Abstract: Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance, an inner surface of the vial being shaped to define a protrusion therefrom. A stopper within the vial is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. The protrusion impedes rotation of the second threaded element with respect to the vial. The distal end of the second threaded element remains proximal to a distal end of the stopper during rotation of the first threaded element. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A pen injector includes a vial cartridge and a generally tubular body that surrounds the vial cartridge. A needle shield assembly is removably mounted to a mounting end of the body and includes a hollow needle that has a tip for injecting into a patient. A needle hub at least partially surrounds the hollow needle and a slideable sleeve is slideably mounted on the needle hub. The needle hub has an outer surface which deflects the slideable sleeve as the slideable sleeve slides toward a receiving end of the needle hub and into a retracted position. The slideable sleeve bears resiliently on the outer surface of the needle hub during sliding movement of the slideable sleeve relative to the needle hub toward the retracted position such that a restoring force is generated for urging the slideable sleeve to move toward an injection end of the needle hub and into an extended position in which the tip of the needle is located completely inside of the slideable sleeve.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging system for transporting a plurality of medical containers including a tray that supports the medical containers and an air impervious flexible film defining an internal cavity. The air impervious flexible film completely surrounds the tray and the medical containers. The internal cavity is evacuated to a predetermined vacuum level below atmospheric pressure. A method for packaging the plurality of medical containers for transportation in the tray includes inserting the medical containers into the tray, inserting the tray filled with medical containers into the internal cavity, evacuating the internal cavity to a predetermined vacuum pressure and sealing the flexible film such that the predetermined vacuum pressure is generally maintained in the internal cavity.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide for a syringe cartridge system that can be used in combination with multiple couplings and injection systems. The syringe cartridge system can be provided in a vacuum packaging assembly configuration. Alternatively, the syringe cartridge system can be provided with a coupler attached to a safety device, a hypodermic needle, or a Luer adaptor. The syringe cartridge system can also be used in combination with an automatic injector.

Abstract: A tip cap for a syringe that limits contact between the syringe and a needle tip, wherein the needle tip penetrates the tip cap to one of dispense medication out of the syringe and draw medication into of the syringe. The syringe includes a luer cone extending from a barrel of the syringe. The tip cap includes a penetration wall and a generally cylindrical sleeve extending generally perpendicularly from the penetration wall adjacent a periphery of the penetration wall. The cylindrical sleeve includes a radially, inwardly extending locating shoulder on an inner surface that is positioned a predetermined distance from the penetration wall. The locating shoulder engages an end of the luer cone in an operating position. The penetration wall, cylindrical sleeve and luer cone define a receiving space within which the needle tip is positionable.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging system for transporting a plurality of medical containers including a tray that supports the medical containers and an air impervious flexible film defining an internal cavity. The air impervious flexible film completely surrounds the tray and the medical containers. The internal cavity is evacuated to a predetermined vacuum level below atmospheric pressure. A method for packaging the plurality of medical containers for transportation in the tray includes inserting the medical containers into the tray, inserting the tray filled with medical containers into the internal cavity, evacuating the internal cavity to a predetermined vacuum pressure and sealing the flexible film such that the predetermined vacuum pressure is generally maintained in the internal cavity.

Abstract: A syringe safety device configured to form a fluid coupling between a sealed vial and a syringe having a barrel for receiving fluid and a luer cone extending from the barrel for dispensing the fluid therethrough. The luer cone has a distal end with a syringe orifice therethrough. A connector includes a vial end and a syringe end. The syringe is removably mountable to the syringe end and the vial is mountable to the vial end. A tip cap is removably mounted to the luer cone of the syringe. The tip cap and the distal end define an open receiving space therebetween. A needle is removably mounted to the connector. The needle includes a needle tip facing toward the syringe in an assembled configuration. The needle tip is positioned in the receiving space when the connector and syringe are positioned in an engaged position.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging system for transporting a plurality of medical containers including a tray that supports the medical containers and an air impervious flexible film defining an internal cavity. The air impervious flexible film completely surrounds the tray and the medical containers. The internal cavity is evacuated to a predetermined vacuum level below atmospheric pressure. A method for packaging the plurality of medical containers for transportation in the tray includes inserting the medical containers into the tray, inserting the tray filled with medical containers into the internal cavity, evacuating the internal cavity to a predetermined vacuum pressure and sealing the flexible film such that the predetermined vacuum pressure is generally maintained in the internal cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination container for holding sterilized elements and a sterilizable transfer port for transferring the sterilized elements into an isolation system having a wall. The container includes a flexible bag defining a cavity containing a plurality of the sterilized elements. The container also includes a collar which has an interior surface defining a bore extending through the collar. The bag is secured to the collar with the opening in registry with the bore. A removable seal is movable between a first position where the seal initially extends across the bore to prevent elements from being removed from the cavity and to maintain the sterility of the elements and a second position where the seal is moved from the first position to access the cavity such that the elements are removable from the cavity through the opening and the bore.