Abstract: Described are implantable devices having expandable reservoirs for the sustained release of therapeutic agents. The device is configured to be at least partially implanted in an eye and includes a retention structure and a penetrable element coupled to and extending within at least a portion of the retention structure. A porous drug release mechanism is positioned in fluid communication with an outlet of the device; and a reservoir having a volume configured to contain one or more therapeutic agents is in fluid communication with the outlet through the porous drug release mechanism. The device is at least partially inserted along an axis of insertion. The reservoir enlarges from an insertion configuration having a first three-dimensional shape to an expanded configuration having a second three-dimensional shape, the second three-dimensional shape being eccentrically positioned relative to the axis of insertion.

Abstract: A system apparatus and method for determining fluid depletion in a surgical system. A surgical system may include a surgical console, display, a processor operatively coupled to the surgical console, and a surgical cassette in fluid communication with an irrigation source and an aspiration line. Certain techniques involve the processor determining a volume of fluid in the irrigation source. The processor may be configured to receive sensed measurements regarding a rate of fluid flow over time from the irrigation source, process the rate of fluid flow relative to the determined volume and produce a first signal for the display to indicate a remaining capacity of the volume of fluid. Warnings and/or alarms may be triggered if fluid volume falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for phacoemulsification combine a phacoemulsification needle having an offset feature with a handpiece capable of producing longitudinal motion to create a hybrid phacoemulsification effect that is more efficient than conventional longitudinal handpiece-needle combinations and has been demonstrated under certain conditions to be more efficient than needles used with handpieces providing torsional motion. The phacoemulsification needle is of the type having a hollow passageway that terminates in a straight needle tip formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The tip may be flared or may be coextensive with the needle body. The tip may also be angled with respect to the needle body. The aspiration passageway formed through the needle body may be positioned or shaped to be off-axis from the needle body axis.

Abstract: A fluid injection needle has a relatively precision fluid flow path. The needle comprises a needle shaft and a sizing shaft axially extending within the needle shaft lumen a selected distance distal of a fluid entry port into the lumen. The sizing shaft has a cross-sectional size smaller than the lumen to define a fluid flow path between the sizing shaft and the needle shaft. An injection device employing such an injection needle and a method of making such a needle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir system is provided. The fluid reservoir system includes a fluid reservoir that defines a chamber to receive a fluid, and the fluid reservoir includes an outlet. The fluid reservoir system includes a source of pressure to draw the fluid into the outlet and a wicking membrane is coupled to the fluid reservoir that covers the outlet.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical injection device may comprise a main body case having a cartridge holder, a piston that pushes out the pharmaceutical of a pharmaceutical cartridge held in the cartridge holder, a light emitting component, a light receiving component, and a controller. The light emitting component may shine light of different colors on the pharmaceutical cartridge disposed in the cartridge holder. The light receiving component receives light that has been shined from the light emitting component onto the pharmaceutical cartridge and reflected by the pharmaceutical cartridge. The controller may shine from the light emitting component and identify the type of pharmaceutical cartridge.

Abstract: The teachings herein relate to devices for insertion into a cavity, opening or other passageway that requires the bending of the device to conform to a curved or even tortuous shape of the path. The devices include axial support components for translating forces for moving the device forward in the path. The axial support components preferably include adjacent components capable of rocking for tilting the device in one or more directions. The device preferably includes one or more lateral support components for limiting any lateral motion of an axial support component relative to an adjacent axial support component.

Abstract: Described is an autoinjector comprising of a case, a motor adapted to rotate a drive gear, and a curvi-linear plunger adapted to mate with the drive gear. The plunger includes a distal end with a resilient flange, which in a non-deflected state, abuts a proximal collar of a syringe, and, in a deflected state, advances through the proximal collar and engages a stopper in the syringe.

Abstract: A connector (10) for connecting a syringe to a gastrostomy tube (12), the connector (10) comprises a bayonet style locking member (16) with a locking projection (40) for locking the connector (10) to the gastrostomy tube (12). The locking projection (40) forms a receiving recess (42) for receiving and locking at least one wing (70) of an end portion (56) of the gastrostomy tube (12). Further, the invention relates to a connector assembly having such a connector (10) and to a method for connecting a syringe to a gastrostomy tube (12).

Abstract: An injector for injecting pellets includes a main body, a delivery opening which is formed on the main body and to which a hollow-bore needle can be connected and a magazine guide formed in the main body for a magazine which, for accommodating the pellets, comprises several barrels. Each barrel includes a hollow cylindrical compartment with an open front end and an open rear end. The magazine guide brings the magazine, barrel by barrel, into an injection position, in which a plunger of the injector can be introduced into the barrel via the rear end of the barrel positioned in the injection position and moved in the direction of the delivery opening in order to deliver the pellet provided in the barrel via the delivery opening. A drawer is formed in the main body for accommodating a replacement hollow-bore needle.

