Abstract: An autoinjector useful for, inter alia, providing an injection of liquid medicament is disclosed, which includes a needle depth adapter for achieving a desired injection depth.

Abstract: A drug-injecting device with a traveling hypodermic or intramuscular needle. The drug-injecting device includes a syringe body which has a base and a top opening into a hollow interior. A membrane is attached across the base of the syringe body, hermetically sealing the reservoir of the syringe from the environment. A plunger is situated within the hollow interior of the syringe body, so that one end of the plunger projects outward through the top of the syringe body. A piston is attached to the other end of the plunger. The plunger is configured to travel back and forth within the hollow interior of the syringe body between a first position and a second position. A needle is attached to the piston so that the needle travels with the plunger when the plunger is moved between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A safety syringe includes a barrel, a needle assembly and a plunger. The barrel has at least one protrusion formed on one end of the barrel. The needle assembly includes a hub and a needle. The hub has at least one L-shaped groove respectively corresponding to and engaging with the at least one protrusion of the barrel. The needle is attached on the hub. The plunger is mounted slidably in the barrel. Accordingly, the needle assembly can be retracted into the barrel to keep any person from being injured by a used needle and is easily manufactured.

Abstract: A bubble free, self-priming IV set for use in the administration of liquids includes a coupling assembly for attaching the delivery system to a source of liquid and includes a coupling membrane for controlling the flow of liquid and air through the coupling assembly. The system also includes a drip chamber for receiving liquid through the coupling assembly, the drip chamber having a membrane for preventing air from leaving the drip chamber. A self leveling port is disposed within a wall of the drip chamber, the port being permeable to air, but impermeable to liquid. Finally, a patient conduit is in fluid communication with the drip chamber and further comprises a flow control plug disposed at the distal end of the conduit. The flow control plug is permeable to air but impermeable to liquid. Use of this system allows a clinician to attach a source of fluid to a patient without significant intervention, while the system self primes.

Abstract: A fluid infusion system comprises a flexible elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a fluid transport lumen extending therethrough and a fluid source having a connector for coupling to the proximal end to provide fluid to the fluid transport lumen in combination with an ultrasound energy source delivering ultrasound energy to the fluid to reduce a viscosity of the fluid and a waveguide directing the ultrasound energy to a desired region of the fluid.

Abstract: A device for providing a plurality of agent delivery systems via a single housing.

Abstract: A wearable infusion device delivers a liquid medicant to a patient. The infusion device comprises a reservoir arranged to contain a liquid medicant to be delivered beneath a patient's skin. The reservoir has an outlet through which the medicant flows and a shape that forms at least one pocket that traps air isolated from the outlet. The infusion device further includes a conduit communicating with the outlet of the reservoir, and a pump that causes the medicant to flow from the reservoir into the conduit.

Abstract: An active squeezing device is used with a drip bag has a drip bag holder and a magnetic pressure assembly. The drip bag holder has a base and a cover mounted pivotally on the base. The magnetic pressure assembly is mounted on the drip bag holder and selectively generates an attractive magnetic force to tightly close the cover on the base to hold and squeeze the drip bag between the base and the cover or generates a repulsive magnetic force to open the cover to release the drip bag. The active squeezing device uses the magnetic force to actively transfuse the liquid medicine or blood in the drip bag to a patient without hanging the drip bag over the patient.

Abstract: An ophthalmic aspiration pump roller-head assembly 10, includes a plurality of rollers 12, a base 16 attached to a first end of the rollers 12, and a face-plate 18 attached to a second end of the rollers 12. The face-plate 18 has at least one groove formed in the face-plate 18 for drawing a tube onto the rollers 12.

Abstract: A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.

Abstract: A ratchet-free and gear-free one-t-one mechanism for setting a dose in a syringe device comprising a dose setting member (108) adapted to be rotated along a piston rod (106) with a threaded outer surface so as to set a dose to be ejected. During dose setting the piston rod is locked such that rotational movement of the dose setting member does not result in rotational movement of the piston rod. During dose ejection the piston rod and the dose setting member are locked in relation to each other such that translational movement of the dose setting member causes relative rotational and translational movement of the piston rod.

