Abstract: A lactation system is disclosed. Embodiments include at least one extraction mechanism including a compression mechanism and a collection mechanism, and a controller. The compression mechanism can include a plurality of manipulable members, each operably coupled to an actuator and arrangeable circumferentially about a breast of a user such that each member can be actuated to selectively apply pressure to a region of the breast. The collection mechanism can be removably coupleable to the compression mechanism and can comprise a storage compartment to receive and store milk The controller can be operably coupleable to the actuators to cause the members to move according to a movement pattern which can be configured to stimulate the breast to induce the flow of milk from the breast and modulated based on sensor feedback. A wearable garment with an inner structure can be removably coupled to the extraction mechanism. An outer cover can be arrangeable to conceal the extraction mechanism.

Abstract: Drive systems and methods of use are disclosed herein for performing medical procedures on a patient. The drive systems include various handle types and triggers for controlling catheters and end effectors. The various handle types include a flexible handle and ambidextrous handles that can alter the handedness of the handle for particularized use. The handles drive articulation sections of the catheter and end effectors with various degrees of freedom, and include locks for holding the catheter and/or end effector in place. The catheter systems include structures for allowing degrees of freedom, such as notches, mechanical interlocks, and articulation joints. In addition, the catheters articulate via cables or fluids.

Abstract: Catheter and needle assemblies with spring-powered retractable needles are described. The assemblies can include a hollow handle, a grip portion, a catheter hub with a catheter, and a needle. The needle can have a first position in which the needle is slidably disposed within the catheter and a second position in which the needle is slidably removed from the catheter and retracted at least in part into the hollow handle. The grip portion can include a trigger portion that activates a spring to move the needle from the first position into the second position. In the second position, a sharp distal point of the needle is shielded by the grip portion to prevent accidental needle sticks.

Abstract: A minimally invasive skin treatment system includes a platform having a recessed area on its bottom and one or more injection ports orthogonal to its top, each injection port including a through-hole to the recessed area. The system includes an injection device including a needle slidably disposed in a selective port such that the needle passes into the recessed area and percutaneously through a dermis disposed within the recessed area. A nozzle is configured to discharge a fluid at a high pressure in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the needle and parallel to the top of the platform to cut create a plane of dissection within the subcutaneous tissue.

Abstract: A catheter securement device holds a medical article such as a catheter in position upon the body of a patient and at least inhibits longitudinal movement of the medical article. The securement device includes a retainer and a clamp. The retainer and clamp include interengaging structure. The interengaging structure may be a ratchet mechanism by which a medical provider tightens the clamp against the retainer. The ratchet mechanism allows a single securement system to be used with medical articles that have different longitudinal lengths as well as medical articles that have distally located contact surfaces. The retainer forms a channel into which at least a portion of the medical article is inserted. Each of the retainer and the clamp include at least one abutment surface that can abut against a contact point or surface on the medical article. The abutments inhibit motion of the medical article in proximal and distal directions through the channel when the clamp is tightened against the retainer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display arrangement for an injection device for displaying the size of a dose of a medicament, the display arrangement comprising: a housing (60) providing a rotation axis (3) extending in an axial direction (4), a first display member (22) rotatably supported inside the housing (60) with regard to the rotation axis (3) and having at least one cam (32) radially offset from the rotation axis (3), a second display member (24) rotatably supported inside the housing (60) with regard to the rotation axis (3) and arranged axially adjacent to the first display member (24), a coupling member (26) rotatably engaged with the second display member (24), wherein the coupling member (26) is engaged with the at least one cam (32) of the first display member (22) when the first display member (22) is in a predefined angular position or angular range, wherein the coupling member (26) and the first display member (22) are mutually engaged via a retaining arrangement (48) when the cam (32)

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in controlling a dispensing rate of medication or other substance via a syringe, including, without limitation, into a patient, intravenous line port or heparin lock. A force (typically manual) is applied to an input plunger of a dashpot, which is directly coupled to a piston which, in turn, is coupled to an output plunger. The force applied to the input plunger is buffered and transmitted to the output plunger. The output plunger acts upon the plunger of a conventional syringe, thereby resulting in flow of medicine or any other substance from the syringe at a desired and controlled flow rate.

Abstract: Fluid delivery devices and methods are described where the device may comprise a piezoelectric actuator having a piezoelectric chip that is operatively coupled to a drug package under a preloading force. The actuator is configured to generate an acoustic pressure within the drug package to dispense droplets or a continuous stream of an agent from an aperture, e.g., to the corneal surface of the eye. The piezoelectric actuator can be coupled or decoupled from the drug package via a coupling mechanism which enables the quick release and consistent securement of the drug package to the actuator and housing.

