Abstract: This invention relates to systems for delivering medical devices, as well as related systems and methods. The invention also relates to methods of prevention and treatment of biofilm related contamination of systems or devices for medication delivery and methods of treating medical devices, such as catheters, to prevent infection from said device.

Abstract: A device for providing an implanted injection site capable of delivering a therapeutic substance or medication into the subarachnoid space. The receiving compartment is implanted under the skin adjacent the spine. Injections may be made repeatedly into the membrane for delivering the therapeutic substance without the need for repeated spinal taps. Medications such as immunoglobulin may be administered intrathecally directly into the central nervous system bypassing the blood brain barrier providing more concentrated, effective and less costly treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Another embodiment is a method of administering an immunoglobulin composition having a four to six percent concentration incrementally over time by alternately removing cerebrospinal fluid and injecting the immunoglobulin composition.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an IDDC system utilizes an intelligent therapeutic agent delivery system comprised of one, but more likely an array of “cells” containing therapeutic agent(s) and/or diagnostic agents(s); an integrated bio-sensing system designed to sample and analyze biological materials using multiple sensors that include both hardware and software components. The software component involves biomedical signal processing to analyze complex liquid mixtures and a microcontroller(s) acts as interface to the biosensors, to the therapeutic delivery elements, and to a communications system(s) for the purpose of controlling the amount of therapeutic agent to deliver and also to provide information in a useful form to interested parties on the progress of therapy and compliance thereto.

Abstract: A dosing device for an injection device, the dosing device including an actuating element for adjusting and/or dispensing a dose from the injection device, a thrust element for generating a forward movement for discharging a dose and a coupling to which the actuating element and the thrust element are coupled such that a rotational movement of the actuating element is transmitted directly to the thrust element and an axial movement of the actuating element is different than an axial movement of the thrust element.

Abstract: A fluid control system for delivery of a liquid includes a pneumatic drive that incorporates a linear actuator to effect known volume changes in a gas reservoir. The gas reservoir is in fluid communication with a gas-side reservoir that is separated from a fluid-side reservoir by a flexible membrane. Movement of the linear actuator effects positive or negative volume differences on the gas in the gas-side reservoir, resulting in a decrease or increase in pressure of the gas that is transmitted to the fluid-side reservoir to draw fluid, primarily liquid, in from a source or deliver liquid out to a sink. In another aspect, a mechanism is provided for the detection and elimination of air bubbles in the fluid path.

Abstract: A dialysis system is disclosed including an autoconnection mechanism. The autoconnection mechanism in an embodiment is configured such that (i) a tip protector remover is translated in a first direction towards a plurality of supply line connectors, (ii) the tip protector remover is locked to each of a plurality of supply line tip protectors connected to the plurality of supply line connectors, (iii) the tip protector remover is translated in a second direction away from the plurality of supply line connectors to remove the plurality of supply line tip protectors from the supply line connectors, the tip protector remover is translated in a third direction different from the first and second directions, and (v) solution line connectors are translated towards the supply line connectors to connect each of the solution line connectors to one of the supply line connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis includes a housing; a peritoneal dialysis supply bag supported by and/or located above the housing; a first valve for controlling gravity flow of fresh peritoneal dialysis fluid from the supply bag to a patient; a second valve for controlling gravity flow of used peritoneal dialysis fluid from the patient to a drain; and a pressure sensor positioned and arranged with respect to the gravity flow of fresh peritoneal dialysis fluid or the gravity flow of used peritoneal dialysis fluid to provide a reading used to evaluate a head height pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for natural treatment for middle ear infection has a single use sachet. The sachet has a pocket that holds a limited quantity of mustard essential oil. The sachet has a neck and a dropper and the sachet can be squeezed to flow drops for pouring into an ear canal. The sachet is put in a microwave oven just before use for only substantially 30 seconds to heat the oil and up to five drops of heated oil is squeezed into an ear canal of a person with severe ear itching indicative of a middle ear infection.

Abstract: A device (10) is provided for facilitating insertion of a needle or a cannula into a vein of a patient. The device comprises a fluid chamber (23) adapted to be held in operable engagement with a surface of the patient's skin by a fastener (30/34/35) that extends about a limb of the patient. The device is adapted to create a volume of reduced pressure within the fluid chamber, so as to facilitate expansion of an underlying part of the vein. The device enables insertion of a needle or cannula into the expanded part of the vein, whilst the fluid chamber remains operably engaged with the surface of a patient's skin.

