Abstract: The present invention relates to a halo spray tip atomizer device primarily suited for the application of the fibrin glues. The device offers way to transition seamlessly between a static delivery device and an atomization device. The device is also so configured as to limit possible clogging.

Abstract: An injection device having a first sub-assembly comprises a housing and a chamber. The chamber is disposed within the housing and has proximal and distal ends, an inner surface and an exit aperture. The sub-assembly comprises a stopper movably disposed within the chamber. The stopper has an outer surface substantially in contact with the inner surface about its perimeter. The sub-assembly comprises a port adapted to receive a container containing a fluid. The stopper is fixed with respect to the housing and movement of the port causes movement of the exit aperture in relation to the stopper.

Abstract: A system for safe delivery of drug to a patient employs a programmable memory card for transferring drug delivery instructions and patient information between a server in a pharmacy and a drug delivery apparatus in a patient room. The server in the pharmacy checks the prescription for safety and the drug delivery apparatus checks for the drug delivery instructions and also the patient identity. The drug delivery apparatus records the information about the drug delivered to the patient onto the programmable memory card at the end of the drug delivery.

Abstract: An injection device (210) is described. A housing (212) receives a syringe and includes a return spring (226) for biasing the syringe from an extended position in which its needle (218) extends from the housing (212) to a retracted position in which the it does not. A drive spring (230) acts on a first drive element (232) and a second drive element (234) acts upon the syringe to advance it from its retracted position to its extended position and discharge its contents through the needle. The first drive element (232) is capable of movement relative to the second (234) once a nominal decoupling position has been reached. A release mechanism is activated when the first drive element (234) is further advanced to a nominal release position, to release the syringe (214) from the action of the drive spring (230), whereupon the return spring (226) restores the syringe (214) to its retracted position.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for selectively applying fluids (particularly anesthetics) to a target tissue from within a blood vessel while minimizing the amount of fluid applied to non-target tissue. The injection catheters described herein may include an elongate body, a directional injector, and one or more holdfasts for securing the catheter before extending the injector. The methods of selectively applying anesthetic to a target structure generally include the steps of inserting an injection catheter into a body vessel, positioning the injection catheter within the body vessel near the target structure, anchoring the injection catheter before extending a directional injector from the injection catheter, and applying anesthetic from the injection catheter to the target structure.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to stereotactically guide insertion of invasive tubular devices to a tissue target of a living body. The apparatus comprises a positioning guide control assembly and a positioning guide assembly that is reversibly coupled with and operated by the positioning guide control assembly, and rotationally adjustable and lockable. The positioning guide control assembly releasably houses a ultrasound transducer head to visualize and aim at the tissue target and adjusts an insertion angle of an invasive tubular device placed in the positioning guide assembly.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to stereotactically guide insertion of invasive tubular devices to a tissue object of a living body. The apparatus comprises a positioning guide control assembly and a positioning guide assembly that is operably detachable from the positioning guide control assembly, and rotationally adjustable and lockable. The positioning guide control assembly releasably houses a ultrasound transducer head to visualize and target the tissue object and adjusts an insertion angle of an invasive tubular device placed in the positioning guide assembly.

Abstract: A delivery probe for delivering a therapeutic agent to tissue is described including at least one delivery capsule for accommodating the agent, at least one delivery device in fluid communication with the capsule, an actuation mechanism for moving the capsule between an activated position and an inactivated position by providing at least one of a fluid and a vacuum, and a delivery mechanism for forcing the agent out of the capsule. A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to tissue is also described including providing a catheter with a delivery probe at a distal end, positioning the delivery probe next to the tissue, supplying fluid to an actuation chamber to position the probe into an activated position, supplying fluid to a delivery chamber to force the agent out of the probe, and establishing a vacuum in the actuation chamber to position the probe into an inactivated position.

Abstract: An audio signal analysis method is provided for detecting the opening and closing of a medicine bottle cap in a robust manner using a micro speaker and a microphone along with associated mixed signal electronics. It is also used for robust tamper detection and for monitoring liquid medication consumption accurately. In a preferred embodiment an un-modulated OFDM signal is used that covers the entire operating audio spectrum. In another embodiment, Complimentary code based phase encoding of the subcarrier phases is used to reduce the peak to average power of the OFDM signal, thereby enabling higher transmit power of the audio signal to mitigate against interference. A suitable wireless device can be co-located with the mixed signal electronics for sending the bottle usage, medication reminder alarm, and tamper status to the medication compliance monitoring system or to the user's cell phone.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, an endoscope sleeve comprises a sleeve defining a lumen for accepting an endoscope in a slidable manner, the sleeve having a proximal end configured to accept the endoscope and a distal end configured to be slidably disposed over the endoscope, wherein the sleeve comprises a compact configuration and an extended configuration. The endoscope sleeve further comprises a retainer configured to be detachably attached to the sleeve, wherein in the compact configuration the retainer is attached to the sleeve and in the extended configuration the retainer is detached from the sleeve allowing the sleeve to be extendable over the endoscope.

