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 The cannula may be retained in the patient at an injection site created by the needle after the needle is withdrawn from the patient.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: A controlled delivery drive mechanism includes a drive housing, a piston, and a biasing member initially retained in an energized state and is configured to bear upon an interface surface of the piston. The piston is configured to translate a plunger seal and a barrel. A tether is connected between the piston and the winch drum to restrain the free expansion of the biasing member and the free axial translation of the piston upon which the biasing member bears upon. The drive mechanism may further include a gear assembly having a motor configured to drive the gear assembly to release the tether from the winch drum. The metering of the tether by the motor controls the rate or profile of drug delivery to a user. A drug delivery pump includes such a controlled delivery drive mechanism. A control system may be utilized to control the desired drug delivery rate/profile.

Abstract: An insertion mechanism (200) for a drug pump (10, 1300) includes an insertion mechanism (200) housing (202, 1202, 2202, 3202); a sleeve (220, 1220, 2220, 3220); a rotational biasing member (210, 1210, 2210, 3210) initially held in an energized state; a retraction biasing member (216, 1216, 2216, 3216) and a hub (212, 1212, 2212, 3212) connected to a proximal end of a needle (214, 1214, 2214, 3214), wherein the retraction biasing member (216, 1216, 2216, 3216) is held initially in an energized state between the hub (212, 1212, 2212, 3212) and the sleeve (220, 1220, 2220, 3220). The needle (214, 1214, 2214, 3214) is inserted into a target tissue by the rotational biasing member (210, 1210, 2210, 3210) and interaction between the hub (212, 1212, 2212, 3212) and housing (202, 1202, 2202, 3202). Retraction of the needle (214, 1214, 2214, 3214) is caused by decompressing or de-energizing of the retraction biasing member (216, 1216, 2216, 3216).

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 drive mechanism includes a housing, a piston adapted to impart movement to a plunger seal within a drug container, a plurality of biasing members disposed in parallel, and a retainer. The biasing members are disposed to release energy to cause movement of the piston from a retracted first position to the extended second position, the piston bearing against the plunger seal to dispense medicine. The retainer is disposed to maintain the biasing members in the energized position and to release the biasing members to permit the piston to dispense the medicine. The drive mechanism may also include an end-of-dose indicator to identify at least one of when the sleeve assembly is disposed subjacent a window in the housing the relative motion of the sleeve assembly with reference to the window or another reference component, the stoppage of such motion, and the rated or change of rate of motion.

Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a housing, a piston adapted to impart movement to a plunger seal within a drug container, a plurality of biasing members disposed in parallel, and a retainer. The biasing members are disposed to release energy to cause movement of the piston from a retracted first position to the extended second position, the piston bearing against the plunger seal to dispense medicine. The retainer is disposed to maintain the biasing members in the energized position and to release the biasing members to permit the piston to dispense the medicine. The drive mechanism may also include an end-of-dose indicator to identify at least one of when the sleeve assembly is disposed subjacent a window in the housing, the relative motion of the sleeve assembly with reference to the window or another reference component, the stoppage of such motion, and the rated or change of rate of motion.

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 controlled delivery drive mechanism includes a drive housing, a piston, and a biasing member initially retained in an energized state and is configured to bear upon an interface surface of the piston. The piston is configured to translate a plunger seal and a barrel. A tether is connected between the piston and the winch drum to restrain the free expansion of the biasing member and the free axial translation of the piston upon which the biasing member bears upon. The drive mechanism may further include a gear assembly having a motor configured to drive the gear assembly to release the tether from the winch drum. The metering of the tether by the motor controls the rate or profile of drug delivery to a user. A drug delivery pump includes such a controlled delivery drive mechanism. A control system may be utilized to control the desired drug delivery rate/profile.

Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a housing, a piston adapted to impart movement to a plunger seal within a drug container, a plurality of biasing members disposed in parallel, and a retainer. The biasing members are disposed to release energy to cause movement of the piston from a retracted first position to the extended second position, the piston bearing against the plunger seal to dispense medicine. The retainer is disposed to maintain the biasing members in the energized position and to release the biasing members to permit the piston to dispense the medicine. The drive mechanism may also include an end-of-dose indicator to identify at least one of when the sleeve assembly is disposed subjacent a window in the housing, the relative motion of the sleeve assembly with reference to the window or another reference component, the stoppage of such motion, and the rated or change of rate of motion.

