Abstract: A method for signifying a selected cumulative scrubbing action between a device and a surface, the cumulative scrubbing action being signified by a signaling element, wherein the signaling element is configured to provide an observable signal when the selected cumulative scrubbing action has been provided to the surface. The method may comprise applying scrubbing action to the signaling element to release and/or expose at least a first portion of an indicator, and observing the device and/or surface for the signal. The present disclosure also relates to signaling elements and devices for use according to the methods of the present disclosure, and to methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing medical instruments that includes a body defining an interior volume and a lid connected to the body and configured to seal the interior volume between the lid and the body. The lid includes an exterior filter structure including a first plurality of ridges and a first plurality of troughs formed between the first ridges. The container includes a filter assembly connected to the lid and including an interior filter structure including a second plurality of ridges and a second plurality of troughs formed between the second ridges. The first plurality of ridges of the exterior filter structure are interposed between the second plurality of ridges of the interior filter structure. The exterior and interior filter structures are configured to form longitudinal channels positioned between the lid and filter assembly to define a rectangular tortuous filter path that inhibits ingress and egress from the interior volume.

Abstract: A rongeur includes a device body having a first arm and a second arm slidably coupled to the first arm. A handle operatively coupled to the first arm and the second arm is configured to move the second arm along a length of the first arm in a first direction and an opposing second direction. A tip assembly is removably coupled to a distal end of the device body. The tip assembly includes a first tip and a second tip slidably coupled to the first tip. A locking mechanism is configured to removably couple the first tip to the first arm and removably couple the second tip to the second arm. The second tip is movable with respect to the first tip from an open position toward a closed position as the second arm moves in the first direction.

Abstract: A surgical hair clipper includes a clipper body and a blade assembly connected to the clipper body. The blade assembly includes a moveable blade configured to reciprocate to remove hair from a skin area and a blade housing that houses the moveable blade. The blade housing has a guide surface that faces the skin area during a hair removal process. A touch sensor is exposed at the guide surface for contact with the skin area during use. A processor receives a signal from the touch sensor when the touch sensor contacts the skin area. The processor uses logic saved in a memory to instruct a feedback device to provide an indication of skin contact between the touch sensor and the skin area.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a catheter, the catheter with a distal length extending to a distal end, the distal length configured to indwell a cavity of a patient body. The distal length may include a first lumen extending longitudinally through a lengthwise portion of the distal length, where the first lumen may be at least partially defined by a first inner diameter surface of the distal length. The distal length may include a second lumen extending longitudinally through the lengthwise portion of the distal length, where the second lumen may be at least partially defined by a second inner diameter surface of the distal length. A first fenestration may be disposed through a side wall of the first lumen. A proximal length of the catheter may include a proximal lengthwise portion of the first lumen and the second lumen.

Abstract: An adjustable retractor blade and retractor system are disclosed. The retractor blade includes a fixed portion, extendible portion, and means for adjusting the length of the retractor blade. The means for adjusting may include a threaded rod engaging the fixed portion with the extendible portion. In one aspect, the extendible portion includes a plurality of stackable members, with the length of the adjustable blade adjusted by attaching stackable members. In one aspect, the fixed portion includes a plurality of holes, and the extendible portion includes at least one post, the plurality of holes configured to receive the at least one post, with the length of the adjustable blade adjusted by slidably displacing the extendible portion until the at least one post engages with at least one of the plurality of holes. Methods are provided for adjusting the length of a retractor blade.

Abstract: An adjustable length laparoscopic instrument is provided. The instrument includes a shaft with a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. The instrument further includes an actuation rod with an actuation rode distal end and an actuation rod proximal end. The actuation rod is receivable by the shaft such that the actuation rod can translate longitudinally relative to the shaft to actuate an end effector. The instrument further includes a handle configured to hold the shaft and the actuation rod. The handle is configured to cause the actuation rod to translate longitudinally relative to the shaft to actuate the end effector. The instrument further includes a length adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a shaft length. The shaft length is defined between the handle and the shaft distal end.

Abstract: An antiseptic solution comprising a pH-dependent antimicrobial agent, the pH-dependent antimicrobial agent having an operative pH range, wherein the solution has a pH on storage that is lower than the operative pH range. Applicators for applying the antiseptic solution and methods of using the antiseptic solution and applicators are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter for use in treating pleura diseases, such as pleural effusions and pneumothorax, includes a tip portion that is configured to irritate the pleura when the catheter is inserted in the pleural cavity, thereby initiating mechanical pleurodesis. The tip portion has a substantially rough configuration and may include one or more protrusions that contact the pleura when the catheter is in use, thereby irritating the layers. This irritation causes the creation of fibrous adhesions between the parietal and visceral layers that close off the pleural cavity and prevent further fluid and/or air accumulations that occur as a result of pleural diseases.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a cannula having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion. The distal portion is configured to extend into a patient body. The cannula defines an access channel between the proximal portion and the distal portion, wherein the access channel is configured to receive a scope such that the scope can be maneuvered through the access channel to a location within the patient body. A cleaning element at the distal portion is configured to contact at least a distal end of the scope.

