Abstract: A wound dressing having a suction member adaptable for connection to a source of vacuum pressure. The wound dressing preferably has a hydrophobic or biodegradable base layer and one or more absorptive layers for absorbing fluid from the wound. The absorptive layers are preferably quilted with patches containing desiccant, adsorbent, or absorbent material. Alternatively, the wound dressing may allow fluid to pass through the suction member. A semi-permeable cover is provided for allowing the wound to breathe while protecting the wound from undesirable substances such as bacteria, viruses, or fluids. The cover may have a bladder for distributing contact pressure away from the wound. Various sensors may be provided in the wound dressing for sensing various physiological parameters in the wound, such as oxygen saturation, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood glucose, and serous fluid turbidity. Medicine may also be applied to the wound through the wound dressing.

Abstract: A wound dressing having a suction member adaptable for connection to a source of vacuum pressure. The wound dressing preferably has a hydrophobic or biodegradable base layer and one or more absorptive layers for absorbing fluid from the wound. The absorptive layers are preferably quilted with patches containing desiccant, adsorbent, or absorbent material. Alternatively, the wound dressing may allow fluid to pass through the suction member. A semi-permeable cover is provided for allowing the wound to breathe while protecting the wound from undesirable substances such as bacteria, viruses, or fluids. The cover may have a bladder for distributing contact pressure away from the wound. Various sensors may be provided in the wound dressing for sensing various physiological parameters in the wound, such as oxygen saturation, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood glucose, and serous fluid turbidity. Medicine may also be applied to the wound through the wound dressing.

Abstract: A system for draining the chest cavity of a patient subjected to a traumatic chest injury and/or to surgery within the chest. The system includes a small, portable suction device and a chest tube with an improved terminal structure. A number of embodiments of the suction device are disclosed; the first (with two variations) a small, completely disposable, bottle-shaped assembly comprising a motor/pump section, a power section, and a desiccant filled chamber, the second (also with two variations) a small box shaped assembly with a disposable desiccant pouch and a power supply that mounts to a battery charger positioned on an IV pole. A number of chest tube terminus structures are disclosed, including multi-lumen structures having high-airflow and low-airflow lumens as well as “dead” and “live” lumens.

Abstract: A wound dressing having a suction member adaptable for connection to a source of vacuum pressure. The wound dressing preferably has a hydrophobic or biodegradable base layer and one or more absorptive layers for absorbing fluid from the wound. The absorptive layers are preferably quilted with patches containing desiccant, adsorbent, or absorbent material. Alternatively, the wound dressing may allow fluid to pass through the suction member. A semi-permeable cover is provided for allowing the wound to breathe while protecting the wound from undesirable substances such as bacteria, viruses, or fluids. The cover may have a bladder for distributing contact pressure away from the wound. Various sensors may be provided in the wound dressing for sensing various physiological parameters in the wound, such as oxygen saturation, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood glucose, and serous fluid turbidity. Medicine may also be applied to the wound through the wound dressing.

Abstract: An infant warming and sensor mat for keeping a baby warm and monitoring the baby's haemoglobin oxygen saturation level (SaO2) and heart rate. The mat preferably comprises a bottom layer of compressible padding material, a sensor layer comprising a plurality of light sources and light detectors, a cover layer having multiple openings, and an air layer between the sensor layer and cover layer. Warm air supplied to the air layer escapes through the openings in the cover to warm the baby. The light sources shine light of an appropriate wavelength onto the baby through the openings in the cover, and the light detectors sense the amount of light reflected back from the baby, which is indicative of SaO2 level. Heart rate is also determined from the resulting periodic signal.

Abstract: An umbilical cord clamping and cutting device assembled within opposing shields for minimizing the spray of blood during severing of the umbilical cord.

Abstract: A novel umbilical cord clamp and a combined umbilical cord clamp and cutter are provided for clamping and cutting umbilical cords in one motion. The cutter comprises two shells joined by a longitudinal hinge. A transverse blade is mounted in one shell, and a cutting support is mounted in the other shell across from the blade. One or more removable clamps may be engaged with the shells to be removable from the shells after cutting. Alternatively, a self-winding or plastically deformable band may be engageable with the shells. The cutter and its associated removable clamp(s) may be coordinated with an identifier, such as a color, number, or letter. Blood sampling and diagnostic features may be included with the cutter. The removable clamps may have an openable closure.

Abstract: A novel umbilical cord clamp and a combined umbilical cord clamp and cutter are provided for clamping and cutting umbilical cords in one motion. The cutter comprises two shells joined by a longitudinal hinge. A transverse blade is mounted in one shell, and a cutting support is mounted in the other shell across from the blade. A clamping member is provided on one side of the blade as part of the cutter, and a removable clamp is provided on the other side of the blade. The umbilical cord to be cut is oriented generally parallel to the hinge and lying across the cutting support. As the shells of the cutter are closed, the umbilical cord is clamped on both sides of the blade, and the blade severs the umbilical cord in the same motion. After the cut is completed, the removable clamp is removed from the cutter, preferably revealing an aesthetically pleasing form such as the face of a koala bear.

Abstract: A novel umbilical cord clamp and a combined umbilical cord clamp and cutter are provided for clamping and cutting umbilical cords in one motion. The cutter comprises two shells joined by a longitudinal hinge. A transverse blade is mounted in one shell, and a cutting support is mounted in the other shell across from the blade. A clamping member is provided on one side of the blade as part of the cutter, and a removable clamp is provided on the other side of the blade. The umbilical cord to be cut is oriented generally parallel to the hinge and lying across the cutting support. As the shells of the cutter are closed, the umbilical cord is clamped on both sides of the blade, and the blade severs the umbilical cord in the same motion. After the cut is completed, the removable clamp is removed from the cutter, preferably revealing an aesthetically pleasing form such as the face of a koala bear.

Abstract: A disposable umbilical clamp and cutter (10) for clamping a newly born infants umbilical cord in two places, then cutting the cord in between the two clamps (12,14). The clamps are separated and the infant retains its clamp (14) for a short period of time. The clamping surfaces (22) are formed in symmetrical upper (16) and lower (18) halves that rotate about a fold (20) of joining material. Each pair of halves form an enclosed cylinder around the centered umbilical cord when the clamps are closed. Break away connections (24) between the clamps keep them in a semi-rigid, side-by-side arrangement. The clamps are individually closed by putting pressure on two thumb rests (26,28), and opposing pressure with fingers on the lower halves (18), until latches (44) mate with corresponding latch stops (46). Clamps are clearly marked for use on the baby side (14) or the maternal side (12). A `V`-shaped blade (30) is located inside a vertical channel (32) in the maternal clamp (12).