A medical device includes a catheter having proximal and distal ends, and defining a lumen, an introducer having proximal and distal ends, and defining an inner volume configured to movably receive the catheter. The distal end of the introducer has a lock configured to couple the introducer to an intravenous line, the introducer having a flexible member arranged within the inner volume configured to limit deflection of the catheter as the catheter is moved within the introducer, and an actuator movably coupled to the introducer. The actuator has a first portion disposed outside the introducer and a second portion disposed in the inner volume of the introducer and coupled to the catheter. The actuator configured to move relative to the introducer to move the catheter between first and second positions, such that the first portion is disposed within the intravenous line when the introducer is coupled to the intravenous line.

An applicator for applying a microneedle patch to a skin of a subject, comprising a base having a skin-side end and a holder for holding the microneedle patch. Two or more contact parts are movable over the skin and away from each other to stretch the skin. The applicator further comprising an interface for an actuator. The actuator actuates a movement of the microneedle patch relative to the skin-side end to penetrate at least into the stratum corneum of the epidermis of the skin with the microneedle. A microneedle patch comprising a skin-adhesive surface for attaching the patch to the skin of a subject. The patch has one or more projecting microneedles. A stiffening body stiffens the patch in at least a parallel direction parallel to the skin-adhesive surface in a region of the skin-adhesive surface which includes the microneedle.

An apparatus comprises a diffuser, a connection tube section forming a tubular fluid passage, a first indicating element section that indicates a measurement related to a body fluid disposed between a distal end and the connection tube section, a second indicating element section that indicates that the first indicating element section is suitable for use, and a housing having a generally tubular body. The diffuser is at least partially disposed in the generally tubular body. A fluid chamber adapted to receive fluid is cooperatively defined by the housing and the diffuser. The first indicating element section is visibly disposed in a first section of the housing. The second indicating element section is disposed within the fluid chamber. A micro-needle collector having pipettes to draw the fluid from a source to the distal end is attachable to the distal end.

Described here are meters and methods for sampling, transporting, and/or analyzing a fluid sample. The meters may include a meter housing and a cartridge. In some instances, the meter may include a tower which may engage one or more portions of a cartridge. The meter housing may include an imaging system, which may or may not be included in the tower. The cartridge may include one or more sampling arrangements, which may be configured to collect a fluid sample from a sampling site. A sampling arrangement may include a skin-penetration member, a hub, and a quantification member.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for monitoring and/or providing feedback for drugs or other pharmaceuticals taken by a subject. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for determining a species within the skin of a subject; and producing feedback to a subject based on the determination of the species. The feedback may be, for example, visual, audible, tactile, a change in temperature, etc. In some cases, information regarding the determination of the species may be transmitted to another entity, e.g., a health care provider, a computer, a relative, etc., which may then provide feedback to the subject in some fashion. In some cases, the feedback may be directly indicative of the species, e.g., whether the species is present, the concentration of the species, whether a by-product of a reaction involving the species is present, whether a compound affected by the species is present, etc. However, the feedback may also be indirect in some embodiments. For example, the subject may be presented with an external reward, e.g., based on the determination of the species within the skin. For instance, a reward such as cash, coupons, songs, discounts, personal items, etc., may be offered based on the level of compliance of the subject. Still other aspects of the invention are generally directed to kits involving such devices (with or without the drug to be monitored), methods of promoting such systems, or the like.

A method for performing an assay to determine the presence or concentration of an analyte contained in a sample of body fluid by using a device comprising at least one analyte quantification member and a sensor associated therewith, the method includes: applying a first sample to the analyte quantification member; and detecting the presence or absence of an adequate sample volume; wherein upon detection of the absence of an adequate sample volume, initiating a finite timed period, and signaling the user to introduce a second sample of body fluid to the analyte quantification member. Associated arrangements and devices are also disclosed.

Described here are meters and methods for sampling, transporting, and/or analyzing a fluid sample. The meters may include a meter housing and a cartridge. In some instances, the meter may include a tower which may engage one or more portions of a cartridge. The meter housing may include an imaging system, which may or may not be included in the tower. The cartridge may include one or more sampling arrangements, which may be configured to collect a fluid sample from a sampling site. A sampling arrangement may include a skin-penetration member, a hub, and a quantification member.

Systems and methods to assist a practitioner to confirm location of a distal tip of a needle within a patient include confirming tactile feedback from a needle insertion to a point of loss of resistance of fluid flow and by viewing a display showing color of a tissue plane at the distal tip of the needle at the point of loss of resistance.

Described here are meters and methods for sampling, transporting, and/or analyzing a fluid sample. The meters may include a meter housing and a cartridge. In some instances, the meter may include a tower which may engage one or more portions of a cartridge. The meter housing may include an imaging system, which may or may not be included in the tower. The cartridge may include one or more sampling arrangements, which may be configured to collect a fluid sample from a sampling site. A sampling arrangement may include a skin-penetration member, a hub, and a quantification member.

An incentive spirometer has a housing (1) with a vertical cylinder (4) connected at its upper end to one end of a gas passage (8) that is connected at its opposite end to an inlet tube (10) and mouthpiece (11). A piston (20) in the cylinder is moved up when the patient inhales through the mouthpiece and thereby creates a reduced pressure at the upper end of the cylinder. The spirometer also includes a flow sensor (30) located in the gas passage (8) that generates a wireless signal indicative of gas flow along the passage. A monitor (40), such as a suitably programmed mobile phone, is located separately of the spirometer housing (1) and responds to the output of the sensor (30). The monitor (40) records and provides feedback to the user indicative of his use of the apparatus.