Abstract: A compression member for insertion into a pig for transporting a container of biohazardous materials includes a flange maintained in spaced relation with an annulus by pillars; and spaced apart pivotable grip components supported by the annulus and extending downwards from the annulus between respective ones of the pillars towards, but not into contact with, the flange, the pivotable grip components resiliently compressible inwardly against the container when the container is received within the compression member. In use, the compression member receives at least a closure portion of the container and, in turn, is itself received within a complementary annulus of the pig. When being received within the complementary annulus of the pig, the pivotable grip components are urged inwards towards the container thereby to grip the container and provide a spacer for between this portion of the container and the pig.

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: An injector cartridge is configured for sterile storage and transfer of a fluid in a pre-filled syringe. The injector cartridge includes a first housing section and a second housing section and is configured to move the pre-filled syringe from a sterile storage position to a fluid transfer position upon linear displacement of the first housing section relative to the second housing section.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for using medical devices are disclosed. An example mapping medical device may include a catheter shaft with a plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrodes may include a first pair of electrodes, a second pair of electrodes, a third pair of electrodes and a fourth pair of electrodes. The mapping medical device may further include a processor, wherein the processor may be configured to determine a first latency between the first pair of electrodes, determine a second latency between the second pair of electrodes, determine a third latency between the third pair of electrodes, determine a fourth latency between the fourth pair of electrodes, and determine a target signal by interpolating the first latency, the second latency, the third latency and the fourth latency.

Abstract: An assembly for a drug delivery device is provided, the assembly including a blocking element and a piston rod having an interaction feature adapted and arranged to mechanically cooperate with the blocking element. For delivering a dose of a drug, the piston rod is configured to be moved from an initial position to an end position with respect to the blocking element, wherein the interaction feature is provided along the path between the initial position and the end position. An operating noise is provided to the user when the interaction feature mechanically cooperates with the blocking element while moving the piston rod for dose delivery. The interaction feature is adapted for homogenizing the operating noise so as to prevent the operating noise from being interpreted by the user as signalling the end of the dose delivery operation. Furthermore, a drug delivery device is provided.

Abstract: Syringe systems and flow control systems configured to detect information associated with a liquid material are described. The syringe systems may include a syringe body for housing the liquid material and an injector piston for expelling the liquid material out of the syringe through a discharge outlet at a distal end of the syringe body. Components of the syringe, such as an injector piston, may include sensors configured to measure and/or detect a property of the liquid material, such as concentration, pH, or radioactivity. The flow control system may include a pinch valve and a platen arranged about a fluid delivery channel. Flow within the fluid delivery channel may be controlled by increasing (squeezing the fluid delivery channel) or decreasing the distance between the pinch valve and the platen. Components of the flow control system may include detectors configured to detect properties of fluid in the fluid control channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a syringe having a longitudinal axis and comprising a barrel assembly including a barrel extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end, and a collar provided at the proximal end of the barrel and defining a reading window. The syringe also comprises a plunger including a longitudinally extending graduation portion that is at least partially longitudinally slidably received in the barrel, and that provides for at least two mutually different visually readable graduations, wherein respective graduations extend along the longitudinal axis and are alternatively selectable by rotation of the graduation portion around the longitudinal axis, such that a selected graduation is visible through the reading window when the plunger is slid into and out of the barrel during use.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the amplitude of accommodation and/or changing the refractive power of lens material of a natural crystalline lens is provided. Generally, there is provided methods and systems for delivering a laser beam to a lens of an eye in a plurality of patterns results in the increased accommodative amplitude and/or refractive power of the lens. There is further provided a system and method of treating presbyopia by increasing both the flexibility of the human lens and the depth of field of the eye.

Abstract: A product cartridge for a radionuclide including a product vial having a permeable cap and surrounded by a radiation shield and a filling cartridge having a separate radiation shield, the filling cartridge is supported adjacent the permeable cap by coupling the radiation shield of the filling cartridge to the radiation shield of the product vial, the filling cartridge is moveable within the radiation shield of the filling cartridge to engage and pierce the permeable cap during filling of the product vial, the filling cartridge includes an aperture on an end opposite the product vial that receives a radionuclide, a scavenger that removes heavy metals from the radionuclide and a filter that filters the biological contaminants, simultaneously venting the product vial as the radionuclide flows from the aperture through the filling cartridge and into the product vial.

