Abstract: An integrated welding and thermal processing method includes heating adjoining surfaces, at least one of which is a creep strength enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steel alloy, to a sufficiently high temperature above their melting points to form a weld. The weld is allowed cool below the martensitic start temperature of one or both CSEF alloys. Thereafter, a supplemental heat source tempers the CSEF alloys by reheating the weld area at a rate of 10° C. per second or greater to above the CSEF alloys’ martensitic start temperatures, but not above the austenitization temperature of the CSEF alloys. After the weld’s heat affected zone is maintained at a temperature between the CSEF alloys’ martensitic finish temperature and martensitic start temperature, the weld is allowed to cool at a rate of 15° C. per minute or greater.

Abstract: A user-initiated fluid pathway connection includes: a connection hub, a piercing member, a sterile sleeve, and a drug container having a cap, a pierceable seal, a barrel, and a plunger seal, wherein the piercing member is initially retained within the sterile sleeve between the connection hub and the pierceable seal of the drug container. The connection hub may include an internal aperture within the connection hub which functions as a flow restrictor and wherein a piercing member is connected to one end of the internal aperture and a fluid conduit is connected to another end of the internal aperture. A drug delivery pump with integrated sterility maintenance features includes a housing, upon which an activation mechanism, an insertion mechanism, a fluid pathway connection as described above, a power and control system, and a drive mechanism connected to a drug container are mounted. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: A user-initiated fluid pathway connection includes: a connection hub, a piercing member, a sterile sleeve, and a drug container having a cap, a pierceable seal, a barrel, and a plunger seal, wherein the piercing member is initially retained within the sterile sleeve between the connection hub and the pierceable seal of the drug container. The connection hub may include an internal aperture within the connection hub which functions as a flow restrictor and wherein a piercing member is connected to one end of the internal aperture and a fluid conduit is connected to another end of the internal aperture. A drug delivery pump with integrated sterility maintenance features includes a housing, upon which an activation mechanism, an insertion mechanism, a fluid pathway connection as described above, a power and control system, and a drive mechanism connected to a drug container are mounted. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wearable drug delivery device including a container filled at least partially with a drug including at least one of a PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9) specific antibody, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a sclerostin antibody, or a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibody. The wearable drug delivery device may include a needle and an insertion mechanism configured to insert the needle into a patient. A fluid pathway connector may define a sterile fluid flowpath between the container and the insertion mechanism. Optionally, a cannula initially disposed about the needle may be included. The cannula may be retained in the patient at an injection site created by the needle after the needle is withdrawn from the patient. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wearable drug delivery device including a container filled at least partially with a drug including at least one of a PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9) specific antibody, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a sclerostin antibody, or a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibody. The wearable drug delivery device may include a needle and an insertion mechanism configured to insert the needle into a patient. A fluid pathway connector may define a sterile fluid flowpath between the container and the insertion mechanism. Optionally, a cannula initially disposed about the needle may be included. The cannula may be retained in the patient at an injection site created by the needle after the needle is withdrawn from the patient. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wearable drug delivery device including a container filled at least partially with a drug including at least one of a PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9) specific antibody, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a sclerostin antibody, or a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibody. The wearable drug delivery device may include a needle and an insertion mechanism configured to insert the needle into a patient. A fluid pathway connector may define a sterile fluid flowpath between the container and the insertion mechanism. Optionally, a cannula initially disposed about the needle may be included. The cannula may be retained in the patient at an injection site created by the needle after the needle is withdrawn from the patient. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wearable drug delivery device including a container filled at least partially with a drug including at least one of a PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9) specific antibody, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor CSF), a sclerostin antibody, or a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibody. The wearable drug delivery device includes a needle and an insertion mechanism configured to insert the needle into a patient. A fluid pathway connector defines a sterile fluid flowpath between the container and the insertion mechanism. A cannula initially disposed about the needle is included.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wearable drug delivery device including a container filled at least partially with a drug including at least one of a PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9) specific antibody, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor CSF), a sclerostin antibody, or a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibody. The wearable drug delivery device includes a needle and an insertion mechanism configured to insert the needle into a patient. A fluid pathway connector defines a sterile fluid flowpath between the container and the insertion mechanism. A cannula initially disposed about the needle is included.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for establishing aseptic connections between two or more components or subassemblies. The devices may be used in medical devices such as drug delivery pumps (10). In some embodiments, a connection is made between a drug container (50, 1050, 2050) and a fluid pathway connection assembly (300, 1300, 2300). The fluid pathway connection assembly may include a connection hub (312, 1312, 2312), a piercing member (316, 1316, 2316), and a piercing member retainer (314, 1314, 2314). The assembly may further include a first film (318, 1318, 2318) covering a cavity (312A, 1312A, 2312A), thereby maintaining the aseptic condition of the cavity. The drug container may hold a fluid drug and include a pierceable seal (326, 1326, 2326). A second film (322, 1322, 2322) may cover a recess (328, 1328, 2328) formed by the seal and thereby maintain the aseptic condition of the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for establishing aseptic connections between two or more components or subassemblies. The devices may be used in medical devices such as drug delivery pumps (10). In some embodiments, a connection is made between a drug container (50, 1050, 2050) and a fluid pathway connection assembly (300, 1300, 2300). The fluid pathway connection assembly may include a connection hub (312, 1312, 2312), a piercing member (316, 1316, 2316), and a piercing member retainer (314, 1314, 2314). The assembly may further include