Abstract: Constant-torque intraosseous access devices and methods thereof are disclosed. An intraosseous access device can include a constant-torque spring assembly disposed in a housing, a drive shaft extending from the housing, and an intraosseous needle coupled to the drive shaft configured to provide intraosseous access to a medullary cavity of a patient. A method of such an intraosseous access device can include inserting a distal end of the intraosseous needle through skin at an insertion site of a patient; applying force to bone at the insertion site with the distal end of the intraosseous needle, which starts winding a metal ribbon of the constant-torque spring assembly from an output spool onto a storage spool, thereby starting rotation of the intraosseous needle; and drilling through the bone until the intraosseous needle enters a medullary cavity of the patient, thereby achieving intraosseous access with the intraosseous access device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ultrasound system for accessing a vasculature of a patient. The ultrasound system is configured to depict an enhanced ultrasound image of a subcutaneous portion of the patient including an icon surrounding a target vessel depicted on the display. The icon indicates to a clinician the target vessel is within range of a percentage vessel occupancy or vessel purchase length depending on a size of cannula or angle of insertion. The icon can also indicate blood flow strength, vessel type, or vessel deformation. The enhanced image can further include cannula trajectory guidelines and visual alerts for the clinician if the cannula tip can potentially backwall the vessel. Additional icons can indicate obstructions disposed on the cannula trajectory.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are wound-healing systems and methods thereof. A wound-healing system can include a wound dressing, a catheter-stabilization device, and an electrical-stimulation means for applying electrical stimulation to heal or protect at least a wound associated with a percutaneous insertion site of a patient. The wound dressing can be configured as an electrode for placement around the wound. The catheter-stabilization device can include an anchor pad and a retainer coupled to the anchor pad. The anchor pad can be configured to adhere to skin of the patient proximate the insertion site. The retainer can be configured to stabilize a catheter assembly while a catheter tube of the catheter assembly is disposed in the insertion site. The electrical-stimulation means can include an electrical power source and an external circuit between the catheter-stabilization device and the wound dressing for applying the electrical stimulation.

Abstract: A vehicle door handle for a motor vehicle is described, which includes an integrated transmitting and/or receiving device which comprises an LF antenna and a separately formed NFC antenna. The NFC antenna has a plurality of windings provided on a circuit board. The LF antenna has a plurality of coils wound around a core material formed separately from the circuit board. The NFC antenna encompasses a projection of the LF antenna on the circuit board.

Abstract: A custom U-Bracket bolted into a threaded, fastening stainless steel expanding anchor affixed to molded-in attachment holes on a compression-molded, thermoset composite manhole cover to attach, house and protect a sensor, transmitter, and battery pack completely surrounded by the composite cover’s structurally reinforcing ribs.

Abstract: A sealant is provided for sealing a puncture through tissue that comprises an elongate first section including a proximal end, a distal end, and a cross-section sized for delivery into a puncture through tissue, and a second section extending from the distal end of the first section. The first section may be formed from a freeze-dried hydrogel that expands when exposed to physiological fluid within a puncture. The first section comprises chitosan and at least one additional polymer. The second section may be formed from a solid mass of non-freeze-dried, non-cross-linked hydrogel precursors. The precursors are in an unreactive state until exposed to an aqueous physiological environment, whereupon the precursors undergo in-situ crosslinking with one another to provide an adhesive layer bonded to the first section. The second section may further comprise chitosan. Apparatus and methods for delivering the sealant into a puncture through tissue are also provided.

Abstract: An alcohol-resistant siliconized polycarbonate polyurethane can include a soft segment and a hard segment. The soft segment can include a polycarbonate polyol and a polysiloxane, which can be present in an amount less than the polycarbonate polyol. The hard segment can include an isocyanate and a chain extender. Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) devices can include one or more components that are at least partially formed from one or more formulations of the siliconized polycarbonate polyurethane catheter. The PICC devices can withstand alcohol locking, and can be power injectable both before and after alcohol locking events.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for creating a virtual encryption session prior to video streaming content being requested to reduce or eliminate delay in initialization of the encryption session and content delivery to the customer. A virtual session has control word(s) (CW) and virtual entitlement control message(s) (ECM) that are devoid of content specific information. One or more virtual sessions may be stored at an edge device and may be used to encrypt the first portion of a content stream while a content-specific encryption session is being initiated.

Abstract: Connection systems and methods for establishing optical and electrical connections through a drape are disclosed. A connection system can include a plug and a receptacle, the plug being configured to insert into the receptacle with the drape therebetween. The plug can include an optical terminal extending from a plug housing and an electrical terminal extending from the plug housing. The electrical terminal can be configured as a piercing element for piercing the drape. The receptacle can include an optical receiver within a receptacle housing and an electrical receiver within the receptacle housing. The optical receiver can be configured to form the optical connection with the optical terminal, and the electrical receiver can be configured to form the electrical connection with the electrical terminal when the plug is inserted into the receptacle with the drape therebetween.

