Abstract: A method and apparatus for overpressure protection of a catheter from an indwelling catheter. A method in one embodiment includes injecting an agent into the catheter and relieving overpressures in the catheter during the injecting step. The agent is typically a declotting agent and the obstruction is typically a clot (e.g., blood clot). In one embodiment of the apparatus, a catheter includes a cannula and a first hub and a second hub, each of which are coupled to the cannula. The first hub is for receiving an agent which is placed into the cannula to remove an obstruction, and the second hub includes an overpressure relief valve for relieving an overpressure condition in the cannula. Other embodiments of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A method for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of medical devices and similar instruments having long narrow lumens or diffusion restricted areas includes the step of pretreating the article to be sterilized with a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide prior to exposure to a vacuum or a vacuum followed by plasma. The method is such that, upon vaporization of the solution caused by the vacuum, the hydrogen peroxide remains in contact with the article for a time sufficient to achieve sterilization.

Abstract: The invention provides water swellable wound dressing materials comprising from 5% to 50% of an alginate ester of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 polyhydric alcohol; from 50% to 95% of a humectant consisting of one or more C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 monohydric or polyhydric alcohols; and from 0% to 30% of water, the percentages being calculated by weight based on the weight of the material when anhydrous. The preferred alginate ester is propylene glycol alginate (PGA). The materials swell but do not dissolve in cold or warm water. Insolubility is achieved by the addition of polyvaent cations such as calcium ions, or by covalent cross-linking of the pga, or by adding from 10 to 35% by weight of water-swellable polysaccharide such as gelatin, or by adding from 5% to 20% by weight of a cationic polymer such as chitosan.

Abstract: A wound dressing has a wound-contact layer formed from a polyurethane foam. The foam comprises one part by weight of the reaction product of an isocyanate-capped prepolymer with water (and optionally other hydroxy-functional compounds), and from 0.03 to 0.3 parts by weight of a natural or synthetic rubber. The isocyanate-capped prepolymer is preferably an isocyanate-capped ethyleneoxy/propyleneoxy copolymer, and the rubber is preferably an acrylic rubber.

Abstract: A method for cleaning/sterilizing a medical device with a lumen comprises the steps of: a) providing a container having one enclosure and one openable and closeable interface separating the container and the enclosure, b) placing the device on a tray, c) placing the tray into the container and enclosure so that one end of the device and a portion of the tray are located in the container and the other end of the device and another portion of the tray are located in the enclosure, d) creating a pressure difference between the two ends, e) cleaning the device with a cleaning solution, f) rinsing the device with rinse solution, g) treating the device with a chemical germicide. An apparatus for cleaning/sterilizing a device with a lumen comprises a container having at least two separated close compartments. An openable and closeable interface separates the container into the compartments.

Abstract: A composite surgical material comprising a collagen matrix reinforced by a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material such as polylactide/polyglycolide or oxidised regenerated cellulose, and wherein oil droplets are dispersed in the collagen matrix. The oil droplets comprise 1% to 75% of the weight of the composite and result in improved leak-proofing of the composite. The composite, in the form of a sheet or a tube, is especially useful as a temporary, fully bioabsorbable prosthesis, for membranes or blood vessels where a highly leak-proof prosthesis is required. The invention also provides a method of making a composite surgical material comprising the steps of: providing a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material; providing a dispersion of collagen in an oil-in-water emulsion; coating at least one face of the layer of synthetic bioabsorbable material with the said dispersion; and drying the composite material thus obtained.

Abstract: A method for cleaning/sterilizing a device having a lumen with at least two open ends comprises the steps of: a) providing a container having at least one enclosure and at least one interface separating the enclosure from the container, the interface having at least one opening thereon, b) placing the device across the opening with one open end in the container and another open end in the enclosure, c) generating a flow of a cleaning solution through the lumen to clean the inner surface of the lumen, d) generating a flow of rinse solution through the lumen to rinse the inner surface of the lumen, e) treating the device with a chemical germicide, and f) adjusting the opening in any of steps c) to e) to reduce the areas on surface of the device occluded by contacting with the opening. An apparatus for cleaning/sterilizing a lumen device comprises a container having a fluid port for flowing and draining a fluid in and out the container.

Abstract: A system for preparing autologous plasma comprises a single use filter unit having two inlets in fluid communication with each other, an outlet, and a filtration membrane selectively permeable to blood plasma separating the inlets from the outlet. Manually operable, single use pumps, preferably syringes, connect to the inlets. A flow path is defined along the membrane between the pumps, whereby, whole blood can be repeatedly exchanged between the two pumps, past the membrane, to cause plasma to flow across the membrane and out of the outlet. A syringe can collect plasma from the outlet. Plasma thus collected can be simultaneously applied with a thrombin solution to a site on the body, thereby forming a fibrin gel.