Abstract: A device is provided for preventing buckling of a flexible elongate member during insertion of the flexible elongate member. The device includes a support frame comprising a first end, a second end, and multiple pairs of support members. The support frame is configured to reversibly move from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration when the first and second ends are moved away from each other. The device also includes multiple open channels coupled to the multiple pairs of support members of the support frame. The multiple open channels are configured to allow the flexible elongate member to be top loaded into the multiple open channels. Also, the multiple open channels are maintained in an axial alignment as the support frame is moved between the expanded and collapsed configurations.

Abstract: A cannula for transferring a substance to and/or from a patient includes a tubular support sleeve and a transfer tube. The support sleeve includes a rigid tubular member defining a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the tubular member. The transfer tube is positioned in the lumen and extends beyond each of the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular member. The tubular member includes a rigid, MRI-compatible material.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed that has a body with an inlet, an outlet, and a needleless access port coupled to the body. The access port has an interior space and is configured to be actuated by a needleless connector. The inlet is selectively coupled to the outlet through the interior space such that fluid entering the inlet entirely flows through the interior space to the outlet.

Abstract: A medical article, such as a catheter, is secured with respect to a patient with a securement device. The securement device may include a retainer and anchor pad. Certain devices may further include, for example, straps, flaps, dressings, slots, and recesses for securing the medical article to the patient. The retainer may include a recess and/or a channel. At least one surface of the retainer may be coated with an adhesive.

Abstract: A filtered needle for use in administering a liquid payload, including a needle and connector portion and a filtering needle cap. The filtering needle cap including a distal open end in fluid communication via an internal channel with a proximal open end of the filtering needle cap. The filtering needle cap proximal end sized to receive the distal end of the hub within the proximal end of the filtering needle cap to reversibly engage the hub when needle distal end is inserted into the internal channel. The filtering needle cap including a filter element and a seal to seal around an outside diameter of the hollow needle so that liquid payload is drawn into the lumen in the hollow needle as liquid payload is filtered and drawn into the fluid fitting. The filtering needle cap is designed to limit a dead volume of liquid payload drawn into the filtering needle cap but not entering into the distal end of the hollow needle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing an ophthalmic surgical treatment procedure include one or more wicking members to secure a volume of treatment fluid to a distal end of a surgical instrument. Such a surgical instrument may include an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the elongate tubular member being configured to penetrate a body cavity of a patient. The instrument may further include a wicking member extending beyond the distal end of the elongate tubular member. The wicking member may be configured to secure a volume of treatment fluid delivered through the lumen to the wicking member for application from the wicking member to target tissue in the body cavity.

Abstract: A thrombectomy system comprising an aspiration catheter having an aspiration lumen and a high pressure irrigation lumen, the aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal, and a control box fluidly connected to the aspiration catheter and configured to synchronously provide irrigation and vacuum through the aspiration catheter.

Abstract: An aspirator syringe comprising a blood-detecting spectrometer. The syringe may accommodate a standard drug cartridge and may provide manual or automatic movement of a plunger for aspiration and injection. Indicator lights may signal the presence or absence of blood in an aspirate within a drug cartridge. The syringe may also include a detector to read a color of a band on a standard drug cartridge in order to identify a drug.

Abstract: The present invention includes an indwelling tube having a plurality of projections extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the tube and a retention member designed to receive the tube. The retention member includes a projection passage to enable the retention member to receive and pass projections through the passage when the projection and passage are aligned so that the retention member can slide axially along the tube. When the projections and passage are out of alignment, the retention member can be secured between two projections. The present invention enables accurate placement of the retention member along the tube to aid in securing the tube at a desired depth in a patient's body. In a certain embodiment, the retention member may include a locking passage to receive and temporarily secure a projection to the retention member.

Abstract: Improved devices and methods for the expression of milk from a breast are disclosed herein. A device for expressing breast milk may comprise a breast interface including a flange configured to engage a breast and fluidly seal thereagainst, and an actuatable assembly operably coupled to the breast interface and configured to apply vacuum pressure at the breast interface. The breast interface may be configured to apply anterior compression to an anterior portion of the breast when the actuatable assembly is actuated. The flange may be configured to apply posterior compression to a posterior portion of the breast when the actuatable assembly is actuated. The posterior compression can help improve the efficiency of milk expression by reducing the retrograde flow of milk.

Abstract: A venous catheter having a catheter tip comprising recessed diffusion holes for increasing the snag-resistance of the venous catheter. The invention further provides systems and methods for providing axial ridges interposed between diffusion holes for increasing the rigidity of the vented catheter tip.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a medical device to selective lock a first elongate member from longitudinal movement relative to a second elongate member of the medical device. The locking mechanism includes a flexible tubular member disposed in a bore of a handle assembly of the medical device, and an actuator, such as a cam member having a cam or eccentric surface. Pivotable movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position compresses or deforms the flexible tubular member against the first elongate member to lock the first elongate member from longitudinal movement relative to the handle assembly.