Abstract: A method and device are provided for simultaneously or near-simultaneously diagnosing and treating tension pneumothorax and/or hemothoraxA Veress-type needle portion includes a hollow needle for puncturing the chest wall over a blunt hollow probe biased by one or more springs to extend distally into the pleural cavity. Openings in the blunt hollow probe connect via a pathway to an automatic check valve, which permits the flow of air and/or fluid only in a proximal direction. Pressure from within the pleural cavity is transmitted to the interior surface of a pressure documenter. If pressure greater than atmospheric pressure is present in the pleural cavity, the pressure documenter will be automatically urged proximally to simultaneously allow air and/or fluid to escape from the pleural space through the device, thus treating the tension pneumothorax and/or hemothorax, as well as providing a stable indicator to positively document the diagnosis of increased pressure.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy system includes at least one sensor coupled to a wound dressing for a wound of a patient, and a processing circuit. The at least one sensor is configured to output a measurement of the pressure in the wound dressing. The processing circuit is configured to open a sealable aperture, receive the pressure measurements in the wound dressing, calculate a rate of pressure decay, correlate the rate of pressure decay in the wound dressing to a wound dressing fluid absorbent capacity and other therapy parameters, and output the wound dressing fluid absorbent capacity and other therapy parameters to a remote electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transfer device for use in reconstituting dry drugs and for diluting liquid drugs in drug containers. The transfer device includes a multi-port manifold and a connector suitable to be attached to a drug container, a first conduit to transfer a liquid entering an inlet port of the manifold through the connector and into the drug container, and a second conduit to transfer a gaseous fluid through the connector to an outlet port of the manifold. Also disclosed is a closed liquid transfer system which includes the transfer device, a tube connectable to the inlet port for transporting a liquid to the transfer device, a tube connectable to the outlet port for transporting the gaseous fluid away from the transfer device, and a gas collection container to collect the gaseous fluid in the gas transporting tube.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter, for insertion into and draining a body cavity, that mitigates the risk of obstruction of the drainage ports and drainage lumen of the catheter, reduces the detrimental effects caused by the suction forces of the drainage ports on the body cavity being drained, and reduces the risk of infection of the body cavity being drained by decreasing the residual volume of fluid retained in the body cavity being drained. These advantages are achieved by the novel approach of disposing a perforated filter membrane or a membrane having a relatively large entry port(s) between membrane struts over a segmented retention element and also over the drainage port(s) of the drainage lumen of the catheter thereby creating internal interstitial drainage channels and internal interstitial drainage cavities.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system may treat blood outside the body of a patient. The system may include one or more pumps configured to draw blood from a patient into a fluid flow path at a rate, for example, of 5-7 liters per minute. The system may include one or more heat exchangers coupled to the fluid flow path and configured to heat the blood, for example, to a temperature above 42 degrees Celsius and below 43.2 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A medical waste collection system for collecting medical waste material, and a manifold for filtering the waste material and/or coupling a suction tube to the system. The system may include a receiver in which the manifold is configured to be inserted in a proximal direction to facilitate an inlet mechanism moving correspondingly in the distal direction. The manifold may include an arm, a spine, a lock element, and/or a catch each having a surface with a relative position in the proximal-to-distal direction. The rim and the catch may be spaced apart by a void, and the rim may be positioned below the catch. The housing may include a body portion, a first leg extending proximally from the body portion, and a second leg spaced apart from the first leg to define the void. The rim may be on the first leg, and the catch may be on the second leg.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system for treating a tissue site is disclosed that may comprise a manifold including a non-porous film having a plurality of closed cells defined by a sealed region perforated with apertures extending through the sealed region, wherein the manifold is adapted to contact the tissue site. The system may further comprise a cover adapted to provide a fluid seal between a therapeutic environment including the manifold proximate one side of the cover and a local external environment on the other side of the cover. In one embodiment, the plurality of closed cells is adapted to form distal channels with the cover and the apertures are adapted to provide fluid communication between the distal channels and the tissue site. The system may further comprise a negative-pressure source fluidly coupled to the therapeutic environment and adapted to provide negative pressure through the distal channels and the apertures to the tissue site.

Abstract: An implantable device contains a drug or biosensing compound, protected from the external environment within a human body by several barriers which are broken upon activation of the device through electrothermal, chemical, and mechanical processes. The device allows accurate and repeated dosing within a human body, thus reducing the number of implantation procedures required. This device extends the lifetime of a biosensor, reducing the number of implantation procedures required.