Abstract: Methods for setting up, maintaining and operating a radiopharmaceutical infusion system, that includes a radioisotope generator, are facilitated by a computer of the system. The computer includes pre-programmed instructions and a computer interface, for interaction with a user of the system, for example, in order to track contained volumes of eluant and/or eluate, and/or to track time from completion of an elution performed by the system, and/or to calculate one or more system and/or injection parameters for quality control, and/or to perform purges of the system, and/or to facilitate diagnostic imaging.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a syringe and a safety device, the syringe including a barrel of tubular shape, the safety device including a member of tubular shape referred to as a syringe support in which the barrel is arranged such that the syringe support and the barrel are secured on the same axis. The syringe barrel has a flange at a proximal end that is prevented from moving in translation between a peripheral bearing seat and an abutment of the support. Interposed between the seat and the flange, the assembly includes at least one compression pad between the seat and the flange and made of a material presenting a coefficient of friction relative to at least one of the materials of the flange and of the seat that is greater than the coefficient of friction of the materials of the flange and of the seat relative to each other.

Abstract: Shielding assemblies for systems that generate and infuse radiopharmaceuticals. The shielding assemblies include a sidewall that defines several compartments and provides a radiation barrier for the compartments and provides a passageway sized to accommodate routing of an eluate line from a radioisotope generator. One compartment is sized to contain the radioisotope generator. A second compartment is sized to hold a portion of an infusion circuit that may be an extension of the eluate line and may include a waste line and a patient line.

Abstract: A computer-implemented electrocardiographic data processor with time stamp correlation is provided. A monitoring circuit includes a persistent memory and power supply that powers an encoder that determines a differential voltage between a current discrete digital voltage value and a prior voltage value. The differential voltage is stored into the persistent memory in a digitized data stream representative of analog cardiac action potential signals. Digitally-encoded voltage values and time stamps are retrieved from the persistent memory. A post-processing application executes. A set of output voltages and voltage differences that each correspond to lower and upper bounds of voltage is stored. Each retrieved voltage value is compared to the voltage bounds and the voltage differences within which each retrieved voltage value falls is identified. The output voltages corresponding to the voltage differences is selected.

Abstract: Apparatus for fractionation and infusion of radiopharmaceuticals, including a fractionation unit (1) for fractionation into a number of calibrated doses of an amount of radioactive liquid contained in a multidose vial (VE), and a unit (2) for transferring the doses from the fractionation unit (1) to a device (3) for administration thereof to a patient (S), and further including a controlled-atmosphere ventilated chamber (4) containing the unit (2) for transfer of the doses and the connections (21, 23, 25) to a line (11) for connection to the administering device.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a medical instrument with a radioactive substance, said apparatus including a housing designed to receive a syringe and at least part of a medical instrument and to shield against radioactive radiation, further including a means to take up a receptacle for a radioactive substance.

Abstract: A method and device for image guided dynamic radiation treatment of prostate cancer and other pelvic lesions including: 1) a unique fan geometry of radiation sources; 2) a special collimation method and apparatus to sculpt the radiation borders; 3) an integrated three-dimensional imager and a special tissue interface imaging system to locate and track critical boundaries in real-time; 4) a dynamic patient support system, which is shared by the said imager and the irradiation system; and 5) motorized custom shielding filters to further protect neighboring normal tissues such as the kidneys and femoral heads. The fan geometry utilizes a plural number of radiation sources arranged specifically for irradiating tumors in the human pelvis while not harming critical structures, and the collimation sculpts the radiation borders using motorized shields for different sensitive structures.

