Abstract: A composition and method for treating a wound with an inherently antimicrobial dressing. The dressing is a hydrogel containing from about 15 to 95 percent, and preferably from about 61 to 90 percent, by weight of a cationic quaternary amine acrylate polymer prepared by the polymerization of acryloyloxyethyl(or propyl)-trialkyl(or aryl)-substituted ammonium salts or acrylamidoethyl(or propyl)-trialkyl(or aryl)-substituted ammonium salts. The antimicrobial hydrogels are non-irritating to the wound, absorb wound exudate, and, due to the inherently antimicrobial properties, enhance the sterile environment around the wound. The hydrogels have sufficient adhesive properties that loose contact with the wound is assured but can also be removed without leaving any gel residue on the wound. The wound dressings are preferably formed on a substrate, such as a web or patch, for ease in application to and removal from the wound.

Abstract: Filtration and closure barriers are disclosed which prevent passage of gas-carried contamination between the atmosphere and a collapsible sheath, which surrounds a catheter tube, during insertion and/or removal of the catheter tube from the respiratory tract of a medical patient.

Abstract: A reliable contamination resistant single use disposable medical non-ventilating aspirating device and method. The device releasibly connects to and aligns with an indwelling endotracheal tube to accommodate advancing of an aspirating catheter tube the device by manual manipulation through a sterile flexible envelope and selective evacuation of lung secretions through a closed and sterile two-position normally closed manually operable valve at the proximal end of the device, while simultaneously accommodating voluntarily respiration by the patient.

Abstract: A blood-gas sampler in the nature of a syringe comprising a hollow internally stepped cylindrical barrel and a coaxial stepped plunger having one or more nesting stepped seals at the leading end thereof, the assembly accommodating arterial blood aspiration causing retraction of the plunger within the barrel and discharge of blood from the hollow of the barrel caused by advancement of the plunger. A clip prevents inadvertent excessive retraction of the plunger during the blood aspiration and blood discharge phases.