Abstract: An automatic pharmaceutical dispensing syringe (2), includes a main barrel (4) having hollow interior (18) sized to house a conventional pharmaceutical cartridge (16) and needle (6). A cap (6) at one end (8) of the main barrel is used to rotate a threaded dosing screw (158) housed within the main barrel. The dosing screw is permitted to move axially within the main barrel. The dosing screw threads (156) engage similar threads (146) on an elongate piston driver (140) which abuts the cartridge piston (152). A brake pad (194) secures the piston driver to the main barrel while the cap is rotated to select the desired dose. Doing so causes the dosing screw to move axially relative to the piston driver to compress an injection spring (174). The injection sequence is begun by placing the distal end (114) of an outer sleeve (10) surrounding the main barrel against the patient and pressing a trigger (130).

Abstract: A two component mixing syringe for mixing and then self-administering a pharmaceutical by injection. A first liquid component is contained within an annular volume between a pair of coaxial housings. A pair of sealing bands defines the upper and lower boundaries of the annular volume. The lower sealing band is located above an aperture communicating with the inner housing interior. A driving sleeve is mounted with a driving end resting on the upper sealing band, the sleeve being located in the annular space between the two housings. Downward motion of the sleeve forces the upper sealing band downwardly causing the liquid component to drive the lower seal downwards past the cross bore. Thereafter, the liquid is free to flow through the cross bore and mix with the second component in the interior of the inner housing element.

Abstract: A medication dispenser (2, 120) is used to directly fill a syringe (8, 134) with measured amounts of one or more liquid medications, typically two different types of insulin, from vials (4, 130) each having a septum at one end. The septum of each vial is pierced by a pair of hollow spikes (54, 56, 140, 142). One of the spikes is used to allow the liquid medication to be pumped out of the vial while the other spike is used to introduce air into the vial to replace the withdrawn liquid medication. Using a reciprocating piston-and-cylinder type pump, the vials are pressed a desired number of times according to how much medicine is to be driven into the syringe. The invention permits insulin users the freedom to quickly and easily select the proportions and amounts of insulin to be injected depending upon the user's current needs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a syringe that includes a gas driven piston to force liquid medication from a syringe cartridge through a variety of injection nozzles. The syringe may be mechanically operated for loading or aspirating the syringe.

Abstract: A sealing cap (2, 2a) is mounted to the open mouth of a pharmaceutical-containing container (20) which is to undergo lyophilization. The container has an outwardly extending mouth ring (26) with a shoulder (28) spaced apart from and facing away from the mouth (22). The sealing cap includes a body (4, 4a) having a through hole (6) covered by a piercible septum (16). The body includes radially deflectable fingers (30, 30a) which engage the mouth ring when the cap is at an open position, at which fluid flow into and out of the interior (38) of the container is substantially unhindered. The fingers also include surfaces (42, 42a) which engage the shoulder of the mouth ring when the cap seals the container mouth. The cap is locked into place using a lock ring (44, 44a) which engages the distal ends (47, 47a) of the fingers to keep the fingers engaged beneath the mouth ring. The sealing cap moves from the open to the sealed position using straight line, axial movement with simple fixtures.

Abstract: A syringe (2), of the type having a barrel (4) with a plunger (6) disposed within the bore of the barrel, includes two needle assemblies (22) housed within needle assembly guides (14) positioned along the exterior (16) of the syringe barrel. Each needle assembly guide provides a path along which the needle assembly moves, between an extended position, with the needle exposed, and a retracted position, with the needle encompassed by the needle guide. A flow path (36, 44) exists between the interior (46) of the syringe barrel and each needle assembly when each needle assembly is in the extended position. The use of two needles allows one needle to be used to aspirate the liquid pharmaceutical into the syringe and the other, unused needle to be used to give the injection. Each needle assembly is irreversibly locked (54, 60) when moved into the retracted position to prevent syringe reuse.

Abstract: A dose setting and repeating syringe (2) allows the user to simply and accurately make a series of injections, each of the same dose. The syringe includes a dose programming assembly which permits the dose for each injection to be preset by limiting the distance the piston (16) housed within the barrel (4) of the syringe moves. This can be done in various ways, such as mechanically, using a ratchet assembly (22, 28), or hydraulically, using a generally conventional cartridge (92) containing the pharmaceutical. A user-actuated dose plunger (40) is connected to the piston (16) and is used to drive the piston down the barrel. The axial movement of the dose plunger, and thus the dose dispensed, depends on the axial position of a dose ring (52) threaded to the proximal end (12) of the barrel.

