Abstract: System, devices, and methods relating to breastfeeding assistance systems, nipple shields, supplemental nursing systems, and use thereof are described herein. Various embodiments provide a nipple shield to be placed on a breast and cover a nipple of a nursing woman. In various embodiments, the nipple shield comprises micro-structures configured to adhere to a breast. In various embodiments, the micro-structures comprise angled fibers. In various embodiments, the nipple shield comprises a Supplementary Nursing System (SNS) conduction system configured to fluidly connect an SNS to the nipple shield. In various embodiments, the SNS conduction system comprises a port and microtubes.

Abstract: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) may be prevented in a patient, or its occurrence reduced in a population of patients, by using an anti-VAP device or an anti-VAP material such as an anti-VAP mouthpiece that absorbs secretions. By reducing the problem of bacterial-containing secretions that otherwise build up in the airway of, and elsewhere in, the intubated patient, VAP can be prevented from occurring in intubated patients, such as patients intubated with an endotracheal tube (ETT) or a nasogastric tube. Anti-VAP mouthpieces also are useable in non-intubated patients to maintain oral hygiene.

Abstract: Constructs and monitoring systems to assess the level of molecules that bind to thrombin (e.g. thrombin regulators and inhibitors) are provided. The constructs are nanosensors comprising i) a thrombin molecule to which is bound a reporter ligand comprising a fluorescent label, ii) a fluorescence-quenching metal nanoparticle, and, optionally iii) a fluorescence-quenching dye molecule attached to one or both of the nanoparticle and the thrombin molecule. The binding of a thrombin regulator or inhibitor to the thrombin molecule displaces the reporter ligand, and the signal from the fluorescent label increases. The increase is proportional to the concentration of thrombin-binding molecule in the sample.

Abstract: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) may be prevented in a patient, or its occurrence reduced in a population of patients, by using an anti-VAP device or an anti-VAP material such as an anti-VAP mouthpiece that absorbs secretions. By reducing the problem of bacterial-containing secretions that otherwise build up in the airway of, and elsewhere in, the intubated patient, VAP can be prevented from occurring in intubated patients, such as patients intubated with an endotracheal tube (ETT) or a nasogastric tube. Anti-VAP mouthpieces also are useable in non-intubated patients to maintain oral hygiene.

Abstract: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) may be prevented in a patient, or its occurrence reduced in a population of patients, by using an anti-VAP device or an anti-VAP material such as an anti-VAP mouthpiece that absorbs secretions. By reducing the problem of bacterial-containing secretions that otherwise build up in the airway of, and elsewhere in, the intubated patient, VAP can be prevented from occurring in intubated patients, such as patients intubated with an endotracheal tube (ETT) or a nasogastric tube. Anti-VAP mouthpieces also are useable in non-intubated patients to maintain oral hygiene.

Abstract: Cinnamic acid-based oligomers and therapeutic uses thereof are provided. The oligomers are used as anti-inflammation agents, inhibitors of elastase and anti-oxidants, and in some cases (e.g. the treatment of lung disorders such as lung cancer) all three activities are simultaneously beneficial. Subsets of the oligomers (e.g. ?-O4 and ?-5 trimers and tetramers) are used as anticoagulants.

Abstract: Cinnamic acid-based oligomers and therapeutic uses thereof are provided. The oligomers are used as anti-inflammation agents, inhibitors of elastase and anti-oxidants, and in some cases (e.g. the treatment of lung disorders such as lung cancer) all three activities are simultaneously beneficial. Subsets of the oligomers (e.g. ?-O4 and ?-5 trimers and tetramers) are used as anticoagulants.

Abstract: Cinnamic acid-based oligomers and therapeutic uses thereof are provided. The oligomers are used as anti-inflammation agents, inhibitors of elastase and anti-oxidants, and in some cases (e.g. the treatment of lung disorders such as lung cancer) all three activities are simultaneously beneficial. Subsets of the oligomers (e.g. ?-O4 and ?-5 trimers and tetramers) are used as anticoagulants.

