator, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, an effector may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and may do so in response to actuation of the flow activator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ocular treatment are provided. The apparatus can comprise a microcannula having a proximal end, a distal end, a cavity, and a central longitudinal axis. The apparatus can include a handle coupled to the proximal end of the microcannula. The apparatus can include multiple offices extending circumferentially about the microcannula distal end, each of the orifices defining a channel extending transverse to the central longitudinal axis, and one or more grooves about a circumference of the microcannula.