Abstract: A pressure infusion device including a sealed bag of flexible, heat sealable material including generally opposed edge portions; a layer of substantially transparent material including generally oppose edge portions provided with a plurality of holes; the opposed edge portions of the sealed bag are folded over the opposed edge portions of the layer of substantially transparent material and are heat sealed to the sealed bag through the holes. A process for making a pressure infusion device including the steps of providing a sealed bag of flexible, heat-sealable material having generally opposed edge portions; providing a layer of substantially transparent material including generally opposed edge portions; folding the opposed edge portions of the sealed bag over the opposed edge portions of the layer of substantially transparent material and heat sealing the folded edge portions to the sealed bag through the holes.

Abstract: A wearable infusion device delivers a liquid medicant, such as insulin, to a patient. The infusion device comprises a base that contacts a patient's skin and a reservoir arranged to contain a liquid medicant to be delivered beneath a patient's skin. The reservoir has an outlet through which the medicant flows. The infusion device further includes a flexible conduit communicating with the outlet of the reservoir and a pump that causes the medicant to flow down the conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for controlling the injection rate of an anesthetic solution in a cartridge type motor-driven injection syringe for dental use, particularly beginning with the “Low” rate injection at the outset, and switching to the “Medium” or “High” injection rate at an arbitrarily selected time in the course of injection. The speed of revolution of the electric motor is changed among the low, medium and high speed, and a two-step operable type of switch is used as a starter switch 13. The first depression of the starter switch makes the electric motor 9 start at the low speed, thereby making the plunger rubber 5 initially move at the “Low Speed” in the cartridge 6 via the plunger rod 12, and the second depression of the switch makes the electric motor 9 run at the low, medium or high speed, and accordingly the plunger rod moves at the selected “Low Speed”, “Medium Speed” or “High Speed”.

Abstract: A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient-user and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient-user or with infusion medium are supported by the disposable housing portion, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics and a drive device. A reservoir is supported by the disposable housing portion and has a moveable plunger that operatively couples to the drive device, when the disposable and durable housing portions are engaged.

Abstract: A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.

Abstract: A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.

Abstract: Described are implants, tools, and related methods, for use in pelvic surgery to treat conditions such as prolapse and incontinence, including one embodiment of a method that uses a transcoccyx tissue path; other embodiments that use particular implants with various features relating to, e.g., end portions; and other embodiments relating to particular tools.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device is provided in which a needle cannula thereof has one or more markers to provide a visual and/or tactile indication to a user that the needle cannula has been withdrawn from a position in which the sharp tip thereof is exposed beyond the catheter tube to a position wherein a part of the cannula needle shaft and the tip are within a proximal portion of the catheter tube so as to impede fluid leakage through the tube, but removed from a distal portion of the tube to free it to flex.

Abstract: A guidewire structure includes a medical guidewire and an overtube. The medical guidewire includes a first segment and a lengthwise-adjoining second segment. The overtube is adapted to slidably cover the first segment and to slidably expose the first segment. A minimum force required to slide the exposed first segment over patient tissue is greater than a minimum force required to slide the covered first segment over the patient tissue. A method for using a guidewire structure includes extending at least a portion of the second segment beyond a distal end of an insertion tube of an endoscope, extending at least a portion of the first segment beyond the distal end with the overtube covering the extended first segment, sliding the overtube off the extended first segment exposing the first segment, and advancing the insertion tube along the exposed and extended first segment further into a body lumen of a patient.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns self sealing access ports, and especially ports usable to provide access to body cavities for surgical procedures. A self-sealing surgical access port permitting a surgical tool to be used within a body cavity, for example during laparoscopic surgery, is disclosed. The tube can be elastically deformable radially outwardly to permit the surgical tool to pass through the duct and into the body cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing medical tubing away from mechanical portions of a hospital bed and off an underlying floor so as to facilitate identification and prevent entanglement, dislodgement, and contamination of the lines includes a tubular foam clasp for snug-fitting, horizontal attachment to a hospital bedrail having a barrel and on the underside of the body, a longitudinal slit. A series of slots in the body of the clasp extend toward the base flexible polyethylene foam material that can be repeatedly separated without fracturing to facilitating mounting on a hospital bedrail. The apparatus permits transverse insertion of medical tubing into a slot and positioning in a confining aperture, thereby allowing longitudinal and limited lateral movement of the tubing extending from a patient to medical devices involved in the care of patients while preventing entanglement with adjacent medical tubing and mechanical parts of a hospital bed.

