Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.

Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.

Abstract: Dry powder inhaler systems for pulmonary delivery of pharmaceuticals are disclosed. The dry powder inhalation systems comprise a dry powder inhalation device or inhaler and a cartridge containing a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an active ingredient for delivery to the pulmonary circulation. The present devices provide rugged devices which are reusable, use pre-metered unit dose cartridges which deliver a medicament in a liner manner, and can be disassembled for cleaning. The devices also provide a high resistance inhalation system which enables deagglomeration of dry powder particles, have a consistent airflow, are easy to manufacture and are simple and relatively easy to use.

Abstract: A fluid conduit connector assembly includes a connector having a body with an inner surface defining a fluid channel. The connector also includes an inlet region for flow of fluid into the fluid channel, and an outlet region for flow of fluid from the fluid channel. The connector further includes an axial alignment member outward of the body, and a pair of flexible tabs arranged generally circumferentially of the alignment member and outward of the body. The connector can be configured as a day-side connector, transfer member with check valve, and/or patient-side connector. An implementation includes a day-side connector, a patient-side connector, and a transfer member, each of which has a pair of flexible tabs. The pairs of tabs are configured such that the transfer member releasably couples the day-side and patient-side connectors. A method for aseptically connecting a fluid conduit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for a patch-like, self-contained substance infusion device which provides one or more substantially hidden patient needles which can be placed in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir subassembly that includes a rigid bladder portion used in conjunction with a non-distensible bladder film, such as a metallized film. Simple removal of an interlock allows a disk, or Belleville spring assembly to apply an essentially even and constant pressure to the contents of the fluid reservoir assembly, and allows the device to then be attached to a skin surface via an adhesive contact surface. A push button activation assembly is provided which can then be used to release and seat one or more spring-loaded patient needles into the skin surface, and establish a fluid communication path between the patient needles and the pressurized fluid reservoir contents thereby delivering an infusion into the skin.

Abstract: A blunting device for use with a hollow needle having an exit end with a sharp edge for penetrating a body. The blunting device having a coupler for connection to, or is coupled to, an insert device whereby upon removal from, or insertion depending upon the specific insert device, the needle is blunted. The blunting device is also capable of operation with a hollow needle that has not been modified to specifically receive the blunting device.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes a needle component (10) and a blunting component (26), the needle component (10) containing a needle cannula (12) mounted in a housing (16) which defines a fluid chamber such as a fluid chamber (20). The blunting component (26) contains a non-perforated, open-ended blunting probe (28) mounted in a shuttle (30). The needle cannula (12) and the blunting probe (28) are disposed telescopically one within the other without obstructing flow through the needle passageway, and are movable between a sharpened configuration and a blunted configuration. The blunting member (26) is configured to permit the open end of the blunting probe (28) to provide flow access to the fluid chamber (20) in the housing (16).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a blood collection system comprising a blood collection tube, a tube holder, and a self-blunting blood collection needle. A blunting member is deployed upon withdrawal of a blood collection tube from the tube holder, to blunt the needle and so safeguard the patient and the technician from inadvertent needle sticks. The blunting member is retracted to re-sharpen the needle when a subsequent collection tube is inserted into the holder. The mechanism effects blunting and re-sharpening of the needle without requiring that the technician manipulate the mechanism in a manner different from that of conventional, non-blunting blood collection needles. Four types of mechanisms are disclosed: a rack and pinion mechanism; a cylindrical cam mechanism; lever mechanisms and a reversing strap mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for a patch-like, self-contained substance infusion device which provides one or more substantially hidden patient needles which can be placed in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir subassembly that includes a rigid bladder portion used in conjunction with a non-distensible bladder film, such as a metallized film. Simple removal of an interlock allows a disk, or Belleville spring assembly to apply an essentially even and constant pressure to the contents of the fluid reservoir assembly, and allows the device to then be attached to a skin surface via an adhesive contact surface. A push button activation assembly is provided which can then be used to release and seat one or more spring-loaded patient needles into the skin surface, and establish a fluid communication path between the patient needles and the pressurized fluid reservoir contents thereby delivering an infusion into the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blood collection system comprising a blood collection tube, a tube holder, and a self-blunting blood collection needle. A blunting member is deployed upon withdrawal of a blood collection tube from the tube holder, to blunt the needle and so safeguard the patient and the technician from inadvertent needle sticks. The blunting member is retracted to re-sharpen the needle when a subsequent collection tube is inserted into the holder. The mechanism effects blunting and re-sharpening of the needle with requiring that the technician manipulate the mechanism in a manner different from that of conventional, non-blunting blood collection needles. Four types of mechanisms are disclosed: a rack and pinion mechanism; a cylindrical cam mechanism; lever mechanisms and a reversing strap mechanism.

