Abstract: Superabsorbent particles have a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and contain a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 20 darcys or more, of 30 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more. A method for forming such superabsorbent particles includes forming a composition that contains a superabsorbent polymer and a solvent system; contacting the composition with a non-solvent system to initiate formation of the porous network through phase inversion; removing non-solvent from the composition; and surface crosslinking the superabsorbent particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed towards wound dressings comprising a liquid and gas permeable transmission layer, an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, the absorbent layer overlying the transmission layer, a gas impermeable cover layer overlying the absorbent layer and comprising a first orifice, wherein the cover layer is moisture vapor permeable. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a process suitable for extracorporeal lung support. The process comprises contacting blood with a dialysis liquid separated by a semipermeable membrane. Oxygen is introduced into blood and/or into the dialysis liquid prior to contacting blood and dialysis liquid being separated by the semipermeable membrane. The process is versatile and allows for blood oxygenation as well as removal of at least one undesired substance occurring in the blood, selected from carbon dioxide, bicarbonate and hydrogen cations, from blood. Thereby, the present invention takes advantage of the Haldane effect in the extracorporeal contacting step. The undesired substance can be efficiently transported across a semipermeable membrane to the dialysis liquid.

Abstract: Provided herein is a pre-Caesarean method for collecting amniotic fluid from a patient. A needle is inserted into the incision site for the future C-section, which may be under ultrasound guidance, through which the amniotic fluid is drawn under a low level suction and, optionally, gravity to a sterile collection container. The method encompasses filtering and/or irradiating the amniotic fluid to collect biomolecules of interest such as growth factors and/or stem cells. Also provided is the sterile amniotic fluid or filtrates thereof collected by the method described herein.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy device includes a negative pressure source and a controller configured to, in response to determining that the negative pressure source is directly fluidically connected to a wound dressing without a canister between the two, operate the negative pressure source in a first mode; otherwise, operate the negative pressure source in a second, different mode. The controller can be further configured to, in response to determining that a level of activity of the negative pressure source over a first time duration satisfies at least one of a leak or blockage condition, provide an indication of at least one of a leak or blockage and, in response to determining that the level of activity does not satisfy the at least one of the leak or blockage condition over a second time duration subsequent to the first time duration, discontinue providing the indication.

Abstract: An appliance is provided for negative-pressure therapy of wounds on the human or animal body in which, on the one hand, a substance is delivered to a wound bed (W) and, on the other hand, fluids, in particular an exudate and the delivered substance, are aspirated from the wound bed by negative pressure. The appliance has a suction pump housing, with a suction pump arranged therein for aspirating the fluids from the wound bed (W), and a fluid collection container for collecting the aspirated fluids. Moreover, the appliance has a first measuring device and a second measuring device. The first measuring device serves to determine the quantity of the aspirated fluids, and the second measuring device serves to determine the quantity of the substance delivered to the body.

Abstract: A collector used to collect bone includes: a container body defining an interior containment space for receiving and retaining collected bone, and having at least one open end for access and removal of collected bone from the interior containment space; and a cap in covering relation to the open end of the container body such that access to the interior containment space for removal of collected bone is inhibited. The collector includes an intake port defining an opening for receiving therein a distal end of a kerrison rongeur for collecting cut bone from a cutting area thereof, and the cap includes at least one scraper for engaging and dislodging cut bone from the cutting area of a distal end of a kerrison rongeur when received within the intake port. The collector preferably is used with a kerrison rongeur for collecting cut bone therefrom.

Abstract: One implementation of the present disclosure is a method for dynamically controlling an alarm of a negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the method includes initiating NPWT, comparing an initial pump duty to a threshold value to determine a dressing application quality, monitoring a leakage rate of the NPWT, setting a leak threshold value based on the dressing application quality, determining leakage event occurrences in response to the leakage rate exceeding the leak threshold value at multiple times, adjusting the leak threshold value based on at least one of a number of the leakage events over the time period, a time duration between sequentially occurring leakage events of the leakage events, and the dressing application quality, and causing a user interface device to display a leak alert in response to the leakage rate exceeding the adjusted leak threshold value.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure treatment system for debriding a treatment area of a tissue site and applying reduced pressure is disclosed. The reduced-pressure treatment system includes a hydrogel having a blocked acid debriding agent. The hydrogel is adapted to cover the treatment area and enhance autolytic debridement at the treatment area. The reduced-pressure treatment system includes a manifold that is adapted to cover the hydrogel and distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site. The reduce-pressure treatment system also includes a sealing drape for forming a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold. Other systems, methods, and dressings are presented.

Abstract: Valves and valve systems are provided that are useful for integration with inflatable indwelling medical devices to prevent over-inflation of retention balloon.

Abstract: A hemodiafiltration system with a disposable pumping unit is disclosed. An example system includes a medical fluid pump actuator, a medical fluid heater, a blood filter and a disposable unit. The example disposable unit includes a medical fluid cassette portion including a medical fluid cassette housing configured to be operatively connected to the medical fluid pump actuator to pump medical fluid through the medical fluid cassette portion when the medical fluid cassette portion is in fluid communication with a medical fluid source. The example medical fluid cassette portion is also configured to be placed in fluid communication with the blood filter and with an extracorporeal circuit communicating with the blood filter, the fluid communication enabling hemodiafiltration to be performed. The example disposable unit also includes a heater bag configured to be placed in operable communication with the medical fluid heater and in fluid communication with the medical fluid cassette portion.

