Abstract: According to a general aspect, an insertion device can include an elongate barrel having an opening defined in a distal end; a lumen defined within the elongate barrel, the lumen being accessible through the opening; and an obturator disposed within the lumen of the elongate barrel. The obturator can be movable within the lumen between a proximal position in the elongate barrel and a distal position in the elongate barrel. The obturator, in its distal position in the elongate barrel, can be configured to receive a needle via the opening. The obturator, in its proximal position in the elongate barrel, can be configured to secure the needle within the elongate barrel.

Abstract: According to a general aspect, an insertion device can include an elongate barrel having an opening defined in a distal end; a lumen defined within the elongate barrel, the lumen being accessible through the opening; and an obturator disposed within the lumen of the elongate barrel. The obturator can be movable within the lumen between a proximal position in the elongate barrel and a distal position in the elongate barrel. The obturator, in its distal position in the elongate barrel, can be configured to receive a needle via the opening. The obturator, in its proximal position in the elongate barrel, can be configured to secure the needle within the elongate barrel.

Abstract: According to a general aspect, an insertion device can include an elongate barrel having an opening defined in a distal end; a lumen defined within the elongate barrel, the lumen being accessible through the opening; and an obturator disposed within the lumen of the elongate barrel. The obturator can be movable within the lumen between a proximal position in the elongate barrel and a distal position in the elongate barrel. The obturator, in its distal position in the elongate barrel, can be configured to receive a needle via the opening. The obturator, in its proximal position in the elongate barrel, can be configured to secure the needle within the elongate barrel.

Abstract: A programmable apparatus and method are provided for processing multiple routines so as to realize different timing resolutions. The apparatus includes a programmable timer device equipped with instruction memory for storing programmed instructions and programmable memory for storing a plurality of program counter entries, each dedicated to a corresponding routine. A plurality of program loops are provided, each of which includes a selected number of program counter entries. One entry from each of the program loops is sequentially selected and a corresponding instruction is executed. The number of entries dedicated to each program loop, or subloop, is selected so that different routines may realize different timing resolutions. Furthermore, program subloop entries could be repeated one or more times within a given loop to further improve (make finer) the timing resolution.