Abstract: A bridge for facilitating delivery of reduced pressure to a wound site includes a reduced pressure lumen configured to be fluidly coupled to a reduced pressure source, a secondary pressure lumen configured to be fluidly coupled to a secondary pressure source, and one or more fluid adapters operable to be connected to a wound dressing disposed at the wound site. The one or more fluid adapters are positioned and configured with respect to the reduced pressure lumen to apply reduced pressure from the reduced pressure lumen to the wound site through the wound dressing and deliver exudate removed from the wound site through the reduced pressure lumen to the reduced pressure tubing. The secondary pressure lumen is fluidly coupled to the reduced pressure lumen to facilitate flow of the exudate removed from the wound site by the reduced pressure source using the secondary pressure source.

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: A specimen retrieval system includes a bag having a flexible basket with an opening configured for receiving a tissue specimen, an elongate tail extending from the flexible basket, a primary loop attached to a proximal end of the tail opposite the flexible basket, and a string encircling the flexible basket and extending therefrom along the tail and terminating exterior of the proximal end of the tail, the string being operable to close the opening of the flexible basket. The system also includes an outer cannula having a distal end and a proximal end with a cannula handle located at the proximal end of the outer cannula, the outer cannula configured to receive the bag therein via the distal end of the outer cannula, with the tail of the bag, the primary loop and a portion of the string extending out of the proximal end of the outer cannula.

Abstract: A system for managing reduced pressure to a wound site includes a wound enclosure configured to form a substantially sealed volume around the wound site, a first closed volume, a second closed volume, and a controller. The first closed volume includes a primary pressure source and a canister fluidly coupled to the primary pressure source. The first closed volume is configured to apply reduced pressure to the wound site and deliver exudate collected from the wound site to the canister through a first lumen. The second closed volume includes a secondary pressure source and is configured to apply a secondary pressure to the wound site through a second lumen to facilitate flow of the exudate from the wound site to the canister through the first lumen. The controller is configured to communicate with at least the second closed volume for selectively applying the secondary pressure to the wound site.

Abstract: An inventory data management system manages information related to items, such as implants, used during a medical procedure. The inventory data management system includes multiple sensing devices for reading set identification information from a container in which the set of items is disposed. The sensing devices are connected to a communication network and are placed in multiple locations, where each location is associated with a particular status of the set of items. The system also includes an inventory management computer that executes an inventory management application for receiving the set identification information from the communication network, and associating the set identification information with set status information based on the location of the sensing device that read the set identification information. An item inventory database stores the set identification information in association with the set status information.

Abstract: An adjustable length spinal brace includes an elongate belt and an adjustment plate having spaced apart belt passage slits through which the belt is passed and belt engagement members that are pivotally adjustable relative to the plate to engage or disengage the belt. The belt engagement members are engaged with the belt to maintain a desired length of the brace, and are disengaged from the belt to permit adjustment of the length of the brace.

Abstract: An apparatus tracks medical items through various transition points in a medical facility and maintains a chain of custody for each item through each transition point, indicating who is responsible for each item at any particular time. The apparatus also generates messages directed to various medical facility personnel who are responsible for the medical items at the various transition points, which messages prompt the personnel to take appropriate action with regard to the medical items depending on the particular transition point.

Abstract: An adjustable length spinal brace includes an elongate belt and an adjustment plate having spaced apart belt passage slits through which the belt is passed and belt engagement members that are pivotally adjustable relative to the plate to engage or disengage the belt. The belt engagement members are engaged with the belt to maintain a desired length of the brace, and are disengaged from the belt to permit adjustment of the length of the brace.

Abstract: A brace for application to a body joint, the brace including a substantially rigid brace substrate and a tensioning system for imparting tension to the substrate for adjusting the contour or angulation of the substrate.

Abstract: Medical item identification information is stored in association with information indicating locations at which medical items are placed in a medical item tray. An RFID reader acquires tray identification information from an RFID tag on the tray. An RFID reader also acquires item identification information from an RFID tag on the medical item to be placed in the tray. A database stores medical item identification information in association with tray identification information and tray zone information. The tray zone information indicates particular zones of the tray in which particular items are to be placed. A computer processor processes the medical item identification information, the tray identification information and the tray zone information, and executes instructions to generate a first image depicting a type of medical item tray as indicated by the tray identification information, and a second image that depicts a zoomed in portion of the first image as indicated by the tray zone information.

Abstract: An inventory management system provided by an inventory management service provider senses removal of medical items from inventory to be dispensed to a patient. The system processes billing information to identify the patient's medical insurance provider, to identify a medical item supplier that is the preferred biller for the patient's medical insurance provider, and to determine whether the inventory management service provider is the identified preferred biller. If the inventory management service provider is the preferred biller, the system generates an invoice from the inventory management service provider to bill the patient's medical insurance provider.

