Abstract: A tourniquet for application to a patient's limb in an emergency situation, and a method for its application. The tourniquet includes a tension-sensing mechanism used to establish a baseline tension in a loop around an injured limb, and a tension-increasing mechanism to reduce the circumference of the loop and tighten the tourniquet as required beyond the baseline tension. The tension-sensing mechanism may be incorporated in a buckle in which when sufficient tension is developed in the loop a pin protrudes to engage and maintain tension in a strap member which is part of the loop. A latch may be incorporated in the buckle to keep it in a condition in which the pin protrudes to engage the strap and maintain the baseline tension. A release tab operable to release the latch is located where it is protected against inadvertent operation.

Abstract: A tourniquet for application to a patient's limb in an emergency situation, and a method for application of the tourniquet. The tourniquet includes a tension-sensing mechanism used to establish a baseline tension in a loop around an injured limb, and a tension-increasing mechanism to tighten the tourniquet as required beyond the baseline tension.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for delivery devices More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for devices comprising a matrix comprising a polymer network and a non-gellable polysaccharide having oxygen and optionally active agents incorporated therein. The matrix may be formed into any desired shape for treatment of compromised tissue or for delivery of oxygen to a localized environment.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for delivery devices More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for devices comprising a matrix comprising a polymer network and a non-gellable polysaccharide having oxygen and optionally active agents incorporated therein. The matrix may be formed into any desired shape for treatment of compromised tissue or for delivery of oxygen to a localized environment.

Abstract: A tourniquet for application to a patient's limb in an emergency situation, and a method for its application. The tourniquet includes a tension-sensing mechanism used to establish a baseline tension in a loop around an injured limb, and a tension-increasing mechanism to reduce the circumference of the loop and tighten the tourniquet as required beyond the baseline tension. The tension-sensing mechanism may be incorporated in a buckle in which when sufficient tension is developed in the loop a pin protrudes to engage and maintain tension in a strap member which is part of the loop. A latch may be incorporated in the buckle to keep it in a condition in which the pin protrudes to engage the strap and maintain the baseline tension. A release tab operable to release the latch is located where it is protected against inadvertent operation.

Abstract: A junctional and truncal tourniquet and hip-girdling pelvic sling device for maintaining a desired amount of tension surrounding a person's hips and pelvis to securely support and stabilize a pelvis that has been fractured and to secure a pressure applying device with a preferred amount of tension so that blood vessel-occluding pressure can be applied to stem hemorrhaging. The device may be wrapped around a patient's torso and may include inflatable pressure application bladders useful to occlude blood vessels proximal to an injury on a limb. A stabilizing support device may carry an inflatable pressure application bladder and a separate and removable pressure-concentrating member. An auxiliary strap may be connected to the stabilizing support device and used to keep the junctional and truncal tourniquet and the inflatable pressure application bladder in place on a patient's torso.

Abstract: A small manually operable pump which may be of the squeeze-bulb type, arranged to reduce fluid pressure and receive a fluid at a first end and to discharge a flow from an opposite end, and provided with a connector at each end so that it can be connected to various articles of emergency medical equipment to provide increased pressure or suction as required. A collection bag is arranged to use both the suction and the pressurized flow of the pump to suck materials from a wound or a patient's airway into the collection bag.

Abstract: A tourniquet for application to a patient's limb in an emergency situation, and a method for application of the tourniquet. The tourniquet includes a tension-sensing mechanism used to establish a baseline tension in a loop around an injured limb, and a tension-increasing mechanism to tighten the tourniquet as required beyond the baseline tension.

Abstract: A junctional and truncal tourniquet and hip-girdling pelvic sling device for maintaining a desired amount of tension surrounding a person's hips and pelvis to securely support and stabilize a pelvis that has been fractured and to secure a pressure applying device with a preferred amount of tension so that blood vessel-occluding pressure can be applied to stem hemorrhaging. The device may be wrapped around a patient's torso and may include inflatable pressure application bladders useful to occlude blood vessels proximal to an injury on a limb. A stabilizing support device may carry an inflatable pressure application bladder and a separate and removable pressure-concentrating member. An auxiliary strap may be connected to the stabilizing support device and used to keep the junctional and truncal tourniquet and the inflatable pressure application bladder in place on a patient's torso.

