244results about How to "Keep sterile" patented technology

An endoscope having a guide tube is described herein. The assembly has an endoscope which is slidably insertable within the lumen of a guide tube. The guide tube is configured to be rigidizable along its entire length from a relaxed configuration. The endoscope has a steerable distal portion to facilitate the steering of the device through tortuous paths. In the relaxed configuration, a portion of the guide tube is able to assume the shape or curve defined by the controllable distal portion of the endoscope. Having assumed the shape or curve of the endoscope, the guide tube may be rigidized by the physician or surgeon to maintain that shape or curve while the endoscope is advanced distally through the tortuous path without having to place any undue pressure against the tissue walls.

An endoscope having a guide tube is described herein. The assembly has an endoscope which is slidably insertable within the lumen of a guide tube. The guide tube is configured to be rigidizable along its entire length from a relaxed configuration. The endoscope has a steerable distal portion to facilitate the steering of the device through tortuous paths. In the relaxed configuration, a portion of the guide tube is able to assume the shape or curve defined by the controllable distal portion of the endoscope. Having assumed the shape or curve of the endoscope, the guide tube may be rigidized by the physician or surgeon to maintain that shape or curve while the endoscope is advanced distally through the tortuous path without having to place any undue pressure against the tissue walls.

Disclosed herein are methods, devices, compositions, and systems for providing an interface between medical instrumentation and a patient. In various embodiments, the interface provides a sterile barrier, acoustic coupler, and thermal insulator between the patient and a medical instrument. In some embodiments, an acoustic coupler interface is used between an ultrasound instrument and a patient. In some embodiments, the acoustic coupler comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”) and in particular oil-enhanced or gelatinous TPEs that can be used in diagnostic and therapeutic (HIFU) ultrasound procedures.

A closed system, spikeless, positive-flow valve device includes a body defining an internal cavity. At the proximal end of the body is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The valve includes a plastic, resilient silicon seal which fills the upper cavity and opening with an oval seal cap having a slit. The opening presses the oval seal cap to keep the slit closed in the decompressed state. The slit opens as the nose of the medical implement compresses the seal into the cavity and the seal cap is free from the opening. The housing also includes a fluid space which facilitates fluid flow between the medical implement and a catheter tip. The fluid space within the valve automatically and reversibly increases upon insertion of the medical implement into the cavity and decreases upon withdrawal of the medical implement, such that a positive flow from the valve toward the catheter tip is effected upon withdrawal of the medical implement, thereby preventing a flow of blood from a patient into the catheter when the medical implement is removed from the valve.

An apparatus and method for transferring a chosen quantity of medication from a vial to an intravenous infuser container under sterile conditions is described. The present invention further facilitates dissolving solid medications contained in the vial or diluting concentrated medications contained in the vial, and transferring the resulting solutions to the infuser container.

A system for remotely controlling the positioning within the body of a patient of an elongated medical device optionally having a control handle, comprises a robotic system and a remote controller configured to control the robotic device. The robotic system comprises a handle controller; a sled member coupled to the handle controller, the sled member being configured to position the medical device within the body of the patient; and a sled base configured to advance the sled member towards the body of a patient, the sled bed being coupled to a sterile barrier effective to maintain sterility inside the sled base. A medical device introducer is effective to guide the elongated medical device into a patient's body.

A system for remotely controlling the positioning within the body of a patient of an elongated medical device optionally having a control handle, comprises a catheter position system and a remote controller configured to control the robotic device. The catheter position system includes a handle controller; a sled member coupled to the handle controller, the sled member being configured to position the medical device within the body of the patient; and a sled base configured to advance the sled member towards the body of a patient, the sled bed being coupled to a sterile barrier effective to maintain sterility inside the sled base. The catheter position system may include a control system configured to issue positioning commands in response to sensor signals received from the catheter. The catheter position system may also include a motor driven rotatable catheter introducer clamp configured to enable rotation of an introducer.

A disposable sterile surgical drape with pre-attached disposable sterile instruments for use in a selected surgical procedure is provided. The disposable sterile surgical drape basically comprises a drape having a size for covering an operating table and a patient thereon and having an incision opening formed therein, a patient heat distributing pad pre-attached to the bottom side of the drape, an absorbent cloth surrounding the incision opening pre-attached to the bottom side of the drape, a cover for the incision opening in the drape pre-attached to the top side of the drape, and the surgical instruments and connecting tubes or wires required to accomplish the surgical procedure pre-attached to the drape.

