Abstract: A drug container assembly for use with a parenteral drug delivery device is disclosed. The container assembly includes a container configured to hold the medication and an intermediate port connector. The port connector may be fixedly coupled to the container and removably coupled to the delivery device in a convenient, reliable, and sealed manner In use, the port connector may convey the medication from the container to the delivery device for delivery to the patient.

Abstract: A drug container assembly for use with a parenteral drug delivery device is disclosed. The container assembly includes a container configured to hold the medication and an intermediate port connector. The port connector may be fixedly coupled to the container and removably coupled to the delivery device in a convenient, reliable, and sealed manner. In use, the port connector may convey the medication from the container to the delivery device for delivery to the patient.

Abstract: A fluid pulse dampener with automatic pressure-compensation is provided. A system of chambers and channels in the dampener creates an internal feedback mechanism that increases or decreases a compensating pressure on the membrane in response to increases or decreases in the pressure of a fluid moving past the other side of the membrane. Variations of the pulse dampener allow for the input and/or output of gas flow is be restricted or increased as may be desired.

Abstract: A device which includes a pulse dampener and a degasser or de-bubbler. The device includes a fluid flow path and a fluid chamber located within the device. In addition, the device includes a pulse dampening membrane for dampening pulses in the fluid as it flows through the device. The device also includes a degassing membrane for degassing the fluid as it flows through the device, and/or a de-bubbling membrane for removing gas bubbles from the fluid as it flows through the device. The degassing or de-bubbling membrane can be separate and distinct from the dampening membrane. The de-bubbling membrane can be in addition to or in place of the degassing membrane in some embodiments.

Abstract: A drug container assembly for use with a parenteral drug delivery device is disclosed. The container assembly includes a container configured to hold the medication and an intermediate port connector. The port connector may be fixedly coupled to the container and removably coupled to the delivery device in a convenient, reliable, and sealed manner In use, the port connector may convey the medication from the container to the delivery device for delivery to the patient.

Abstract: A rotary shear valve having a rotor device and a stator device both with planar faces. The stator face includes a central port located at a common rotational axis, a second port radially spaced a radius R1 from the central port, and a third port spaced at radius R2. The second and third ports are in general linear alignment with the central port. The rotor face includes a first rotor groove extending radially outward from the common rotational axis to a position at radius R2 from the central port. The rotor device is rotatably mounted to the stator device for rotation thereof about the axis, providing fluid-tight, selective relative rotation therebetween between two or more discrete rotor positions. When in a discrete first rotor position, the first rotor groove is oriented in radial alignment with, and fluidly connects, the central port and the second port with the third port.

Abstract: A fluid pulse dampener with automatic pressure-compensation is provided. A system of chambers and channels in the dampener creates an internal feedback mechanism that increases or deceases a compensating pressure on the membrane in response to increases or decreases in the pressure of a fluid moving past the other side of the membrane. Variations of the pulse dampener allow for the input and/or output of gas flow is be restricted or increased as may be desired.

Abstract: A device which includes a pulse dampener and a degasser or de-bubbler. The device includes a fluid flow path and a fluid chamber located within the device. In addition, the device includes a pulse dampening membrane for dampening pulses in the fluid as it flows through the device. The device also includes a degassing membrane for degassing the fluid as it flows through the device, and/or a de-bubbling membrane for removing gas bubbles from the fluid as it flows through the device. The degassing or de-bubbling membrane can be separate and distinct from the dampening membrane. The de-bubbling membrane can be in addition to or in place of the degassing membrane in some embodiments.

Abstract: A fluid pulse dampener with automatic pressure-compensation is provided. A system of chambers and channels in the dampener creates an internal feedback mechanism that increases or decreases a compensating pressure on the membrane in response to increases or decreases in the pressure of a fluid moving past the other side of the membrane. Variations of the pulse dampener allow for the input and/or output of gas flow to be restricted or increased as may be desired.

Abstract: A device which includes a pulse dampener and a degasser or de-bubbler. The device includes a fluid flow path and a fluid chamber located within the device. In addition, the device includes a pulse dampening membrane for dampening pulses in the fluid as it flows through the device. The device also includes a degassing membrane for degassing the fluid as it flows through the device, and/or a de-bubbling membrane for removing gas bubbles from the fluid as it flows through the device. The degassing or de-bubbling membrane can be separate and distinct from the dampening membrane. The de-bubbling membrane can be in addition to or in place of the degassing membrane in some embodiments.

Abstract: A device which includes a pulse dampener and a degasser or de-bubbler. The device includes a fluid flow path and a fluid chamber located within the device. In addition, the device includes a pulse dampening membrane for dampening pulses in the fluid as it flows through the device. The device also includes a degassing membrane for degassing the fluid as it flows through the device, and/or a de-bubbling membrane for removing gas bubbles from the fluid as it flows through the device. The degassing or de-bubbling membrane can be separate and distinct from the dampening membrane. The de-bubbling membrane can be in addition to or in place of the degassing membrane in some embodiments.

