Abstract: Liquid sample collection devices, systems, and methods. In one example, the system includes a liquid collection device, a cap for the liquid collection device, and a sealed reagent liquid container installed in the cap, in which depressing the cap relative to the liquid collection device unseals the reagent liquid container. In another example, the system includes a liquid collector and a collection chamber in which the collection chamber holds a reagent in a sealed condition and the liquid collector is actuable to disrupt a sealing membrane associated with the collection chamber. In another example, the system includes a liquid collector and a collection chamber in which the liquid collector holds a reagent in a sealed condition and in which the liquid collector is actuable to drain the reagent from the liquid collector into the collection chamber.

Abstract: A dual latching microvalve is capable of a metastable state, wherein a one or more complete flow paths are open, before switching to another state that allows only an inlet or outlet valve to be open at any time on any fluid path. One valve mechanism uses a cam to alternately open and close two valves, with an external force applying pressure to move one valve arm onto a resting position on the cam, thereby opening the closed valve and provided an uninterrupted flow path through the dual latching microvalve. The metastable state provides, for example, a means to prime the pump before operation, such as pumping of insulin into a patient. When released from the metastable state, the dual latching microvalve operates in a fashion whereby opening of both valves simultaneously is prevented, thereby protecting the patient from injury.

Abstract: A dual latching microvalve is capable of a metastable state, wherein a one or more complete flow paths are open, before switching to another state that allows only an inlet or outlet valve to be open at any time on any fluid path. One valve mechanism uses a cam to alternately open and close two valves, with an external force applying pressure to move one valve arm onto a resting position on the cam, thereby opening the closed valve and provided an uninterrupted flow path through the dual latching microvalve. The metastable state provides, for example, a means to prime the pump before operation, such as pumping of insulin into a patient. When released from the metastable state, the dual latching microvalve operates in a fashion whereby opening of both valves simultaneously is prevented, thereby protecting the patient from injury.

Abstract: There is provided herein, a method of attaching a mesh to a loop member, which includes covering a wire with a layer, manipulating the wire along with the layer to form the loop member, wherein the loop member has a shape, placing the mesh over the loop member, wherein portions of the mesh extend beyond a circumference of the loop member, transferring heat to the layer to cause it to partially melt and become tacky, allowing the mesh to fuse with the tacky layer and form a secure bond on cooling, and trimming portions of the mesh extending beyond the circumference of the loop member. A retrieval device formed by the method includes the loop member and attached mesh positioned and longitudinally movable within a tubular sheath. The loop member and mesh are deployed to capture a target object and partially retracted for removal of the object.

Abstract: This specification describes methods of attaching a mesh to a loop member, which includes covering a wire with a layer, manipulating the wire along with the layer to form the loop member, placing the mesh over the loop member, transferring heat to the layer to cause it to partially melt and become tacky, allowing the mesh to fuse with the tacky layer and form a secure bond on cooling, and trimming portions of the mesh extending beyond the circumference of the loop member. A retrieval device formed by the methods include the loop member and attached mesh positioned, and longitudinally movable within, a tubular sheath. The loop member and mesh are deployed to capture a target object and partially retracted for removal of the object.

Abstract: This specification describes methods of attaching a mesh to a loop member, which includes covering a wire with a layer, manipulating the wire along with the layer to form the loop member, placing the mesh over the loop member, transferring heat to the layer to cause it to partially melt and become tacky, allowing the mesh to fuse with the tacky layer and form a secure bond on cooling, and trimming portions of the mesh extending beyond the circumference of the loop member. A retrieval device formed by the methods include the loop member and attached mesh positioned, and longitudinally movable within, a tubular sheath. The loop member and mesh are deployed to capture a target object and partially retracted for removal of the object.

Abstract: A lancing device with a depth-adjustment mechanism including an adjustably-positioned stop surface, a movable control member operably coupled thereto, and a resiliently deflectable leg that engages the stop surface and a lancet carrier to provide a soft stop for the lancet carrier. The lancet carrier deflects the leg in a forward phase of the lancing stroke, and then the leg contacts the stop surface to stop the forward motion of the lancet carrier at an extended lancing position. The stop surface can be adjustably positioned so that different portions thereof are engaged to stop the lancet carrier at deeper or shallower positions. In example embodiments, the depth-adjustment mechanism includes a rotary dial and an extension arm of the leg, with the dial including a rotary wheel and a rotary shaft extending axially therefrom, the wheel forming the movable adjustment member, and the shaft forming the adjustably positioned stop surface.