Abstract: Micro-fluidic chambers for use in a liquid medicament delivery system, include a bottom substrate and a top cover, the top cover being spaced from the bottom substrate so as to define a height of the chamber, wherein, one or more walls or fillings are positioned in the chamber, the walls or fillings defining a fluid channel there between such that the fluid channel extends from an inlet of the chamber to an outlet of the chamber, wherein, each of the walls or fillings has a height less than the height of the chamber so as to define a fluid gap between a top surface of each wall or filling and the top cover; and wherein, the dimensions of the walls or fillings and the chamber are such that the fluid gap will be filled with liquid by capillary forces via the fluid channel when liquid is introduced into the fluid chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a breastshield for use in a breastpumping system for expressing milk, the breastshield being of such a construction that substantially limits the amount of air between the breast/nipple and the breastshield surrounding the breast/nipple, and most preferably virtually eliminates any air at least in the area of the breast and nipple. In some embodiments, any air in the breastpumping system is substantially eliminated. With the amount of air limited, the mechanism used for generating the pressure difference in the breastshield (e.g., vacuum or negative pressure), such as a diaphragm pump, does not need to do as much work. Less energy is required for the expression of milk, and thus the size of pump used can be decreased, thereby reducing the overall cost of the device.

Abstract: Tear-away and non-tear-away sheath introducers for catheters, methods for making such introducers, and methods for using such introducers are described. The sheath introducers contain movable valves that are encapsulated in a movable housing unlike conventional valves that are stationary. The movable housing allows the valve to move along the axis of the introducer. As the movable valve and housing travel along the axis, a portion of the hub protrudes past the valve and is exposed. The protruding portion of the hub contains a friction-free pathway for the catheter into the sheath introducer. The introducers can therefore be used with any catheter, regardless of the size or material, because of the reduced or eliminated frictional force between the catheter and introducer.

Abstract: The piezoelectric pump unit consists of a housing, a piezo anchor, located in the housing, a displacer, located at the front of the housing. The piezo anchor and the displacer are connected. The piezo anchor consists of a rear piezoelectric clamp section, of a piezoelectric extender section and of a front piezoelectric clamp section, connected in series. At least one slider is introduced in the piezoelectric extender section between its front and rear ends. Electric pulses accessing at sections from a control station cause said sections to become fixed alternately inside the housing. Under the effect of electric pulses, the piezoelectric extender section moves the displacer step-by-step in one direction.

Abstract: Micro-volume devices, systems, and associated methods that facilitate the injection or aspiration of precisely controlled volumes of materials at precisely controlled rates are provided. In one embodiment, a micro-volume device includes a syringe and a lead screw connected to a plunger of the syringe. A mechanical interface is connected to the lead screw and includes a first set of cams adjacent a proximal portion and a second set of cams adjacent a distal portion. A mechanism is configured to oscillate a structure in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lead screw such that one or more projections of the structure to alternatively engage cams of the first and second sets of cams in a manner that results in rotation of the mechanical interface in a single direction for highly controlled linear displacement of the plunger.

Abstract: The Wrist Band Motion Analyzer with Comparison Feedback is a wrist worn device that shows feedback to the user wearing the device in order to achieve the correct speed and force of the user's hand. The purpose of the Wrist Band Motion Analyzer is to give the user wearing the device real time feedback in order to achieve a specific speed and G-force of the wearers hand motion; whereas when accomplished may lead to the wearer's woman partner achieving an ejaculating orgasm with locked fingers placed correctly on the G-spot. This new device gives real time feedback to the proper speed and G-force of the user's hand compared to a pre-programmed G-force and frequency which is known to give women an ejaculating orgasm. This is achieved by measuring the G-force and speed in real time through the use of an accelerometer and microcontroller.

Abstract: A transcutaneous implant tool is used to push a medical element through an incision and into a patient's subcutaneous tissue, while a fin of the tool is engaged beneath the patient's skin at the incision site. The tool preferably includes an injection rod for moving the medical element out through an opening of a bore of the tool. The fin, which is located in proximity to the opening, preferably includes a distal-facing surface that extends proximally from the opening at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bore; and the injection rod preferably includes a distal surface that is approximately coplanar with the distal-facing surface of the fin, when the distal surface of the rod is located in proximity to the opening of the bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insertion device comprising—a penetrating member (50) connected to transformation means (52), —a moving part (38) comprising guiding means (39) which guiding means (39) restrict the movement of the transformation means (52) and guide the penetrating member (50) from a first to a second position in a first direction, i.e. the direction of insertion, towards the injection site, and—a stationary housing (30) comprising guiding means (32) which guiding means (32) restrict the movement of the moving part (38). The guiding means (32) guide the moving part (38) in a second direction which is linear and different from the first direction i.e. the direction of insertion.

Abstract: The invention provides for microneedle devices for delivering agents across biological barriers. The microneedles include agent reservoirs integrated into the bodies of the microneedles, themselves.

Abstract: In laparoscopic surgery, tying of knots is not easy, as it involves the use of long handled graspers and the necessity to pass one end of the suture ligature around the opposite half of the suture, with release and re-grab of the passing end of the suture. The present invention avoids the “passing with the release and re-grab”, and makes the tying easier, faster and automatic. It conforms to the general size and shape of a standard laparoscopic instrument. The handle is pistol shaped with two control triggers, one for grasping and the other for rotating. The sheath is elongated and tubular, containing two control rods. The tip is bullet shaped, containing three operating mechanisms, one for grasping the leading end of a suture, a second for trapping the opposite half of the same suture, a third for rotating the grasped end of the suture 360 degrees around the trapped portion, thus forming a knot. The trapping mechanism uses an axle with a hollow center and an open-ended side slot.