Abstract: A computer-implemented electrocardiographic data processor with time stamp correlation is provided. A monitoring circuit includes a persistent memory and power supply that powers an encoder that determines a differential voltage between a current discrete digital voltage value and a prior voltage value. The differential voltage is stored into the persistent memory in a digitized data stream representative of analog cardiac action potential signals. Digitally-encoded voltage values and time stamps are retrieved from the persistent memory. A post-processing application executes. A set of output voltages and voltage differences that each correspond to lower and upper bounds of voltage is stored. Each retrieved voltage value is compared to the voltage bounds and the voltage differences within which each retrieved voltage value falls is identified. The output voltages corresponding to the voltage differences is selected.

Abstract: A device for delivery of a radiopharmaceutical and, in some embodiments, delivery of a pharmaceutical agent are described herein. Various other components for delivery systems including tubing management systems, primer caps, diffusion chambers, radiation shields and syringe shields, and other devices and methods are also described.

Abstract: A syringe shield used for containing radioactive drugs in order to reduce healthcare provider's exposure to radiation or to reduce or eliminate ambient light contamination to optically sensitive components in a syringe.

Abstract: A protection device to be fitted onto a syringe (2) used for injecting radioactive material(s). The radiation protection device includes a tubular radiation protection housing (1) that includes an outer tubular part (15), which constitutes at least a portion of the outer surface (11) thereof, and which is made of an elastomeric material. The tubular portion (15) also includes an annular constrictive portion (20) including a resiliently deformable inner surface that is used to apply a compressive force around the cylindrical body (3) of the inserted syringe (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to aerosols containing magnetic particles, wherein the aerosols comprise magnetic particles and a pharmaceutical active agent. The invention furthermore relates to the use of such aerosols containing magnetic particles for directed magnetic field-guided transfer of the active agents contained therein in aerosol therapy.

Abstract: Methods and devices for minimally-invasive delivery of radiation to the posterior portion of the eye including a cannula comprising a distal portion connected to a proximal portion and a means for advancing a radionuclide brachytherapy source (RBS) toward the tip of the distal portion; a method of introducing radiation to the human eye comprising inserting a cannula between the Tenon's capsule and the sclera of the human eye and emitting the radiation from the cannula on an outer surface of said sclera.

Abstract: A system for delivering fluid to a patient includes a container suitable for holding a fluid and an enclosure to shield the fluid. The system further includes a pump device capable of pumping fluid from the container and delivering the fluid to the patient, and the container adapted to be attachable to the pump device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for automatic injection of a product, comprising: a body (3) housing a container, the container being movable relative to said body between an initial position, to an insertion position; a safety shield (26) movable with respect to said container and said body between an insertion position to a protection position, when the user removes the device from an injection site; an external socket (48) receiving the body and provided with selection means (53) which can be placed by a user: either in a first position, in which the body (3) and the external socket (48) are bound to each other, the safety shield extending beyond the distal end of both said body and said external socket in the protection position; or in a second position, in which the external socket (48) is able to move axially in the distal direction with respect to the body (3), both the safety shield and the external socket extending beyond the distal end of said body, in the protection position.

Abstract: An implantable medical device and associated method assesses T-wave alternans. The method includes sensing a cardiac signal from implanted electrodes subsequent to a premature contraction; measuring a T-wave parameter from the sensed cardiac signal for a plurality of cardiac cycles; and determining a T-wave alternans metric corresponding to the measured T-wave parameter.

Abstract: A shielding assembly for an infusion system includes a plurality of compartments and a door for each compartment, and provides a radioactive radiation barrier for the compartments. One of the compartments contains a radioisotope generator of the infusion system and another of the compartments may contain a waste bottle of the infusion system. An opening into each of the generator and waste bottle compartments may be oriented upward, and the opening into the latter may be at a higher elevation than the opening into the former, for example, to facilitate independent removal and replacement of each. A door of at least one of the compartments, other than the generator compartment, when closed, may prevent the door of the generator compartment from being opened. A cabinet structure for the infusion system may enclose the shielding assembly and secure the generator.

