Abstract: Disclosed is an article for use as a component part of a catheter system wherein a proximal section is exteriorized above the skin for connection to a liquid drug source, the article comprising a flexible sleeve having an advancement tip at its distal end to facilitate advancement of the sleeve into a passage beneath the skin created by tunneling the catheter subcutaneously to an exit site where the proximal end is exteriorized, the advancement tip having a generally bullet-shaped leading end and a base section having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the sleeve, the advancement tip having a channel extending therethrough for receiving the catheter for passage through the sleeve; an adapter for placing the proximal end of the catheter in liquid communication with the drug source, the adapter having a channel extending longitudinally between the adapter ends, an opening at the distal end of the adapter communicating with the adapter channel and through which the proximal end of the catheter

Abstract: This invention relates to venous blood flow in a patient's limb which is promoted by repeating a cycle of sequentially applying compressive pressures against a patient's limb through a flexible, pressurizable sleeve having pressure chambers progressively arranged along the limb in relation to the patient's heart. Specifically, the pressure chambers from the distal to proximal are pressurized until they are at their appropriate pressures so as to collapse the veins in the limb. At the end of the most proximal compression, a foot chamber is compressed at a substantially higher pressure than the other chambers to force a bolus of blood from the foot into the limb causing the collapsed veins to open, the support of the chambers minimizing distention of the veins and enhancing the transmitting of blood up the limb.

Abstract: A device for performing a procedure comprising, a first tray, a second tray positioned adjacent a side the first tray, and a flexible splash shield extending from a location adjacent the juncture of the first and second trays and being movable between a first position substantially covering the first tray and a second position substantially covering the second tray.

Abstract: A novel subcutaneous tunneling device is disclosed which is particularly directed to long-term epidural catheters for relieving intractable pain, which catheters require tunneling from the paravertebral incision where the catheter is introduced into the epidural space to a lateral location where administration of a narcotic is more conveniently handled. The tunneling device consists essentially of a hollow shaft having a solid removable cutting tip on one end thereof. Following removal of the solid cutting tip, a catheter, cannula or other tubular article may then be passed through the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wound dressing consisting of a primary dressing for placement on the skin to cover a wound and an overlying secondary dressing containing an absorbent pad for receiving and retaining wound fluids diffusing thereto from the underlying wound and primary dressing, the secondary dressing being releasably secured to the primary dressing around their common periphery by a pressure-sensitive adhesive, at least the peripheral outer surface of the primary dressing having a release coating whereby to facilitate removal and replacement of the secondary dressing without disturbing the primary dressing or the healing wound therebeneath.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter having a distal portion with a soft tip and reduced cross-section. The multilumen catheter of the present invention includes a flexible, elongated first catheter tube and a flexible, elongated, dual-lumen catheter tube which has a first and second lumens integrally formed and is disposed within the first catheter tube. The cross-section of the dual-lumen catheter tube is smaller than that of the first catheter tube and therefore, an independent, single lumen is defined in the space between the first catheter tube and the dual-lumen catheter tube. The dual-lumen catheter tube extends beyond the distal end of the first catheter tube thereby providing an overall reduced cross-section of the distal portion of the present multilumen catheter. Furthermore, the dual-lumen catheter tube may be formed from a softer material than that of the first cathether tube thereby providing a softer distal portion of the present multilumen catheter.

Abstract: A closure device for shrinkwraps comprising a high temperature-resistant, flame-resistant and dimensionally stable backing layer, a cross linked, high temperature-resistant, shear-resistant, and flame-resistant pressure sensitive adhesive applied to one surface of the backing layer; a heat-shrinkable film dimensionally smaller than the pressure sensitive adhesive layer positioned on the adhesive layer so as to maintain a peripheral area of exposed pressure sensitive adhesive; and an optional release liner applied so as to protect the exposed pressure sensitive adhesive layer from premature and unwanted contact prior to use.

Abstract: A catheter capable of being converted from a single lumen catheter into a multilumen catheter. The catheter of the present invention comprises a first large bore catheter tube and a second catheter tube having at least one lumen and an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the first catheter tube and which is capable of being disposed within the first catheter tube. When the second catheter tube is disposed within the first catheter tube, the second catheter tube abuts a portion of the inner wall of the first catheter tube to form a single lumen between the inner wall of the first catheter tube and the outer wall of second catheter tube. The first catheter tube has a first connector portion at its proximal end which is mateable with a second connector portion at the proximal end of the second catheter tube.

Abstract: An adapter kit 32 for a catheter introducer 31 wherein catheter 34 is passed into the body to transmit a medium through lumen 35 in catheter 34. Coupling means 95 is provided for compressing compression glands 48a and 48b against catheter 34 in a controlled manner in a catheter gripping position in FIG. 13, so that maximum resistance to catheter 34 pull-out is provided without distorting any medium transmitted by lumen 35. A related method is provided for sizing and using compression gland(s) 48.

Abstract: A dispenser for plurality of finger bandages comprising: (a) a release liner treated base sheet; (b) a plurality of individual wound dressings each comprising: (i) a backing; (ii) an adhesive layer on one surface thereof; (iii) a pad adapted for covering a wound disposed on the adhesive surface between opposed ends of the backing; (iv) a release liner covering one exposed adhesive surface and the pad, the other exposed adhesive surface is releasably attached to the release liner treated base sheets.

Abstract: A lightweight, porous knitted elastic bandage produced from a warp of false-twist synthetic yarns with a filling inlay of cotton yarn arranged in varying patterns across the warp yarns, wherein the filling cotton yarn is slack mercerized whereby to provide increased ply adhesion over that of the regular cotton yarn.

Abstract: A method of treating an article with a mixture of ethylene oxide gas, air, and an inert gas which makes possible reuse of the ethylene oxide for an indefinite number of successive treatment cycles. The gas mixture is refortified with ethylene oxide when necessary. Nonflammability is maintained by removing air from the treatment tank before the mixture is admitted into the tank by the evacuation of the tank to a predetermined pressure, the admitting of an inert gas to the tank to a predetermined pressure, and the subsequent removal of the resulting air and inert gas mixture from the tank by evacuation to a predetermined pressure, the air removal resulting in an air proportion less than or equal to that proportion residing in the treatment mixture that is maintained in the holding tank.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system is disclosed comprising a combination urine meter element and drainage receptacle, the urine meter element having front and rear walls defining a chamber adapted to receive and measure urine output.

Abstract: A compression device having a plurality of individual segments separated from each other, each segment having a compression chamber for applying pressure to selected positions of the foot and leg of a patient, a means for intermittently inflating and deflating the compression chamber, a means for releasably securing the segments about a patients limb, and a means for releasably connecting the segments to the inflating means to facilitate rapid connections in time of emergencies.

Abstract: Novel synthetic elastomer and/or natural rubber-based adhesive liquid coatings adapted for use as a primer coating for pipelines, which coatings include an amphipathic metal complexing reagent in an amount effective to provide protection against cathodic disbondment; and novel protective pipewrap systems including same.

Abstract: Novel duct tapes comprising a water-impermeable sheet backing carrying, in order, a cloth material and an adhesive layer, wherein the backing is embossed in order to lower the density and thereby render a duct tape of a given thickness more cost-effective.