Abstract: A method and process for determining the propensity of elastomeric articles to discolor or stain is provided. The elastomeric articles tested are generally crosslinked elastomeric articles containing accelerators, such as carbamates. Residual carbamates can cause staining when contacted with metal ions, such as copper. Tests are disclosed for determining the propensity of the elastomeric articles to stain or discolor. The process can include remediation steps for preventing future articles from staining.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for a pouch-style mask having upper and lower mask substrates, each having a first layer comprising spunbond material and a second layer comprising meltblown material, a perimeter comprising a user contacting portion and a non-user contacting portion, and a shoulder proximate a left-side transition between the user contacting portion and the non-user contacting portion and a shoulder proximate a right-side transition between the user contacting portion and the non-user contacting portion. The mask also has a head strap assembly comprising first and second head straps each having first and second end portions, where the first end portions of the first and second head straps are attached to the left upper and lower shoulders in a side-by-side configuration and the second end portions of the first and second head straps are attached to the right upper and lower shoulders in a side-by-side configuration.

Abstract: An elastomeric glove includes a body-facing layer of a first elastomeric material, a middle layer of a second elastomeric material, and an outer layer of a third elastomeric material different than at least the second elastomeric material. The third elastomeric material has an acrylonitrile content greater than at least the second elastomeric material.

Abstract: A method and process for determining the propensity of elastomeric articles to discolor or stain is provided. The elastomeric articles tested are generally crosslinked elastomeric articles containing accelerators, such as carbamates. Residual carbamates can cause staining when contacted with metal ions, such as copper. Tests are disclosed for determining the propensity of the elastomeric articles to stain or discolor. The process can include remediation steps for preventing future articles from staining.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a medical port drainage assembly that includes a port component and a replaceable catheter. The port component includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and tube walls defining a catheter access lumen. A head component is located on a proximal end of the tube and an assembly retention element is located on a distal end of the tube. The head component is deployed outside the patient's body and defines an opening to the catheter access lumen. The assembly retention element is deployed within a lumen of the patient's body. The port component includes a valve assembly which may be a single valve (e.g., a duckbill valve) or a system of valves. The port component also includes a connector for coupling and decoupling the replaceable catheter to the port component.

Abstract: There is provided an enteral feeding assembly having a base and a connector. The base has a catheter with a lumen for communication with a body lumen. The base also has an opening with a predetermined shape on its proximal side that also communicates with the catheter lumen. The connector has a key configured to complement the predetermined shape of the opening in the base, which occurs desirably in one position only, so that the connector and base may be joined together. The connector is also connected to a feeding tube that provides a nutrient solution from a replaceable feeding bag. Once the connector is in position in the base, liquid may from the bag to the body lumen. Once in position, the connector may rotate 360 degrees relative to the base before being again in the installation/removal position.

Abstract: A configurable percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft defines a lumen therethrough for passage of a feeding solution or medicine. An expandable retainer is located on the shaft, the retainer having a deployed position and an insertion position. The tube includes a releasable lock for maintaining the expandable retainer in its deployed position, the releasable lock located on the shaft proximal to the expandable retainer. A flexible sheath surrounds the expandable retainer, the sheath being generally loose around the retainer when the retainer is in an insertion position and the sheath being generally snug against an exterior surface of the retainer when the retainer is in a deployed position.

Abstract: An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.

Abstract: An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the interior wall of a catheter has a cleaning lumen and skives as non-inflatable removal elements on the exterior surface of the cleaning lumen. Each skive has a first position when unconstrained and a second position when within the catheter. The skives self-position the device concentrically within the catheter. Suction is desirably applied to the cleaning lumen during use.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an innovative retention element for use with feeding tubes for placement in a gastric lumen, desirably under direct visualization using an endoscope. The retention balloon has a shape with a recessed or concave center that provides space to accommodate the distal end of inserted feeding tubes. The retention balloon may be conical, square and half spherical and holds the stomach against the inner abdominal wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a single incision method of placing a drainage catheter in the peritoneal cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a cecostomy tube having a head with an opening and a valve. There is a flexible catheter with a lumen having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the catheter in fluid communication with the opening in the head, a portion of the catheter extending away from the head to define the distal end. The catheter also has walls defining inside and outside surfaces from the opening defined in the head to the distal end of the catheter. There is a retainer provided on the distal end of the catheter. The retainer can change shape from a first profile or configuration to a second profile where the second profile is larger than the first profile and the second profile is adapted to retain the cecostomy tube in place in a body. The device may be placed in a single, initial surgical operation.

Abstract: There is provided a drainage catheter system. The system includes an elongated tube having a substantially consistent cross-sectional size between a proximal end and a distal end. The tube has side walls defining a drainage lumen and the distal end of the tube is desirably closed. The tube further includes a plurality of holes in at least a portion of the side wall of the tube. These holes are provided along a length of the tube to define a drainage section of the catheter. The tube may include a hydrophilic coating on at least a portion of the exterior of the tube. The distal end of the tube may be tapered. The system also includes a head which is deployed outside the human body. The head is located on a proximal end of the tube and includes an opening to the drainage lumen of the tube.

Abstract: There is provided a venting system for enteral feeding having a reflux bag in fluid communication with an enteral feeding site on a patient. The bag has a vent that relieves enteral pressure from the patient and is located within a bellows that compresses the reflux bag after the vent relieves. The system does not rely on gravity to urge the liquid in the reflux bag back to the patient so it may be used by sleeping patients who change positions. It may also be placed in a backpack so that the patient may be freed from having to remain seated or prone for long periods of time and can instead lead a more normal lifestyle.

Abstract: There is provided an ergonomic container for draining fluid from the pleural space or peritoneal cavity of a patient. The container is desirably easy to open, easy to pour, easy to hold, easy to control and keep from falling on the floor, and that has graphics that communicate the use and disposal of the container in a relatively simple and easy to understand manner.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the interior wall of a catheter has a cleaning lumen and skives as non-inflatable removal elements on the exterior surface of the cleaning lumen. Each skive has a first position when unconstrained and a second position when within the catheter. The skives self-position the device concentrically within the catheter. Suction is desirably applied to the cleaning lumen during use.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an innovative retention element for use with feeding tubes for placement in a gastric lumen, desirably under direct visualization using an endoscope. The retention balloon has a shape with a recessed or concave center that provides space to accommodate the distal end of inserted feeding tubes. The retention balloon may be conical, square and half spherical and holds the stomach against the inner abdominal wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an adapter for use with two connectors in, for example, a pleural, peritoneal or other bodily fluid drainage system. The adapter allows the use of the disposal bag from one manufacturer to be used with the catheter of another. This simplifies the storage requirements of distributors and hospitals and reduces the everyday challenges faced by those patients requiring fluid drainage.