Abstract: An elongate member for inserting into a cannula is disclosed. The cannula comprises an electrically insulated region and an electrically exposed conductive region for delivering energy to form a lesion within a patient's body at an intended location relative to the electrically exposed conductive region. The elongate member is structured to cooperatively engage with the cannula at a pre-determined insertion depth and to provide a variation in radiopacity, at a pre-determined position relative to the electrically exposed conductive region, when inserted to the pre-determined insertion depth. The variation in radiopacity provides a visual reference for distinguishing, using fluoroscopic imaging, the intended location of the lesion.

Abstract: A configurable percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft defines a lumen therethrough for passage of a feeding solution or medicine. An expandable retainer is located on the shaft, the retainer having a deployed position and an insertion position. The tube includes a releasable lock for maintaining the expandable retainer in its deployed position, the releasable lock located on the shaft proximal to the expandable retainer. A flexible sheath surrounds the expandable retainer, the sheath being generally loose around the retainer when the retainer is in an insertion position and the sheath being generally snug against an exterior surface of the retainer when the retainer is in a deployed position.

Abstract: There is provided a lotion tablet for the delivery of oxygen having an outer layer or “crust” coating an interior, that liberates oxygen upon rupture of the crust. The oxygen may be generated in the interior upon rupture of the crust or may be pre-formed or dissolved in the interior prior to coating the interior with the crust. The tablet would be easy to carry in airplanes, for example, making it readily available to the customer. Furthermore, the consumer may peel/tear open as many tablets as they desire, according to their needs/preference.

Abstract: A catheter advancement device includes a housing with a catheter inlet, a catheter outlet, and a manually actuated finger drive mechanism. The drive mechanism frictionally engages a catheter inserted into the inlet and advances the catheter through the housing and into or out of another device, such as a needle. The housing may be slidable along the needle.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polyurethane foam that is formed from: a multi-functional isocyanate component; an aqueous polyol component reactive with the multi-functional isocyanate component; an antimicrobial metallic compound; and a complexing agent. The complexing agent is used to form a stable blend of the antimicrobial metallic compound with the polyol component. Exemplary complexing agents include amine compounds, ammonium-containing compounds, and ammonia as well as combinations of these compounds. The antimicrobial metallic compound can be a silver, zinc, or copper compound. Desirably, the antimicrobial metallic compound is silver saccharinate. A process of making the antimicrobial polyurethane foam and stable blends used in the manufacture of the antimicrobial polyurethane foam are also disclosed.

Abstract: An alignment system for accurately setting the flow rate of a flow selector device, the system includes a flow selector device having a flow rate selection mechanism rotatable between a plurality of pre-selected positions; a knob providing a grip to rotate the flow rate selection mechanism, the knob having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and at least one registering element; and a cover movable between an open position providing access to the knob and a closed position restricting access to the knob, the cover further including at least one cover element that prevents closure when the registering element is misaligned with a pre-selected position.

Abstract: A device for dispensing fluid to a patient and indicating a fluid flow condition. The device includes a reservoir configured to provide a source of fluid under pressure. A continuous flow path in fluid communication with the source of fluid provides a continuous and substantially constant flow rate of fluid from the source to a patient. The device further includes at least one pre-biased indicator in fluid communication with the continuous flow path. The pre-biased indicator is configured to provide a discrete visual signal that the pressure of the fluid in the continuous flow path is different from a predetermined level of pressure, thereby indicating a fluid flow condition.

Abstract: There is provided a two part spray for the liberation and delivery of oxygen through the use of a first part that is a peroxide-containing solution and a second part that is a nanoparticle manganese dioxide catalyst. When the two parts are mixed together, the ensuing reaction results in the liberation of oxygen.

Abstract: An carboxylated nitrile-butadiene rubber latex formulation composed of a blend of a first acrylonitrile terpolymer and a second acrylonitrile terpolymer, wherein: the acrylonitrile content of the blended terpolymers is between 17 and 45% by weight, the methacrylic acid content of the blended terpolymers is less than 15% by weight, and the remaining balance of the terpolymers being butadiene. The invention also includes an elastomeric nitrile rubber article made from the formulation.

