Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for sternal locators for placement of an intraosseous device into the sternum of a human patient.

Abstract: Various handheld medical dispensing configurations and methods including the following. Handheld medical dispensing system comprises a syringe, which has a plunger, releasably mounted to syringe actuation apparatus, the apparatus having an actuator configured such that it can move the plunger more than once to dispense a plurality of amounts of substance from the syringe. A method of dispensing fluid from a syringe comprises holding a medical substance delivery system including a syringe, which has a needle, and which is secured to syringe actuation apparatus configured to dispense predetermined amounts of the substance from the syringe, penetrating the needle at one patient site and using the apparatus to deliver a predetermined amount of the substance, and penetrating the needle at another patient site and using the apparatus to deliver a predetermined amount of the substance.

Abstract: A feeding tube assembly having an improved feeding tube body composed of a tube wall having an external tube surface and an internal tube surface, a proximal end, a distal end separated from the proximal end by a length, and a distal tip region. The internal tube surface defines a feeding passageway extending the proximal end to the distal tip region. The tube body has a first cross-sectional profile from the proximal end to the distal end and at least a second cross-sectional profile from the distal end to the distal tip region. In the first cross-sectional profile, the external tube surface defines an external circumference and the internal tube surface defines a generally non-circular internal perimeter dividing the tube wall into one thin-walled portions and thick-walled portions. In the second cross-section profile, the external tube surface defines an external circumference and the internal tube surface defines an internal circumference.

Abstract: A delivery system comprising a covering having at least two compartments is provided. A first compartment contains a first therapeutic agent and the second compartment can be unfilled and is configured to receive a second therapeutic agent. The first compartment and the second compartment are separated by at least one removable separation member, for example a drawstring, that can be pulled to allow the first and second therapeutic agents to mix prior to delivery at a selected surgical site. Either the first or second compartment of the covering define an opening further comprising a pre-attached sealing member, which can be a flap sealable by heat, sutures, pressing or interference fittings. The opening of the empty compartment can be configured to receive a filling member, such as a funnel fitted with a spring loaded clip for temporary attachment to the covering. A method of treating a bone defect in a patient utilizing the delivery system is also provided.

Abstract: A drug delivery device that delivers pharmacologically active substances transdermally using microneedles arranged on a belt mounted rotatably about a plurality of rollers, the microneedles having an associated drug reservoir mounted on the belt which is compressed when the needles and belt are brought into contact with the skin.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a multi-purpose phacoemulsification needle comprises a needle body disposed about a centerline and has a lumen disposed therein. The lumen has a first cross-sectional area that is normal to the centerline. The needle further comprises a distal tip comprising an arcuate surface and a face with a port therein. The port has a second cross-sectional area in a plane generally parallel to the face and is in fluid communication with an internal cavity that has a third cross-sectional area normal to the centerline, the internal cavity being in fluid communication with the lumen. The needle is configured such that the third cross-sectional area is greater than either the first cross-sectional area or the second cross-sectional area. In another aspect of the invention, the needle comprises a plurality of fins projecting inwardly from the lumen.

Abstract: A device is provided for use with a medical implant for delivering an agent to a designated site of action in a body of a patient. The agent-delivery device comprises a body member having an inner surface and a projection on the inner surface of the body member. An agent-delivery medium is associated with the body member. The agent-delivery medium includes a therapeutic agent for treating the body of the patient. The body member is adapted to be secured to the medical implant such that the projection operatively engages the medical implant for spacing the inner surface of the body member from the implant, and the agent-delivery medium is configured to release the therapeutic agent after implantation in the body of the patient. In alternative embodiments, the agent-delivery device comprises a first body member having an inner surface and a second body member having an inner surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of steerable catheters are disclosed. The catheters may include a plurality of generally arcuate-shaped struts connected at proximal and distal ends of a handle. The handle is connected to a tubular portion at a distal end of the handle. The tubular portion includes a resilient component positioned near a distal tip of the tubular portion. The catheter includes a pull wire fixed to a point at or near the distal tip of the tubular portion. Upon manual compression of the handle, the struts are squeezed together, lengthening the handle, and extending the pull wire proximally. The proximal extension of the pull wire can cause the distal tip of the catheter to deflect. The catheter can be rotated greater than 360° around a longitudinal axis. The compressible handle can allow a user of the catheter tactile feedback and control over navigation of the catheter.

Abstract: An infusion system for delivery of therapeutic fluids from a remote source into a patient's body. The system has an infusion assembly, a rotating pivot joint member, a fluid connector assembly, and a sealing assembly retained within the infusion assembly between the housing of the infusion assembly and the rotating pivot joint member. The seal reduces leakage of fluids. The rotating joint may be pivoted to three distinct positions to allow for emplacement on the patient, delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the patient, and protected, sealed closure of the fluid channels to avoid patient fluid backflow.

Abstract: A dilation cap may include a distal tip, an intermediate body, and a proximal coupling member. The distal tip may at least partially surround a longitudinal axis of the dilation cap and may include a cavity to receive a distal end of a cannula of a medical device. The intermediate body may extend proximally from the distal tip and include a dilator portion. The dilator portion may include a projection extending laterally in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the dilation cap. The proximal coupling member may extend proximally from the intermediate body and at least partially surround the longitudinal axis of the dilation cap. The proximal coupling member may be configured to engage an intermediate portion of the cannula of the medical device. The intermediate body may be asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the dilation cap.

