Abstract: A device for controlling the collection and delivery of materials to a patient, the device has a dispenser-engaging portion, the dispenser-engaging portion being operable in a release position to receive a materials dispenser when the dispenser is in a materials-containing configuration, the dispenser-engaging portion being operable in a lock condition for locking the dispenser therewith, and access control means for controlling the release and lock positions according to a material transaction condition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery system, comprising dispensing means having an outlet for delivering one or more materials or one or more articles; dispensing control means for controlling the passage of the material or article through the outlet; first identification means operable for recording, emitting, carrying or associating first identity data to identify the dispensing means, or the material or article carried thereby; and permission control means operable to establish a predetermined condition of the dispensing control means when a corresponding predetermined relationship is established between the first identity data and second identity data of an associated entity.

Abstract: A syringe comprising a chamber and material transfer portion with a cavity in communication with an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The inlet portion includes an inlet valve means for controlling material flow therethrough, and the material transfer portion includes a control valve operable between a first position to control the inflow of material from the inlet portion to the material container portion, and a second position to control the flow of material from the chamber to the outlet portion, and the outlet portion includes a releasable lock means for allowing discharge the material through the outlet portion.

Abstract: A system for rapid manipulation and cutting that includes comprising a housing, a first cutting element, and a drive mechanism adapted to be mounted at least partly within the housing and connected to the first cutting element for imparting relative motion to the first cutting element as a combination of slicing and downward forces at the portion of the first cutting element which is adapted to contact the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve assembly comprising a male luer end portion and a female luer end portion and a passage for the transfer of fluids extending between the male and female luer end portions, valve means movable between a first position, in which the passage is closed, and a second position, in which the passage is open, biasing means for biasing the valve means toward the first position, and actuating means extending into the male luer end portion and coupled to the valve means to actuate the valve means when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is engaged with the male luer end portion.

Abstract: A non-luer apparatus for controlled flow of medical fluid materials for use as an adapter in a covered outlet of a medical fluid container, has a body with a hollow interior, a first open end adapted for attachment with the medical fluid container outlet, and a second open end adapted for fit with a medical accessory. The first open end also has a piercing portion for piercing the covered outlet. The second open end further includes an upstanding circumferential wall and associated retaining means for releasable attachment with the medical accessory. A fluid flow control means is disposed within the body to control the flow of medical fluid materials between the medical fluid container and the medical accessory where the fluid flow control means is motivated to open or close fluid communication when the medical accessory is attached or disengaged from the second open end.

Abstract: A syringe includes a releasable lock means for allowing discharge of a treated biological fluid sample to the patient in response to a release signal to the releasable lock means. The release signal is issued following a positive outcome from a verification process dependent upon temporal data from certain events in the collection, treatment and delivery of the biological fluid sample, and identity data of the patient and the syringe with the treated biological fluid.

Abstract: A vessel having a chamber for receiving an untreated material sample, a chamber inlet for releasably mounting a first syringe and establish a dedicated first fluid coupling therewith to dispense an untreated material sample to the chamber; a chamber outlet for releasably mounting a second syringe and establish a dedicated second fluid coupling with the chamber outlet to dispense a treated material sample following treatment to the second syringe; a gas inlet port coupled to an inlet conduit for carrying at least one gas into the chamber; a gas outlet port coupled to an outlet conduit for carrying at least one gas from the chamber, and a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A multi-port syringe with a fluid chamber in communication with an inlet valve assembly and an outlet valve assembly disposed intermediate the fluid chamber and the inlet valve assembly, the inlet valve assembly has an inlet valve member operable in an open position and a closed position, the inlet valve member being biased in a closed position by a resilient member. The outlet valve assembly has an outlet valve member operable between a closed position and an open position, and the outlet valve member is maintained in a closed position by a sealing member, and includes anchoring member engaging the outlet valve assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlled flow of medical fluid materials for use as an adapter in place of a septum in an outlet of a medical fluid container, has a body with a hollow interior, a first open end adapted for fluid tight fit with the outlet of the medical fluid container, and a second open end adapted for fit with a medical accessory. A fluid flow control means is disposed with the body for controlling the flow of medical fluid materials through the hollow interior between the medical fluid container and the medical accessory. The fluid flow control means comprises a valve member, a valve seat, and biasing means operating on the valve member to bias the valve member against the valve seat for fluid tight fit.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlled flow of fluid materials for use with medical accessories has a first housing with a body, a first open end, a second open end, and a hollow interior. The second end fits with a first medical accessory for flow of fluid materials from the first medical accessory. A fluid flow control means is disposed within the housing for controlling the flow of fluid materials through the hollow interior from the first medical accessory. The apparatus also has a second housing with an open end, a first open end, a hollow interior, and a second open end having an axial bore coaxial with the hollow interior of the first housing. The second end of the second housing fits with the first open end of the first housing. The first open end of the second housing fits with a second medical accessory, whereby the second medical accessory receives fluid materials from the first medical accessory by way of the hollow interior of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expandable stent comprising circumferentially adjacent modules. The modules comprise longitudinally adjacent slide-and-lock radial elements which permit one-way sliding of the radial elements from a collapsed diameter to an expanded/deployed diameter, but inhibit radial recoil from the expanded diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a syringe assembly for discharging gaseous materials from a syringe, comprising an elongate container with a plunger slidably and sealingly engaged therein to form a fluid material receiving cavity, the container further comprising an outlet for dispensing fluid materials from the cavity; the plunger including transfer means for transferring gas constituents from the cavity to a region outside the cavity.