Abstract: There is provided herein, a method of attaching a mesh to a loop member, which includes covering a wire with a layer, manipulating the wire along with the layer to form the loop member, wherein the loop member has a shape, placing the mesh over the loop member, wherein portions of the mesh extend beyond a circumference of the loop member, transferring heat to the layer to cause it to partially melt and become tacky, allowing the mesh to fuse with the tacky layer and form a secure bond on cooling, and trimming portions of the mesh extending beyond the circumference of the loop member. A retrieval device formed by the method includes the loop member and attached mesh positioned and longitudinally movable within a tubular sheath. The loop member and mesh are deployed to capture a target object and partially retracted for removal of the object.

Abstract: There is provided herein, a method of attaching a mesh to a loop member, which includes covering a wire with a layer, manipulating the wire along with the layer to form the loop member, wherein the loop member has a shape, placing the mesh over the loop member, wherein portions of the mesh extend beyond a circumference of the loop member, transferring heat to the layer to cause it to partially melt and become tacky, allowing the mesh to fuse with the tacky layer and form a secure bond on cooling, and trimming portions of the mesh extending beyond the circumference of the loop member. A retrieval device formed by the method includes the loop member and attached mesh positioned and longitudinally movable within a tubular sheath. The loop member and mesh are deployed to capture a target object and partially retracted for removal of the object.

Abstract: A lancing device has a charging mechanism that operates to convert an external push action by a user to an internal pull action that retracts and charges a lancet for use in a lancing stroke. In some embodiments, the charging mechanism includes a user-actuated charging push-button, a reverse charging member coupled to a lancet carrier, and a reverse-motion conversion member coupled therebetween. Depressing the user-actuated member in a first longitudinal direction causes transverse movement of the conversion member, which in turn causes longitudinal retraction of the reverse charging member and the lancet carrier coupled thereto in a second longitudinal direction opposite the first direction, thereby charging a drive mechanism of the lancing device. In other embodiments, a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism provides the same push-to-pull functionality.

Abstract: The present specification provides an apparatus for supporting one or more monitors. The apparatus includes a base stand having one or more wheels for enabling movement of the apparatus; a first rigid frame having a top end and a bottom end attached with the base stand; a second extendable frame having a top end and a bottom end and telescopically movable within the first rigid frame; a monitor arm assembly removably coupled with the top end of the second frame and configured to receive a plurality of monitors. The apparatus is transformable from a first collapsed configuration for transport and storage into a second operational configuration by rotating or removing the monitor arm assembly and by moving the second extendable frame relative to the first rigid frame.

Abstract: This specification describes methods of attaching a mesh to a loop member, which includes covering a wire with a layer, manipulating the wire along with the layer to form the loop member, placing the mesh over the loop member, transferring heat to the layer to cause it to partially melt and become tacky, allowing the mesh to fuse with the tacky layer and form a secure bond on cooling, and trimming portions of the mesh extending beyond the circumference of the loop member. A retrieval device formed by the methods include the loop member and attached mesh positioned, and longitudinally movable within, a tubular sheath. The loop member and mesh are deployed to capture a target object and partially retracted for removal of the object.

Abstract: An advancement mechanism of a lancing device operates to sequentially advance lancets in a cartridge. The advancement mechanism includes a rotary drive gear assembly with a first gear and a second gear that co-rotate in a first angular direction by operation of an inter-gear unidirectional drive mechanism such as a ratcheting mechanism. A second-gear unidirectional lock mechanism, such as a ratcheting mechanism, locks the second drive gear from co-rotating with the first drive gear in a second opposite angular direction without impeding rotation in the first direction. The second gear directly or indirectly rotationally drives a pinion gear, which rotationally drives a cartridge gear to advance the lancets in indexed increments for use. The first drive gear is rotated in the first and second directions by a rack gear of a translating operating handle. In addition, a rotary-gear cap-displacement mechanism and a rotary-gear charging/actuation mechanism are provided in other embodiments.

