Abstract: A vascular access product is provided having a component with a plurality of external surfaces. At least one of the surfaces is coated with an antimicrobial treatment, wherein the antimicrobial material comprises a silane quaternary ammonium salt. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may comprise 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. The vascular access product may be IV administration tubing, a catheter and the associated caps, luers, Y sites, connectors, drip chambers, PICC lines, stopcocks and similar IV components such as needleless IV connectors having valve mechanisms.

Abstract: A wound dressing is provided for use in negative pressure wound therapy. The wound dressing comprises a cover and a wound dressing pad. The wound dressing pad comprises a foam pad and an antimicrobial substrate provided at the wound side of the foam pad. The wound dressing pad is configured for placement over a wound site with the antimicrobial substrate disposed between the foam pad and the wound site. The cover is disposed over the wound dressing pad to secure the wound dressing pad to the wound site.

Abstract: An intravenous connector is provided having a valve body having first end configured to receive a syringe for administering medicine to a patient; a spike element having a tapered hollow spike terminating in a tip at a first end and having a second end configured for attaching to an intravenous tube, the spike element secured in the valve body such that the tip is disposed proximate the first end of the valve body and the second end of the spike element is located at a second end of the valve body; and a pliable seal member disposed in the valve body around the tapered hollow spike and exposed at the first end of the valve body. An antimicrobial material comprising a silane quaternary ammonium salt is incorporated on or within the seal member and is coated on the valve body and the spike element.

Abstract: A vascular access product is provided having a component with a plurality of external surfaces. At least one of the surfaces is coated with an antimicrobial treatment, wherein the antimicrobial material comprises a silane quaternary ammonium salt. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may comprise 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. The vascular access product may be IV administration tubing, a catheter and the associated caps, luers, Y sites, connectors, drip chambers, PICC lines, stopcocks and similar IV components such as needleless IV connectors having valve mechanisms.

Abstract: A hospital bed is provided that may include a support structure having a plurality of surfaces coated with an antimicrobial treatment, which may include a silane quaternary ammonium salt and isopropyl alcohol. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may include an unreacted organofunctional silane to promote bonding to the surfaces of the bed, such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Bed accessories, such as tables and IV stands, may also include the antimicrobial treatment. A method is also provided for coating these articles with the antimicrobial treatment.

Abstract: An intravenous connector is provided having a valve body having first end configured to receive a syringe for administering medicine to a patient; a spike element having a tapered hollow spike terminating in a tip at a first end and having a second end configured for attaching to an intravenous tube, the spike element secured in the valve body such that the tip is disposed proximate the first end of the valve body and the second end of the spike element is located at a second end of the valve body; and a pliable seal member disposed in the valve body around the tapered hollow spike and exposed at the first end of the valve body. An antimicrobial material comprising a silane quaternary ammonium salt is incorporated on or within the seal member and is coated on the valve body and the spike element, and wherein the antimicrobial material.

Abstract: A foam medical patch is provided including a foam substrate having integrated therein an antimicrobial material comprising a silane quaternary ammonium salt. The antimicrobial material is substantially free from arsenic, silver, tin, heavy metals and polychlorinated phenols. The silane quaternary ammonium salt includes 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride.

Abstract: A touch screen and a cellular telephone are provided that may include one or more surfaces coated with an antimicrobial treatment, which may include a silane quaternary ammonium salt and isopropyl alcohol. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may initially include an unreacted organofunctional silane that subsequently reacts with and covalently bonds to the surfaces of the touch screen, such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Methods are also provided for coating, or otherwise integrating the antimicrobial treatment on or within a touch screen and a cellular telephone.

Abstract: A patient movement notification device is provided that includes a sensor pad for sensing movement of a patient and generating a signal when movement of the patient is sensed, and an electronics module for generating a notification of patient movement in response to receipt of the signal from the sensor pad. The patient movement notification device may be disposable. Accordingly, the electronics module may permanently shut down to become non-functional a specified time period after activation. Further, the electronics module may include a housing including a slot; a contact terminal disposed in the housing; a battery disposed in the housing; and a tab extending between the battery and the contact terminal and extending out through the slot, wherein the tab prevents the electronics module from receiving power until such time as a user pulls the tab from the slot. The housing may be sealed to prevent access to the battery.

Abstract: A hydrogel formulation is provided for use with a film. The hydrogel formulation includes a medical-grade hydrogel and an antimicrobial substance. This hydrogel formulation may be coated onto one or more surfaces of a medical-grade transparent film suitable for a wound dressing. The antimicrobial material may be a silane quaternary ammonium salt. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may comprise 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. The 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride may constitute about 72% by weight of the silane quaternary ammonium salt. The medical-grade hydrogel may comprise a colloidal gel in which the particles are dispersed in water. Further, the hydrogel formulation may include about 0.01% to about 60% by weight of the antimicrobial substance. The transparent film may further include a release liner applied over the coated side(s) of the transparent film. The transparent film may comprise polyurethane.

Abstract: A hearing aid, ear bud, ear plug, and hands-free headset are provided that may include one or more surfaces coated with an antimicrobial treatment, which may include a silane quaternary ammonium salt and isopropyl alcohol. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may include an unreacted organofunctional silane to promote bonding to the surfaces of the ear piece, such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Methods are also provided for coating, or otherwise integrating the antimicrobial treatment on or within a hearing aid, ear bud, ear plug, and hands-free headset.

