Abstract: A single plate capacitive bubble detection sensor. The detector may employ a single active plate. A parasitic capacitance of the active plate relative to the environment may be monitored without reference to any particular ground source. In this regard, highly sensitive measurements may be made of a tube disposed adjacent to the active plate to detect, for example, the presence of air, liquid, or a change between liquid and air in the tube.

Abstract: A single plate capacitive bubble detection sensor. The detector may employ a single active plate. A parasitic capacitance of the active plate relative to the environment may be monitored without reference to any particular ground source. In this regard, highly sensitive measurements may be made of a tube disposed adjacent to the active plate to detect, for example, the presence of air, liquid, or a change between liquid and air in the tube.

Abstract: A single plate capacitive bubble detection sensor. The detector may employ a single active plate. A parasitic capacitance of the active plate relative to the environment may be monitored without reference to any particular ground source. In this regard, highly sensitive measurements may be made of a tube disposed adjacent to the active plate to detect, for example, the presence of air, liquid, or a change between liquid and air in the tube.

Abstract: Syringe positioning apparatus and methods are disclosed that provide for automated positioning of a syringe at an axially aligned position on a predetermined axis. The apparatus and methods employ first and second members having opposing surfaces that include first and second ramps, respectively, wherein the first ramp angles upward and away from the second member, and the second ramp angles upward and away from the first member. At least one of the first and second members may be advanceable toward the other by an actuator, wherein the first and second ramps may slidably engage a syringe and thereby elevate the syringe to the axially aligned position on the predetermined axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gripping a syringe utilizes four gripping members advanceable in different corresponding directions toward a predetermined axis to supportably engage a barrel of a syringe at corresponding circumferentially offset locations. A first motor may be utilized for co-driven advancement of the gripping members in tandem in the different corresponding directions toward the predetermined axis, and for retraction of the gripping members. The gripping members may include corresponding rollers, wherein a single one of the rollers may be rotated in an automated manner during supportive engagement of a syringe by the gripping members. A second motor may be utilized for driven rotation of the single roller. The disclosed embodiments may be utilized for supportive engagement of syringes having a range of syringe diameters.

Abstract: Vision system for measurement of a pitch of graduated marks on a syringe. The vision system may utilize a frequency domain representation of image data to measure the pitch. Furthermore, data processing techniques such as interpolation, windowing, and/or calibration may be utilized in connection with the measurement. In turn, the pitch of the graduated marks may be used in connection with automated filing of the syringe such that the syringe is filled based on and according to the graduated marks on the syringe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for syringe plunger positioning employing an actuator for linear advancement and retraction of the support member along a predetermined axis, and a plurality of arm members each interconnected to the support for movement therewith, and each moveable relative to the support member in corresponding different directions towards and away from the predetermined axis. The actuator may be operable to advance the support member to an advanced position for movement of the arm members from an open position to a closed position, and to retract the support member from the advanced position so that of the arm members engage an inside surface of a plunger button of syringe having a barrel located in a fixed, axially aligned position on the predetermined axis. The apparatus and method may be employed in conjunction with syringe plunger positioning (e.g. for filling operations) that accommodates a variety of syringe plunger configurations.

Abstract: A label applicator for application of labels to the body of a syringe. The label applicator may be moved into position relative to a predetermined axis along which syringes of different respective sized may be disposed. In this regard, the label applicator may be operative to apply a label to an array of syringes of different sizes. Moreover, the label applicator may print label information onto the label regarding each individual syringe prior to application of a label to the syringe. This may allow for custom label application to each labeled syringe.

Abstract: A single plate capacitive bubble detection sensor. The detector may employ a single active plate. A parasitic capacitance of the active plate relative to the environment may be monitored without reference to any particular ground source. In this regard, highly sensitive measurements may be made of a tube disposed adjacent to the active plate to detect, for example, the presence of air, liquid, or a change between liquid and air in the tube.

Abstract: Vision system for measurement of a pitch of graduated marks on a syringe. The vision system may utilize a frequency domain representation of image data to measure the pitch. Furthermore, data processing techniques such as interpolation, windowing, and/or calibration may be utilized in connection with the measurement. In turn, the pitch of the graduated marks may be used in connection with automated filing of the syringe such that the syringe is filled based on and according to the graduated marks on the syringe.

Abstract: Syringe positioning apparatus and methods are disclosed that provide for automated positioning of a syringe at an axially aligned position on a predetermined axis. The apparatus and methods employ first and second members having opposing surfaces that include first and second ramps, respectively, wherein the first ramp angles upward and away from the second member, and the second ramp angles upward and away from the first member. At least one of the first and second members may be advanceable toward the other by an actuator, wherein the first and second ramps may slidably engage a syringe and thereby elevate the syringe to the axially aligned position on the predetermined axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gripping a syringe utilizes four gripping members advanceable in different corresponding directions toward a predetermined axis to supportably engage a barrel of a syringe at corresponding circumferentially offset locations. A first motor may be utilized for co-driven advancement of the gripping members in tandem in the different corresponding directions toward the predetermined axis, and for retraction of the gripping members. The gripping members may include corresponding rollers, wherein a single one of the rollers may be rotated in an automated manner during supportive engagement of a syringe by the gripping members. A second motor may be utilized for driven rotation of the single roller. The disclosed embodiments may be utilized for supportive engagement of syringes having a range of syringe diameters.

Abstract: A label applicator for application of labels to the body of a syringe. The label applicator may be moved into position relative to a predetermined axis along which syringes of different respective sized may be disposed. In this regard, the label applicator may be operative to apply a label to an array of syringes of different sizes. Moreover, the label applicator may print label information onto the label regarding each individual syringe prior to application of a label to the syringe. This may allow for custom label application to each labeled syringe.

Abstract: A source fluid inlet for an automated filling device. The source fluid inlet may comprise features that limit engagement and/or disengagement of a source fluid tubing set from a port in the source fluid inlet except when the port is disposed in a predetermined load position. In turn, engagement and/or disengagement of the source fluid tubing may be selectively allowed to assist in reduction of interconnection errors of one or more source fluid sources. The source fluid inlet may selectively position a source fluid tubing set in a fill position to facilitate fluid communication with a receptacle to be filled (e.g., a syringe). The source fluid inlet further comprises one or more mechanisms for engagement and/or retention of a cap disposed on a syringe.

Abstract: A source fluid inlet for an automated filling device. The source fluid inlet may comprise features that limit engagement and/or disengagement of a source fluid tubing set from a port in the source fluid inlet except when the port is disposed in a predetermined load position. In turn, engagement and/or disengagement of the source fluid tubing may be selectively allowed to assist in reduction of interconnection errors of one or more source fluid sources. The source fluid inlet may selectively position a source fluid tubing set in a fill position to facilitate fluid communication with a receptacle to be filled (e.g., a syringe). The source fluid inlet further comprises one or more mechanisms for engagement and/or retention of a cap disposed on a syringe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for syringe plunger positioning employing an actuator for linear advancement and retraction of the support member along a predetermined axis, and a plurality of arm members each interconnected to the support for movement therewith, and each moveable relative to the support member in corresponding different directions towards and away from the predetermined axis. The actuator may be operable to advance the support member to an advanced position for movement of the arm members from an open position in the different corresponding directions towards the predetermined axis to a closed position, and to retract the support member from the advanced position so that distal end portions of the arm members engage an inside surface of a plunger button of syringe having a barrel located in a fixed, axially aligned position on the predetermined axis. The apparatus and method may be employed in conjunction with syringe plunger positioning (e.g.