Abstract: A multi-panel sterilization assembly includes a barrier panel formed of a permeable material, a fold protection panel, and at least one panel attachment means. The barrier panel has a first end, an opposed second end, and a midpoint delineating the barrier panel into a content receiving region and a content covering region. Panel attachment means are located at or near edges of the barrier panel to identify the content receiving region. The fold protection panel has a proximal end and an opposed distal end. After the barrier panel is folded at or near the midpoint to bring its second end near its first end and its edges are brought together and secured by the panel attachment means to form a package, the fold protection panel folds at or near a pre-determined fold line to cover at least a portion of the edges of the folded barrier panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a procedure for wrapping an item to be sterilized with a protective sheet in such a way as to allow a rapid unwrapping of the item for use. This procedure saves time in unwrapping and reduces the risk of loss of sterility of the item and stress on medical personnel.

Abstract: An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.

Abstract: An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.

Abstract: A catheter assembly incorporating a pre-biased indicator, the assembly includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and catheter walls defining a catheter lumen. The assembly further includes a base located at the proximal end of the catheter, the base defining an opening to the catheter lumen, the base having a first end and a second end. An inflatable balloon having a predetermined fill volume is located at a distal end of the catheter. An inflation valve is located on the base; the inflation valve is in fluid communication with the balloon through an inflation lumen defined by the catheter walls. The pre-biased indicator located on the base in fluid communication with the balloon is configured to provide a discrete visual signal that the pressure of a fluid in the balloon is different from a predetermined level of pressure or the volume of the balloon is different from the predetermined fill volume.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the interior wall of a catheter has a cleaning lumen and skives as non-inflatable removal elements on the exterior surface of the cleaning lumen. Each skive has a first position when unconstrained and a second position when within the catheter. The skives self-position the device concentrically within the catheter. Suction is desirably applied to the cleaning lumen during use.

Abstract: An indicator assembly for use with a non-vascular catheter device. The indicator assembly includes: a first retainer secured to a catheter tube, the first retainer being an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a non-vascular lumen or cavity of the body; a second retainer secured to the catheter tube, the second retainer deployed outside the human body; and an indicator located outside the body on the catheter tube between the first retainer and the second retainer. The first retainer and the second retainer are configured to maintain substantially the same position with respect to each other on the tube and the indicator is configured to signal a change in position with respect to either the first or the second retainer, thereby indicating a change in the length of a stoma.

Abstract: A subglottic suctioning system with a tracheal tube having a ventilation lumen, a cuff inflation lumen, and a suction lumen are disclosed which may help reduce the incidence of ventilator associated (or acquired) pneumonia. The suction lumen communicates with the space in the trachea above the cuff where secretions accumulate. The suction lumen has a valve on the proximal end for connection to a source of vacuum. The valve is adapted to interrupt the supply of vacuum to the suction lumen to allow for the introduction of a rinsing fluid in its place and to automatically re-establish the connection to the source of vacuum upon completion of rinsing. The rinsing fluid aids in maintaining an open suction lumen and may include medicaments and mucolytic agents to enhance or promote healing or to alter the properties of the mucus to make removal easier. The user may easily and repeatedly alternate suction and rinsing fluid through the suction lumen, i.e.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an innovative retention element for use with feeding tubes for placement in a gastric lumen, desirably under direct visualization using an endoscope. The retention balloon has a shape with a recessed or concave center that provides space to accommodate the distal end of inserted feeding tubes. The retention balloon may be conical, square and half spherical and holds the stomach against the inner abdominal wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for the delivery of fluid medication across an anatomical region. In accordance with some embodiments, the catheter includes a tube having a plurality of exit holes in a side wall of the tube and an elongated member positioned within the tube. The exit holes combine to form a flow-restricting orifice of the catheter. Advantageously, fluid within the catheter flows through all of the exit holes, resulting in uniform distribution of fluid within an anatomical region.