Abstract: Closure devices for sealing a puncture and methods of sealing a puncture are described herein. A closure device may be used to position a sealant in a puncture. The sealant may be provided in a sheath which is retracted to expose the sealant in the puncture. A support member may be advanced to compress the sealant. The device may have a lock that prevents the support member from advancing prematurely. The lock may be unlocked when the sheath is at least partially retracted. The device may have an actuator that controls movement of the sheath and the support member. The lock may remain in a locked position until the sheath is at least partially retracted.

Abstract: A method useful for providing a phytonutrient to a subject via mediation of the subject's microbiome is disclosed. The method includes administering a phytofunctional composition to a subject change the phytonutrient producer status of the subject. The method may also include identifying a phytonutrient producer status of the subject by assessing a level of at least one of a preselected phytonutrient and a preselected phytonutrient precursor compound within the subject. A phytofunctional composition useful in the method is also disclosed, and comprises a phytonutrient precursor compound and an active agent. The active agent comprises a probiotic and/or a prebiotic, and is adapted to mediate production of the preselected phytonutrient in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, thereby changing the phytonutrient producer status of the subject.

Abstract: High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces. Polymers may be entrapped in pores of materials to provide a durable modification of the materials.

Abstract: A medical device is provided which comprises an implantable vascular access port including a fluid passage operable to introduce fluid to a host and/or remove fluid from the host, the fluid passage accessible through a fluid passage access opening and at least a portion of the fluid passage defined by a needle configured to penetrate cutaneous tissue of the host; and an implantable vascular access catheter connectable with the vascular access port; wherein the vascular access catheter and the vascular access port are connectable to each other within the vascular access port.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method directed to detecting malposition of a medical device within a vessel of a patient, such as an Azygos vein. The medical device can include a multi-core optical fiber including a plurality of core fibers, where each of the plurality of core fibers includes a plurality of sensors is configured to reflect a light signal based on received incident light, and change a characteristic of the reflected light signal for use in determining a physical state of the multi-core optical fiber. The system can include a console having non-transitory computer-readable medium storing logic that, when executed, causes operations of providing a broadband incident light signal to the multi-core optical fiber, receiving reflected light signals, processing the reflected light signals, and determining whether the medical device has entered the Azygos vein of the patient based on the reflected light signals.

Abstract: A tether connector configured to form an electrical connection with a sensor connector through a sterile barrier disposed over the sensor connector. The tether connector can include a housing, an electrical lead extending from the housing, and a first piercing element in the housing orthogonally connected to the electrical lead, the first piercing element configured to pierce the sterile barrier to form the electrical connection with the sensor connector.

Abstract: A catheter placement system including a catheter having a catheter tube distally coupled to a catheter hub having one or more extension legs proximally coupled to the catheter hub. The catheter tube defines one or more lumens where each of the one or more lumens is in fluid communication with one of the extension legs. The catheter placement system further includes a skin nicking device configured to transition between a sheathed configuration and a deployed configuration. The skin nicking device includes a needle defining a needle lumen, having a needle wall including one or more slots in fluid communication with an outside surface of the needle, and one or more blades configured to be aligned with the one or more slots, the one or more blades coupled to a distal end of one or more connecting members within the needle lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture includes a positioning member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a puncture, an expandable element on the distal end, and a tension indicator on the proximal end. The tension indicator includes a distal housing portion fixed relative to the proximal end, and a proximal housing portion or handle movable proximally relative to the distal housing portion. The handle is biased towards the distal housing portion such that, when sufficient tensile force is applied between the expandable element and the handle, the handle moves away from the distal housing portion. During use, the distal end is introduced through a puncture into a vessel, the expandable element is expanded, and the positioning member is partially withdrawn until the expanded element contacts a wall of the vessel and the handle separates from the distal housing portion, indicating that sufficient tension is applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture includes a cartridge, a pusher member, a sealant, and a tamping device on a proximal end of the cartridge. During use, the cartridge, sealant, and pusher member are advanced over a positioning member and into the puncture by advancing a cartridge hub carrying the tamping device. When further distal advancement of the cartridge is limited, the cartridge hub is further advanced, activating the tamping device, and causing the pusher member to advance relative to the sealant to compress the sealant within the puncture.

Abstract: Methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel. Devices include axially concentric assemblies of a piercing needle and a dilator that guides an outer catheter into a vessel, such as a blood vessel. The assemblies described herein can include retraction mechanisms and/or lock mechanisms to control needle positioning during catheterization processes as well as improved valves that prevent leakage of fluid from the proximal end of the devices. The devices and method include the use of novel valves to prevent undesired leakage of fluids through the proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: Avalanche transceiver, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for identifying a location of a victim buried in an avalanche includes: emitting a signal by a transmitting transceiver of the victim; receiving the signal by a receiving transceiver; and identifying an orientation from the receiving transceiver to the victim based on constructing a straight line from the receiving transceiver to the transmitting transceiver.