Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for injecting a medicine, especially a highly viscous medicine. Conventional methods and apparatus for injecting viscous medicines suffers suffer from a variety of problems such as excessive force during the initial needle insertion and initial injection. In an inventive method, during the initial phase of the injection, energy is stored in a torsion spring that is subsequently released during a later stage of the injection. The present invention also provides for an improved autoinjector; especially via the use of a combination compression and torsion spring that powers the injection through controlling force applied to a plunger via a screw flange or nut having pins that ride in a prescribed path down the length of the autoinjector.

Abstract: An autoinjector and method of injection are described. A power spring causes rotation of a drive nut about the central axis of the autoinjector that, in turn, causes a middle screw to rotate in the same direction as the drive nut and also to move in the distal direction while pushing a center screw in the distal direction that pushes the syringe and needle. The center screw also pushes a plunger that pushes the fluid out of the syringe. After injection, a locked retract screw is freed and rotates in the same direction as the middle screw causing the syringe to retract the syringe into the housing.

Abstract: Fluid delivery devices for delivering therapeutic agents are described. More particularly, this disclosure relates to drug reconstitution devices having a plurality of components movable with respect to one another such that an active agent and a solvent can be reconstituted within the device prior to injection. The fluid delivery devices can include a housing, a cartridge holder, a cartridge disposed within the cartridge holder, a button rod, and a foot. The cartridge stores the active agent and the solvent, which are separated by one or more stoppers. The button rod and foot can provide an axial force upon the stopper(s) in the cartridge to inject the fluid once reconstituted. The foot and the button rod can be separate components, thereby enabling the foot to rotate independently with respect to the button rod as the cartridge holder is rotated to reconstitute the therapeutic and prime the device for injection.

Abstract: Autoinjectors and methods of injection are described that feature release mechanisms and/or end-of-dose sound which can operate in conjunction with a powered plunger to efficiently inject a controlled dose from a syringe.

Abstract: Autoinjectors and methods of injection are described that feature release mechanisms and/or end-of-dose sound which can operate in conjunction with a powered plunger to efficiently inject a controlled dose from a syringe.

Abstract: An autoinjector and method of injection are described. A power spring causes rotation of a drive nut about the central axis of the autoinjector that, in turn, causes a middle screw to rotate in the same direction as the drive nut and also to move in the distal direction while pushing a center screw in the distal direction that pushes the syringe and needle. The center screw also pushes a plunger that pushes the fluid out of the syringe. After injection, a locked retract screw is freed and rotates in the same direction as the middle screw causing the syringe to retract the syringe into the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for injecting a medicine, especially a highly viscous medicine. Conventional methods and apparatus for injecting viscous medicines suffers from a variety of problems such as excessive force during the initial needle insertion and initial injection. In an inventive method, during the initial phase of the injection, energy is stored in a torsion spring that is subsequently released during a later stage of the injection. The present invention also provides for an improved autoinjector; especially via the use of a combination compression and torsion spring that powers the injection through controlling force applied to plunger via a screw flange or nut having pins that ride in a prescribed path down the length of the autoinjector.

Abstract: An automatic medication injection device that provides a user with audible notice of injecting progress. The device in one form includes a plurality of sound elements located on drive mechanism portion that inserts within a barrel of a container of medication to advance a sealing plunger of that container. The device also includes at least one actuating element movable axially with the container of medication within the device housing, which at least one actuating is element arranged to engage the plurality of sound elements to generate audible notices as the advancing portion moves past the at least one actuating element when advancing the sealing plunger for an injection.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for injecting a medicine, especially a highly viscous medicine. Conventional methods and apparatus for injecting viscous medicines suffer from a variety of problems such as excessive force during the initial needle insertion and initial injection. In an inventive method, during the initial phase of the injection, energy is stored in a torsion spring that is subsequently released during a later stage of the injection. The present invention also provides for an improved autoinjector; especially via the use of a combination compression and torsion spring that powers the injection through controlling force applied to a plunger via a screw flange or nut having pins that ride in a prescribed path down the length of the autoinjector.

