A cannula locator device is described herein. The cannula locator device may include a cannula. The cannula may include a distal tip, an elongated tubular shaft, and an inner lumen formed by the elongated tubular shaft. The cannula locator device may also include a first optical fiber configured to emit light and a second optical fiber configured to receive reflected light. The first and second optical fibers may be disposed within the inner lumen of the cannula. The first optical fiber may include a first distal end and a first proximal end. The second optical fiber may include a first proximal end and first distal end.

A preferred method to obtain painless or near painless needle 8 penetration is disclosed to be in the following manner: Applying electric current using a TENS device simultaneously with tapping the injection site for 30 to 60 seconds at a rate of about one strike per second, followed by a rapid needle 8 penetration into the skin 2.

Apparatus for administering certain nerve blocks includes a sheath constructed from a flexible ultrasound echogenic material, a more rigid introducer/dilator for introducing the sheath into the patient, and an ultrasound echogenic catheter for inserting through the sheath once the distal end of the sheath is in place adjacent the nerve(s) to be blocked and the introducer/dilator has been withdrawn. The catheter has provisions at its proximal end for connecting to a source of local anesthetic. Methods for use of this apparatus are also described.

Apparatus for administering certain nerve blocks includes a sheath constructed from a flexible ultrasound echogenic material, a more rigid introducer/dilator for introducing the sheath into the patient, and an ultrasound echogenic catheter for inserting through the sheath once the distal end of the sheath is in place adjacent the nerve(s) to be blocked and the introducer/dilator has been withdrawn. The catheter has provisions at its proximal end for connecting to a source of local anesthetic. Methods for use of this apparatus are also described.

A device for giving injections has a housing having a lower surface and an upper surface with a passage through the housing extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A DC motor with an eccentric fixed to the motor is located inside the housing to vibrate the housing. At least one tubular insert is located in the passage through the housing and is fixed to the housing. A syringe receiver is located inside and fixed to the at least one tubular insert. The syringe receiver contains a foam insert defining a space for receiving a syringe. The foam insert is a polyurethane foam characterized by an indentation force deflection of about 25% at 127 N and about 65% at 256N. The foam insert isolates a syringe from the vibrating of the housing.

An injection device comprising a housing; a securing arrangement for securing the injection device against an injection site of a patient; a needle insertion mechanism configured to cause insertion of a needle into a patient when the injection device is secured against the injection site of the patient; a medicament delivery arrangement configured to cause injection of a medicament into tissue of the patient at the injection site; and a medicament retention sensor configured to detect retention of medicament in the tissue of the patient at the injection site, wherein the injection device is configured to respond to detection of swelling of the tissue of the patient at the injection site by causing provision of an alert and/or by causing suspension or halting of injection of medicament.

By providing a surface light source that planarly emits first illuminating light FL in the blue wavelength region of 400 to 500 nm and second illuminating light SL in the red wavelength region of 600 to 660 nm, and by emitting illuminating light in these specific wavelength region, it makes it possible to visually identify the position of veins easily.

A device for delivering a fluid into a biological tissue includes hollow microneedles (10) projecting from a surface (12) of a substrate (14), and a guide element (18) spaced from the substrate. The guide element provides a tissue-contact surface (20) that defines a tissue contact plane oblique to the surface (12) of the substrate (14).

Tactile sensing devices, systems, and methods to image a target tissue location are disclosed. When force is applied to the tactile sensing device, voltage data is detected and visualized on a screen, indicating the target tissue location.

An insertion apparatus and a method for use with a device for delivery of a therapeutic fluid into a body of a patient and/or for sensing of a bodily analyte are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing adapted for loading therein at least one cannula cartridge unit having a protective member. The protective member accommodates at least one penetrating cartridge having a subcutaneously insertable element and a penetrating member. The apparatus includes a displacement mechanism capable of protracting the penetrating cartridge towards the body of the patient, where protraction of the penetrating cartridge results in insertion of the subcutaneously insertable element into the body of the patient.