Abstract: A medical pump with an improved continuity low flow delivery system and method for use with a pumping chamber, for example in a cassette, is disclosed. The pump includes a pump drive for exerting a force on the pumping chamber and a sensor for sensing the force/pressure exerted by the pump drive on the pumping chamber. The pump drive position sensor senses the position of the pump drive. The medical pump also includes a processing unit and a memory having a programming code adapted to calculate the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values and determine whether the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values meets a rate of change threshold. Once the rate of change threshold is met, the programming code is adapted to calculate a remaining pump drive travel value for determining how much farther the pump drive should travel before the end of an effective pump cycle.

Abstract: A biopsy device such as a core sampling biopsy device compatible with use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environment by being driven by either a pneumatic rotary motor or a piezoelectric drive motor is disclosed. The core sampling biopsy device obtains a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway disposed distally of the side tissue port. The inner cutter may be advanced in the cutter lumen past the side tissue port to sever a tissue sample.

Abstract: A core sampling biopsy device is compatible with use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environment by being driven by either a pneumatic rotary motor or a piezoelectric drive motor. The core sampling biopsy device obtains a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway disposed distally of the side tissue port. The inner cutter may be advanced in the cutter lumen past the side tissue port to sever a tissue sample. A cutter drive assembly maintains a fixed gear ratio relationship between a cutter rotation speed and translation speed of the inner cutter regardless of the density of the tissue encountered to yield consistent sample size.

Abstract: A test tube (72, 72?) defines a test tube axis (75) and contains or supports an associated sample in an annular sampling region (12). At least two alignment bearings (80, 81, 81?, 82, 83, 110, 140, 142, 181, 182, 183, 184, 211, 212) engage the test tube at opposite sides of the annular sampling region along the test tube axis. At least one bias bearing (86, 86?, 87, 140, 142, 204) is radially spaced apart from the at least two alignment bearings and presses the test tube against the at least two alignment bearings to align a portion of the annular sampling region respective to the at least two alignment bearings. A motor (112) engages the test tube to selectively rotate the test tube.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe includes a barrel with a plunger slidably extending therein. The barrel may include a barrel adapter at one end to define a luer hub socket and the outer walls of slots in the barrel. The plunger includes an outer plunger element and an inner plunger element telescoping together with a bungee resisting extension of the assembly. The inner and outer plunger elements may be locked in the extended position with the bungee in tension. A seal stop is located at the seal end of the plunger to define an annular pinch therewith to hold an annular seal in radial extension sealing against the internal sidewall of the barrel. A luer hub is fixed at the needle end of the barrel, A plunger cap may be advanced after injection to rotate the plunger. A resistance lock retains the cap and plunger indexed until actuation.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe includes a barrel with a plunger slidably extending therein. The plunger includes an outer plunger element and an inner plunger element telescoping together. A plunger cap may be advanced after injection to rotate the plunger. A resistance lock retains the cap and plunger indexed until actuation. The rotation actuates latches and locking fingers on the luer hub to engage a probe axially and rotationally on the seal end of the plunger and disengage the slots in the barrel, respectively. The rotation disengages the seal stop to release the annular seal and finally releases the engagement between the outer plunger element and inner plunger element. The foregoing provides for the retraction of the luer hub and associated needle into the barrel.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe includes a barrel with a plunger slidably extending therein. The barrel may include a barrel adapter at one end to define a luer hub socket and the outer walls of slots in the barrel. The plunger includes an outer plunger element and an inner plunger element telescoping together with a bungee resisting extension of the assembly. The inner and outer plunger elements may be locked in the extended position with the bungee in tension. A seal stop is located at the seal end of the plunger to define an annular pinch therewith to hold an annular seal in radial extension sealing against the internal sidewall of the barrel. A luer hub is fixed at the needle end of the barrel. A plunger cap may be advanced after injection to rotate the plunger. A resistance lock retains the cap and plunger indexed until actuation.

Abstract: A liquid atomizer is constructed with a hollow shell-like top cover and a unitary molded main support which snaps into place inside the top cover and divides it into upper and lower regions. The main support includes formations for mounting, on its upper side, a printed circuit board assembly including an electrical oscillator, as well as a piezoelectric actuator and orifice plate pump assembly. The main support also includes formations for removably mounting, on its lower side, a battery and a liquid reservoir. An openable bottom cover closes the bottom of the device and allows access to the battery and to the liquid reservoir for replacement of these elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric liquid delivery system or atomizer for production of droplets of liquid or liquid suspensions by means of a battery operated atomizer utilizing an orifice plate in communication with a ceramic piezoelectric element. By use of solder joining to bond the orifice plate to the piezoelectric element, and subsequent repolarization of the piezoelectric element if necessary, superior results are achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric liquid delivery system or atomizer for production of droplets of liquid or liquid suspensions by means of a battery operated atomizer utilizing an orifice plate in communication with a ceramic piezoelectric element. By use of solder joining to bond the orifice plate to the piezoelectric element, and subsequent repolarization of the piezoelectric element if necessary, superior results are achieved.

Abstract: There is described a battery driven atomizer in which an alternating voltage is applied to a piezoelectric actuation element to cause it to expand and contract and vibrate an atomizing orifice plate. The alternating voltage is controlled to produce a high amplitude vibration during a first portion of a drive period, to initiate atomization, and thereafter to produce a lower amplitude vibration to sustain atomization during the remainder of the drive period. The frequency of the alternating voltage is swept repeatedly during each drive period.