Abstract: Robotic manipulation of three-part plastic preparation assemblies automatically produces IV solutions which conform to a input specifications of a pharmacist located on site or remotely, including preparation telerobotically. The transparent plastic bag assemblies are stored in a magazine, and are extracted automatically one by one for preparation of individual prescriptions. A supply bag is prefilled with U.S.P. water and is connected through a valve to a mixing bag. Unit dose holders with medicaments and pH adjusting chemistries are dispensed into the mixing bag through an inlet where they are broken open by manipulation, and water is introduced. The bag contents are mixed by rotation of a magnetic mixing bar. The mixing bag is connected by a second valve through a filter to an administration bag. Negative pressure is applied to the administration bag to draw the solution through the filter. The administration bag is then heat sealed and severed from the filter for delivery to the patient.

Abstract: A needle-syringe assembly comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical barrel which forms a hollow nozzle located at the distal end of the barrel and which opens into the interior of the barrel. A plunger is slidably mounted in the barrel and forms a longitudinal cavity. A needle holder carries a hollow needle on the distal end, and the needle holder is slidably mounted in the longitudinal cavity of the plunger. The needle holder includes a lateral arm which extends between the plunger cavity and the barrel. A spiral channel or slot forms a guide surface which extends along a proximal end portion of the barrel for engaging the lateral arm of the needle holder and retracting the needle holder within the barrel in response to relative rotational movement between the barrel and the needle holder.

Abstract: A reloadable auto-injector including a housing portion (1, 101) designed to receive a syringe (3), and a cover portion (2, 102), the auto-injector incorporating an injection device for automatically injecting the substance contained in the syringe, the injection device comprising: a piston (21) comprising a high portion (21b) and a low portion (21c), the low portion (21c) co-operating with the plunger of the syringe, the piston (21) being mounted to move, under the effect of an actuating spring (22) between a cocked position and an end-of-stroke position, the spring (22) being compressed in the cocked position; and trigger means (19) mounted to move between a blocking position in which they hold the piston (21) in its cocked position, and a releasing position in which they release the piston (21), the trigger means (19) being released from their blocking position by an actuating member; the auto-injector being characterized in that it further includes recocking means for recocking the automatic injection devi

Abstract: A puncturing set has a housing with a hose extension. A tubular puncturing needle is disposed inside the housing and extends axially substantially over the length of the hose extension. The needle is movable between an extended position, in which its forward, pointed end projects axially from a free end of the hose extension, and a retracted position, in which the pointed end of the needle is inside the hose extension. At the aft, downstream end of the puncturing needle is a fluid withdrawal mechanism and there is a sealing arrangement between the puncturing needle and the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time. The apparatus is of a low profile, laminate construction having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane, which in cooperation with the base of the apparatus defines one or more fluid reservoirs each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes a novel, conformable ullage made of formable materials. The conformable ullage uniquely conforms to the shape of elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distend configuration and in so doing can move between a central chamber and a toroidal chamber formed in the cover of the apparatus. This arrangement will satisfy even the most stringent medicament delivery tolerance requirements and will elegantly overcome the limitations of materials selection encountered in devices embodying solely rigid ullage construction.

Abstract: The method of applying screening or treatment fluid to tissue, and employing an elongated carrier, having a first end portion; a flexible outer container having a generally tubular second end portion and a frangible inner container protectively located within the outer container, there being screening or treatment fluid within the inner container, and a fluid applicator carried by the flexible outer container, to communicate with the interior of the outer container which includes a connector having a body defining oppositely projecting third and fourth end portions, and interfitting the third and fourth end portions with the first and second end portions, respectively, so that the elongated carrier is substantially rigidly joined to first end portion of the flexible outer container, exerting pressure on a pressure application region of the outer container spaced from the connector body, and sufficient to rupture the inner container, thereby releasing screening or treatment fluid into the interior of the outer

Abstract: A device and method of use thereof for the drainage of fluids includes a cap, a rigid vessel and a plate-shaped top component fitted to a disposable bag. The bag with its top component is secured to a drainage aperture to form a seal with the undersurface of the plate and the rigid top component has an additional aperture fitted with a gas-permeable membrane. When a vacuum is applied, the bag opens first, followed by the creation of a vacuum inside the bag whereby the fluid is drained off via a drainage tube.

Abstract: A suction device for body fluids comprises a container (10) being airtightly closable by means of a cover (11). A bag (14) is connected to a cylindrical projection (12) of the cover (11) by means of a support ring (13). A suction opening (15) is provided in the cover (11) to produce a low pressure in the bag (14). Furthermore, the suction opening (15) comprises a branching (31) to produce a low pressure in the container (10) as well. Additionally, the cover (11) comprises an outlet opening (17) enclosed by a hollow body (37). The hollow body (37) can be pushed into the container (10) to empty the bag (14) so that the fluid contained in the bag (14) can be poured out via openings (40, 41) of the hollow cylinder (37).

Abstract: A needleless injection site comprising a housing which defines an interior chamber and a central opening which communicates with the interior chamber. The housing further comprises an elongate, proximally extending dilator projection portion which defines a fluid passage. Disposed within the central opening and the interior chamber is a reseal member which has an elastically openable and closable aperture disposed therein and defines an expandable and collapsible internal reservoir. The reseal member normally resides in a first position within the housing wherein the aperture is in a closed configuration and the reservoir is collapsed. The reseal member is deformable such that the application of distally directed pressure thereto will cause the reseal member to distally advance within the housing to a second position wherein the aperture assumes an open configuration and communicates with the fluid passage and the reservoir.

