Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically delivering medication to a user. A sensor coupled to a user can collect information regarding the user. A controller can use the collected information to determine an amount of medication to provide the user. The controller can instruct a drug delivery device to dispense the medication to the user. The drug delivery device can be a wearable insulin pump that is directly coupled to the user. The controller can be part of or implemented in a cellphone. A user can be required to provide a confirmation input to allow a determined amount of insulin to be provided to the user based on detected glucose levels of the user. The sensor, controller, and drug delivery device can communicate wirelessly.

Abstract: A medical syringe apparatus includes a syringe unit, a hypodermic needle attached to the syringe unit and at least one interfacing member for mating a labeled medication container to the syringe unit. A filling needle is attached to the syringe unit for drawing fluid from a container. A movable needle sheath protects the hypodermic needle when not in use and may be moved out of the way when administering an injection. The medication label is visible. The container remains mated to the syringe when the syringe is in use. Risk of mislabeling the syringe may therefore be substantially reduced or eliminated and patient safety may accordingly be improved.

Abstract: An injection device including a housing, a needle guard sleeve displaceable relative to the housing, and a spring coupled to the guard sleeve such that the guard sleeve can be moved by the spring distally from a proximal position to an end position, the spring also being coupled to a forward drive element displaceable relative to the housing in a drive direction wherein the spring is tensioned upon a movement of the forward drive element in the forward drive direction.

Abstract: An injection device (100) suitable for the delivery of a viscous medicament from a container (10) through a needle (16) disposed at the distal end of the container (10) is disclosed. The device comprises a housing (102), an advancing mechanism (190, 204, 230) operable to move the container (10) relative to the housing from a starting position in which the needle (16) is shrouded and an insertion position in which the needle (16) is exposed, and a stopper drive arrangement operable to move a stopper (22) towards the distal end of the container (10). The stopper drive arrangement comprises a drive body (240) arranged for axial movement with respect to the housing (102), a driveshaft (250) arranged for rotation with respect to the drive body (240), a plunger (202) arranged for axial movement with respect to the drive body (240) to move the stopper (22) upon rotation of the driveshaft (250), and drive means (290) arranged to rotate the driveshaft (250) upon activation of the stopper drive arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising energy (e.g., light) absorbing submicron particles (e.g., nanoparticles comprising a silica core and a gold shell) and methods for delivering such particles via topical application. This delivery is facilitated by application of mechanical agitation (e.g. massage), acoustic vibration in the range of 10 Hz-20 kHz, ultrasound, alternating suction and pressure, and microjets. The method of treatment is performed and then, depending upon the desired clinical outcome, repeated after a treatment response interval has elapsed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for vascular access, enabling repetitive vascular access while preventing damage to the blood vessel wall, reducing hematomas, improving flow in a vessel, preventing back-wall perforation, and enabling improved fistula maturation and care. The system includes an implanted conduit that is incorporated into surrounding fibrous tissue that can guide a needle and/or catheter from a puncture site on the skin to a vessel wall, which may be used to provide repetitive vascular access for persons requiring hemodialysis or chemotherapy.

Abstract: An assembly includes a clutch member and a drive member movable relative to one another between a first relative position and a second relative position, in the first relative position, the clutch member and/or the drive member is rotatable relative to a housing, in the second relative position, the deflectable feature is arranged to prevent rotation of the clutch member and/or of the drive member relative to the housing, and wherein the deflectable feature and the interaction feature are arranged such that, when the clutch member and the drive member are moved relative to one another from the first relative position into the second relative position, the deflectable feature and the interaction feature mechanically interact in order to deflect the deflectable feature.

Abstract: A wearable drug delivery device that can deliver high volumes of liquid drugs stored in one or more corresponding containers to a patient is provided. The wearable drug delivery device can include first and second containers to store first and second liquid drugs, respectively. A first set of energy transfer spheres can be coupled to a first spring and a first plunger positioned within the first container. A second set of energy transfer spheres can be coupled to a second spring and a second plunger positioned within the second container. The first spring can expand to advance the first set of energy transfer spheres and the first plunger to expel the first liquid drug for delivery to the patient. The second spring can expand to advance the second set of energy transfer spheres and the second plunger to expel the second liquid drug for delivery to the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, an actuator, a lock mechanism, and a medicament container. The lock mechanism selectively engages a portion of the housing such that (1) the lock mechanism is maintained in a substantially fixed position when the housing is in a first orientation and (2) the lock mechanism is removable from the housing when the housing is in a second orientation. The medicament container is moved in a proximal direction when the lock mechanism is removed from the housing to mix a first medicament portion contained within the medicament container with a second medicament portion contained within the medicament container. The actuator can be moved from a first position to a second position when the lock mechanism is removed from the housing to release energy stored within an energy storage member such that the medicament container is moved in a distal direction.

Abstract: An antiseptic cap and packaging for use with a connector are provided. The antiseptic cap includes a material containing an antiseptic solution. Upon application of the cap to the connector, the material compresses thereby releasing the antiseptic solution. Packaging of the antiseptic cap typically includes a cap holder and a lid. A user could remove the cap from the cap holder before applying it to a connector. Alternatively, the cap holder may be used to apply the cap to the connector.