Abstract: A medical device including a portion similar to a Veress needle, useful for relief of tension pneumothorax. The device includes a hollow tubular stylet disposed movably within a hollow needle or cutting cannula, and an optionally releasable locking mechanism for keeping the stylet in place protruding distally beyond the sharpened distal end of the cutting cannula to prevent puncture of internal organs after the chest wall has been intentionally punctured. The stylet can also be moved outward from within the cannula to push a plug of tissue from the bore of the cannula. A valve or a connector for a tube may be provided at a proximal end of the stylet.

Abstract: A small manually operable pump which may be of the squeeze-bulb type, arranged to reduce fluid pressure and receive a fluid at a first end and to discharge a flow from an opposite end, and provided with a connector at each end so that it can be connected to various articles of emergency medical equipment to provide increased pressure or suction as required. A collection bag is arranged to use both the suction and the pressurized flow of the pump to suck materials from a wound or a patient's airway into the collection bag.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for delivery devices More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for devices comprising a matrix comprising a polymer network and a non-gellable polysaccharide having oxygen and optionally active agents incorporated therein. The matrix may be formed into any desired shape for treatment of compromised tissue or for delivery of oxygen to a localized environment.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for delivery devices. More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for devices comprising a matrix comprising a polymer network and a non-gellable polysaccharide having oxygen and optionally active agents incorporated therein. The matrix may be formed into any desired shape for treatment of compromised tissue or for delivery of oxygen to a localized environment.

Abstract: A medical device including a portion similar to a Veress needle, useful for relief of tension pneumothorax. The device includes a hollow tubular stylet disposed movably within a hollow needle or cutting cannula, and an optionally releasable locking mechanism for keeping the stylet in place protruding distally beyond the sharpened distal end of the cutting cannula to prevent puncture of internal organs after the chest wall has been intentionally punctured. The stylet can also be moved outward from within the cannula to push a plug of tissue from the bore of the cannula. A valve or a connector for a tube may be provided at a proximal end of the stylet.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for making a silver-containing antimicrobial hydrophilic material. More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for stabilized silver antimicrobial devices comprising a matrix comprising a polymer network and a non-gellable polysaccharide, and an active agent. The matrix may be formed into any desired shape for its desired uses.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for making a silver-containing antimicrobial hydrophilic material. More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for stabilized silver antimicrobial devices comprising a matrix comprising a polymer network and a non-gellable polysaccharide, and an active agent. The matrix may be formed into any desired shape for its desired uses.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for making a silver-containing antimicrobial hydrophilic material. More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for stabilized silver antimicrobial devices comprising a matrix comprising a polymer network and a non-gellable polysaccharide, and an active agent. The matrix may be formed into any desired shape for its desired uses.

Abstract: A vessel receives a liquid material, which is freeze-dried in situ within the vessel. A gas permeable material carried by the vessel provides gas transport for sublimation during drying. After freeze drying, an oxygen-free inert gas is introduced into the vessel through the gas permeable material, to occupy the interior of the vessel with the freeze-dried material. The gas permeable material is covered, to trap the oxygen-free inert gas within the vessel with the freeze-dried material. The freeze-dried material is stored in the entrapped oxygen-free inert gas within the vessel for a storage period. The vessel receives a reconstituting liquid for mixing with the freeze-dried material, and conveys the reconstituted freeze-dried material from the vessel for administration to an individual.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for delivery devices. More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for devices comprising a matrix comprising a polymer network and a non-gellable polysaccharide having oxygen and optionally active agents incorporated therein. The matrix may be formed into any desired shape for treatment of compromised tissue or for delivery of oxygen to a localized environment.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for making a silver-containing antimicrobial hydrophilic material. More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for stabilized silver antimicrobial devices comprising a matrix comprising a polymer network and a non-gellable polysaccharide, and an active agent. The matrix may be formed into any desired shape for its desired uses.