Abstract: Naso-pharyngeal devices for treating sleep apnea can perform two functions simultaneously: keeping an open airway through an inner lumen of the device; and support for the tissue in the airway, because keeping the tissue from completely collapsing creates the possibility of some air movement around the device in the critical areas associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for providing a reduced risk of free flow from medical devices such as an infusion pump. A medicament containing reservoir is provided with a piston having a sealing portion formed by a material of a first stiffness. The piston further comprises a frictional enhancing member having one or more reservoir wall engaging portions and being at least partly made of a material having a stiffness greater than the first stiffness. By arranging the frictional enhancing member to exert a radially outwards directed force component against the cylindrical wall an increased friction is provided between the piston and the reservoir wall.

Abstract: A disposable injector having a housing (10) in which are arranged at least one mechanical spring energy reservoir (50), at least one cylinder-piston unit (100) that can be filled at least in part with an active substance, at least one piston actuation plunger (60) and at least one trigger unit (80). The spring energy accumulator plunger (60) has at least one tension bar (61) with at least one support surface (63) at the upper end thereof. Locking elements (16) supported on the housing lie on the support surface(s) and are secured in the locking position by a triggering element (82) placed in a locking position (8). The triggering element has a release position (9) that causes the locking element (16) to be unlocked for release of the active substance.

Abstract: An intravenous (IV) pump is disclosed. The IV pump includes a housing, a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, and a switch configured to selectably energize or de-energize the electromagnet. The permanent magnet generates a magnetic field and the electromagnet, when energized, generates a magnetic field that approximately cancels the magnetic field of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A bi-directional cannula feature capture mechanism is described herein. Generally, the capture mechanism comprises an inner housing, an outer housing, and a cannula. The inner housing comprises a proximal and a distal cannula feature mating component. The outer housing is adapted to slidably receive the inner housing in a proximal direction. Additionally, the cannula extends through the inner housing and the cannula's feature has a proximal engagement and a distal engagement. The proximal and distal engagements are respectively configured to irreversibly engage the proximal and distal cannula feature mating components when the cannula tip is moved into a shielded position.

Abstract: There is provided a transendoscopic medical instrument which can insert, remove and latch a plurality of medical items including a flexible guide unit with respect to a transendoscopic sheath which is selectively inserted into a body cavity such as a bronchial branch.

Abstract: An automated therapy system having an infusion catheter; a sensor adapted to sense a patient parameter; and a controller communicating with the sensor and programmed to control flow output from the infusion catheter into a patient based on the patient parameter without removing fluid from the patient. The invention also includes a method of controlling infusion of a fluid to a patient. The method includes the following steps: monitoring a patient parameter with a sensor to generate a sensor signal; providing the sensor signal to a controller; and adjusting fluid flow to the patient based on the sensor signal without removing fluid from the patient.

Abstract: A pressure compensating device includes a compensating disc located within an internal chamber of a housing. The compensating disc has a diaphragm over which fluid passes after entering the internal chamber. The diaphragm deflects in response to a pressure differential between fluid entering the internal chamber and fluid exiting the internal chamber to maintain the set flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A water bottle and dispenser system that allows a measured quantity of water to be supplied to the patient's mouth automatically. The delivery of the water can be timed for any convenient interval. There is no need for specialized needles and other paraphernalia related to an IV, and no specialized training is needed to install and operate the device. This means that a homeowner can use this device for a patient at home, which will reduce the cost of treatment.

