Abstract: An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.

Abstract: A connector for coupling to a base of an indwelling catheter or tube device equipped with a circular hub having a radius, a top surface, a side surface, and a circumferential recess defined in the side surface. The connector has a resilient assembly that includes a plurality of release buttons extending from the resilient assembly and may optionally include a head. The connector may also include a conduit defining a fluid pathway for transferring fluids through the connector. Each release button has a first portion including a finger contact zone and a second portion including a catch. The catch is configured to releasably engage the circumferential recess defined in the side surface of the circular hub. The connector is coupled to the circular hub by positioning the connector on the circular hub and depressing the connector until the catches engage the circumferential recess defined in the side surface of the circular hub such that the connector is configured to rotate completely about the circular hub.

Abstract: An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.

Abstract: An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.

Abstract: A connector for coupling to a base of an indwelling device equipped with a circular hub having a radius, a top surface, a side surface, and a circumferential recess defined in the side surface. The connector has a resilient assembly including a plurality of release buttons extending from the resilient assembly and may include a conduit defining a fluid pathway through the connector. Each release button has a finger contact zone and a catch. The catch is configured to releasably engage the circumferential recess. The connector is coupled by positioning the connector on the circular hub and depressing the connector until the catches engage the circumferential recess such that the connector is configured to rotate completely about the circular hub. The connector is decoupled from the hub by pressing the release buttons to reversibly displace the respective catches radially to disengage from the circumferential recess.

Abstract: There is provided a method of making a balloon having a differential thickness. The method uses a raw tube composed of a thermoplastic polymer which is placed in an asymmetrical mold. The tube is preheated in the mold to a temperature sufficient to soften the material of the tube and inflated with a gas to generally uniformly stretch the material of the tube while allowing the tube to retract lengthwise, thus forming a balloon. The resulting completed balloon has a differential wall thickness wherein the upper region has a thickness of from about 15 to about 30 micrometers and the lower region has a thickness of from about 5 to about 15 micrometers.

Abstract: There is provided a device that retains a collected sample for on-demand testing of a small portion of the collected sample while the rest of the sample remains for optional additional analysis. The on-demand test provides relatively immediate information about aspects of the sample, e.g. presence of microbes, chemistry, nutritional condition, presence of contaminants.

Abstract: An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.

Abstract: An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.

Abstract: There is provided a device for sampling bodily fluids. Some embodiments have a handle, a lumen, and a diverter valve. The distal end of the handle is adapted to connect with a sampling device and is in fluid communication with the lumen. There is a vacuum connection on the proximal end of the handle that is also in fluid communication with the lumen. A suction valve may desirably be located in the lumen to control the application of vacuum from the vacuum connection to the sampling device. The diverter valve directs the flow through the lumen such that a sample from the patient goes into a sputum trap when the trap is connected. The device may further have a saline port in fluid communication with the lumen, located distal to the suction valve, for rinsing the tube and diluting secretions.

Abstract: A connector for coupling to a base of an indwelling catheter or tube device equipped with a circular hub having a radius, a top surface, a side surface, and a circumferential recess defined in the side surface. The connector has a resilient assembly that includes a plurality of release buttons extending from the resilient assembly and may optionally include a head. The connector may also include a conduit defining a fluid pathway for transferring fluids through the connector. Each release button has a first portion including a finger contact zone and a second portion including a catch. The catch is configured to releasably engage the circumferential recess defined in the side surface of the circular hub. The connector is coupled to the circular hub by positioning the connector on the circular hub and depressing the connector until the catches engage the circumferential recess defined in the side surface of the circular hub such that the connector is configured to rotate completely about the circular hub.

Abstract: An oral care suction device that includes a suction control port cover. The oral care suction device includes a body having a fluid flow passage formed therethrough. The body has a suctioning feature is located on or joined at its distal end. The body also has an attachment feature located at its proximal end. The oral care suction device also includes a suction control port located intermediate the distal end and proximal end of the body and configured to be covered by a finger or a portion of the hand of a user to alter the level of suction through the suctioning feature while allowing one hand operation of the suctioning device. The suction control port defines a channel from an exterior of the body to the fluid flow passage. A breathable fabric is positioned to cover the suction control port so that contact of the finger or portion of the hand of a user with liquids and particles drawn into and through the fluid flow passage during suctioning is minimized.

