Abstract: There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of a first and second sheets of sterilization material. Each sheet has first, second, third and fourth edges. Each sheet includes a central portion. The first edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the first edge of the second sheet; the second edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the second edge of the second sheet; the third edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the third edge of the second sheet; and the fourth edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the fourth edge of the second sheet. The central portions of the first and second sheets are substantially not bonded together. Thus, two layers of sterilization material is provided for an article to be sterilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for treatment of waste from suction canisters. The waste treatment system includes a canister-cleaning and a reservoir chamber. The canister-cleaning chamber holds the suction canister to be treated. The reservoir chamber is fluidly connected to the canister-cleaning chamber and to a water source. The reservoir chamber adapted to be raised and lowered relative to the canister-cleaning chamber to permit cleaning fluids to flow to and from the canister cleaning-chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides antimicrobial skin-preparation delivery systems useable to disinfect a surgical site for surgery. The delivery systems include an antimicrobial alcohol gel formulation contained within a sealed, flexible container and a gel formulation dispenser connected to the container. The gel formulation dispenser includes a container connector connected to the flexible container and a gel applicator having a sealed piercing member which is slidably engaged with the container connector. An applicator pad is porous and also has enlarged holes for passage of the gel formulation. The gel formulation dispenser pierces a seal in the container and delivers the antimicrobial alcohol gel formulation from the container to the surgical site. Flow rate of the gel formulation is largely controlled by the amount of external pressure of squeezing a user applied to the flexible container. The antimicrobial skin-preparation formula includes iodine, alcohol and gel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wound drain including a plurality of ducts 24, a plurality of lumens 26 and a plurality of portals 28. The ducts 24 provide an entrance for exudate from the wound site into the wound drain. The lumens 26 and ducts 24 provide drainage channels for exudate from the wound site. The portals 28 provide fluid communication between the ducts 24 and the lumens 26. The portals on the wound drain are adapted and arranged to provide uniform suction along the length of the wound drain.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aspiration device that includes an outer cannula 16, a stylet 14, and an aspiration needle 80. The aspiration needle includes hollow cannula 82 and an aperture 93. The outer cannula 16 defines a distal tip 29 that is tapered to provide a distal cutting edge. The stylet 14 is designed to be inserted in the outer cannula 16. The stylet 14 also defines a sharp distal tip 30. The hollow cannula 82 designed to be inserted in the outer cannula 16. A distal end 91 of the hollow cannula 82 is closed and an aperture 93 is defined in a side of the hollow cannula 82.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bone marrow biopsy device 10 that includes a handle 12, an outer cannula 16, a stylet 14, and an inner member 18. The outer cannula 16 is secured in the handle 12. The outer cannula defines a distal tip 29 that is tapered to provide a distal cutting edge. The stylet 14 is designed to be inserted in the outer cannula 16. The stylet defines a sharp distal tip 30. The inner member 18 is designed to be inserted in the outer cannula 16. The inner member 18 defines a cuffing finger 45.

Abstract: An absorbent thermal bag made in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes an absorbent pad operatively associated with a thermal bag which can be regenerated in situ. The junction of the absorbent pad and the thermal bag defines an unobstructed perimeter area that is an area of the absorbent pad that extends beyond the thermal bag. The unobstructed perimeter area provides an area of improved absorption and allows the side-by-side simultaneous placement of the thermal bag and the absorbent pad on a wound site. The thermal bag can contain endothermic materials such as ice for cold therapy or, alternatively, exothermic materials for heat therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antimicrobial composition for disinfection of a skin surface in preparation for surgery. The antimicrobial composition comprises parachlorometaxylenol (PCMX) and an anionic surfactant composition which exhibits both a high degree of antimicrobial efficacy and low skin irritability properties. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises an anionic surfactant composition comprising a surfactant having a hydrophobic portion consisting of a linear alkyl and a hydrophilic portion having ethoxylation termination with a sulfonate anionic group, and a sarcosine surfactant. A preferred surfactant composition further comprises a foaming anionic surfactant, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. The antimicrobial composition can be used in skin disinfecting formulations, such as scrub formulations and pre-operative skin disinfecting formulations. In one embodiment, the composition comprises about 3.3% parachlorometaxylenol.

Abstract: The invention relates to extended life thermal packs. In one embodiment, the thermal pack comprises a container having a first thermally reactive chemical solute therein, a rupturable solvent packet containing a solvent, and a rupturable solute packet containing a second thermally reactive chemical solute in the solute packet. The solutes are chemically separated until time of use and are different from one another. The chemical separation of solutes until time of use in combination with the structure of the thermal pack structure afford both extended duration of thermal effect by the pack and afford the user with increased control by permitting optional sequential combination of the reactants. The thermal reaction produced by the combination of solute and solvent can be either endothermic or exothermic and therefore can be used to apply cold or hot therapy, respectively.