a first film (318, 1318, 2318) covering a cavity (312A, 1312A, 2312A), thereby maintaining the aseptic condition of the cavity. The drug container may hold a fluid drug and include a pierceable seal (326, 1326, 2326). A second film (322, 1322, 2322) may cover a recess (328, 1328, 2328) formed by the seal and thereby maintain the aseptic condition of the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A user-initiated fluid pathway connection includes: a connection hub, a piercing member, a sterile sleeve, and a drug container having a cap, a pierceable seal, a barrel, and a plunger seal, wherein the piercing member is initially retained within the sterile sleeve between the connection hub and the pierceable seal of the drug container. The connection hub may include an internal aperture within the connection hub which functions as a flow restrictor and wherein a piercing member is connected to one end of the internal aperture and a fluid conduit is connected to another end of the internal aperture. A drug delivery pump with integrated sterility maintenance features includes a housing, upon which an activation mechanism, an insertion mechanism, a fluid pathway connection as described above, a power and control system, and a drive mechanism connected to a drug container are mounted. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: A user-initiated fluid pathway connection includes: a connection hub, a piercing member, a sterile sleeve, and a drug container having a cap, a pierceable seal, a barrel, and a plunger seal, wherein the piercing member is initially retained within the sterile sleeve between the connection hub and the pierceable seal of the drug container. The connection hub may include an internal aperture within the connection hub which functions as a flow restrictor and wherein a piercing member is connected to one end of the internal aperture and a fluid conduit is connected to another end of the internal aperture. A drug delivery pump with integrated sterility maintenance features includes a housing, upon which an activation mechanism, an insertion mechanism, a fluid pathway connection as described above, a power and control system, and a drive mechanism connected to a drug container are mounted. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wearable drug delivery device including a container filled at least partially with a drug including at least one of a PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9) specific antibody, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a sclerostin antibody, or a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibody. The wearable drug delivery device may include a needle and an insertion mechanism configured to insert the needle into a patient. A fluid pathway connector may define a sterile fluid flowpath between the container and the insertion mechanism. Optionally, a cannula initially disposed about the needle may be included. The cannula may be retained in the patient at an injection site created by the needle after the needle is withdrawn from the patient. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for establishing aseptic connections between two or more components or subassemblies. The devices may be used in medical devices such as drug delivery pumps (10). In some embodiments, a connection is made between a drug container (50, 1050, 2050) and a fluid pathway connection assembly (300, 1300, 2300). The fluid pathway connection assembly may include a connection hub (312, 1312, 2312), a piercing member (316, 1316, 2316), and a piercing member retainer (314, 1314, 2314). The assembly may further include a first film (318, 1318, 2318) covering a cavity (312A, 1312A, 2312A), thereby maintaining the aseptic condition of the cavity. The drug container may hold a fluid drug and include a pierceable seal (326, 1326, 2326). A second film (322, 1322, 2322) may cover a recess (328, 1328, 2328) formed by the seal and thereby maintain the aseptic condition of the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A user-initiated fluid pathway connection includes: a connection hub, a piercing member, a sterile sleeve, and a drug container having a cap, a pierceable seal, a barrel, and a plunger seal, wherein the piercing member is initially retained within the sterile sleeve between the connection hub and the pierceable seal of the drug container. The connection hub may include an internal aperture within the connection hub which functions as a flow restrictor and wherein a piercing member is connected to one end of the internal aperture and a fluid conduit is connected to another end of the internal aperture. A drug delivery pump with integrated sterility maintenance features includes a housing, upon which an activation mechanism, an insertion mechanism, a fluid pathway connection as described above, a power and control system, and a drive mechanism connected to a drug container are mounted. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: A user-initiated fluid pathway connection includes: a connection hub, a piercing member, a sterile sleeve, and a drug container having a cap, a pierceable seal, a barrel, and a plunger seal, wherein the piercing member is initially retained within the sterile sleeve between the connection hub and the pierceable seal of the drug container. The connection hub may include an internal aperture within the connection hub which functions as a flow restrictor and wherein a piercing member is connected to one end of the internal aperture and a fluid conduit is connected to another end of the internal aperture. A drug delivery pump with integrated sterility maintenance features includes a housing, upon which an activation mechanism, an insertion mechanism, a fluid pathway connection as described above, a power and control system, and a drive mechanism connected to a drug container are mounted. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for concentrating and storing solar energy are provided. A solar energy receiver for use with the systems and methods may include a container for holding a solar absorption material, such as a phase change material, and a cooled cover disposed above the container for condensing and collecting vaporized phase change material collected along an underside of the cover.

Abstract: Systems and methods for concentrating and storing solar energy are provided. A solar energy receiver for use with the systems and methods may include a container for holding a solar absorption material, such as a phase change material, and a cooled cover disposed above the container for condensing and collecting vaporized phase change material collected along an underside of the cover.

Abstract: Systems and methods for concentrating and storing solar energy are provided. A solar energy receiver for use with the systems and methods may include a container for holding a solar absorption material, such as a phase change material, and a cooled cover disposed above the container for condensing and collecting vaporized phase change material collected along an underside of the cover.

Abstract: A user-initiated fluid pathway connection includes: a connection hub, a piercing member, a sterile sleeve, and a drug container having a cap, a pierceable seal, a barrel, and a plunger seal, wherein the piercing member is initially retained within the sterile sleeve between the connection hub and the pierceable seal of the drug container. The connection hub may include an internal aperture within the connection hub which functions as a flow restrictor and wherein a piercing member is connected to one end of the internal aperture and a fluid conduit is connected to another end of the internal aperture. A drug delivery pump with integrated sterility maintenance features includes a housing, upon which an activation mechanism, an insertion mechanism, a fluid pathway connection as described above, a power and control system, and a drive mechanism connected to a drug container are mounted. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.