Abstract: A device to compress the limb of a living being includes a user interface, a programmable logic controller, a power source, a source of fluidic pressure, valves with ports in fluidic connection with the source of fluidic pressure, other valves, and first and second inflatable bladders, wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to cause the repeating sequence of inflating the first inflatable bladder by manipulating the ports of the valves, after a first preset period of time, deflating the first inflatable bladder and allowing the pressure within the first inflatable bladder to inflate partially the second inflatable bladder by manipulating the ports of the valves. The source of fluidic pressure can be a self-contained pump, a connection to fluidic pressure in a health care facility, or a pressurized canister. The power source can be a battery. The device may extend the life of the power source.

Abstract: A hospital bed is provided that may include a support structure having a plurality of surfaces coated with an antimicrobial treatment, which may include a silane quaternary ammonium salt and isopropyl alcohol. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may include an unreacted organofunctional silane to promote bonding to the surfaces of the bed, such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Bed accessories, such as tables and IV stands, may also include the antimicrobial treatment. A method is also provided for coating these articles with the antimicrobial treatment.

Abstract: An office furnishing is provided that may include one or more surfaces coated with an antimicrobial treatment, which may include a silane quaternary ammonium salt and isopropyl alcohol. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may include an unreacted organofunctional silane to promote bonding to the surfaces of the office furnishing, such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. The office furnishing article may include one of: a desk; a chair; a table; a bookcase; a hutch; shelves; an office divider panel; a file cabinet; a fax machine; a telephone; a computer; a keyboard; a monitor; a computer mouse; a book; a lamp; a binder; a stapler; an office stamp; and a desk pad. A method is also provided for coating these office furnishing articles with the antimicrobial treatment.

Abstract: An adhesive formulation is provided for use in a film wound dressing. The adhesive formulation includes a medical-grade adhesive and an antimicrobial substance. This adhesive formulation may be coated onto one or more surfaces of a medical-grade transparent film suitable for a wound dressing. The antimicrobial material may be a silane quaternary ammonium salt. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may comprise 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. The 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride may constitute about 72% of the silane quaternary ammonium salt. The medical-grade adhesive may comprise an acrylic adhesive. Further, the adhesive formulation may include about 0.01% to about 60% of the antimicrobial substance. The transparent film dressing may further include a release liner applied over the coated side(s) of the transparent film. The transparent film may comprise polyurethane.

Abstract: A surface of an object may be treated using an antimicrobial wipe presoaked in an antimicrobial treatment solution. Alternatively, the antimicrobial treatment solution may be sprayed directly on the surface. The antimicrobial treatment solution may be made of isopropyl alcohol and an unreacted organofunctional silane antimicrobial substance that is substantially free from arsenic, silver, tin, heavy metals and polychlorinated phenols. The antimicrobial substance may include any one of: 3 trimethoxysilylpropyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride; hyaluronan and its derivatives; triclosan; and a copolymer of chloropropyltrihydroxysilane and octadecylaminodimethyltrihydroxysilylpropyl ammonium chloride.

Abstract: A system is provided for regulating a flow of oxygen to a patient where the system may include an oximeter for measuring the patient's blood oxygen level and/or heart rate; a controller for determining a desired oxygen flow rate based on the patient's blood oxygen level and/or heart rate, and generating a control signal representative of the desired oxygen flow rate; an oxygen flow regulator for dynamically regulating a flow rate of oxygen supplied to the patient responsive to the control signal provided by the controller; an oxygen delivery device; and a transmitter for wirelessly communicating with an electronic medical records system. The oxygen flow regulator may receive oxygen from an oxygen bottle, oxygen mixer, a wall oxygen supply of a healthcare facility, or an oxygen concentrator. One or more of the components of the system may be treated with an antimicrobial material.

Abstract: A body limb measurement device (10) comprising a track (12), a cart (14), and a laser source (16) fixedly attached to the cart. The cart is capable of linearly moving along the track. The device can further include a vertical support (18) having a pivot (20), and the track can comprise a pivot receiver (22), wherein the pivot receiver (22) is rotatably attached to the pivot (20). The track (12) can include units of length measurement (24) embedded therein. The cart (14) can include a reference point (26) to correspond to the units of length measurement, to track the cart's position on the track (12). A method of measuring a body part (28) comprising the steps of moving the cart (14) along the track (12) to measure the distance between a first edge (32) and a second edge (34) of the body part (28).

Abstract: A surface of an object may be treated using an antimicrobial wipe presoaked in an antimicrobial treatment solution. Alternatively, the antimicrobial treatment solution may be sprayed directly on the surface. The antimicrobial treatment solution may be made of isopropyl alcohol and an unreacted organofunctional silane antimicrobial substance that is substantially free from arsenic, silver, tin, heavy metals and polychlorinated phenols. The antimicrobial substance may include any one of: 3 trimethoxysilylpropyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride; hyaluronan and its derivatives; triclosan; and a copolymer of chloropropyltrihydroxysilane and octadecylaminodimethyltrihydroxysilylpropyl ammonium chloride.

Abstract: A system is provided for the treatment of wounds. The system comprises a wound dressing and a suction regulator that includes a vacuum regulator for supplying a negative pressure to the wound site and a control circuit for controlling the vacuum regulator to selectively supply the negative pressure. The system may further comprise (1) a pressure verification mechanism for providing visual verification that the negative pressure applied to the wound site has reached a predetermined pressure level; (2) a venting mechanism for allowing oxygen to vent to the wound site when the negative pressure is not supplied to the wound site; (3) a flow sensor for sensing a flow rate from the wound site where the control circuit generates an alarm signal if the flow rate sensed by the flow sensor exceeds a threshold; and/or (4) a wound dressing pad comprising a support material at least partially covered with silicone.