Abstract: A syringe retaining apparatus may include a syringe having a barrel with a main portion and a transition portion, and a needle extending from the transition portion of the barrel. The apparatus may include a protective cap removably mounted on the syringe and configured to receive the needle of the syringe and at least a portion of the transition portion of the barrel of the syringe. The protective cap may have an open proximal end and a closed distal end, and an interior surface and an exterior surface. The apparatus may have a locking structure configured to permit removal of the protective cap from the syringe when the syringe is inserted to a first depth insertion into the cap and resist removal of the protective cap from the syringe when the syringe is inserted into the protective cap to a second depth of insertion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal delaying assembly for a medicament delivery device, said assembly comprising a delay female member containing a fluid, a delay male member having at least one passage, a delay unit connected to the delay female member or to the delay male member, wherein a relative movement between the male member and the female member and towards each other causes the transfer of said fluid from said female member through the at least one passage for slowing said movement, characterized in that the delay unit is releasably connected to a signal generating assembly for delaying at least one feedback signal.

Abstract: Described herein are devices for delivering at least two different medications without requiring disconnections and reconnections of medication syringes. In some embodiments, the devices can accommodate at least two syringes simultaneously. In some embodiments, the device can be torqued while delivering the at least two different medications without loosening the outlet port from an intravenous line the device is hooked up to.

Abstract: A device for the dosed dispensing of a medium (e.g., therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent) for an insulin pump is proposed. The device comprises a transporting and transferring container, a measuring element, and an adjusting element for influencing a dispensing of the medium by way of a connection to an interior space. The transporting and transferring container has a reservoir for receiving the medium. The reservoir is closed by a displaceable element. The displaceable element is movably mounted in relation to the reservoir. A relative positioning of the displaceable element in relation to the reservoir determines the interior space of the reservoir available for receiving the medium. The measuring element senses the relative positioning of the displaceable element in relation to the reservoir. The measuring element and the adjusting element interact so that the dispensing of the medium is influenced by the relative positioning sensed by the measuring element.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a valve device that includes a valve member located within a housing in which the valve member's operation can be bypassed. For example, the valve device can include a bypass device that has an input structure, a motion conversion structure, and an output structure. The input structure can include a portion configured to resiliently deform if a valve opening input force is applied to the input structure in an input direction. The motion conversion structure can be configured to convert the valve opening input force into motion of the output structure in an output direction that is non-parallel to the input direction. The output structure can be configured to move the valve member (e.g., from a closed state to an opened state in order to bypass normal valve operation) if the motion conversion structure is displaced in the input direction. The valve device can be used in various manners, and is particularly suitable for use in a patient fluid delivery system.

Abstract: Surgical devices having a plurality of outwardly-biased flexible fins capable of inward movement such that the fins converge to provide both a passageway for surgical instruments to traverse towards a surgical site, and provide a substantially impermeable seal, thus providing for fluid retention during the surgical procedure. The outwardly-biased flexible fins provide for soft tissue compression, decreasing the length of the lumen or passageway through which instruments pass, allowing for a wider range of movement of instruments and better access to the surgical site, especially in patients with greater amounts of fat tissue that would otherwise require longer lumen lengths in prior art endoscopic cannulas.

Abstract: A drug delivery apparatus provides autonomous variable rate delivery of a substance. In some embodiments, the delivery apparatus may be programmable. In some embodiments, the delivery apparatus may be disposable. Optionally the rate of delivery may be dependent on a temperature of a component of the apparatus. Optionally, there may be a time delay between activation of the apparatus and delivery power of the substance.

Abstract: A balloon for a balloon catheter includes a body section and cone sections. At least one of the cone sections defines a plurality of grooves spaced around the circumference of the cone section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-axial working End-of-Content mechanism which is geared by a hypocycloid gearing. The EoC mechanism comprises a first element (30, 109) having a first internal surface (36, 136) with a first internal diameter (D), and an EoC element (50, 150) having a second external surface (56, 156) with a second external diameter (d) being smaller that the first internal diameter (D). The EoC element (50, 150) is located inside the first internal diameter (D) of the first element (30, 109) and the first element (30, 109) and the EoC element rotates relatively to each other in a gearing ratio. The EoC element (150, 150) thus operating as the inner rolling circle of a hypocycloid counting the numbers of relative rotations.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device and method for insertion. The catheter insertion device can include a housing, a needle attached to a needle carrier, a catheter including a catheter shaft attached to a catheter hub, and a guidewire. The guidewire can include a coil tip positioned in a lumen of the needle. The method for insertion can include inserting a distal end of the needle and the catheter shaft into a blood vessel of a patient, advancing the coil tip out of the needle lumen and into the blood vessel, advancing the catheter over the guidewire, and withdrawing the guidewire and the needle from the catheter. The coil tip can include a straightened configuration and a coiled configuration. The coil tip can transition from the straightened configuration in the needle lumen to the coiled configuration in the blood vessel.