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: An image forming apparatus includes a reference surface that is partitioned into an array of chambers; an image forming head for forming an image on a media; and a source of negative pressure. The array of chambers is in fluid communication with the source of negative pressure. An overprint trough is positioned neighboring the array of chambers. The overprint trough includes a side wall with a plurality of vent holes to direct airborne ink mist produced by the image forming head away from a back side of the media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a reference surface that is partitioned into an array of chambers, a source of negative pressure, and a cutting zone. The array of chambers is in fluid communication with the source of negative pressure. The cutting zone includes a cutting tool disposed to permit cutting of media. A set of chambers is spaced apart from the array of chambers by the cutting zone. The set of chambers is in fluid communication with a source of negative pressure.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reference surface that is partitioned into an array of chambers; an image forming head for forming an image on a media; and a source of negative pressure. The array of chambers is in fluid communication with the source of negative pressure. An overprint trough is positioned neighboring the array of chambers. The overprint trough includes a side wall with a plurality of vent holes to direct airborne ink mist produced by the image forming head away from a back side of the media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a source of negative pressure; a platen including a plurality of chambers that are connected to the source of negative pressure; and a media sensing system configured to sense an extent of overlay of media over the plurality of chambers of the platen. A controller is responsive to input from the media sensing system. The controller is configured to adjust the source of negative pressure depending on the extent of overlay of media over the plurality of chambers of the platen.

Abstract: An ink container for an ink jet printer adapted to supply ink via a tube to an ink jet cartridge. The cartridge includes a bottle, a cap engaging the bottle to form an ink containing cavity, an ink exit channel from the ink containing cavity through the cap, an air inlet channel through the cap into the ink containing cavity, and an air entrance opening from the air inlet channel into the ink containing cavity. The air entrance opening has a perimeter to area ratio that is greater than 2/R where R is the equivalent radius of the air entrance opening. This perimeter to area ratio (or shape factor) allows for easy formation and break off of bubbles at the air inlet channel. If such bubbles remain attached to the air inlet opening they can prevent some of the ink in the container from flowing therefrom for printing.

Abstract: A column of ink ejection nozzles on an ink jet print head is arranged in a plurality of sub-columns. The number of sub-columns and the assignment of nozzles to the sub-columns is selected to reduce cross-talk between nozzles, to prevent overlap of ejection pulses between sub-columns, and to minimize the complexity of the electronics required to actuate the ink ejection nozzles for droplet deposition.

Abstract: An ink delivery system and method for continuously replenishing ink to a printhead cartridge is described. A primary ink reservoir is connected to a vented intermediate tank using a hollow needle that pierces a septum in the primary ink reservoir. The intermediate ink tank is connected via tubing to a print ink container in the printhead cartridge. Ink is gravity fed from the primary ink reservoir to the intermediate ink tank. When the primary reservoir is empty, the ink level in the intermediate tank will drop. The level of ink in the intermediate tank is monitored with level sensors that provide a signal indicating when the primary reservoir needs to be replaced. An operator can replace the primary reservoir without suspending printer operations because the intermediate ink tank provides the required volume of ink at the back pressure needed by the printhead cartridges.

Abstract: A column of ink ejection nozzles on an ink jet print head is arranged in a plurality of sub-columns. The number of sub-columns and the assignment of nozzles to the sub-columns is selected to reduce cross-talk between nozzles, to prevent overlap of ejection pulses between sub-columns, and to minimize the complexity of the electronics required to actuate the ink ejection nozzles for droplet deposition.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a faulty piezoelectrically actuated ink ejector includes the piezoelectric element with an input signal, and sensing a response of the piezoelectric element to the input signal. Phase relationships and frequency dependent impedances may be analyzed and used to detect faulty ink ejectors. The detection circuit may include processing in the digital domain.