Abstract: A reusable, reclosable, suspendable bag assembly facilitates storage of an object, such as a medical instrument, between uses. The bag assembly includes a suspension tab for hanging or carrying the bag. A closure flap is provided to fold over an opening of the bag to close the interior cavity therein. The bag assembly is formed in two sections, a removable section and a reusable, reclosable bag section. The removable section is attached to the reclosable bag section by tear lines that allow the removable section to be readily detached from the bag section by a user.

Abstract: An epidural needle through which an epidural catheter may be threaded for administering liquid anesthesia into the epidural space, the needle having a curved distal end, the tip of the needle distal to the opening in the needle shaft being substantially planar at an angle of 80.degree.-100.degree. relative to the curved longitudinal axis of the needle shaft, the needle tip being characterized as being faceted so as to retard inadvertent passage of the needle tip through the dura mater of a patient while at the same time retaining the sharp cutting edges common to a like epidural needle which has not had its tip so treated.

Abstract: Wound dressings comprising a synergistic combination of reagents comprising a blend or mixture having effective amounts of chitosan and alginate to provide an absorption capacity for wound exudate far greater than that obtainable with the same amount by weight of either chitosan or alginate alone, along with the inherent hemostatic properties of the alginate and the other biological properties of the reagents including, but not limited to fungistic and bacteriostatic properties as well as the ability to accelerate wound healing by inducing high migration of poly- and mononuclear cells toward the wound and rapid granulating tissue formation with abundant angiogenesis. The alginate and chitosan may be provided in the form of a powder, film, gel, foam or mixtures thereof. In addition to the alginate and chitosan, the wound dressing may and frequently will contain other reagents providing specific desired functions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compression sleeve for use in systems for applying compressive pressure to a patient's leg. The sleeve has an improved design for facilitating proper placement on the leg and for providing increased comfort for the patient wearing the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of making a dual lumen catheter which is a unitary, elongated, flexible catheter tube that is substantially circular in cross-section. The catheter tube has an outer wall member forming a tube having a proximal end and a distal end portion adapted for insertion within a vein or artery of a patient. The outer wall member defines first and second coaxial lumens that are separated by an inner common support wall which is substantially circular and joins the outer wall. The first lumen extends longitudinally between the opposed distal and proximal ends of the catheter tube and terminates coextensive with the distal end portion of the catheter tube. The second lumen extends longitudinally from the proximal end of the catheter tube and terminates proximal to the distal end portion of the catheter tube. The second lumen is crescent-shaped in cross-section and substantially surrounds the first lumen. The cross-sectional areas of the first and second lumens are approximately equal.

Abstract: Adhesives, particularly pressure sensitive adhesives, and adhesive tapes, e.g., harness tapes, that exhibit low-fogging characteristics. The adhesive is a cured composition of an elastomer and a cure system including a sulfur-containing and a zinc-based curing agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for ventilating and aspirating the respiratory system of a patient, the apparatus having a patient module, a disposable center module, and a vacuum module. The patient module includes tubular connecting means connectable to a supply of air and to the trachea of the patient for involuntarily supplying air to and withdrawing air from the lungs of the patient. The center module includes a first end element connected to the patient module, a second end element, an elongated flexible tubular catheter element permanently connected to the second end element and extending slidably and sealingly through the first end element, and an elongated, collapsible, tubular plastic sleeve connected to the first and second end elements and extending therebetween around the catheter element. The vacuum module is connected to the second end element and adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for applying vacuum to the catheter element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in wound dressings comprising an absorbent pad for receiving and retaining wound fluids sandwiched between outer perforated non-adherent films for preventing the dressing from sticking to the wound, the improvement being employing as the absorbent pad a multilayer structure comprising an inner layer of a low density absorbent material for receiving fluids diffusing to the dressing from the wound and an overlying layer of a high density absorbent material for receiving and retaining wound fluids diffusing through the inner layer in order to inhibit skin maceration due to the wetness of the surface area of the absorbent pad adjacent the wound.

Abstract: The invention concerns how the loop portion of a VELCRO fastener can be RF welded to a compression sleeve or other similar article. By using a simpler two-step method, in which the loop portion is provided with a backing laminated thereto, both labor and material costs have been reduced over the prior art five-step method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tamper-evident tape for applying over the flap or other opening in cellulosic substrates such as paper products, corrugated containers, cardboard boxes, shipping cartons and the like, which tape will provide evidence of tampering with its contents over a wide temperature range from above to below the Tg of the adhesive layer adhering the tape to the substrate. The tape has a transparent backing layer carrying on one side thereof a discontinuous layer of deposits of a transparent barrier material which is bonded to the backing layer and which prevents bonding of an underlying colored layer to the backing layer in areas where the barrier material is present.

Abstract: The invention features methods and apparatuses for evacuation of exudate from wounds. The apparatuses include a suctioning means having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a wound cover in fluid communication with the suctioning means via the inlet port. The wound cover is adapted to fit in fluid communication with a wound dressing for application to a wound site. The suctioning means is operative to remove exudate from a wound dressing in association with the wound cover and covering a wound site.

Abstract: An airway for both sole esophageal obturator ventilation and for combined endotracheal and esophageal obturator ventilation of a patient. The airway has two lumens one of which has an open distal end and the other of which has a closed distal end. The airway further has an inflatable distal cuff and an inflatable pharyngeal cuff. Communicating with the lumen having the closed distal end is at least one air outlet located in the airway wall between the two inflatable cuffs. To determine the position and orientation of the airway within a patient, the airway is provided with an X-ray opaque stripe that preferably axially extends in the wall, but is interrupted by at least one air outlet between the inflatable cuffs. An X-ray opaque shaft may also be present between the inflatable cuffs and is preferably attached to the wall. The airway may also be provided with monitoring lumens and deflector means in communication with the lumen that has the open distal end.

Abstract: A polarized manifold connection device for connecting multiple conduits from a compression sleeve having inflatable chambers to multiple tubing from a source of pressurized fluid is disclosed. The connection device comprises a male connector half and a female connector half each having a similar visually perceptible asymmetrical configuration of their respective housings defined by rigid elements which resist deformation of the housings. Thus, the two halves can be connected in only a single orientation. In this manner, the conduits from the source of fluid are uniquely connected to the conduits from the inflatable chambers. The connection device incorporates a releasable locking mechanism which allows the connector halves to be connected by pushing them together and disconnected by pulling them apart without excessive force.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wound dressing comprising an absorbent pad impregnated with an alginate for promoting wound healing and which upon contact with the wound will exhibit haemostatic properties, the absorbent pad being characterized as being soft and highly pliant.