Abstract: Powder-free natural rubber and synthetic elastomer gloves having an inner coating of a nitrile rubber with an intermediate layer of a rubber blend comprised of natural or synthetic rubber and nitrile rubber interposed between the nitrile coating and the base glove and their method of manufacture are described. The intermediate layer of the rubber blend interposed between the coating and the glove imparts a unique surface texture to the glove which aids donning and eliminates self-sticking of the inner glove surfaces, especially after the glove has been sterilized by radiation. Additionally the gloves of the invention exhibit good grippability, good donnability, superior tensile strength, elongation to break and stress at 500% elongation.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus having an elongated probe assembly providing passage for irrigation and evacuation, as well as for inserting surgical tools such as an endoscope, RF electrodes and cutting tools. The probe assembly has a light weight handle for accurate positioning of the probe. An irrigation port is connected by way of a tube assembly to an irrigation pump having a novel, inexpensive, replaceable cartridge. An evacuation port on the probe assembly is connected to a tube assembly leading to an evacuation pump.

Abstract: Powder-free natural rubber and synthetic elastomer gloves having an inner coating of a cross-linked polyurethane impregnated with silicone and their method of manufacture are described. The gloves exhibit good grippability, good donnability as measured by their wet and dry coefficient of friction, tensile strength, elongation to break and stress at 500% modulus.

Abstract: A device for delivering a substance such as a surgical sealant or adhesive to an internal portion of the body that has been acted on by a procedure performing instrument such as a catheter, trocar, laparoscopic instrument or a biopsy device is described. The invention more particularly relates to a biopsy device for obtaining one or more tissue samples and for applying at least one substance to the biopsy site in one operation.

Abstract: A large volume medical fluid vacuum collection canister includes a blow molded canister body defining a medical fluid receiving cavity. The canister body includes a pair of opposed upstanding sidewalls interconnected by a pair of opposed upstanding end walls a top wall with an opening and an opposed bottom wall. Each sidewall includes at least one reentrant beam portion extending inwardly from opposed sidewall surfaces into a central region of the medical fluid receiving cavity. The reentrant beams from opposing sidewalls are disposed in registering alignment so that there internal end faces abut in face to face relationship. The collection canister also includes a plurality of bellows recesses defined in the bottom wall and each of the opposed upstanding end walls. Each bellows recess extends the entire width of the bottom wall or end wall and further extends in a wrap around manner from the end wall or bottom wall portions to an intermediate point defined in the adjacent opposed sidewalls.

Abstract: An absorbent ice bag (10) made in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes an absorbent pad (12) operatively associated with an ice bag (15). The junction of the absorbent pad (12) and the ice bag (15) defines an unobstructed perimeter area that is an area of the absorbent pad (12) that extends beyond the ice bag (15). The unobstructed perimeter area provides an area of improved absorption and allows the side-by-side simultaneous placement of the ice bag (15) and the absorbent pad (12) on wound site. The ice bag (15) may contain ice (14), or other suitable phase change material.

Abstract: A device for providing therapy to the perineal and rectal areas of a patient is provided. The device can be used alone or in conjunction with an absorbent pad. The device is particularly useful for alleviating post-partum swelling and pain. Different embodiments of the device can be used to provide either hot or cold therapy to a patient.

Abstract: A cold pack 10 made in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a container 18. Disposed within the container 18 is a first endotherm-producing chemical 15. Also disposed within the container 18 is a solvent packet 13 and a chemical packet 11. Second endotherm-producing chemical 43 is disposed in the chemical packet 11. First endotherm-producing chemical 15, the solvent packet 13 and the chemical packet 11 are collectively components of the cold pack. Preferably the container 18 is sealed so as to surround and encase the components of the cold pack 10. The first endotherm-producing chemical 15 and the second endotherm-producing chemical 43 are selected to be different. Both the first endotherm-producing chemical 15 and the second endotherm-producing chemical 43 may be selected from among those compounds with a positive enthalpy of solution (&Dgr;sol/H°, kJ/mol) and which produce a reduced temperature of solution that is greater than 10° F.

Abstract: An spinal column support device for stabilizing and repairing problems associated with the material located between vertebra located in the cervical area of the spinal column. The support device has a hollow isosceles trapezoidal right prism-shaped skeletal frame with two load bearing surfaces. Each load bearing surface includes serrations. The support device also includes a cervical plate having two screw holes. The support devices is inserted between two vertebrae located in the cervical area of the spine wherein each vertebrae rests on a load bearing surface. The serrations keep the support device from backing out, while screws in the screw holes of the cervical plate help hold the cervical plate in position.

Abstract: A water-resistant, film-forming topical antimicrobial composition, removable by high pH solution, made in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a polyvinyl lactam, a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent, a copolymer of polyacrylate/polyoctylacrylamide, a pH sensitive acrylic polymer, and an alcohol. Preferably, the polyvinyl lactam is polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The preferred broad spectrum antimicrobial agent is iodine which is preferably complexed to the polyvinyl pyrrolidone. A process for making the film-forming topical antimicrobial composition is also provided.