Abstract: A shielding assembly for an infusion system includes a plurality of compartments and a door for each compartment, and provides a radioactive radiation barrier for the compartments. One of the compartments contains a radioisotope generator of the infusion system and another of the compartments may contain a waste bottle of the infusion system. An opening into each of the generator and waste bottle compartments may be oriented upward, and the opening into the latter may be at a higher elevation than the opening into the former, for example, to facilitate independent removal and replacement of each. A door of at least one of the compartments, other than the generator compartment, when closed, may prevent the door of the generator compartment from being opened. A cabinet structure for the infusion system may enclose the shielding assembly and secure the generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (100) of treating tissue adjacent a bodily conduit using thermotherapy, while preventing obstructions of the bodily conduit due to edema, includes injection of a drug-encapsulated within a heat-sensitive carrier, such as a liposome, within a region of tissue to be treated. The heat produced by the energy-emitting source (110) heats a portion of the tissue surrounding the bodily conduit to a temperature of approximately 43° C. for a time sufficient to destroy the heated portion of the tissue. In addition, the heat produced by the energy-emitting source (110) activates the heat-sensitive carrier to activate the release of the encapsulated drug and the drug targets the tissue to be heated. The focused energy of the energy-emitting source together with the compression acting on the target area can assist in delivering drugs to the target area so that a natural stent has a long term efficacy.

Abstract: A shielding assembly for an infusion system includes a plurality of compartments and a door for each compartment, and provides a radioactive radiation barrier for the compartments. One of the compartments contains a radioisotope generator of the infusion system and another of the compartments may contain a waste bottle of the infusion system. An opening into each of the generator and waste bottle compartments may be oriented upward, and the opening into the latter may be at a higher elevation than the opening into the former, for example, to facilitate independent removal and replacement of each. A door of at least one of the compartments, other than the generator compartment, when closed, may prevent the door of the generator compartment from being opened. A cabinet structure for the infusion system may enclose the shielding assembly and secure the generator.

Abstract: A kit for charging an infusion pump having a reservoir for holding a local anesthetic. The kit includes a first stopcock having an input port, a first input/output port and a second output port and a manual control for selectively coupling either the first input/output port or the second output port to the input port. The kit further includes a second stopcock having an input port, first and second output ports and a manual control for selectively coupling either the first output port or the second output port to the input port. The second output port of the first stopcock is adapted for coupling to the input port of the second stopcock. The kit further includes a syringe adapted to be coupled to the first input/output port of the first stopcock and tubing for coupling the input port of the first stopcock to a source of the liquid and for coupling the output port of the second stopcock to an input port of the pump.

Abstract: Attenuating masks for selective attenuation of radiation, particularly from an x-ray source in brachytherapy, employ materials having atomic number in a specific range, so as to attenuate radiation dose intensity generally proportionally through a range of distance from the source. Some preferred attenuation materials are silver and molybdenum. A set of small masks can be provided for a particular design of catheter that holds a radiation source, each mask having a size and shape to define a different solid angle of masking, so that in a brachytherapy procedure, sensitive tissue such as bone or skin can be protected by proper selection of and positioning of the attenuating mask, to reduce the dose intensity to that tissue.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for a chemotherapy injection needle, includes a coring needle, a plastic film integrated with a hand-held film, and an injection vessel, wherein the coring needle is a through, hollow and metal needle having a needle head bent downwards to form an angle with a needle body which connects to the injection vessel at a rear end. The plastic film has two trapezoidal and protruding wings extending to two sides, and when the two protruding wings are folded to clamp the needle head, the protruding wings' extending length is sufficient to wrap a tip part of the needle head, and positions where the protruding wings wrap the tip part are corresponding to concaved grooves of the needle head, so that the two protruding wings attach closely with each other. Also, the two protruding wings engage with each other by a locking device to secure the protruding wings.

Abstract: A containment medical apparatus for use in association with medical treatments requiring radioactive substances has a tubular housing with a cap configured for closing an open end of the tubular housing. A quick release mechanism holds the cap on an open end of the tubular housing.