Abstract: A cervical collar having a vertically adjustable chin support, the collar including a chin support adjustably connected to a collar body, the collar body defining an elongate slot; a cable located on the collar body; a cable stop connected to a distal portion of the cable and connecting between the collar body and the chin support, the cable stop being slidingly positionable along the slot on the collar body; and a pulley located on the collar body adjacent to the elongate slot. The cable cooperates with the pulley so that the direction of the cable is changed between the cable stop and a proximal portion of the cable, and movement of the distal portion of the cable adjusts the position of the cable stop along the slot and adjusts the vertical position of the chin support relative to the collar body.

Abstract: An apparatus senses and records consumption of medical items during performance of a medical procedure. The medical items are enclosed in wrappers having RFID tags in which medical item information is encoded. The apparatus includes a shielded enclosure that attenuates radio frequency signals emanated from RFID tags disposed outside the shielded enclosure to levels that are substantially undetectable within the internal space. RFID antennas inside the shielded enclosure receive radio frequency signals emanated from RFID tags on wrappers that are removed from used items and placed inside the enclosure. An RFID reader decodes the medical item information encoded in the RFID tags. A computer processor executes a medical item inventory module including instructions for generating a post-op list of medical items consumed during the medical procedure. Item billing information and usage trend information may be derived from the post-op list.

Abstract: A shielded enclosure receives REID-tagged packaging from consumed medical items. The enclosure includes a housing and a lid. An opening in the lid receives the packaging into an internal space. A chute surrounds the opening and extends downward into the internal space. The chute has front, left, right, and rear walls. A hood attached to the lid surrounds the opening. An aperture in the hood allows passage of the packaging into the lid opening. The hood includes rear, right, left, and top walls. RF absorbing material covers inside surfaces of the chute and hood, including a front panel on the chute front wall, a rear panel on the hood rear wall and the chute rear wall, a left side panel on the hood left side wall and the chute left side wall, a right side panel on the hood right side wall and the chute right side wall, and a top panel on the hood top.

Abstract: Medical item identification information is stored in association with information indicating locations at which medical items are placed in a medical item tray. An RFID reader acquires tray identification information from an RFID tag on the tray. An RFID reader also acquires item identification information from an RFID tag on the medical item to be placed in the tray. A database stores medical item identification information in association with tray identification information and tray zone information. The tray zone information indicates particular zones of the tray in which particular items are to be placed. A computer processor processes the medical item identification information, the tray identification information and the tray zone information, and executes instructions to generate a first image depicting a type of medical item tray as indicated by the tray identification information, and a second image that depicts a zoomed in portion of the first image as indicated by the tray zone information.

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: A shielded enclosure receives REID-tagged packaging from consumed medical items. The enclosure includes a housing and a lid. An opening in the lid receives the packaging into an internal space. A chute surrounds the opening and extends downward into the internal space. The chute has front, left, right, and rear walls. A hood attached to the lid surrounds the opening. An aperture in the hood allows passage of the packaging into the lid opening. The hood includes rear, right, left, and top walls. RF absorbing material covers inside surfaces of the chute and hood, including a front panel on the chute front wall, a rear panel on the hood rear wall and the chute rear wall, a left side panel on the hood left side wall and the chute left side wall, a right side panel on the hood right side wall and the chute right side wall, and a top panel on the hood top.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling negative pressure wound therapy includes a microcontroller that controls means for maintaining reduced air pressure based on a pressure signal from a pressure sensor. The means for maintaining reduced air pressure may include a vacuum pump and valve. The system includes a mobile communication device having a microprocessor, touchscreen display, data storage device, GPS module, and wireless transceiver. The microprocessor generates control signals sent to the microcontroller to control the means for maintaining reduced air pressure to provide continuous or intermittent reduced air pressure. The microprocessor monitors the pressure signal and generates a closed-system alarm, leak-detected alarm or open-system alarm. The closed-system alarm indicates an air pressure leak rate below a closed-system threshold. The leak-detected alarm indicates an air pressure leak rate above a leak-detected threshold and below an open-system threshold.

Abstract: An ankle support for controlling motion of an ankle joint of a user, the support including a body portion configured to be positioned on a lower leg of the user adjacent the foot; a reel connected to the support; one or more tensionable members windable onto the reel and extending from the reel; strap portions wrapped about a portion of the foot when the support is installed on the user, the strap portions being connected to the tensionable members. The strap portions are tensioned and secured in the tensioned state to limit movement of the foot by winding the tensionable members onto the reel.