Abstract: A closed-loop control for a medical therapeutic system is disclosed that includes one or more processes or components for/in the medical therapeutic system, a controller configured to determine whether one or more operations of the process(es) or component(s) are within a corresponding safety envelope, and one or more sensors. The process(es)/component(s) are configured to deliver a controlled amount of a substance, energy or force to a patient. The sensor(s) are configured to measure or determine a value of a measurable parameter of the process(es)/component(s) and/or effected by the operation(s), and provide the value(s) of the measurable parameter(s) to the controller. The controller determines whether each of the operation(s) are within the corresponding safety envelope according to a corresponding function that mathematically describes the operation. The safety envelope corresponds to known safe values of the measurable parameter, or an unmeasured parameter based on the measurable parameter.

Abstract: An insulin delivery monitoring system that includes an insulin delivery device and a controller configured to perform or control performance of operations. A method of insulin delivery include determining a correction dose of insulin and triggering an alert.

Abstract: A spring force assembly for biasing a displaceable stopper of a liquid medicament cartridge including a spring element arranged along a longitudinal axis, with brace elements and coupling elements, with the coupling elements restricting the distance between the brace elements which also restricts the possible expansion of the spring element.

Abstract: Devices and methods are discussed directed to the use of a low profile laser ablation catheter for use in laser ablation removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow in the treatment of arteriovenous fistulas. Also discussed are devices and methods directed to packaging, long term storage and sterilization of liquid core ablation catheters.

Abstract: An infusion device (50) incl. a preferably soft cannula (1) configured to be inserted by means of an insertion needle. The cannula has a tubular body member having a proximal end and a subcutaneously placed distal portion having a distal end where the distal portion is provided with an opening (2) allowing a portion of a drug conveyed through the tubular body member to discharge. The cannula further comprise, in the distal portion, a radial opening allowing a portion of a drug conveyed through the tubular body member to discharge.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a peristaltic micropump comprising a substrate having a first side and a second side, a microtube that extends across the first side of the substrate, and multiple pump actuators formed on the first side of the substrate and positioned adjacent to the microtube at discrete, spaced positions along the length of the microtube, wherein the micropump is configured to sequentially actuate the pump actuators so as to create peristaltic action that drives fluid contained in the microtube along the length of the tube.

Abstract: A cartridge retainer comprises a sleeve having a distal end a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. One or more tabs extend radially from the sleeve toward the longitudinal axis and are configured to radially deflect away from the longitudinal axis. One or more deformable members extend axially from the distal end of the sleeve toward the one or more tabs and are configured to deform in a longitudinal direction toward the distal end.

Abstract: A drip chamber for an infusion tube, including: a first end including a drip tube; a second end including an exit port; and a wall connecting the first and second ends and including an interior surface with a hydrophobic portion. The drip chamber includes a space enclosed by the interior wall and the first and second ends. The hydrophobic portion of the interior surface repels liquid contacting the hydrophobic coating. The hydrophobic portion of the interior surface enables light to refract through the hydrophobic portion and the wall in the same manner as is the case when the hydrophobic portion is not present on the interior surface.

Abstract: A device and method for dilating a Eustachian tube of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a guide catheter and a balloon dilation catheter. The balloon dilation catheter has an actuator that prevents injury to the middle ear. The balloon dilation catheter is slidably coupled with the guide catheter through the guide catheter lumen and is fully inserted into the guide catheter lumen when the distal side of the actuator is adjacent to the proximal end of the guide catheter. The method involves advancing the guide catheter and balloon dilation catheter through a nasal passage of the patient to dilate a portion of the Eustachian tube.

Abstract: A movable protection and/or rewrapping device for a balloon catheter may include a tubular member with a bore extending along a length thereof. The tubular member may have at least one rib disposed on an inner surface of the bore. The tubular member may be flared away from the bore at one end and inwardly tapered at the other end. The rewrapping device may include an actuator configured to open a longitudinal slit in the tubular member.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial stopcock medical connector is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stopcock tap having fluid channels provided on portions of the outer surface of the stopcock tap, whereby fluid bypasses the stopcock through the fluid channels by flowing between the outer surface of the stopcock tap and the inner surface of the stopcock housing. Some embodiments further comprise an antimicrobial coating or insert that is provided in the one or more fluid channel, whereby fluid flowing through the fluid channels contacts the antimicrobial coating or an antimicrobial agent that is eluted from the antimicrobial coating. Further still, some embodiments of the present invention comprise an antimicrobial groove that is positioned opposite the fluid channel, whereby when the stopcock is in an “off” position, the antimicrobial groove contacts fluid within a blocked port thereby preventing microbial growth therein.

Abstract: A pump for infusing fluid, the pump including a pumping mechanism, a fluid delivery device, a plurality of electric field sensors, and a measurement component. The plurality of electric field sensors is configured to estimate either an electric field that is associated with a patient, or an electric field that is associated with a fluid path of the pump, or both. The measurement component is configured to receive the electric field estimates from each of the electric field sensors and further configured to measure the difference between the electric field estimates.

