Abstract: An applicator assembly includes a container having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a chamber, an application member attached to the distal end of the container, and a tearable solution reservoir disposed within the chamber, the tearable solution reservoir comprising a tearing member, wherein actuating the tearing member to tear the tearable solution reservoir brings the container, the tearable solution reservoir, and the application member into fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: A patient nasal interface is provided that includes a female portion and a first registration feature. The female portion receives a male portion of a generator head. The female portion wraps around and over the male portion when the male portion is inserted into the female portion of the patient nasal interface. The first registration feature is configured for mating with a second registration feature associated with the male portion of the generator head and wherein the mating of the first registration feature with the second registration feature provides a feedback to an operator upon proper insertion of the male portion into the female portion.

Abstract: A method for reducing a loss of medication from a nebulizer includes the steps of entraining a liquid medication into a first flow of a pressurized gas into a nebulizer chamber and also entraining an additional amount of the liquid medication into a second flow of ambient air drawn into the nebulizer chamber through an opening when a patient inhales through the nebulizer chamber. When the patient exhales, a portion of the exhaled breath is directed into the outlet of the nebulizer chamber, thereby increasing a backpressure within the outlet and substantially stopping the second flow of ambient air into the nebulizer chamber, thereby decreasing the amount of medication lost to the ambient environment while the patient is not inhaling.

Abstract: An IV holder for securing an IV needle and Luer fitting assembly. The IV holder includes a frame defining an aperture with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the aperture further being covered by a transparent window for protecting and securing the IV needle insertion site. The second portion of the aperture is disposed to fit a cylindrical Luer fitting. The holder is adhesively applied to a patient's skin and situated so that the needle insertion site is under the window and the first portion of the aperture while the Luer fitting is disposed within the second portion of the aperture.

Abstract: A heater wire including at least one extending component disposed thereon. The heater wire is positioned within a respiratory gas conduit.

Abstract: An adapter assembly including a manifold and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a seat and a valve body having a circular base and a wall. The wall extends from a trailing side of the base to form a dome-like shape terminating at an end at which a slit is formed, with the wall defining opposing sealing edges at the slit. The seat has an upper circumferential surface and a lower circumferential surface. The upper surface engages a leading side of the base, whereas the lower surface engages a trailing side. At least one of the upper and lower surfaces forms a segment of increased height. Upon final assembly, the valve body is disposed across a passageway of the manifold, with the slit providing a selectively openable path. A force imparted by the segment of increased height flexes the base and biases the sealing edges into engagement.

Abstract: A container is disclosed that has a housing and a lid. The lid has a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid. The latch has a retention feature and a first reference surface that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid. There is a latch mechanism coupled to the housing that has an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature of the latch and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface. The first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface when the lid is brought together with the housing with the fastener laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for providing fluid communications are described. In an example, a vial access cap includes a connector having an opening for providing access to a fluid pathway; a canella extending into an interior of a vial, the canella having a fluid lumen operatively coupled to the fluid pathway and a gas lumen; and a gravity-assisted valve comprising a valve body defining an elongated valve cavity, a first port, a second port operatively coupled to the gas lumen, and a valve member movable between a sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the first port and a non-sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the second port. In other examples, a syringe including a gravity-assisted valve and a system including gravity-assisted valves are described.

Abstract: An infusion data communication system provides a communication link among a fluid container, an infusion pump, and a patient through which identification data may be communicated. Data devices are located at the fluid container and the patient and conduct low frequency RF energy at a low power level containing the data into the medical fluid. The data-laden RF energy propagates through the medication fluid to data readers at the infusion pump which receives the RF energy and reads the data. A comparison is made to verify that the right medication is mounted to the infusion pump for administration to the right patient. RFID devices may be used for the data devices and readers. Pump programming data may also be propagated to the infusion pump from the container RFID tag. The RFID device at the patient may be writable and may be used to store a patient MAR.

Abstract: In a method for need-based order-picking of medicine portions, several medicine portions of a defined type are firstly identified in several blister packs of different dimensions having receiving chambers and are placed in an automated storage facility. Data identifying the blister packs are saved in association with designations of their storage locations. A dispensing pack is then made ready at an automatic filling station and is filled as needed. Finally, the filled dispensing pack is placed in the same or another automated storage facility, if the dispensing pack is not yet intended to be distributed.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a water level in a respiratory humidification system, said device comprising: at least one sensor positioned external to a humidification component, the at least one sensor configured for sensing water related information in the humidification component and providing the water related information to a water control module, the water related information comprising data configured for being used to control an operation of the water control module.