Abstract: A subglottic suctioning system with a tracheal tube having a ventilation lumen, a cuff inflation lumen, and a suction lumen are disclosed which may help reduce the incidence of ventilator associated (or acquired) pneumonia. The suction lumen communicates with the space in the trachea above the cuff where secretions accumulate. The suction lumen has a valve on the proximal end for connection to a source of vacuum. The valve is adapted to interrupt the supply of vacuum to the suction lumen to allow for the introduction of a rinsing fluid in its place and to automatically re-establish the connection to the source of vacuum upon completion of rinsing. The rinsing fluid aids in maintaining an open suction lumen and may include medicaments and mucolytic agents to enhance or promote healing or to alter the properties of the mucus to make removal easier. The user may easily and repeatedly alternate suction and rinsing fluid through the suction lumen, i.e.

Abstract: There is provided a tracheal catheter designed so that a suction catheter may be used to suction out any secretions that accumulate in the zone above the balloon. There is further provided a tracheal catheter having a ventilation lumen with a flexible wall to provide a flexible lumen which takes up negligible volume when the catheter is not inserted. The suction catheter may be inserted into the flexible lumen, bending the flexible lumen wall that normally lies substantially flat against the ventilating lumen. As the suction catheter is inserted into the lumen, the lumen opens to accept it. When the catheter is removed, the wall of the flexible lumen moves back into position against the ventilating lumen wall, again taking up negligible volume. There is also provided a method of suctioning the subglottic space of an intubated patient. This involves providing a tube as described above, inserting a catheter into the flexible lumen from the proximal end, and providing suction to the proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An improved endotracheal tube that has a modified surface coating that can elute active agents is described. The coated surface and the use of the device according to a new method or regime for a healthcare worker to care for patients can help reduce the likelihood of ventilator acquire pneumonia or other infections in a patient's respiratory passages.

Abstract: A suction device includes an elongated suction tube having a suction tip at a distal end thereof, and a proximal end that is connectable to a suction source. A collar is slidable along the suction tube from a retracted position to a deployed position. A sleeve is provided having a proximal end fixed relative to the proximal end of the suction tube, and a distal end configured with the collar so as to move therewith and cover the suction tube in the deployed position of the collar. A wiper seal is contained within collar in sliding frictional engagement around the suction tube.

Abstract: A suction device includes an elongated suction tube having a suction tip at a distal end thereof, and a proximal end that is connectable to a suction source. A collar is slidable along the suction tube from a retracted position to a deployed position. A sleeve is provided having a proximal end fixed relative to the proximal end of the suction tube, and a distal end configured with the collar so as to move therewith and cover the suction tube in the deployed position of the collar. A wiper seal is contained within collar in sliding frictional engagement around the suction tube.

Abstract: A multilumen tracheal tube or catheter is disclosed. The tube has a plurality of suction lumens, each having a suction port. A rotatable suction port collar is provided. The suction port collar has an inlet and an outlet. The collar overlaps each suction port and is capable of selectively occluding a number of the suction ports while enabling unimpeded passage between a remainder of the ports and the outlet.

Abstract: There is provided a tubular workpiece for blow-molding into an inflatable balloon component. The tubular workpiece is a raw tube having a lumen and composed of a thermoplastic polymer, the tube having an asymmetric wall thickness such that when the tube is preheated in a mold to a temperature sufficient to soften the material of the tube and inflated with a gas to generally uniformly stretch the material of the tube, the tube forms a balloon component. The balloon may be non-uniform in wall thickness depending on the type of mold used. The balloon may be attached according to conventional means to a hollow tube to produce a tracheostomy device.

Abstract: A medical device assembly for imparting a lubricious and/or antimicrobial liquid onto a medical device is provided. The medical device is surrounded by a pouch and includes a burst package or frangible cells for storage of the liquid prior to delivery onto the surface of the medical device. This helps prevent contamination of the medical device upon removal of the medical device from its pouch, insertion of the device into a body cavity, and implantation of the device into the body cavity.