A system and method for a patch-like, self-contained multi-component 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 and a pressurization system provides a pressure to the contents of a fluid reservoir assembly. Improvements to dry powdered formulations for reconstitution for preferred use in the device are also disclosed.

A flexible instrument introducer has a central channel and several peripheral channels in its outer wall for passage of instruments and other devices. It is assembled from three or more cylindrical elements, snapped together to give a limited degree of bending at each joint. The bending is confined to one or a few planes. The tube formed from the cylinders is stabilized and sealed by a flexible tube surrounding it, and said flexible tube confines controls and devices placed in the peripheral channels. The flexible tube also permits the maintenance of sterility and / or application of vacuum in the central and peripheral channels. The introducer may have an adaptor which keeps the distance from the proximal end to a device constant while the overall introducer bends.

A system for injecting an injectate into patient includes a first pressurizable container for holding the injectate; a patient interface in fluid connection with the first pressurizable container, the patient interface being adapted to pass the injectate into tissue of the patient; a powered injector in operative connection with the first pressurizable container to pressurize the injectate; a controller system in operative connection with powered injector; and a stereotactic localization frame adapted to be placed in operative connection with the patient interface to assist in controlling localization of the patient interface. A system for processing cells (and / or other injectate components) includes a container and a plunger adapted to be slidably positioned within the container. The system includes at least one inlet port through which a fluid can enter the system and at least one effluent port through which an effluent can exit the system. The plunger section forms a sealing engagement with the inner wall of the container such that rearward motion of the plunger is adapted to draw fluid into the system via the inlet and forward motion of the plunger is adapted to force effluent out of the system via the effluent port.

The present disclosure is directed to devices that administer single or multiple doses of one or more substances to the eye, nose, or ear of a user. The precise and repeatable dosing features of the presently disclosed devices overcome many of the disadvantages associated with known methods for dispensing substances to, for example, the eye of a user. The devices administer precise doses of a substance to a precise location from ampoules that may be single-dose or two-dose ampoules, which may be externally or internally pierced.

An improved protective cap and method for capping medical male luer fittings is provided. The protective cap may include inner and intermediate annular members extending from an end wall and defining a slot therebetween. At least one and preferably a plurality of depressible members project from an outer surface of the inner annular member, wherein the depressible member(s) conforms to the internal threads of a male luer fitting upon interconnection. For such purposes, the depressible member(s) may comprise a resilient material, e.g. most preferably having a modulus of elasticity of between about 5000 psi and 20000 psi. Each depressible member may be of an arcuate configuration in cross-section to present a convex surface for depressible engagement by the collar of a male luer fitting when positioned in the annular slot. The protective cap may be readily employed in automated capping / uncapping procedures via direct linear advancement / retraction relative to a male luer fitting. The protective cap may also be readily rotated onto and off of a male luer fitting. The protective cap and associated methodologies are particularly apt for use in connection with syringes, including automated procedures for pre-filling disposable syringes with medical liquids.

Systems for sheath fluid and sample fluid transport from containers to an analytic device, such as a flow (cell) cytometer, are disclosed. These systems are sterile and remain so, as they are closed to the ambient environment. As a result, fluids of high purity reach the analytic device, and in the case of a flow cytometer, the desired cells are sorted in sort of high purity.

A crimper having a crimping block and a crimping lever. The crimping block has a top surface, a first end, and an opposite second end. The first end provides receptacles which each allow a swaged needle having a needle hole end having a needle hole to be inserted therein. The second end has suture channels which allow a suture to be inserted into the crimping block such that the suture is guided toward the needle end hole. The top surface has a plurality of crimping openings which each expose one of the receptacles and the needle hole end therein. The crimping lever has a plurality of protrusions which are aligned with the crimping openings such that one of the projections engages the needle end and mechanically crimp the needle end to secure the suture therein. The needle may then be withdrawn from the receptacle with the suture secured therein.

A system for remotely controlling the positioning within the body of a patient of an elongated medical device optionally having a control handle, comprises a robotic system and a remote controller configured to control the robotic device. The robotic system comprises a handle controller; a sled member coupled to the handle controller, the sled member being configured to position the medical device within the body of the patient; and a sled base configured to advance the sled member towards the body of a patient, the sled bed being coupled to a sterile barrier effective to maintain sterility inside the sled base. A medical device introducer is effective to guide the elongated medical device into a patient's body.