Abstract: A catheter anchoring assembly includes a permeable adhesive strip, a platform for securing the catheter, and a flowable adhesive layer. The flowable adhesive layer adhesively secures the platform to the adhesive strip. The flowable adhesive is applied to one side of the strip with a skin-contacting adhesive on the opposite side of the strip. The flowable adhesive layer and strip are configured so that the flowable adhesive is spaced from the skin-contacting adhesive or, at the very least, is prevented from penetrating the skin-contacting adhesive. The flowable adhesive layer and strip also permit the assembly to be very flexible and, thus, comfortable for a patient to wear.

Abstract: Ocular implant delivery assemblies are provided which include a cannula having a lumen extending therethrough, a proximal end, a proximal end opening, a distal end, a distal end opening, and a lumen extending through the cannula. A removable distal closure element is provided for closing the distal end opening, and a removable proximal closure element is provided for closing the proximal end opening. An ocular implant is located in the lumen. The implant may be sealed in the cannula without the addition of a liquid carrier or it may be contained in a liquid carrier medium in the cannula. The implant may be made up of a number of microparticles having different compositions or different forms. The assembly also includes a sleeve located on the proximal end of the cannula and suitable for coupling the assembly to a syringe containing a pushing gel.

Abstract: A needle protective device for a syringe having a barrel has a needle hub and a sleeve. The needle hub detachably connected to the barrel has an anti-rotation device. The anti-rotation device is formed on the needle hub. The sleeve is mounted slidably on the barrel and has an inner wall, a detent and an anti-rotation seat. The detent is formed at the inner wall of the sleeve. The anti-rotation seat is formed inside the sleeve and selectively engages the anti-rotation device of the needle hub so that the needle can be attached to the barrel. After injecting liquid material, the barrel is pulled out of the sleeve, the needle hub enlarges size after being stopped by the detent in the sleeve so the barrel can be detached from the needle hub that is held in the sleeve. Consequently, detaching the barrel from the needle hub is easy.

Abstract: A syringe is provided which comprises a barrel (11) and a needle sheath (30) slidably located within the barrel, a plunger (20) with a plunger seal (23), a needle, a needle sheath (30) and a sheath seal (50), arranged so that depression of the plunger forces the needle sheath to move into a position where it covers or at least partly encloses the needle after delivery of fluid contents of the syringe. The needle sheath may be manually actuated or may be actuated by decompression of a spring. The syringe may further comprise a plunger disabling means operable to impede, prevent or otherwise hinder withdrawal of the plunger during or following depression of the plunger. The syringe may be a pre-filled syringe or a syringe which is filled by a user.

Abstract: A syringe includes in one embodiment a fluid cartridge including a rear sliding member; a syringe barrel; a hypodermic needle assembly releasably secured to the syringe barrel; a nut member releasably secured to the syringe barrel; and a plunger including a rear handle, a front member disposed through the nut member to urge against a rear end of the sliding member, and an arm interconnected the handle and the front member. In response to dispensing fluid disengage the syringe barrel with the hypodermic needle assembly so as to separate the syringe into first and second portions, and wherein the first portion consists of the hypodermic needle assembly and the fluid cartridge and is adapted to discard, and the second portion consists of the nut, the plunger, and the syringe barrel and is adapted to sterilize for a next use.

Abstract: In one form, the therapeutic agent delivery apparatus is used for infusing a therapeutic agent into a body lumen and includes a lumenal body defining a plurality of infusion ports for infusing the therapeutic agent into the body lumen, and a sensing element distal of the infusion ports and adapted to sense the amount of infused therapeutic agent or any compound derived from the therapeutic agent in the body lumen. In another form, the apparatus includes a lumenal body defining a plurality of infusion ports for infusing the therapeutic agent into the body lumen, and a filtration element distal of the infusion ports and adapted to deliver a reaction agent adapted to react with the therapeutic agent in the body lumen. A sensing element may be provided distal of the filtration element for sensing the amount of infused therapeutic agent or compounds derived therefrom in the body lumen.