Abstract: A multiple pharmaceutical syringe (2, 160, 402), especially useful for use in dispensing insulin, includes a body (4, 162, 404) housing first and second pharmaceutical-filled cartridges (30, 32; 182, 184; 478, 480). The cartridges are of the type with a septum (36, 190, 484) at one end and a piston (42, 48; 224, 225; 562, 564) at the other end with the liquid pharmaceutical (46, 48; 226, 228; 534, 536) between the two. The body also defines an accumulator chamber (10, 202, 654) within which an accumulator piston (26, 238, 464) is slidably mounted. The cartridge interiors are connected by a flow path (70, 752) to the accumulator chamber. Pressing on the cartridge pistons forces desired amounts of the liquids from the cartridge into the accumulator chamber. The mixed pharmaceutical is dispensed by driving the accumulator piston.

Abstract: A syringe filling and metering device (2, 90) for pharmaceutical containers (4) including a variable volume region housing the liquid pharmaceutical (78) and a needle access portion, such as a septum (74) or piston (104), which is pierced by the needle cannula (72) of the syringe (6), such as by mounting the syringe in a syringe carrier (8). An elongate piston stop (58) is held in place by a piston driver (42) to which the syringe carrier is threadably connected. The syringe carrier is screwed into the piston driver to drive the barrel of the cartridge over the piston, thus forcing the contents of the cartridge through the needle cannula and into the syringe. The invention can also be practiced with the needle cannula piercing the piston so that the movement of the piston into the barrel of the container forces the liquid pharmaceutical through the needle cannula and into the syringe.

Abstract: A powdered pharmaceutical inhaler (2) includes, broadly, an air pressurization chamber (6), housing a piston and cylinder arrangement for providing a charge of pressurized air to the air pressurization chamber, and an inhalation chamber (4), including a mouthpiece region (16) and a pharmaceutical region (92) containing the pharmaceutical (156). The inhaler is actuated by inhaling on the mouthpiece region which automatically opens a fluid pathway between the air pressurization chamber and the supply of powered pharmaceutical. When this occurs the air rushes from the air pressurization chamber through the powered pharmaceutical, thus entraining the powdered pharmaceutical in an airstream, the entrained pharmaceutical being inhaled into the lungs of the user. The inhaler is thus activated by the inhalation by the user and is provided a pneumatic boost from the pressurized air in the air pressurization chamber. The invention is designed to be used with replaceable pharmaceutical-containing cartridges (12).

Abstract: A multipharmaceutical delivery system, such as a syringe (2) or a topical pharmaceutical applicator, suitable for a simultaneous delivery of a mixture (124) of two or more mixed pharmaceuticals (52, 120) in selected amounts and proportions, includes a body (4, 180) with first and second variable volume reservoirs (24, 26), containing the first and second liquids or other flowable materials, such as creams and salves. The reservoirs are connected to a variable volume accumulator chamber (31) through check valves (28) to permit liquid to flow from the reservoirs into the accumulator chamber but not the reverse. A delivery head, such as a needle assembly (78) or a spray nozzle assembly (196), is selectively fluidly coupled to the accumulator chamber by an exit path (106, 202) formed in the body.

Abstract: An instrument (602), particularly suited for endoscopic use, has an elongate body, including a base (604) and an elongate spindle (630) rotatably mounted to the base. A removable end-effector assembly (612), mounted at the distal end of the spindle (630), includes end-effector elements (608, 610), such as a pair of jaws, actuated by finger and thumb rings (616, 618) mounted to the base. A rotary actuator trigger (78) is slidably mounted to the base. The spindle (630) has a spiral groove (632) engaged by a cam pin (82) extending from the trigger so that axial movement of the trigger causes rotary motion of the spindle and the end-effector assembly therewith. The spindle and end-effector assembly are sheathed by a nonrotating sleeve (688) with an unbroken outer surface. The sleeve can be releasably translated axially to release or engage an end-effector assembly, allowing use of alternate end-effector assemblies.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical component-mixing syringe assembly (2) is particularly suited for packaging, reconstituting and dispensing a series of equal doses of a multiple component pharmaceutical, such as human growth hormone reconstituted from a diluent component (128) and a lyophilized component (34). The pharmaceutical components are contained within first and second cartridges (10, 36) of the type having a movable piston (12, 40). The second cartridge is forced into the interior of the first cartridge causing a spike assembly (132) between the two to fluidly couple the two cartridges and drive the piston of the first cartridge into the first cartridge causing the contents of the first cartridge to be driven into the second cartridge, thereby mixing. A reciprocating ratchet plunger (104) is used to drive the second piston. The distance the ratchet plunger moves, and thus the dose, is determined by the position of a user-inaccessible dosing key stop (116) along the length of the ratchet plunger.

