Abstract: An injection device includes a dispensing chamber, a plunger, a controller, a temperature control device, and a memory device. The dispensing chamber has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a cavity for receiving a quantity of a substance. The plunger is engaged with the inner surface of the dispensing chamber, is capable of sliding in the cavity of the dispensing chamber, and is fluidly sealed to the inner surface of the dispensing chamber. The controller controls the operation of the injection device. The temperature control device at least partially surrounds the dispensing chamber. The memory device has a parameter stored on it. The controller uses the parameter from the memory device to operate the injection device.

Abstract: A keyed safety system for an injection device that has a safety cap and a receptacle. The safety cap has a generally hollow body for receiving the needle end of an injection device. An orientation mechanism is disposed on the outer surface of the safety cap, a retention mechanism is disposed on the outer surface of the safety cap, and a shroud extends from the safety cap. The receptacle has a cavity for receiving the safety cap. A complimentary orientation mechanism is disposed on a surface of the cavity, and a complimentary retention mechanism is disposed on the surface of the cavity. The orientation mechanism on the safety cap is configured to engage the complimentary orientation mechanism on the cavity so that the safety cap fits into the cavity in a single orientation. The retention mechanism on the safety cap is configured to engage the complimentary retention mechanism on the cavity so that the safety cap is prevented from rotating in the cavity.

Abstract: A dispensing chamber assembly has a dispensing chamber housing, a plunger, and a level sensor. The dispensing chamber housing at least partially surrounds a dispensing chamber that holds a quantity of a substance. The plunger is fluidly sealed to the inner surface of the dispensing chamber housing. The level sensor detects when the dispensing chamber is substantially full.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly has a glass tube assembly, a chamber housing, a needle, and a temperature control device. The glass tube assembly includes a glass tube with inner and outer surfaces and distal and proximal ends. A plunger is fluidly sealed to the inner surface of the glass tube at the proximal end, and a seal is located at the distal end of the glass tube. The chamber housing has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface partially defines a chamber for receiving the glass tube assembly. The needle has sharp distal and proximal ends, traverses the chamber housing, and is fluidly coupled to the chamber. The temperature control device at least partially surrounds the chamber housing. The proximal end of the needle is arranged to puncture the seal when the glass tube assembly is pressed against the proximal end of the needle.

Abstract: An improved consumable for use in a fluid/gas exchange in vitreoretinal surgery. The consumable includes a syringe having a barrel with a first opening for receiving a retinal tamponading gas, a stopper slidably disposed within and fluidly sealed to the barrel, a plug assembly, and a plunger. The stopper has a relief valve for venting air and retinal tamponading gas to atmosphere via a hollow bore in the plunger.

Abstract: A method of injecting a mixture into an eye includes: providing the mixture in a dispensing chamber with an air gap located between the mixture and an interior surface of a dispensing chamber housing, when the mixture and dispensing chamber housing are near room temperature; bringing the dispensing chamber housing and mixture to a temperature range at which the mixture expands and is in a more liquid state; maintaining air in a needle after the mixture expands and prior to an injection; and injecting the air in the needle and the mixture into the eye.

Abstract: A method of injecting a mixture into an eye includes: providing the mixture in a dispensing chamber with an air gap located between the mixture and an interior surface of a dispensing chamber housing, when the mixture and dispensing chamber housing are near room temperature; bringing the dispensing chamber housing and mixture to a temperature range, other than near room temperature, at which the mixture expands and is in a more liquid state; maintaining air in a needle after the mixture expands and prior to an injection; selecting a drug release rate; and injecting the mixture so as to form a shape with a surface area that results in the selected drug release rate.

Abstract: An ophthalmic injection device includes a dispensing chamber housing with an inner surface that partially defines a dispensing chamber for holding a substance, a plunger fluidly sealed to the interior surface of the dispensing chamber housing, and a needle fluidly coupled to the dispensing chamber. A temperature control device partially surrounds the dispensing chamber housing and alters a temperature of the substance. A piston is coupled to the plunger at one end and to a spring at the other end. The spring provides a force to drive the piston and the plunger. An actuator is coupled to the lockout bar with which a button is configured to interface. The actuator moves the lockout bar when the substance reaches a temperature, thereby allowing the button to be activated so that the spring provides the force to drive the plunger. An incorporated stop whose measurements may vary allow the expelled dosage to vary accordingly.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle for delivering a bolus of a pharmaceutically active agent to the posterior chamber of the eye having a lancet disposed at the distal tip and a lumen disposed along a longitudinal axis within. The lancet may be formed by an angled linear cut coming to a point at the distal tip of the needle, or an arc-shaped cut beginning at the needle tip parallel to the longitudinal axis and gradually arcing upward to roughly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Additionally, cuts, grooves, channels, or teeth may be added to the surface of the lancet in a regular or irregular pattern for the purpose of increasing surface tension on the drug bolus.

Abstract: A cannula, for delivering a bolus of a pharmaceutically active agent to the posterior chamber of the eye, having an orifice disposed at the distal tip. The cannula is slidably disposed within a hypodermic needle. The sliding action of the cannula within the needle provides a means for trimming a formed bolus of a pharmaceutically active agent from the orifice of the cannula. In addition, the double wall formed by the cannula within the needle provides insulation from the cooler temperatures within the eye to allow for the delivery of phase transition substances.

Abstract: An infusion system with a needleless or needle-requiring injection site placed downstream of a fluid selection stopcock valve and upstream of the infusion cannula. In an alternate embodiment the fluid selection stopcock valve and injection site may be formed as a single consumable unit.

Abstract: A sharps container system includes a disposable tip segment and a sharps container. The disposable tip segment has a dispensing chamber, a needle fluidly coupled to the dispensing chamber, and a housing at least partially enclosing the dispensing chamber. The sharps container has a cavity for receiving the disposable tip segment and an opening configured to engage the disposable tip segment so that the disposable tip segment is held in place while a limited reuse assembly is removed from the disposable tip segment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a user with the ability to store, retrieve and view numerous passcodes in a simple yet secure fashion. Components (300) including a memory (314), a display (112/312), a keypad (108/308), a universal serial bus (USB) port (104/304) and a fingerprint scanning module (106/206/306) are incorporated into a portable housing (102/200/400) or integrated within a cell phone (200) or two-way radio design. A user's passcodes are downloaded via the USB and stored for later retrieval. Upon validation of the user's fingerprint and personal identifier, an individual's passcodes are displayed.

Abstract: An improved consumable for use in a fluid/gas exchange in vitreoretinal surgery. The consumable includes a syringe having a barrel with a first opening for receiving a retinal tamponading gas, a stopper slidably disposed within and fluidly sealed to the barrel, a plug assembly, and a plunger. The plug assembly facilitates both the filling of the syringe with retinal tamponading gas as well as the injection of the tamponading gas into the eye.

Abstract: A flow control device includes a fitting having three portals. One of the portals is an entry portal for a liquid, one of the portals is an entry portal for a gas, and the other portal is an exit portal for either the liquid or the gas. A normally closed back flow prevention valve is located in fitting. The back flow prevention valve prevents back flow of liquid through the fitting. The fitting and the backflow prevention valve also minimize or eliminate the formation of air bubbles in the liquid.