Abstract: Systems and methods for mixing and/or reconstituting drugs are presented. A system may include an injection device, a vial, a needle, and a base station. The device has a chamber containing a first material. The vial has a chamber containing a second material. A drive unit of the base station moves the vial and/or the housing of the device relative to each other into an activated position. In the activated position, the needle is fluidly connected with the vial's chamber, and the drive unit is connected to a driver that moves the plunger in the axial direction of the device such that during fluid connection of the needle with the vial's chamber the first material is expelled from the device's chamber into the vial's chamber or the second material is expelled from the vial's chamber into the device's chamber.

Abstract: A two-part bioactive agent delivery system, the system including a disposable part comprising an agent reservoir, a bolus chamber, the volume of the bolus chamber being less than the volume of the agent reservoir, an agent outlet, and a valve having a first position communicating the agent reservoir with the bolus chamber and a second position communicating the bolus chamber with the outlet; and a reusable part including a valve driver, a power source and control electronics, the control electronics being adapted to control the valve driver to actuate the valve to deliver bioactive agent from the agent reservoir to the agent outlet; the system further having a spring extending between the agent reservoir piston and a surface of the reusable part or of the disposable part to pressurize the agent reservoir when the spring is compressed and the agent reservoir contains a quantity of bioactive agent.

Abstract: A method for controlled purging of a blood pump and a blood pump assembly for implementing the method are provided. The blood pump is in fluid communication with a purging device. The purging device comprises a purge reservoir and a supplemental reservoir configured to be fluidically connected to the blood pump. The purge reservoir is configured to receive a purge fluid and the supplemental reservoir configured to receive a supplemental purge fluid. At least a portion of the blood pump is inserted into a patient and operated. A flow of the purge fluid is provided from the purge reservoir to the blood pump. A purge flow parameter at the blood pump is measured using a measuring device and when it is determined by a controller that the purge flow parameter meets a predetermined threshold, a remediation protocol is identified.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a multi-layered urine capture device suitable for collecting and transporting urine away from the body. The urine capture device can be positioned adjacent a urethra of a female user. The urine capture device can include a plurality of layers, for example, one or more fluid permeable layers, one or more absorbent layers, one or more hydrophobic layers, one or more wicking layers, one or more fluid impermeable layers, and other suitable layers.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage maker includes a water reservoir, a carbon dioxide creation chamber, and a carbonation chamber. The water reservoir holds ice water and has a first impeller and a shroud surrounding the first impeller. The carbon dioxide creation chamber contains chemical elements and receives warm water. The chemical elements react with each other to create carbon dioxide when the warm water is introduced to the carbon dioxide creation chamber. The carbonation chamber is connected to the water reservoir and the carbon dioxide creation chamber. The carbonation chamber has a second impeller that includes a stem portion and blades. The stem portion and the blades define conduits therein. The blades create a low pressure region in a lower portion of the carbonation chamber such that carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide creation chamber flows through the conduits to the low pressure region.

Abstract: A volume measurement system for a fluid processing device includes a fluid container, an imaging unit, and a controller. The container includes a housing defining the structure of the fluid container, and a plurality of fluid chambers. The fluid chambers collect and/or store fluid from the fluid processing device, and each have a port that allows fluid to enter and/or exit the fluid chambers. The imaging unit takes images of the fluid chambers and is positioned to view a level of fluid in each of the chambers. The controller is in communication with the imaging unit and determines the volume of fluid within each of the fluid chambers based upon the viewed level of fluid in the fluid chambers.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage maker includes a water reservoir, a carbon dioxide creation chamber, and a carbonation chamber. The water reservoir holds ice water and has a first impeller and a shroud surrounding the first impeller. The carbon dioxide creation chamber contains chemical elements and receives warm water. The chemical elements react with each other to create carbon dioxide when the warm water is introduced to the carbon dioxide creation chamber. The carbonation chamber is connected to the water reservoir and the carbon dioxide creation chamber. The carbonation chamber has a second impeller that includes a stem portion and blades. The stem portion and the blades define conduits therein. The blades create a low pressure region in a lower portion of the carbonation chamber such that carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide creation chamber flows through the conduits to the low pressure region.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device comprises a housing and a plurality of cartridges that are coupled together to form a barrel that is rotatably supported within the housing. Each of the cartridges defines a plurality of staple pockets that support a plurality of staples. An anvil is pivotally coupled to the housing and is movable in relation to the barrel between an open position and a clamped position. A drive shaft extends through the housing and through the barrel and a pusher operatively connected to the drive shaft. The pusher is configured to translate through the barrel to eject the staples from the plurality of cartridges in response to actuation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A two-part bioactive agent delivery system, the system including a disposable part comprising an agent reservoir, a bolus chamber, the volume of the bolus chamber being less than the volume of the agent reservoir, an agent outlet, and a valve having a first position communicating the agent reservoir with the bolus chamber and a second position communicating the bolus chamber with the outlet; and a reusable part including a valve driver, a power source and control electronics, the control electronics being adapted to control the valve driver to actuate the valve to deliver bioactive agent from the agent reservoir to the agent outlet; the system further having a spring extending between the agent reservoir piston and a surface of the reusable part or of the disposable part to pressurize the agent reservoir when the spring is compressed and the agent reservoir contains a quantity of bioactive agent.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining, producing, identifying, and the like soybean plants having a genotype associated with a large-seed phenotype as well as plants, plant cells, and plant genomes comprising a genotype associated with a large-seed phenotype.

