Abstract: A sliding cover for a liquid delivery device, such as a cap (100) for a pen injector (200), incorporates a set of sensors including an optical sensor (110) with an output which changes during uncapping or capping motions on passing of a plunger (220) of the pen injector. This output is used together with a position sensor (120) to determine the position of the plunger along a cylinder (210) of the liquid delivery device. By monitoring changes in the plunger position, the quantity of dosages delivered by the liquid delivery device can be determined, displayed, stored and/or transmitted to an external device for further data processing or storage. Preferred implementations of the invention employ optical sensors with a converging beam (115), and/or position sensors employing linear potentiometer strips (132).

Abstract: A sliding cover for a liquid delivery device, such as a cap (100) for a pen injector (200), incorporates a set of sensors including an optical sensor (110) with an output which changes during uncapping or capping motions on passing of a plunger (220) of the pen injector. This output is used together with a position sensor (120) to determine the position of the plunger along a cylinder (210) of the liquid delivery device. By monitoring changes in the plunger position, the quantity of dosages delivered by the liquid delivery device can be determined, displayed, stored and/or transmitted to an external device for further data processing or storage. Preferred implementations of the invention employ optical sensors with a converging beam (115), and/or position sensors employing linear potentiometer strips (132).

Abstract: A sliding cover for a liquid delivery device, such as a cap (100) for a pen injector (200), incorporates a set of sensors including an optical sensor (110) with an output which changes during uncapping or capping motions on passing of a plunger (220) of the pen injector. This output is used together with a position sensor (120) to determine the position of the plunger along a cylinder (210) of the liquid delivery device. By monitoring changes in the plunger position, the quantity of dosages delivered by the liquid delivery device can be determined, displayed, stored and/or transmitted to an external device for further data processing or storage. Preferred implementations of the invention employ optical sensors with a converging beam (115), and/or position sensors employing linear potentiometer strips (132).

Abstract: A pressure-measuring guidewire system includes a hollow guidewire (110) in sealed interconnection with a contained volume (102) of a connector (101). The contained volume is bordered on at least one side by a septum (103). A pressure sensor unit (122) includes a transducer (130) associated with a hollow needle (131) which can be inserted to penetrate the septum (103), thereby connecting the transducer with a column of fluid within an inner lumen of the guidewire (102). Priming of the guidewire is performed prior to use, typically by use of a syringe, prior to connection of the sensor unit, thereby protecting the transducer from damage from the priming pressure. Also disclosed is a guidewire tip configuration which provides effective fluid connection for pressure measurement while maintaining the properties of a conventional guidewire.

Abstract: A compound stent device includes a first stent portion and a second stent portion, where the second stent portion is formed from a biodegradable material, and the first stent portion is formed from either non-biodegradable material or is biodegradable significantly more slowly than the second portion. The compound stent device is deformable from a first diameter to a second larger diameter. Immediately after expansion, the first stent portion and the second stent portion cooperate to provide a first contact area of support for a length of a surrounding vessel. After decomposition of the second stent portion, the first stent portion provides a second contact area of support for the length of the surrounding vessel which is at least 10 percent smaller than the first contact area.

Abstract: A sliding cover for a liquid delivery device, such as a cap (100) for a pen injector (200), incorporates a set of sensors including an optical sensor (110) with an output which changes during uncapping or capping motions on passing of a plunger (220) of the pen injector. This output is used together with a position sensor (120) to determine the position of the plunger along a cylinder (210) of the liquid delivery device. By monitoring changes in the plunger position, the quantity of dosages delivered by the liquid delivery device can be determined, displayed, stored and/or transmitted to an external device for further data processing or storage. Preferred implementations of the invention employ optical sensors with a converging beam (115), and/or position sensors employing linear potentiometer strips (132).

Abstract: A sliding cover for a liquid delivery device, such as a cap (100) for a pen injector (200), incorporates a set of sensors including a first optical sensor (110) with an output which changes during uncapping or capping motions on passing of a plunger (220) of the pen injector. This output is used together with at least one additional sensor output to determine the position of the plunger along a cylinder (210) of the liquid delivery device. By monitoring changes in the plunger position, the quantity of dosages delivered by the liquid delivery device can be determined, displayed, stored and/or transmitted to an external device for further data processing or storage.

Abstract: A sliding cover for a liquid delivery device, such as a cap (100) for a pen injector (200), incorporates a set of sensors including a first optical sensor (110) with an output which changes during uncapping or capping motions on passing of a plunger (220) of the pen injector. This output is used together with at least one additional sensor output to determine the position of the plunger along a cylinder (210) of the liquid delivery device. By monitoring changes in the plunger position, the quantity of dosages delivered by the liquid delivery device can be determined, displayed, stored and/or transmitted to an external device for further data processing or storage.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing a joint between a first bone and a second bone in a human hand or foot includes first and second rigid blocks (110, 120) interconnected by a flexible bridging structure (130). In certain embodiments, the flexible bridging structure employs a helical spring oriented with its central axis aligned with a central axis of a bone anchor portion of the first rigid block. One or more shear-limiting element (101, 140) is deployed within an internal volume of the helical spring (130) to limit an extent of shear deformation applied to the helical spring. Other aspects of the invention relate to adjustable bone-abutment flanges, an alternative bridging structure employing a helically-twisted leaf spring, and a structure and method for bridging between the first metacarpal and the scaphoid in case of removal of the trapezium from the hand.

