Abstract: Methods for delivering discrete entities including, e.g., cells, media or reagents to substrates are provided. In certain aspects, the methods include manipulating and/or analyzing qualities of the entities or biological components thereof. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to create arrays of microenvironments and/or for two and three-dimensional printing of tissues or structures. Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A cannula insertion device is disclosed. The device includes a needle carriage, a rail device on which the needle carriage is slidable, a yoke having a channel, a linkage connected to the needle carriage and extending into the channel, a torsion spring with one end connected to the linkage, and locking device for locking the torsion spring in tension and maintaining the needle carriage and the linkage in a locked position prior to activation. Upon release of the locking device, the tension of the torsion spring is released, which causes the linkage to move in the channel and slide the needle carriage along the rail device. A catheter carriage may also be provided for actuation by the linkage.

Abstract: The present invention includes a rotor-blade span-balancing system, including a span-balance pocket in a surface of a rotor blade; a cover operably configured to cover the span-balance pocket, wherein the cover is operably configured to be substantially flush with the surface of the rotor blade surface when covering the span-balance pocket, and wherein the cover includes a cover boss for reacting centrifugal force of the cover into the rotor blade; and one or more span-balance weights attached to the cover to span-balance the rotor blade.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, kits, and methods for analyzing cell-cell interactions, such as transmembrane proteins binding to surface displayed variable regions, via discrete entity (e.g., droplet) microfluidics. In certain embodiments, a plurality of first discrete entities and a plurality of second discrete entities are merged on a substrate to generate a plurality of merged fixed entities (e.g., fixed via an electrical force), each of which contains one cell expressing a transmembrane (TM) protein and labeled clonal cells displaying a heterologous antibody variable region. In certain embodiments, any binding of the clonal cells to the TM expressing cell is detected in each merged fixed entity, and the clonal cells found to bind are treated in order to sequence the nucleic acid encoding the variable region.

Abstract: A syringe assembly includes a syringe barrel (12) having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle hub (20) supporting the needle and coupled to the distal end of the syringe barrel (12). A connecting member (46, 102, 156) is positioned on the syringe barrel for sliding between a first position where the needle is exposed and a second position covering at least a portion of the needle. The connecting member (46, 102, 156) is configured for connecting to a container (50) and supporting the container when said needle is advanced to pierce a septum (90) in said container. In another embodiment, a syringe assembly includes a syringe barrel and an adapter (222, 282, 322) coupled to the distal end of the syringe barrel (12). The adapter (222, 282, 322) is movable between a first position to expose a first portion of the needle (22) having a first length, and a second position to cover the distal end of the syringe barrel to expose a second portion of the needle having a second length.

Abstract: The present invention includes a span-balance pocket in a surface of a rotor blade, the span-balance pocket including an inboard surface and an outboard surface; and one or more weights disposed in the span-balance pocket to span-balance the rotor blade; and at least one of one or more retention devices to retain the one or more weights against the outboard surface of the span-balance pocket or the span-balance pocket is machined or molded into a tip block of the rotor blade.

Abstract: An infusion set is disclosed that includes an inserter including an inserter housing having at least one flexible arm for holding an infusion set in a single axial position prior to insertion of at least a portion of a cannula of the infusion set, the inserter housing having a surface for contacting the patient's skin. The inserter also includes a movable plunger disposed within the inserter housing for releasing the infusion set from the inserter housing, impacting the infusion set, and imparting momentum to the infusion set to insert the cannula into the patient's skin. The inserter additionally includes a biasing element biasing the plunger toward the activated position.

Abstract: An insulin infusion system is provided with a manual insertion device having a dual retraction spring (230) configuration for automatic introducer needle (222) retraction. A button (200) of the insertion device is used to insert the introducer needle (222) and catheter (202), and once the introducer needle (222) and catheter (202) have been fully inserted, a rotating engagement releases the dual retraction springs (230) such that the introducer needle (222) automatically retracts, leaving the catheter (202) in the body of the user. An end of the introducer needle (222) remains in the inserted catheter (202) and/or in the septum (206) of the inserted catheter (202) to provide an uninterrupted fluid path.

Abstract: An insulin infusion system is provided with a manual insertion device having a dual retraction spring (230) configuration for automatic introducer needle (222) retraction. A button (200) of the insertion device is used to insert the introducer needle (222) and catheter (202), and once the introducer needle (222) and catheter (202) have been fully inserted, a rotating engagement releases the dual retraction springs (230) such that the introducer needle (222) automatically retracts, leaving the catheter (202) in the body of the user. An end of the introducer needle (222) remains in the inserted catheter (202) and/or in the septum (206) of the inserted catheter (202) to provide an uninterrupted fluid path.

