Abstract: A cap for use in priming a medical connector that has a distal end at which is disposed a distal connection tip with an aperture through which fluid may flow, and the connector having an internal valve. The cap has a reservoir device with an internal volume and a first opening at a proximal end that is connected with the aperture of the connection tip. The reservoir has a second opening at which is disposed an hydrophobic filter for allowing gases to vent to the atmosphere while retaining liquid in the reservoir device. Over the reservoir device is mounted a slidable housing device used to activate the internal valve of the connector to a flow configuration at which fluid flows from the connector into the reservoir device. The user monitors the reservoir device and when gas has been vented so that only liquid remains, the user slides the housing device.

Abstract: A system for pumping a fluid into an object for insertion into the human body comprising a housing having a pump chamber with means for pumping said fluid therein. A source of fluid is connected to the pumping means and a value is connected to the pumping mechanism and the object. The housing includes means connected to the pumping means for entering an amount of the fluid to be pumped thereby. Upon entering a desired amount of fluid in the entering means, the pumping means causes an amount of the fluid equal to the entered amount to be pumped through the pump chamber and further through the valve to fill the object with the desired amount of fluid.

Abstract: An improved tamper evident end cap assembly for a drug loaded syringe which assembly includes a syringe cap to close the discharge port in the nozzle of the syringe and an indicator ring about the nozzle connected by chads or tabs to a tubular shield which chads or tabs are adapted to break freeing the ring from the shield to loosely wobble on the nozzle indicating tampering if an axial force of separation is applied to the syringe cap to remove it from the syringe and a one way drive mechanism engaging both the shield and syringe cap so the shield may be rotated to advance the assembly onto a syringe nozzle but which is not responsive to counter rotation to withdraw the syringe cap to open the discharge port and gain access to the drug.

Abstract: A needle safety apparatus is disclosed which includes an inner bearing disposed within an outer bearing. The inner bearing is moveable to extend telescopically in a first interior space defined by the outer bearing. A second interior space is defined by the inner bearing, while extendable linkage segments connect the hub to the inner bearing. A hub retains the proximal end of a needle, while the distal end of the needle extends through the second interior space. A wedging portion is movable with the inner bearing and pivots to secure the distal end of the needle within the second interior space when the distal end of the needle is retracted therethrough. A latch may be formed in the inner bearing to obstruct the first interior space and prevent the inner bearing from retracting therethrough.

Abstract: The invention includes a device having a chamber within a syringe. A fluid passageway extends through a syringe piston. A valve is associated with the passageway controlling fluid passage through the piston. The invention includes a piercing structure having a head segment and a body portion, with a channel through the body portion and through at least one surface of the head without passing through the tip. In another aspect the invention encompasses a method of preparing an agent for administration to an individual. A first component is provided within a syringe and a second component is provided within a vial. A closed valve is associated with a fluid passageway between the vial and the syringe barrel through a piston. Valve repositioning allows fluid passage and sliding of the piston joins the first and second components. Repeated sliding of the piston mixes the components to produce the medication agent.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating a wall of an aneurysm formed in a vessel includes introducing a tubular member into the body lumen until a distal end of the tubular member is located within the aneurysm. A fluid is delivered via a lumen of the tubular member into the aneurysm to at least partially de-endothelialize the wall of the aneurysm, thereby causing an endothelium of the wall to generate fibrous tissue to strengthen the wall of the aneurysm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter insertion device comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve (2), at whose distal end a catheter (4) is attached; a needle sleeve (8) with a hollow needle (9), which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve (2) and the catheter (4), and; a needle protective element (13) that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve (2) while being able to move on the needle (9). Said needle protective element has an engaging section (13c) that engages with an engaging device (9b), which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve (2). A check valve (7, 17) is placed inside the catheter sleeve (2) between the catheter (4) and the needle protective element (13). The hollow needle (9), when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire, having a distal portion defining a non-circular cross-section, associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: A device for administering an injectable product in doses including a casing having a receptacle for a container which contains the product and accommodates a piston such that the piston can advance towards an outlet for delivering a selected product dosage, a dosing member, with which a dosing movement can be performed relative to the casing for selecting the product dosage, a drive unit, which can be coupled to the casing and the dosing member such that the drive unit can be adjusted relative to the casing from a dosing starting position to a dosing end position by the dosing movement of the dosing member, an operating mechanism which causes the drive unit to perform a delivering movement by which the piston is advanced towards the outlet, and a restoring spring, which is secured in a tensioned state and is coupled to the drive unit by a release for causing a restoring movement of the drive unit towards its dosing starting position.