Abstract: A radiopharmaceutical containment or pig, in certain embodiments, may include a plurality of cavities or chambers to accommodate a syringe and other medical devices. For example, a syringe may be housed in a first chamber of the radiopharmaceutical containment, and a tube coupled to the syringe may be housed in a second chamber and extractable via a passage in the radiopharmaceutical containment. In some embodiments, a user may extract a radiopharmaceutical from the radiopharmaceutical containment without having to remove the syringe from the containment. The radiopharmaceutical containment may include radiation shielding, an aperture to enable a ram of a power injector to engage or interact with a syringe inside the containment, a movable shutter over the aperture, various labels, and/or an integral storage compartment.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for infusion of a radioactive compound, such as yttrium-90 radiolabeled somatostatin peptide or analog. A radiation shield defining a shielded cavity suitable for storing a radioactive substance includes a first aperture providing external access to the shielded cavity and a second aperture suitable for transferring a dosage vial into and out of the shielded cavity. A removable shielded plug and panel are adapted to shield respective apertures of the radiation shield. At least one dose of a radiolabeled compound stored in a vial in the radiation shield is delivered through a fluid communication channel at a rate of about 500 mL/hour. The fluid communication channel is washed after delivery, such that the process substantially reduces radiation exposure during infusion of the radiolabeled compound into a patient.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical pig is used to transport a syringe containing a liquid radiopharmaceutical from a radiopharmacy to a medical facility for administration to a patient. The pharmaceutical pig includes an elongate polymer cap that is removably attached to an elongate polymer base. The elongate polymer cap includes a cap shell that completely encloses a cap shielding element and the elongate polymer base includes a base shell that completely encloses a base shielding element. Preferably the polymer utilized for the cap shell and the base shell is polycarbonate resin, e.g., LEXAN®. An inner liner is not utilized and the cap shielding element and the base shielding element, which are preferably, but not necessarily, made of lead, are completely sealed and unexposed.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical pig is used to transport a syringe containing a liquid radiopharmaceutical from a radiopharmacy to a medical facility for administration to a patient. The pharmaceutical pig includes an elongate polymer cap that is removably attached to an elongate polymer base. The elongate polymer cap includes a cap shell that completely encloses a cap shielding element and the elongate polymer base includes a base shell that completely encloses a base shielding element. Preferably the polymer utilized for the cap shell and the base shell is polycarbonate resin, e.g., LEXAN®. An inner liner is not utilized and the cap shielding element and the base shielding element, which are preferably, but not necessarily, made of lead, are completely sealed and unexposed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for irradiating living tissue via a cavity or lumen, using an inflatable balloon applicator. In a preferred embodiment the applicator balloon has a balloon skin with x-ray contrast material in relatively low concentration, so that an outline of the balloon will appear sharply when imaged externally. In another preferred embodiment the balloon catheter has a drain for withdrawing liquids from the cavity, which may include channels or texture on the exterior of the balloon. Methods are described for using a switchable miniature x-ray tube, variable as to voltage and current, to achieve accuracy in an isodose profile.

Abstract: Described herein are infusion systems and methods for delivering a radiopharmaceutical agent to a subject without exposing an administering health care professional to a potentially deleterious amount of radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for dispensing radiopharmaceuticals and measuring a radiation dosage thereof. In the system, the operation of dispensing a predetermined dose of radiopharmaceuticals from a vial (21) to an syringe (31) and the operation of measuring a radiation dosage of the radiopharmaceuticals dispensed to the syringe can be sequentially conducted without a risk of radiation leaking. Therefore, the system can markedly reduce the frequency of radiation exposure and the radiation exposure dose. Furthermore, when the syringe is moved downwards from a radiopharmaceutical dispensing apparatus (101) into a radiation dosage measuring apparatus (141) to measure a radiation dosage, the filling opening of the vial is displaced from a position aligned with the syringe, thus preventing radiopharmaceuticals remaining in the vial from affecting the measurement of the radiation dosage of the syringe.

Abstract: A container for a vial of radiopharmaceutical, made of polymethyl methacrylate consists of a receptacle, with a cavity capable of containing the vial of radiopharmaceutical, and of a lid screwed onto the receptacle for closing the container, said lid presenting a central through-hole. A set, in combination with this container with the vial of radiopharmaceutical, consisting of a bottle of saline solution and two infusion catheters, enhances the radioprotection during the infusion of a radiopharmaceutical in an infusion operation.

