Abstract: A bolus delivery device is provided that comprises a housing and a reservoir defined by an activation dome and a reservoir seat and disposed within the housing for receipt of a volume of a fluid. The bolus delivery device further comprises a bladder disposed in the housing that is in fluid communication with the reservoir for receipt of the fluid from the reservoir; an actuator; an inlet conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir for providing the fluid to the reservoir; and an outlet conduit in fluid communication with the bladder for providing the fluid to a patient. The actuator is in operative communication with the reservoir to initiate a flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the bladder. The bladder expands as the bladder receives the fluid and contracts as the bladder dispenses the fluid. An infusion assembly including a bolus delivery device also is provided.

Abstract: Indicators for indicating the integrity of a seal of a sterilization container are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in one state and displays a first indicium, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in another state and displays a second indicium. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, such that the user may be assured that the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility of the articles post-sterilization. Further, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state if the seal is subsequently broken, to signal to the user that the seal and the sterility of the container interior has been compromised.

Abstract: A needle assembly for use with an ultrasound imaging system includes a needle having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is adapted to be inserted into a patient. The needle assembly also includes a transducer mounted to an exterior surface of the needle at the distal end. Further, the needle assembly includes a flexible printed circuit board mounted on the exterior surface of the needle from the proximal end to the distal end. As such, the flexible printed circuit board electrically connects the transducer to a power source.

Abstract: A bolus delivery device is provided that comprises a housing and a reservoir defined by an activation dome and a reservoir seat and disposed within the housing for receipt of a volume of a fluid. The bolus delivery device further comprises a bladder disposed in the housing that is in fluid communication with the reservoir for receipt of the fluid from the reservoir; an actuator; an inlet conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir for providing the fluid to the reservoir; and an outlet conduit in fluid communication with the bladder for providing the fluid to a patient. The actuator is in operative communication with the reservoir to initiate a flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the bladder. The bladder expands as the bladder receives the fluid and contracts as the bladder dispenses the fluid. An infusion assembly including a bolus delivery device also is provided.

Abstract: A bolus delivery device is provided that comprises a housing and a reservoir defined by an activation dome and a reservoir seat and disposed within the housing for receipt of a volume of a fluid. The bolus delivery device further comprises a bladder disposed in the housing that is in fluid communication with the reservoir for receipt of the fluid from the reservoir; an actuator; an inlet conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir for providing the fluid to the reservoir; and an outlet conduit in fluid communication with the bladder for providing the fluid to a patient. The actuator is in operative communication with the reservoir to initiate a flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the bladder. The bladder expands as the bladder receives the fluid and contracts as the bladder dispenses the fluid. An infusion assembly including a bolus delivery device also is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for signaling a condition of an infusion assembly. A system may comprise an elastomeric pump that includes a chamber for receipt of a volume of fluid, an outer layer configured to expand and contract as the chamber receives and dispenses fluid, and a passive indicator provided on the outer layer for signaling a change in the volume of fluid in the chamber. The system further may comprise an image capture device configured to capture an image of the pump, and a processing system configured to process the image to signal the condition of the infusion assembly to a user of the system. A method may comprise capturing an image of a pump; processing the image; and displaying information to a user of the pump to communicate the condition of the pump to the user. Elastomeric pumps for infusion assemblies also are provided.

Abstract: A needle assembly for use with an ultrasound imaging system includes a needle having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is adapted to be inserted into a patient. The needle assembly also includes a transducer mounted to an exterior surface of the needle at the distal end. Further, the needle assembly includes a flexible printed circuit board mounted on the exterior surface of the needle from the proximal end to the distal end. As such, the flexible printed circuit board electrically connects the transducer to a power source.

Abstract: A bolus delivery device is provided that comprises a housing and a reservoir defined by an activation dome and a reservoir seat and disposed within the housing for receipt of a volume of a fluid. The bolus delivery device further comprises a bladder disposed in the housing that is in fluid communication with the reservoir for receipt of the fluid from the reservoir; an actuator; an inlet conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir for providing the fluid to the reservoir; and an outlet conduit in fluid communication with the bladder for providing the fluid to a patient. The actuator is in operative communication with the reservoir to initiate a flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the bladder. The bladder expands as the bladder receives the fluid and contracts as the bladder dispenses the fluid. An infusion assembly including a bolus delivery device also is provided.

Abstract: Indicators for indicating the integrity of a seal of a sterilization container are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in one state and displays a first indicium, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in another state and displays a second indicium. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, such that the user may be assured that the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility of the articles post-sterilization. Further, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state if the seal is subsequently broken, to signal to the user that the seal and the sterility of the container interior has been compromised.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for echogenically enhancing a target site within a patient during a medical procedure. The system includes an imaging system having a display for viewing the target site, a plurality of metallic particles configured to selectively target and bind to one or more locations at the target site, and a delivery mechanism for delivering the plurality of metallic particles into the patient towards the target site. As such, the method includes delivering, via the delivery mechanism, the plurality of metallic particles into the patient and allowing the metallic particles to selectively target and bind to the target site. The method also includes viewing, via a display of an imaging system, the target site with the plurality of metallic particles bound thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for signaling a condition of an infusion assembly. A system may comprise an elastomeric pump that includes a chamber for receipt of a volume of fluid, an outer layer configured to expand and contract as the chamber receives and dispenses fluid, and a passive indicator provided on the outer layer for signaling a change in the volume of fluid in the chamber. The system further may comprise an image capture device configured to capture an image of the pump, and a processing system configured to process the image to signal the condition of the infusion assembly to a user of the system. A method may comprise capturing an image of a pump; processing the image; and displaying information to a user of the pump to communicate the condition of the pump to the user. Elastomeric pumps for infusion assemblies also are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an ultrasound imaging system for generating 3D images. The system includes an ultrasound probe having a transducer housing and a transducer transmitter. The housing has a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis. The distal end includes an internal cavity that extends, at least, from a first side to a second side along a lateral axis of the housing. The transmitter is mounted to the first and second sides within the cavity and is configured to rotate about the lateral axis for scanning of an ultrasound beam. Thus, during operation, the transmitter is free to rotate in a clockwise direction and/or a counter-clockwise direction about the lateral axis so as to continuously scan two-dimensional (2D) images. The system may also include a controller configured to receive and organize the 2D images in real-time and generate a 3D image based on the 2D images.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an ultrasound imaging system with an integrated needle advancer. More specifically, the ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe having a transducer housing, a transducer transmitter, a needle assembly, and a controller. The transducer housing has a body that defines an internal cavity. The internal cavity includes a passageway extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the body. The needle assembly is configured within the passageway of the internal cavity. The transducer transmitter is configured within the distal end of the body. Further, the transducer transmitter is configured to emit and receive ultrasound beams. Thus, the controller is configured to generate an image from the ultrasound beams.