Abstract: A bi-stable popper valve and a device for detecting blockage in a flow of a fluid are provided. The valve includes a membrane supporting two conformations: in a first conformation the membrane is convex in relation the upstream fluid, and in a second conformation the membrane can be concave in relation to the upstream fluid, such that in the first conformation the flow of the fluid through the membrane is prevented and in the second conformation the flow of the fluid through the membrane is permitted through a pore defined by the membrane in only the second conformation. The membrane changes from the first conformation to the second responsive to a pressure of the fluid meeting or exceeding an opening pressure value of the membrane. A sensor can detect a shift from the first conformation to the second conformation, indicating a flow, or absence of flow, of the fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hemodialysis membrane for the treatment of restless leg syndrome (RLS), especially in severe and very severe cases and/or in patients which suffer from kidney failure and already receive hemodialysis. The present disclosure therefore also relates to methods of treating restless leg syndrome. The treatment and method encompasses using a hemodialysis membrane which is characterized in that it comprises at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer and in that it has a MWRO of between 8.5 and 14.0 kD and a MWCO of between 55 kD and 130 kD.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a device for fluid delivery to the ocular surface having a self-alignment system. The fluid delivery device includes a fluid package having a reservoir and one or more apertures, an actuator component configured to eject fluid from the reservoir through the one or more apertures and an image-based self-alignment system configured to align fluid ejected through the one or more apertures with a target location on the eye of a user. Also provided are methods of using the devices in fluid delivery applications, as well as a kit that includes components of the devices.

Abstract: A plug for occluding an ocular canaliculus comprises a cylindrical body member having a first outer diameter. The cylindrical body member is provided along an external surface with at least one outwardly extending projection having a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter and larger than an inner diameter of an ocular canaliculus. The first outer diameter of the plug is typically less than and approximately equal to the inner diameter of the canaliculus.

Abstract: A wound therapy system includes a wound dressing fluidly connected to a fluid canister. The fluid canister is attached to a canister receiving attachment of a housing structure. A pump is fluidly coupled to the canister and is configured to draw a negative pressure within an interior of the canister. A controller of the wound therapy system is configured to operate the pump to apply a vacuum to the interior of the canister and to obtain one or more measurements representative of at least one or a flow rate of air that is exhausted from the canister interior, a pressure within the canister interior and pump ripple. The controller is configured to estimate the volume of the canister based on the comparison of the measured parameters against model data stored by the controller that is representative of the operation of the therapy system with canisters of varying volumes.

Abstract: A device for transferring fluids in a closed system transfer device using flash for last drop extraction and to reduce coring. The device including a piercing member having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a longitudinal fluid channel. A first opening positioned at the distal end of the piercing member wherein the first opening is in fluid communication with the longitudinal fluid channel. A cover or flash positioned over the first opening. The cover including a pre-cut pattern wherein the cover opens along the pre-cut pattern upon application of a distally directed force from the longitudinal fluid channel. The distal end including the first opening having a steep taper to facilitate last drop extraction.

Abstract: A method for processing biological material containing stringy tissue in a container having a tissue collector disposed in a tissue retention volume on one side of an internal filter includes washing biological material contained in the tissue retention volume with wash liquid to the tissue retention volume and allowing the wash liquid and rotating the tissue collector disposed in the tissue retention volume relative to the container in a first direction of rotation about an axis of rotation to sweep the teeth positioned on the tissue collector through the biological material and to collect stringy material on the tissue collector.

Abstract: A user wearable urinal bag concealment device for discrete public urination includes a first panel and a second panel. The second panel has a lower edge and opposing side edges that are coupled to a front face of the first panel to define a pouch that accessible at an upper edge of the second panel. A plurality of couplers that is coupled to an upper limit of the first panel is configured to couple the first panel to a male user so that the first panel is positioned over and substantially conceals a groin area of the male user. A slot is positioned in the first panel. The pouch is configured to position a urinal bag and to insert hands of the user, positioning the user to manipulate his penis through the slot into an open end of the urinal bag to discretely collect his urine.

Abstract: A wearable band transdermal medication device including one or more chamber for dispensing liquid transdermal medication, a device housing, and a transdermal applicator for the transdermal medication. The chamber includes a pouch containing a liquid transdermal medication pressurized at a first pressure, and an outlet for selective dispensing of the medication to a delivery section of the transdermal medication delivery device. The outlet may be a self-sealing membrane that dispenses liquid medication when subjected to a negative pressure differential, or may be a magnetic valve assembly. The device is configured as wristband, armband or other band worn by the patient with the transdermal applicator at an outer face of the device housing in contact with the patient's skin. A plurality of chambers housed by the device operate under electrical control to dispense medication, subject to access authorization, and subject to regimens for transdermal administration of the liquid medication.

Abstract: A hand-held dispenser to dispense fluid includes a casing to fit into a hand of a user, a nozzle in the casing to dispense a mist, a fluid reservoir contained in the casing to hold a fluid to be turned into the mist, a filament extension atomizer contained in the casing to generate the mist, an air source contained in the casing to provide air flow to direct the mist to the nozzle, a motor contained in the casing to operate the filament extension atomizer, an actuator positioned on the casing to activate the dispenser, a control circuit contained in the casing to receive a signal from the actuator and to send a signal to the motor to cause the motor to actuate, and a power source contained in the casing to provide power to the motor upon receive a signal from the control circuit.

Abstract: A clip retains tapered connector members which joining tubing sections of a medical fluid drainage system, such as a urinary collection system. The clip has first and second ends configured to bear against external flanges projecting from the tapered connector members. A central body of the clip applies a controllable compression force to the first and second ends for urging the connector members together. The first and second ends include sub-fingers for snapping onto a respective one of the tapered connector members.

Abstract: A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.