Abstract: Devices and systems disclosed herein may include a negative pressure pump that includes a reservoir defining a lumen and a longitudinal axis, a piston, and a drive assembly comprising a spring. Motion of the spring may move the piston along the longitudinal axis of the reservoir to create a negative pressure within the reservoir. Methods of manufacturing a negative pressure pump and using a negative pressure pump to remove fluid from a target site are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a cooling, heating and fan arrangement for maintaining a predetermined optimum temperature of the samples during testing; a visual, circumferential and axial alignment system for aligning the samples within the carousel; a transfer system for transferring the samples from the carousel to the centrifuge; a balancing system of minimizing the rotational vibrations of the centrifuge; a safety system and anti-tipping design for the sample containing system; liquid dispensing arms for dispensing the buffered saline solution; and discharge ports for discharging and disposing of the liquid removed from the samples to a location external of the system.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery system, which includes an aerosol delivery unit, the aerosol delivery unit including: a cartridge receiver, which is configured to receive a cartridge assembly; and an inductor configured to receive the cartridge assembly and heat a liquid formulation within a capillary tube to produce an aerosol by induction heating. The cartridge assembly including an active part of the cartridge assembly including a capillary tube; a susceptor, the susceptor configured to partially surround the capillary tube; and a pair of displaceable covers, which surround at least the capillary tube and the susceptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a disposable cartridge and an optical cup or cuvette having a tapered surface; an optics system including an optical reader and a thermal controller; an optical analyzer; a cooling system; and an improved spectrometer. The system may utilize the disposable cartridge in the sample processor and the optical cup or cuvette in the optical analyzer.

Abstract: Autoinjectors and methods of injection are described that feature release mechanisms and/or end-of-dose sound which can operate in conjunction with a powered plunger to efficiently inject a controlled dose from a syringe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a disposable cartridge and an optical cup or cuvette having a tapered surface; an optics system including an optical reader and a thermal controller; an optical analyzer; a cooling system; and an improved spectrometer. The system may utilize the disposable cartridge in the sample processor and the optical cup or cuvette in the optical analyzer.

Abstract: A system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in urine samples which includes: 1) several disposable cartridges for holding four disposable components including a centrifuge tube, a pipette tip having a 1 ml volume, a second pipette tip having a 0.5 ml volume, and an optical cup or cuvette; 2) a sample processor for receiving the disposable cartridges and processing the urine samples including transferring the processed urine sample to the optical cups; and 3) an optical analyzer for receiving the disposable cartridges and configured to analyze the type and quantity of micro-organisms in the urine sample. The disposable cartridges with their components including the optical cups or cuvettes are used in the sample processor, and the optical cups or cuvettes containing the processed urine samples are used in the optical analyzer for identifying and quantifying the type of micro-organism existing in the processed urine samples.

Abstract: A system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in urine samples which includes: 1) several disposable cartridges for holding four disposable components including a centrifuge tube, a pipette tip having a 1 ml volume, a second pipette tip having a 0.5 ml volume, and an optical cup or cuvette; 2) a sample processor for receiving the disposable cartridges and processing the urine samples including transferring the processed urine sample to the optical cups; and 3) an optical analyzer for receiving the disposable cartridges and configured to analyze the type and quantity of micro-organisms in the urine sample. The disposable cartridges with their components including the optical cups or cuvettes are used in the sample processor, and the optical cups or cuvettes containing the processed urine samples are used in the optical analyzer for identifying and quantifying the type of micro-organism existing in the processed urine samples.

Abstract: Devices and systems disclosed herein may include a negative pressure pump that includes a reservoir defining a lumen and a longitudinal axis, a piston, and a drive assembly comprising a spring. Motion of the spring may move the piston along the longitudinal axis of the reservoir to create a negative pressure within the reservoir. Methods of manufacturing a negative pressure pump and using a negative pressure pump to remove fluid from a target site are also described.