Abstract: A canister connection system for a negative pressure wound therapy system. The canister connection system includes an attachment fixture removably connected to a pump unit. The attachment fixture includes a first engaging mechanism disposed adjacent its first end configured to engage a corresponding first engaging mechanism of the canister and a second engaging mechanism disposed adjacent its second end for engaging a corresponding second engaging mechanism of the canister for removably connecting the canister to the pump unit.

Abstract: A medical temperature monitoring system includes an electrical wire set having a thermistor at a distal end of the wire set configured to sense temperatures to which the thermistor is exposed; an electronic circuit in electrical communication with the wire set and the thermistor and configured to convert the temperatures sensed by the thermistor to temperature display signals; a display in electrical communication with the electronic circuit for receiving the temperature display signals and displaying temperatures corresponding to the temperature display signals; and a bead of cured protective material encapsulating the thermistor. The protective material is a radiation curable adhesive applied to the thermistor in an uncured state and then cured to encapsulate the thermistor. The bead of cured protective material electrically isolates the conductor sufficient to pass a Hi-Pot test at 500 VAC, <0.1 mA.

Abstract: A system for delivering reduced pressure and irrigation fluid to a wound site. The system includes a primary pressure source for delivering reduced pressure through a first lumen, a secondary pressure source for delivering secondary pressure through a second lumen, and an irrigation fluid source. A valve system is operable to selectively couple the secondary pressure source to the second lumen for delivering the secondary pressure to a wound site and selectively couple the fluid source to the second lumen for delivering the irrigation fluid to the wound site.

Abstract: A medical device attachment system including a mounting system having a receptacle for receiving a hook attached to a medical device. The receptacle includes a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a notch formed by the walls for closely receiving the hook. A plate mount forms a front wall of the receptacle and an appropriate attachment component is secured to the mounting plate for removably securing the mounting system to a desired support structure for the medical device.

Abstract: A shoulder support system includes an arm support configured for supporting an arm of a user; a convertible shoulder strap convertible between a loop configuration positionable around a shoulder of the user or as straight strap positionable to overlie the shoulder of the user; a front strap connectable between the convertible shoulder strap and a front of the arm support; and a rear strap connectable between the convertible shoulder strap and a rear of the arm support. The shoulder support may also include an abduction pad. In which case the arm support includes an elongate flexible extension affixed to the arm support and extendable outward from the arm support and positionable to be folded about the abduction pad.

Abstract: An inventory management system manages information regarding medical items dispensed to a patient in a medical facility. Inventory sensors sense removal of medical items from an inventory space to be dispensed to the patient. Software instructions associate item information with patient information that identifies the patient, determine billing codes associated with the dispensed items, generate billing information including the patient information and the billing codes, and generate an invoice directed to the patient's medical insurance provider. The instructions also verify that the billing codes are associated with medical items appropriate for treatment of the patient's condition indicated by diagnostic codes included in the billing information, and generate an alert message if the billing codes are associated with medical items that are not reimbursable or are inappropriate for treatment of the diagnosed condition.

Abstract: At the time of manufacture of medical items that are to be consumed during patient care, a unique identification number is assigned to each item and the number is encoded in an RFID tag attached to the item. The manufacturer registers the unique identification number for each individual medical item in a Unique Device Identification (UDI) Serialized Tracking Database. The UDI Serialized Tracking Database maps each unique identification number to each item's UDI number that has been assigned by the Food and Drug Administration. As each item is consumed during medical treatment and its cost is billed to payers, the unique identification number of the item is reported and verified. This provides for detection of certain types of fraud in the dispensing of medical items by validating that necessary supplies were actually used during patient care.

Abstract: Response parameters for a population of RFID tags present in an inventory space are determined by (a) continuously scanning the inventory space to interrogate the population of RFID tags and receiving responses from RFID tags within the population; (b) after multiple responses have been received from a specific RFID tag, determining response times for the specific RFID tag corresponding to time periods between sequential ones of the multiple responses from the specific RFID tag, (c) calculating a maximum acceptable response time based at least in part on the response times determined in step (b); and (c) recording a response interval data set including one or more of the response times determined in step (b) and the maximum acceptable response time calculated in step (c).