Abstract: A plunger for a syringe that includes a barrel includes: a gasket mounting portion located at a distal end of the plunger; a disk positioned at a proximal end of the gasket mounting portion; a shaft extending proximally from the disk, wherein the shaft comprises a plurality of slats extending proximally from the disk; a pressing portion located at a lower end of the shaft; and a plunger inclination-prevention unit that is located at a distal end of the shaft and is configured to inhibit the plunger from inclining inside the barrel of the syringe. The plunger inclination-prevention unit comprises one or more axially inclined plates, each having a first end disposed on the disk, extending obliquely proximal with respect to a central axis of the shaft, and having a second end disposed on one of the slats.

Abstract: A method of performing a peritoneal dialysis treatment includes connecting a disposable unit to a source of water. The disposable unit includes at least a first container holding a sterile concentrate containing an osmotic agent, a second container holding a sterile concentrate containing electrolytes, an empty sterile mixing container, and a tubing set with a pre-attached peritoneal fill/drain line. The method also includes receiving a prescription command by a controller, indicating at least the fill volume and desired final concentration of the osmotic agent to be used for a current fill cycle under said treatment, and pumping a quantity of the concentrated osmotic agent that is at least sufficient to achieve the desired final concentration into the mixing container. The contest of the mixing container are mixed, further diluted or concentrated, and then flowed to a patient.

Abstract: A method of performing a dialysis treatment includes using a pump and a dialysate supply line to transport peritoneal dialysis fluid, the supply line having a proximal end into which peritoneal dialysis fluid is supplied and from which spend dialysate is withdrawn, and a distal end which is connected to a patient's peritoneal access. The method further includes generating proximal and distal pressure signals using pressure detectors located at both the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of said supply line. During a drain cycle in which spent dialysate is pumped from the patient, the method includes, responsively to the proximal and distal pressure signals, detecting a characteristic of a pressure difference between the distal and proximal ends whose magnitude is determined by a predicted change in dialysate properties, and responsively to the characteristic, generating a signal indicating the change in dialysate properties.

Abstract: An adjustable diameter catheter includes a wall extending in an axial direction surrounding a lumen of the catheter, the wall having at least one outer spring and at least one inner spring arranged coaxially to the outer spring. The at least one outer spring surrounds the at least one inner spring. The at least one inner and outer springs each have a distal end which are connected to one another. The at least one inner and outer springs each have a plurality of windings. A winding direction of the at least one outer spring is opposite to a winding direction of the at least one inner spring.

Abstract: A safety syringe (100; 700; 1200) comprising: a barrel (104; 704; 1204) having an opening at an end thereof; a syringe plunger (108; 708; 1208) configured to move within the barrel such that an inward stroke of the syringe plunger causes a substance within the barrel to be expelled from the opening; and a sheath (112; 712; 1212) configured to cover at least partially the opening in the barrel after use of the syringe, wherein the sheath is coupled to the syringe plunger and is configured to decouple from the syringe plunger at a point on the inward stroke such that the sheath is moveable independently of the syringe plunger and further movement of the sheath after decoupling at least partially covers the opening in the barrel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treatment of a biological tissues including target tissues and other tissues. The method includes elevating a temperature of the target tissues above a physiological temperature of the biological tissues to treatment temperature, and generating an electric field extending through at least a portion of the target tissues using a pre-defined sequence of short voltage pulses applied between at least two electrodes. In the method, the treatment temperature is maintained during the generating. Further, the pre-defined sequence is selected such that a magnitude of the electric field generated is sufficient to induce electromanipulation in the portion of the target tissues without substantially elevating of the temperature of the portion of the target tissues above the treatment temperature.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a support catheter member assembly, preferably for cardiac interventional procedures, comprising an elongated tubular body having proximal and distal ends, and a plurality of lumina extending axially therethrough. A plurality of support members extend through the catheter, exit at a defined distance from its distal opening, and reattach at its distal end. Manipulation of support members leads to their flexing outward/retraction towards the catheter, providing an adjustable support assembly with which the position of a separate guide catheter can be stabilized.

Abstract: Medicament delivery device comprising a movable guard (10) being movable between a proximal and a distal position and a locking mechanism (15) having a lever (16), the lever (16) restricting movement of an actuation locking member (24) until the movable guard is positioned in a distal position and the lever (16) restricting movement of the guard (10) in a proximal position after actuation of the device.

Abstract: A lever including a far end to engage an infusion tubing is provided. The lever includes a pivot end configured to fit into a shaft and to allow the lever to rotate about a shaft axis, the pivot end including a pocket to capture a spring having a leg protruding outside. The spring is configured to apply a bias from the lever against a door assembly. The lever includes a tab disposed on an outer side of the far end and configured to interface with the door assembly, and a pusher protruding into an inner side of the far end and configured to contact the infusion tubing when the far end engages the infusion tubing. The pusher applies a downward pressure to the infusion tubing when the door assembly is closed until the infusion tubing is properly aligned with an air-in-line sensor disposed on both sides of the tubing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.