Abstract: A cannula, such as an IV catheter introducer needle, that has a bi-directionally engageable crimp feature is described herein. The feature comprises a maximum outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the cannula. Additionally, the feature comprises a proximal side and a distal side. The larger outer diameter of the proximal side can act as a proximal engagement that prevents the cannula from being entirely extracted in a proximal direction from a cannula shield. The distal side of the feature can comprise a notch that acts a distal engagement, which prevents the cannula from reemerging distally from the shield, once the cannula has been pulled into the shield. The notch can include an engagement surface that extends laterally past the cannula's outer diameter. The engagement surface can be configured to run substantially perpendicular to the cannula's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A needle shroud assembly for a syringe holder comprises a barrel (16), a needle shroud (24) captively telescoped relative to the forward end of the barrel (16) and retained by a top outer body (44). A locking ring (42) cooperates with the shroud, having diametrically opposed keyways which are brought into and out of axial alignment with keys (38) on the shroud (24) to free or lock the shroud from movement. The locking collar (42) is biased towards a ‘safe’ position. On cocking the locking ring (42) to a ‘live’ position the shroud (24) is freed for retraction movement but on return to its extended position, the locking ring is returned to its ‘safe’ position.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprising an elongate tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, and a balloon at the distal end of the tube, in fluid communication with the lumen. A magnetically responsive element at the distal end of the device sized and shaped to orient the distal end of the device in an operating region in a subject upon the application of a magnetic field from an external source magnet.

Abstract: A miniature pump device, with a fluid reservoir that can contain an intravenous drug, hydraulic fluid, or the like. The miniature pump has a motor disposed adjacent the fluid reservoir, and a piston disposed within the fluid reservoir. A power transfer linkage transfers power from the motor to the piston in the fluid reservoir, and a stationary flexible seal is coupled between the fluid reservoir and the power transfer linkage to seal a portion of the power transfer linkage within the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising a clevis defining a longitudinal axis and a jaw comprising a first member and a second member. A slider is slidably engaged to the clevis, the slider comprising a pin. The pin is receiveably engaged in the first slot and the jaw is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position through longitudinal movement of the slider. In various embodiments, the first and second members are movable between an angular open position, a parallel open position, and a parallel closed position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical access member for establishing percutaneous access to a surgical worksite within tissue. The surgical access member includes a constricting mechanism that is adapted to removably receive a surgical instrument and resiliently transition between an open state and a constricted state. In the open state, insertion of the surgical instrument through the constricting mechanism is substantially uninhibited. In the constricted state, the constricting mechanism substantially limits transverse movement of the surgical instrument, and may facilitate the creation of a substantially fluid-tight seal therewith.

Abstract: An injection device, in some embodiments an autoinjector, which includes a thrust spring that advances an injection needle from an initial position to an insertion position from the distal end of the injection device and that causes a product to be emptied from the product reservoir by an emptying movement, and a return spring that retracts the injection needle from the insertion position into the distal end of the injection device counter to the force of the thrust spring, wherein the return spring is decoupled from the thrust spring during the emptying movement.

Abstract: A medical device for fusing or necrosing biological tissue includes a pair of electrode members configured to sandwich the biological tissue, and an energy supply unit configured to supply electric energy to between the pair of electrode members, wherein the surface area of each of the pair of electrode members is mutually different.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for facilitating intranasal administration of a medication to a patient's sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess. The apparatus includes a catheter having a lumen disposed therethrough, the catheter comprising an insertion end and a manipulation end, the insertion end having an intrinsic curvature with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catheter such that the insertion end of the catheter lies in a first plane and the manipulation end lies in a second plane, wherein the catheter smoothly transitions between the first plane and the second plane, the intrinsic curvature conforming to a patients nasal anatomy such that the catheter may be inserted into a sphenopalatine/pterygopalatine recess. The apparatus also includes a straightening member configured to removably engage the catheter. The straightening member straightens the intrinsic curvature such that the first plane and the second plane are aligned when the catheter is engaged by the straightening member.

Abstract: A medical device for fusing or necrosing a biological tissue, including a first electrode member and a second electrode member protruded from a non-electrically-conductive attachment portion configured to sandwich the biological tissue; and an energy supply unit configured to supply electric energy to between the first electrode member and the second electrode member, wherein the region of a predetermined length in a direction of axial line from the attachment portion in at least one of the electrode members within the first electrode member and the second electrode member is coated with an electrical insulator.

Abstract: Methods, system and devices for monitoring a plurality of parameters associated with a closed loop control operation including continuously monitoring a physiological condition and automatic administration of a medication, detecting an adverse condition associated with the monitored physiological condition or the medication administration deviating from a predetermined safety level of the closed loop control operation, and initiating a non-zero pre-programmed medication delivery rate are provided.