Abstract: An intraluminal, balloon expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The present invention provides a lumen support stent with an unobstructed through-lumen for use in a blood vessel. A constraining mechanism is provided for securely maintaining the stent in the collapsed condition during delivery. The stent is preferably formed with a series of interconnected slide and lock mechanisms for permitting movement from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition and inhibiting radial recoil from the expanded condition. The stent may be formed from a shape memory alloy for providing crush-recovery after deployment.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for rapid placement of tubes within a body cavity that includes placing a compliant cannula over a probe tip of a cutting device until the probe tip extends beyond the cannula, incising the tissue covering body cavity to create an opening therein, inserting the probe tip of the cutting device until the cannula placed thereon extends into the incision, removing the probe tip while leaving the cannula inserted within the incision, introducing a distal end or tip of a tube into the cannula a predetermined distance, and removing the cannula over the tube while retaining the tube in position within the body cavity. The device includes a sealing portion which attaches to the body without sutures and having an opening therethrough, and a tube which passes through the opening of the seal and mates thereto without sutures.

Abstract: A medical delivery device comprising an elongate body having a plunger slidably and sealingly engaged to form a cavity to receive fluid materials and a first outlet disposed at an end of said body and has a male luer end portion and a valve assembly is disposed within the first outlet. The valve assembly has a valve means movable between an open position and a closed position and biasing means for biasing the valve means to a closed position. Actuating means are disposed within the male luer end portion and coupled to the valve means such that the valve means is movable to an open position when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is coupled with the male luer end portion. A second outlet is disposed at the same end as the first outlet for controlling the exchange of gases from the environment to said cavity under the action of the plunger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for the collection, treatment and delivery of an autologous blood sample, comprising a first syringe having a first body portion. A first sample transfer portion has a first syringe inlet for drawing an untreated blood sample from a patient and a first syringe outlet for dispensing the untreated blood sample. A blood sample treatment chamber having a chamber inlet, the first syringe outlet being operable to establish a dedicated first fluid coupling with the chamber inlet to dispense the untreated blood sample to the blood sample treatment chamber. The blood sample treatment chamber having a chamber outlet for dispensing a treated blood sample following treatment. The second syringe has a second body portion and a second sample transfer portion, the second sample transfer portion having a passage with a first access location which is operable to form a dedicated second fluid coupling with the chamber outlet.

Abstract: A medical treatment process and system, in which a patient fluid is subjected to extracorporeal handling and treatment prior to administration to the patient, is provided. The system includes two or more treatment units which successively handle the fluid, and a token associated with the patient. The token includes a patient identification and, as the treatment proceeds, more information is added to the token as the fluid moves around the system until the token contains a record of the treatment conducted on the sample, the times of various treatments, and a verification that treatment has been conducted in accordance with pre-determined criteria. The token, provided it contains information verifying the identity of the patient and treatment according to specification, allows administration of the treated fluid to the patient and provides an audit record of the treatment.

Abstract: A dendritic web solar cell shingled array comprises at least two dendritic web solar cells. A first cell overlaps a portion of a second cell such that a back contact of the first cells interconnects with a top contact of the second cell. The cells are less than 150 microns thick, allowing a direct connection between the back contact and top contact of the two cells without the use of a visible busbar. The cells may be shingled together using soldering material and/or electrically conductive adhesives.

Abstract: A durable tympanic thermometer that resists damage from a drop comprises an IR thermometer probe having a reinforced speculum for reception within a human ear near the tympanum, a metal brick holding the probe to the body of the infrared thermometer, a barrel within the speculum acting as an infrared waveguide, an insulating and shock absorbing seal surrounding the barrel, a window within the barrel remote from the end of the speculum nearest the tympanum, a thermometer housing, an infrared responsive sensor, and electrical components to translate and display a sensor-generated signal into a visible temperature reading.