Abstract: An administration feeding set for use with a flow control apparatus to deliver fluid from at least one fluid source to a patient. The set comprises tubing for flow of fluid along a fluid pathway, and a mounting member on the tubing for engaging the flow control apparatus. The fluid pathway extends linearly through the mounting member. The mounting member has at least two receiving portions, each adapted to receive an identification member. One or more identification members are selectively positioned on one or more of the receiving portions of the mounting member to permit identification of the administration set as having a particular functional configuration different from another functional configuration. Other embodiments, including a method of identifying an administration feeding set, are disclosed.

Abstract: A valve may include (a) a housing defining a valve lumen adapted for fluid connection with a lumen of a catheter; (b) a substantially conical valve member coupled to the housing and extending across the valve lumen to control flow therethrough; (c) a plurality of slits extending through the valve member and separated from one another circumferentially around the valve member; and (d) a ramp formed within a distal end of the valve lumen extending proximally from a distal tip of the valve member toward a ramp vertex separated from the distal tip by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A removable needle cover or sheath 10 is comprised of an elongated cover body 12 with a hollow central volume extending along the longitudinal length of the body 12 for sheathing a needle 30 and an open first end 16 for attachment to a hub 32 of the needle 30, wherein the cover body 12 has a longitudinal extending frangible seal portion 20 extending lengthwise from the open end 16 toward an opposite second end 14 on a wall of the cover body 12.

Abstract: Needle assemblies are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needle assemblies having a tip protector with a plurality of wall surfaces for preventing contact with the needle tip from a side. Aspects of the tip protectors discussed herein include a first protector body having an arm for blocking a needle tip surrounded by a second protector body having a plurality of wall surfaces.

Abstract: An integrated septum and needle tip shield for use in a catheter assembly includes a septum configured to removably engage with an inner surface of a catheter hub and a tip shield secured inside the septum. The tip shield is configured to move between an open position in which a tip of a needle is distal of the tip shield and a closed position in which the tip of the needle is protected inside the tip shield.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided which is slidably movable along a medical needle from a proximal position where a distal end of the needle is exposed, to a distal position where the shield protects the distal end of the needle. The medical needle shield apparatus includes a binding member having an aperture through which the needle passes. The binding member also has binding surfaces for binding to a medical needle. The shield apparatus also includes a retainer integral with the binding member and in communication with the needle for temporarily retaining the binding surfaces in a non-binding position relative to the needle. The shield apparatus also includes a positioning member for positioning the binding surfaces to secure the shield to the needle when a portion of the retainer in contact with the needle is advanced past the distal end of the needle. A housing may be included for enclosing the shield apparatus.

Abstract: A trocar cannula having a tube and a hub. The hub is attached to the proximal end of the tube so that the tube may be inserted into an incision. The proximal side of the hub is rounded, curved or slanted so as to minimize contact with the tissue surrounding the incision.

Abstract: The needle assembly comprises a needle including an elongated tubular needle body having open distal and proximal ends, and an elongated stylet having a solid shank complementary to the tubular needle body and slidably movable therewithin substantially coaxially thereto. The needle body includes a tip portion defining the distal end and a main portion defining the proximal end. Moreover, the tip portion bendable relative to the main portion. In turn, the stylet shank has a solid distal end. Furthermore, at least one of the distal end of the needle body and the distal end of the stylet shank is beveled at an angle to a longitudinal axis of corresponding one of the needle body and the stylet shank. The beveled distal end exerts a bending force to the tip portion of the needle body against the beveled face during advancement of the needle body through a human tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enteral feeding tube comprising a jejunal tube which is arranged in jejunum and comprises a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen between said two ends. The jejunal tube comprises at least two layers, including an outer first layer and a second layer adjacent to the outer first layer, the outer first layer comprising a material which is harder than the material of the second layer. The jejunal tube may have a triple-layer structure that includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and an internal layer, the internal layer may be softer than the outer and inner layers. The multiple-layer structure of the jejunal tube having materials of different hardnesses improves the flexibility, advancing behavior and buckling resistance of the feeding tube. The invention also relates to a tube system including the enteral feeding tube and a gastric tube.

Abstract: An elongate medical device configured for at least partial implantation or insertion into a subject. The medical device has at least one surface that contains one or more depressions, which are at least partially filled with a soluble material. Also described methods of making such devices.

