Abstract: A system includes a vial stabilizer base having a first body and a plurality of fingers projecting from the first body, with the plurality of fingers being annularly disposed about the first body, and a vial adapter having a second body and a plurality of arms projecting from the second body. The second body defines a passageway. The plurality of fingers of the vial stabilizer base defines a socket having a first seat configured to receive a vial and a second seat configured to receive the vial adapter.

Abstract: A blood or blood component collection and processing system, apparatus and method are disclosed. One embodiment includes a vascular access device and a blood collection container having a blood inlet and first and second blood component outlets. The outlets are located at opposite ends of the container, and a blood flow conduit extends between the vascular access device and collection container. The collection container is free of attachment to other blood collection containers when in an initial collection configuration at the time of collection.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure, wound closure system is presented that generates a closing force on a surface wound and optionally provides reduced pressure to a body cavity or tissue site. The sealed contracting member, when placed under reduced pressure, generates the closing force. One illustrative system includes a first attachment member and a second attachment member, a sealed contracting member coupled to the first attachment member and the second attachment member, and wherein the closing force is generated between the first attachment member and the second attachment member when reduced pressure is supplied to the sealed contracting member. Other systems and methods are presented.

Abstract: A garment for accommodating an ostomy pouch, the garment comprising a pocket for containing the ostomy pouch, the pocket having a first opening towards a user of the garment when the garment is worn for inserting the ostomy pouch therethrough and into the pocket. The garment also comprises two or more bands encircling the garment, for exerting a compressive force against the user when the garment is worn. Furthermore, a mid-line along a length of the pocket intersects a mid-line of at least one of the two or more bands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer, a cover layer comprising at least one orifice and a first liquid and gas permeable transmission layer underlying the absorbent layer. The transmission layer is in fluid communication with the filter layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a sterile peritoneal dialysis fluid, including an acidic first liquid containing 60.0 to 94.0 g/L of icodextrin and 0 to 2.34 g/L of sodium chloride, and an alkaline second liquid containing an alkaline pH regulator, in which the first liquid after sterilization has a pH of 5.0 to 5.5, the second liquid after sterilization has a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, and a mixture of the first liquid and the second liquid after sterilization has a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. The present invention can provide a peritoneal dialysis fluid containing icodextrin, in which the stability of icodextrin during the heat sterilization and the subsequent storage can be improved to the maximum, and the pH of the peritoneal dialysis fluid is close to the physiological range.

Abstract: A system for perfusing a localized site within a body includes a catheter assembly having a venous access line that is adapted to deliver perfusate to the localized site, a venous or arterial drainage line adapted to drain perfusate from the localized site, and an occlusion device adapted to prevent some or substantially all physiological blood flow between the localized site and the systemic circulation of the body during and in the course of perfusing and draining perfusate to and from the localized site. The system may include a blood circuit associated with the catheter assembly to facilitate blood conditioning for use as the perfusate, in the course of a controlled perfusion and/or drainage of untreated, treated, or inactivated treated blood to and from the localized site.

Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a container having a body having a sidewall extending between an open top end and a bottom end along a central axis to define an interior cavity, and at least one protrusion extending from an interior portion of the sidewall into the interior cavity. The system further including a connector configured for receipt within the interior cavity. The connector having a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall extending between the distal end and the proximal end and defining a fluid passageway therethrough, and a locking arrangement provided on at least a portion of an inner member of the connector and accessible through at least a portion of an outer member of the connector. The locking arrangement is configured for cooperating with the at least one protrusion to prevent rotation of the inner member relative to the outer member.

Abstract: A system for detecting whether a vascular access has been interrupted in an arrangement in which two catheters or needles are present in a blood vessel, fistula or graft. A fluid line leading to a pump is connected via a first connector to a first indwelling catheter, and a fluid line leading from a pump is connected via a second connector to a second indwelling catheter. Each connector is equipped with an electrode in contact with the lumen of the connector, the electrodes electrically connected to an electronic circuit that measures the impedance or conductivity of fluid between the first connector and second connectors via a fluid path through the blood vessel, fistula or graft. An electronic controller receives the impedance or conductivity data and processes the data to determine whether a vascular access disconnection has occurred.

Abstract: An aspiration device is described, including a bulb aspirator including a bulb body, a first collar and tip, the bulb body includes an upper portion configured for receiving one end of the first collar and lower portion configured for receiving in a first configuration a stop and in a second different configuration a second collar associated with a suction tube, the tip is configured for insertion into a passageway; the stop being configured for detachable connection to the lower portion of the bulb body when in the first configuration; and the suction tube including the second collar, a tube portion and an adaptor, the second collar is disposed at a first end of the suction tube and being adapted to be coupled to the lower portion of the bulb body, the adaptor is configured to adapt to a human mouth to enable suction to be applied at the adaptor.

