Abstract: By interposing an adapter between the endotracheal or tracheal tube inserted to a patient and the ventilation and suction systems that are connected to the endotracheal tube, a catheter could be inserted via an input port built into the adapter so as to enable a medical personnel to provide localized treatments in the lungs of a patient without having to disconnect either one of the systems connected to the endotracheal tube. The adapter is configured to have a securing mechanism that allows the medical personnel to secure the medication catheter in place. A one way valve fitted to the apertured arm that forms the input port of the adapter prevents any back flow of fluid from the input port.

Abstract: To reduce the amount of air input to a patient warming blanket, when the blanket is of a size that does not require the full amount of air output from a convective warmer for optimal pressurization, a regulator is provided to the inlet of the blanket to restrict the amount of air input to the blanket, thereby reducing the airflow rate to one that is appropriate for the optimal inflation or pressurization of the warming blanket. Respective regulators that allow different amounts of air under pressure to pass therethrough may be correspondingly fitted to blankets of different sizes and/or dimensions. Each regulator fitted to the inlet of the blanket may be configured in the form of an adapter with multiple orifices for passage of air, or a filter made of an air permeable material having a preselected porosity.

Abstract: The present invention safety device is a one-piece needle assembly that has a base and a housing pivotally connected to the base. The base has a distal portion to which a needle is fitted. At the base there is formed longitudinally along its distal portion a catch mechanism that may be in the form of an anchor projection. At the back wall of the housing there is extended another catch mechanism that may be configured in the form of two clasping fingers. Also providing in the housing is an integral hook. As the housing and the base are pivoted relative to each other, and as the needle makes contact with the hook, the respective catch mechanisms at the base and the housing also make contact with each other, resulting in the coupling of the catch mechanisms and the coupling of the needle to the hook. As a result, the catch mechanisms are interlocked and the needle is fixedly retained by the hook within the housing.

Abstract: A convective warmer to which blankets of different dimensions may be connected is capable of providing air to the various blankets at flow rates that optimally inflate those blankets to achieve the optimal clinical result for the patients covered by those blankets. The blanket connected to the warmer may range from a full size adult warming blanket to a pediatric or neonate warming blanket. There is provided on each blanket a code, marking or marker, to be read by a sensor(s) provided at the outlet of the warmer, that identifies the type of blanket when the blanket is coupled to the warmer. Consequently, heated air may be automatically output by the warmer to the blanket at the appropriate flow rate of that blanket to optimally inflate the blanket without any need for intervention by a user. In addition to being used to control the flow rate of the heated air, the code from the blanket may also be used to control the temperature of the heated air to be input to the blanket.

Abstract: A convective warmer to which blankets of different dimensions may be connected is capable of providing air to the various blankets at flow rates that optimally inflate those blankets to achieve the optimal clinical result for the patients covered by those blankets. The blanket connected to the warmer may range from a full size adult warming blanket to a pediatric warming blanket. The convection warmer may have multiple fixed air flow rates each selectable by a user, via switch(es) either electronically or mechanically. For the electronic selection of a given flow rate, a motor adaptable to rotate a different speeds is used. To vary the flow rate mechanically, a valve is controlled to vary the amount of air that may pass to the blanket. Instead of different fixed flow rates, variable air flow rates, selectable by the user, may be used. Also, a feedback circuit that maintains the pressure sensed at the outlet of the warmer to a preset pressure may be used to eliminate the need for user intervention.

Abstract: A convective warmer to which blankets of different dimensions may be connected is capable of providing air to the various blankets at flow rates that optimally inflate those blankets to achieve the optimal clinical result for the patients covered by those blankets. The blanket connected to the warmer may range from a full size adult warming blanket to a pediatric warming blanket. The convection warmer may have multiple fixed air flow rates each selectable by a user, via switch(es) either electronically or mechanically. For the electronic selection of a given flow rate, a motor adaptable to rotate a different speeds is used. To vary the flow rate mechanically, a valve is controlled to vary the amount of air that may pass to the blanket. Instead of different fixed flow rates, variable air flow rates, selectable by the user, may be used. Also, a feedback circuit that maintains the pressure sensed at the outlet of the warmer to a preset pressure may be used to eliminate the need for user intervention.

Abstract: The present invention safety device is a one-piece needle assembly that has a base and a housing pivotally connected to the base. The base has a distal portion to which a needle is fitted. At the base there is formed longitudinally along its distal portion a catch mechanism that may be in the form of an anchor projection. At the back wall of the housing there is extended another catch mechanism that may be configured in the form of two clasping fingers. Also providing in the housing is an integral hook. As the housing and the base are pivoted relative to each other, and as the needle makes contact with the hook, the respective catch mechanisms at the base and the housing also make contact with each other, resulting in the coupling of the catch mechanisms and the coupling of the needle to the hook. As a result, the catch mechanisms are interlocked and the needle is fixedly retained by the hook within the housing.

Abstract: A regional anesthesia catheter used with a guide such as for example a needle cannula has a distal portion integrally connected to a main portion of the catheter by a junction portion that has a cross-sectional profile different from the distal and main portions, so as to predispose the distal portion of the catheter to move in a given direction when the distal portion is not guided by or constrained by the needle cannula. The cross-sectional profile of the junction portion may be configured in a particular shape, or be constructed to have a flexibility that predisposes the distal portion to bend, curve or move toward a given direction.