Abstract: A system for injecting a patient, includes a container enclosing a hazardous pharmaceutical; a first pump to deliver a hazardous pharmaceutical to a patient and a fluid path operably connected to the first pump, the container, and the patient. The system further includes a hazardous material containment suitable to confine the hazardous pharmaceutical during connection of the hazardous pharmaceutical container to the fluid path.

Abstract: A cover for a syringe includes an elongated flexible envelope and an absorbent material. The elongated flexible envelope includes a body portion and a needle-receiving portion. The body portion has a first end that defines an opening and an opposite second end. The needle-receiving portion extends from the second end of the body portion and terminates in a distal end. The body portion and the needle-receiving portion define a cavity of sufficient size to allow the syringe to be placed therein. The cavity is in communication with the opening. The envelope is made of a material that is impervious to liquid. The absorbent material is disposed in the distal end of the needle-receiving portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically dispensing a radioactive dose by filling a container, such as a vial or disposable syringe, with a required radioactive dose in a sterile environment; the apparatus being stand alone and radioactive-shielded. The apparatus further includes a control device for accurately dispensing and diluting the required radioactive dose using an online radioactivity measurement, which does not require knowledge of the volumetric radioactivity of the stock solution.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical pig is used to transport a syringe containing a liquid radiopharmaceutical from a radiopharmacy to a medical facility for administration to a patient. The pharmaceutical pig includes an elongate polymer cap that is removably attached to an elongate polymer base. The elongate polymer cap includes a cap shell that completely encloses a cap shielding element and the elongate polymer base includes a base shell that completely encloses a base shielding element. Preferably the polymer utilized for the cap shell and the base shell is polycarbonate resin, e.g., LEXAN®. An inner liner is not utilized and the cap shielding element and the base shielding element, which are preferably, but not necessarily, made of lead, are completely sealed and unexposed.

Abstract: A radiopharmaceutical injection system having a powered injector that includes radiation shielding, a biometric sensor, and a controller communicatively interconnected with both the powered injector and the biometric sensor. The controller may be configured to control the powered injector in response to a signal from the biometric sensor that indicates a biometric parameter is within a target range.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical engineering, in particular, to means of automation of the process of generating a diagnostic solution from a radionuclide strontium-rubidium generator and performing of remote controlled infusion, with automatic control over the key characteristics of the process. The automated strontium-rubidium infusion system comprises a container with eluent, a strontium-rubidium generator with a filter and a pressure sensor at the input, an eluate infusion unit, which are connected by means of a transporting system provided with pipes and two three-way valves, radioactivity measuring means and a control and operating unit. Here, an eluent container is connected to a syringe pump via the first and second ports of the first three-way valve, the first port of the second three-way valve is connected with pipes via the second filter to the eluate infusion unit, and the second port is connected to a waste receptacle.

Abstract: The application relates to radiation shielding (12) for use with radiopharmaceutical syringes (14). For example, in at least some regards, the invention relates to a syringe radiation shield that includes a sleeve (18) having a syringe receptacle defined therein to accommodate a barrel (26) of the syringe. In addition, this syringe radiation shield may also include a cover (20) having a plunger receptacle defined therein to accommodate a plunger of the syringe. The sleeve and the cover may be removably coupled with one another so that the syringe can be housed within the syringe radiation shield, for example, during administration of a radiopharmaceutical from the syringe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation shielded syringe assembly that includes a radiopharmaceutical syringe and a radiation shield (101) disposed about at least a portion of the syringe. The radiation shield may include a needle cap ejector (155) to assist a user in removing a needle cap (125) from a needle of the syringe (e.g., to perform an injection). For instance, in some embodiments, the user may press/push the needle cap ejector to detach the needle cap from the needle of the syringe. The radiation shield and needle cap ejector may be designed such that the needle cap may be removed from the needle of the syringe while the user is shielded from undesired exposure to radiation emitted from the radiopharmaceutical within the syringe.

Abstract: A radioactivity dose calibrator system measures the quantity of radioactive material contained in a sample-vial or syringe without removing the vial or syringe from its primary radiation shield. The system comprises a first radiation detector, a second radiation detector, a transportable, shielded radioactive material sample-holder, a signal-processing circuit and a video display.