Abstract: A novel self-blunting needle apparatus (10d) employs a blunting member (70) and a needle (12). The blunting member (70) may be disposed within the needle (12) and may be adapted for fluid flow therethrough. The needle (12) may then be inserted into a patient's tissue and the blunting member (70) may be extended to blunt the apparatus. In other embodiments, e.g., apparatus (10), a driver (76) may be employed to move the blunting member (70) without obstructing fluid flow. There may be a locking spline (58) and cam channel (30) configuration to prevent backward motion of the blunting member (70) in various embodiments. A hollow body (22) is configured to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: A novel self-blunting needle apparatus (10d) employs a blunting member (70) and a needle (12). The blunting member (70) may be disposed within the needle (12) and may be adapted for fluid flow therethrough. The needle (12) may then be inserted into a patient's tissue and the blunting member (70) may be extended to blunt the apparatus. In other embodiments, e.g., apparatus (10), a driver (76) may be employed to move the blunting member (70) without obstructing fluid flow. There may be a locking spline (58) and cam channel (30) configuration to prevent backward motion of the blunting member (70) in various embodiments. A hollow body (22) is configured to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes a needle member (10) and a blunting member (26), the needle member (10) containing a needle cannula (12), the needle cannula (12) having a puncture tip (14) and having a needle passageway therethrough. The blunting member (26) contains a blunting probe (28) having a blunt end (28a). The needle cannula (12) and the blunting probe (28) are disposed telescopically one within the other without obstructing flow through the needle passageway, and are movable between a sharpened configuration in which the puncture tip (14) of the needle cannula (12) is exposed and a blunted configuration in which the blunt end (28a) of the blunting probe (28) extends beyond the puncture tip (14) to blunt the needle assembly. The assembly may be combined with an accessory device (such as a catheter hub, guide wire, etc.) to produce an apparatus that is lockable in a blunted configuration and that can be released by the associated accessory, or may be configured to be released by manual manipulation.

Abstract: A blunting device for use with a hollow needle having an exit end with a sharp edge for penetrating a body. The blunting device having a coupler for connection to, or is coupled to, an insert device whereby upon removal from, or insertion depending upon the specific insert device, the needle is blunted. The blunting device is also capable of operation with a hollow needle that has not been modified to specifically receive the blunting device.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes a needle component (10) and a blunting component (26), the needle component (10) containing a needle cannula (12) mounted in a housing (16) which defines a fluid chamber such as a fluid chamber (20). The blunting component (26) contains a non-perforated, open-ended blunting probe (28) mounted in a shuttle (30). The needle cannula (12) and the blunting probe (28) are disposed telescopically one within the other without obstructing flow through the needle passageway, and are movable between a sharpened configuration and a blunted configuration. The blunting member (26) is configured to permit the open end of the blunting probe (28) to provide flow access to the fluid chamber (20) in the housing (16).

Abstract: A needle assembly includes a needle member (10) and a blunting member (26), the needle member (10) containing a needle cannula (12), the needle cannula (12) having a puncture tip (14) and having a needle passageway therethrough. The blunting member (26) contains a blunting probe (28) having a blunt end (28a). The needle cannula (12) and the blunting probe (28) are disposed telescopically one within the other without obstructing flow through the needle passageway, and are movable between a sharpened configuration in which the puncture tip (14) of the needle cannula (12) is exposed and a blunted configuration in which the blunt end (28a) of the blunting probe (28) extends beyond the puncture tip (14) to blunt the needle assembly. The assembly may be combined with an accessory device (such as a catheter hub, guide wire, etc.) to produce an apparatus that is lockable in a blunted configuration and that can be released by the associated accessory, or may be configured to be released by manual manipulation.

Abstract: A self-blunting needle medical device comprises a needle cannula (18) fixed to a hub (20) having a receiving structure therein such as ferrule (22) and a movable blunting member (14) movably received within the cannula (18). Ferrule (22) defines a passage (38) extending therethrough, within which both the cannula (18) and the movable member (14) can be received and which establishes a coaxial relationship between them. The ferrule (22) defines a first guide surface (40) for directing the blunting end (14a) of the movable member (14) into the central bore of the cannula (18) during assembly. A second guide surface (42) performs the function of guiding the mounting end (18b) of the cannula (18) into ferrule (22) for mounting therein. Typically, the cannula (18) has a tissue puncture tip (18a). When the movable member (14) is retracted into the cannula (18), the puncture tip (18a) is exposed for use, e.g., injection into tissue.