Abstract: Cinnamic acid-based oligomers and therapeutic uses thereof are provided. The oligomers are used as anti-inflammation agents, inhibitors of elastase and anti-oxidants, and in some cases (e.g. the treatment of lung disorders such as lung cancer) all three activities are simultaneously beneficial. Subsets of the oligomers (e.g. ?-O4 and ?-5 trimers and tetramers) are used as anticoagulants.

Abstract: Cinnamic acid-based oligomers and therapeutic uses thereof are provided. The oligomers are used as anti-inflammation agents, inhibitors of elastase and anti-oxidants, and in some cases (e.g. the treatment of lung disorders such as lung cancer) all three activities are simultaneously beneficial. Subsets of the oligomers (e.g. ?-O4 and ?-5 trimers and tetramers) are used as anticoagulants.

Abstract: Cinnamic acid-based oligomers and therapeutic uses thereof are provided. The oligomers are used as anti-inflammation agents, inhibitors of elastase and anti-oxidants, and in some cases (e.g. the treatment of lung disorders such as lung cancer) all three activities are simultaneously beneficial. Subsets of the oligomers (e.g. ?-O4 and ?-5 trimers and tetramers) are used as anticoagulants.

Abstract: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) may be prevented in a patient, or its occurrence reduced in a population of patients, by using an anti-VAP device or an anti-VAP material such as an anti-VAP mouthpiece that absorbs secretions. By reducing the problem of bacterial-containing secretions that otherwise build up in the airway of, and elsewhere in, the intubated patient, VAP can be prevented from occurring in intubated patients, such as patients intubated with an endotracheal tube (ETT) or a nasogastric tube. Anti-VAP mouthpieces also are useable in non-intubated patients to maintain oral hygiene.

Abstract: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) may be prevented in a patient, or its occurrence reduced in a population of patients, by disposing in a patient airway an anti-VAP device or an anti-VAP material. By reducing the problem of bacterial-containing secretions that otherwise build up in the airway of the intubated patient, VAP can be prevented from occurring in intubated patients, such as patients intubated with an endotracheal tube (ETT) or a nasogastric tube.

Abstract: An intravenous or electrical line organizer dispenser is provided. The dispenser comprises a flexible backing support separable into a plurality of sections. Each section, constitutes a line organizer by itself, includes several spaced apart longitudinally channel connectors which are designed to snap-fit intravenous lines or electrical cables thus keeping the lines separated and organized. Each individual section is also provided with a means to secure the two opposite sides of the flexible backing support which can be rolled longitudinally inwards for protection and organization of the lines or cables during patient transport. The backing support is also able to be rolled outwards for display and organization of the lines on an intravenous pole. The line organizer dispenser is made of a continuous flexible sheet roll of a plurality of line organizer sections with a perforation line between sections so that the user can select and tear off the length required.

Abstract: Central Venous Pressure (CVP) is non-invasively determined with accuracy comparable to invasive measurement techniques. To do so, curves are plotted based on non-invasively determined patient information obtained by applying a controllable variable (pressure) to a vein of interest at a non-distal point and taking certain measurements (such as pressure and volume measurements) from the patient. An example of a controllable variable is voltage applied in incremental inflation/deflation of a vascular cuff (1). A curve is plotted based on datapoints (such as a volume increase curve or a volume decline curve). Pertinent, accurate CVP and/or blood volume information is obtained from the slope of the non-invasive-based curve. Accurate CVP information is provided without the risks and disadvantages of invasive measurements.

Abstract: Central Venous Pressure (CVP) is non-invasively determined with accuracy comparable to invasive measurement techniques. To do so, curves are plotted based on non-invasively determined patient information obtained by applying a controllable variable (pressure) to a vein of interest at a non-distal point and taking certain measurements (such as pressure and volume measurements) from the patient. An example of a controllable variable is voltage applied in incremental inflation/deflation of a vascular cuff (1). A curve is plotted based on datapoints (such as a volume increase curve or a volume decline curve). Pertinent, accurate CVP and/or blood volume information is obtained from the slope of the non-invasive-based curve. Accurate CVP information is provided without the risks and disadvantages of invasive measurements.