Abstract: A connection between a guard tube and a needle holder for a syringe for injecting medication into an IV bag, the guard tube having a needle holder receiving end having an aperture for the needle holder to be inserted from the outside, the aperture terminating at an inner end face, the needle holder having an aperture-penetrating portion having a rim wider than the aperture, or than a step in the aperture, that can be pushed through the aperture to snap fit over the end face or over the step and resist retraction therefrom by a force F which is greater than forces normally experienced by the aperture penetrating portion after it has effected a snap fit.

Abstract: A vial access device includes an outer housing defining an annular space and an inner space, an inner housing, and a connector configured to engage a mating connector with the connector having a body defining a central passageway and a flange that extends radially outward from the body. The flange and the housing defining a filter space that is in fluid communication with the annular space. A pressure equalization system is positioned within the annular space of the outer housing. The device also includes a vial connection element configured to be secured to a vial and having a body and a spike member extending from the body. The spike member defining a fluid passageway and a vent passageway with the fluid passageway in fluid communication with the central passageway of the connector and the vent passageway in fluid communication with the filter space and the annular space.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement having a blood pump and a gas exchanger for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. According to the invention, the blood pump is designed as a pulsatile blood pump and is arranged with the gas exchanger in the same housing. The pulsatile blood pump and the gas exchanger are preferably connected to the same gas source so that the blood pump can be pneumatically driven. The novel ECMO system has a simple design, is flexible, and in particular can be used directly on the patient.

Abstract: A method of reducing the risk of macular degeneration is provided. The method includes inserting an intraocular collar stent into a portion of a mammalian eye, such that the stent is in contact with soft tissue of the anterior chamber. When inserted in the eye, the stent applies pressure to a surface centered on a transition zone, between an anterior limit of a trabecular meshwork and a posterior limit of a corneal endothelium of the eye, to a surface of the peripheral iris of the eye, and in circumferentially expanding direction to the irideocorneal angle. The pressure is applied continually. The method also includes creating an environment of a reduced negative pressure state within the retina as a result of the application of the pressure; and, while the reduced negative pressure state is present, permitting drusen precursors formed by extracellular material to flow through the eye for removal by vasculature of the eye.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a foamed fluid to a wound of a patient (e.g., through a wound dressing covering the wound and coupled to the skin around the wound).

Abstract: A self-monitoring catheter system may detect an obstruction during use of a catheter. The system may include a catheter with an interior lumen that has one or more ports into the lumen; a first and a second electrode; and an impedance measurement instrument that measures changes in the impedance between the first and the second electrodes after the first electrode is exposed to fluid within the catheter lumen, thereby signaling an obstruction during use of the catheter.

Abstract: A method provided for determining a range for the amount of light-energy attenuating material that may be present in a suspension containing target cells (such as MNCs), light-energy attenuating matter (such as RBCs and plasma), and a light-energy activatable compound (such as psoralen) so that a desired therapeutic effect (such as the percentage of MNCs in which apoptosis occurs) is obtained when the suspension is subjected to a known amount of light energy. In a related aspect, a method is provided for preparing a suspension containing target cells, light-energy attenuating matter, and a light-energy activatable compound so that a desired therapeutic effect is obtained when the suspension is subjected to a known amount of light energy.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and dressings for treating a linear wound, such as an incision, on a patient are presented. The systems, dressings, and methods involve a sealed wound dressing assembly that helps form a fluid seal around the linear wound while simultaneously encompassing a subcutaneous delivery conduit to deliver fluid to or from a subcutaneous tissue site. In one instance, a reduced-pressure interface is used to allow the subcutaneous delivery conduit to pass through tissue at or near the linear wound and through a wound dressing assembly to a drainage receptacle.

Abstract: A surface-wound healing dressing for a wound or incision includes a slip drain located within the closed wound or incision. A wick is placed over the closed wound or incision in contact with the slip drain. A mat is placed over the wick and adapted for fluidic communication therewith. A recoil core includes a foam material and is adapted for placement on the mat. A wound healing method includes the steps of placing a slip drain, placing a wick over the slip drain, placing a recoil core over the wick and covering the recoil core with an overdrape. The overdrape is adapted for connection to an external negative pressure source, such as a vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention describes a medical kit 1 for facilitation of changing a urinary catheter in a patient, wherein the medical kit 1 comprises a first component in the form of a container 2 and a second component being a clamping unit 3 comprising two opposite clamping portions 4, 5, which container 2 and which clamping unit 3 are adapted to be reassembled so that the clamping unit 3 constitutes an end unit of the container 2 and clamping unit 3, and which clamping unit 3 allows for a catheter 6 to be pulled through and between the clamping portions 4, 5 where the clamping portions 4, 5 have a pressing effect on the catheter 6 but still allows for a sliding contact between the clamping portions 4, 5 and the compressed catheter 6, allowing for gelatinization of a urethra from the inside out when a catheter 6 containing lubricant/anaesthetic gel is pulled out from the patient and through and between the clamping portions 4, 5, said catheter 6 intended to be contained in the container 2 during removal of the