A nebulizer for nebulizing a fluid is proposed. The nebulizer includes an indicator device with a rotatable indicator element for counting or indicating a number of actuations performed or still possible with the nebulizer and a rotatable shaft which rotatably drives the indicator element. The indicator device is non-detachably attached to the shaft and/or to an inner part of the nebulizer. The nebulizer may further include a positioning device that keeps the shaft in a defined rotational position and/or blocks the shaft from rotating backwards.

A nebulizer for a fluid, includes a container containing the fluid; a housing part which can be detached from the nebulizer for replacing the container; an inner part; a retaining element connected with and not detachable from the inner part, where the housing part is releasable fixed to the inner part by the retaining element; a delivery mechanism for dispensing the fluid; a manually depressible actuator member, which is a separate part from the retaining element and acts on the retaining element, and wherein the actuator member is depressed to elastically deform or flex the retaining element to allow detachment of the housing part.

Insulin injection syringes are disclosed that include two types of components, namely, durable components that that do not contact the fluid path and can be reused, and disposable or single-use components that contact the fluid path and are not reused. The durable components do not contact the fluid path so that sterility is not affected. Two different syringe components include a reusable outer sleeve containing scale markings for the syringe and a reusable syringe plunger are provided as durable components in embodiments of the present invention. Syringes manufactured according to the present invention can employ one or both of these durable components. Methods for making, using and packaging such syringes are also disclosed.

A method and system for detecting a limit of use of a medical device is disclosed. The method includes starting a timer of a medical device when said medical device is used for the first time, detecting the limit of use of the medical device and indicating the limit of use of the medical device. The limit of use is reached when at least one of a first criterion and a second criterion is met, wherein the first criterion is that the timer reaches or exceeds a time limit and wherein the second criterion is that at least one operation of a drive train of said medical device reaches or exceeds a limit.

A capnography system includes a CO.sub.2 sensing system having a CO.sub.2 sensor configured to measure a CO.sub.2 concentration in exhaled breath of a subject, a processor configured to derive one or more breath related parameters based on the measured CO.sub.2 concentration, and a communication unit. The capnography system includes a tubing system configured to allow flow of respiratory gasses therethrough. The tubing system includes a connector configured to connect the tubing system to the CO.sub.2 sensing system and a communication component configured to provide an indication of a type of the tubing system to the communication unit. The communication unit is configured to transfer data to the processor based on the indication obtained from the communication component, and the processor is configured to change or suggest a change of an operation mode of the CO.sub.2 sensing system based on the data.

Disclosed catheter insertion systems enable the user to identify the location of the needle based on the electrical properties of subcutaneous tissue relative the electrical properties of other fluids such as blood or air. Disclosed systems can include one or more of the following features: 1) the catheter assembly is modular (e.g., the catheter can be connected and disconnected from the detection unit at will); 2) the detection unit employs an electrical circuit that allows for the discernment between subcutaneous tissue and blood; 3) the system assists the end user with catheter advancement. Some embodiments can be used to insert catheters into a spaces where the needle passes first through subcutaneous fat and muscle before entering fluid or air.

Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a single-use, aseptic disconnection functionality that substantially prevents fluid spillage when being disconnected. In some embodiments, the coupling portions cannot be functionally reconnected to each other after being disconnected from each other.

A device for converting a consumable into an aerosol with high heat without burning the consumable by packaging the consumable around a susceptor for inductive heating so as to reduce the oxygen content within the consumable. The susceptor can be a flattened piece of steel wool. The encasement can be a coating applied to the consumable can be packaging inside an encasement through which the aerosol can pass. Efficiency of the to create a porous shell. The device can have a receiver with an airtight seal and an airflow controller to optimize the aerosolizing process. The device can also have a recognition system to detect a sign on the consumable-containing package an execute the appropriate administration protocol.

The invention relates to an automatic injector device comprising a single-use, disposable, drug delivery assembly comprising a housing and a syringe assembly located at least partially within the housing, said syringe assembly including a plunger, a pre-filled unit-dose drug containing chamber, and needle, said plunger, drug containing chamber and needle being configured and dimensioned to function as an injection syringe; a reusable motorized transmission assembly comprising a housing, a motor and transmission assembly located within the housing, said transmission assembly being configured and dimensioned to engage the plunger of said syringe in the drug delivery assembly and expel said unit dose drug from the drug containing chamber, into the needle and out of the drug delivery assembly; said single-use disposable drug delivery assembly and said reusable motorized transmission assembly are in substantial axial alignment along a longitudinal axis defined by the syringe, plunger, pre-filled unit-dose drug containing chamber, and needle.

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a portion of plant material that includes at least one active ingredient. A vaporizing unit includes a heating element configured to heat the plant material, and a sensor configured to detect an indication of airflow rate through the vaporizing unit. Control circuitry is configured to receive an indication of the airflow rate through the vaporizing unit, and, in response thereto, to determine a smoking profile that is desired by the user. The control circuitry drives the heating element to vaporize the active ingredient of the plant material by heating the plant material according to the determined smoking profile. The control circuitry dynamically updates the smoking profile in response to changes in airflow rate over the course of a smoking session. Other applications are also described.