Abstract: A needle manipulator (2), particularly suited for endoscopic use, has an elongate body (4) including a base (6) and an elongate tip carrier tube (8) rotatably mounted to the base. A removable tip assembly (10), mounted at the distal end of the tip carrier tube, includes jaws (26,28) actuated by finger and thumb loops (16,18) mounted to the base. A rotary actuator trigger (78) is slidably mounted to the base. The tip carrier tube has a spiral groove (90) engaged by a cam pin (82) extending from the trigger so that axial movement of the trigger causes rotary motion of the tip carrier tube and the tip assembly therewith. Suture material (93) is supplied through the carrier tube and to a needle (118) held by the jaws.

Abstract: An elastomeric pharmaceutical barrier (2, 50, 75, 100) formed as a piston, a stopper, or a cap-like gasket and diaphragm structure for use in pharmaceutical containers such as vials, syringes, cartridges and the like. The barrier combines a main body (4, 52, 76, 102) of butyl or silicone based rubber to provide a fluid seal mechanism and includes a pharmaceutically inert insert (6, 54, 78, 104) which provides a substantial portion (40, 68, 92, 130) of a surface of the barrier to be exposed to the pharmaceutical. The non-reactive insert can be fabricated from polytetrafluoroethylene, glass, stainless steel or ceramic material and reduces the surface area of rubber exposed to pharmaceutical contact, therefore making the applicable face of the barrier substantially inert and nonreactive to the contacting pharmaceutical.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument is designed for axial elongation by incorporating a manually operated mechanism which elongates the instrument upon manual rotation. The manually operated mechanism is joined to and supports a functional element at the tip of the instrument. Operation of the functional element at the distal tip of the instrument is achieved by manipulations at the proximal end of the instrument, and is not impaired by the extension. The user can lock the tip against rotary motion. The tip assembly is removably attached to the instrument, such as by using a bayonet-type locking element.

Abstract: A instrument (2), particularly suited for endoscopic use, has an elongate body (4) including a base (6) and an elongate tip carrier tube (8) rotatably mounted to the base. A removable tip assembly (10), mounted at the distal end of the tip carrier tube, includes jaws (26,28) actuated by finger and thumb loops (16,18) mounted to the base. A rotary actuator trigger (78) is slidably mounted to the base. The tip carrier tube has a spiral groove (90) engaged by a cam pin (82) extending from the trigger so that axial movement of the trigger causes rotary motion of the tip carrier tube and the tip assembly therewith.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical dispenser includes a housing (4), containing two pharmaceutical cartridges (32,34), slidably mounted to a sliding body (100). A replaceable needle manifold assembly (10) is mounted to the housing and fluidly couples the cartridges with a hypodermic needle at a common exit. The sliding body is part of a reciprocating drive assembly used to drive a pair of drive stems (88) against the pistons (96, 98) of the cartridges, thus forcing predetermined amounts of the pharmaceuticals out the needle. The movement of the sliding body between retracted and post-injection positions remains constant. However, the amounts and proportions of the pharmaceuticals injected during the delivery stroke is chosen by the user using stroke adjusters (182) carried by the sliding body. A bistable status flag (186) is mounted to the sliding body to indicate when the sliding body is in the post-injection and the retracted positions. The dosage adjustments are made when the sliding body is in the post-injection position.

Abstract: A reusable dental syringe having a hollow cylinder, a prefilled medication carpule to be received within the cylinder, and a hypodermic needle cannula communicating with the carpule and extending outwardly from the cylinder for administering an injection. The syringe also includes a retaining collar which can be moved, against the normal bias of a compression spring, axially and distally through the cylinder and into engagement with the carpule. A slide lock is adapted to lock the retaining collar at the distal position within the cylinder. After a injection has been administered and the carpule emptied, the slide lock may be moved to release the retaining collar from the distal position. The compression spring is now free to return to its normal bias, whereby to drive the retaining collar and the empty carpule connected thereto axially and proximally through the cylinder.

Abstract: A syringe (2), of the type having a barrel (4) with a plunger (6) disposed within the bore of the barrel, includes a needle assembly (22) housed within a needle assembly guide (14) positioned along the exterior (16) of the syringe barrel. The needle assembly guide provides a path along which the needle assembly moves, between an extended position, with the needle exposed, and a retracted position, with the needle encompassed by the needle guide. A flow path (36, 44) exists between the interior (46) of the syringe barrel and the needle assembly when the needle assembly is in the extended position. Additionally, the needle assembly can be irreversibly locked (54, 60) in the retracted position to prevent syringe reuse.