Abstract: A vial adapter for side engagement of a vial cap includes a needleless connector having a housing and defining one or more fluid pathways therein; an elongated piercing spike operatively coupled to the needleless connector, the elongated piercing spike having a longitudinal axis and one or more channels for fluid connectivity with the one or more fluid pathways; at least one housing arm coupled to the housing and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a coupling member configured to orthogonally receive a vial cap with respect to the longitudinal axis, the coupling member having a planar surface, an aperture of the planar surface longitudinally aligned with the elongated piercing spike, and at least one support arm extending from the planar surface operatively coupled with the at least one housing arm to allow relative longitudinal movement between the coupling member and the elongated piercing spike.

Abstract: An articulating laparoscopic instrument including a handle, an outer shaft, an end effector, and a wrist assembly. The wrist assembly connects the end effector to the shaft and includes torque and articulation mechanisms. The torque mechanism includes a plurality of links disposed over the rod and connected with one another in a pivotable yet rotationally locked fashion. The articulation mechanism includes a plurality of articulation member disposed over the rod to collectively define a deflection section. The links freely rotate relative to the articulation members, with the rod and links collectively bending in response to a change in shape of the deflection section.

Abstract: An infant nasal interface mask for use with a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) system including a mask body and a base. The mask body forms a cavity and is defined by a leading portion, an intermediate shell portion, and a trailing portion. The leading portion terminates in a leading edge forming an aperture open to the cavity and having a generally triangular shape for placement over a patient's nose. The trailing portion includes a bellows segment characterized by an increased flexibility as compared to a flexibility of the intermediate shell portion. The base extends from the trailing portion opposite the leading portion and forms at least one longitudinal passage extending through a thickness of the base and fluidly connected to the cavity. The intermediate shell portion is laterally pivotable relative to the base via the bellows segment.

Abstract: A heater wire for removing condensation from a respiratory gas conduit. The heater wire includes at least one groove disposed thereon. The heater wire is positioned in a respiratory gas conduit.

Abstract: A device including: a tubing clamp having a clamping mechanism holding closed a first fluid line while a second fluid flows along a second fluid line from a second container, the first fluid line delivers a flow of a first fluid; and a vacuum activated catch retainably coupled with the tubing clamp and coupled with the second fluid line, the vacuum activated catch including: a movable element coupled with the tubing clamp and configured for changing from a first shape to a second shape upon receipt of a deforming pressure, wherein when the movable element is in the first shape, the vacuum activated catch retains the tubing clamp in a closed position, and when the movable element is in the second shape, the vacuum activated catch releases the tubing clamp into an open position, thereby allowing the flow of the first fluid to commence within the first fluid line.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical device is provided, including a removable tool-comprising shaft having an outer shaft and an inner actuation rod that may be removably or permanently connected together. A handle of the device includes a two-button mechanism for engaging and releasing the removable tool-comprising shaft. The two-button mechanism is configured to engage overlapping corresponding apertures of the outer shaft and the inner rod that extends through the outer shaft, and the handle may include a variety of configurations that can readily interchangeably be used with different tool bodies.

Abstract: A data inputting system includes a communication device and user-activated control or input device, both coupled to a processor. Data and a focus indicator are displayed or otherwise communicated to a user through the communication device. The position of the focus indicator relative to the displayed data indicates a changeable portion of the displayed data. Changes to the displayed data are made by activating the input device, which may include one or more sets of up and down scroll keys. Each set of scroll keys may be used to change different portions of the displayed data. The processor automatically adjusts the position of the focus indicator based on predetermined criteria, thereby allowing changes to different portions of the displayed data. An associated method is disclosed wherein the focus indicator's position is adjusted after a predetermined time has elapsed from which the input device is deactivated.

Abstract: A connection device for a patient warming system is provided. The device includes a first connector port and a second connector port that each includes a wall that circumferentially defines a longitudinal channel. The first and second connection ports are each configured to receive a tubing that leads to a patient warming device. A self-sealing valve is aligned in each of the longitudinal channels to engage an inlet and outlet port of a control unit of the patient warming system. A planar base member of the connection device joins the second end of the first connector port generally parallel to the second end of second connector port. The connection device also includes a flexure member with a first catch mechanism that releasably secures the connection device to the control unit of the patient warming system.

Abstract: An IV set is disclosed that includes a silicone rubber tube coated with a layer of a gas barrier material. The coated tube is resilient and has low gas permeability and is suitable for use with peristaltic IV pumps.