Abstract: The present specification provides an apparatus for supporting one or more monitors. The apparatus includes a base stand having one or more wheels for enabling movement of the apparatus; a first rigid frame having a top end and a bottom end attached with the base stand; a second extendable frame having a top end and a bottom end and telescopically movable within the first rigid frame; a monitor arm assembly removably coupled with the top end of the second frame and configured to receive a plurality of monitors. The apparatus is transformable from a first collapsed configuration for transport and storage into a second operational configuration by rotating or removing the monitor arm assembly and by moving the second extendable frame relative to the first rigid frame.

Abstract: There is provided herein, a method of attaching a mesh to a loop member, which includes covering a wire with a layer, manipulating the wire along with the layer to form the loop member, wherein the loop member has a shape, placing the mesh over the loop member, wherein portions of the mesh extend beyond a circumference of the loop member, transferring heat to the layer to cause it to partially melt and become tacky, allowing the mesh to fuse with the tacky layer and form a secure bond on cooling, and trimming portions of the mesh extending beyond the circumference of the loop member. A retrieval device formed by the method includes the loop member and attached mesh positioned and longitudinally movable within a tubular sheath. The loop member and mesh are deployed to capture a target object and partially retracted for removal of the object.

Abstract: The present specification provides an apparatus for supporting one or more monitors. The apparatus includes a base stand having one or more wheels for enabling movement of the apparatus; a first rigid frame having a top end and a bottom end attached with the base stand; a second extendable frame having a top end and a bottom end and telescopically movable within the first rigid frame; a monitor arm assembly removably coupled with the top end of the second frame and configured to receive a plurality of monitors. The apparatus is transformable from a first collapsed configuration for transport and storage into a second operational configuration by rotating or removing the monitor arm assembly and by moving the second extendable frame relative to the first rigid frame.

Abstract: A lancing device has a charging mechanism that operates to convert an external push action by a user to an internal pull action that retracts and charges a lancet for use in a lancing stroke. In some embodiments, the charging mechanism includes a user-actuated charging push-button, a reverse charging member coupled to a lancet carrier, and a reverse-motion conversion member coupled therebetween. Depressing the user-actuated member in a first longitudinal direction causes transverse movement of the conversion member, which in turn causes longitudinal retraction of the reverse charging member and the lancet carrier coupled thereto in a second longitudinal direction opposite the first direction, thereby charging a drive mechanism of the lancing device. In other embodiments, a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism provides the same push-to-pull functionality.

Abstract: A lancing device has a charging mechanism that operates to convert an external push action by a user to an internal pull action that retracts and charges a lancet for use in a lancing stroke. In some embodiments, the charging mechanism includes a user-actuated charging push-button, a reverse charging member coupled to a lancet carrier, and a reverse-motion conversion member coupled therebetween. Depressing the user-actuated member in a first longitudinal direction causes transverse movement of the conversion member, which in turn causes longitudinal retraction of the reverse charging member and the lancet carrier coupled thereto in a second longitudinal direction opposite the first direction, thereby charging a drive mechanism of the lancing device. In other embodiments, a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism provides the same push-to-pull functionality.

Abstract: The present specification provides an apparatus for supporting one or more monitors. The apparatus includes a base stand having one or more wheels for enabling movement of the apparatus; a first rigid frame having a top end and a bottom end attached with the base stand; a second extendable frame having a top end and a bottom end and telescopically movable within the first rigid frame; a monitor arm assembly removably coupled with the top end of the second frame and configured to receive a plurality of monitors. The apparatus is transformable from a first collapsed configuration for transport and storage into a second operational configuration by rotating or removing the monitor arm assembly and by moving the second extendable frame relative to the first rigid frame.

Abstract: A lancing device with a depth-adjustment mechanism including an adjustably-positioned stop surface, a movable control member operably coupled thereto, and a resiliently deflectable leg that engages the stop surface and a lancet carrier to provide a soft stop for the lancet carrier. The lancet carrier deflects the leg in a forward phase of the lancing stroke, and then the leg contacts the stop surface to stop the forward motion of the lancet carrier at an extended lancing position. The stop surface can be adjustably positioned so that different portions thereof are engaged to stop the lancet carrier at deeper or shallower positions. In example embodiments, the depth-adjustment mechanism includes a rotary dial and an extension arm of the leg, with the dial including a rotary wheel and a rotary shaft extending axially therefrom, the wheel forming the movable adjustment member, and the shaft forming the adjustably positioned stop surface.