Abstract: An adjustable brace including a substantially rigid shell conforming to a body part of a user and a strap for securing the shell in fitting engagement with the body part, the shell having a substantially rigid central body portion and a pair of opposite and substantially rigid side portions fixedly and adjustably positionable relative to the body portion of the shell, wherein the positions of the side portions may be independently adjusted relative to the body portion of the shell to provide relatively custom fitting of the brace to the user.

Abstract: A solidifier for liquid medical waste disposed in a vessel, the solidifier comprising a mixture of absorbents having different apparent densities whereby at least one absorbent is negatively buoyant and at least one absorbent is positively buoyant relative to the liquid medical waste. Packaging for the solidifier is disclosed for effecting selective dispersal of the solidifier within the liquid medical waste disposed in the vessel.

Abstract: A thigh cuff extension for use with a medical brace. The thigh cuff extension includes a plurality of flexible and conformable body portions releasably and adjustably connectable to one another so as to provide a cuff body adjustably positionable to snugly encircle the thigh of a user, at least one substantially rigid stay member associated with each of the body portions, and an extension member associated with one of the rigid stay members and connectable to the medical brace.

Abstract: A solidifier for a liquid, the solidifier comprising a mixture of absorbents having different apparent densities whereby at least one absorbent is negatively buoyant and at least one absorbent is positively buoyant relative to the liquid sought to be solidified. Packaging for the solidifier is disclosed for effecting selective dispersal of the solidifier within the liquid sought to be solidified.

Abstract: A one piece surgical device for perforating an amniotic membrane, the device including a elongate body defining a tip portion and an opposite handle potion, with the tip portion including a blunt end surface and a rearwardly projecting hook portion which is adjacent an upper edge of the body and the handle portion includes one or more raised surfaces located on the sides of the body closely adjacent the upper edge, wherein a user grasping the device may feel the raised surfaces to determine the orientation of the hook portion.

Abstract: A system for delivering warm, humidified oxygen to patients at very low flow rates, the system including a conduit having an inlet connected to a source of humidified oxygen at a first flow rate and an outlet end for delivering humidified oxygen to a patient at a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate. A first flowpath extends through a sidewall of the conduit for continuously bleeding oxygen from the conduit and a second flowpath extends through the sidewall of the conduit downstream from the first flowpath for continuously bleeding oxygen from the conduit at a rate of from about 0 liters/minute or above. A substantially solid member is movably positionable adjacent the second flowpath for selectively blocking and unblocking portions of the second flowpath for defining a variably dimensionable flow path in order to control over the amount of oxygen flowing through the second flowpath.

Abstract: A low-profile lumbo-sacral orthosis consists of flexible anterior and posterior members, both shaped to fit around the waist of a patient's torso, and a closure system on each side of the orthosis for joining the flexible anterior and posterior members. The anterior member is formed of a web of flexible material. A middle panel of loop material is attached to external surface of the anterior web in the middle to form a pocket, and two anterior side panels of loop material are attached to external surface of the anterior web at each side to form pockets. Reinforcing splints are inserted into each pocket. The flexible posterior member is formed of a web of flexible material with two posterior side panels of loop material attached to the external surface to form two pockets. Reinforcing splints are inserted into each of the pockets. A moldable posterior splint is attached to the external surface of the posterior web in the middle.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a temperature controlled therapy device is provided which maintains a desired temperature in a fluid.

Abstract: A thoraco-lumbo-sacral brace formed of flexible materials designed to fit patients of varying shapes and sizes. The brace comprises an anterior support and a posterior support, both made of a hook and loop material, and connected by two sets of connection straps. The connection straps comprise a series of flexible straps attached to a common strap, and a rigid strap. Each flexible strap passes through a loop attached to the posterior support. The common strap is made of a hook and loop material The common strap may be fastened to the anterior support at any angle in order to tighten the brace and adjust it to fit a variety of body types. The rigid strap similarly passes through a loop and is attached to the anterior support atop the common strap, thereby minimizing unwanted lateral motion. The anterior support further may accept a plurality of splints sized to fit within a plurality of cavities located on the front side of the anterior support. These splints provide additional support for the patient.

Abstract: An orthosis including a splint, a sole member detachably connectable to a surface of the splint, a fastener extending from the surface of the splint, an aperture extending through the sole member for receiving the fastener, a projection extending from the surface of the splint and spaced apart from the fastener, and a receptacle defined on the sole member for receiving the projection in a snap-fit relationship when the sole member is installed on the splint.

Abstract: An orthosis including a splint, a sole member detachably connectable to a surface of the splint, an adjustable fastener extending from the surface of the splint, an aperture extending through the sole member for receiving the adjustable fastener, a projection extending from the surface of the splint and spaced apart from the adjustable fastener and a cutout portion defined on the sole member for receiving the projection when the sole member is installed on the splint.

Abstract: A disposable light handle is designed for removable attachment to manually adjustable light fixtures employed in sterile medical settings. The light handle includes an elongated handle body, having one end closed, and an opposite end provided with a threaded portion. At the junction of handle body and threaded portion is an integrally formed circular shield that projects therefrom to provide a guard against contact between the hand of a user and the light fixture. The shield is sufficiently resilient and flexible to permit opposite sides of an outer periphery to bend into an overlying relationship to the handle body for minimizing width in storage. The shield is provided with loops located diametrically opposed to one another on the periphery of the shield. Connector projections are diametrically opposed to one another along the length of the handle body, and positioned to releasably receive thereon the loops when the shield is bent into an overlying relationship.

Abstract: The healing of wounds is enhanced by contacting the wound surfaces with a dressing of D-glucose polysaccharide obtained by hydrolysis of starch containing ascorbic acid, collagen type I and alpha-tocopherol acetate. The collagen type I, and the ascorbic acid in the dressing are the typical chemotactic agents of neutrophils, fibroblasts and/or endothelial cells. These combinations can be present in the dressing as a gel. The composition material can be applied to the wound as a particulate material such as a powder, or as material such as a gel, paste, dispersion, solution or syrup. Wounds, in particular those occurring in the skin as second and third degree burns, stasis ulcers, trophic lesions, such as decubitus ulcers, severe cuts and abrasions which are commonly resistant to the natural healing process, may be treated with this composition. The application of this combination to open wounds greatly accelerates the rate of healing and reduces scarring.

Abstract: A method for integration of the institutional supply chain for medical products utilizing a nested bill of materials on a care event level of a clinical pathway for one or more medical procedures. The medical supplies appropriate for use in a care event are expressed as a bill of materials. Each item of medical supply is assigned a unique identifier which includes at least identification of the item itself, identification of the supplier of the item, and identification of the care event with which the item is to be used. Portions of the supplies are provided by multiple vendors to a unitized container sequencing center where the supplies are bundled by care events and packed into a unitized container. This container is then shipped to a customer or distributor for further shipment to a customer.

Abstract: A receptacle for liquid medical wastes including an open top vessel having a bottom, an integral upstanding wall (or multiple side walls in one embodiment) defining an upper flanged rim, a lid adapted to cover the open top of the vessel in sealing engagement with the flanged rim, a recess defined preferably centrally of the lid and including an opening through the lid which is disposed centrally of the recess, a closure flap anchored at one of its ends to the top surface of the lid at a spaced apart location relative to the recess and being adhesively attachable to the top surface of the lid and in covering relationship to the recess, and means for releasably anchoring the receptacle during its use in a theater of medical operation. The receptacle is formed from incineratable material, such as recycled plastic materials. In one embodiment, the vessel contains liquid absorptive material(s).