Abstract: A multilumen catheter having a distal portion with a soft tip and reduced cross-section. The multilumen catheter of the present invention includes a flexible, elongated first catheter tube and a flexible, elongated, dual-lumen catheter tube which has a first and second lumens integrally formed and is disposed within the first catheter tube. The cross-section of the dual-lumen catheter tube is smaller than that of the first catheter tube and therefore, an independent, single lumen is defined in the space between the first catheter tube and the dual-lumen catheter tube. The dual-lumen catheter tube extends beyond the distal end of the first catheter tube thereby providing an overall reduced cross-section of the distal portion of the present multilumen catheter. Furthermore, the dual-lumen catheter tube may be formed from a softer material than that of the first cathether tube thereby providing a softer distal portion of the present multilumen catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing aqueous negatively charged tin oxide sols having substantially uniform particle size no greater than about 50 nm and preferably from about 5 to about 20 nm, the sols being characterized as being substantially free of any other reagents which may adversely affect contemplated usage as a catalyst.

Abstract: A catheter capable of being converted from a single lumen catheter into a multilumen catheter. The catheter of the present invention comprises a first large bore catheter tube and a second catheter tube having at least one lumen and an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the first catheter tube and which is capable of being disposed within the first catheter tube. When the second catheter tube is disposed within the first catheter tube, the second catheter tube abuts a portion of the inner wall of the first catheter tube to form a single lumen between the inner wall of the first catheter tube and the outer wall of second catheter tube. The first catheter tube has a first connector portion at its proximal end which is mateable with a second connector portion at the proximal end of the second catheter tube.

Abstract: An adapter kit 32 for a catheter introducer 31 wherein catheter 34 is passed into the body to transmit a medium through lumen 35 in catheter 34. Coupling means 95 is provided for compressing compression glands 48a and 48b against catheter 34 in a controlled manner in a catheter gripping position in FIG. 13, so that maximum resistance to catheter 34 pull-out is provided without distorting any medium transmitted by lumen 35. A related method is provided for sizing and using compression gland(s) 48.

Abstract: A lightweight, porous knitted elastic bandage produced from a warp of false-twist synthetic yarns with a filling inlay of cotton yarn arranged in varying patterns across the warp yarns, wherein the filling cotton yarn is slack mercerized whereby to provide increased ply adhesion over that of the regular cotton yarn.

Abstract: A method of treating an article with a mixture of ethylene oxide gas, air, and an inert gas which makes possible reuse of the ethylene oxide for an indefinite number of successive treatment cycles. The gas mixture is refortified with ethylene oxide when necessary. Nonflammability is maintained by removing air from the treatment tank before the mixture is admitted into the tank by the evacuation of the tank to a predetermined pressure, the admitting of an inert gas to the tank to a predetermined pressure, and the subsequent removal of the resulting air and inert gas mixture from the tank by evacuation to a predetermined pressure, the air removal resulting in an air proportion less than or equal to that proportion residing in the treatment mixture that is maintained in the holding tank.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system is disclosed comprising a combination urine meter element and drainage receptacle, the urine meter element having front and rear walls defining a chamber adapted to receive and measure urine output.

Abstract: A compression device having a plurality of individual segments separated from each other, each segment having a compression chamber for applying pressure to selected positions of the foot and leg of a patient, a means for intermittently inflating and deflating the compression chamber, a means for releasably securing the segments about a patients limb, and a means for releasably connecting the segments to the inflating means to facilitate rapid connections in time of emergencies.

Abstract: A dressing for a wound of a patient having, a base sheet for contacting the skin of the patient, with the base sheet having an opening for placement over the wound. The dressing has a vent providing controlled leakage of fluid along a path from the wound through the opening of the base sheet.

Abstract: A wireless polymeric microcatheter having improved tensile strength; and the process for making same.

Abstract: A vented dressing is disclosed including a vent cover for providing controlled leakage of fluid from the wound, wherein the vent cover consists essentially of inner and outer sheets secured together in superposition, the inner sheet comprising an elastomeric water-swellable polymeric material, the outer sheet providing a barrier to water evaporation.

Abstract: A drainage device comprising, a urine receptacle having walls define a chamber, an elastic tubular section having a lumen communicating with the chamber and a distal opening, and a device for simultaneously closing the lumen and covering the distal opening, and for simultaneously opening the lumen and uncovering the distal opening.

Abstract: A placement device for a catheter and guide wire comprising, a valve assembly having a proximal end, a distal end for connection to the catheter, an elastic valve member having a least one slit and a slide member being slidably received in the valve assembly and being movable between a first position spaced from the valve member with the valve member being closed, and a second position engaged against the valve member with the valve member being open, with the slide member having a bore extending therethrough. The device has a valve opener having an elongated stem on an end of the opener with an outer diameter sufficiently small to be received in the bore of the slide member, with the stem having sufficient length to extend through the slide member and open the valve member with the valve opener extending through the valve member, and with the stem having a channel with an inner diameter sufficiently large to receive the guide wire.

Abstract: Novel wound dressing having a sealed absorbent fabric design and structure wherein an absorbent fabric providing a reservoir for retaining wound exudate is contained between a bottom liquid-permeable sheet material permitting the wicking or diffusion of wound exudate and an outer cover characterized as being a bacterial barrier, at least a portion of the outer cover also being air-permeable for permitting egress of air from the interstices or voids in the fabric reservoir to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising a base sheet having an opening for placement over the wound; a vent sheet providing controlled leakage of fluid along a path from the wound through the opening of the base sheet; and a chamber containing a fabric reservoir for receiving and retaining the wound fluid, the walls defining the chamber being constructed so as to provide a complete barrier to bacteria and other external contaminants while at the same time permitting egress of air from the voids or interstices of the fabric reservoir, so as to optimize the wicking and amount of wound fluid which can be retained in the volume provided by the fabric reservoir.

Abstract: A unitary adapter is disclosed for placing a catheter in fluid communication with a syringe or other source of liquid medication. The adapter has a catheter connector for releasably securing the proximal end of a catheter extending from a patient's body and a connector releasably engaging the liquid medication source, the connectors being attached to one another and movable between an open position for inserting the catheter end and a closed position for securing the catheter end within the connector.The adapter is designed to prevent accidental opening and the resulting falling out of the catheter when the connectors are in the closed position.