Abstract: An inventory management system provides automated management of medical item inventory and maintenance of a digital chain of custody for medical items. Medical items are labeled with an RFID-encoded tag that also displays a 2D barcode. The RFID tag and the 2D barcode both encode the same serialized Electronic Product Code (EPC) data for each specific item. Reading of the RFID tag is performed using a fixed or handheld RFID reader. Reading of the 2D barcode is performed using a handheld mobile device, such as a tablet or smart phone. The two-technology label allows for the digital chain of custody to be updated by means of RFID scanning in locations where RFID readers are available and by using a smart phone or tablet to read the 2D barcode in locations where RFID readers are unavailable.

Abstract: Response parameters for a population of RFID tags present in an inventory space are determined by (a) continuously scanning the inventory space to interrogate the population of RFID tags in the inventory space and receiving responses from multiple RFID tags within the population, (b) after multiple responses have been received from a specific RFID tag within the population, determining response times for the specific RFID tag corresponding to time periods between sequential ones of the multiple responses from the specific RFID tag, (c) calculating a maximum acceptable response time based at least in part on the response times determined in step (b), and (d) recording a response interval data set including one or more of the response times determined in step (b) and the maximum acceptable response time calculated in step (c).

Abstract: At the time of manufacture of medical items that are to be consumed during patient care, a unique identification number is assigned to each item and the number is encoded in an RFID tag attached to the item. The manufacturer registers the unique identification number for each individual medical item in a Unique Device Identification (UDI) Serialized Tracking Database. The UDI Serialized Tracking Database maps each unique identification number to each item's UDI number that has been assigned by the Food and Drug Administration. As each item is consumed during medical treatment and its cost is billed to payers, the unique identification number of the item is reported and verified. This provides for detection of certain types of fraud in the dispensing of medical items by validating that necessary supplies were actually used during patient care.

Abstract: A mold for forming a lid having a cap connected to the lid by a tether. The mold has mold features for forming a lid body having a peripheral edge, a cap, a tether connecting the cap to the lid body, and a tear zone. The mold feature for forming the tear zone includes an elongate ridge located between the mold feature for the tether and the mold feature for the lid body for providing a reduced thickness flow path proximate the ridge that connects between the mold feature for forming the lid body and the tether.

Abstract: A spinal brace having a waist or abdominal portion, a dorsal lumbar insert, shoulder straps, and one or more cable tensioning systems that enables a user to tighten the waist or abdominal portion while at the same time tightening the shoulder straps to encourage extension.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval system of simplified construction. The system is configured for use during laparoscopic surgery to assist in the retrieval and removal of tissue.

Abstract: A resilient connector for a negative pressure wound therapy system. The connector includes a first lumen having an entrance dimensioned and configured for slidably engaging a projection of a canister adapter to provide fluid communication of the first lumen to a first portion of reduced pressure tubing and an exit dimensioned and configured for slidably engaging a first projection of a dressing adapter to provide fluid communication of the first lumen to a second portion of reduced pressure tubing. The connector further a second lumen having an entrance dimensioned and configured for slidably engaging a second projection of the canister adapter to provide fluid communication of the second lumen to a first portion of secondary pressure tubing and an exit dimensioned and configured for slidably engaging a second projection of the dressing adapter to provide fluid communication of the second lumen to a second portion of the secondary pressure tubing.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy device that includes a first tubing connectable in flow communication with a source of negative pressure configured for application of negative pressure to a wound site, a second tubing in flow communication with the wound site, and a valve.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy system is configured for treating multiple wounds on a patient's body. The system preferably includes a source of negative air pressure, an air source, a first fluid collection volume, and a second fluid collection volume. The source of negative air pressure is in fluid communication with the first fluid collection volume, the first collection volume is in fluid communication with the second fluid collection volume, and the second fluid collection volume is in fluid communication with the air source, so that the source of negative air pressure, the first fluid collection volume, the second fluid collection volume, and the air source are fluidly connected in series.

Abstract: A fluid medical waste canister has interior surfaces that are exposed only to compressive stresses when a vacuum is applied, thereby eliminating the potential for environmental stress cracking. The canister is compatible with medical procedures that generate fluids having high fat/lipid content, such as liposuction procedures. The canister avoids certain stress concentration distributions that cause cracks to close onto themselves, which can cause one or more pieces of the canister wall to rupture into its interior volume. Because the canister is designed to avoid conditions that initiate canister implosion during liposuction procedures, low-cost polystyrene may be used as a waste canister material for such procedures.