Abstract: An autoinjector has a main body (10, 12) containing a syringe (13) or cartridge with a needle at its front end for being moved forwardly in the body to extend the needle from the body for an injection, the body housing in a forward region a shroud (24) having a forward portion of generally tubular form (32), the shroud being moveable longitudinally between a rearward retracted position and a forward extended position, the autoinjector further including a spring arrangement for biasing the shroud forwardly, the spring arrangement (44) including two springs disposed alongside and spaced from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: There are provided pressurized surgical instruments for use in pressurized surgical environments. The pressurized surgical instruments include pressurizing systems for maintaining a neutral or positive pressure flow within the surgical instrument during use. The pressurizing systems include a primary sensor for detecting the pressure of the surgical environment and a pressurizing mechanism for balancing the pressure of the surgical instrument with the surgical environment. The pressurizing mechanism includes a controller to receive and compare the signal sent from the primary sensor to the ambient or internal instrument pressure and a pressure delivery system to provide positive pressure to the interior of the surgical instrument in response to a signal received from the controller. The sources of pressure for the pressure delivery systems may be external or self contained within the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A syringe for treating facial wrinkles having a syringe cylinder, a needle body detachably mounted at the front end portion of the syringe cylinder and having a syringe needle disposed thereon, and a piston rod disposed inside the syringe cylinder for operating a piston is provided. The syringe includes: the syringe cylinder formed of a substantially thin tube having an inside diameter in a range of 2.0 mm to 7.0 mm; and an inflow check valve disposed at one side of the front end portion of the syringe cylinder so as to supply a predetermined quantity of gas to the interior of the syringe cylinder. The predetermined quantity of gas supplied through the inflow check valve to the interior of the syringe cylinder and a predetermined quantity of liquid filled into the syringe cylinder are injected in turn into the dermis of the skin, which is repeatedly carried out.

Abstract: A gland member within a medical valve is configured to have a substantially consistent or enlarging internal volume as the valve transitions from a closed mode to an open mode. The valve has a housing forming an interior containing a flow path, and a stationary post member within the interior. The post member has a lumen that is a part of the flow path. The lumen has an opening to the interior of the housing. The valve further includes a gland member circumscribing the post member to produce a variable volume region formed at least in part between the gland member itself and the post member. The variable volume region is a part of the flow path, while the gland member occludes the post lumen opening when in the closed mode. The variable volume region has an open volume that is no less than its closed volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical delivery device comprising a tubular distal housing; a tubular proximal housing; a medicament container arranged inside said tubular proximal housing; a threaded hollow plunger rod; a spring force means pre-tensioned arranged within said plunger rod; activation means arranged to be movable between a non-medicament delivery state and a medicament delivery state; dose setting means being threadedly arranged to said threaded hollow plunger rod and arranged to be rotationally moved between a stop position and a set dose position, whereby upon activation of said activation means from the non-medicament delivery state to the medicament delivery state, said threaded hollow plunger rod is linearly displaced due to the force of the pre-tensioned spring means such that the dose setting means is also linearly displaced from the set dose position to the stop position.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device comprises a housing, a telescopic piston rod assembly for driving a bung of a medicament container, and a drive mechanism for the telescopic piston rod assembly. The telescopic piston rod assembly comprises a plunger for driving a bung, a key for allowing predominantly axial movement between the plunger and the housing and an input drive telescopically coupled to the plunger and supported for rotational and axial movement relative the housing. The drive mechanism additionally comprises a transfer drive that operates to rotate the input drive. As the input drive rotates, it moves axially relative to the housing, expanding telescopically relative to the plunger.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) connection apparatus includes a first connector for connecting to a PD fluid fill line; a second connector in fluid communication with the first connector, the second connector including a filter configured to allow air but not fluid to pass through the filter; and an air-tight cap manually removeable and resealable to the second connector so as to selectively expose the filter to allow air trapped in a patient's peritoneum to be vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safe support device for a syringe, said support comprising a support sheath for the body of a syringe, and safety means which comprise an inner sheath suitable for sliding relative to said support sheath between a waiting retracted position, in which said inner sheath is substantially retracted inside said support sheath, and an active protection position, in which said inner sheath projects from said support sheath. The inner sheath has a free end portion formed by a flexible end-piece. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a safe support device and a syringe having a body, a piston and a needle disposed at one end of said body.

Abstract: An IV line temperature controlled warming device includes a housing and a fluid cassette or cartridge that receives fluid from an IV line and includes intravenous line tubing arranged in a preformed configuration. The configuration includes tubing sections arranged in generally circular and concentric portions and a central serpentine tubing section that basically reverses fluid flow and facilitates flow in opposing directions within adjacent tubing sections. The fluid cassette is retained within the device on a base plate partially disposed within a device housing interior, while a housing cover is selectively opened and closed to permit access to the base plate. The base plate includes a heater plate disposed thereon, while the cover and heater plate each include heating elements to apply heat to opposing surfaces of the tubing cassette. The heating elements are controlled by a controller in response to measured temperatures of the heater plate and fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device comprising an elongated housing (10, 10?) having opposite distal and proximal ends, a medicament container (18; 18?) arranged inside said housing, a medicament delivery member (16; 16?) attachable to said medicament container; a plunger rod (22; 22?) arranged to act on a stopper (20; 20?) inside said medicament container; driving means arranged to interact with said plunger rod; wherein said device further comprises an operation member (38; 38?) transversally protruding through an elongated opening (39; 39?) on the longitudinal surface of the elongated housing and interactively connected to the driving means for both setting and actuating the delivery of a dose of medicament.