Abstract: A portable transdermal administration patch apparatus comprises a communication control device and a pharmaceutical device which is fixed to and arranged at a lower end of the communication control device and electrically connected to the communication control device. The communication control device is formed of a micro-battery, a wireless control device and a micro-controller which are electrically connected. The preparation of the patch apparatus is achieved by: the preparation of medicinal patches and non-medicinal patches, the mounting of electrodes, interfacing with a micro-controller, and the communication control system, and starting administration.

Abstract: A wound care device for delivering topical oxygen therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, and a low intensity vacuum therapy for treatment of a wound. The wound care device may include an oxygen supply MEA, an oxygen consuming MEA, a vacuum pump and motor, a pressure sensor, and a power supply and electronic controls. A dressing may be connected to the wound care device for administering topical continuous oxygen therapy and simultaneous negative pressure wound therapy to a wound. A canister or exudate trap may be positioned between the dressing and the vacuum supply port of the vacuum pump to collect and store exudates from the wound. The canister may be combined with the dressing.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In certain embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus can include a wound dressing with a spacer layer separated from the absorbent layer by intermediate layers or drapes. The wound dressing can include a first portion comprising a wound contact or tissue contact layer, a first spacer layer, and a first backing layer comprising a first aperture. The spacer layer can be positioned between the contact layer and the first backing layer. The dressing can have a second portion comprising an intermediate drape with a second aperture, an absorbent layer, and a second backing layer. The absorbent layer is positioned between the intermediate drape and the second backing layer. The first aperture and the second aperture are configured to be sealed and allow fluid communication between the first portion and the second portion of the wound dressing.

Abstract: A volume of a wound is estimated using a dynamic pressure response measured during instillation of fluid to the wound using a negative pressure wound therapy system. A previously estimated wound volume may be used to detect and prevent overfill of fluid to the wound during future instillation events. For example, real-time pressure measurements may be compared to model data representative of expected pressure at a wound having a volume equal to the previously estimated wound volume, with instillation being stopped if the observed pressure varies from the expected pressure. A comparison of a total volume of fluid instilled to the wound may also be compared to the previously estimated wound volume to prevent overfill. The comparison of wound volume estimated based on an instillation event may also be compared to a wound volume estimated using other methods to provide a higher confidence wound volume estimate.

Abstract: An air leak detection system for chest tube collection systems includes a light emitting element, such as an LED, and a photodetector that can detect reflected light emission generated by the light emitting element. The air leak detection system can include a securement component, such as a transparent clip or adhesive, so that the air leak detection system is compatible with any conventional chest tube collection system. In certain embodiments, the light emitting element is positioned closer to the bottom portion of the water seal tube than the photodetector. In certain embodiments, the photodetector is positioned closer to a bottom of the water seal chamber than the light emitting element. In certain embodiments, the air leak detection system is part of a chest tube drainage system. A method of detecting an air leak in a chest tube collection system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing bodily fluid includes drawing bodily fluid that has accumulated in excess, converting the drawn fluid from bulk liquid form to aerosol form, and disposing of the aerosol via evaporation of liquid droplets and absorption and/or diffusion of vapor. Conversion from bulk liquid to aerosol may include collecting the bulk liquid fluid in a reservoir, conveying the bulk liquid bodily fluid to an atomizer, converting the bulk liquid fluid into an aerosol having ultrafine droplets, and ejecting the aerosol into a subcutaneous space for disposal via evaporation of liquid droplets and absorption and/or diffusion of vapors. The method may be performed with a subcutaneous atomizer that may be controlled locally or by an external transmitter for effecting a conversion and mist rate to keep pace with the accumulation of excess bodily fluid.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a perfume which is suitable for improved release from a cyclodextrin complex, wherein the perfume includes 10% or more, by weight of the perfume, of one or more perfume raw materials having: a cyclodextrin complex stability constant (log k) of less than about 3.0, a ClogP of about 2.5 or less, and a weight average molecular weight of about 200 Daltons or less.

Abstract: An irrigation system includes a housing on which a trigger is movably mounted, a motor, an accumulator, a pump and a gearing arranged inside the housing. At least the motor and the accumulator are mounted in a drive unit which can be replaced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a male urinary flow directing device for involuntary and hygiene protection during urination. The device includes a hollow tubular body, a perforation line and an absorbent moisture collecting liner. The hollow tubular body extends between first and second end portions thereof, and defines a diameter thereof, and an inner circumferential profile along the first end portion. The hollow tubular body includes a plurality of foldable lines across which the hollow tubular body is folded to be formed. The perforation line is formed along the first end portion and extends across one of a foldable line. The liner is coupled along the inner circumferential profile. The hollow tubular body is wearable, and to fit various sizes is tearable along the perforation line to expand or converge the diameter. The liner along the first end portion absorbs urination drops while the hollow tubular body is removed.