Abstract: A vascular access device may include a gas chamber housed between a body and a septum, and a receptacle in communication with the gas chamber. A method of displacing gas in a medical device may include transferring gas between a gas chamber of a vascular access device and a receptacle housed within the vascular access device.

Abstract: A vascular access device for communicating with the vascular system of a patient may include a status indicator. The status indicator may detect and signal that a period of time has elapsed in relation to the use of the vascular access device.

Abstract: A vascular access device for communicating with the vascular system of a patient may include a status indicator. The status indicator may detect and signal whether and to what extent at least a portion of the vascular access device has been cleaned.

Abstract: A vascular access device for communicating with the vascular system of a patient may include a status indicator. The status indicator may detect and signal that a pathogen is in communication with the vascular access device.

Abstract: A medical access device provides needleless access to patient fluid lines such as intravascular catheters. A retaining ring at the top end of the housing of the medical access device is molded around a septum that provides access for a tubular portion of a medical device such as a male luer taper of a syringe. Alternatively, the retaining ring may also be molded around the body or around both the body and the base of the housing. The molded retaining ring and septum are attached by mechanical attachment and/or chemical adhesion to minimize axial and rotational movement between the septum and the housing.

Abstract: A medical access device provides needleless access to patient fluid lines such as intravascular catheters. A preformed crimp ring is attached around a septum and the top end of the housing of the medical access device. The crimp ring is configured to hold the septum in place. The septum provides access for a tubular portion of a medical device such as a male luer taper of a syringe. The crimp ring is then attached by mechanical attachment and/or chemical adhesion to the housing to minimize axial and rotational movement between the septum and the housing.

Abstract: An access device provides needleless access to patient fluid lines such as intravascular catheters. A septum assembly of the access device is formed from a frame integrally molded with a septum and provides access for a tubular portion, such as a male luer taper of a syringe, of a medical device. The frame of the septum assembly is bonded to the housing of the device, which minimizes axial and rotational movement between the septum and the housing, so that the access device properly operates through multiple uses.

Abstract: A needle assembly with needle shield that is connected to the needle hub by a tether. The tether prevents unwanted proximal movement of the needle with respect to the needle shield once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The tether is maintained in its compressed state by use of the invention for ease of assembly.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel assembly includes a handle having at least one attachment element and at least one guide element. The assembly also has a guard including at least one guide member configured to engage the at least one guide element of the handle such that the guard is movably connectable with the handle. The guard includes a first biased arm having a first boss and a second cantilevered arm having a second boss. The assembly also includes a blade having an attachment groove configured to engage the attachment element of the handle. The blade includes a first hole configured to receive the first boss when the blade is connected to the guard and a second hole configured to receive the second boss when the blade is connected to the guard.

Abstract: A medical needle assembly includes a needle cannula having a body and a tip. The tip is disposed at a distal end of the cannula. An elongate member has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly attached to the body of the needle cannula at a connection point and the second end extends radially outward from the needle body. A shield is slidingly mounted to the needle for movement between a proximal position to a distal position. The shield includes a shield body having a central chamber, a distal end and a proximal end as well as a plate secured to the shield body and defining an aperture. As the shield is moved from the proximal position to the distal position, the place displaces the second end of the elongate member to a position near the needle cannula, permitting the elongate member to pass through the aperture.

Abstract: A system and method for a patch-like, self-contained substance infusion device which provides one or more substantially hidden patient needles which can be placed in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir assembly that includes a rigid bladder portion used in conjunction with a non-distensible bladder film, such as a metallized film. The device can be attached to a skin surface via an adhesive contact surface and a push button activation assembly can then be used to remove an interlock, allowing a disk, or Belleville spring assembly to apply an essentially even and constant pressure to the contents of a fluid reservoir assembly. The push button activation assembly further allows the release of one or more spring-loaded patient needles into the skin surface, and establishes a fluid communication path between the patient needles and the pressurized fluid reservoir contents thereby delivering an infusion into the skin.

Abstract: An abrader device for delivering a substance into skin via an abrasion process includes a housing adapted to be pressed against the skin at a desired delivery site, an applicator head disposed in an upper opening of the housing and movable across a lower opening of the housing to abrade the delivery site in at least one furrow, and an abrader surface attached to the applicator head whereby the housing remains firm and stationary at the delivery site and structure of the housing and the applicator head controls parameters of the abrasion process. In particular, the amount of force or pressure applied to the abrader surface, the speed at which the abrader surface moves across the skin and the number of lateral passes of the abrader surface across the skin are controlled so that the abrader device provides a furrow with a length of substantially the same depth thereby providing reproducible results, even though different technicians are applying the abrader device against a patient's skin.

Abstract: An improved luer lock receiving septum having a configuration which provides rapid and tight resealing and yet allows penetration of the septum by the luer tip with a low penetration force. The elongated septum includes an upper portion of enlarged diameter having a target surface, a central slit, and a central, lower septum extension projecting about the slit below the upper portion and into a housing so that following luer insertion there is provided sufficient room for both the laterally displaced extension of the septum, the luer taper, and the housing to be received into a conventional luer lock connector. The septum is further preferably configured to minimize or eliminate the negative pressure deflection normally associated with the withdrawal of the large diameter luer cannula from an enclosed fluid filled lumen or chamber, by substantially isolating the lumen or chamber from the septum material displacement resultant from luer insertion.