Abstract: A regional anesthesia catheter used with a guide such as for example a needle cannula has a distal portion integrally connected to a main portion of the catheter by a junction portion that has a cross-sectional profile different from the distal and main portions, so as to predispose the distal portion of the catheter to move in a given direction when the distal portion is not guided by or constrained by the needle cannula. The cross-sectional profile of the junction portion may be configured in a particular shape, or be constructed to have a flexibility that predisposes the distal portion to bend, curve or move toward a given direction.

Abstract: A multi-use, hand held, single patient oscillatory positive expiratory pressure respiratory therapy device which is easily assembled and disassembled for cleaning, and which is not position dependent during therapy, but operable through a wide range of device orientation.

Abstract: A nebulizer having a supplemental gas inlet port carried by the nebulizer head at a position removed from the nebulizer chamber so that the supplemental gas introduced does not entrain the liquid medicant effecting the rate of medication application to a user.

Abstract: An adapter that bridges the connecting ends of a medication providing device and a fluid connector includes a housing shroud that is fitted at one end with a core and at its other end with an inner shroud. Once fitted to the housing shroud, the core and the inner shroud each are not removable from the housing shroud. A catch hub is provided within the housing shroud for non-removably maintaining the core to the housing shroud. The core is rotatable relative to the housing shroud. Sufficient friction is provided between the core and the housing shroud to enable the medication providing device to be readily coupled to the core. Once the medication providing device is coupled to the core, and therefore the adapter, additional rotational movement, in either direction, of the medication providing device would only cause the core to rotate freely relative to the housing shroud, thereby preventing the medication providing device such as a syringe from being removed from the adapter.

Abstract: A fluid transfer system has a holder that is made of a cylindrical member having a closed end and an open end. The closed end has fitted thereto a luer and a cannula that extends into the interior of the holder. The holder has a distal portion that has a first cross section and a proximal portion that has a second cross section. The cross section of the distal portion is smaller than the cross section of the proximal portion. The distal and proximal portions are joined by a shoulder. The fluid transfer system also includes an adapter that is inserted to the holder from the open end of the holder. The adapter has a base having a central opening and a cylindrical tube that extends from the central opening. The diameter of the cylindrical tube is slightly smaller than the diameter of the distal portion and is configured to accept a first type of fluid collection store such as a vacuum tube.

Abstract: A needle protection device for a vial, or capsule, has a housing hingedly or flexibly connected to a needle collar by a hinge. The collar has a main portion configured to fit about at least a portion of the body of the vial and an extension configured to fit about at least a portion of the neck of the vial. A needle hub, movable along the neck of the vial and to which a needle extends, is interposed between the body and neck of the vial. The hub has a skirt portion that could be moved along the neck of the vial for capping or overlapping the extension of the collar to thereby non-removably secure the collar to the vial. An improved syringe assembly is effected when a vial of the instant invention is placed within a vial holder applicator, such as for example a CARPUJET applicator.

Abstract: A blood drawing system including a closeable first conduit through which drawn blood can flow; a first pressurizeable collection vessel for receiving blood therein; a hollow-shaft member; a second conduit leading from the first conduit to the first collection vessel; and a third conduit leading from the first conduit to the hollow shaft member connectable to a negative-pressure second collection vessel. Closing the first conduit allows blood transfer from the first vessel into the second vessel without exposure to or inclusion of any external devices to accomplish such transfer. Also included is an intravenous system with a conduit through which medicament liquid can be delivered and from which medicament liquid-free blood can be withdrawn. A first pressurizeable vessel first removes and conserves for reintroduction residual medicament liquid from the conduit, while thereafter a second negative-pressure vessel draws subsequent medicament liquid-free blood from the conduit.

Abstract: A swab collection and recovery device comprising: an elongate tube having at least one side wall, an open top, and a closed bottom; a cap for closing the top of the tube; and a swab having a handle wherein one end of the swab comprises an absorbent material and the other end of the swab is attached to the inside of the cap, wherein the cap and the swab can be removed from the tube as a single unit; wherein the elongate tube further comprises a compressible indentation along the side wall, and the absorbent end of the swab can be squeezed at the position of the compressible indentation to express absorbed liquids into the bottom of the tube. A method of taking a culture sample comprising using the swab collection and recovery device.

Abstract: A needle device, possibly in the form of a butterfly or IV needle, has a housing with an orthogonal passage to the bore of the housing. A key that has a non-uniform opening with spaces defined by the opposing inner walls of its two extending legs is inserted into the passage. By positioning the key at different placement locations relative to the passage so that the different dimensioned spaces of the opening become aligned with the bore of the housing, the needle assembly can be selectively retained at at least a first position whereby the needle is extended out of the housing, and a second position whereby the needle is permanently retracted within the housing after use.

Abstract: A self-contained portable unit for heating physiological fluids is disclosed. A heat exchanger is disposable to ensure sterility, and the hot exchanger is attached to a heating system by inserting it between opposed fluid connection elements. One of the fluid connection elements is movable to permit the heat exchanger to be installed and removed easily by inserting one end of the heat exchanger in one of the fluid connection units and moving the other fluid connection unit into contact with an opposite end of the heat exchanges. The heating fluid is heated by an electric heating element and is circulated by an electric pump.