Abstract: The invention includes a device having a chamber within a syringe. A fluid passageway extends through a syringe piston. A valve is associated with the passageway controlling fluid passage through the piston. The invention includes a piercing structure having a head segment and a body portion, with a channel through the body portion and through at least one surface of the head without passing through the tip. In another aspect the invention encompasses a method of preparing an agent for administration to an individual. A first component is provided within a syringe and a second component is provided within a vial. A closed valve is associated with a fluid passageway between the vial and the syringe barrel through a piston. Valve repositioning allows fluid passage and sliding of the piston joins the first and second components. Repeated sliding of the piston mixes the components to produce the medication agent.

Abstract: A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy catheter kit includes a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy catheter, a sheath entirely enclosing the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy catheter, a fixing device integrally provided to an end of the sheath, an end of the catheter being arranged at the fixing device, and a breaking thread for breaking a portion of the fixing device and a portion of the sheath.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel drug delivery technology. More particularly the invention relates to a method of delivering at least one therapeutic compound or a formulation comprising the at least one therapeutic compound to a patient: to a throwaway or reusable device for delivering at least one therapeutic compound or a formulation comprising the at least one therapeutic compound to a patient in a manner as set out by the method; to a pioneer projectile form use in said method; to formulations for use in said method and to an injectate comprising a pioneer projectile and formulation. It also relates to a disposable component containing either a pioneer projectile or an injectate.

Abstract: An injector is automatic in that the needle is inserted into the injection site (e.g., a patient's skin) with user or caregiver assistance, the delivery is automatically initiated upon needle insertion, and the needle is retracted automatically after the end of delivery. Preferably the needle is not seen by the user prior to, during or after injection. Prior to and after injection, the needle is hidden in the device so as to avoid any potential injury or health risk to the user or health care provider. The injector includes a housing and a shield arranged to slide relative to the housing and a driver moving during drug delivery. The housing and shield form a cartridge enclosure. The cartridge is shielded and locked after delivery is completed. A needle-locking mechanism can be used in any number of pen-like injectors or safety needles.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for evaluating skin hydration and fluid compartmentalization. The system includes a microneedle array configured to extract fluid from an interstitial space and a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure differential between the interstitial space and ambient pressure during extraction of the fluid. A processor coupled to the pressure sensor is configured to compute a hydration index based on the pressure differential. A display coupled to the processor is configured to display the hydration index.

Abstract: An apparatus including a ring network, a plurality of nodes on the ring network to act as senders, a node on the ring network to act as a receiver, the receiver having receiver logic to place a token on the ring, the token further having an indication of an activation status, and network logic to pass the token along the ring network from each node to the next after the token is placed on the ring network and to activate the token by setting the indication of the activation status to a value indicating that the token is active at a location on the ring determined so that over a defined period of time, the token is activated in proximity to each sender at approximately the same frequency.

Abstract: An insertion tool for use in inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter for use in a lumen of an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension connected to and disposed atop the main body. The funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen. The funnel lumen has a top opening and a bottom opening. The funnel lumen tapering from the top opening to the bottom opening. The bottom opening positioned and sized to communicate with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the top opening of the funnel lumen and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire, having a distal portion defining a non-circular cross-section, associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: A guide and follower cooperate to promote a user moving the driver relative to the housing along a travel path that operates the apparatus. The cooperating elements of the nut and the driver are disengaged when the driver is disposed in a reset segment of the travel path, and the cooperating elements of the nut and the driver become engaged when the driver is shifted through a nut engaging segment of the travel path from the reset segment to a nut rotating segment of the travel path. The engagement of the cooperating elements of the nut and the driver cause the nut to screw proximally along the threaded shaft of the drive member when the driver is shifted through the nut rotating segment from the nut engaging segment to an injecting section of the travel path.

Abstract: A device for automatically disinfecting a portion of a medical implement, such as a needless hub or injection port. The device includes a body shaped to engage the medical implement with the portion to be disinfected exposed. A disinfectant pad is mounted on the body to permit displacement of the pad relative to the body and is biased such that when the pad is displaced from a rest position, the pad is urged toward the portion to be disinfected to contact and disinfect it.

Abstract: A transvascular system (10) for delivering a drug to a tissue region from a blood vessel, such as a coronary vein, includes a catheter (12) having a distal portion (26) with puncturing (14), orientation (16), drug delivery (62), and imaging elements (18). The puncturing element (14) is deployable for penetrating the vessel wall to access the tissue region. The orientation element (16), e.g. a “cage” including a plurality of struts (38) (40) and/or a radiopaque marker, has a predetermined relationship with the puncturing element (14), the imaging element (18) detecting the location of the orientation element (16) with respect to the tissue region to orient the puncturing element. The catheter (12) is percutaneously introducing into the vessel, the puncturing element (14) is oriented towards the tissue region, the puncturing element (14) is deployed to access the tissue region, and the drug is delivered to the tissue region.