Abstract: A compound stent device includes a first stent portion and a second stent portion, where the second stent portion is formed from a biodegradable material, and the first stent portion is formed from either non-biodegradable material or is biodegradable significantly more slowly than the second portion. The compound stent device is deformable from a first diameter to a second larger diameter Immediately after expansion, the first stent portion and the second stent portion cooperate to provide a first contact area of support for a length of a surrounding vessel. After decomposition of the second stent portion, the first stent portion provides a second contact area of support for the length of the surrounding vessel which is at least 10 percent smaller than the first contact area.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is formed from an elastic sleeve deployed around a core, with first and second edge portions inwardly inverted. When a fluid is introduced between the core and the sleeve, the sleeve inflates to form a reservoir with a pressure of the fluid pressing the inwardly-inverted extremities portions against the core. The device is preferably anchored by providing a stem of conformable material which is depressed by pressure applied by adjacent edges of a layer of tissue to achieve tissue-wedged anchoring of the device.

Abstract: A pressure-measuring guidewire system includes a hollow guidewire (110) in sealed interconnection with a contained volume (102) of a connector (101). The contained volume is bordered on at least one side by a septum (103). A pressure sensor unit (122) includes a transducer (130) associated with a hollow needle (131) which can be inserted to penetrate the septum (103), thereby connecting the transducer with a column of fluid within an inner lumen of the guidewire (102). Priming of the guidewire is performed prior to use, typically by use of a syringe, prior to connection of the sensor unit, thereby protecting the transducer from damage from the priming pressure. Also disclosed is a guidewire tip configuration which provides effective fluid connection for pressure measurement while maintaining the properties of a conventional guidewire.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is formed from an elastic sleeve deployed around a core, with first and second edge portions inwardly inverted. When a fluid is introduced between the core and the sleeve, the sleeve inflates to form a reservoir with a pressure of the fluid pressing the inwardly-inverted extremities portions against the core. The device is preferably anchored by providing a stem of conformable material which is depressed by pressure applied by adjacent edges of a layer of tissue to achieve tissue-wedged anchoring of the device.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing a joint between a first bone and a second bone in a human hand or foot includes first and second rigid blocks (110, 120) interconnected by a flexible bridging structure (130). In certain embodiments, the flexible bridging structure employs a helical spring oriented with its central axis aligned with a central axis of a bone anchor portion of the first rigid block. One or more shear-limiting element (101, 140) is deployed within an internal volume of the helical spring (130) to limit an extent of shear deformation applied to the helical spring. Other aspects of the invention relate to adjustable bone-abutment flanges, an alternative bridging structure employing a helically-twisted leaf spring, and a structure and method for bridging between the first metacarpal and the scaphoid in case of removal of the trapezium from the hand.

Abstract: A system (10, 200) and corresponding method for introducing a drug delivery device (18, 218) through at least part of a biological barrier starts with the drug delivery device (18, 218) deployed within a channel of a hollow needle (12, 212). The hollow needle is inserted into the biological barrier and the drug delivery device is pushed forward by a suitable plunger. The drug delivery device is preferably anchored to the biological barrier through a radially expanding retention arrangement (36, 36?, 36a), and is preferably filled with a liquid drug after deployment via a filling needle (24, 222) extending within the channel of the hollow needle (12, 212).

Abstract: A double guide wire includes two guidewires deployed concentrically, one within the other. Each guidewire is formed as an elongated flexible shaft having a distal portion including a deflectable helical coil terminating at a distal tip. The first guidewire is implemented as a hollow guidewire having a central lumen extending along its length, while the second guidewire is configured as a smaller gauge guidewire deployed within the central lumen of the first guidewire. An adjuster mechanism allows the inner guidewire to be advanced and retracted relative to the outer guidewire, transforming the guidewire between: a first state in which the distal tip of the second guidewire is adjacent to the distal tip of the first guidewire; and a second state in which at least part of the distal portion of the inner guidewire is advanced beyond distal tip of the first guidewire.

Abstract: A sliding cover for a liquid delivery device, such as a cap (100) for a pen injector (200), incorporates a set of sensors including a first optical sensor (110) with an output which changes during uncapping or capping motions on passing of a plunger (220) of the pen injector. This output is used together with at least one additional sensor output to determine the position of the plunger along a cylinder (210) of the liquid delivery device. By monitoring changes in the plunger position, the quantity of dosages delivered by the liquid delivery device can be determined, displayed, stored and/or transmitted to an external device for further data processing or storage.

Abstract: A stent designed to reduce risk of restenosis opens peripherally within a blood vessel so that, when deployed, a periphery of the stent has a longitudinal opening spanning a length of the stent, the longitudinal opening spanning between 30 and 170 degrees. The stent does not scrape or penetrate the blood vessel wall when it opens because the peripheral surface of the stent slides along an interior blood vessel wall without leading edges of the peripheral surface contacting the interior blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A guidewire assembly having selectively adjustable stiffness and tip curvature includes a hollow guidewire having a distal portion terminating at a distal tip, a curvature-modifying element anchored to the distal tip, and a stiffness-modifying element displaceable within the hollow guidewire towards and away from the distal tip so as to vary a stiffness of the distal portion. The stiffness-modifying element and the curvature-modifying element are frictionally linked such that movement of the stiffness-modifying element from a current position over a first range of motion causes corresponding displacement of the curvature-modifying element, thereby modifying a state of curvature of at least part of the distal portion of the guidewire. Movement of the stiffness-modifying element beyond the first range of motion displaces the stiffness-modifying element relative to the curvature-modifying element.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is formed from an elastic sleeve deployed around a core, with first and second edge portions inwardly inverted. When a fluid is introduced between the core and the sleeve, the sleeve inflates to form a reservoir with a pressure of the fluid pressing the inwardly-inverted extremities portions against the core. The device is preferably anchored by providing a stem of conformable material which is depressed by pressure applied by adjacent edges of a layer of tissue to achieve tissue-wedged anchoring of the device.