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 method for performing a tracheotomy. In this method a tracheostomy dilator has a body and a tip which are detachably attached. The tip has a proximal inner portion which is within the body while the tip is attached to the body. The dilator is inserted into the trachea and used to dilate an opening. After the trachea has been dilated, the body may be detached and removed from the tip, the tip remaining partially in the trachea. A dilator loading catheter installed within a tracheostomy tube may be mated with the tip and the tip, loading catheter and tracheostomy tube moved into the trachea. After the tracheostomy tube is installed, the tip and loading catheter may be withdrawn through the tracheostomy tube and the tracheostomy tube placed in service.

Abstract: A respiratory access assembly includes a movable manifold and a closed suction catheter assembly with a shuttle movable by actuator between the manifold and the closed suction catheter assembly. The assembly includes a flap positioned adjacent the shuttle and the closed suction catheter assembly which is moveable between an open position which permits passage of a suction catheter therethrough and a closed position, which prevents a passage of a suction catheter. The respiratory access assembly permits operable communication with the artificial airway to permit suctioning when in an un-locked position, and prevents the entrance of a suction catheter when in the locked position. A method for using a respiratory access assembly.

Abstract: A respiratory access assembly includes a distal plate having a port, which is adapted to be positioned in operable communication with an artificial airway of a patient. The assembly includes a distal plate having a port and a proximal plate which has a first port and a second port. The distal plate is positioned against the proximal plate in a stacked configuration, and each plate is configured to move relative to the other. The assembly has an actuator which is positioned adjacent to at least one plate. The actuator cooperates with both plates to substantially prevent movement of the plates when the port of the distal plate is positioned in an alignment with at least one port of the proximal plate and an object, such as a suction catheter, is positioned through the aligned ports of the plates. The actuator cooperates with at least one plate to permit movement of at least one plate when (a) no object is positioned through aligned ports, and (b) when no ports are aligned.

Abstract: A collapsible single-use sterilization container for use in the sterilization of medical instruments is provided. The sterilization container includes a lid having central portion defined by a frangible region. Upon activation of the frangible region, the central portion may be removed rendering the sterilization container inoperable for future use.

Abstract: A respiratory access assembly inctudes a distal pJate having one port and cuff and an axially aligned proximal plate including a first port and first cuff and a second port and second cuff. The distal plate is configured to move relative to the proximal plate. The respiratory access assembly includes an actuator, which has a plurality of predetermined positions. When the actuator is positioned in a movement-enabling position, it permits movement of the plates while simultaneously blocking the first port of the proximal plate. When the actuator is positioned in a first or second locked (open) position, it locks the plates together and aligns the port of the distal plate with the respective first or second port of the proximal plate and un-blocks the first port of the proximal plale so that an object, such as a suction catheter, may be positioned through the aligned ports.

Abstract: There is provided a novel fitting having male and female ends and a tapered internal luer-type seal. The male fitting end has a periphery upon which is mounted at least one boss. The female fitting end has a slot into which the boss may be inserted. At the bottom of the slot is a stop to limit the insertion depth of the boss. The male and female ends may then be rotated relative to each other to move the boss into a window on the female end. The window has a frame and the upper frame is angled slightly, corresponding to the boss, which serves to draw the male end farther in to the female end. The window has a side frame that stops the rotational movement of the boss. When the movement of the boss is stopped, the male and female tapers are in substantially leak-free contact. There is also provided a closed suction catheter using the novel fitting, such that the catheter may be easily and quickly removed and replaced.

Abstract: A respiratory triple swivel manifold is provided which has a base port, which is coupled to a central body. The central body has two laterally-positioned arms, and each arm has a lateral port. Each base port and each lateral port has an inner sleeve which is movable relative to its port. The manifold also has a proximal port coupled to the central body, which may or may not have a rotatable inner sleeve. At least one of the arms and its respective lateral port is positioned at an angle in a range of greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees relative to the central body. Desirably, the base port, the central body and its arms and their respective ports form a Y-shape. The proximal port may intersect the Y-shaped manifold. The base port includes a ramp to direct an object moved through one port into a passageway of the manifold and through the base port to an endotracheal tube without folding, twisting or bunching of any portion of the object within the manifold.

Abstract: There is provided a display system that may be hung and that holds one or more pouches or bags containing an item to be used. The display is made from a blank having upper, middle and lower panels and an upper edge. There is a tab arrangement on the upper panel for holding the merchandise to be displayed. The bags are inserted from the back of the blank between the upper and middle panels and attached to the tab arrangement. After the bags are attached to the tab arrangement, the upper edge of the upper panel is inserted between the lower and middle panels and the lower panel is folded over the upper panel in order to hold the bags relatively firmly on the tab arrangement. The display may then be hung by the use of slots or hooks in the upper panel.

Abstract: An applicator with a flexible dispensing end is provided. The applicator includes a housing having an internal compartment configured to hold a container of skin sealant. The housing includes a dispensing end having at least one opening to permit the skin sealant to be dispensed. The housing includes an actuator configured to contact the container and release the skin sealant. The dispensing end has at least one movable member. The dispensing end is flexible and is configured to move on more than one axis, and up to three axes, sequentially or simultaneously, so that the skin sealant dispensed from the applicator may be uniformly applied to contours on a patient's skin.

Abstract: A single-use sterilization container for use in the sterilization of medical instruments is provided. The sterilization container includes a lid having central portion defined by a frangible region. Upon activation of the frangible region, the central portion may be removed rendering the sterilization container inoperable for future use.

Abstract: There is provided a moisture indicator for a heat and moisture exchange (HME) device that uses a pre-colorant and an activator applied to an inner surface of the HME device. The colorant undergoes a color change of Delta E (?E) of equal to or greater than 3 units upon exposure to moisture but not upon exposure to high humidity. The colorant is visually obvious to the unaided human eye under normal light conditions through the body of the device. The HME device with the visual indicator for moisture can indicate to the care-giver that it is time to change the HME device.

Abstract: An oral care kit for a defined oral care treatment cycle is provided herein. The oral care kit utilizes a substantially rectangular box having oral care packs positioned therein. The oral care packs contain oral care devices useful for administering oral care treatment during a 24 hour oral care treatment cycle.

Abstract: There is provided a new thermo-gelling composition made with methylcellulose and citric acid. This composition may also have an effective amount of a treating agent, which may be a medicinal agent, cosmetic agent, moisturizer, adjuvant, nutritional agent, other ingredients and combinations thereof. The composition is useful in delivering moisturizers or pharmaceutically active agents to the user in a controlled release manner through the mucosal tissues in a body cavity, or on body surfaces, or as a subcutaneously injected medicament. The composition may also be used as a replacement for the soft tissues of the body as in, for example, the foot cushion and cartilage repair.