Abstract: A medical instrument or device, such as a catheter, has echogenic properties, in addition to or as an alternative to radiopaque properties, to facilitate detection of the medical instrument or device during medical procedures using suitable imaging methods, such as ultrasound imaging and/or x-ray imaging methods. In example embodiments, an example catheter has a relatively increased radiopacity and echogenicity to facilitate a clinician with detecting the catheter with ultrasound imaging and/or x-ray imaging methods to assist the clinician with the insertion, placement, and/or maintenance of the catheter, for example.

Abstract: Medical articles formed from a polyurethane-based resin including a modifying oligomer provide enhanced properties. A modifying oligomer incorporated into a backbone, as a side chain, or both of the polyurethane-based resin formed by a diisocyanate, a polyglycol, and a diol chain extender has at least one, preferably two, alcohol moieties (C—OH) and a functional moiety. Exemplary modifying oligomers are: a diol-containing perfluoropolyether incorporated into the backbone, a monofunctional polysiloxane (e.g., monodialcohol-terminated polydimethylsiloxane) incorporated as the side chain, and combinations thereof. Medical articles herein are self-lubricating and/or anti-fouling.

Abstract: Tubing, such as medical tubing for administration of intravenous fluid, can include an outer layer on an inner layer, and, optionally additional layers, in which at least the outer layer and the inner layer are made of a same polymeric material but the outer and inner layers have differing amounts or differing types of a plasticizer such that a hardness of the outer layer is greater than a hardness of the inner layer.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device (10) is provided for positioning and inserting a catheter (14), particularly a midline catheter into a patient. The insertion device (10) includes an introducer needle (18) that extends from the distal end of the catheter during insertion. A manually operated actuator assembly (20) is movable with respect to a housing for deploying the catheter (14) over the distal end of the introducer needle (18). A step-wise movement of the actuator (20) advances the catheter (14) in stages over the introducer needle (18). A shuttling or indexing mechanism (60, 76) advances the catheter and prevents retraction of the catheter once deployed.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device (10) is provided for positioning and inserting a catheter (14), particularly a midline catheter into a patient. The insertion device (10) includes an introducer needle (18) that extends from the distal end of the catheter during insertion. A manually operated actuator assembly (20) is movable with respect to a housing for deploying the catheter (14) over the distal end of the introducer needle (18). A step-wise movement of the actuator (20) advances the catheter (14) in stages over the introducer needle (18). A shuttling or indexing mechanism (60, 76) advances the catheter and prevents retraction of the catheter once deployed.

Abstract: Medical devices having an alkaline resistant halogenated polymer include a halogenated polymer incorporating one or more of a polymeric stabilizer, a polymeric plasticizer or a free radical inhibitor or combinations thereof. The medical devices can be used to administer high pH formulations to a patient in need of such administration by administering the formulation through contact the an alkaline resistant halogenated polymer.

Abstract: Pumping segments are described herein. In certain embodiments, a peristaltic pumping segment include a tubing segment, a plunger, a downstream occluder, and an upstream check valve. The plunger is movable to selectively expand the pumping volume to draw in fluid flow and contract the pumping volume to administer the fluid flow. The occluder is movable to selectively engage against the downstream portion to prevent fluid flow from the downstream portion during expansion of the pumping volume and to permit fluid flow from the pumping volume through the downstream portion during contraction of the pumping volume. The check valve outlet is in fluid communication with the pumping volume, and the valve element is configured to permit fluid flow from the valve inlet to the pumping volume during expansion of the pumping volume and to prevent fluid flow from the pumping volume to the valve inlet during contraction of the pumping volume.

Abstract: Tubing, such as medical tubing for administration of intravenous fluid, can include an outer layer on an inner layer, and, optionally additional layers, in which at least the outer layer and the inner layer are made of a same polymeric material but the outer and inner layers have differing amounts or differing types of a plasticizer such that a hardness of the outer layer is greater than a hardness of the inner layer.

Abstract: Pump assemblies for fluid flow are provided. A pump assembly includes a fluid flow pump, a first tubing pathway configured to receive a fluid input tube and a second tubing pathway configured to receive a fluid output tube. A non-contact tubing dimension measurement assembly is configured to measure a tubing outside diameter (OD). Methods of operating a fluid flow pump are also provided.

Abstract: An intravenous therapy system may include a curved needle; and a curved catheter formed around the outside surface of the curved needle; wherein, upon insertion of a first length of the curved needle and curved catheter into a patient's body, a curvature angle of the curved needle and curved catheter causes the curved needle and curved catheter to intersect axially with a blood vessel in the patient's body.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device (10) is provided for positioning and inserting a catheter (14), particularly a midline catheter into a patient. The insertion device (10) includes an introducer needle (18) that extends from the distal end of the catheter during insertion. A manually operated actuator assembly (20) is movable with respect to a housing for deploying the catheter (14) over the distal end of the introducer needle (18). A step-wise movement of the actuator (20) advances the catheter (14) in stages over the introducer needle (18). A shuttling or indexing mechanism (60, 76) advances the catheter and prevents retraction of the catheter once deployed.

Abstract: A medical instrument or device, such as a catheter, has echogenic properties, in addition to or as an alternative to radiopaque properties, to facilitate detection of the medical instrument or device during medical procedures using suitable imaging methods, such as ultrasound imaging and/or x-ray imaging methods. In example embodiments, an example catheter has a relatively increased radiopacity and echogenicity to facilitate a clinician with detecting the catheter with ultrasound imaging and/or x-ray imaging methods to assist the clinician with the insertion, placement, and/or maintenance of the catheter, for example.

Abstract: New polymeric dielectric materials are provided for high power capacitors, especially for mobile and weapons applications. These materials utilize aminoplast crosslinking in their polymeric structure. The aminoplast crosslinking ability of these materials allows them to be customized for a number of applications, but also allows the materials to have a higher crosslinking density, leading to higher dielectric constants, higher breakdown voltage, and higher thermal stability. These materials can be incorporated into current capacitor manufacturing schemes with little to no processing changes.

Abstract: New polymeric dielectric materials are provided for high power capacitors, especially for mobile and weapons applications. These materials utilize aminoplast crosslinking in their polymeric structure. The aminoplast crosslinking ability of these materials allows them to be customized for a number of applications, but also allows the materials to have a higher crosslinking density, leading to higher dielectric constants, higher breakdown voltage, and higher thermal stability. These materials can be incorporated into current capacitor manufacturing schemes with little to no processing changes.

Abstract: Novel, wet developable anti-reflective coating compositions and methods of using those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer and/or oligomer having acid functional groups and dissolved in a solvent system along with a crosslinker and a photoacid generator. The preferred acid functional group is a carboxylic acid, while the preferred crosslinker is a vinyl ether crosslinker. In use, the compositions are applied to a substrate and thermally crosslinked. Upon exposure to light, the cured compositions will decrosslink, rendering them soluble in typical photoresist developing solutions (e.g., alkaline developers).

Abstract: Novel, wet developable anti-reflective coating compositions and methods of using those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer and/or oligomer having acid functional groups and dissolved in a solvent system along with a crosslinker and a photoacid generator. The preferred acid functional group is a carboxylic acid, while the preferred crosslinker is a vinyl ether crosslinker. In use, the compositions are applied to a substrate and thermally crosslinked. Upon exposure to light, the cured compositions will decrosslink, rendering them soluble in typical photoresist developing solutions (e.g., alkaline developers).