Abstract: A method for loading a guidewire into a connector using a guidewire introducer includes inserting a guidewire introducer into a proximal end of a connector, the guidewire introducer having a proximal end, a distal end and a slit along the length of the guidewire introducer between the proximal end and the distal end. The guidewire introducer is advanced past a valve in the proximal end of the connector. A distal end of a guidewire is inserted into the proximal end of the guidewire introducer and advanced through the guidewire introducer and through the y-connector. The guidewire introducer is removed from the connector so that the distal end of the guidewire introducer is outside of the y-connector and proximate to the proximal end of the connector. The guidewire introducer is removed from the guidewire using the slit in the guidewire introducer.

Abstract: Various systems and methods provide iontophoretic delivery of anesthesia at a patient's tympanic membrane. Some implementations provide channel switching enabling a single current sink to pull current through two electrodes in an alternating fashion based on clock pulses. The iontophoretic delivery of anesthesia may be driven by an AC modulated current. Some implementations provide for continuous flow of fresh iontophoresis fluid to the ear canal during iontophoresis. The fluid flows from a source reservoir into the cavity between the tympanic membrane and a plug, and then drains out of the cavity to a reservoir. An iontophoresis system may also detect capacitance between an anode electrode and an auxiliary electrode in a patient's ear canal, watching for reduced capacitance to indicate presence of a bubble in the iontophoresis fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a medical procedure includes a balloon with a variable profile. The balloon includes at least one inflatable chamber occupied by a fluid, such as air, and solids, such as generally spherical balls. When the chamber is inflated, the solids are spaced apart as a result of their ability to move or flow, but when the chamber is evacuated, the solids become compacted and prevent it from fully collapsing. The balloon may have a plurality of inflatable chambers with solids in different arrangements to achieve different objectives during the medical procedure, such as for example stent deployment. For example, one chamber may be expanded while the other is restrained to alter the balloon geometry, such as for providing focused force or permitting perfusion.

Abstract: Syringes and methods of using are described which protect materials within the syringe barrel cavity from contaminants and photo-chemical degradation. A syringe is provided having an inspection window for viewing medications or other materials within the cavity of a syringe barrel. The inspection window is located within a housing that is formed in the wall of the syringe barrel. Optionally, the syringe is provided with a contaminant shield for preventing contaminant entry by way of the rear terminal opening of the syringe barrel. The syringe barrel and other syringe components may be clear, colored, opaque, darkened, amber, or tinted; and/or the syringe barrel may have applied thereto light polarizing filters; or materials having light polarizing properties can be used to manufacture the syringe barrel and other components of the syringe.

Abstract: The invention can selectively heat a diseased area in the lung while minimizing heating to the healthy area and surrounding tissue. This is done by exposing the lung to an electromagnetic field causing dielectric or eddy current heating. The invention is particularly useful for treating emphysema as the diseased areas have reduced blood flow. The diseased area will heat up rapidly while the healthy tissue will be cooled by the blood flow. This is particularly effective for treating emphysema because of the low mass of the lungs and the high blood flow. To avoid heating of surrounding organs the direction of the electromagnetic energy is switched in a way it always passes through lungs but only intermittently passes through adjacent organs. If heat activated drugs are present in the lungs, they are selectively released in the heated tissue.

Abstract: An intravenous delivery system may have a liquid source containing a liquid, tubing, and an anti-run-dry membrane positioned such that the liquid, flowing form the liquid source to the tubing, passes through the anti-run-dry membrane. The anti-run-dry membrane may have a plurality of pores through which the liquid flows, and may be formed of a hydrophilic material that resists passage of air through the pores. The intravenous delivery system may further have a bubble point raising component that raises the bubble point of the anti-run-dry membrane. The bubble point raising component may, in some embodiments, be a high surface energy coating or additive.

Abstract: The processes for inserting fluid under the skin of a patient using a safety syringe assembly include initially locating an up-alignment marker. The marker is aligned with a bevel in the needle of the safety syringe assembly so the orientation of the needle bevel is always known by the medical professional, even when the needle bevel cannot be seen. The needle is inserted bevel up prior to insertion. Once inserted, the medical professional inverts the safety syringe assembly so that the bevel is down. This is done by merely flicking the wrist of the hand holding the safety syringe assembly. This prevents splash back of any body fluids from the patient to the medical professional. The same safety syringe assembly and the same process are used for withdrawing fluids from the body of the patient.

Abstract: A needle tube having a needle tip for puncturing skin; a needle hub; and a fluid-draining portion for enabling draining of a medicine. The needle hub includes: a retention part (first member) for retaining the needle tube; an insertion part into which the output portion of a syringe is inserted; and a flange-like skin contact portion that is disposed in a manner so as to cover an area surrounding the needle tube and makes contact with and/or faces the skin when a living body is punctured with the needle tube. The fluid-draining portion is disposed in the skin contact portion of the needle hub and enables a user to drain the medicine that has spilled when removing air and is held in the skin contact portion.