A closed system, spikeless, positive-flow valve device includes a body defining an internal cavity. At the proximal end of the body is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The valve includes a plastic, resilient silicon seal which fills the upper cavity and opening with an oval seal cap having a slit. The opening presses the oval seal cap to keep the slit closed in the decompressed state. The slit opens as the nose of the medical implement compresses the seal into the cavity and the seal cap is free from the opening. The housing also includes a fluid space which facilitates fluid flow between the medical implement and a catheter tip. The fluid space within the valve automatically and reversibly increases upon insertion of the medical implement into the cavity and decreases upon withdrawal of the medical implement, such that a positive flow from the valve toward the catheter tip is effected upon withdrawal of the medical implement, thereby preventing a flow of blood from a patient into the catheter when the medical implement is removed from the valve.

Intranasal delivery devices include dosage forms containing medical compositions for use in the intranasal devices, and methods of delivering medical compositions to the nasal mucosa of users. The devices dispense a predetermined quantity of fluid into the nasal passage of a user, in which the predetermined quantity of fluid is contained in, or produced in a dosage form or blister that is crushed by a plunger with sufficient force to drive the dosage form against a piercing mechanism, piercing the dosage form and forcing the liquid contents from the dosage form and through a delivery channel into a spray to be directed into the nasal passage of a user. The plunger is connected to a trigger device by a linkage that confers a mechanical advantage to the trigger mechanism.

Illustrative pairs of caps are disclosed, each of the caps being sized and shaped to provide a protective union about a separated medical connector. A pair of caps can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which is configured to be coupled to the other cap in an assembly. The assembly is sealed until the caps are separated for use, thereby maintaining sterility of the internal surfaces of the caps. Related methods are also disclosed.

A fluid pathway assembly includes a needle insertion mechanism, a fluid conduit, and a fluid pathway connection. The fluid pathway assembly may further include a drug container to hold a drug fluid prior to initiation of the injection. The assembly may include a carrier disposed along at least a portion of the fluid pathway assembly, and / or a drug container. The fill-finish cartridge functions to retain the components of the fluid pathway assembly in a sterile condition, while allowing for easy integration of the fluid pathway assembly and the drug container into a standard fill-finish process. Methods of constructing a cartridge, filling a drug container included in a cartridge, and incorporating the same into a drug delivery device are disclosed.

Electrical apparatus includes a tray, having a surface on which a tool containing a rechargeable power source can be placed, and a magnetic field generator, which is located below the surface of the tray and is operative to generate a time-varying magnetic field of sufficient power at the surface of the tray so as to inductively charge the power source in the tool.

A treatment system includes a fluid cooling supply system for chilling and delivering liquid coolant to a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes a cooling device and a heat exchanger device. The heat exchanger device is biased to the cooling device and is in fluid communication with a treatment device in a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes at least one biasing mechanism to provide a given biasing force between the heat exchanger device and the cooling device to effectuate and improve heat transfer. The liquid coolant may be circulated through an energy delivery device positioned in an airway of a patient to preserve tissue. The system is controlled to circulate liquid coolant at a given temperature and pressure for a selected amount of time during pulmonary treatment of a patient.

Illustrative pairs of caps are disclosed, each of the caps being sized and shaped to provide a protective union about a separated medical connector. The pair of caps comprises an assembly that includes a male cap and a female cap. The assembly is sealed until the caps are separated for use, thereby maintaining sterility of the internal surfaces of the caps. One or more absorbent pads may be impregnated with an antiseptic agent and positioned within the pair of caps.

A fluid transfer assembly including a vented female vial adapter and male vial adapter for use with a pair of vials including a vial with contents under negative pressure for liquid drug reconstitution and administration purposes. The vented female vial adapter includes a venting arrangement and the male vial adapter includes a sealing arrangement for selectively sealing the venting arrangement. The fluid transfer assembly is designed such that only filtered air is drawn into the vial under negative pressure subsequent to reconstitution of liquid drug contents to ensure sterile conditions.

A device, system and method for axenically culturing and harvesting cells and / or tissues, including bioreactors and fermentors. The device is preferably disposable but nevertheless may be used continuously for a plurality of consecutive culturing / harvesting cycles prior to disposal of same. This invention also relates to batteries of such devices which may be used for large-scale production of cells and tissues. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is adapted for use with plant cell culture.