Abstract: A closed system adapter for catheters is disclosed. The adapter comprises a rigid outer housing having an inlet end with an internal cavity, and outlet end with a central passageway, the outlet end having a series of incrementally larger diameter steps permitting connection to various sized catheters.Positioned within the inlet end internal cavity is a resilient valve member normally biased to a sealed closed position. The valve member includes a generally cylindrical wall with a diaphragm with a pre-slit partitioned across the wall. The cylindrical wall dimensioned to be slightly larger in diameter than the inlet end cavity of the housing except for a recessed area where the diaphragm is positioned. The cylindrical wall providing inward compressive force except in the recess area permitting the diaphragm to remain in a steady state normally closed position without excessive inwardly compressive force.

Abstract: A two part closed tracheal suction system comprising a first part connector for attachment to an endotracheal tube and a ventilator circuit wherein the connector includes a normally closed entrance seal directly manually accessible and preferably manually deformable to open up an access opening to the connector, and the entrance seal automatically returning to its normally closed position upon manual release of the seal.

Abstract: A suction control regulator for use with a medical suction catheter wherein the regulator includes a rigid molded body attached to a flexible suction catheter at its front and connectable to a source of suction at its rear. An intermediate portion is located between the front and rear portions to act as a means for regulating suction. The intermediate portion includes an outwardly extending stem with an inner passage, the stem terminating in an oval-shaped contoured flange which generally conforms in shape to the contour of the user's thumb. A resilient boot is mounted on the stem and the boot includes a flat diaphragm top suspended and free floating above the stem flange when positioned in a normally open to atmosphere non-suction applied position. The diaphragm top is depressible downward by the thumb to conform to the shape of the flange to seal off the inner passage to close the passage to atmosphere to a suction applied position.

Abstract: Gastrostomy ports are disclosed for reliably providing enteral feeding to a patient over long periods of time. Gastrostomy ports shown herein provide one-way valves which include a resilient valve member which is compressively fitted within a receiving cavity defined by a rigid compression collar. The valve member has a diaphragm portion defining a slit. The compression collar presses inwardly against the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm portion to apply laterally compressive forces which bias the slit toward a normally closed position. Gastrostomy ports are further shown for accessing the interior of a body cavity or organ which are self retaining and resist inadvertent pull-out but can be atraumatically implanted and removed.

Abstract: A gastrostomy feeding port is disclosed which incorporates a seal module which includes a valve housing and a resilient valve member contained therein. The valve housing defines an inner passageway to provide fluid communication into a long term indwelling catheter and includes a rigid compression collar portion which defines a valve member receiving cavity within the inner passageway. The resilient valve member has a diaphragm portion which has an "S" shaped slit therethrough, and an outer peripheral edge which generally conforms in shape to the valve member receiving cavity but is larger in dimension than the cavity when uncompressed. The resilient valve member also includes an outer wall portion which extends away from the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm portion and which generally conforms in shape to the cavity.

Abstract: Gastrostomy feeding ports are disclosed which remain positively sealed after repeated and extensive use. In one embodiment, a valve housing defines an inner passageway to provide fluid communication into a long term indwelling catheter and includes a rigid compression collar portion which defines a valve member receiving cavity within the inner passageway. The resilient valve member has an outer peripheral edge which generally conforms in shape to the valve member receiving cavity but is larger in dimension than the cavity when uncompressed. The resilient valve member also includes an outer wall portion which extends away from the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm portion and which generally conforms in shape to the cavity.

Abstract: A disposable device and method for holding a plurality of medical conduits including an elongated foam strip having first and second ends and a layer of repositionable adhesive on a first surface of the strip. A clip is provide at the first end for releasably attaching the device to a bed sheet, blanket or patient's clothing, and the second end is folded over toward the first end with the conduits secured between the layers by the adhesive layer which substantially surrounds the circumference of each conduit to hold the same without allowing the conduits to be twisted or pulled through the holder.

Abstract: A sterile suction catheter protecting both the user and patient from cross contamination. The catheter enclosed in a protective and collapsible sleeve along with a closed capped suction control valve. The sleeve and cap preserving the sterility of the catheter assembly while protecting the user from contact with potentially infectious aspirated secretions. Both sleeve and cap readily and easily assembled on the catheter to minimize labor and to reduce cost to make the assembly inexpensive. For single procedure use and disposable after termination of the suction procedure.

Abstract: Retention bolsters for a percutaneous catheter which have a convexly curved exterior surface which contacts the epidermal surface of a patient, and which also provide protection against the catheter kinking. The retention bolsters slide over a catheter until contacting the skin of the patient at the catheter exit site. When secured in place, the bolsters rock along contacting portions between their convexly curved surface and the epidermal surface of the patient in response to movement of the catheter about the exit site, thereby alleviating the added pressure that would otherwise be applied by this movement. Upon the release of lateral pressure against the catheter device, the bolsters return to their original upright position. One bolster incorporates an elongated collar which is flexibly resilient to supportively allow the catheter to be laterally bent away from the exit site without kinking.