Abstract: Medical devices, as well as related systems and methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: A drain clearing device according to the present invention includes a first hollow tube having opposed first and second ends and a plunger head coupled to the first end. A second hollow tube includes a first end operatively coupled to the first end of the first tube, the first and second tubes being configured for telescoping movement between extended and retracted configurations. A snaking member is situated in the first and second tubes for movement between storing and operating configurations when the tubes are moved between extended and retracted configurations, respectively. A crank handle connected to the snaking member enables a user to rotate and extend the snake as needed. A plug is included for separating an inner tube area from an inner area of the plunger head and to prevent water spillage from the tubes.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microneedle is disclosed. The method includes forming at least one recess in a substrate, the at least one recess comprising an apex, forming an electrically seed layer on the substrate including the at least one recess, forming at least one electrically nonconductive pattern on a portion of the seed layer, the at least one nonconductive pattern being a pattern for a sensory area, plating an electrically conductive material on the seed layer to create a plated layer with an opening that exposes a portion of the nonconductive pattern and separating the plated layer from the seed layer and the at least one nonconductive pattern to release a hollow microneedle comprising a tip and at least one sensory area.

Abstract: A single in-line filter hollow needle has an outer wall, a proximal end, a distal end with a pointed tip and a central opening between the ends for communicating fluids therethrough. The proximal end is secured to a luer lock for removable connection to a syringe. A filter is located in the central opening proximate to the tip. The outer wall of the needle has a frangible deformation proximate to the filter and remote from the end of the needle whereby the needle may be broken to expose a fresh point after fluid is aspirated through the needle to the syringe is filtered.

Abstract: A stent comprises a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending from said proximal end toward said distal end. A first generally straight tube segment extends from the proximal end while a first generally curved segment extends from an end region of the first generally straight tube segment disposed away from the proximal end of the stent. A second generally straight tube segment extends from an end region of the first curved segment away from the first generally straight tube segment and is arranged at an acute angle relative to the first generally straight tube segment. A second generally curved tube segment extends from one end of the second generally straight tube segment and includes a channel on an exterior surface of the second generally curved tube segment.

Abstract: The apparatus includes at least two skin-contacting elements, the elements having narrow end faces and a mounting assembly for holding the elements closely adjacent to each other. A driving assembly reciprocally moves one element relative to the adjacent element(s) at a frequency that produces an action on the pores of the skin to loosen sebaceous plugs present in the pores, by permitting their ready removal from the skin.

Abstract: A personal hygiene wipe that includes a contained and controlled exothermic chemical reaction to provide warmth for the wipe. The fabric of the wipe, such as a rayon and polyester fabric also includes a first or chemical outer pouch, a second or water containing pouch inside the first pouch, such that the first pouch is sealed with a vacuum so that upon application of pressure to the wipe, the vacuum increases the spread of the water into contact with the chemicals to initiate the exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A personal hygiene wipe that includes a contained and controlled exothermic chemical reaction to provide warmth for the wipe. The fabric of the wipe, such as a rayon and polyester fabric also includes a first or chemical outer pouch, a second or water containing pouch inside the first pouch, such that the first pouch is sealed so that upon application of pressure to the wipe, the spread of the water into contact with the chemicals initiates the exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A personal hygiene wipe device that includes a contained and controlled exothermic chemical reaction to provide warmth for the wipe. The device includes an outer pouch containing a heat generating agent and an inner pouch inside the outer pouch and having an activating element. Upon application of pressure to the device, the spread of the activating agent into contact with the chemicals an the exothermic reaction. A heat sink is provided between the wipes and the outer pouch to absorb the initial production of heat and transfer that heat to the wipes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to atomizers for administering liquids to the cornea or conjunctiva of the eye, special eye adapters for atomizers and the use of atomizers for opthalmological administration. The atomizers according to the invention are free from propellant gas and have an energy reservoir for supplying the energy needed for the atomization process.

Abstract: The ostomy receiving bag comprises a front wall (2) and a rear wall and has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the rear wall is provided with an inlet to receive a stoma, and one wall is provided with at least one first half of a fixation pair (A), and the same effective wall after closure of the bag, if available, is provided with at least one second half of a fixation pair (B), such that when the first half and the second half of the fixation pair are attached, the volume of the receiving bag is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a component (1) for forming a seal around an opening in the skin (8). According to the invention, the component (1) comprises a carrier (2) which is enclosed between layers of soft and skin-compatible adhesive.