Abstract: A valve assembly for a drug delivery includes a valve housing having a first side and a second side positioned opposite from the first side, a cannula having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, with the cannula defining a central passageway, and a valve sleeve defining a cannula space. The valve sleeve is configured to move from a pre-use position where the first end of the cannula is received within the cannula space to a use position where the first end of the cannula extends outside of the valve sleeve and the cannula space. The valve sleeve is configured to contact a container of the drug delivery device before any other element of the valve assembly when the valve sleeve moves from a pre-use position to the use position.

Abstract: A drug delivery system includes a housing, a needle having a retracted position within the housing and an extended position outside of the housing, an adhesive pad element coupled to a bottom portion of the housing, the adhesive pad element including a primary adhesive layer and a removable liner, and a needle shield portion. The system also includes a needle shield remover having an elongated member configured to extend along the bottom portion of the housing in a first position and extend away from the bottom portion of the housing in a second position, a bottom surface portion of the elongated member being coupled to the removable liner proximate to an edge location of the adhesive pad element such that the removable liner is peeled away from the primary adhesive layer when the elongated member of the needle shield remover is moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically limiting the drainage of a bodily fluid such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a patient into a collection chamber. The collection chamber includes a vent having an hydrophobic filter for the passage of air to facilitate the movement of CSF yet to maintain a closed system. The system includes a buoyant float hingedly connected with the top of the collection chamber in one embodiment. When fluid rises in the collection chamber to a predetermined volume, buoyant force raises the float and causes a seal plug mounted on top of the float to seal one of an inflow port or a vent port. The float is limited to pivoting movement in one plane and to a certain angle within that plane. The system and method avoid overdrainage of CSF from the patient and overfilling of the collection chamber.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically limiting the drainage of a bodily fluid such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a patient into a collection chamber. The collection chamber includes a vent having an hydrophobic filter for the passage of air to facilitate the movement of CSF yet to maintain a closed system. The system includes a buoyant float hingedly connected with the top of the collection chamber in one embodiment. When fluid rises in the collection chamber to a predetermined volume, buoyant force raises the float and causes a seal plug mounted on top of the float to seal one of an inflow port or a vent port. The float is limited to pivoting movement in one plane and to a certain angle within that plane. The system and method avoid overdrainage of CSF from the patient and overfilling of the collection chamber.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically limiting the drainage of a bodily fluid such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a patient into a collection chamber. The collection chamber includes a vent having an hydrophobic filter for the passage of air to facilitate the movement of CSF yet to maintain a closed system. The system includes a buoyant float hingedly connected with the top of the collection chamber in one embodiment. When fluid rises in the collection chamber to a predetermined volume, buoyant force raises the float and causes a seal plug mounted on top of the float to seal one of an inflow port or a vent port. The float is limited to pivoting movement in one plane and to a certain angle within that plane. The system and method avoid overdrainage of CSF from the patient and overfilling of the collection chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes a porous support having an agent that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample. The apparatus further includes a housing with an opening and defining an interior. The interior of the housing is in fluid communication with the porous support, and at least a portion of a fluid directed through the opening is directed through at least a portion of the porous support. The apparatus also includes a magnetic substrate for separating nucleic acid from a sample.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically limiting the drainage of a bodily fluid such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a patient into a collection chamber. The collection chamber includes a vent having an hydrophobic filter for the passage of air to facilitate the movement of CSF yet to maintain a closed system. The system includes a buoyant float hingedly connected with the top of the collection chamber in one embodiment. When fluid rises in the collection chamber to a predetermined volume, buoyant force raises the float and causes a seal plug mounted on top of the float to seal one of an inflow port or a vent port. The float is limited to pivoting movement in one plane and to a certain angle within that plane. The system and method avoid overdrainage of CSF from the patient and overfilling of the collection chamber.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes contacting the sample with a porous support that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample and directing a fluid through the porous support, whereby the nucleic acid component of the sample is directed through at least a portion of the porous support and is separated from the support, thereby preparing the nucleic acid component for amplification. The sample is separated from raw sample components through means that include a magnetic substrate. An apparatus suitable for conducting the method of the invention also is described.

Abstract: A simplified Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) sample preparation apparatus and method of using a PCR sample preparation for both liquid and dry samples. A portable apparatus comprising a handle removably attached to a wand assembly. The handle includes a cover and a swab with an absorbent material. The wand assembly includes a buffer container for a buffer that is ruptured by a spike when the holder is inserted into the wand assembly. The apparatus may include a waste container removably attached to a tube comprising a plunger, a safety clip to prevent the plunger from depressing, and a port for introduction of a liquid sample. A filter on the waste container collects a specimen of the liquid sample for preparation as described above.

Abstract: A simplified Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) sample preparation apparatus and method of using a PCR sample preparation for both liquid and dry samples. A portable apparatus comprising a handle removably attached to a wand assembly. The handle includes a cover and a swab with an absorbent material. The wand assembly includes a buffer container for a buffer that is ruptured by a spike when the holder is inserted into the wand assembly. The apparatus may include a waste container removably attached to a tube comprising a plunger, a safety clip to prevent the plunger from depressing, and a port for introduction of a liquid sample. A filter on the waste container collects a specimen of the liquid sample for preparation as described above.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes contacting the sample with a porous support that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample and directing a fluid through the porous support, whereby the nucleic acid component of the sample is directed through at least a portion of the porous support and is separated from the support, thereby preparing the nucleic acid component for amplification. The sample is separated from raw sample components through means that include a magnetic substrate. An apparatus suitable for conducting the method of the invention also is described.