Abstract: A retention bolster for a percutaneous catheter is disclosed having a convexly curved exterior surface which contacts the epidermal surface of a patient. The retention bolster slides over a catheter until contacting the skin of the patient at the catheter exit site. When secured in place, the retention bolster rocks along contacting portions between its convexly curved surface and the epidermal surface of the patient in response to movement of the catheter about the exit site, thereby alleviating the added pressure that would otherwise be applied by this movement. Upon the release of lateral pressure against the catheter device, the bolster returns to its original upright position. In a second disclosed embodiment, a flange is provided which extends from the main body of the bolster which defines a bore that is also sized for slidably receiving and supporting the catheter, and which provides for angled attachment of the catheter relative to its exit site.

Abstract: A unitized ventilating system with front, side, and rear swivel connections and a sealed suction catheter assembly permitting continuous ventilation of a patient and combined suctioning ability. The entry ports to the assembly are normally valved closed to prevent the escape of vitally needed ventilating gases to atmosphere when the system is attached to the ventilator. The catheter is housed in a pre-formed collapsible protective envelope subassembly with attached couplings for convenient inexpensive manufacturing assembly. The entire system is designed for patient safety, healthcare worker protection from infectious diseases, simplified manufacturing, reduced cost, and completely disposable after twenty-four hours of continuous use.

Abstract: A tool for both attaching and removing surgical scalpel blades safely from any standard surgical scalpel handle. The tool taking the form of hand held normally open pliers with an upper jaw including a clear protective cover and a protruding lower jaw. The lower jaw includes a recessed slot and two protrusions for accepting any scalpel blade. Closure of the upper jaw holds the tip of the blade in place while the protruding lower jaw holds the scalpel blade in place for either attachment or removal of the blade from the handle. An alternate embodiment of the tool especially designed as a single use disposable is also included.

Abstract: A suction catheter having a distal end portion with an opening for insertion into a patient's airway. A proximal end portion is connected to a resilient unobstructed tubular member on which a valve operates to control fluid flow through the member. The valve which is biased to a normally closed condition will open the tubular member when activated and will return to its normally closed condition when not activated. A downstream connector is attached to a source of suction.

Abstract: A suction device for removing material from the trachea of a patient during ventilation comprising, a catheter having an internal lumen and opposed front and rear ends with the front end including a suction opening, front and rear couplings supporting the catheter and a protective sleeve normally enclosing the catheter and in turn connected to the front and rear couplings, the catheter is fixedly connected at its rear end to the rear coupling, the front coupling includes an internal seal for slidable receipt of the outer surface of the catheter. Thus, the catheter front end may be inserted into and withdrawn from the trachea of said patient. The rear coupling includes an irrigation port in turn communicating with the catheter lumen whereby lavage fluid may be injected into the port so as to wash the lumen and to directly irrigate the patient's trachea through said suction opening.

Abstract: A gastrostomy feeding port includes a deformable, conical tip portion having at least one side aperture therethrough, a tube portion which extends rearwardly from the tip portion, a fitting portion on the rear end of the tube portion, a removable valve portion in the fitting portion and a flange portion which extends outwardly from the fitting portion. The feeding port is adapted to be installed in a patient so that the tube portion extends through a preestablished stoma in the patient's stomach with the tip portion located in the patient's stomach and the fitting portion and the flange portion engaging the skin of the patient adjacent the stoma. Since the valve portion is removable received in the fitting portion, it can be repaired or replaced if needed without replacing the entire feeding port.

Abstract: A gastroenteric feeding tube for endoscopic placement includes an elongated tubular main portion, a weighted bolus portion on the distal end of the main portion and a flexible cord element which extends from a substantially axial position at the terminal end of the bolus portion. The cord element can be effectively grasped with a forcep of an endoscopic device to enable the feeding tube to be endoscopically placed in a proper location in a patient for use in administering feeding formula to the patient.

Abstract: A gastrostomy-jejunal feeding tube comprises a gastrostomy tube having an enlarged resiliently, collapsible retainer element on the distal end thereof and a jejunal feeding tube which is removably received in the gastrostomy tube in a manner which allows fluids to pass through the gastrostomy tube despite the presence of the jejunal feeding tube therein. The gastrostomy-jejunal feeding tube is adapted to be installed in a patient so that the gastrostomy tube extends through the stomach wall, fascia and skin for draining fluids from the stomach and so that the jejunal feeding tube extends into the jejunum area of the intestines for feeding and medicating the patient. Since the jejunal feeding tube is removable from the gastrostomy tube it can be replaced without surgery, and since the retainer element is resiliently collapsible, it can be pulled outwardly through the stomach wall to allow the gastrostomy tube to be removed from the patient without surgery.