Abstract: A system for injecting and controlling a flow of liquid to be injected, including: a peristaltic pump; a catheter delivering the liquid to be injected; a pressure sensor measuring liquid pressure in the catheter; a controller receiving data from the pressure sensor and controlling the pump on the basis of the data measured at different times.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for automatically switching different aspiration levels to an ocular probe are disclosed herein. The probe may be a phacoemulsification probe. A first aspiration level, supplied by a first pump, may be applied to the probe simultaneously with ultrasonic energy. A second aspiration level, supplied by a second pump, may be automatically switched from the first aspiration level. Control feed back of the pumps may be varied according to set thresholds.

Abstract: A device for delivering fluid to a nasal cavity comprises an elongated member comprising a hollow exterior cannula and a hollow interior cannula. The interior cannula is flexible, is at least partially housed within the exterior cannula, and comprises an inlet for intake of the fluid and at least one outlet for ejecting the fluid. The exterior cannula has outlets for ejecting the fluid which are positioned within the nasal cavity by inserting the distal end of the device through a given nostril. A portion of the device has a continuously curving centerline that divides the device into a first and second lateral section. At least one outlet is positioned in each of the first and second lateral sections. Rotation of the distal section of the interior cannula within the exterior cannula permits the ejection of fluid predominantly out of outlets on respective lateral sides of the outer cannula.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are drug delivery ocular implants comprising an elongate outer shell having a proximal end, and distal end and being shaped to define an interior lumen, at least one therepautic agent positioned within the lumen, wherein the outer shell has at least a first thickness, the outer shell comprises one or more regions of drug release, and the implant is dimensioned for implantation within the anterior chamber of the eye.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for automatically switching different aspiration levels to an ocular probe are disclosed herein. The probe may be a phacoemulsification probe. A first aspiration level, supplied by a first pump, may be applied to the probe simultaneously with ultrasonic energy. A second aspiration level, supplied by a second pump, may be automatically switched from the first aspiration level. Control feed back of the pumps may be varied according to set thresholds.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically pulsing different aspiration levels to an ocular probe are disclosed. The probe may be a phacoemulsification probe. A first aspiration level, supplied by a first pump, may be applied to the probe simultaneously with ultrasonic energy. A second aspiration level, supplied by a second pump, may be automatically switched from the first aspiration level, and applied to the probe in a pulsed manner.

Abstract: A syringe device for ejecting a dose of a medicament, the syringe device comprising: a dose limiting mechanism arranged to interact with a dose ejecting mechanism to prevent ejection of a dose exceeding a set dose, and a safety mechanism, which is arranged such with respect to the dose ejecting mechanism that, if the dose limiting mechanism fails, the safety mechanism prevents ejection of a dose exceeding the set dose.

Abstract: Deflectable guide catheters and methods, including methods for using defectable guide catheters to perform transnasal procedures within the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium. Some deflectable guide catheters of the present invention comprise a substantially rigid tube, a helical spring attached to and extending from the distal end of the substantially rigid tube, a tubular plastic inner jacket, an outer plastic jacket substantially covering at least the helical spring member. The spring member is deflectable to cause the distal portion of the guide catheter to deflect to a curved configuration. In embodiments for transnasal use the deflectable guide catheter may have a length of less than 25 cm.

Abstract: A stopper adapted for attachment with a plunger rod for use within a syringe barrel is disclosed. The stopper includes a main body defining an open rearward end and a closed front end. The open rearward end is adapted to receive a front forward end attachment portion of the plunger rod. The stopper also includes a core member integrally formed with the main body adjacent the closed front end. The core member includes a nose portion having a conical tip configured for entering an outlet opening of the syringe barrel. The closed front end of the stopper has a profile configured to cooperate with an internal surface of the syringe barrel wall to prevent reflux and reduce dead space within the barrel.

Abstract: A system for performing fluid administration on a patient, the system including a flexible membrane forming a valve of a port having a valve seat, and an actuator having an actuator head, wherein the flexible membrane includes a membrane actuator clip configured to removably connect to the actuator head, the connection between the membrane actuator clip and the actuator head allowing the actuator to push the flexible membrane towards the valve seat to close the valve, and to pull the flexible membrane away from the valve seat to open the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for motor control systems and related medical devices. In one embodiment, a control system includes a motor having a rotor, a modulation module coupled to the motor, and a control module coupled to the motor and the modulation module. The modulation module generates a modulated voltage that is applied to the motor, and the control module adjusts a duty cycle of the modulated voltage to achieve a commanded rotation of the rotor and detects a degradation condition based on the duty cycle.