Abstract: A composite surgical material comprising a collagen matrix reinforced by a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material such as polylactide/polyglycolide or oxidized regenerated cellulose, and wherein oil droplets are dispersed in the collagen matrix. The oil droplets comprise 1% to 75% of the weight of the composite and result in improved leak-proofing of the composite. The composite, in the form of a sheet or a tube, is especially useful as a temporary, fully bioabsorbable prosthesis, for membranes or blood vessels where a highly leak-proof prosthesis is required. The invention also provides a method of making a composite surgical material comprising the steps of: providing a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material; providing a dispersion of collagen in an oil-in-water emulsion; coating at least one face of the layer of synthetic bioabsorbable material with the said dispersion; and drying the composite material thus obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides a wound dressing (1) comprising a wound contacting sheet (4) laminated to one side of an absorbent layer (3) of water-swellable absorbent material such as a polyurethane. A liquid water-impermeable backing layer (2) is laminated to the other side of the absorbent layer (3). The wound contacting sheet is provided with one or more slits (5) therein. Expansion of the absorbent layer (3) due to absorption of wound exudate causes the slits (5) in the wound contacting sheet (4) to expand, thereby allowing passage of high flow rates of wound exudate. If the flow of exudate falls, then the slits close, thereby avoiding excessive drying of the wound surface.

Abstract: A method for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of medical devices and similar instruments having long narrow lumens or diffusion restricted areas includes the step of pretreating the article to be sterilized with a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide prior to exposure to a vacuum or a vacuum followed by plasma. The method is such that, upon vaporization of the solution caused by the vacuum, the hydrogen peroxide remains in contact with the article for a time sufficient to achieve sterilization.

Abstract: During a vacuum evacuation of a chamber, the presence of water in the chamber can be detected by monitoring the pressure level in the chamber. In the absence of water, the pressure will decrease continuously and smoothly. If water is present, the pressure will rise slightly one or more times, especially as the pressure falls below 5 torr. This rise in pressure can be detected to signal the unwanted presence of water in the chamber. The method has particular application to ensuring the chamber is free of water during the evacuation of a chamber employed in vapor or vapor/plasma sterilization.

Abstract: Methods for peroxide vapor sterilization of medical devices and similar instruments having long narrow lumens or diffusion restricted areas includes the step of contacting the article to be sterilized or a diffusion-restricted environment containing said article with a source of peroxide prior to exposure to a vacuum or a vacuum followed by plasma. The methods are such that, upon vaporization of the source of peroxide caused by the vacuum, the peroxide remains in contact with the article for a time sufficient to achieve sterilization.

Abstract: An apparatus releasably clamps a wheeled or castored object to the floor or other surface to thereby restrain its movement during a seismic event such as an earthquake. The apparatus comprises a pair of wheel tracks or receivers which guide the castors into position whereby a pair of horizontally projecting pins on the receivers enter corresponding openings on the object and snubbers on the receivers abut the object. An overcenter locking clamp releasably holds the object in place.

Abstract: A medical instrument sterilization container (10) is provided which includes a port (18). A removable filter (32) is received within port (18) to enable sterilization of instruments placed within container (10). A removable plug (48) replaces filter (32) to enable container (10) to be used to transport instruments without leaking of fluids therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting exposure to an oxidation-type sterilant using a chemical indicator comprising bleachable dye is disclosed. Using the method and apparatus disclosed, a bleachable azo dye is incorporated with an anodized aluminum or chromate conversion coated surface and exposed to an oxidation-type sterilant, such as hydrogen peroxide, and inspected upon completion of the sterilization process for color change. If exposed to sterilant for an appropriate amount of time the bleachable dye changes color thereby indicating adequate sterilization. The surface incorporating bleachable dye may be made to change color after a predetermined number of exposures to a oxidation-type sterilant.

Abstract: A system to deliver gas/vapor from solid materials. Specifically, the delivery system for the use of gas or vapor released from a solid material, such as a non-aqueous/solid hydrogen peroxide complex. The system is comprised of a delivery system that is configured to receive a plurality of disks containing the solid material and provide these disks into an injector. The injector heats the disks to produce a gas or vapor that is then provided into a chamber. The sterilization process can be done by gas or vapor alone, or in combination with plasma or ultra violet radiation. In particular, a control system automatically induces the delivery system to provide the injector with a disk and then remove the disk once the injection sequence is complete.

Abstract: A system for preparing autologous plasma comprises a single use filter unit having two inlets in fluid communication with each other, an outlet, and a filtration membrane selectively permeable to blood plasma separating the inlets from the outlet. Manually operable, single use pumps, preferably syringes, connect to the inlets. A flow path is defined along the membrane between the pumps, whereby, whole blood can be repeatedly exchanged between the two pumps, past the membrane, to cause plasma to flow across the membrane and out of the outlet. A syringe can collect plasma from the outlet. Plasma thus collected can be simultaneously applied with a thrombin solution to a site on the body, thereby forming a fibrin gel.

Abstract: A novel shoe cover for medical uses comprises a one piece unit of thin elastomeric material having a pair of side panels in substantially parallel relation to each other. Each of the side panels has a foot shaped portion, an ankle shaped portion and an outer perimetric edge. A bead shaped perimetric section joins the two side panels at their respective perimetric edges, except at an upper edge of the ankle portions. A traction enhancing embossed pattern is formed on a lower portion of the foot shaped portion of the side panels. A novel method for forming the shoe cover comprises providing a shoe cover form which has substantially parallel lateral sides and a peripheral edge thereabout, which comprises a foot forming portion and an ankle forming portion, which has recesses covering substantially all of the foot forming portion of the first and second sides, and which has a textured surface on a louver portion of the foot forming portion.