Abstract: A system, a method and administration lines are provided for self-priming of a solution delivery system. The administration lines are arranged such that resultant forces acting on the lines create different forces applied on each lumen resulting in solution flowing in one of the lumen undergoing a higher isostatic pressure. The lumens forming the administration line may be formed from concentric tubings or formed from separate tubings extending varied lengths into the solution container. As a result, automatic priming of the administration line and the solution delivery system is provided.

Abstract: A catheter has a support segment which includes a plurality of support struts. Each of the struts has first and second ends longitudinally spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the segment. The struts curve at least partially around the axis from the first ends to the second ends. The support struts include a first set and a second set. The struts of the first set extend around the axis in a clockwise direction. The struts of the second set extend around the axis in a counter-clockwise direction.

Abstract: A pen shaped syringe with automatic needle insertion has an injection system integrally displaceable in a housing and comprising a basic part carrying a medicine reservoir with a hypodermic needle at its distal end, and a dosing mechanism with a carrier engaging a cogged piston rod, the carrier being coupled to a dose spindle in a rotatable but not displaceable way. The dose spindle is provided with a thread engaging a thread in a sequence part having protrusions engaging slots in the basic part to allow a limited axial movement of the parts in relation to each other, the extent of the movement being defined by the rotational position of the dose spindle. A spring is compressed between the basic part and the housing when the basic part is moved in the proximal direction by exerting a cocking force on the sequence part which part after having performed the set limited axial movement in relation to the basic part carries this basic part against the force of the spring.

Abstract: A side button is located at the distal end of a housing forming part of an I.V. catheter and which is movable between a first position to allow longitudinal movement of a needle ands a second position preventing movement of the needle. The side button is provided with a latching member which prevents release of a cannula assembly from its hub support unless the needle is fully retracted within the housing and the side button is in its second position.

Abstract: A sliding piston for a syringe, which is inserted in a hollow barrel of a syringe is made of a substantially cylindrical body having a shape symmetrically rotatable with respect to the axis of the hollow barrel. The cylindrical body has its largest diameter at the front end thereof. The peripheral edge of the front end of the cylindrical body is rounded at a radius of curvature of 5/100 mm to 10/100 mm. The diameter of the rear end of the cylindrical body is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow barrel so as not to contact with the inner surface of the hollow barrel when the piston is inserted in the hollow barrel.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for use in determining the location of a tip of a catheter inside biological tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes a catheter, a detector positioned within the catheter, and a polyimide sheath containing the detector and forming a detector assembly. The sheath is comprised of a first member, a polyimide layer, and a second member having an undulating outer surface sandwiched therebetween. The detector assembly may be removed from the catheter without damage thereto once the tip of the catheter is in its desired location inside biological tissue.

Abstract: Sterile solutions containing pharmaceuticals suitable for use in low and micro-gravity environments are prepared with unit dose pharmaceutical dispensers having a pre-measured quantity of medicament. A compressed air reservoir may be activated to rupture the dispenser and positively expel the unit dose into solution. This can be accomplished by inverting a bag containing the pharmaceutical or by operation of a piston which pushes all the pharmaceutical from the dispenser. A robot either places the pharmaceutical dispensers inside a mixing chamber or connects the dispensers to the mixing chamber, which comprises a flexible bag expandable to receive sterile water and pharmaceuticals. The mixing chamber may collapse under cabin pressure to drive prepared solutions from the chamber through a sterilization filter into an intravenous bag or dispensing unit.

Abstract: An improved ablation catheter with at least one multiple-needle electrode can be used in ablating the arrhythmogenic region instead of an arrhythmogenic point of a patient. This catheter is particularly useful for treating the patient with atrial fibrillation (AFib) indications. A catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissues comprises a delivery catheter and an inner catheter having a distal section, a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween. The ablation catheter has a temperature sensor and a close-loop temperature control. The steerable catheter having at least one multiple-needle electrode is inserted into the chambers of the heart to create a plurality of deep, large, and contiguous lesions by applying radiofrequency energy to said electrode.

Abstract: A new apparatus and method for irrigating wounds and for performing gastric lavage utilizes a novel connector that has a spiked end shaped to mate with the self-sealing outlet of a compressible bag of sterile irrigation fluid and a nozzle end having the shape of a syringe tip. The spiked end of the connector is spiked into the bag of irrigation fluid and an intravenous (IV) catheter attached to the nozzle end. The bag of irrigation fluid is held and squeezed to direct a stream of irrigation fluid through the IV catheter and into the wound. For gastric irrigation, a nasogastric tube is attached to the nozzle end and the bag of irrigation fluid held and squeezed to force irrigation fluid into the stomach.

Abstract: A medical infusion pump system includes a clamshell housing, a plate, and a pump. The clamshell housing includes a first shell and a second shell hingedly connected together allowing the housing to be in an open position or in a closed position. The housing defines one open end and an interior space. A plate releasably engages the housing at the open end when the housing is in the closed position. The plate defines an opening communicating with the interior space and includes attachment structure. The pump is removably attachable to the attachment structure of the plate and includes a retaining portion. When the pump is attached to the plate, the retaining portion retains the housing in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery device wherein a dose to be apportioned from a cartridge is set by changing the relative position of co-operating dose setting elements (3, 5) and is injected by pressing a button (5) until this button abuts a stop (6). By operation of count up (7) or count down (8) buttons the dose is set and read into an electronic circuit (9) comprising a microprocessor and the dose setting movement of the dose setting elements relative to each other is performed by a motor (11) controlled by the circuit in accordance with the read in dose. The set dose is shown on a display (10). The motor (11) is further controlled to perform certain movements of the piston rod (3) so as retraction of this rod when a cartridge (1) is going to be changed an advancing of the piston rod to abutment with the piston (2) after the cartridge has been changed and further to advance this piston to expel air from the cartridge.