Abstract: A trocar assembly with an integrated scope-cleaning structure may have a proximal portion configured for accessibility by a user and a cannula extending distally from the proximal portion and configured to extend distally into a patient body, where the cannula is further configured to receive a distal end of a scope such that the scope can be maneuvered through the cannula to a location within the patient body. A cleaning element may be included, where the proximal portion includes a housing, where the cleaning element is substantially located within the housing.

Abstract: Selectively-releasable colorant compositions that allow a controllable release of colorant molecules from resin in response to one or more specific environmental stimuli. The selectively-releasable colorant composition may comprise resin particles having colorant molecules reversibly bound thereto. The compositions of the present disclosure may also provide precise and uniform control of free colorant content in an environment and/or protection of the immobilized (i.e., unreleased) colorant from compromising environmental chemistries. The present disclosure also relates to methods of preparing and methods of using the compositions described herein.

Abstract: A hair clipper includes a clipper body comprising a motor and a blade assembly connected to the clipper body such that the motor moves a moveable blade of the blade assembly during operation. The blade assembly includes a blade housing having a guide surface that faces skin of a patient during operation and a patterned array of ribs that are located on the guide surface defining a guide plane. The ribs of the patterned array of ribs are arranged spaced-apart from one another and are sized to provide a kinetic friction force against dry skin of the patient of less than 1 N using a normal force of 3.5 N.

Abstract: Surgical clipper blade assemblies with hydrophobic coating layers and methods of use for hair removal from a skin area include using a surgical clipper blade assembly including a blade, a top surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of sidewalls disposed and extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and an aperture configured to receive the blade, and a hydrophobic coating layer disposed on at least a portion of a top skin facing surface comprising the top surface and the blade. The surgical clipper blade assembly may include a plurality of ribs on the top surface, and the portion of the top skin facing surface may include the top surface, the blade, the plurality of ribs, or combinations thereof. During operation of the blade to remove hair from the skin area, the hydrophobic coating layer reduces friction forces and prevents risk of skin abrasions.

Abstract: A hair clipper includes a clipper body comprising a motor and a blade assembly connected to the clipper body such that the motor moves a blade of the blade assembly during operation. The blade assembly comprising a blade housing and the blade that extends outwardly from an opening in the housing and a linkage that is connected to the blade and biases the blade toward a fully extended configuration. Wherein, upon application of a force against the blade during use that is above a preselected threshold, the blade assembly includes a retracted configuration wherein the blade retracts into the blade housing using the linkage.

Abstract: A nonwoven wipe comprises an antiseptic solution comprising a bis-(dihydropyridinyl)-decane derivative, a first fiber having a denier of about 1.5 to about 2.0, and a second fiber having a denier of about 3.0 to 3.5. About 30 wt % to 70 wt % of the total weight of the nonwoven wipe is the first fiber and about 30 wt % to 70 wt % of the total weight of the nonwoven wipe is the second fiber. The bis-(dihydropyridinyl)-decane may be octenidine dihydrochloride.

Abstract: A drainage system, the drainage system comprising a container having an interior and a mouth, the mouth comprising an outer surface and an opening, a frangible seal covering the opening, a cap secured to the mouth and in fluid communication with a drainage line, the cap having an inner surface configured to engage with the outer surface of the mouth, an O-ring located at least partially between the outer surface of the mouth and the inner surface of the cap and configured to form a fluid seal between a space defined by the cap and the space located externally of the drainage system, and a retaining ring circumferentially engaging the cap.

Abstract: A catheter configured for partial implantation into a patient and drainage of a body cavity may be provided with microtextured surface on one or more inner diameter surfaces and/or outer diameter surfaces of the tubular catheter body. The microtexturing may include surface features dimensioned to inhibit colonization and/or migration of microbes. The microtexturing may also include channels or other recesses containing an antimicrobial agent such as chlorhexidine gluconate or any other effective antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: An applicator assembly includes at least one ampoule formed of a frangible material and containing liquid to be applied, a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a chamber adapted to receive the at least one ampoule, an application member attached to the distal end of the body, an actuator projecting from the body operable to fracture the at least one ampoule, a trench formed in a surface of the body, and a vent disposed through a surface of the trench.

Abstract: A drainage system according to certain aspects of the present disclosure may include a container having an interior and a mouth, where the mouth has an outer surface and an opening. The drainage system may further include a frangible seal covering the opening and a cap, where the cap is secured to the mouth and is in fluid communication with a drainage line, and where the cap has an inner surface configured to engage with the outer surface of the mouth. An O-ring may be located at least partially between the outer surface of the mouth and the inner surface of the cap to form a fluid seal between a space defined by the cap and the space located externally of the drainage system.