Abstract: A volume measurement system for a fluid processing device includes a fluid container, an imaging unit, and a controller. The container includes a housing defining the structure of the fluid container, and a plurality of fluid chambers. The fluid chambers collect and/or store fluid from the fluid processing device, and each have a port that allows fluid to enter and/or exit the fluid chambers. The imaging unit takes images of the fluid chambers and is positioned to view a level of fluid in each of the chambers. The controller is in communication with the imaging unit and determines the volume of fluid within each of the fluid chambers based upon the viewed level of fluid in the fluid chambers.

Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a rotor and first and second rollers mounted on the rotor. The first and second rollers rotate between a disengaged, initially engaged and a fully engaged position with respect to a section of tubing. The rollers begin to occlude the tubing when in the initially engaged positon and fully occlude the tubing when in the fully engaged position. The pump also includes an encoder and a rotor controller. The encoder monitors the position of the first and second rollers as the rotor rotates. The rotor controller is in electrical communication with the encoder and controls the operation of the pump and rotor. The controller stops the rotation of the rotor in response to a stop command and based upon the monitored position of the first and second rollers such that either the first or second roller remains in the fully engaged positon.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a housing and a plurality of cartridges that are coupled together to form a barrel that is rotatably supported within the housing. Each of the cartridges defines a plurality of staple pockets, each supporting a staple. An anvil is coupled to the housing and is movable in relation to the barrel between an open position and a clamped position. A guide shaft extends through the housing and through the barrel. The guide shaft supports a sled and a clamping member. The sled is configured to translate through the barrel to eject the staples from an active cartridge of the plurality of cartridges in response to actuation of a push rod. After firing staples from the active cartridge, the sled and the guide shaft are configured to index or rotate the barrel within the housing to move a second cartridge of the plurality of cartridges to the active position upon retraction and subsequent movement of the sled through a second firing stroke.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mixing and/or reconstituting drugs are presented. A system may include an injection device, a vial, a needle, and a base station. The device has a chamber containing a first material. The vial has a chamber containing a second material. A drive unit of the base station moves the vial and/or the housing of the device relative to each other into an activated position. In the activated position, the needle is fluidly connected with the vial's chamber, and the drive unit is connected to a driver that moves the plunger in the axial direction of the device such that during fluid connection of the needle with the vial's chamber the first material is expelled from the device's chamber into the vial's chamber or the second material is expelled from the vial's chamber into the device's chamber.

Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage are disclosed. A gas source, which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid, and/or a beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in a cartridge. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.

Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a pump assembly comprising a voice coil, a magnet and a diaphragm, wherein the voice coil is configured to move the diaphragm to pump a fluid through the pump assembly in response to a drive signal applied to the voice coil. Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an apparatus for applying negative pressure to a wound comprising a source of negative pressure configured to be coupled to a dressing, the source of negative comprising a voice coil actuator and a diaphragm, and a controller configured to produce a drive signal for the voice coil actuator.

Abstract: A labeling device for a syringe that includes a first labeling subsystem adapted to print a first label having machine readable information and a second labeling subsystem adapted to print a second label having human readable information is disclosed. The first labeling subsystem includes a label applicator adapted to automatically apply the first label to a portion of the syringe. The first labeling subsystem includes a syringe clamp assembly that securely holds the syringe while the label applicator automatically applies a first label to the syringe. The second labeling subsystem includes a removal device adapted to automatically remove a backing material from the second label.

Abstract: An imaging system for a rotatable object includes an imaging unit configured to take a series of images of a portion of the rotatable object and a light source. The light source is directed at the rotatable object and is configured to generate pulses of light that illuminate the rotatable object during rotation of the rotatable object and allow the imaging unit to take the series of images of the rotatable object. The system also includes a synchronizer that monitors the rotational position of the rotatable object as it rotates, and a controller in communication with the imaging unit, the light source, and the synchronizer. The controller controls the operation of the imaging unit and/or the light source based upon the rotational position of the rotatable object such that each of the series of images is taken at the same rotational position of the rotatable object.