Abstract: A fluid pulse dampener with automatic pressure-compensation is provided. A system of chambers and channels in the dampener creates an internal feedback mechanism that increases or decreases a compensating pressure on the membrane in response to increases or decreases in the pressure of a fluid moving past the other side of the membrane. Variations of the pulse dampener allow for the input and/or output of gas flow to be restricted or increased as may be desired.

Abstract: A rotary shear valve having a rotor device and a stator device both with planar faces. The stator face includes a central port located at a common rotational axis, a second port radially spaced a radius R1 from the central port, and a third port spaced at radius R2. The second and third ports are in general linear alignment with the central port. The rotor face includes a first rotor groove extending radially outward from the common rotational axis to a position at radius R2 from the central port. The rotor device is rotatably mounted to the stator device for rotation thereof about the axis, providing fluid-tight, selective relative rotation therebetween between two or more discrete rotor positions. When in a discrete first rotor position, the first rotor groove is oriented in radial alignment with, and fluidly connects, the central port and the second port with the third port.

Abstract: Apparatus and Method for Handling Fluids at Nano-Scale Rates. A linear displacement pump produces non-pulsatile liquid flow rates as low as the nl/mm range. The pump includes a servo motor, a gear reduction, a lead screw, a linear stage, a barrel, and a plunger extending into the barrel and coupled to the stage. A microfluidic interconnect device can be coupled to the barrel. One or more of these pumps can be disposed in a thermally controlled pump assembly that includes a pump housing, a thermally conductive body disposed in the housing and including first and second opposing sides, and a temperature regulating element such as a thermoelectric device disposed in thermal contact with the thermally conductive body on a side thereof opposite to the barrel or barrels of the pumps.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, apparatuses and methods are provided for connecting a light-guiding conduit to a microfluidic channel. First and second substrates with first surfaces can be provided, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second substrates form a microfluidic channel and a connection channel when the first surfaces are positioned together, and wherein the connection channel extends from an edge of the first surface of the first or second substrate to the microfluidic channel. The apparatus and method can also include bonding the first surfaces of the first and second substrates to form the microfluidic channel and the connection channel. A light-guiding conduit can be inserted into the connection channel such that the light-guiding conduit connects to the microfluidic channel and filling an area between the light-guiding conduit and the connection channel for forming a liquid-tight seal between the light-guiding conduit and the connection channel.

Abstract: High performance microlens arrays are fabricated by (i) depositing liquid on the hydrophilic domains of substrates of patterned wettability by either (a) condensing liquid on the domains or (b) withdrawing the substrate from a liquid solution and (ii) optionally curing the liquid to form solid microlenses. The f-number (f#) of formed microlenses is controlled by adjusting liquid viscosity, surface tension, density, and index of refraction, as well as the surface free energies of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas. The f-number of formed microlenses is also adjustable by controlling substrate dipping angle and withdrawal speed, the array fill factor and the number of dip coats used. At an optimum withdrawal speed f# is minimized and array uniformity is maximized. At this optimum, arrays of f/3.48 microlenses were fabricated using one dip-coat with uniformity better than ?f/f˜±3.8% while multiple dip-coats permit production of f/1.38 microlens arrays and uniformity better than ?f/f˜±5.9%.

Abstract: Microfluidic Systems, Devices and Methods for Reducing Diffusion and Compliance Effects at a Fluid Mixing Region. According to one embodiment, a microfluidic device is provided for combining fluids in a mixing region. The microfluidic device can include a fluid mixing region connected to a first and second microscale channel. The microscale channels can advance fluids to the fluid mixing region. The microscale channels can include constricted flow portions. According to another embodiment, the microscale channels can be connected to waste channels for removing fluid diffused into one of the channels from the other channel. According to yet another embodiment, a microfluidic system is provided for controlling the flow of fluids through the microscale channels for reducing or eliminating diffusion between the channels.

Abstract: Microfluidic Chip Apparatuses, Systems, and Methods having Fluidic and Fiber Optic Interconnections. According to one embodiment, apparatuses and methods are provided for connecting a light-guiding conduit to a microfluidic channel. First and second substrates with first surfaces can be provided, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second substrates form a microfluidic channel and a connection channel when the first surfaces are positioned together, and wherein the connection channel extends from an edge of the first surface of the first or second substrate to the microfluidic channel. The apparatus and method can also include bonding the first surfaces of the first and second substrates to form the microfluidic channel and the connection channel.

Abstract: An actively temperature regulated microfluidic chip assembly includes a first thermally conductive body, a second thermally conductive body attached to the first thermally conductive body, a microfluidic chip encapsulated between the first and second thermally conductive bodies, and a temperature regulating element mounted to the first thermally conductive body for adding heat to or alternately removing heat from the chip. The temperature of the chip and thus the liquid contained and/or flowing therein can be regulated by measuring the temperature of the liquid and operating the temperature regulating element to establish a thermal gradient toward or alternately away from the liquid based on the measured temperature and in comparison with a desired set point temperature.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a microfluidic system and method is disclosed for reducing autofluorescence. The microfluidic system can include a light source for generating an excitation light. The microfluidic system can also include a microscope having an objective for focusing the excitation light on a fluid inside a microfluidic channel of a microfluidic chip. Further, the microfluidic system can include a detector for rejecting out-of-focus light emitted from the microfluidic chip.