Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a fluid includes a rigid vial that has a main fluid chamber containing a fluid, and a pump assembly that is in fluid communication with the main fluid chamber and is configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of fluid from the main fluid chamber. A flexible bladder is provided which is located within the main fluid chamber and is configured to expand to fill the ullage created within the main fluid chamber during dispensing of fluid by the pump assembly. The resilient bladder tends to force itself outwardly toward the rigid vial and, in turn, increases the pressure within the main fluid chamber in comparison to the interior of the bladder to thereby prevent the ingress of air or vapors through the bladder or otherwise into the main fluid chamber.

Abstract: A contact lens applicator has an elongated housing defining an interior chamber for storing contact lenses, first and second triggers mounted on the housing, a depressor for depressing each eyelid where the depressor is drivingly coupled to the triggers, a pair of opposing wing-shaped members projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the rollers for providing a support surface for facilitating locating the apparatus over the eye, and a pusher assembly slidably mounted within the interior chamber for engaging a contact lens holder and applying a contact lens thereon to the eye when the triggers are actuated. The contact lens is stored in a cartridge within the elongated housing. The lens holder is movable within the cartridge upon actuating the pusher, and includes a predetermined amount of saline or other solution for defining appropriate conditions for storing the lens.

Abstract: A dispenser for holding multiple doses of fluids or other substances, and for dispensing the substances, has a vial, a flexible bladder received within the vial, and a variable volume storage chamber formed between the bladder and vial. A filling valve is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position hermetically sealing the storage chamber from the ambient atmosphere, and (2) an open position allowing the passage of fluid through the valve both to evacuate the storage chamber and to introduce fluid through the valve to fill the storage chamber. A pump is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for pumping fluids out of the storage chamber. A dispensing valve is coupled in fluid communication with the pump and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position preventing the passage of fluid out of the dispenser, and (2) an open position for dispensing pumped fluid therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for applying and removing contact lenses. The apparatus has an actuator and two tissue-engaging surfaces drivingly coupled to the actuator for engaging tissue adjacent to the eye in connection with actuating the actuator and to facilitate retaining the eye open during removal of the contact lens therefrom. A support surface supports the apparatus adjacent to the eye, and a lens removing member is drivingly coupled to the actuator for movement between an extended position and a retracted position for removing the contact lens from the eye. The actuator actuates the tissue-engaging surface to facilitate retaining the eye open during removal of the contact lens therefrom, and substantially simultaneously actuates the lens removing member to remove the contact lens from the open eye.

Abstract: The subject intradermal delivery device provides for penetration to a fixed depth without requiring special expertise by the user. The device consists of a syringe nested inside an inner shell and an outer shell. An elongated annular channel is formed between the inner shell and the outer shell. A housing receives the syringe and concentric shells in a sliding engagement. A first seal on the distal end of the housing forms a variable length channel in communication with the elongated annular channel via a port formed in the outer shell. When the device is applied to the skin, the housing and syringe are slid towards the skin, and the variable length channel generates a vacuum which forces the skin to bulge into the elongated annular channel. As a result, the skin is tensioned across the inner shell to form a substantially planar, taut target area of skin. The taut target area of skin in combination with a stop on the housing determines the insertion depth of the syringe.

Abstract: A syringe is provided for the delivery of controlled, metered amounts of any of numerous different substances to humans or animals, such as medicaments, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products, or to deliver materials which may react upon exposure to air, such as glue. The syringes include a body and a plunger. Means are provided in the syringe body and the plunger to effect controlled movement of the plunger into the syringe to permit delivery of a pre-determined amount of the substance contained in the syringe. A one-way valve is provided at the dispensing tip of the syringe to hermetically seal the portion of the syringe containing the substance to be dispensed.

Abstract: A syringe is provided for the delivery of controlled, metered amounts of any of numerous different substances to humans or animals, such as medicaments, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products, or to deliver materials which may react upon exposure to air, such as glue. The syringes include a body and a plunger. Means are provided in the syringe body and the plunger to effect controlled movement of the plunger into the syringe to permit delivery of a pre-determined amount of the substance contained in the syringe. A one-way valve is provided at the dispensing tip of the syringe to hermetically seal the portion of the syringe containing the substance to be dispensed.

Abstract: A stopper and container body are molded in the same molding machine. An assembly device, such as a pick and place robot, transfers the stopper from one mold cavity into the opening in the container body located within another mold cavity, or vice versa, to assemble the stopper and container body. Then, the assembled container body and stopper are removed from the molding machine and transported to a needle filling and laser resealing station for filling and laser resealing. A laminar flow source directs a substantially laminar flow of air or sterile gas over the mold surfaces, stoppers and container bodies, and assembly device, to prevent contamination during assembly.

Abstract: A stopper and container body are molded in the same molding machine. An assembly device, such as a pick and place robot, transfers the stopper from one mold cavity into the opening in the container body located within another mold cavity, or vice versa, to assemble the stopper and container body. Then, the assembled container body and stopper are removed from the molding machine and transported to a needle filling and laser resealing station for filling and laser resealing. A laminar flow source directs a substantially laminar flow of air or sterile gas over the mold surfaces, stoppers and container bodies, and assembly device, to prevent contamination during assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for needle filling and thermally resealing containers having stoppers that are needle penetrable for filling the containers with a substance, and are thermally resealable for thermally sealing a needle hole in the stopper upon withdrawal of a needle therefrom. A container support of the apparatus supports at least one container having a resealable stopper in a substantially fixed position during needle filling and thermally resealing a needle hole in the stopper upon withdrawal of a needle therefrom. A robotic arm of the apparatus is drivingly mounted adjacent to the container support and movable relative thereto.

Abstract: A dispenser has a housing, and a variable-volume storage chamber formed within the housing and defining a substantially fluid-tight seal between the chamber and exterior of the housing for storing a substance to be dispensed. A piston is mounted within the housing, and a one-way valve is mounted within the housing and coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber.

Abstract: A vial has a body defining a chamber for receiving a substance therein; and a valve assembly coupled in fluid communication with the chamber and defining (i) an open position permitting at least one of (a) passage of the substance through the valve assembly and into the chamber for storing the substance in the chamber, and (b) passage of the substance out of the chamber for dispensing the substance therefrom; and (ii) a closed position forming a fluid-tight seal between the chamber and exterior of the container. A filling member engages a flexible valve member of the valve assembly to move the valve member between the closed and open positions to fill and seal the vial, respectively. A syringe is connectable to the vial.

Abstract: A sterile filling machine and related method are provided for sterile filling a container with a substance. The container includes a heat resealable stopper and a chamber for receiving the substance therein. The sealed, empty containers are subjected to radiation capable of penetrating through the stopper and chamber for sterilizing the container. The previously sterilized containers are then transported through an e-beam chamber, wherein an electron beam is directed onto a penetrable surface of the stopper to sterilize the penetrable surface. A needle is mounted within the e-beam chamber and moved into engagement with the stopper to pierce the sterilized penetrable surface of the stopper and inject the substance through the needle and into the chamber of the container. The needle is then withdrawn from the stopper and the filled container is transported outside of the e-beam chamber.