Abstract: An inserter for inserting a needle or cannula of an infusion set comprises a fixed inserter member and a movable inserter member movably connected to said fixed inserter member and adapted to receive the infusion set. The movable inserter member is movable from a first position to a second position to expose the needle or cannula. The movable inserter member is locked to the fixed inserter member in the first position to prevent accidentally exposing the needle or cannula.

Abstract: A cannula insertion device is disclosed. The device includes a needle carriage, a rail device on which the needle carriage is slidable, a yoke having a channel, a linkage connected to the needle carriage and extending into the channel, a torsion spring with one end connected to the linkage, and locking device for locking the torsion spring in tension and maintaining the needle carriage and the linkage in a locked position prior to activation. Upon release of the locking device, the tension of the torsion spring is released, which causes the linkage to move in the channel and slide the needle carriage along the rail device. A catheter carriage may also be provided for actuation by the linkage.

Abstract: Methods for delivering discrete entities including, e.g., cells, media or reagents to substrates are provided. In certain aspects, the methods include manipulating and/or analyzing qualities of the entities or biological components thereof. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to create arrays of microenvironments and/or for two and three-dimensional printing of tissues or structures. Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device, including a housing having a base (504, 604, 704), a flexible beam (510, 610, 710) movably disposed within the housing, an insertion needle (514, 614) connected with the beam, and a holder (518, 618, 718) movably disposed within the housing and movably connected with the insertion needle. The device also includes a catheter (522, 622, 722) connected with the holder to displace therewith, the catheter surrounding at least a portion of the insertion needle, and an actuator button (502, 602, 702) movably connected to the housing and configured to flex the beam upon actuation, thereby displacing the insertion needle and the catheter to an extended position in which respective distal portions of the insertion needle and the catheter extend outside the housing through the base.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device (18) includes a housing (12) with a base (14), a catheter (28), an introducer needle (30) and an actuator (26) mounted within the housing. The catheter (28) and needle (30) are coupled to the actuator (26) and movable between a first position where the catheter and needle are retracted within the housing and a second position where the catheter and needle extend from the housing, and where the needle retracts into the actuator when the catheter and needle reach the second position. The actuator (26) has a detent (84) that engages a first recess (76) to require a predetermined force to depress the actuator (26) which is greater than the force necessary to slide the actuator (26) to the second position where the detent (84) engages a second recess (80) in the housing (12) to hold the actuator in the deployed position.

Abstract: An insulin infusion device (1A) is disclosed. The device includes a body (3A), cannula (70) housed in the body (1A), a cannula insertion device (10, 20, 23) and a cannula retraction device (20, 23, 30). When the cannula insertion device is activated, the cannula (70) extends at least partly out of the body (1A) and into an infusion site and when the cannula retraction device is activated after the cannula insertion device has been activated, the cannula (70) retracts into the body (1A).

Abstract: Methods for delivering discrete entities including, e.g., cells, media or reagents to substrates are provided. In certain aspects, the methods include manipulating and/or analyzing qualities of the entities or biological components thereof. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to create arrays of microenvironments and/or for two and three-dimensional printing of tissues or structures. Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device (18) includes a housing (12) with a base (14), a catheter (28), an introducer needle (30) and an actuator (26) mounted within the housing. The catheter (28) and needle (30) are coupled to the actuator (26) and movable between a first position where the catheter and needle are retracted within the housing and a second position where the catheter and needle extend from the housing, and where the needle retracts into the actuator when the catheter and needle reach the second position. The actuator (26) has a detent (84) that engages a first recess (76) to require a predetermined force to depress the actuator (26) which is greater than the force necessary to slide the actuator (26) to the second position where the detent (84) engages a second recess (80) in the housing (12) to hold the actuator in the deployed position.

Abstract: An infusion set is disclosed that includes an inserter including an inserter housing having at least one flexible arm for holding an infusion set in a single axial position prior to insertion of at least a portion of a cannula of the infusion set, the inserter housing having a surface for contacting the patient's skin. The inserter also includes a movable plunger disposed within the inserter housing for releasing the infusion set from the inserter housing, impacting the infusion set, and imparting momentum to the infusion set to insert the cannula into the patient's skin. The inserter additionally includes a biasing element biasing the plunger toward the activated position.